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

CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE

Sand blasting • What can you do at the seaside in winter? Race motorcycles, of course!

A big man in many respects • Mike Jackson looks back on three-time British champion and 1950s scrambles legend Geoff Ward – the genial giant scrambler who never let on-track success go to his head

NEXT MONTH IN Classic Bike

Can you solve this puzzle?

Big-end knock

Goldie shocks Interceptor

OR BE HERE… MORE EVENTS FOR MARCH

The only way is up • Mark Graham is a seasoned hill climb competitor. If you want hardcore climb action, head west, he advises...

Great Jarno and Paso • I loved the story on the Yamaha RD350 (CB Jan). I happened to win the 1974 amateur 400 production class in Canada on one, so have fond memories, but I can’t believe you didn’t mention in your story on the tragic deaths of Saarinen and Pasolini, that Jarno had just won the ’73 Daytona 200 race two months earlier. Here’s a pic I took in the infield of him doing so. Daytona was a big deal in those days, perhaps the most important race in the world to the manufacturers. I also took the pic on the right of Pasolini. Alex Loizou, Toronto, Canada

Classic Bike

Show us yours • Classic Bike readers share news of recent acquisitions, regular rides and progress of ongoing projects

A matter of great import • Hundreds of Americans came over to Britain in the early ’70s, bought a Brit twin, toured Europe then took it back home. Rupert Farnsworth reveals how he brought a BSA back again

Transatlantic crossing

From America to this for five grand • What do you do with a knackered 1973 Triumph Tiger 750 project bike from America? For Andy Orton it was the perfect opportunity to build a replica of one of Meriden’s rarest models

Could your next bike be in here? • Dealers importing bikes from America say that supply and condition are not the problems. But, thanks to the internet, prices can be...

Frera cracker • Frera was once one of Italy’s biggest motorcycle manufacturers. This museum, in one of their old factory buildings, celebrates the marque – with other makes of bike nestling alongside...

Randy Mamola • He’s one of the fastest Grand Prix riders never to win a world championship. The American explains that this had nothing to do with his penchant for removing his trousers

RANDY MAMOLA

PURE FABRICATION • Jeff Elliot wanted a British-based trail bike, so he put a Triumph 650 engine in a home-built monocoque frame to create a machine that weighs a mere 128kg

How ‘Shambles Campbells’ conquered Europe • The extraordinary story of Australian privateer Keith Campbell who became Moto Guzzi’s last world champion

LETTING IT SLIP • Ten years ago, Hugo Wilson tried to restore a 1981 Moto Morini Camel and compete on it in the Exeter Trial. In 2023, he finally completed the job

FREE IT UP! • Get more of what you love from the world of motorcycling with a Classic Bike membership

RICK’S PATCH...