From The Archive

1913 Norton BRS Norton’s first in-house engine in 1907 was a sidevalve single – but of 660cc, though reduced to 633c (in 1908) for production. The first 500 – or 475cc – debuted in 1909, with the famous 79 x 100mm dimensions adopted from 1911. For all the rest of its days, the 500cc sidevalve…

Continue reading »

1947 AJS Model 18 Associated Motor Cycles (AMC), owners of Matchless and AJS, was well known for its ‘badge engineering’ of models. Matchless and AJS models were virtually identical, with only the tank badge and the timing chest cover among the distinguishing features (though for a time the magneto position on the singles was different…

Continue reading »

Bradbury Speed model “I’m quite well known in Swindon for my old bikes,” says Pete Sole with typical understatement, adding for good measure, “but that’s because I can’t afford new ones!” Pete, aged 67, is a regular contributor to the classic show circuit, but it was not until two years ago that he realised his…

Continue reading »

Rudge Special 1939 This Rudge has been a fixture of the classic show scene for many years, with jovial owner John Fisher picking up prizes year-in, year-out with the black and gold stunner. It isn’t just a show pony though – John still rides his Rudge, with one of the machine’s annual appearances at the…

Continue reading »

Velocette LE With a production run of 23 years, it’s hard to say that Veloce Ltd’s ‘Little Engine’ machines were not a success but an initial outlay in excess of £100,000 in plant, machinery and tooling, immediately after WWII, was a colossal sum of money, which failed to bring the returns hoped for and as…

Continue reading »

1969 Triumph Bonneville T120R Many who frequent the classic shows will recognise Graham Bowen, as for years now he’s been one of the UK’s top restorers, with Triumphs his speciality, in particular the pre oil-in-frame unit construction models, made from 1963 to 1971. Graham has restored plenty of versions and variants but few can have…

Continue reading »

1950 Triumph TR5 Trophy Triumph’s TR5 could arguably trace its origins back to the 3TW, the 350cc twin developed for the British Army but of which most were destroyed when Triumph’s Coventry factory was razed in the bombing raids of November 1940. Post WWII, there was a one day trials 350cc 3T used by the…

Continue reading »

Early Bultaco four speed model Buchet 1900-11 France Well known French manufacturer in the period of proprietary engines, offered single and twin cylinder motorcycles in varying capacities. They also built three wheelers, early racing motorcycles, often with massive engines, and cars, from 1910-30. Bucker 1922-55 Germany Built large numbers of motorcycles pre-WWII using proprietary engines…

Continue reading »

Tandon Kangaroo Talbot 1953-57 France Parisian maker of two-stroke mopeds, autocycle style machines and small motorcycles. Many were superbly built with swinging arm rear suspension, undamped telescopic front fork, white wall tyres, generous stylish valanced mudguards, full width hubs and in some case partial engine enclosure. Tandon 1948-55 (59) UK Indian Devdutt Tandon established Tandon…

Continue reading »