October 2021

RealClassic

Frequently fabulous; occasionally awful, but always interesting

RealClassic3 min read
From The Front
Do you have favourite rides? Favourite routes to favourite places? Roads and destinations which are so entirely familiar that you can concentrate on enjoying the ride itself, rather than puzzling over the best way to get to where you’re going? I most
RealClassic11 min read
Klone - WITH-A-K
It’s hugely ironic that Kawasaki, which ever since the 1969 creation of its H1 Mach III two-stroke triple has almost permanently led all other Japanese manufacturers in the pursuit of performance for its streetbike range, should have started out its
RealClassic1 min read
Service Stars
On Tuesday morning I notified the DVLA of my change of address for 19 vehicles. We just had 19 V5Cs come through the front door, just three days later! Richard Stiles, member 4934 ■
RealClassic1 min read
Snap!
Grateful thanks to Doug Sjoquist who provided the photos for last month’s splendid Moto Guzzi Ambassador article… and who didn’t get the correct credit: apologies!
RealClassic1 min read
Which Bike?
The subject of Rowena’s Members’ Enclosure with RC209 was an important one, tackled so differently by the RC community; buying, selling and riding your bikes. I’m always baffled by the folk who’ve owned more than 150 bikes; how could you possibly get
RealClassic1 min read
Slow, Slow, Quick-quick
Roger Bibbings in RC209 hopes readers will respond with tales of bimbling. Our esteemed editor disagrees and describes it as ‘selfindulgence’. I would suggest that classic bikers often bimble. Very different from their old working life and ride to wo
RealClassic2 min read
High Beams
A tip for Frank to set the ignition timing on a Sunbeam, or any other distributor ignition bike. Set the engine at the point where the points should open. Try TDC if no other setting available, you can always advance it a bit if it feels flat. Place
RealClassic3 min read
Top Rocket Tips
I enjoyed Alan Thirsk’s article in RCl209 about fitting an electric start to his BSA Rocket 3 Mk2. I performed the same operation about five years ago, using the same kit from Les Whiston, and had exactly the same issue with removing the primary chai
RealClassic1 min read
Great Guzzi
I enjoyed the ‘Guzzi’s Best Kept Secret’ in RC208. Owning one has been a great joy, the best Guzzi I’ve owned so far. Neville Roberts in RC209 commented about his Triumph Street Cup’s 70mpg, and Guzzi claiming 58mpg. You can’t believe everything you
RealClassic1 min read
Friends Reunited
I thought you might be interested in these two motorcycles; a 1937 AJS Model 22 and a Royal Enfield Model B which has been converted to a Model S. I’ve owned the AJS for nine years and the RE for seven months. I was looking for a kickstart lever for
RealClassic2 min read
Backwards Glance
Comments about revisiting the bike haunts from our youth prompted me to send this in. When I were a lad in Bristol, the dealer of choice for MoTs was Bryan Newth’s, which was convenient as it was also my nearest. I remember Mr Newth speaking in a hig
RealClassic2 min read
Special Requests
Am I allowed to make suggestions for bikes that I’d like Frank or Rowena to test on our behalf? Assuming that this is indeed the case, then top of my current list would be a Harley Sportster XLCH 883 from the late 1960s when they still had a certain
RealClassic6 min read
The Zane Game
If you are going to take on a Zane-built bike then you need to pay attention to the basics when purchasing and running it. As most people know, the early Laverda singles, twins and triples were built at the firm’s Breganze factory. The 1999 750 Formu
RealClassic1 min read
Smooth Operator
FrankW is undoubtedly the top guru when it comes to AMC twins. Does the central main bearing make the engine smoother or not? I’ve read so many totally conflicting opinions on the subject that I don’t know what to believe. Is this a heresy, or does i
RealClassic10 min read
Electric WARRIOR
Commandos are like boomerangs. Every time I dismount, pat the bike on its tank in a sad old hippy gesture of thanks and hand it back to its inevitably proud owner, I am confident that I'm unlikely to ride another. Then just like a boomerang (ish) ano
RealClassic2 min read
Giving Up The Ghost
At the start of the 1990s, Laverda emerged from receivership as part of the Zanini group, who looked to the old 500 twins for inspiration. The Alpino / Montjuic motor was developed into a feisty, fuel-injected, oil-cooled 668cc powerplant. Paired wit
RealClassic6 min read
Small Wonders
In the UK everyone knows the Laverda SFC 750 or Jota but the production numbers for the little 75s and 100s far outstrip the famous twins and triples. Approximately 38,000 of the lightweight singles were made. The 100 also has a prestigious racing hi
RealClassic1 min read
Clubman’s Corner
The International Laverda Owners Club have recently published a brilliant workshop manual written by Andrew Laverton. ILOC is also a good place to start building up your 100 contacts with an excellent online forum and lots of opportunities to actuall
RealClassic13 min read
Grade Inflation
Is Laverda the Italian equivalent of HRD-Vincent? OK, it’s deliberately provocative to compare a long out-of-production Italian motorcycle to the paragon of British big bike design. But hopefully I’ll make this case through my experiences with two ex
RealClassic6 min read
Just like Gene
Nige is one of my oldest friends and a very talented bike builder. A visit to his workshop is always a chance to see what else he’s been up to lately. In this case, it was a rather fetching flat-track styled Triumph he’s just finishing for a customer
RealClassic5 min read
Oozing Solution
Connie had a leak. OK, she’s an Enfield and they all leak oil don’t they? Well not necessarily, but this wasn’t an ordinary oil leak. It was much worse – a leaking cylinder head gasket. Or possibly two. I started noticing it late last year (or even b
RealClassic2 min read
Star QIALITY
Things are roaring on apace. We’ve covered quite a few general aspects so far and this month I’m going to delve into a few details. Which of course, is where the Devil lies… I don’t believe in the Devil, obviously, but I do believe in details. As I’m
RealClassic4 min read
Ollie's ODDJOBS
I mentioned in last month’s offering that in my youth I hankered after a British bike I could glue L-plates onto, and had considered a Velocette LE. This absurdly optimistic patriotism had earlier incarnations, when I had gone searching for a British
RealClassic10 min read
The Shed
Every time I amble out to The Shed and remove the cover (waterproof; essential) from the Sunbeam, I need to stand back and stare at it. It is simply so strange – and bear in mind that I’ve owned this one for over two decades and must have ridden at l
RealClassic7 min read
Pub Talk
It would be nice to start the column with stories of longer rides for a change, and indeed the new found freedoms have permitted some at last. Unfortunately the longer rides were associated with funerals, which are an occupational hazard at PUB’s tim

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