News

For months rumours suggested development of the side valve 4½hp parallel twin was under way at the company’s Priory Street, Coventry works. The engine was designed to fit transversely across the frame while a single skew gear driven camshaft running in line with the frame operated all four valves – exhaust to front and inlet…

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Surrey owner Bob Wheeler pulls his rare D13 from the BSA Bantam Club’s line-up at the Amberley Show By 1958 BSA's Bantam was entering its tenth year of production. Developments in that time had included a 150cc version, which also had a swinging arm frame. Perhaps to help convince the public that changes went deeper…

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Randy Mamola Mamola finished the race 40 seconds behind the winning Honda of Australian Wayne Gardner and was 10 seconds slower than Eddie Lawson’s second place Yamaha. First British riders home were Rob McElnea (Suzuki) and Ron Haslam (Elf-Honda) in sixth and seventh respectively. The year’s 250cc GP championship winner Sito Pons (Honda) won the…

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In 1938, all-time Brooklands speed records were set and, on London’s North Circular Road, the Ace Cafe opened its doors for the first time. Now, 75 years later, Brooklands Museum and Ace Cafe London are coming together to organise a special day of action and entertainment – a collaboration and celebration of motorcycles and the…

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While many rode large capacity motorcycles a handful completed the event on tiddlers including Excelsior Autocycles, Honda 50s, Bantams and Raleigh Roma Scooters. A total of 493 riders completed the event of which 345 earned Gold Plaques by scoring maximum points. Having built a neat 242cc water-cooled British Anzani twin powered special, David Blanchard, a…

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French maker Longuemare developed an automatic carburettor Many aspects of their initial report were arbitrary and confusing – in an attempt to rectify the situation, they revised their reports and were able to simplify matters for the layman by listing which silencers were noisier than the original, the same or quieter. A wide range of…

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Bernie Stevens’ superb restoration of a Victoria and Steib combination Ralph Avis’ bike was among them, his Triumph Metisse was eventually awarded top prize. Nearby was John Renwick’s Vincent-powered Bonneville Speed Trials streamliner three-wheeler. Finally, within the doors, the show on the floor level of Kempton’s main grandstand was supported by a number of clubs…

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Georg Meier With a clean sheet the German team of Georg Meier (pictured), R Seltsam and J Forstner (all 494cc BMWs) won the International Silver Vase. The Eastern Command of the British Army held its first trial on July 1. Starting time was 8.45am, with a map grid reference for the trial’s starting point –…

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July issue of The Classic MotorCycle on sale now! • Editor's intro • News   • Stafford show    • Letters    • Subscribe and save    • Montlhery Vintage Revival    • Alf Hagon interview    • Classic advert    • Men who mattered (Jack Brett)    • For various budgets (vintage machines)    • Jerry Thurston column    • Archive photograph    • Which…

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