The Classic MotorCycle
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Men who mattered: Frank Cope
❝Frank’s interest was piqued by mention of the Clubman’s TT. And so, aged 52, he decided to have a go.❞ Born in Birmingham, on January 26, 1896, the life and times of Frank Cope make quite remarkable reading – an apprentice gunsmith, the youngest staff sergeant in the British Army, successful businessman, a trials ace,…
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The Ulster GP’s formative years
Promoted as the world’s fastest road race, the Ulster GP began 95 years ago as the Ulster Grand Prix Handicap Road Race, for which the organiser’s major award was presented. Its formative years could also be entitled the Joe Craig years. Words: Richard Rosenthal Photographs: Mortons Archive Based in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the Ulster…
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Sinnis success
Roy Poynting’s article in the March edition (Fact? Pah, who needs fact…) spoke to me. I have owned many bikes in my long life – Ariel Square Four outfits when the kids were small, a number of original Enfield Bullets, LE Velocettes, MZ and Jawa, then a succession of Japanese fours, starting with the delectable…
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West country joys
The Bristol show once more lived up to its reputation as a friendly, fun, feature-filled event, with some show-stopping machines up for delectation. For a few minutes, I stood by the information desk at the Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show. A man approached the desk: “Where’s the Lawrence Brough, please?” he enquired, and received…
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Stunning price for four
What is believed to be the only original/unrestored 1912 Henderson known in America, complete with original paint and tyres, sold at Mecum’s Las Vegas sale for a staggering $490,000. The in-line four, featuring a 59 cubic inch F-Head Four Cylinder engine, came out of the Doc Cleveland collection. Its unique condition, and the fact it…
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Times have changed
After reading the editor’s welcome in the February edition, I had a little smile to myself how things have changed over the years. I have reached a conclusion that it is to do with age and we older riders have lost the spirit of youth and adventure this gave. In 1962, I was a 21-year-old…
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Back to the future
An overhead camshaft, four-cylinder 600cc machine, in a spring frame. Launched in late 1930. The Matchless Silver Hawk really was ahead of its time. Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN The history of motorcycling is littered with glorious failure. Admittedly, some is more glorious than others – say, perhaps, Phillip Vincent’s determination to engineer (over-engineer)…
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On trial
The DMW trials model was listed for many years, but never really enjoyed much success. It’s perhaps not hard to understand why… Words: Roy Poynting Photographs: Terry Joslin Did you ever ride a DMW trials bike back in the day? I ask Sammy Miller. “No,” comes the immediate and pithy reply, “I’m just glad some…
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A brief chat with… RICHARD BOURNE
Bringing someone’s memoirs to print is a huge undertaking for any author but imagine the pressure should the subject be your parent. Words and photographs: Tim Britton The task facing Richard Bourne, assisted by his brother Robert, was daunting – bringing to publication the memoir of their father, who also happened to be editor of…
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Degens at South of England show
Dave Degens of Dresda Triton is guest of honour at the South of England Classic Show & Bikejumble on April 2. Dave will be bringing his rare 1958 Matchless G45 to the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex. Although never overly successful, only 200 were made of this 500cc triple-valve-spring twin. You can listen…
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