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Road Tests
by John Nutting, Originally published May 2002. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Motorcycle Mechanics
Triumph’s three cylinder Trident provided the signature sound for racers in the early Seventies and led to the best of the bunch, the T160, made for just a year from 1975. John Nutting explains...
by Jim Reynolds, pics by John Wilkinson, Originally published July 2006. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Bike Guide
Royal Enfield’s Redditch factory built a reputation for solid, reliable bikes that could surprise the better known opposition with their performance. But the company was innovative too. Jim Reynolds tastes the solid dependability of the simple single...
by Rod Gibson, pics Darren Hendley, Originally published June 2007. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Motorcycle Mechanics
The Yamaha FS1-E has become the iconic symbol of 70s teenage rebellion, but at the time it was never regarded as the best 'ped'. Was it ever really that good? We ride a mint example and speculate…
by James Robinson, pics by Nigel Clark, Originally published February 2008. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
By the mid-1960s the once-great independent Matchless and Norton motorcycle concerns had been amalgamated and product ranges rationalised, and the two firms – once great rivals – were now producing identical-bar-the-badge machines...
by Mike Lewis, Originally published August 2009. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
Retired teacher design and technology teacher John Crispin gives full marks to his 1938 Rudge Ulster as an object lesson in good engineering practice and a design way ahead of its time...
by Mike Lewis, Originally published July 2009. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
The keys to a successful marriage may be hanging in the garage, judging by the longevity of this Velocette-inspired union between two kindred spirits. Mike Lewis looks at a Velocette 250 MOV (WD) and the more traditional looking 350 MAC...
by Richard Rosenthal, pics Martyn Barnwell, Originally published March 2006. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
From early sporting leanings in the roaring 20s, Norton’s immortal 490cc pushrod engine developed into a delightful lusty slogger, fondly remembered by many. The ‘Easy’ 2 was a mainstay of the Norton range for over three decades, and it’s not difficult to see why it had such a devoted following...
by Roy Poynting, pics by Terry Joslin, Originally published October 2010. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
Sunbeam always had an image of being a machine for gentlemen – and this three-speed veteran single certainly fits the bill...
by James Robinson, pics by Nick Haskell, Originally published May 2006. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
Perhaps overshadowed by its more glamorous and sporty sibling, the Red Hunter, although the overall specification isn't that different, Ariel’s NG is a practical and stylish 30s mount nonetheless. James Robinson tells the story of a special NG and even more special owner...
by Jim Reynolds, pics Jim Davies, Originally published December 2005. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Bike Guide
Writing about a 1952 Triumph Speed Twin, arguably the most handsome and sleek member of a line that began in 1937 and set a fashion that the major, it’s difficult not to repeat what has gone before too many times. Over to Jim Reynolds...
by Roy Poynting, pics by Terry Joslin, Originally published September 2010. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
The Royal Enfield Continental was aimed at the younger rider, with its designers aware of what prospective riders would be looking for. It had issues, most notably with the five speed gearbox, but it also had many good points...
by Tim Britton, pics Nick Haskell, Originally published June 2006. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Bike Guide
The Triumph Métisse models developed for scrambling were streets ahead of the competition on the scrambles tracks of the world. But what are they like on the street asks Tim Britton?
by Tim Britton, pics by Nick Haskell, Originally published January 2006. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Bike Guide
For some building a special means searching out the right parts from this catalogue or that brochure, others take a more involved route and make most of the bike themselves. Tim Britton meets up with such an engineer who turned his hand to his BSA Gold Star...
by James Robinson, pics by Joe Dick, Originally published October 2010. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
With the Goodwood Revival deciding on introducing a set of rules encouraging the use of early to mid-1950s type ‘club’ racers, Triumph pre-unit specialists Ace Classics and fellow London shop, the Baron Speed Shop, decided to join forces and get involved...
by James Robinson, pics by John Wilkinson, Originally published June 2010. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
If Tonka made motorcycles, then one can’t help thinking they’d make something like this chunky and purposeful TT Special. James Robinson reports...
by James Robinson, pics Nigel Clark, Originally published March 2009. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
This AJS V-twin combination has benefited from a number of tweaks by its owner, classic motorcycle restoration guru Robin James...
by Tim Britton, pics by John Wilkinson, Originally published Issue 4 2007. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Bike Guide
Taking a humble 250cc unit four-stroke and turning it into a successful trials machine takes a bit of knowledge and ability. Classic Dirtbike compares two different specialist approaches to the same end - a BSA C15 and Royal Enfield Crusader...
by James Robinson, pics by John Wilkinson, Originally published January 2008. A 'Road Test' article, from The Classic MotorCycle
The components for this Rickman Metisse were all bought in the classic period, but never assembled into a complete machine until 2003. It shows that though Don and Derek Rickman were off-road specialists, the twosome also made high quality road kit too...
by Jim Reynolds, pics by John Wilkinson, Originally published October 2009. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Bike Guide
When Featherbed based specials are mentioned, several variations of power unit come to mind but hardly ever would P&M’s slogging old sloper feature in the list. Jim Reynolds meets one such man for whom such ‘prejudices’ do not exist and finds that even the most bizarre concoction can produce remarkable results...
by James Robinson, pics by Nigel Clark, Originally published March 2010. A 'Road Test' article, from Classic Bike Guide
It’s a conundrum many marque enthusiasts have found themselves in and one, which causes a rumpus around equally as many owners’ club committees – when does your marque cease to become your marque, or is it always your marque irrespective? James Robinson sampled one such conundrum...
