Classic Bike December 2022

Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA, United Kingdom E-mail: classic.bike@bauermedia.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/ClassicBikeMagazine W hen I became Classic Bike editor for the first time (back in 2003, when I had more hair) a reader got in touch. ‘Don’t mess up my magazine,’ he menacingly threatened, ‘or else...’ Over the following nine years, while I remained as editor, I never heard from him again, so I assume he was content with what we did with his magazine back then. Now, 19 years after that letter, and ten since I was last in the CB editor’s chair, here I am again, trying not to mess up your magazine. Fortunately there are a fantastic bunch of people who can help with that. Just as CB attracts discerning readers, it also…

December 2022 A grey, flat sky hovers low over the sand dunes. There’s a fine drizzle blowing intermittently across the flatlands of Lincolnshire’s coastal fringe and, on the last weekend of October, summer seems a long time ago. A perfect day then, for a pre-65 trial. That’s certainly what the riders who’ve turned out at a former motocross track just outside the coastal village of Saltfleet think, anyway. By the time we get called to the riders’ meeting, 48 entrants have unloaded a fascinating and diverse selection of bikes ready to tackle five laps of eight sections on the tricky, sandy going. Three routes – hard, intermediate and clubman – have been plotted. with classes accommodating pre-unit, unit and two-stroke machines. Seasoned expert or first-timer, there should be something here…

N orton’s new owners TVS have put their money where their mouths are, by investing much cash and time into turning the Commando 961 into the machine it should have been all along. The previous Commando 961 was launched in 2009 following Norton’s last resurrection, and its problems have been well documented. Some regarded design and materials, others were down to quality control. (The less said about customer service and the firm’s financial carry-on the better.) Thing is, you always knew that beneath all the niggles and frustration, the 961 was a decent bike. Calling it the ‘new’ Commando isn’t strictly true, as it’s the same pushrod four-valve 961cc parallel twin as before – and the same steel spaceframe chassis. Even the geometry is untouched. But what Norton have done…

H arry Bott has just completed an extraordinary classic ride. Over the course of five months, the plucky 23-year-old rode this 1926 Sunbeam Model 1 for 7500 miles round the coast of Britain, visiting every one of the RNLI’s 238 stations to raise money for the lifeboat charity. The bike was bought secondhand around 1930 by Harry’s great grandfather, who rode the 347cc side-valve single to work until the 1950s. “Apparently he either rode his Sunbeam, his bicycle or his horse,” says Harry. “Then his son rode it occasionally up to the 1970s, then dad’s uncle took it apart so it could be restored, but that never happened. The parts sat in a box in Cornwall for 40 years until it was given to my dad to reassemble, which we…

Brakes for Japanese classics TRK braking, who make brake caliper repair kits, have introduced complete replacement calipers for some Japanese classics. The single-piston sliding-caliper design used on many 1971-79 Hondas costs £104.39; the opposed-piston design used on many 1973-77 Yamahas is £120.83 from Wemoto.com 01273 597072 South West tiddler dates The (in)famous Three Moors Run, inspired by the Moto Giro d’Italia, for sub-175cc machines will take place on September 10-13 in 2023. Organisers are also planning a June Jaunt for sub-250cc bikes upto 1973 on June 11-13 over Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin. Both events include hotel accommodation. More info on Giro South West tiddler events from russell@phaseone.co.uk UGP centenary hailed in print It’s a century since the Ulster GP was first run in 1922 (won at 60.57mph by HW Hassall…

December 3 London Classic Off Road and Racing Show, Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury, Middlesex Embracing classic motocross, trials, grass track, speedway and road racing, this is the place for a close-season fix of classic bike competition machinery. Inside in the warm, clubs and individual owners provide a dazzling display of classic competition machinery; outside, hardy autojumblers will be doing their best to tempt you. kemptonautojumble.co.uk December 4 Rufforth Autojumble, Rufforth Park, Yorkshire Rufforth signs off for the year with the last of their regular jumbles for 2022. Don't worry, they'll be back next year. rufforthautojumble.com December 4 North Lincs Classic Motorcycle Club trial, North Ormsby, Lincolnshire The friendly North Lincs club host their last pre-65 and twinshock trials for the year. Pick from hard, 50/50 and clubman routes – and…