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.

Welcome

Up for trial on sand • A Poachers club trial on the Lincs coast is a late-autumn attraction for those up for sport, with top action and natty bikes

Now that’s fighting talk • Revitalised Norton have re-engineered the Commando 961. CB checks it for combat readiness

7500 miles on a 1926 Sunbeam • Youngster laps the British Isles on a 347cc side-valve bought by his great grandad in 1930

Valve clatter

Central heating for adults • Get yourself warmed up with a bit of classic action. These events should get your blood pumping

How did he race on that?

Don’t spare the horses • CB reader Dr Chris Allen saved this Kawasaki GPz900R from galloping deterioration – and ended up with a thoroughbred speed machine

Triumph over 10 years old? Not interested!

CLASSIC BIKE

LET JOY BE UNCONFINED • Re-engineering this Enfield Meteor beyond its original restraints has been an 11-year journey. A labour of love and discovery. And the spirit of former owner John Robinson lives on within it

Heaven up here • This year’s Piston Rally in Cantabria attracted over 400 riders from around the world on an astonishing range of classics – all determined to enjoy them to the full on the fabulous mountain and coastal roads of the area. CB rose to the occasion...

Pat Slinn • Hailwood’s 1978 TT race engineer explains how he made fairing brackets from a bedstead and found a BSA prototype under a tarpaulin

HIGHWAY TO L • Remember riding a 250 two-stroke on L-plates? Well, this pair of Suzuki GT250s from 50 years ago should ring some bells. We take them on a long-lost-teenage rampage

‘If dad was looking down now, he’d be so chuffed!’ • Who wouldn’t buy their late father’s long-lost bike if they had the chance? Sandra Goodrum did just that – and was reunited with her dad Ronnie Tate’s ‘works replica’ Dot 250

LAVERDA LOCA • One of 22 750cc SFC (‘C’ for Competizione) twins supplied to favoured racers in 1971. Antonio Archiletti and Moreno Pescucci rode it to win the ’73 Vallelunga 500km production race

The road to VICTORY • Teenage tearaway Ken Blake bought a Bonneville to ride on the road, then won two Australian TTs on it. We recount the story of an Aussie motorcycling legend and take his bike for a ride

MY 11 DAYS WITH Phil Reacl • Phil Read, who died in October, was a complex character. Alan Seeley got the measure of the man while acting as the former world champion’s mechanic at the 1998 Classic Manx GP. It was to be Phil’s last race on the Isle of Man – and Seeley came back with a unique souvenir of The Prince of Speed’s softer side

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Diary of an exhibitionist • Rick conducts some tours around a national motorcycle treasure trove and ponders the museum thing...

Re-harden a steel rod • Metal hardening is a complex business – but fortunately it’s simple enough to re-harden a worn clutch pushrod. Here’s how it’s done

Sunbeam reflections

T140V ON THE BLINK

RICK’S...