The Classic MotorCycle

Started in 1903, The Classic MotorCycle has more to offer the true vintage motorcycle enthusiast than any other publication, backed by Europe's largest motorcycle image archive.

Welcome

The Classic MotorCycle

Sidecar sport • As part of a story about the benefits of motorcycle combinations, this unusual photograph exampled a rarely seen, but seemingly popular, period game.

News & Events

WAY WE WERE IN OCTOBER

Book Review • “Stanley Woods – The World’s First Motorcycle Superstar”

Swamp buggy at work • This brilliantly-named Harley-Davidson three-wheeler was one of several of its breed taking part in the Jack Pine Enduro.

The drama of Dunluce • The castle ruins, on Northern Ireland’s northern coast, provides a spectacular backdrop to a Triumph and sidecar.

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

Coming of age • Running for 21 years and counting, the assembled throng at the Yorkshire Classic Motorcycle Club’s latest Charity Show remain as enthusiastic as ever.

Carefully crafted • With heaps of brio, and plenty of attitude, this clever budget-priced, Triumph-powered, Benelli-framed special performs brilliantly – and also boasts a name which causes confusion, too.

A long wait for a ride • It took seven years for Phil Irving to actually get to scratch the itch of riding a Series A Vincent V-twin.

Climate change • Each year, for seemingly ever, Founders’ Day, organised by the Taverners Section of the VMCC, has been blessed with wall-to-wall sunshine. For 2025 though, that wasn’t the case. But, still, it was a good day.

Social mobility • BSA’s humble Bantam mirrored the rise of postwar Britain, from making do to something altogether more modern and aspirational.

The Bantam’s back • It was only a matter of time before the resurgent BSA concern launched a new Bantam – and its spirit and nature fits its famous moniker well.

A Brooklands Cotton thread • Motorcycle Day at the Brooklands Museum bought together an eclectic collection of two- and three-wheelers, in celebration of the pre-Second World War racers who campaigned at the Surrey circuit.

‘Transport is the thing’ • The headline used was what Scottish industrialist William Beardmore proclaimed – and he was right. It’s just the products of his companies didn’t quite fulfil the need.

Success breeds success • Held over the weekend of June 28/29, this French event for pre-Second World War machinery has gone from strength to strength.

Really special • The title of this feature is what the RS could have stood for with regards BMW’s R51RS (aka RS39), the exclusive 1939 production racer.

TRIUMPH T120 BONNEVILLE – 1959-62

Grasping the nettle • With the fork leg sorted, it was time to tackle the big job I’d been putting off: fitting that shiny new crankshaft.

MOTORCYCLE SPECIALS • A frog leaps into neon lights

Fine detail • The big bits of this project were done a long time ago, but as anyone who has tackled something similar will tell you, the small details take the time.

Diary

Need maintenance be such a chore? • It almost seems that some British motorcycle makers went out of their way to make things as difficult as possible.

Brake time • Journeying the long and winding road, one of the important jobs is being able to stop, so making the front brake more effective is a priority on the Thurston Norton.

Changing times • The 550cc Triumph Model H wasn’t a cutting-edge design, but its durable build and particularly good gearbox earned it respect. The era of the gearbox had truly arrived.