The Classic MotorCycle

Though modern multi-cylinder, multi-valve, electronically controlled motorcycle combustion engines are far in advance of pioneer units, they can all be traced back through their development stages precisely to 1895. Words: RICHARD ROSENTHAL Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN Engine design is now added to these technical columns in the form of an occasional series interposed with the usual…

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Researching Raleigh history from a cycling perspective, I discovered the name of Owen Bridcutt, working, I believe, in a sales capacity. By chance, I found an Owen Bridcutt raced a Dunelt in the IoM TT races. Is this one and the same person? Ian Walton, email. Sorry for the long delay in replying Ian, but…

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The merest mention of wiring and electricity strikes fear into the hearts of many enthusiasts. It’s simple, say the experts… so we used an expert! Words: Tim Britton Photographs: Steve Parrish On the face of it, wiring is a fairly simple procedure on a British motorcycle, there aren’t that many components involved in the typical…

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  Andrew Spicer introduces the new kids on the block in the world of classic vehicle auctions, Yorkshire company Dee, Atkinson & Harrison. Words: Tim Britton Photographs: Dee, Atkinson & Harrison   Thrust into the world of auctioneering straight from further education, Andrew Spicer eventually found himself in the wonderful world of old motorcycles, albeit via…

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Last year, Dougie Lampkin again rewrote SSDT history, scoring his 10th victory and fifth consecutive win. Almost seven decades earlier another SSDT star, Hugh Viney, started his Scottish career with victory at his first attempt. Words: Richard Rosenthal Photographs: mortons archive Study many recent Scottish Six Days Trials (SSDT) histories, and you’ll discover Hugh (B…

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FROM OUR ARCHIVES Even though he was pitted against buffeting winds and determined opposition, Mike Hailwood still managed to snag the top spot in the 1962 500c Ulster GP without breaking a sweat – but the first recorded 100mph lap of the Dundrod circuit managed to just elude the Oxford-born race ace. Words: MICHAEL BARRACLOUGH…

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The quest for a Banbury project led Gordon Hallett to a rather unusual German marque. Resurrecting it was certainly no walk in the park… Words: PHIL TURNER Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN Wanderer is one of the most interesting German motorcycle marques you’ve probably never heard of. Founded in 1896 as ‘Chemnitzer Velociped-Depôt Winklhofer & Jaenicke’, the…

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  Though he retired at the age most riders expected to reach their peak, Keith Hickman had 13 enjoyable seasons of scrambling. Words: ANDY WESTLAKE Photographs: MORTONS ARCHIVE/NICK NICHOLLS COLLECTION Our story starts with an ending. The setting is the motocross circuit in the Italian town of Settimo, and the date, October 4, 1972. Racing…

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Using a pressed steel chassis was a coming trend in the 1930s – frames were cheap to manufacture and strong, capable of housing large-capacity engines, as BMW and Zündapp exampled. Beyond the Rhine, a French company followed similar lines. Words and photographs: Gerry Vogt At least 50 pairs of eyes are focused on the black and chrome…

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