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.
Welcome
CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE
Newark Winter Classic Show • With the new year just a few days old, the first major classic show of 2024 was a feast for the eyes and ears of enthusiasts of every era
Proper Superbikes back at Donington • Jim Moore explains how new CRMC eligibility rules will see machines like these racing around Donington again
NEXT MONTH IN Classic Bike
Whats’s new
More dates for February
Secrets of the six • Allen Millyard’s big reveal at the MCN London Motorcycle Show will be well worth seeing – a stunning Honda RC174 six recreation
Suzuki stroker marathon man
YOUR LETTERS
Show us yours • We love to see your acquisitions, regular rides and projects – keep ’em coming to the address on the right
GLAM ROCKER • Moto Martin epitomised the golden era of European special frame makers, creating café racers that were very much of their time – although the man behind them is now recreating them once more…
Martin’s Euro rivals
Australia’s Golden Boy • Gregg Hansford was a rising star in ’70s GP racing, taking 10 wins in two seasons. His sheer ability and Sheene-like charm inspired a whole generation of super-fast motorcycle racers from Down Under
Hesketh V1000 • Hailed as a Great British V-twin, the Hesketh failed to achieve success at the time – but four decades after its aristocratic birth, does it make a good classic for today?
Bob Rowley • ‘Wrecker Rowley’ was a hugely experienced industry road tester in the 1970s and ’80s. He explains how he managed to end up on the board at Norton
TOTALLY TUNED INTO ARIEL • Callum Ives’ love for Ariel’s off-road singles was inspired in early childhood – and has led him to building his own HT3
GENUINE? REPLICA? FAKE? • Bogus classics, mocked up to look like more expensive models, can fool unsuspecting buyers into paying fraudently inflated prices. We look into the phoney war
Enjoy a year of Classic Bike • From cold January nights in the workshop, all the way through to spring rides and summertime events, the Classic Bike year is packed with great stories and fantastic bikes
Driven to distraction • Rick’s actions – and inactions – lead to a puzzling period with his Rex Acme
Boyer Bransden Ignitions
Looking for a connection • With Al’s Harris Magnum on hold, Rick returns with a project that’s been on the back burner for a while – restoring a vintage machine with some fundamental frame issues
Fixing Grandpa’s moped • After a lifetime of abuse, Hugo’s inherited Mobylette has finally broken down. Reviving the poor thing was a New Year’s resolution
Monty’s Classic Motorcycles Ltd
Garelli Tiger Cross vs Fantic Caballero • More affordable than a Yamaha FS1-E – and faster. What’s not to like about these little 50cc fliers?
LOOSE CHANGE
DEEP POCKETS 1991 HPN BMW R100 GS Gaston Rahier replica
‘The V-twin is pretty much the perfect motorcycle’
You want big? You got it...