If you've enjoyed reading the articles and adventures here on RealClassic.co.uk, and would like to make this site even better, then here's how you can help. We want to share more information and experiences about real classic bikes, and that's where you come in...

The features you read on RealClassic.co.uk come from all kinds of people. Some are professional journalists while others are enthusiast contributors - all write from experience about the subject they love. You might have thought about joining in the fun already, but not been sure how to go about it. So. This is how you do it!

WE WANT TO PUBLISH even more stories about real life classic bikes. You don't need to be a genius writer to see your story published on RealClassic.co.uk, but you do need to have something relevant to say. We like profiles about a single model (or maybe two very similar ones; you can tell us about your T140D and your T140V in one feature, but a T120 would be a completely different bags of Bonnies), which should be at least 500 words in length. If your story is very long then we'll happily chop it up into bite-size chunks which won't take year to load and reveal to the boss that we're all surfing at work.

YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY about your writing, grammar or punctuation; we'll make sure that your story reads the right way. Just concentrate on telling a good story and we'll do the rest. The RealClassic.co.uk readers are far more interested in what you have to say than how you may be saying it (but any budding authors are always welcome, too!).

AIM TO INCLUDE as much detail as you possibly can. Tell us and our readers exactly what model your classic bike is, when it was built, and as much of its history as you know. There's no such thing as too much information! We want to know about what condition your bike was in when you bought it, any modifications you've made, and how well it has performed. Did you rebuild it from a box of bits? Has it won an award? Have you ridden it across the country? Does it sit in your shed and gleam quietly and make you very, very happy? Whatever your classic bike means to you, it'll be of interest to other old bike enthusiasts.

NOW'S YOUR CHANCE to share your experiences with other owners and prospective purchasers. Have you discovered a secret supplier of exactly the right bolt, nut, washer, rivet, fastener, screw, pin, plug, spacer, shim, bearing, bush or cog? Can you make your Triumph oil-tight? Does your Commando start on the button? Or did you make a ghastly mistake, and can you save someone else from a similar experience by admitting all?

WE DON'T JUST PUBLISH features about classic bikes themselves; we also like to read stories about your travels on an old motorcycle; events you've attended or great roads you've ridden.

WHAT WE NEED is your story as a Word document or in plain text form, plus a bunch of photos so that other people can see what you're talking about. If you can't type to save your life then scribble your thoughts down on paper and the fabulously delicious Typing Person will hammer the plastic on your behalf.

GOOD PHOTOS CAN REALLY bring a story to life, but you don't need to be David Bailey to get decent results. If you're photographing your own bike take a couple of pictures from each side, and then get some close-ups of any interesting bits you've mentioned in the write-up. Try and position the bike so that there's nothing distracting in the background (neighbours sunbathing in the nude, bright yellow Ford Transits, that sort of thing) and make sure you get all of it in the frame; we can crop the picture to fit later if needs be. Don't get so close that nothing is in focus, but don't stand so far away that we can't make out the details. If you're shooting on film take two of everything, just to be sure.

If you're taking pictures at a show life can be a bit trickier, but you can use the situation to your advantage. If a crowd of people are staring at a motorcycle you want to photograph, why not include them in the picture. It'll make the bike look more interesting as the viewer will want to know what everyone was staring at, and it'll make a much better shot than if you end up with lots of disembodied arms and legs in the background.

WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR EFFORTS: well, for starters you get to see your name in lights. OK, maybe not quite in lights, but your name will echo around the global classic bike community. You could meet a whole bunch of new, like-minded pals! You'll also have contributed something very important to RealClassic.co.uk which might just encourage another rider to take the plunge, so don't be surprised if you're suddenly surrounded by a warm cosy glow of self-righteous rapture.

And there's more... RC contributors can claim a T-shirt, polo shirt, magazine binder or some other goodie from the range of RC regalia for their efforts. Come see us at a show where you can take your pick, or remind TP when you see your story published, and she'll get something suitable sent to you!

SO GET WRITING! Don't be shy, you've nothing to lose. Send your stories by email to TP@RealClassic.net. Or if you'd like us to scan and return your photos, then ask the noble Royal Mail to deliver your feature to RealClassic, PO Box 66, Bude, EX23 9ZX.

If you are emailing pictures TP likes them to be at least 800x600 (but bigger is better) jpegs that are straight from the camera, so that she can crop and resize them as required. Don't be tempted to drop them into a word document as this really lowers the quality.

Well, what are you waiting for?