From The Archive

  • Overseeing changing times

    Overseeing changing times

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    In 1969, none other than the Duke of Edinburgh graced the Isle of Man TT with his presence. The prince first visited the TT in 1949 and by all accounts really enjoyed the spectacle; he was regularly seen riding a Honda Monkey bike on the Royal estates. Here we see The Queen’s consort seeing off…

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  • Searching for Scott 

    Searching for Scott 

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    The year is 1954 and Mr J Whitehouse is astride a 1930 Scott Squirrel. The happy throng is the end of the ACU National Rally at Rhyl, North Wales, a navigation exercise taking in a large proportion of the country. The idea was simple – to cover as close to 600 miles within 24 hours,…

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  • Trading Post: Model Study: Moto Guzzi Le Mans

    Trading Post: Model Study: Moto Guzzi Le Mans

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    A large capacity, air-cooled twin with shaft drive may not sound like an ideal sports bike. Moto Guzzi proved otherwise WORDS AND PHOTOS BY Nolan Woodbury REMEMBERED BEST as the traveller’s sports bike, Moto Guzzi’s Le Mans 850 was the result of great inspiration within the Mandello factory. After resuming development of the company’s performance…

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  • BSA gold Star rebuild: Striking gold

    BSA gold Star rebuild: Striking gold

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    A conversation between Robert Davies from CBG and restorer Peter Collins provides much food for thought for potential rebuilders…. PHOTOS BY Rob and Peter and Robin Horton BSA’S CLUBMAN GOLD STAR DBD34 (a whole £270 in 1956) was the last, and many say the best, of the Gold Star range. But like a thoroughbred horse,…

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  • Scrambled egg

    Scrambled egg

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    Take a tall frame, add a torquey twin engine, high bars and high pipes, and head for the countryside! PHOTOS BY Simon Everett Reputation is a curious thing. A great reputation – for anything – is hard to achieve and easy to lose in this cynical age, whereas a poor reputation is easy to acquire…

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  • 2016 Bonneville T120: The New Noir

    2016 Bonneville T120: The New Noir

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    Triumph’s new Bonnie looks best in black, so we’re told. We’re also told that the new T120 is close in spirit to the original T120. Hmmm… WORDS & PHOTOS BY Frank Melling, Triumph Motorcycles Triumph are aiming for the new T120 to be the biggest seller in the Bonneville range which, in turn, will account…

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  • Riding Life: Matchless G9

    Riding Life: Matchless G9

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    Strangely under-rated: Never as glamorous as some other marques, AMC’s twins were actually quite innovative when they were launched in 1949 WORDS BY Tim Britton PHOTOS BY Joe Dick DESPITE A SPORTING history with a success list as long as a long thing, Matchless – and the almost identical AJS – road machines are still…

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  • Riding Life: Norton Model 50

    Riding Life: Norton Model 50

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    Just the ticket: You could win a trad Brit single that’s as sound as any pound WORDS AND PHOTOS by Richard Jones IT’S NOT EVERY day that you get the chance to acquire a British classic motorcycle for £1, but that’s the price of a raffle ticket which gives the purchaser a chance to win…

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  • Riding Life: Triumph Quadrent: Four Play

    Riding Life: Triumph Quadrent: Four Play

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    In a large shed at Kitts Green, a few miles from Birmingham city centre, Dennis Poore assembled a team to try and save the British motorcycle industry. WORDS BY Tim Britton PHOTOS BY Bob Clarke BY THE TIME this prototype four-cylinder Trident- based machine superbike sneaked out of the experimental department at Kitts Green the…

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  • Ridinglife: Douglas dragonfly: In full flight

    Ridinglife: Douglas dragonfly: In full flight

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    Some bikes are icons from the outset. Not so this idiosyncratic 350. But it’s strangely successful as a classic steed… Photos: Joe Dick NO, IT’S NOT a BMW. If you find the charm of this British-built transverse twin to be utterly irresistible and actually buy one, then you’ll also find yourself repeating those words over…

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