Features

The 680 ohv Brough Superior was launched as smaller version of the iconic SS100 – and it certainly looked the part. But, for better or worse, does it share its bigger brother’s characteristics? Beautiful baby As I travelled back from riding the 680 Brough Superior, I was trying to think about what it most reminded…

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In Germany in the 1950s and 60s, Zundapp was one of several companies to manufacture high-class ‘commuter’ machines. Commuting with style Above: Despite the KS100 being half the engine capacity of the other, it is only about 5mph slower. Just like a certain savoury spread, people either love two-strokes or loathe them, and those in…

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This staggering motorcycle, built in 1935, is based on a Henderson Four. It takes its styling cues from the art deco period from whence it came – and it couldn’t have come from any other era. Time machine The compact dimensions of the riding position are clear to see. Most motorcycle design doesn’t represent a…

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The start of the 1967 Ulster Grand Prix. But all is not, perhaps, as it seems The camera does lie Every picture tells a story, right? So, here we have the start of a race and Giacomo Agostini, on the MV, right, is streaking away into an unassailable lead, probably on his way to a…

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The ASI MotoShow is a real celebration of motorcycling, with a hugely diverse amount of stunning machinery taking to the track. Bigger than ever! Sunbeam Model 9, dating to 1927, being ridden stylishly by Luca Boccardo. Kork Ballington drifted his 1981 lime green Kawasaki KR500 around the outside of Danilo Gardella’s Ducati Mike Hailwood Rep,…

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That’s all this beautiful 1956 Tiger 110 Triumph has had. Though its original owner sold it in 1961, it was left to him in the second owner’s will. Two careful owners Lovely 1957 picture of Roy and Doreen touring on the Triumph. Here, they”re at Land”s End. I didn’t regret selling the Tiger One-Ten at…

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Despite a modest competition budget, Birmingham maker New Imperial won six IoM TT victories and many top 10 places. Recalling this record, one asks – how? It’s impossible to understand New Imp’s housekeeping but we can look at and read between the lines of the IoM record. Imps in the Island New Imperial’s finest moment?…

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In this series of extracts from his forthcoming book, Mike Lewis looks at the growth and evolution of social motorcycling in Britain and the USA. A Social History of Motorcycling: Episode 8 – Mods vs. rockers (1964) From May 1964 and 59 Club members congregate in Trafalgar Square, to collect posters promoting Christian Aid Week,…

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