Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i Real Classic

A very wise saying, a saying which gets passed down through the generations, suggests that we should neither a borrower nor a lender be. This is sound advice, although it is of course hard to stick to it. As you may have observed by now, I spend a disturbing proportion of my time borrowing bikes from other people. It would not be easy to work on a motorcycle magazine without actually riding other folks’ bikes – although I’ve known a couple of guys who have managed it, remarkably. Borrowing bikes always sounds like fun, as with the famous and well known saying ‘gizzago mistah’, which I’m sure you’ve heard many times – and you may even have uttered it yourself at an appropriate moment. And indeed why not? Speaking personally,…

It may appear that this is simply a picture of a piece of wood. Bear with me, as I will reveal the use of this device to the benefit of us aging motorcyclists. Having read Johann Patek’s letter in RC256, and the problems he has putting his bikes on the centrestand, I felt I should share my secret. I too was having a problem in putting my Velocette Venom on its centrestand. Using this simple ramp to run the back wheel up before pulling the bike on its stand makes life much easier. It’s only of use in the workshop, of course, but it does help. Tony Lessiter, member Brilliant!I shall find something similar and see whether it works on our A65. Frank W…

Funny how old photos turn up. Looking through some of my old books, this picture fell out of the pages of an old Airomodel makers annual. It shows me on my first road-legal bike in early 1967, a James Captain 200 with the AMC engine. It was a 1963 model that ran likea clock. My mate had a Tiger Cub and we thrashed these little bikes everywhere, to work every day for 25 miles, out every night and all weekend. The only time the James let me down was going to a dance one evening, at a village about 10 miles away. I suddenly had a wet leg–the plunger had popped out of the petrol tap. I put the bike on its side on the grass verge to save losing…

At Founder’s Day, I stopped at the Cyclemotor club stand and had a chat with Jacqueline Bickerstaff about how to get the fire back into a Firefly. Among other things, we mentioned the Motobi Spring Lasting which was displayed on the IMOC stand. This model is quite rare in this country – and in Italy, too, where for a long time no one was interested in ancient, worn-out, well-trashed two-strokes – there being just five examples known to the Benelli Motobi Club GB, and perhaps as many again not owned by club members. This particular example is a Spring Lasting Lusso 1955 model. The Spring Lasting was first manufactured in 1952, diversified into the Lusso and Gran Sport models in 1955 and continued in production until 1960. They enjoyed some…

Ooooh, it’s hot! Or at least it was when this was written, and PUB’s ability to do anything evaporates in the heat these days (although it was not always so – another indignity of old age). Nevertheless, after B44 ‘Clever’ Clive reminded PUB that the last week in June would see the meet at Cassington, near Oxford, and that he would be going, she decided to go along too rather than be a wimp. Wrong decision – wimps are us. Well, not really, for the event was its usual very busy self and worth attending, but the ride and the event were hot. Fortunately the village green, which is the focus of the evening with food stalls and bar, and a pub opposite, has a lot of tree cover to…

For people who don’t spend half their lives scrolling around on the internet, I’m aware that the constant references to websites and Facebook pages must be pretty irritating. Apologies in advance, then, for mentioning the RealClassic group on Facebook again. But that’s where this story starts… We offer subscriber-only access to the RC Facebook group as a special benefit to regular magazine readers. It’s like an online clubhouse where people with something in common – in this case a slightly strange magazine about old motorcycles – can meet to chat about all things automotive (mainly two-wheeled, but the occasional hovercraft might creep in). It’s a congenial place to ask questions if you’re stumped by something, share photos of recent rides and ask if anyone has seen that BSA C15 you…

I sympathise with Frank’s wrestling with the poorly engineered BSA A65 sidepanels. My solution: buy an 8mm threaded T-Nut, the type with 4 prongs meant for wood fixings, and a stainless 8mm button-headed Allen bolt of appropriate length. Cut and file the prongs off the T-Nut, to make it fit the back of the cover nicely. Clean everything. Using a good epoxy glue, glue the nut in place. Assemble with outer cover and bolt while curing, to ensure perfect fit. Spray with a rattle can to discourage rust. Viola. This will save you approximately 2.75 hours of needless fiddling about if you keep the bike for five(ish) years. Simon Kidd, member In the end, I almost always do my best to work out how things are supposed fit, then do…

A letter in RC256 raised a smile – the one about Honda wing badges being screwed on the wrong side, so that the wing points backwards. At least it’s easy to put right. Spare a thought for Bantam owners who have paid to have their tank painted, just to find the chicken transfers have been applied vice versa. The chicken should face forward! Richard Kurtz, member Spare a thought for owners of modern Hondas too–like me. My CL500 is a perfectly fine motorcycle, built to Mr Honda’s admirably high standards… apart from the ticky-tacky tank transfers which look like they fell out of a cornflakes packet. Talk about spoiling the ship for a ha’p’orth of tar! Rowena…

I didn’t think I was in need of another motorcycle magazine but I bit the bullet and finally subscribed to RealClassic. When my first issue arrived, I enjoyed reading Members’ Enclosure, which I thought was refreshingly enlightened. Rowena’s piece was certainly food for thought. The Gorbachev quote was really appropriate: we could do with more world leaders with his kind of vision. Keep up the good work, looking forward to reading more. John Young, member Rowena excelled herself with the August Members’Enclosure. The thrust of its contents is fully supported by the turnout at last weekend’s Huntsman MCC show, as seen here. There was more variety than the world has ever seen before (say that in your best Trump accent!). I was there on the only local Jawa, parked among…

ALL DATES might change, so check with the organisers before you set off… FRI & SAT 5/6 SEPTEMBER ➤ The EUROJUMBLE returns to Netley Marsh SO40 7GY. Opens 9am, free parking. Garage clear-out stalls on Saturday for £25. Discount admission £9 Fri or £7 Sat from classicbikeshows.com SAT & SUN 6/7 SEPTEMBER ➤ The INTERNATIONAL AUTOJUMBLE opens 8.30am at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER ➤ The Salisbury Club welcome enthusiasts to their ARBUTHOT TRIAL for pre-1975 bikes and outfits. Starts 9am at the Barford Inn, Barford St Martin. Entry via ACU. See salisburymotorcycleandlightcarclub.co.uk / 07767 756167 ➤ There’s an AUTOJUMBLE at Stratford Racecourse, CV37 9SE. Gates open 9.30. 01507 529529 / stratfordautojumble.co.uk ➤ The COPDOCK BIKE SHOW opens 9am at Trinity Park, IP3 8UH.…

Earlier this summer, Nelson Ryall, founder of the underground legend that is Langport Bike Night, decided to hold a little bike show at Bere cider farm on the Somerset Levels. Given that the show has been the source of many a feature bike and OddJob, he invited me to be a judge. And it was proposed that I alone should select a special trophy winner, declaring it to be Best Ollie’s Oddity. There were some more than suitable candidates. Daryl’s mighty VW-engined Zen has already graced these pages. Jonathan’s souped-up Yamaha moped, which is possibly a QT50 Chappy and has been fitted with a 119cc Honda-type engine was in the book too, along with the astonishing Roughly Similar, an amazing pastiche of a Brough Superior made from a Harley Softail,…

I was recently involved in restoring the paintwork on a 2013 Royal Enfield. On the face of it, this sounds like a very worthwhile but relatively unchallenging activity. However this motorcycle is unique in that it is made from scaffolding tubes and we needed ladders to reach anything on it above the engine. The project was organised by a gentleman motorcyclist called Fraser Drummond, and over the course of a few days a small group of volunteers transformed the big bike from a faded, weather-beaten shadow, back to its original, colourful self. The replica of a Super Meteor stands proud on the A3102 on the outskirts of Calne, Wiltshire and is the work of local artist Toby Welsby, who somehow transformed an idea in his head into this amazing monument…

I have ridden more Commandos in their various Fastback, Roadster, Interpol, and Interstate variants than any other model of motorcycle, and have previously reflected upon their apparent surprising differences. With that great sense of hindsight, I now reflect that such opinion could be the result of the number of examples experienced as opposed to individual comparisons. Similarly, having only ever ridden one Honda step-thru and one Ariel 3, both courtesy of my elder sister, my perceptions of each are limited to those singular examples. In the case of Commandos, I would suggest that the riding experience is strongly influenced by which fuel tank the bike has, as well as the handlebars and exhaust systems. I’m sure Mr Westworth clearly remembers every detail of the various cycles he has experienced over…

Please give a service star to Ragged Moto (raggedmoto.com) who did an outstanding job refurbishing my brake calipers. New seals, pistons cleaned and polished, sliders cleaned and lubed, all for £42 each including collection and delivery. All turned around in less than a week. John Emery, member A Brisk spark plug seems to have cured an annoying misfire of my 350 New Bullet when under load at certain rev range. I’d been unable to trace what I thought was a poor connection, then F2 Motorcycles came to the rescue with a Brisk replacement for the new NGK plug. Yesterday I enjoyed a smooth, hiccup-free 60 mile ride and was I perhaps imagining a bit more power? Oily Boot Bob, member I only ever put Brisk plugs in all my bikes.…

TLC TIME When you spend a lot of time spannering on your old bike, it can be easy to overlook the needs of your more modern motorcycle. Your Enfield Himalayan or Hinckley Bonneville might fire up without hesitation – but even new bikes appreciate a touch of TLC to keep them in fine fettle. To make your annual service altogether easier, Wemoto offer comprehensive service kits which now include Motul oils. Trusted by riders and mechanics alike, Motul is celebrated for its superior lubrication, thermal stability, and ability to protect engines under the toughest riding conditions – or on gentle bimbles around the lanes! Indeed, occasional use on shorter runs can contribute significantly to engine component wear. Motul oil claims to help engines run cooler, cleaner and longer. Wemoto’s new…

➤ WE WANT MORE STORIES about real life classic bikes. We like profiles of a single model or a comparison of two machines. Most magazine features are between 1000 and 2500 words. If your story is much longer then it’s probably not for us. Shorter stories appear in the letters section. ➤ TO SEEWHAT WE MEAN look at the MZ, Honda CL and Triumph Trident articles in this issue. ➤ DON’T WORRY about your writing, grammar or punctuation; we’ll make sure that your article reads the right way. Just concentrate on telling a good story and we’ll do the rest. ➤ INCLUDE AS MUCH INFO as possible. Tell the RC readers exactly what model your classic bike is, when it was built and its history since then. What condition was…