Classic Bike

Classic Bike helps and inspires enthusiasts to get more from their passion for classic motorcycles. The magazine shares their fascination with motorcycling’s heroic past while also helping them buy, fix and improve the bikes in their shed. Our main areas of content are: - Inspirational and entertaining reads that celebrate the glory of motorcycling, from riding stories that put the reader in the seat of history’s greatest bikes to incredible racing tales - Restoration stories and instructional features that inspire and help people get their tools out and sort out their old bike - In-depth technical features from the most expert and authoritative writers in motorcycling If you share our passion about classic motorcycles from the last century, you'll enjoy reading Classic Bike.

CONTRIBUTORS

Welcome

Rich and raucous • With everything from a genuine Tamburini to a top-secret MV Turbo prototype, this year’s Auto e Moto d’Epoca was a melting pot of wild and interesting machines and people. The motorcycle hall of the Bologna show drew a healthy proportion of the 180,000 visitors who attended over four days

John Giles • The former Triumph factory off-roader and 15-time ISDT medal winner has died at the age of 93

Norman’s wisdom • Former Triumph engineer reveals the content of the development book that he kept from 1968 to 1975

Able flat twins get a brace of tributes

It’s a social thing • The Taverners’ section of the VMCC has been running its winter trials championship since forever. Clerk of the Course Peter Monk explains what makes the whole thing so special

A joyful liberation

Classic Bike

Show us yours • We love to see your acquisitions, regular rides and projects – keep ’em coming to the address above

COMPLETE 180 • Triumph’s big bore Trident was the Z1 rival that never made it past the company’s collapse. CB reveals its story, and how the Trident & Rocket 3 Owners Club has rebuilt a prototype from the engine up...

THE CLASSIC BIKE CLUBS GUIDE • CB’s guide to the UK’s national and non-sporting classic clubs*

GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES • Three old mates find three old Yamaha two-strokes to relive youthful high times. What could possibly go wrong? Well, quite a lot, actually – but nothing insurmountable…

Ron Haslam • He beat everyone from Phil Read to Wayne Rainey during one of the most successful, varied and prolific racing careers ever. Ron Haslam nips out of his workshop to give us the highlights

Moto Guzzi 500 GTS • Rick Parkington escapes his workshop once more to give his unreserved impressions of a distinctive 1936 model. This time, it called for some modified riding techniques...

GAMMA GAMMA HEY! • Suzuki’s RG250 Gamma re-energised the quarter-litre class in 1983. It changed the future of motorcycle design, build and packaging – and kickstarted the race replica trend of the mid-’80s

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BUYING + RIDING + FETTLING • Welcome to the sharp end of Classic Bike. Your hosts are spannering supremos Rick Parkington and Alan Seeley, along with market guru Gez Kane

Spirit of Stafford returns • Rick’s just back from the show that reflects the weather our world – and his outlook is sunny

Smoking Panthers

Beware of coppers

Rectifying a Harley

Goldies and deep pockets

At the workbench

All amounts to fork oil

FJ’s smoking problem

Big V running on three

Mud-plugger’s sparko

CBR1100XX speedo woe

At the workbench

Twelve steps back, one step forward • It’s taken Alan a year to get the Harris Magnum project to this dry-build stage, but it only took him one hour and 18 minutes to strip it back down, ready for the application of paint

The pain of...