Kit: Riding Gear, Back In The Day

When John Kerridge started riding bikes, protective motorcycling kit didn't exist. It was all make do and mend...
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Bikes and Rides: BMW K75RT Travels, Part 3

Steve MacGregor head east on his 750 triple, leaving the Czech Republic for Poland, and starts to fear for his safety...
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Books: 'Laverda Twins & Triples Bible' by Ian Falloon

Bru Enzer is best known to the RealClassic world as 'Laverdabru', and so it was almost inevitable that this book would land in his lap at some point... More...

Rides: Continental Touring by FJ1200

Simon Lock figured he could depend upon a Yamaha FJ1200 to clock up the miles on the Continent. But before he even left the UK, it rained... and the FJ ruined its reliability record... More...

News: BEARS Classic Racing Returns

The big beasts of the late 1970s and early 1980s will have their own classic motorcycle racing championship in 2012. The VMCC's British Historic Racing introduce a new version of this class for the summer season... More...

Rides: 2012 Newark Winter Classic Show

Richard Jones and Tessie the Hinckley Triumph braved the January weather to attend the first classic bike event of 2012... More...

Bikes: Yamaha TR1

Keith Bennett was looking for classic bike which combined Japanese reliability with the personality of an old Brit. He thinks he's found it... More...

Bikes: An MZ Adventure, Part Three

On a routine trip to a Belgian Rally, first Phil Speakman suffers from sudden deflation, and then his travelling companion's Jawa loses its sparks. What next? More...

News and Classic Clubs: Trident and Rocket 3 Owners' Club (TR3OC)

If you own an original Triumph or BSA triple then you'll need to expertise of the TR3OC to keep it in fine fettle. If you're thinking of buying one, then their advice is priceless... More...

Adverts and Events: Updated!

The Events Diary, Bikes For Sale, Bikes Wanted and Bits For Sale pages have just been updated, and if there's nothing in there for you, try our list of eBay Bargain Bucket Bikes that are about to end...

Bikes: Benelli 900 Sei

Sold at the time as 'the Italian Alternative', this six-cylinder superbike from the 1970s still offers something radically different for the classic bike connoisseur... More...

Magazine: Buy Issue 92

It's becoming a habit. We were the first magazine to test the Unified Twin; the first magazine to ride the 1000cc Norvil Commando, and now we're the first classic bike magazine to feature the UK's only pair of perfectly restored Norton Nomads. We should probably make more of a fuss about this sort of thing. Read all about it...

Kit: Schuberth J1 - Motorcycle Helmet Review

Brian Oakley recalls classic crash hats of the past and reveals his current motorbike riding headgear... More...

News: Classic Trials

Roy Maddox goes behind the scenes at a classic trial to meet the thumping volunteers that oil the wheels of classic motorcycle competition.... More...

Books: 'Mountain Milestone' by David Wright

Dave Minton discovers what might be the definitive description of the Isle of Man TT circuit... More...

Opinion: Famous Last Words

Old bike clubs are right at the core of the classic bike scene. Frank Westworth has belonged to many clubs, but wonders whether the excitement is all too much... More...

Bikes and Rides: BMW K75RT Travels, Part 2

Steve MacGregor travels east on his BMW 750 triple, surviving early morning aural assault by the Family von Trapp... More...

Bikes: 1953 Royal Enfield Meteor 700

Mark Mumford owns one of the very first true British superbikes. And we gave it an award... More...

Opinion: SatNav Savvy!

Andreas Ganzera responds to Rowena's recent grumbling about not using GPS or modem navigational aids. Andreas reckons SatNav makes much more sense on the European mainland... More...

News: 2012 Winter Classic Restoration Show

There's a new classic motorcycle show for the new year… featuring at least a couple of the same old faces! More...

Bikes: An MZ Adventure, Part Two

Phil Speakman set off on a trip to Belgium aboard one MZ, and then had to head back home to swap bikes when it fell at the first hurdle... More...

Opinion: Get Lost!

When it comes to navigation, Rowena Hoseason is a traditionalist at heart and has no truck with SatNav... More...

Bikes and Rides: BMW K75RT Travels, Part 1

After rebuilding his BMW K75, Steve MacGregor took it on an extended test ride around Eastern Europe. The trip didn't start well... More...

Adverts and Events: Updated!

The Events Diary, Bikes For Sale, Bikes Wanted and Bits For Sale pages have just been updated, and if there's nothing in there for you, try our list of eBay Bargain Bucket Bikes that are about to end...

News: Classic Christmas Gifts

Stuck for a stocking filler? Here are some suggestions for Christmas gifts to suit classic bike enthusiasts... More...

Magazine: Buy Issue 91

This month's magazine features a pair of really rare 'uns from Velocette and Harley, as well as the kind of classic bikes you're more likely to find and ride. Read all about 'em...

News: Motorcycle Live 2011 at the NEC, Birmingham, Part II

An alternative view of the NEC show from Richard Jones, who spent the week working on the VFR NZ stand and admiring the many classics on show... More...

Opinion: Famous Last Words

'Tell us what you think' and 'have your say' seem ubiquitous these days. Magazine editors listen closely to every word you tell them. Whether magazine editors act upon those words is another matter entirely. Frank Westworth admits defeat... More...

Kit: Waxed Cotton Riding Trousers

If you yearn for something less garish and more traditional than the typical Gore-Tex techno kit, these old-fashioned but modern wax cotton trousers might do the trick. Rowena Hoseason tries them for size... More...

News: Motorcycle Live 2011 at the NEC, Birmingham

Retro Revivals from Triumph and Steve McQueen, Morgan, Lambretta, Kawasaki and Royal Enfield pale into insignificance next to a new road bike from Métisse. Martin Gelder trips over the bike they tried to hide... More...

Bikes: Norton Commander 588, Part Two

Last time, Roger Slater took delivery of a rotary-engined Norton tourer. Now he takes it on its first long-distance trip and can tell what really needs fettling... More...

Rides: 2011 Compass Challenge

During the riding season, intrepid RC readers zigzagged around the UK, visiting various point of the compass. Keith Kintrea found his four points in and around Glasgow... More...

Books: BSA Singles Gold Portfolio, 1945 to 1963

Do you know the difference between a B31, a B32 and a B33? With the aid of this book, you could become a BSA boffin...
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Rides: Classics At The Downunder MotoGP

A mix of modern motorcycles and classic bikes is rarely seen at UK races. Derek Pickard found the new and the old rubbing shoulders down under... More...

Books: 'Magnetic Speedometer Repair' by Graham Blighe

This book promises 'the definitive guide to the repair and calibration of Smiths magnetic speedos and tachos' so you can 'fix it yourself and never have to pay or wait for repairs again.' An intrepid RC reader put it to the test... More...

Adverts and Events: Updated!

The Events Diary, Bikes For Sale, Bikes Wanted and Bits For Sale pages have just been updated, and if there's nothing in there for you, try our list of eBay Bargain Bucket Bikes that are about to end...

Rides: 2011 South of England RealClassic Show

The main roads may be a little less hectic, but this autumn's Ardingly event was the busiest yet. Stars of the show included Norton Nomads and a brace of BSA Bantams... More...

Bikes: An MZ Adventure, Part One

Phil Speakman sets off an a long distance trip aboard his freshly rebuilt ETS 250 Trophy Sport. What… could… possibly… go… wrong? More...

Bikes: Silence is Golden - Moto Morini 350K Sport

Even though all he's had to do is ride his Morini, he's left baffled. It all gets a little exhausting for Martin Gelder. Keep the noise down at the back!... More...

Bikes: Norton Commander 588, Part One

Roger Slater knew next to nothing about rotary-engined Nortons, but that didn't stop him having one shipped halfway around the world. First impressions were favourable... More...

Bikes: 2010 Jawa 350 Classic

David Mace experiments with de-restricting his 350 two-stroke twin, and unleashes its inner beast...
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Bikes: 1953 AJS Model 18

Classic motorcycle engines which pull a sidecar can get a bit hot and bothered. Neil Cairns suffers déjà vu and a seizure, all at once... More...

Bikes: 1971 Laverda 750 SFC

The racing Laverda 750 twins of the 1970s may be the most sought-after machines of the marque. The first SFC to be imported into the UK is going under the hammer this autumn... More...

Three-Wheelers: Bond Minicar

This three-wheeler was sold as a car but was powered by a motorcycle motor and was sold squarely at riders who wanted to little more luxury in life. Greg Powell is definitely experienced... More...

Bikes: 1980 Honda CB250RS OPAL Special

Bob Peake took a perfectly good CB250RS and sawed it in half. Sob... More...

Bikes: 1974 Kawasaki Z1B - Kev's Klassic Kawasaki - Part Two...

RC message board regular Kevin had lusted after a Kawasaki Z1B for many years, so when he spotted a bargain on eBay he couldn't resist the 'Buy It Now' button. Part two; work continues... More...

Bikes: 1997 Triumph Sprint 900

After years of riding fast sports fours, Laverdabru tries an unfaired Hinckley triple for size. And likes it...
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Bikes: '72 Norton Commando and '09 Triumph Thruxton: British Twins?

Chalk and cheese, or singing from the same song sheet? Martin Gelder rides two British parallel twin motorcycles that look the same, go the same, but don't ride the same... More...

Bikes: Flick the switch? Rickman Métisse

Nigel Green's Rickman Métisse is brought to an untimely halt by Joe Lucas, Prince of Darkness. Can we fix it? Yes we can...
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Bikes: 1974 Kawasaki Z1B - Kev's Klassic Kawasaki...

RealClassic message board regular Kevin The Bodger tracks down a bike he's always wanted on eBay, but will it turn out to be the bike of his dreams or an overpriced disaster? More...

Bikes: 2009 Royal Enfield G5 Classic

In the UK if we need spare parts urgently for an Enfield then there's probably a dealer within a hundred miles. In the USA, Jeff Nordstrom had to travel a fair bit further to round up an oil filter... More...

Bikes: 1977 BMW R80/7 - 1000 Miles on 1000 Barrels - Part 11

It's been more than 1000 miles since Martin Gelder jammed a set of R100 barrels and pistons onto his innocent BMW R80/7. Time to ride to Wales and back to see what breaks or falls off... More...

Bikes: 1974 CZ 125 Model 477, Part Four

Jeff Nordstrom's CZ has given him faithful service as a daily commuter: not bad for a 125 which is nearly four decades old. But the moment arrives when he comes to bid farewell to it... More...

Bikes: BSA Bantams, Part Three

John Walton owned a trio of Bantams back in the day. After moving up in the world to a 175, his final bike was a D1 125... More...

Bikes: BSA Bantams, Part Two

John Walton started his riding life with a D7 Bantam. Next he moved on to the thrills of a D14/4... More...

Bikes: BSA Bantams, Part One

John Walton recalls his time with two-stroke tiddlers. First he encountered a D7... More...

Bikes: Royal Enfield EFI Bullet 500, Part 6

Jonathan Roy bought his big single last year and has now clocked up 6000 miles on it. It's surviving quite nicely although some brackets and bits seem to have suffered when riding on rough roads... More...

Bikes: AJS Porcupine E90 and E95

One of the world's rarest classic racers goes under the hammer this summer. Could this AJS Porcupine be a million dollar motorcycle? More...

Insider Info: QinetiQ Bio-Ethanol Fuel Report

Running a bike more than 10 years old or with a fibreglass petrol tank? This report was produced for a Department for Transport project aimed at assessing the impact of bio-ethanol petrol. You might want to read it then contact your MP... More...

Bikes: 1977 Harley Davidson XLCR 1000

While everyone else in the late seventies was building 'factory customs', Harley Davidson jumped on the Cafe Racer bandwagon with their black on black XLCR. Paul The Destroyer rides an original example... More...

Bikes: Triumph T160 Trident - The British Superbike

Once you’ve fettled your treasured classic until it’s as good as it can get, should you put it on a pedestal and admire it? Rowena Hoseason grabs her riding gear... More...

Bikes:1986 Honda VF500 F2

Honda's early V4 middleweight is one of those Japanese classics which is adored by the few and ignored by almost everyone else... More...

Bikes: 1979 BMW R80/7 - 1000cc Conversion - Part 10

Converting a classic Airhead BMW from R80 to R100; just a matter of swapping pistons and barrels, or is there more to it than that? Martin Gelder prises open a Pandora's box of oily mystery... More...

Bikes:BMW K75RT Part 7 - Loose Brakes and Leaky Forks

Many classic bike enthusiasts could be described as having a screw loose, but Steve MacGregor has more than most. A cleaning session turned into all Gaps and Gaiters... More...

Bikes: Morini 500 Sei-V: Cinderella or Ugly Sister

The largest of Morini's push-rod v-twins is often overlooked, living in the shadow of the flashier 350s. Martin Gelder compares 350 with 500 in an effort to find out who should go to the ball, and who should live happily ever after... More...

Bikes: 1977 BMW R80/7 Dyno Testing - Part 9

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Or at least measure it before you do. Martin Gelder puts his classic 800cc BMW Boxer Airhead on the dyno. Disappointment? Disaster? Despair? Place your bets now... More...

Bikes: 1950 Ariel Square Four 4G Mk1

Ariel's four-cylinder Square has a reputation of being a gentleman's motorcycle. Some of them can be a little more lively. Meet the classic bike which bit back... More...

Bikes: Triumph 3TA 'Twenty One'

The first of Triumph's unit-construction twins provided practical trans-port 40 years ago. These days, the 350 performs best on gentle weekend rides... More...

Bikes: 1979 BMW R80/7 - Knock, knock? Part 1 of 1

What horrors can lurk in a box of boxer BMW bits, or in a boxer BMW engine? Martin Gelder is about to find out as he sets about his latest project with spanners flying... More...

Bikes: BMW K75RT Part 6 - So What's It Like?

Steve MacGregor has finally fettled his 750cc BMW into fine riding condition. So what's it like to own and ride? He explains that good things come in threes... More...

Bikes: 1955 Vincent Black Prince

If ever a bike was built to be ridden, far and fast, then it's this one. Meet a Vincent twin which has travelled nearly three quarters of a million miles... More...

Bikes: Triumph 650 Twins to Buy

Triumph 650s are among the most sought-after classic bikes, and there are always different models available in our classified ads to suit all budgets. We consider two very different machines; a pre-unit Thunderbird and one of the last of the T120 Bonnevilles... More...

Bikes: BMW K75RT Part 5 - Electrickery

So far, his restoration of a 750 BMW has been relatively straight-forward. But now Steve MacGregor encounters fear, loathing and electrics... More...

Bikes: Triumph X-75 Hurricane

Four decades after it first hit the streets, Triumph's astonishing triple still finds fans in all corners of the globe. This Hurricane swept around to the far side of the world and blew Tony Williams away... More...

Bikes: Triumph T100R Daytona: Frankentriumph - Part 2

Choosing a professional to rebuild your bike? Andrew Wegg has some useful advice, learned the hard way when his classic Triumph twin needed a proper job doing... More...

Bikes: 1977 BMW R807 - Part 8: Recession

The misfire is back, then it's gone again, and then the (valve seat) recession starts to bite. Martin Gelder attempts to fix one sick seventies BMW airhead by buying another sick seventies BMW airhead... More...

Bikes: BMW K75RT Part 4

Steve MacGregor suffers one of those mysterious misfires which means that he ends up fixing absolutely everything on his three-cylinder BMW 750... More...

Bikes: Matchless Silver Hawk

It wasn't until the 1980s that the V4 engine became widely used in motorcycles. Rowena Hoseason admires a much earlier example of the breed... More...

Bikes: BMW K75RT Part 3

Steve MacGregor transforms his ex-Police BMW 750 into a civilian model and takes it for an MoT... More...

Bikes: Norton Commando 961 Sport Review

This should have been a full-length test ride of the new Norton Commando 961. However, Rowena Hoseason managed to put it out of action in record time... More...

Bikes: BMW K75RT Part 2

Adjusting fuel injectors need not be a traumatic task. Well, not if you read the manual first. Steve MacGregor tried to cure his BMW's rough running... More...

Bikes: Triumph T100R Daytona: Frankentriumph - Part 1

After two rebuilds, Andy Wegg has already worked out that what you see isn't always what you get when it comes to classic British motorcycles. And this is just part one of the story... More...

Bikes: 1975 Garelli 50cc Tiger Cross

Back in the 1970s, teenagers dreamed of wild sixteener special sports mopeds like this one. Richard Brown has just restored one, but first a little history... More...

Bikes: BMW K75RT Part 1

Steve MacGregor wanted a semi-serious touring motorcycle and BMW's three-cylinder 750 seemed to fit the bill. We join him on his initial long ride home... More...

Bikes: Royal Enfield EFI Bullet 500, Part 5

Jonathan Roy has finished running-in his current generation big single. He's encountered very few problems, but has some concerns about the fuel-injection and rear suspension... More...

Bikes: Honda XBR500

Alan Cole wanted a modern classic motorcycle so found himself a 25 year old, big single, which needed a little bit of fettling to make ready for the road... More...

Bikes: 1980 Ducati Pantah

Simon Doncaster's Ducati 500 twin has clocked up over 70,000 miles from new but has spent a while being laid-up. A restoration might have brought it back to life, but in fact had the opposite effect... More...

Bikes: Harley Davidson Forty-Eight and Softail Deluxe

If there's one make of bike guaranteed to divide opinion amongst classic motorcyclists, it's Harley Davidson. Martin Gelder went for a quick spin on a couple of Marmite Motorcycles to find out what all the fuss is about... More...

Bikes: 1921 Vauxhall Four

Inspired by earlier reports about this 1920s inline four, Neil Cairns has dug a little deeper into the history and background of Vauxhall's experimental motorcycle... More...

Bikes: MZ ETZ250 Tuning: More Torque

Fitting a 300 top end and an easy porting modification improve low end power to cure one of the ETZ250's biggest riding problems. Experienced two-stroke specialist Derek Pickard explains how he got the right results... More...

Bikes: 1980 Honda CM400A, Par Two

In the first episode, Bruce Kennewell learned to ride and bought his first classic bike which turned out to be extremely unusual, a Honda 400 with auto transmission. Now he uncovers its past and clocks up some miles... More...

Bikes: 1980 Honda CM400A, Part One

Automatic motorcycles are really, rare. Automatic antique motorcycles are even more rare. By the time they get to Australia, we're talking hens' teeth. Bruce Kennewell found one... More...

Bikes: Not the Perfect Road - Moto Morini 350K Sport

If I were you, I wouldn't start from here. It begins badly and goes rapidly downhill when Martin Gelder takes his Morini three and a half down the motorway to London. Not the perfect road, then... More...

Bikes: Harris Matchless G80 Carb Saga

Derek Pickard wanted to upgrade the carb on his 1980s 500 single. He started with an Amal upgrade but swiftly moved on to Mikuni... More...

Bikes: Ducati Pantah

This ground-breaking 500 twin established the pattern which Ducati would follow for the next 20 years and on. But the best version of the Pantah isn't a 500 at all... More...

Bikes: 1968 BSA A65 Thunderbolt

42 years after it rolled off the production line, owner Tony Clements reckons that it's possible to keep an 650 Thunderbolt in better-than-new condition (and he's got the prizes to prove it)... More...

Bikes: Norvil Mk3 Commando 850

We've had our Norton Commando rebuilt by Norvil. Frank tells the full story in the magazine but after a quick spin Rowena reveals just how well it goes, mister... More...

Bikes: Moto Morini 350K Sport - Part 11: Finger-Tight

An MOT, an oil leak, four flashers that don't and a little extra padding. Martin Gelder's Morini Three and a Half Sport is ready for action, unless there's something else he's missed... More...

Bikes: Royal Enfield EFI Bullet 500, Part 4

Jonathan Roy has now clocked up nearly 2000 miles on his 500cc single. 70mph and 80mpg seem to be the order of the day…... More...

Bikes: Moto Morini 350 / 507 'Moreini Special'

Take a humble 350cc Morini Strada and turn it up to 11 by fitting the beating heart of a 507cc Excalibur, then add lightness. Paul Miles liked the Moreini Special so much, he bought it twice... More...

Bikes: Royal Enfield EFI Bullet 500, Part 3

As winter turned to spring, so Jonathan Roy went pot hole-dodging in south-east Kent, and Dave D offers useful advice on curing false neutrals... More...

Bikes: 1975 Yamaha XS650C

Back when winter's chill still laid upon the land, Karl Bentley took his classic 650 twin out in search of straight roads in the Kent countryside... More...

Bikes: Jawa 350 Classic Solo

Jawa still build a traditional torquey two-stroke roadster with considerable classic cred. It's available in the UK and Ireland, and Ger Duhig has just bought one... More...

Bikes: Harley-Davidson MT350

Rowena Hoseason has always wanted to ride to the Shetland Islands. A 30bhp, 350 single is obviously the perfect motorcycle to take on a 2000 mile road trip... More...

Bikes: Classic Motorcycle Bargain Bucket

Ever gone into a bike shop to buy a spark plug and come out with a complete bike? If serendipity is your middle name, you'll love our collection of ending-soon eBay bargain bikes... More...

Bikes: 1977 Morini 3 1/2 Strada

Ian Dyckhoff has restored and ridden his Morini 350 twin in over a decade of ownership. Here's what he has discovered about the breed... More...

Bikes: BSA A10

Although the price of many classic bikes has risen through the ceiling recently, it is still possible to purchase a British 650 twin for something like sensible money. Just to prove it, here are two pre-unit Beesas we fell over last weekend... More...

Bikes: Ural Cross Outfit

The indefatigble Ural 750 twin appears in cross-country trim for off-road adventuring...... More...

Bikes: Triumph Trophy Merlin Outfit

This extraordinary outfit has been through at least three incar-nations, and in its current form it's a concours winner...
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Bikes: Ducati ST2

Simon Lock was looking for an affordable exotic motorcycle. He took a chance on a non-running Ducati V-Twin...
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Bikes: Vincent Black Prince

Examples of the fully-faired Series D V-twins are seldom seen for sale. One of the high-performance, top of the range Black Prince models goes under the hammer this spring... More...

Bikes: Moto Guzzi V50

Who says classic bikes have to be costly? A little over a grand will buy you a fair example of what may be the best bike Moto Guzzi ever built... More...

Bikes: Grindlay-Peerless Tiger / Tiger Cub - Classic Motorcycle Profile

It's widely understood that Triumph created the Tiger range of classic bikes which lives on to this day. Not so; Grindlay-Peerless first used the name in the early 1930s... More...

Bikes: 1975 Norton Commando 850 - Classic Bike Rebuild

If you are considering your first classic bike and wonder whether to tackle a rebuild project, then you should first read Dennis W Lid's story of a restoration, and check whether you have the required dedication to tackle such a job... More...

Bikes: 2009 Royal Enfield EFI Bullet 500 - Part 2

Jonathan Roy introduced his new Enfield Bullet to us in an earlier episode. Now he explains what they've been up to during the worst of the winter... More...

Classic Motorcycle Profile: Norton

We've rounded up all the Norton road tests, profiles, rebuilds, road-trips and stories on the site and in the magazine, and linked them to this one page for your convenience and enjoyment... More...

Bikes: Velocette MSS 500 - Classic Model Profile

If you like the idea of a Velocette MAC but need a little more performance than a 350 provides, then Veloce built your ideal classic bike in the shape of the MSS 500... More...

Bikes: Vincent Comet - Classic Model Profile

Vincent twins are beyond the reach of most classic bike enthusiasts these days. But less than half the price still secures the 500cc single... More...

Bikes: Triumph Tiger Cub Profile

The tiny Tiger was in production for over a decade and nowadays the Cub has something of a cult following. If you're thinking of buying, here's a quick overview of the market... More...

Bikes: 2009 Royal Enfield EFI Bullet 500

The latest incarnation of the Enfield Bullet uses a fuel-injected, unit-construction engine. So far, Jonathan Roy has clocked up over 1000 miles on this more sophisticated single... More...