May/June 2024

Motorcycle Classics

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Motorcycle Classics3 min read
Born to Be Wild
The year is 1996. I’m sitting on the back of a newly built Harley-Davidson, taking a quick break from a voyage ride on a family friend’s motorcycle as he runs in to pay for gas. He’s also buying me some stylish shades to protect my eyes on the ride.
Motorcycle Classics1 min read
Motorcycle Classics
CHRISTINE STONER, GROUP EDITOR CStoner@MotorcycleClassics.com ZACH BROWN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR LANDON HALL, EDITOR-AT-LARGE RICHARD BACKUS, FOUNDING EDITOR JEFF BARGER • JOE BERK • BILL BUJAG ALAN CATHCART • NICK CEDAR • KEL EDGE DAIN GINGERELLI • MARGIE
Motorcycle Classics8 min read
“Not A Garage Queen”
Thanks for the article on the XS750. I bought one new in early 1978 as the improved SP version came out in preference to the ubiquitous Honda, Le Mans 1, BMW etc. offerings at the time, and in preference to the XS1100, which we [South Africa] seemed
Motorcycle Classics3 min read
About the Buzz: 1952-67 Sears Allstate Vespa 125
What does an engineering and manufacturing company do when it loses its biggest customers in short order? That’s what happened to Italian engineers Piaggio, Innocenti and Rumi in 1945. Piaggio had been supplying military aircraft to the Italian Air F
Motorcycle Classics2 min read
Contenders
The first Lambretta, the Model A, was built around a fan-cooled, 2-stroke engine driving a 3-speed transmission by shaft to the rear wheel. Changes during this time were mostly cosmetic, culminating with the Model LD of 1951-58, which hid most of the
Motorcycle Classics3 min read
Classic Scene
Alice’s Restaurant, Full Throttle Saloon, Ace Cafe London … these destinations are required visiting for followers of biker culture. Alice’s Restaurant (the song and movie notwithstanding) is in Woodside, California, at the junction of La Honda Road
Motorcycle Classics5 min read
Built, Not Bought
I can remember when I became interested in motorcycles. My brother Steve told me the story of the legendary “Black Shadow.” I was about 12 years old. I never forgot it. It would be many years before I saw one. I made my living as a motorcycle mechani
Motorcycle Classics9 min read
All-original Wheelie King
“The excitement of the test over, all of the bikes went back to the Cycle shop so they could be stripped to their crankcases to be checked for legality. The fastest was first. No standard showroom motorcycle could be as quick as the Kawasaki was in o
Motorcycle Classics10 min read
Saved By The Commando
Dennis Poore watched with relish as Associated Motor Cycles began imploding under a mountain of debt. In 1960, AMC, the giant conglomerate that included Matchless, AJS, Norton, Francis-Barnett and James, had turned a profit of £219,000 but a year lat
Motorcycle Classics13 min read
Tin Banana
1950’s West Germany was a nation in flux. It struggled with the aid of a $1.39 billion handout from the U.S. via the Marshall Plan (equivalent to $24 billion today) to recover from the internal depredations of warfare brought about by Adolf Hitler’s
Motorcycle Classics12 min read
Convenient Speed
In March of 1954, just six years after Mr. Soichiro Honda launched Honda Motor Company, the proud owner made a bold proclamation to his employees and to the world. He also directed his words at the motorcycle Grand Prix racing community, which reside
Motorcycle Classics7 min read
Twin Without Peer
Can a classic British bike be durable, reliable and oil tight? Rick Fisher believes if they’re built right, they’ll work right, so to prove the point, he took his freshly restored 1960 Matchless G12 on a 3,000 mile ride around British Columbia and Al
Motorcycle Classics9 min read
The Rack Takes Me Back
Growing up in Kuwait during the 1970s, Anwer Khan clearly remembers street vendors visiting his neighborhood aboard Honda CB350 motorcycles. With a rear rack and basket tied down with rope or bungee cords, peddlers would ride in on the machines and s
Motorcycle Classics2 min read
Destinations
John Denver had it right: “Almost Heaven, West Virginia.” Hold that thought and let the music play in your mind as you read this issue’s Destinations. I think I found the best place in America for motorcycling. If you like twisties, impressive views,
Motorcycle Classics1 min read
The Skinny
What: Moundsville, West Virginia. A small town nestled in West Virginia’s coal country with great riding, an excellent restaurant, a superb natural history museum and a most interesting former state penitentiary. How to Get There: From either the eas
Motorcycle Classics3 min read
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events!
Motorcycle Classics wants to know about classic motorcycle shows, swap meets, road runs and more. Send details of upcoming events at least three months in advance to cstoner@motorcycleclassics.com Possum Vintage Motorcycle Gathering, a swap meet and
Motorcycle Classics2 min read
AMA’s 100th Anniversary
Imagine that you could attend only one of three events this summer: The Republican Party National Convention (July 15), the Democrat Convention (August 19) or the Summer Olympics (July 26) in France. Which would you select? Those that replied, “AMA V

Motorcycle Classics

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