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  • West country joys

    West country joys

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    The Bristol show once more lived up to its reputation as a friendly, fun, feature-filled event, with some show-stopping machines up for delectation. For a few minutes, I stood by the information desk at the Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show. A man approached the desk: “Where’s the Lawrence Brough, please?” he enquired, and received…

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  • Stunning price for four

    Stunning price for four

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    What is believed to be the only original/unrestored 1912 Henderson known in America, complete with original paint and tyres, sold at Mecum’s Las Vegas sale for a staggering $490,000. The in-line four, featuring a 59 cubic inch F-Head Four Cylinder engine, came out of the Doc Cleveland collection. Its unique condition, and the fact it…

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  • Back to the future

    Back to the future

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    An overhead camshaft, four-cylinder 600cc machine, in a spring frame. Launched in late 1930. The Matchless Silver Hawk really was ahead of its time. Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN The history of motorcycling is littered with glorious failure. Admittedly, some is more glorious than others – say, perhaps, Phillip Vincent’s determination to engineer (over-engineer)…

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  • Degens at South of England show

    Degens at South of England show

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    Dave Degens of Dresda Triton is guest of honour at the South of England Classic Show & Bikejumble on April 2. Dave will be bringing his rare 1958 Matchless G45 to the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex. Although never overly successful, only 200 were made of this 500cc triple-valve-spring twin. You can listen…

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  • Hitchcocks purchases Enfield history

    Hitchcocks purchases Enfield history

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    In 1967, when the Royal Enfield factory in Redditch closed, the Enfield Cycle Company Ltd was purchased by Norton Villiers Ltd. Norton Villiers contracted Enfield Precision Engineers to carry on production of the Royal Enfield Interceptor. Enfield Precision Engineers had been producing virtually all the postwar Royal Enfield twin engines from the early 1950s and…

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  • Sporting Sparkle

    Sporting Sparkle

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    Panther wanted a range-topper for its pre-Second World War line-up, and came up with this half-litre contender. Words and photographs: Phillip Tooth Finances must have been tight in 1937 for Phelon & Moore Ltd of Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, because the makers of Panther motorcycles couldn’t afford a stand at the biggest event of the year –…

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  • DOG ROGER*: *D.R.”, or Dispatch Rider, in the phonetic  alphabet of the Second World War.

    DOG ROGER*: *D.R.”, or Dispatch Rider, in the phonetic alphabet of the Second World War.

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    A two-part look at the role of Britain’s service motorcyclists, both men and women, in the harsh days of the Second World War. Words: Steve Wilson Photographs: Mortons Archive If the First World War saw the dawn of mechanised warfare, the Second World War, with its blitzkriegs, massive tank battles on the Russian steppes, and…

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  • Bonhams in Vegas

    Bonhams in Vegas

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    The rare 1914 Feilbach 10hp Limited, pictured, was the stand-out lot in Bonhams’ Vegas auction, selling for $195,000, which equates to £156,000. The rare 1130cc twin had been assembled after the company closed, and was the personal property of Charles Feilbach, son of the company founder. Other interesting prices included $150,000 for a Vincent Black Knight…

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  • Museum rejig

    Museum rejig

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    There’s been a big move around of motorcycles at the National Motorcycle Museum. Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: Gary chapman The National Motorcycle Museum houses the largest collection of British motorcycles in the world, with over 1000 machines from 170 different manufacturers spanning no less than three centuries. Of the 1000-plus machines in the collection there…

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  • Panther V-twin

    Panther V-twin

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    Please find attached a picture of Geoff Stray’s V-twin Panther, a work in progress pictured at the Bristol show on the Panther OC’s stand – notice the square-section swinging arm. I think you must agree he has made a good job of the bike so far and I look forward to seeing and hearing the…

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