Features

While little cannot already have been written about the Ariel Square Four, it takes only a brief look through the Mortons Archive to reignite the intrigue this distinguished British design has always generated, writes Pete Kelly. Square Four evolution In 1931 Ariel won the Maudes Trophy with an ingenious ‘Sevens’ test devised by the firm’s…

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Eyebrows were raised when Yamaha entered the ‘big single’ market in the 1970s – but it had done its homework thoroughly to put some tired old bogeys to rest, writes Steve Cooper. Yamaha’s XT and SR500 – a singular sort-out A Japanese single – and an excellent one at that. Yamaha took the world by…

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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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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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Mick Payne looks back at the long history of the Watsonian Squire Palma range of sidecars, which were innovative at the time of their introduction and remain available to this day. The long-running Watsonian Palma range The editor’s Palma sidecar dates back to 1962, and was in good fettle when this photo was taken just…

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The spirit of the Moidart Run is encapsulated by this scene aboard the Corran Ferry – and the gloves are definitely not coming off yet! John McCrink reports on a decidedly wintry motorcycle road run in Scotland on Thursday, April 28. A cold, wet, sleety, drizzle was falling as around 80 hardy and determined enthusiasts…

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Mick Payne visits a Yorkshire bootmaker with a proud tradition, after the very comfortable and practical boots they made for him 20 years ago were swiped from under his nose. “There’ll always be someone who wants a pair of good boots,” was the best advice Alt-Berg founder Mike Sheehan ever received. During our recent Team…

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