Vintage motorcycles

The Thorough: the short-lived motorcycle that offered unusually long test rides

by

Mark Lancaster

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8th September 2026

At the end of the 19th century George Featherstone was an ironmonger living in Bethnal Green but he had a son who was interested in the great strides that transportation was taking. It seems likely that it was John Featherstone who persuaded his father into producing a motorcycle in 1903. By then, John, now in…
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Hidden Gems: Yamaha YDS6

by

Mark Lancaster

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3rd September 2026

Steve Cooper looks at a single year model that you can still pick up for not a lot of money. That the Japanese motorcycle industry plagiarised the work of others is well documented. In the modern business world such artifice creates what’s known as a second-to-market product and often such offerings have some of the…
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Vindec Special: The German Motorcycle That Nearly Won the First TT

by

Mark Lancaster

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27th August 2026

The Vindec Special was actually built in Germany by Köln-Lindenthaler Metallwerke AG of Cologne. However, it is an interesting footnote in British motorcycling history because its distribution in this country was handled by the South British Trading Company with the assistance and advice of William Huntingdon ‘Billy’ Wells. Wells had moved to London from his…
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From shed-find moped to classic bikes: Pete Chatburn’s motorcycling story

by

Mark Lancaster

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18th August 2026

Pete Chatburn tells us about his start in motorcycling (and that’s how he titled his letter – we’re not being rude!) and wonders whether might be buried treasure on a local airfield. It all started for me in 1965 when I found my Granpa’s abandoned 1959 Raleigh RM1C moped in the shed behind his tailor’s…
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Singer: the Coventry car maker that began on two wheels

by

Mark Lancaster

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28th July 2026

Although best known for its cars, Coventry-based Singer began by making motorcycles, while its connection with two wheels goes back even further. In 1875, George Singer and his brother-in-law, James Stringer, founded a cycle company, and Singer went on to build the world’s first safety bicycle. By 1883, Singer was one of the country’s largest…
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Bonhams launches consignments for the Autumn Stafford Motorcycle Sale with ex-Steve McQueen Husqvarna 250cc motocrosser and important team appointments

by

Mark Lancaster

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18th July 2026

Show have now opened. Already confirmed is a 1972 Husqvarna 250cc Motocrosser previously owned by actor, Steve McQueen, being sold without reserve with an estimate of £30,000 – £50,000. Entries for the Autumn Stafford Sale will be supported by the important news that James Robinson, Editor of The Classic MotorCycle magazine, has joined the Bonhams…
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Entries Now Invited – Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale | 10–11 October 2026

by

Mark Lancaster

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8th July 2026

Following the record-breaking Spring Stafford Sale – which saw two new world auction records established and over £4.2 million realised – Bonhams is now inviting entries for the Autumn Stafford Sale, held in conjunction with the internationally renowned Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at Stafford, UK. With motorcycle sales exceeding £8 million in 2025 and an industry-leading average 96% sell-through rate, Bonhams continues to…
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Kempton Park Autojumble returns this July with live Iconic motorcycle auction

by

Mark Lancaster

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7th July 2026

Kempton Park Motorcycle Autojumble returns on Saturday, July 18, with an added attraction for classic, modern and retro motorcycle enthusiasts as Iconic Auctioneers brings its London Motorcycle Sale to the event. Taking place at Kempton Park Racecourse, near London, the well-established autojumble is already a firm favourite in the motorcycle calendar, attracting hundreds of visitors and more…
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Free 100+ page digital magazine celebrates the best of classic motorcycling and scootering

by

Mark Lancaster

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2nd July 2026

Discover more than 100 pages of fascinating features, stunning photography and expert writing from some of Britain’s leading classic motorcycle and scooter magazines – completely free to read online. IF you’re passionate about classic motorcycles and scooters, we’ve got something special for you. We’ve created a brand-new, completely free digital showcase magazine, bringing together some…
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Leaping Lena: The daring Australians who built the world’s fastest sidecar

by

Mark Lancaster

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1st July 2026

John Milton looks at how a handful of young Australians took on the world to win the sidecar landspeed record. The nickname ‘Leaping Lena’ has been used countless times in all manner of ways – a woman who jumped out of a Philadelphia window to avoid police arrest in 1920, pigeons, racehorses, cars, trains, even…
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