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  • Norton 1931 490cc Works Racer

    Norton 1931 490cc Works Racer

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    You might think that a 1931 ex-works Norton racer belongs in a museum, and indeed Steve Lacey’s Manx GP bike had pride of place at Brooklands for a while. It was originally raced by Ron Harris, then ridden by Phil Heath, and owned by Titch Allen. Steve tells its story This CS1 was built by…

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  • To Pakistan On A Norton 77

    To Pakistan On A Norton 77

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    Got an old British bike? Check. Read ‘Jupiter’s Travels’? Check. Must be time for an extraordinary adventure, then. Goat Maison’s Dominator took him halfway around the world… What’s a Norton Dominator 77? They hardly ever mention them in the classic press. Try asking somebody and they’ll probably tell you that you’ve got it wrong and…

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  • 'From Rocker to Racer' by Reg Everett

    'From Rocker to Racer' by Reg Everett

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    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…

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  • Ariel Square Four

    Ariel Square Four

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    The Square Four had a lifespan of over 25 years, and several incarnations of all sizes from 500cc to 1000cc. If you thought that all old British bikes were 650 twins then read on… Ariel’s Square Four started life in 1931, designed by a young Edward Turner who drew his original idea for the Square…

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  • 2004 Triumph Bonneville Thruxton 900

    2004 Triumph Bonneville Thruxton 900

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    So the caff-race Bonnie has a strange riding position, dodgy stoppers and is more than a little lethargic? BikerBabe reckons you shouldn’t believe everything you read in the papers… If you’re of a certain generation, then the word Thruxton probably conjures up images of speed, adrenaline, excitement and of course, racing. Back in the late…

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  • Triumph T100 Bonneville

    Triumph T100 Bonneville

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    When the need arises for a modern-but-traditional motorcycle, Mike Powell didn’t quite know which one to choose. So he let his Better Half do all the deciding for him… I was quite happy on the 550/4 Honda, mint it was, almost a classic, dead comfy, electric start, but judged gutless by the local bike experts.…

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  • Triumph Bonneville Celebration

    Triumph Bonneville Celebration

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    This two-disc DVD set re-lives the weekend of the Bonneville’s 50th birthday, and offers an overview of the world’s most famous classic motorcycle. Matt Vale spent an evening by the box… I have just spent an enjoyable time watching the Triumph Owners Motor Cycle Club (TOMCC) DVD chronicling the Bonneville Celebration held at Gaydon in…

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  • Yamaha XS500

    Yamaha XS500

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    Andy Sochanik likes unusual bikes — which is just as well, seeing as his go-to-work motorcycle is one of the least-loved members of the XS family. Not that it’s given him any trouble, you understand… It never really caught on, the XS500, despite attracting all the right kind of attention at its launch back in…

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  • Chang Jiang CJ750

    Chang Jiang CJ750

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    Imagine a wormhole which sucked a 1930s classic bike forward to 2003 (and upgraded its electrics in the process). Steve The Toast investigates a tear in the fabric of time… Brushes come in many sizes, and you can use one of almost any size to tar many different things. Today was a day for having…

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  • Ken Sprayson In Colour

    Ken Sprayson In Colour

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    Fans of 1960s and 70s TT racing will be delighted by this second edition of photos from the camera of Ken Sprayson. Costa Zarifi has read it… Ken Sprayson, in Colour is a collection of Ken Sprayson’s Island snaps, from 1963 to 1981. If the name seems familiar, it is because Ken can be associated…

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