New & Features

Excelsior The Racing Years The Walker family took over post First World War and was keen to participate in competitions and racing and the first mention of this is T F Sinclair’s entry in the 1923 Lightweight TT on an ohv outside-flywheel Blackburne-engined machine. The 1925 catalogue lists this as a Tourist Trophy model priced…

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Ace Times Speed thrills and tea spills, a cafe and culture by Mick Duckworth Opened on London’s North Circular Road in 1938 as an ultra-modern pull-in and refreshment stop for lorry drivers, the Ace Cafe was an immediate success, serving 2000 customers in its first week. The rapid postwar residential and industrial development resulted in…

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Hesketh owners club raise money For the first time in its 30-year history, members resolved to raise funds for charity and chose to support Riders for Health (RfH). There was a good reason too. Mick Broom, who has for years provided spares and maintenance for Hesketh V-twins, once developed a motorcycle combination for RfH which…

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Kop Hill in Buckinghamshire Nowadays, Kop Hill is just a relatively steep, well surfaced road on the outskirts of Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire nestling in the heart of the Chiltern Hills. Once though it was one of the most famous motorsport hill climbs used at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time it…

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Amal Concentric carburettor The 900 Series for four-stroke applications has been redesigned to improve performance and wear. It is available in 28, 30 and 32mm bore sizes and with right- or left-hand pilot adjustment. The carburettors are available now, priced at £116 plus VAT, and can be ordered by adding ‘Prem’ to an existing specification…

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Royal Enfield fork tubes After decades of no availability, Hitchcocks has now manufactured the fork main tubes fitted to the pre-casquette Model G, J, Bullet and 500 Twin. These are European made from nickel chrome moly tube and have a hard chrome finish. Part number 31317 for use with steel top yoke, part number 36096…

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Waxed cotton trousers These traditional wax cotton motorcycle trousers are made using 10 oz waxed cotton. The trousers have an elasticated waist and double layer seat for durability, also a side opeing which is zipped and studded for easy access when pulling over leg trousers and are lined from the waist down to the knee.…

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Des Heckle aboard the Francis-Barnett Falcon he rescued in 2006 Club members brought a small, but varied selection of bikes to make up a small display to the side of the famous Clubhouse. In spite of the nearby display of the more outrageous aero-engined cars, there was a lot of interest in the two wheelers…

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Long-time campaigner Mervyn Stratford continued to wring amazing performances from his 1934 Rudge 250. The 350 class saw some interesting battles between Ducatis and Gold Stars. John Warwick and his 1958 500 Gold Star frequently put it across the Manxes and G50s as well as the bigger twins. Rob Walker was another to use a…

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While former National champions were prevailed upon to present trophies and souvenirs, some of the sidecar racers ventured on to the track. Gerry Wheeler, passengered by son Steve, and Alan Artus, with Matt Fumarola, made a few demonstration laps. Within a couple of corners the outfits had closed up, the pace increased and for a…

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