Classic Bike Hub UK

Yamaha’s 750-4 from the early Eighties was never top of the best-seller list, but then Jim Peace has never been one to run with the herd. He reckons you could go a lot further and do a lot worse… I have to confess that I’d never heard of a Yamaha XJ750 Seca, until the day…

Continue reading »

Opinion has been widely divided about the merits of the modern Bonnie Scrambler. BikerBabe has to make her mind up. She loves it. She loves it not… When I first saw the Triumph Scrambler in Shirlaws’ showroom in Aberdeen, it was love at first sight. Decked out in Tornado Red and White with lashings of…

Continue reading »

One oft-overlooked aspect of the First World War was the role played by the despatch rider. Dave Minton recommends an extensive book on this very subject… My evenings have been spent recently engrossed, and I use the word intentionally, in a study of dispatch riding through the Great War of 1914-18. Before going further let…

Continue reading »

The ultimate, multi-part manual for BSA unit-construction single-cylinder classics is nearing completion. This instalment covers absolutely everything apart from the engine… Many moons ago, ‘Rupert Ratio’ of the BSA Owners’ Club produced an invaluable manual, an extremely detailed hands-on guide to maintaining, rebuilding and trouble-shooting the Unit Single engine. That extensive and informative book became…

Continue reading »

For RealClassic readers who enjoy motorcycle traveller’s tales, Paul Grace recommends this memoir of a remarkable ride through Africa… At the age of 21, Jonny Bealby had never read a book. Truth to tell, he was rather proud of the fact. ‘ Reading’s boring,’ he confidently told his new girlfriend, Melanie, who seemed to devour…

Continue reading »

Back in the 1960s, the big beasts of British motorcycling still ruled the scrambles roost. This DVD captures some of the flavour of that era… Thanks to the wonder that is YouTube, Editor Westworth went suspiciously silent when he should have been working a couple of weeks ago. Then he started yelping and squeaking, and…

Continue reading »

Reg Everett was a 1960s road racer who found himself up against the likes of Mike Hailwood and Derek Minter on works machines, when he was riding a home-built Greeves-powered special. Colin Sparrow recommends Everett’s autobiography… 1960s road racer Reg Everett has teamed up with respected motorcycle writer Mick Walker to bring us his racing…

Continue reading »

Some times we’re asked if we ever review anything we don’t actually like. Well, Dave Blendell really didn’t like this book… Despite my total antipathy towards Mr Boorman I picked up a copy of his ‘Race to Dakar’ book in a local charity shop. Although I was a lot less than impressed with his televisual…

Continue reading »

Some time ago, we mentioned Quasar machines and managed to spell the name wrong. Here’s more on the subkject (spelling not necessarily correct)… Photos courtesy of Paul Blezard The feet-forward Quasar two-wheeler was designed during the 1970s by Ken Leaman and Malcolm Newell. Several were produced from 1976 onwards – there may be 20 in…

Continue reading »

So when did the Post Office start using BSA Bantams to deliver telegrams? Paul Wood continues his tale of working motorcycles, from the 1930s through to the heyday of the BSA Bantam… Before the 1930s, the Post Office had concentrated on sidecars for the bulk of their delivery rounds but the solo motorcycle was to…

Continue reading »