The Classic MotorCycle
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Dog Roger*
In the second part of a two-part feature, the role of Britain’s service motorcyclists in the Second World War is further examined, focussing on the home front. Words: STEVE WILSON Images: Mortons Archive Dispatch riders (DRs) were equally active in wartime Britain, a potentially hazardous environment where road deaths peaked in 1941 at 9916. Bombing…
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Touch of class
Ariel’s one-year-only all-alloy 500cc twin makes an excellent ride with an interesting back-story. Words: STEVE WILSON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN The 1953 Ariel KHA 500cc twin was famously produced for one model year only. This one’s owner, Cyril Griffin, Wiltshire VMCC man and a noted restorer of pre-war machines, had bought it eight years ago primarily…
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Travelling in style
FROM THE ARCHIVES The famous Edward Turner-designed Ariel Square Four has created an enviable legacy, which it owes to the careful refinement of its remarkable four-cylinder engine, among other things. This particular Square Four also has the benefit of a beautiful Watsonian sidecar, and is (if you’ll excuse the pun) a winning combination. Words: ROY…
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Overland to Vietnam
The story of Gordon May’s overland journey from the UK to Vietnam on a 1941 Matchless is told in a new book. Overland to Vietnam is May’s account of his 2015 solo ride of 11,500 miles on a Second World War ex-British Army 350cc Matchless motorcycle only recently repatriated from Myanmar (formerly Burma). Overland to…
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Walton wins the DJ rally
Gavin Walton, a popular member of the classic motorcycle community in South Africa, notched up his second win in the prestigious DJ Rally for classic motorcycles made before 1937 when he won the 2017 event, over March 10/11. He had a total error of 220 seconds for the two-day event which took competitors from Durban…
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Eddie Dow
Well-known Gold Star expert and exponent Eddie Dow, credited as the man who created the Rocket Gold Star, passed away on March 17. An all-round motorcycle sportsmen – successful in trials initially, and road racing too – his biggest achievement was winning the 1955 Clubman’s Senior TT on a DBD34. Following his TT win, he…
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Letter: Vincent seating arrangements
With reference to Joe Bingham’s letter (‘Comet comments’) in the March issue, although the Vincent seat support may seem a little strange and it may look as though the seat moves up and down as much as the wheel, this is not the case. The lower end of the seat support contains a friction device…
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Book Review: The Campion Cycle Company Story
Author: Dave Crofts Published by: D W M Crofts, The Paddock, Bell Lane, Weston, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 6TW Tel.: 01636 822004 E-mail: [email protected] Also available from: Amazon. Softback, 210 x 295mm (portrait); 118 pages with over 150 pictures and illustrations. ISBN 978-1-326-74957-6 £14.50 including UK postage and packing. When pioneer motorcycle manufacturers are discussed and…
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Pioneering spirit
Despite a cold and blustery day, the Sunbeam MCC’s annual veteran extravaganza, the Pioneer Run, was held for the 78th time. Photographs: Alan Turner/Carole Green/James Robinson Words: Alan Turner Early departures, on Sunday, March 19, from the Epsom Downs start reported cold conditions before the route took them south to more sheltered Sussex roads. As…
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Scrambled egg
With the American market ever-more popular, BSA’s A65 responded well to its street scrambler makeover. Words: Phil Turner Photographs: Gary Chapman By the mid-1960s most of the major manufacturers’ ranges were heavily influenced by what the lucrative American market wanted – and what it wanted was street scramblers. Triumph had the T100C, TR6C and T120C;…
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