August 2022

RealClassic

Frequently fabulous; occasionally awful, but always interesting

RealClassic1 min read
Real Classic
THIS MONTH we’ve been reading AXE by Ed McBain (classic crime fiction), SNOW CRASH by Neal Stephenson (classic science fiction), THE TRIUMPH TIGER CUB BIBLE by Mike Estall (classic non-fiction); EYES OF THE VOID, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (non-classic bu
RealClassic10 min read
Sidevalve Supreme
As a boy, Chris Reynolds was captivated by the golden era of Brooklands racers. ‘I visited Beaulieu and saw EJ Tubbs’ nickel-plated Brooklands track bike,’ remembers Chris. ‘I read the book ‘50 Years of Brooklands’ and was fascinated by the mention o
RealClassic9 min read
Three INTO One
Is single better? Probably not if you are, to paraphrase Peter Cook in the one-legged Tarzan sketch with Dudley Moore, a ‘uni-sinister’ like the fellow who happened to buy my 1974 Triumph Trident, and who goes by the self-anointed nickname of Timmy F
RealClassic6 min read
Speed Trochoid
In 1992 Geoff was offered a ride on a Norton Interpol 2 which had formally been an RAC patrol bike. He loved the air-cooled rotary engine, finding it incredibly smooth. He decided that he wanted one but, as is common with most of us, a lack of money
RealClassic11 min read
SINGULAR Urban WARRIOR
A key path to profitability in the global motorcycle industry is to produce as many different variations on a theme as possible, by using essentially the same mechanical platform to spawn differing but distinctive models appealing to diverse customer
RealClassic4 min read
Curing SELLER’S REGRET
You have to believe in luck and good fortune when you ake a risk with an old Brit bike you haven’t seen or tested – some things are just meant to be. I have owned a few Royal Enfield 250 sports singles. My favourite model is the ‘jelly-mould’ Contine
RealClassic11 min read
Totally Tiger
What were you doing in 1969? I was learning how to ride a motorcycle – and other stuff, but that’s not important here. Except for the discovery that being able to transport your best girl on something a little quicker than legs or more glamorous than
RealClassic5 min read
Riding Life
In 1965, with the demise of my only transport, a 1953 Triumph Thunderbird, I needed a bike urgently. Off I went to my dealer of choice, Ron Harvey Motorcycles in Rugeley, to see what he had available. Prominently displayed in the window was a lovely
RealClassic3 min read
From The Front
Well, goodness – this has suddenly evolved into a sort-of Royal Enfield Bonanza issue. And that’s come as something of a surprise – even to us! So…welcome, gentle reader, to a totally unplanned super special bonus RE RC. Three of a kind; same name on
RealClassic11 min read
PART THE FIRST Gold STANDARD
I first met Chris Williams back in 1991. I’d been out of motorcycling for a year or so and had just purchased a bike to work on. Chris, on the other hand, had a handsome but slightly grubby Honda GL1000, one of the first from 1975. He and I struck up
RealClassic17 min read
Incoming!
Summat to say? Send your comments, hints, tips, tales of woe and derring-don’t to: RCHQ@RealClassic.net BSA put on an excellent display at the Brooklands Motorcycle Show in July. We – the Brooklands team – were able to support them with original BSA
RealClassic3 min read
Outward Bound
➤ The Rushden CLASSIC CAR & BIKE SHOW opens 11am to 4pm at Hall Park, NN10 9NG. 200 old bikes and 350 classic cars expected. Entry min £3 donation. rhts.co.uk ➤ There’s a BIKEMEET alongside a Food Fest (yum!) at the Museum of Power in Langford, Essex
RealClassic9 min read
PART THE FIRST Totally TOO Much
In which Odgie disregards both conventional wisdom and common sense. What could possibly go wrong…? The Real Reader will recall that a while back I’d built a nice little lightweight Can-Am flat tracker, using an ex-military Bombardier as the start of
RealClassic5 min read
Retro RIDE
I’ve never had much of a look at retro classics. I’m lucky enough to be born in the 1970s. My knees still work – just – and I still love the challenge of getting something leaky and occasionally fickle to where I’m going. Or not. I like my unpredicta
RealClassic10 min read
Tales From The Shed
Casting caution to wherever caution gets cast to (and there must be a lot of it there, wherever it is) I ordered a shiny new Amal 389 Monobloc carb for the most excellent Matchless which is in pride of place on the bench. Of course I did. Expensive,
RealClassic7 min read
Pub Talk
The VMCC Banbury Run has long been one of the club’s flagship events, but cancelled for two Covid years, and with much reorganisation going on at HQ it was not certain that it would be back for 2022 – but it was. PUB has not always attended, for in t
RealClassic7 min read
Travelling By Titan
At the tender age of 17 my first proper motorcycle was an eye-catching orange and white Suzuki TS125. The little 2-stroke never let me down and eagerly transported me to wherever I needed to go, be that work or fun, hooning around the local quarry or

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