Workshop

There are probably more myths and misconceptions about oil and lubrication than any other subject in motorcycling. Gerry Bristow attempts to set straight some of the errors that masquerade as facts… What oil has to do The primary function of oil is to prevent metal to metal contact by introducing a film of oil between…

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When we observed in RealClassic magazine that two similar classic bikes were using their tyres very differently, and wondered what it could mean, RC readers provided all kinds of answers… Tyred and Bemused My Norton Commander needs a new rear tyre, which comes as a surprise. It’s many years since I wore a tyre out…

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Les Howard recommends a four stage process for stripping, cleaning, de-rusting and drying the petrol tank on your classic motorcycle. Appropriate clothing should be worn… One of the worst chores that is so often required on a classic bike today is renovating the inside of a steel petrol tank, usually because of rust or an…

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Karl Bentley investigates a misfire on his Yamaha XS650, and discovers that it’s all in the timing… Coming back from a wonderful ride (you can read about it here), the ignition timing on my XS650 slipped due to a loose timing disc. There are two main ways to check the timing on your bike. Static…

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Always on the lookout for quick and cost-effective remedies, Derek Pickard details a smart way to rid a petrol tank of filter-clogging rust… One thing which is really hard to fix in old bikes is rust in the petrol tank. No cleaning chemicals can do the job and we’re now learning how some of the…

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The first fuel additives are coming onto the market to combat the effects of ethanol in petrol. As yet, they’re unproven, but there are some other things you can do if your old bike is suffering from the ethanol effect… We recently posted the full QintetiQ report into the effects of the rising level of…

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Registering a Classic Bike The process of getting the paperwork in place to register a pre-1973 motorcycle appears to be pretty intimidating. Actually, says Stu Thomson, it’s quite straightforward. Here’s his handy guide… The final part of rebuilding my little 98cc Gilera was to register the vehicle in the UK as it was an import…

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All roads users need clear vision to drive or ride safely. Motorcyclists have to cope with visors and goggles, and classic riders frequently suffer from deteriorating vision, too. Paul Miles, RC’s resident professional eye expert, guides us through the available options – starting with getting the most from your eye test… By popular (well several,…

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What exactly is a DVR, and why do classic bikes need them? Mike Hutchings explains why he developed a new voltage regulator to suit his BSA A10… ‘A couple of years back I converted to a 12-Volt electrical system on my 1960 BSA A10, employing a commonly available electronic regulator’ says Mike Hutchings. He’s currently…

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All roads users need clear vision to drive or ride safely. Motorcyclists have to cope with visors and goggles, and classic riders frequently suffer from deteriorating vision, too. Paul Miles, RC’s resident professional eye expert, continues his explanation and delves into ordering spectacles… … To get the best effect from this professional advice, you really…

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