Sam Hewitt

  • Testing, testing! How the bike journos of old saw the Squariels

    Testing, testing! How the bike journos of old saw the Squariels

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    The uncanny flexibility of the Ariel Square Fours, from the 497cc and 597cc ‘cammies’ to the final pushrod-operated 997cc Mk. 2, always amazed those fortunate enough to road test these four-pot classics, as these excerpts from our archive bound volumes show. Testing, testing! How the bike journos of old saw the Squariels There’s a Standard…

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  • Bill Little to retire after almost 40 years

    Bill Little to retire after almost 40 years

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    After establishing his business, Bill Little Motorcycles of Oak Farm, Braydon, near Swindon SN50AG, in 1979, Bill has finally decided to put his feet up, and a Retirement Sale, with lots of automobilia and memorabilia to clear from his barn, takes place on Saturday, August 6. Bill Little to retire after almost 40 years There’s…

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  • Another brilliant Banbury Run – and it’s still the biggest and best in the world!

    Another brilliant Banbury Run – and it’s still the biggest and best in the world!

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    Almost 500 riders took part in the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s 68th Banbury Run, open only to VMCC members on pre-1931 machines, on Sunday, June 19 – down a little on the 600 or so during the halcyon days of a few years ago, but still living up to the event’s tag of ‘the largest…

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  • Does anyone remember these likely lads?

    Does anyone remember these likely lads?

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    This is the story of two Peckham boys, John Bowden and Graham Cole, and their biking days in the 1950s and 60s, and I’m writing it because of John’s sad and early death in April after a brave battle against illness. Does anyone remember these likely lads? The likely lads in their prime! John Bowden…

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  • A Cotton restored

    A Cotton restored

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    Last October we ran a short feature headed ‘The Cotton they dragged from the Grand Union Canal’ telling the story of a 1937 350cc JAP-engined Cotton Sports that VMCC Taverners Section member Brian Matthews had just started putting back together. Now the job is done, and Brian tells the tale. A Cotton restored Brian (left)…

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  • British scooter display opens at Haynes Motor Museum

    British scooter display opens at Haynes Motor Museum

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    After several years in the planning, the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust’s exhibition of British motor scooters opened to the public within the Haynes International Motor Museum near Yeovil on May 21. British scooter display opens at Haynes Motor Museum Visitors could be in for a surprise when they see the sheer variety of British scooters…

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  • Nimble, stylish and a joy to ride – a tale of just what might have been

    Nimble, stylish and a joy to ride – a tale of just what might have been

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    Concluding the story of his endless quest to find a dohc 350cc BSA Fury, Tony Page tells how he ended up with a Triumph Bandit as well – and what the bikes are actually like to ride. Nimble, stylish and a joy to ride – a tale of just what might have been With the…

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  • T160 triplex primary drive problem solved

    T160 triplex primary drive problem solved

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    Owners of T160 Triumph Tridents might be interested to know that a T160 Triplex primary drive conversion sprocket is now available from Clive Scarfe Systems. T160 triplex primary drive problem solved All you need to carry out the T160 conversion is the new sprocket, your original spider assembly and shock-absorber rubber retaining plate, a T150…

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  • Carole Nash winner Ben spends a day with his hero Leon Haslam

    Carole Nash winner Ben spends a day with his hero Leon Haslam

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    After winning a Carole Nash Insurance competition, 37-year-old Ben Hayes from Cheshire recently spent a day he’ll never forget with his motorcycle racing hero, Leon Haslam. Carole Nash winner Ben spends a day with his hero Leon Haslam Experiencing a few laps as pillion passenger with Leon’s equally famous dad, Ron is one of the…

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  • Japanese bikers’ day at Sammy Miller Museum

    Japanese bikers’ day at Sammy Miller Museum

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    Almost 200 bikes, including some real Japanese exotica, turned up for the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club’s Japanese bikers’ day at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum on Saturday, June 11 – and Nigel Barratt and Steph Murchison are to be congratulated on once again organising such a fabulous event. Japanese bikers’ day at Sammy Miller Museum…

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