Classic Bike July 2021

Welcome WE’RE OFF TO THE ISLE OF MAN THERE MAY BE no TT this year – but, as many motorcycle enthusiasts have the Island in their minds at this time of year, we thought it appropriate to celebrate the world’s greatest motorcycle race with a glimpse back into a couple of momentous occasions in its history. First off, it’s 110 years since the first race that took in the Mountain section, and Phillip Tooth takes a look at that very first 1911 Tourist Trophy. The TT had previously been run on the St John’s course, starting in St John’s village then taking in Ballacraine, Kirkmichael and Peel for a 15.84-mile lap. But by 1911, the ACU felt a greater challenge was required and switched to a much longer 37.5-mile route…

THERE MAY BE no TT this year – but, as many motorcycle enthusiasts have the Island in their minds at this time of year, we thought it appropriate to celebrate the world’s greatest motorcycle race with a glimpse back into a couple of momentous occasions in its history. First off, it’s 110 years since the first race that took in the Mountain section, and Phillip Tooth takes a look at that very first 1911 Tourist Trophy. The TT had previously been run on the St John’s course, starting in St John’s village then taking in Ballacraine, Kirkmichael and Peel for a 15.84-mile lap. But by 1911, the ACU felt a greater challenge was required and switched to a much longer 37.5-mile route that included the gruelling climb up and over Snaefell, the…

BRIT 350s CANNED Opportunity knocked Spring 1971 was to see two promising new Brit 350s on sale – the BSA Fury and Triumph Bandit. But management got cold feet at the last minute… WORDS: MICK DUCKWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY: BSA/TRIUMPH MOTOR CYCLE DIVISION & BAUER ARCHIVE PROJECTS THE WAY WE WERE EVENTS YOUR CLASSICS LETTERS Fifty summers ago, two refreshingly new British bikes should have been appearing on the road. A pair of 100mph dohc 350cc twins from BSA and Triumph had been announced to the trade and previewed in the press, including massive coverage in US magazines. The BSA E35 Fury and Triumph T35 Bandit were basically the same apart from cosmetics and badging, with each also offered in a high-piped SS (Street Scrambler) version. Markedly different from any previous BSA…

PROJECTS THE WAY WE WERE EVENTS YOUR CLASSICS LETTERS Fifty summers ago, two refreshingly new British bikes should have been appearing on the road. A pair of 100mph dohc 350cc twins from BSA and Triumph had been announced to the trade and previewed in the press, including massive coverage in US magazines. The BSA E35 Fury and Triumph T35 Bandit were basically the same apart from cosmetics and badging, with each also offered in a high-piped SS (Street Scrambler) version. Markedly different from any previous BSA or Triumph twins, they had inclined cylinders with generous slab-sided finning, slim elongated fuel tanks and duplex frames that echoed contemporary racing practice, plus optional electric starting. With 63 x 56mm cylinder dimensions (349cc), claimed power was 34bhp. Due for release in the spring of 1971, the…

Projects never go out of fashion. At least, that’s how it seems if you examine auction results over recent years. And especially so if the subject is something rare, exotic, desirable – or all three. The catalogue for Bonhams’ Summer Stafford Sale at Stafford County Showground on July 2-4 seems to back up that assertion. A raft of project machines have been consigned, from the humble to the extraordinary. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer for the dedicated project hunter with an eye for the finer things on two wheels. ‘THIS WOULD BE A REWARDING PROJECT FOR A COMMITTED VINTAGE FAN’ ► 1934 Matchless Silver Hawk An ambitious project that’s certainly not one for the fainthearted. But, having said that, when did you last see one of Matchless’s rare and desirable V4s…

THE PHOTO BELOW is of my father, Geoff Fletcher (1912-1965) on a Sunbeam which was either co-owned with or borrowed from his friend, Gordon Adamson. They both came from Leeds, just like the UG registration on this bike – my father from Horsforth and Gordon from Far Headingley. I know that my father liked to go to the Yorkshire coast for camping weekends, hence the backdrop and the tent on the back. My online searches did not produce an exact match for this Sunbeam. My dad looks to be in his early twenties, which makes the bike probably from around 1930. What struck me as unusual, compared with most of the Model 9s and 10s from the early 1930s, is that it’s a two-seater; also, I could not find another Sunbeam…