Features

Michael Edwards takes a look at the fascinating early history of motorised tricycles as detailed in The Tricycle Book, 1895-1902 Part One. When Georges Bouton introduced his half horsepower motorised tricycle to the crowds at the Horseless Carriage Exhibition in Tunbridge Wells in 1895, many of the forward thinking and enthusiastic ‘automobilists’ present anticipated rapid…

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If there’s one thing that those of us with a fanatical passion for classic motorcycles are not short of, it’s things to do. Aside from the maintenance, restoration and improvement of our bikes, of course. I’m a firm believer in riding your classic bike, anywhere and everywhere, and not just ‘saving’ it for Sunday best,…

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While many of us want to ride a classically styled machine that is unencumbered by components that may hinder the good looks of our pride and joy, Dave Manning takes a look at ways in which we can make our classic machines more practical and purposeful while retaining some timeless style. As most of us…

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Often forgotten among the Ariel four-strokes that were consigned to history, to make way for the Leader and Arrow two-stroke twins in 1958, was the long-lived 597cc VB. Pete Kelly raids the Mortons Archive to find out more about this well-loved side-valve single, and its stablemates. Ariel’s long production of side-valve motorcycles began more than…

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Of diminutive stature, and fighting well above its weight, a Suzuki two-stroke twin, the Stinger, gives Steve Cooper a real buzz. Fifty years ago, one of Japan’s most unusual motorcycles rolled off a production line at Hamamatsu. Despite only sporting 125 cubic centimetres of engine capacity and weighing little more than a moped, the new…

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If we could turn back time to our teenage years, would we? Mike Hornegold gave it a try! I wonder if you would like to include my account of an old boy’s dream, or is it a mere folly? As, no doubt, many of you of a certain age will identify with my experience! In…

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Martin Spicer’s life with his BSA Golden Flash not only spans 55 years, but also involved it going halfway around the world with him… My story starts in 1948 when I was born in South London. The year before, my mum and dad went on their honeymoon to Hastings riding their tandem bicycle, so when…

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Following on from the December OBM cover photo showing Charlie Bruce on his Velocette at Scarborough in September 1959, and the subsequent letter from Brian Moorcroft, Ben Waters provides us with some more information on this most interesting rider, his machines and the part he played in the Scottish motorcycle racing scene. Charlie Bruce was…

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The decision to halt production of the entire range of Ariel four-strokes, in the wake of the Leader and Arrow two-stroke twins, brought a sudden void for many enthusiasts. Pete Kelly looks at some of the favourites that were suddenly no more. Last month we told how the massive investment required for the launch of…

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Steve Cooper looks at an intermediary Yamaha model that cemented their fine 2T reputation. The earliest YDS1 had been based around the German Adler MD250, and the subsequent YDS2 embraced a raft of oversights, omissions and lessons learnt from that first machine. Persevering with the basic design, the next in the series, the YDS3, found…

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