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Kicking over classic bikes might be part of the ‘charm’ but not everyone appreciates all the fuss. Steve Hodgson went in search of an electric leg for his single-cylinder Guzzi… It all started when my recently acquired Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone 500 Military and I decided to go on its maiden voyage to Elvington with…

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15 years ago, Martin Gelder decided to ride his Guzzi Le Mans to French Le Mans to watch a bit of Easter endurance racing. Judging by the length of this story, he’s never really recovered from the experience… Some things are destined not to happen. No matter what you do, no matter how carefully you…

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When you develop a fascination with a rare breed of vintage motorcycle, you just can’t stop finding the things. Humbernut unearths, adopts and revitalises another unusual machine… As you know from previous articles on RealClassic, I am keen on Humber motorcycles and their restoration. I also like to put pen to paper by writing about…

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Like Honda, Kawasaki built both four-cylinder and two-cylinder 400s in the late 70s and early 1980s. Roy and Chris Workman have been running a twin as regular transport for nearly 20 years… This bike was originally registered on 31st December 1982; somebody had obviously bought themselves a New Year present! The machine is a Kawasaki…

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When we feature a bike in the RealClassic magazine, there’s often a whole pile of photos left over which don’t get into print and which no one gets to see. Shame! Here you are, then: a selection of previously unseen snaps for your delectation… Random Matchlesses on eBay.co.uk Matchless G80CS Fact Pack Engine Type: Air-cooled…

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Flaming June. And flaming revision. Martin Gelder promises himself a post exam Real Classic ride, but ends up stuck in the shed writing lists of things to do and things to buy… I hate exams. I’ve always hated exams. I hated them at school, I hated them in the sixth form, and I’m pretty sure…

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It’s Bonfire Night, so what better time to catch up with the second instalment of PaulG80’s Diary of a Sadman. Time to start making a big pile of bits; anyone got a light? Right then where were we? Ah yes. I remember now. I had just finished with the first part of this series… in…

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After years of hard work, Rob Seedhouse had his wreck of a Norton lightweight nearly ready to run. But then came… the paperwork! During the build-up I registered the Navigator with an age-related plate. I couldn’t find any documentary evidence to prove that its original registration number — which was on the motorcycle when I…

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Twenty years ago, Goat Maison set off on his 1958 600cc twin to ride halfway around the world. In the previous episode, we’d left him in Iran… After an unpleasant encounter with a big crowd in Qom, I headed out of town and then stopped for a coke. There were some young soldiers there (who…

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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…

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