Norton Model 18

The price of pre-war British bikes frequently puts them beyond most budgets, but the first bikes built after WW2 offer an affordable alternative. This 500 single was manufactured by Norton in 1946 and it retains many vintage virtues, as its owner explains… ‘It just oozes character,’ grins owner Brian. ‘I’ve owned other girder-fork machines over the years but never a…

Classic Motorcycle Meet

There were a multitude of classic motorcycles at Stony Straford near Milton Keynes recently. It must take a great deal of effort, enthusiasm and planning to arrange a single classic event each year but to arrange two must require dedication above and beyond the call of duty. However this is exactly what the organisers of Classic Stony manage with shows…

June issue out now

  British bikes, Italian classics and Oriental excellence – all make an appearance in the June magazine. Old English singles from Ariel, AJS, Norton and Royal Enfield sit alongside three-cylinder superbikes, big twins and fab fours. Here’s the full range of featured machines and how to read all about them… ARIEL VH 500 Somehow, Ariel suggested that their bikes were…

Classic Bikes at Banbury

  You know that sinking feeling when you’re late for something? RC’s roving reporter Richard Jones experienced it in full when he realised he was 24 hours late for the VMCC’s Coventry to Brighton Run. However, as if by magic, a stack of classic motorcycles appeared… I had somehow got it into my head that the riders would be stopping…

Thunderfest Fun

A remarkable range of classic bikes and cutting-edge competitors rocked up to Darley Moor circuit for the seventh Thunderfest on the Mayday Bank Holiday. As you might expect for a British bank hol, the rain tipped down all over the country – except at the demanding Midlands circuit which was blessed with sunshine and high spirits. This encouraged the participants…