Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

ogri: the biker’s biker!

I couldn’t have been more than four or five when I first raided my uncle’s stash of motorcycle magazines. And it was in the pages of these magazines that I first ‘met’ Him. Ogri wasn’t the first biker I’d ‘met’ (all my uncles rode bikes), but he was the coolest. He literally could do no wrong. He didn’t fear authority, he stood up for bikers’ rights before it really became fashionable to do so, he stuck up for his mate Malcolm, he had the coolest bike with the best name ever – and he had Mitzi. Unconsciously I put two and two together to make five: if you’re a biker, you’re automatically cool, if you ride a bike, you’re instantly attractive to your chosen targeted gender. Of course, life isn’t actually like…

wayne rainey yamaha yzr500 ow98

With our special on the completion of Niall Mackenzie’s 1991 YZR500 (page 36), we had to get some words on the most successful exponent of the V4 500cc two-stroke GP bike from Yamaha: triple champion Wayne Rainey. “I was at Suzuka in 1988 replacing Randy Mamola in Kenny Roberts’ team,” recalls Wayne. “The bikes were different to what I had ridden before: between two and four-strokes there was no comparison and riding a 500 well was so very difficult. They had a peaky powerband and didn’t run at low rpm and if you were running high in the rpm band they would high-side you. “Kevin Magee was my team-mate and he had already done a GP or two. It was raining and I’d never been to Suzuka before, so I followed Magee…

the latest riding kit, top tools, tyres, retro clothing and more !

SHARK CITYCRUISER HELMET The Citycruiser is a new open-face/jet-style helmet from SHARK. The Citycruiser features an innovative design with ‘X-Tra protection’ as the shell provides increased protection of the cheeks and jaw in comparison to other jet helmets on the market. For comfort, the lightweight Citycruiser features a new AEGIS® MICROTECH interior made from recycled fibres with antibacterial and anti-odour properties, and is removable and washable. For those that wear glasses, it’s fitted with the SHARK EASYFIT system. The helmet is available in eight colours, in sizes XS to XL. www.nevis.uk.com GOOD BITS CB750 PARTS Good-Bits.co.uk is a company doing for Honda CB750 in classic racing. Over the years they’ve been developing parts on the Smith Honda CRS, and restoring old 1970s classics. Here is their new/upgraded clutch actuator hub for the CB750…

riding kit ridden in, tools twirled and tyres tested

CABERG TOURMAX The first ever dual-mode helmet I wore was the Shoei Syncrotec back in 2001, and while it suited my needs at the time (I was on a BMW tourer launch in Europe), I soon reverted to a conventional full-face when going about my normal daily, biking business. Why? Well, back then I rode sportsbikes for 85% of the time, so a flip-top lid suitable for speaking da lingo at the odd péage wasn’t really on my horizon. But in the last two decades things have changed. Most of my riding is done at a more sedate pace and the bikes I’m normally riding are built for distance, not speed – even if I’m built for neither! So, on to the lid… Comfort has always been an issue with these sorts of…

retro rally tenere announced!

We love this sort of thing. Hot on the heels of the Suzuki V-Strom, which is styled like the DR Big of old, here’s the Ténéré 700 in a smart set of clothes! The Ténéré 700 is a 689cc parallel twin clearly aimed at the adventure market – but for 2020 Yamaha is looking to its past to help push the model. Proudly assembled in France, the new Ténéré 700 Rally Edition features a special blue and yellow livery that pays homage to the Yamaha race bikes ridden by Jean-Claude Olivier and Serge Bacou in the 1983 and 1984 editions of the Dakar rally. Yamaha lovers will recognise the iconic design of the XT600Z from 1983. Black Yamaha speedblock graphics reinforce the historic look. The Ténéré 700 Rally Edition is coming with…

idbs postponed!

Sad to report that thanks to the still ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic, Mortons Events have had to postpone the International Dirt Bike Show due to be held at Stafford Showground until 2021. The show was due to be held over the weekend of October 31-November 1, 2020, and promised the normal mix of everything best in the off-road world, old and new. However, with the safety and well-being of both visitors and staff being foremost, the unfortunate decision has been made to cancel this year’s event. The 2021 show dates will be confirmed in due course, but for any ticket enquiries please contact 01507 529529 or email customerservices@mortons.co.uk and for all trade enquiries contact exhibitions@mortons.co.uk. Lines are open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm. For more go to: www.dirtbikeshow.co.uk…