Classic Bike Hub UK

  • Greeves: The Complete Story by Colin Sparrow

    Greeves: The Complete Story by Colin Sparrow

    by

    RealClassic magazine contributor Colin Sparrow has been quiet for a while, busy compiling his extensive marque history about Greeves motorcycles. There’s precious little Greeves information generally available, so this book will be a boon to owners and enthusiasts… In 25 years from the early 1950s through to the end of the 1970s, Greeves produced less…

    Continue reading »

  • Greeves Hawkstone Scrambler – Part 2

    Greeves Hawkstone Scrambler – Part 2

    by

    Last episode, Michael Eustace explained how he found his Greeves and got involved in Pre-65 off-road racing. After one race he had a fair bit of work to do over winter… After my first race I then went on to complete another three scrambles by the end of last year’s scrambles season. One at the…

    Continue reading »

  • Greeves Hawkstone Scrambler – Part 1

    Greeves Hawkstone Scrambler – Part 1

    by

    Most people ride classic bikes on the Queen’s Highway, but some riders never turn a wheel on tarmac. Michael Eustace took to scrambling… If this time last year you had said to me I was going to be involved in classic motorcycling, let alone racing a classic motorcycle, I would have keeled over laughing. As…

    Continue reading »

  • The Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles, by Richard Rosenthal

    The Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles, by Richard Rosenthal

    by

    If you like dipping in and out of an old bike book, rather than following a lengthy narrative, then you probably enjoy the ‘great big list’ formula. Here is possibly the greatest, biggest list we’ve ever encountered… This is one seriously weighty tome, in both literal and content senses. It aspires to replace the once-famous…

    Continue reading »

  • 'Granville Bradshaw: a flawed genius?' by Barry Jones

    'Granville Bradshaw: a flawed genius?' by Barry Jones

    by

    The man behind the popular Panther single was also responsible for various aero engines and the Sopwith ABC. Plus he had a passion for toroidal engine design. We enlisted an engineer, Jacqueline Bickerstaff, to read and unravel his life’s story… A few days ago a large and heavy tome dropped through my letterbox, bearing a…

    Continue reading »

  • On a Wing and a Prayer

    On a Wing and a Prayer

    by

    Sidecars are… different. But fun. Real Fun. Anarchy takes a walk around a German Gold Wing Classic Combo… Motorcycles with sidecars are scarce these days in the UK but in Germany they are relatively thriving. Germany even has its own motorcycle sidecar magazine that features the latest state of the art combinations and developments. My…

    Continue reading »

  • 1961 BSA Goldstar DBD34

    1961 BSA Goldstar DBD34

    by

    When he was 16, Jerry Fiford wanted nothing more than to own a Goldie. 35 years later his dream came true. Was it worth the wait? My dream started when, as a B31 riding 16 year old, I envied the guys who owned Goldies. They always had the best girls and could walk into any…

    Continue reading »

  • 1954 150cc Gilera Rebuild, Part 2 (of about 50, at this rate!)

    1954 150cc Gilera Rebuild, Part 2 (of about 50, at this rate!)

    by

    First rule of restorations: be certain you know what you’re dealing with. Initially, Russ Gannicott was certain he was dealing with a 153cc Rossa. Now he’s certainly… confused! OK, where did we get to? I’d carried out some renovations and modifications to the frame, sourced some rare bits and was about to tackle the job…

    Continue reading »

  • 1954 150cc Gilera Rebuild, Part I (of…?)

    1954 150cc Gilera Rebuild, Part I (of…?)

    by

    Buying a ratty classic bike unseen is always risky but – hey – nothing ventured… Russ Gannicott starts a new project and asks; ‘Can you tell what it is yet?’ Of all my eBay purchases this could have been the one where I came unstuck big-time. Scanning through the ‘newly listed‘ section of ‘other motorcycles’…

    Continue reading »

  • Precise In Every Part: The world of Francis Simpson, technical artist, in the 1920s and 30s

    Precise In Every Part: The world of Francis Simpson, technical artist, in the 1920s and 30s

    by

    When a treasure trove of vintage motorcycle drawings, press cuttings, notebooks and more were discovered, a classic bike enthusiast resolved that they should be shared with the world. So here’s the cream of the crop… RC reader Alan Freke is a regular volunteer at his local village Museum at Frenchay near Bristol and helps to…

    Continue reading »