From The Archive

View original article (pdf) Introduced in 1954, the Amal Monobloc carburettor has been steadily developed into the ultra-reliable instrument today fitted to the majority of British motor cycles. Variations on the well-known larger Monobloc are designed for smaller machines, but whatever the external appearance the working principle is the same. Apart from cleaning, your Monobloc…

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Moto Guzzi Le Mans was the range leader for the Italian motorcycle firm Moto Guzzi 1921- Italy The Moto Guzzi founding partnership of technician Carlo Guzzi and wealthy backer Giorgio Parodi lasted for more than 30 years, yet there could have been three partners. Born in 1889, Carlo Guzzi joined the Italian Army during WWI,…

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1974 rotary-engined DKW W2000 DKW 1919-81 Germany From the late Twenties until WWII, DKW was the most influential two-stroke motorcycle maker in the world. They pioneered the loop scavenge principle, which utilised crankcase compression, employed ‘supercharging’ pistons and, later, rotary valve induction on their racers. They were for many years the world’s largest volume motorcycle…

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1934 Ariel Red Hunter VH In the 1930s 250 (LH), 350 (NH) and 500cc (VH) versions followed, then after the cessation of the Second World War, the models returned, minus the 250. Actually, even the early postwar twins were called ‘Red Hunter twins’ such was the popularity of the name among those with a sporting…

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Specialist diagnostics (pdf) Can everyday motor cyclists benefit from the methods used by professional mechanics? To find out I recently visited a dealer's repair shop, checking on the type of job that. cropped up, seeing how it was tackled and looking for tips that could be valuable to you and me. When I arrived, work…

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MZ 124cc racing engine (pdf) There is nothing more fascinating than progress. In the world of racing engines its yardstick for measurement is b.h.p.-per-litre. Power is thus related to capacity so that engines of various sizes can be compared. When, back in 1938, Joe Craig wrung 50 b.h.p. from a twin-overhead-camshaft, five-hundred T.T. Norton single,…

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Norton Dominator and Dolomite test (pdf) The sporting sidecar outfit – is any road vehicle other than a fast solo more exhilarating to drive? The fundamental requirements are these: engine capacity should be large and high torque spread over the r.p.m. range. The sidecar should be light, small, smoothly curved and rigidly attached to the…

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Original A50 and A65 article (pdf) They’re ringing in the New Year at the BSA factory with a pair of brand-new big twins. Low-built and light (some 40 lb lighter than the current counterparts), the latest in the Small Heath line-up are packed with power and as compact in appear­ance as only unit-construction of engine…

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Electrical breakdwn advice (pdf) Electrical trouble? It's a possibility. But just how does one set about checking the electrics? Most modern machines, of course, feature coil ignition and an alternating-current system so, if there is life in the battery (a flick of the lighting switch can indicate that), the generator and rectifier can be ignored.…

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