Steve Cooper fondly remembers Suzuki’s largest air-cooled two-stroke triple – the excellent but often overlooked GT550. In recent discussion with one of this column’s readers, I was asked why on earth we hadn’t done a
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From the archive: The ‘lightweights’ that time forgot
Time was slowly running out for Associated Motor Cycles when it launched its new-style 250cc overhead-valve singles in 1958 – but were the sturdy and neat-looking AJS and Matchless models the best they could have
Read moreFrom the Archive: Only the best will do – ‘Vincents are my life’
Andrew Kenningley, who’s built up a fine reputation as a skilled Vincent restorer, tells why he’ll be showing off his work atthe forthcoming Stafford Show. In recent years the word ‘iconic’ has been over-used almost
Read moreFrom the archive: Summat to be proud of – the Yorkshire legacy of Phelon & Moore
For more than 60 years P&M, whose well-designed motorcycles became known as Panthers in the early 1920s, provided sensible down-to-earth transport along with a surprising amount of innovation, particularly during the inter-war years. This is
Read moreFrom the archive: Getting into line – with the experts
When you’re setting up a sidecar, the smallest of adjustments can make all the difference to handling. Mick Payne trawls around to get the opinions of today’s specialists in the field. Last month I tried
Read moreFrom the archive: How I bought a BSA A7 – at the ripe old age of 14!
Stirred by Old Bike Mart’s request for bike shop memories, Tony Proctor recalls his own early motorcycling days, which grew from mimicking his scrambling heroes. Emulating the scrambling we watched on TV, my friends and
Read moreFrom the archive: Made in Japan – Laverda 500: the twin that came oh, so close
’Ullo, ’ullo! What’s an Italian motorcycle doing on Steve Cooper’s Japanese pages? It’s all about comparisons and giving praise where it’s due, that’s what – and something the more extreme ‘Jap knockers’ might consider reciprocating
Read moreFrom the archive: Take five – whichever suits your style
Before Royal Enfield’s sensationally-styled Continental GT made its debut, the 250cc Crusader line had already evolved into two variations on a very agreeable five-speed theme – the leading link front fork Super 5 and the
Read moreFrom the archive: Ariel factory prototypes – and a well-executed BSA/Leader special
A reader’s letter in last month’s issue about a fine BSA Bantam/Ariel Leader special brought two enlightened replies which, between them, lay all possible confusion about the legendary ‘Bleader’ to rest. The BSA/Ariel special pictured
Read morefrom the archive: Goffy’s light fantastic!
Mick Payne discovers many ways of improving the lighting performance of classic motorcycles as he talks to Paul Goff. It can’t have escaped your notice that car lights are getting brighter. Not a bad thing,
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