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

Toughing it out • What motorcycle would you want to use, to ride 10,000 miles, alone, through inhospitable terrain? An ex-military BMW perhaps?

News & Events

The bodyliner and the beacon... • At the controls of the Coventry Eagle – the minister of transport; in the pillion perch – one of England’s foremost cricketers.

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

An undervalued classic? • Was BSA’s A65 really a better bike than its popular reputation might suggest? One owner certainly thinks so, as he shares his observations and knowledge.

Guy Martin’s Best of British • In the second instalment of our two-part special, the UK’s favourite rider and daredevil is still talking, and we’re still listening... with another cup of tea in hand.

A memorable centennial • The Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club celebrated its 100th year with a special event at the Brooklands race track.

What might have been… • In the immediate post-Second World War era, BSA designed and built a racing motorcycle which could’ve made a huge impact, but it was consigned to history before ever turning a wheel in competitive anger.

Geoff Duke Remembers

Collaborative effort • This machine, possibly a unique survivor, was the result of a joining by two now largely-forgotten, high-end motorcycle makers.

Back-racking at Broxbourne • Not a new venue, just a change in name for the location of the annual Celebration of Speedway event.

Very much alive • For years, Dresda was Dave Degens, but although the main man has left the business, it’s still going strong.

Classic on a budget • Old motorcycling doesn t need to be an expensive hobby, as proved by this unusual little two-stroke.

Fond recollections • TCM’s second-ever editor, John Pearson,takes a look back at his time working with the magazine’s founder, the legendary Bob Currie, who left big shoes to fill…

BMW /7 SERIES

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

Bits and bobs • Creating a bike from unrelated spares is a task of two halves – the big bits are easy, but the minor details take a lot of time.

Diary

‘Triumphs don’t handle’ • There have been all sorts of statements attached to motorcycles over the years, the above being one of them.

Boring work • Examining the theory of carburettor bores, then putting said gained knowledge into practice.

Electrical toffees • A quarter of a century ago, when electronic devices including those for voltage control and ignition became more readily available for retro fitting to our classic motorcycles, many nicknamed them ‘toffees’. Why? Because the diodes, transistors and thyristors are encapsulated in resin, which looked toffee-like.