From The Archive

The Classic Dirt Bike Show, sponsored by Hagon Shocks, again proved its value to the classic community as thousands gathered at Telford’s International Centre to peruse the event’s enthralling assortment of attractions. Words: MICHAEL BARRACLOUGH Photography: LEANNE MANDALL This year’s Classic Dirt Bike Show, which took place on the weekend of February 20-21, was an…

Continue reading »

In this second extract from his forthcoming book, Mike Lewis looks at the evolution of social motorcycling in Britain and the USA. Words: MIKE LEWIS Photography: MORTONS ARCHIVE By 1925 in America, a brand new Model T Ford Roadster undercut the purchase price of a motorcycle and sidecar combination by as much as one third,…

Continue reading »

Touring holidays can be memorable for reasons both pleasant and decidedly unpleasant, though Mary Adams and husband Huw had a fantastic time in Brittany thanks to Roger and Linda Nicholls of Countryside Holidays in France. Words and photography: MARY ADAMS We (husband Huw and I) first met Roger and Linda Nicholls four years ago on…

Continue reading »

If in 1922 the IoM TT races were regarded as the premier motorcycling speed event, then the ACU Six Days Trials was the leading reliability test. Riders strived for gold medals, makers to showcase new models and organisers endeavoured to run a fair but tough trial. Simple? Well, actually not so simple, and controversy reigned…

Continue reading »

When John Surtees fractured his arm in the 350cc event, thus ruling him out of any further racing, the 500cc GP event was thrown wide open. Even then there was no guarantee who would scoop the top spot. Words: MICHAEL BARRACLOUGH Photography: MORTONS ARCHIVE The German Grand Prix of 1956 took place at Solitude near…

Continue reading »

There are a few to choose from when picking your ideal early 1960s British big twin. They are all the same, yet subtly different, and it is these subtleties that can tip the balance and dictate whether you say “yea” or “nay” to a possible motorcycle. Words: ROY POYNTING Photography: TERRY JOSLIN An enthusiast looking…

Continue reading »

In this series of extracts from his forthcoming book, Mike Lewis looks at the evolution of social motorcycling in Britain and the USA. Words: MIKE LEWIS Photography: MORTONS MEDIA GROUP On December 12, 1896, an exciting new mode of transport featured on the front cover of Scientific American. Described as a ‘motor cycle using benzine’…

Continue reading »

The second half of the Lansdowne campaign brought more close racing, with four champions duly crowned. Words: Richard Adams Photography: Sports-Pics and Richard Adams At the end of May, the Lansdowne Series was invited by Bemsee to Oulton Park, which is a great circuit for classic motorcycles and a firm favourite with most riders. Mike…

Continue reading »

When John Surtees fractured his arm in the 350cc event, thus ruling him out of any further racing, the 500cc GP event was thrown wide open. Even then there was no guarantee who would scoop the top spot. Words: MICHAEL BARRACLOUGH Photography: MORTONS ARCHIVE The German Grand Prix of 1956 took place at Solitude near…

Continue reading »

Words: MICHAEL BARRACLOUGH Photography: WORLD’S GREATEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES Henry Cole’s television programmes about travelling the world form the cornerstone of the audio-visual diet of those afflicted with wanderlust. Spending up to five weeks at a time riding one of his bikes through a new country, Henry spends a huge portion of his life on the…

Continue reading »