News

  • Indian uprising

    Indian uprising

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    Words and photographs: Mark Stone All early Indians were big V-twins, right? Not so, as this unusual single (truly half a V-twin) proves. Time spent in the company of Richard Lancaster highlights this agricultural engineer’s interest in classic motorcycles has far exceeded that of a passion. Besides the tools of his trade – namely tractors…

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  • Comet-h the hour

    Comet-h the hour

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    Words: Roy Poynting Photographs: Terry Joslin This is actually from a year before the James model name ‘Comet’ was coined, but is in all essence the same model. I’ve had great affection for James’ motorcycles since I took to the roads on an old Comet as a teenager, and while I’ve since had several other…

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  • Cafe society

    Cafe society

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    Words: TIM BRITTON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN The label ‘classic’ is applied to all sorts of things from music to architecture through films and furniture – the Gold Star is a motorcycle for which the word could have been invented. As I wait by the side of the road for photographer Gary Chapman and Tony Clarke…

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  • The Cunliffe Brough

    The Cunliffe Brough

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    At the Stalybridge Speed Trials, Jack Cunliffe launches his Brough-Superior JAP Photography: MORTONS ARCHIVE On last month’s news pages, we used a picture from the Brooklands Then and Now show, of a pair of Brough Superior SS100s, one of which was finished in a striking lilac-and-nickel finish. This was (and is) the Cunliffe Brough. Seeing…

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  • Editor’s Welcome

    Editor’s Welcome

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    The last couple of months have really flown by, in a flurry of events, road-tests, race meetings and running repairs. There’s been some really great riding, some top company and a rich array of motorcycles. Diversity has always appealed to me, pretty much in every walk of life, and particularly with regards to my motorcycling.…

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  • Banbury in bloom

    Banbury in bloom

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    Organised by the VMCC, the biggest gathering of running vintage and veteran machines doesn’t disappoint in 2016. The Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s 68th annual Banbury Run took place on Sunday, June 19, starting at what has now become the event’s home, the British Motor Museum (formerly the Heritage Motor Centre) at Gaydon in Warwickshire. With…

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  • Draganfly turns 40

    Draganfly turns 40

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    It’s the summer of 1976. A long-haired chap of 24 is fixing bikes from a rented shed, dreaming of working for himself. A chance offer from a London borough council and the hippy from Glasgow had his own shop (at the bargain price of just £5 a week). Forty years on and Roger’s little East…

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  • Book Review: ‘Sox’ Gary Hocking – the forgotten World Motorcycle Champion

    Book Review: ‘Sox’ Gary Hocking – the forgotten World Motorcycle Champion

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        Gary Hocking was born near Newport, South Wales in 1937 but grew up in Southern Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe when his family emigrated in 1947. Nicknamed ‘Sox’ because of his aversion to wearing them, he used his first motorcycle to travel to and from his engineering apprenticeship in the city of Bulawayo,…

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  • Romney Marsh spectacular

    Romney Marsh spectacular

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    Following the previous day’s heavy rain, access to Elk Promotions’ show field at Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent, on June 26, needed a measure of care, but the effort was worth it as the machinery on display was as widely varied as ever. The broadest category was Best British and with so many eligible bikes, John…

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  • Founders Day flourishes in the sun

    Founders Day flourishes in the sun

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    As ever, the VMCC’s Founders Day, on July 17, was well-attended, with a sun-kissed affair enjoyed by all. Theme-machine this year was Panther, and there were many examples of the Cleckheaton big cats assembled. Other attractions included free Wall of Death demonstrations, the traditional parades round the show ring and arena trials, too. Lots of…

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