Features

Ariel’s pressed frame was ahead of its time Looking at the British motorcycle industry 40 years from its demise the casual observer could be forgiven for thinking there was a complete lack of imagination throughout its life. This would be wrong – there were many far thinking designers and engineers within the factories but, as…

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Dunstall systems improved braking performance As power outputs and road speeds got ever higher the poor old drum brake struggled to cope. Yes there were multi-leading shoe versions for road and racing but once you got to four and eight leading ones they were tricky to set up, then once set up needed to be…

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Viper engine produced impressive power output Of the many motorcycles the company produced the 500cc Venom and 350cc Viper have to be the ones that catch the attention of enthusiasts in 2012. Though the Venom gained all the glory with its record breaking ancestry, arguably the 350cc Viper engine is the better motor. MotorCycle commissioned…

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JAP works in Northumberland Park, Tottenham, London, 1946 In any technology, it is only a matter of time before one of its early pioneers makes a significant breakthrough, perhaps to achieve world-wide acclaim for his or her contribution. Yet it is unusual for that person to achieve even greater recognition in an entirely unrelated subject…

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Royal Enfield 500cc vertical twin When civilian motorcycle production resumed after World War 2, manufacturers knew that if they were to make any impression on the market they would need to take into account new trends. A telescopic front fork was an absolute must, and if there was not already a vertical twin in their…

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Now when was it that? Now when was it that? to give it its true print title, is a compilation of milestone snippets from the motorcycle history books. Originally written by Old Bike Mart founder Ken Hallworth and re-crafted by Jeff Clew for this series, Now when was it that? answers all those general knowledge…

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Now when was it that? Book 4 Now when was it that the mighty Ariel produced a three-wheeled 'Pixie'? When did Douglas return to the Isle of Man after a 17-year absence? When did Edward Turner and his senior colleagues go for an extended road test on Triumph's T15 Terrier? You'll find answers to all…

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The Silk is a water-cooled two-stroke twin of 700cc capacity, built by George Silk in Derbyshire between 1975 and ’79 the production run was reckoned to be less than 150. Silk raced and tuned Scotts during the 60s and felt that a motorcycle based on the Scott principle would be a good machine. Within the…

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BSA Beeza scooter It is widely believed today that the scooter is an Italian invention, whereas in actual fact nothing is further from the truth. The idea originated in this country well before the 1914-18 war and it is interesting to note that Douglas were one of the first to make a single cylinder engine…

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It was on the 1st April 1947 that Bert Hopwood joined Norton Motors Ltd, in the capacity of Chief Designer. His immediate priority was to design a vertical twin that would help revitalise the company's range of products. All they had to offer at the time of his appointment were six elderly models; two side…

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