The Classic MotorCycle

In the quest to assemble the big bits as quickly as possible, the details often have to wait. Words and photographs: Tim Britton I doubt anyone who has assembled a motorcycle of any sort will be surprised to hear it’s not the big bits which take the time, but the smaller details. What I’m talking…

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He bought a scooter, and was satisfied with that, until a go on a friend’s motorcycle proved revelatory. There are people who’ve written a lot of books – and then there’s Mick Walker. The author of over 130 motorcycle-related tomes, his prodigious output was even more astounding when it’s taken into account he didn’t start…

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Club life is a good way to be involved. Words: TIM BRITTON Photographs: BRIAN SLARK It’s a slightly different take on our brief chat for this month as we’re talking to a club rather than one person, so we asked the Association of Pioneer Motor Cyclists chairman Ken Brady to provide the answers. In the…

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This fabulous Royal Ruby V-twin has a rather regal bearing, which issomewhat ironic, as it was the overthrow of the Russian royal familythat most likely led to its non-delivery. Words: Rachael Clegg Photographs: Gary Chapman/Mortons Archive/Colin Wall The Royal Ruby 976cc V-twin stands majestic in Hall One of the National Motorcycle Museum. Its tank –…

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Designed to mobilise the postwar northern Italian workforce, Moto Guzzi’s Galletto offered function in quite a strange form, but it’s not without its charms. Words: Phil Turner Photographs: Gary Chapman Few countries enjoyed a post-Second World War boom quite like Italy. A generous pot of aid courtesy of the Marshall Plan, the demand for raw…

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This fascinating, charming and ultra-rare motorcycle comes from the early days of Vincent-HRD manufacture. Words: James Robinson Photographs: Gary Chapman When I was a child, I was obsessed with a book called ‘The Vincent HRD Gallery’ by Roy Harper. I loved that book, mainly as it had pictures of every Vincent and HRD made, and…

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For a first ride on a rigid frame, girder-forked machine, what better place to do it than at Mallory Park, during The Festival of 1000 Bikes. Words: Chelsea Borchert Photographs: Matt Hull The rejuvenated Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) event, The Festival of 1000 Bikes, takes place annually at Mallory Park (this year over July…

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The D1 version of the BSA Bantam is the purest one of all. And it’s still great fun to ride. Words: STEVE WILSONPhotographs: JONATHAN FLEETWOOD When I was in Africa in 2009, I found that any motorbike, irrespective of make, was referred to as ‘a Honda’ in the same way that in 1950s Britain, any…

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