The Classic MotorCycle

Started in 1903, The Classic MotorCycle has more to offer the true vintage motorcycle enthusiast than any other publication, backed by Europe's largest motorcycle image archive.

Welcome

The Classic MotorCycle

Trio at the TT • For the 1955 Sidecar TT, 16 outfits lined up, three of which were BMWs. This is them all, demonstrating the different ways they were presented.

News & Events

Good times at the coalface • Some took it more seriously than others at The Heritage Sprint, at Betteshanger Country Park, towards the tail end of summer.

THE WAY WE WERE IN DECEMBER

Book Review

Show in a showroom • Lots of appealing machines on display, to try and entice buyers to part with their money in the cash-strapped early 1930s.

Cheering them on • ‘Thumbs-up’ from the footpath, as two riders on 1920s machinery salute a veteran sidecar outfit on its way down to the south coast.

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

Plenty to see here • Though it’s aimed at later classics than perhaps the core focus of this magazine, it doesn’t take much delving to uncover a whole host of classic gems.

Yellow peril • George Simmonds has owned this handsome 750S Commando for 28 years – and it has some idiosyncrasies… but is still a fine ride.

Free time • The National Motorcycle Museum’s open weekend, with no admission cost save for car parking, enjoyed a good turnout, bathed in autumnal sunshine.

Truly the first • The Edward Turner Triumph twin, launched in 1937, was to become the mainstay on which all Triumph’s future success was built. But prior to the seminal Speed Twin, the company had been down a similar road before…

Belgian beauty • Though perhaps not that well known outside its home market, the firm of Saroléa has a long and illustrious history of making quality products, as exampled by this fine machine.

Triples on tour • The world moves on and nothing stays the same, but – then – maybe it does. The 21st French Triples Rassemblement.

Fit for purpose • This potent Indian V-twin racer was built up out of bits, proving itself a formidable competitor in off-road competition.

A port of call • Motorcycle Day at Dover Transport Museum was held on September 15, 2024, allowing us a look back at a fabulous, sunny day out.

Action men • The Isle of Man TT course is like no other, and so needs a different process to keep the action running smoothly and safely, a service generally provided by experienced former competitors.

Freebie! • Moments before it was due to be sent to the crusher, this 1981 MZ TS125 was saved, and gifted to our contributor. With its angry insect resident now removed, what now for the TS?

Sketchbook Travels • MOTORCYCLES, SEEN THROUGH THE SKETCHBOOKS OF MARTIN SQUIRES

Illuminating business • There’s been plenty of mixing and matching on this project, but all through the process the idea the bike should look 1960-ish has been uppermost.

Diary

What’s in a name? • When you build a motorcycle, you put your name on the tank, that’s a given, but some logos are more interesting than others. Here are some of the more interesting stories behind the badge.

Original sin • For some involved in classic motorcycling, originality is everything. For others, it’s practicality, or all about individuality.

Cosmetics to engineering • While corrosion prevention is often the primary role of electroplating, cosmetic appearance to make vehicles, components or others more attractive is a valuable marketing tool. The process also has an important, but sometimes unrecognised, role in engineering component reclamation and manufacture.

ABOUT US

BANOVALLUM

MILITARY...