Douglas ditched the strange suspension system of its earlier models and replaced it with another, at least at the front. The engine unit is very neat; turning the drive through 90 degrees for a chain
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AJS & MATCHLESS SINGLES HARDY HEAVYWEIGHTS
The last of the Plumstead line still make for excellent riding machines. The Classic MotorCycle’s editor, James Robinson, puts a 1965 Matchless G3 through its paces. After the end of the Second World War, Matchless
Read moreMotorcycling most fowl
Men and machines contemplating perfect harmony. BSA Bantams… Who honestly hasn’t owned one? I’ll happily admit that I did, in fact it was what I learnt to ride on, a rigid-framed D1 which for some
Read moreNEAT, SWEET & FLEET
A view from the primary side. Fuel pipe has been replaced, as you’d hope, but all else is weirdly original 1971. No witness marks on the fasteners. There is a reason why Triumph twins have
Read moreUser friendly
Ariel intended that its touring 4-strokes should appeal to the more mature rider (whoever she is) and finished them in mostly sombre shades to reflect this. But they are very well made and grand to
Read moreLe Mans alike
One joy of more modern motorcycles is that it clearly is no sin to cut ‘n’ paste to achieve the style you like. BEFORE YOU BUY your next bike, it really helps if you know
Read moreReal or replica?
BSA’s racer for the road, the Rocket Gold Star. They truly do perform as well as they look. IF THERE WAS an award for the most widely faked classic motorcycle in the world, then BSA’s
Read moreBSA Unit Twins: Brummie beef
When BSA introduced their redesigned twins, in both 500 (A50) and 650cc (A65) capacities, the motorcycling world was rather less than completely bowled over. The snag was that although the A10 and A7 twins were
Read moreWar baby
Funny things, wars. They can cause human suffering on a massive scale, invariably have consequences on the disastrous end of the unexpected spectrum and often presage an unmanageable ballooning of a nation’s debt. But just
Read moreCammy Banger
The Seeley Condor has acquired an almost mystical reputation among classic bike enthusiasts – partly because of the exotic race heritage, but mostly because it is such a rare beast. So you can imagine his
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