What possessed me to buy a 1968 BSA Starfire I am not sure, but it turned out to be an interesting journey, with a few disasters along the way. The story starts way back in 1970 having returned from Singapore where I was serving in the army. I learne

One of the elderly gentlemen who helped me with the early restoration of my Ariel, many, many years ago, told me this story of how he ended up as a fitter in the army. When he went to sign up, ‘it was the shortest line’. He hastened to add that life

It started in spring 1973 when I, a poor student, was persuaded by a fellow motorcycle enthusiast in the university bike club to sell my CB77 Honda (I'd have another today if I had the garage space!) and replace it with a ‘cheap project bike’ that he

Short look back: in about 1975 a black Ducati 750GT lost a jousting match with a car in Hurstville (Sydney, Australia). Its previous owner was sort of known in passing (bad choice of words I suppose, because he lived, to the best of my knowledge). Th

I have always liked two-strokes. Back in the day, early 1970s, I decided I wanted a Suzuki 500. I entered the local motorcycle premises full of expectations. The owner / salesman tried his best to sell me a 350 Rebel instead and said it would ride ri

I totally agree with Tony Duffield in RC226 about his love of the Norton Commander. I just don't understand why they are not more appreciated. I bought my first rotary in 1993; very affordable in those days, not like today. It was a rather tatty, wel

I was beginning to feel left out. Old fashioned. Out of time. Strange things were happening in the slightly odd two-wheeled world I have inhabited for so long. The times were, as we once sang, a-changin’. Where once my companions of the road would di

I have always liked two-strokes. Back in the day, early 1970s, I decided I wanted a Suzuki 500. I entered the local motorcycle premises full of expectations. The owner / salesman tried his best to sell me a 350 Rebel instead and said it would ride ri

The parallel-twin OHV Norton Commando is widely regarded by everyone except Triumph T160 triple owners as the fastest and most desirable classic-era British streetbike. It made its 1967 debut at London's Earls Court Show in 745cc Fastback guise, and

What possessed me to buy a 1968 BSA Starfire I am not sure, but it turned out to be an interesting journey, with a few disasters along the way. The story starts way back in 1970 having returned from Singapore where I was serving in the army. I learne

I was beginning to feel left out. Old fashioned. Out of time. Strange things were happening in the slightly odd two-wheeled world I have inhabited for so long. The times were, as we once sang, a-changin’. Where once my companions of the road would di

Congratulations on yet another great issue. What a surprise that you had the courage to show two Norton twins on consecutive issues: one almost the pinnacle of twin development (except for the, erm, ‘debatable’ rear enclosure), and the other an altog

Range anxiety has recently become an issue for EV drivers. That worry that they might have to stop to recharge. Will there be a queue, will the charging point be out of action, or can they get to their destination against the headwind? I've no intent

It started in spring 1973 when I, a poor student, was persuaded by a fellow motorcycle enthusiast in the university bike club to sell my CB77 Honda (I'd have another today if I had the garage space!) and replace it with a ‘cheap project bike’ that he

This is another article about a modern motorcycle which may, or may not, find favour with the more mature rider for whom bigger and more muscular bikes have become a chore. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Royal Enfield Himalayan. This machine is

I just finished reading about Philip Archer's Trident. The part about broken rear spokes reminded me of a long-forgotten episode with my brand new 1976 Bonnie and broken rear spokes. I put it down to the savage rear brake which had the same calliper

I totally agree with Tony Duffield in RC226 about his love of the Norton Commander. I just don't understand why they are not more appreciated. I bought my first rotary in 1993; very affordable in those days, not like today. It was a rather tatty, wel

I seem to have acquired a garage full of post-war 500s. They all do a very similar thing in a very similar way. I don't really know how that happened. If you can afford more than one bike they are supposed to have different roles. Sporting, touring,