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86 Articles

Still crazy after 30 years!

Still crazy after 30 years! Remember those bikes that just seem to be – and always have been – crazy and as mad as a box of frogs? They come and go in a generation and can even defy cubic capacity, so they don’t even need to be big-bore machines. I mean – I so recall riding a YPVS for the first time and thinking that it was a completely mad machine with a mental powerband that blew my mind away. But then I also remember riding a Kawasaki GPz900R for the first time in the early 1990s and not being that impressed. I guess it’s all relative, eh? That said, I do recollect having a pop on my mate’s round-headlight Yamaha FZR600. I was still in my teens. It…

Still crazy after 30 years!

Still crazy after 30 years!

Remember those bikes that just seem to be – and always have been – crazy and as mad as a box of frogs? They come and go in a generation and can even defy cubic capacity, so they don’t even need to be big-bore machines. I mean – I so recall riding a YPVS for the first time and thinking that it was a completely mad machine with a mental powerband that blew my mind away. But then I also remember riding a Kawasaki GPz900R for the first time in the early 1990s and not being that impressed. I guess it’s all relative, eh? That said, I do recollect having a pop on my mate’s round-headlight Yamaha FZR600. I was still in my teens. It was a naughty ‘round the block’ escapade…

Still crazy after 30 years!

BACK ISSUES Whether it's recent releases or vintage copies, step back in time and browse through the ages with the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics back issue collection. £4.95 EACH (Inc p&p) For EU and ROW, please see www.classicmagazines.co.uk OVER 250 ISSUES ARE AVAILABLE TO ORDER TODAY AT CLASSICMAGAZINES.CO.UK JUNE 2021 • Allen Millyard • EU Beauties • Bike of the Year JULY 2021 • Big naked Aprilia • Suzuki GTlOOO beast • Motorcycle art AUGUST 2021 • BMW's step forward • Rare Blackbird ridden • Exotic Italians SEPTEMBER 2021 • Fantastic 50s • A Meteor feast • Sheene-inspired Suzuki OCTOBER 2021 • Four play • Delightful CB-1 • Laverda SF750 NOVEMBER 2021 • True class of 85 • CRK 1200 Roadster • Focus on E10 fuel DECEMBER 2021 • Honda Rebel…

£4.95 EACH (Inc p&p) For EU and ROW, please see www.classicmagazines.co.uk OVER 250 ISSUES ARE AVAILABLE TO ORDER TODAY AT CLASSICMAGAZINES.CO.UK JUNE 2021 • Allen Millyard • EU Beauties • Bike of the Year JULY 2021 • Big naked Aprilia • Suzuki GTlOOO beast • Motorcycle art AUGUST 2021 • BMW's step forward • Rare Blackbird ridden • Exotic Italians SEPTEMBER 2021 • Fantastic 50s • A Meteor feast • Sheene-inspired Suzuki OCTOBER 2021 • Four play • Delightful CB-1 • Laverda SF750 NOVEMBER 2021 • True class of 85 • CRK 1200 Roadster • Focus on E10 fuel DECEMBER 2021 • Honda Rebel ridden • Firebolt and Lightning • Big Kat legacy JANUARY 2022 • Big green Ninja • Terrific tiddler twin • Reboot - Suzuki SRAD OTHER ISSUES ALSO AVAILABLE - ORDER YOUR BACK ISSUES NOW! 2 EASY WAYS TO ORDER CALL: 01507 529529 ONLINE: www.classicmagazines.co.uk/backcmm…

Can it really be 30 years – three whole decades – since the first Honda CBR900RR FireBlade burst on to the scene? Way back in 1992, this bike really did set a match to the previous way of designing a big sportsbike. Before the FireBlade, marketing men decided the avenue for the next model and, invariably, it was always a case of ‘bigger and faster is better’! Not so, said engineer, former racer and (eventual) project leader Tadao Baba. For too long, he argued, big sportsbikes were about going fast, more in a straight line than around the corners as a racer; he wanted the thrill of the corner to be the most important part of sportsbike design. To this end, his philosophy was ‘light is right’ with ‘mass centralisation’ being key…

cmm Archive Firestarter! WORDS: BERTIE SIMMONDS PICS: BERTIE SIMMONDS/MORTONS ARCHIVE Can it really be 30 years – three whole decades – since the first Honda CBR900RR FireBlade burst on to the scene? Way back in 1992, this bike really did set a match to the previous way of designing a big sportsbike. Before the FireBlade, marketing men decided the avenue for the next model and, invariably, it was always a case of ‘bigger and faster is better’! Not so, said engineer, former racer and (eventual) project leader Tadao Baba. For too long, he argued, big sportsbikes were about going fast, more in a straight line than around the corners as a racer; he wanted the thrill of the corner to be the most important part of sportsbike design. To this…

LS2 PIONEER EVO ADVENTURER The Pioneer Evo Adventurer dual sport helmet now comes in Matt Black/Orange and Black/White, reflecting the colour schemes found on many of the popular adventure sport bikes. It comes in three outer shell sizes, to give a close fit across the eight sizes available. For an ultra-clear view of road and trail, the quick-release visor is Pinlock-ready and a drop-down sun visor is also fitted. You’ve got a breathable, hypoallergenic lining and an excellent ventilation system. The Pioneer Evo Adventurer comes in sizes XXS-3XL. www.ls2helmets.com OPTIMATE DUO CHARGERS Motorcycle batteries take a hammering at this time of year, but OptiMate Duo battery chargers automatically detect whether the battery is AGM or Lithium and charges accordingly: no need to pre-select or remove the battery from the bike. OptiMate 1 Duo…

cmm Stuff The latest riding kit, top tools, tyres, retro clothing and more! LS2 PIONEER EVO ADVENTURER The Pioneer Evo Adventurer dual sport helmet now comes in Matt Black/Orange and Black/White, reflecting the colour schemes found on many of the popular adventure sport bikes. It comes in three outer shell sizes, to give a close fit across the eight sizes available. For an ultra-clear view of road and trail, the quick-release visor is Pinlock-ready and a drop-down sun visor is also fitted. You’ve got a breathable, hypoallergenic lining and an excellent ventilation system. The Pioneer Evo Adventurer comes in sizes XXS-3XL. www.ls2helmets.com OPTIMATE DUO CHARGERS Motorcycle batteries take a hammering at this time of year, but OptiMate Duo battery chargers automatically detect whether the battery is AGM or Lithium and…

BOOK CORNER VALENTINO ROSSI: ALL HIS RACES Valentino Rossi’s announcement of retirement brings down the curtain on an incredible career. With his nine titles, including seven in the premier class, he is widely regarded as the greatest motorcycle racer of all time, and his 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing are captured here. Rossi won his first Grand Prix aged 17 and quit at the end of 2021 aged 42. In this glossy, mighty tome, Mat Oxley covers each and every race in Valentino’s international career (more than 400 races in total), making this a book not to be missed by fans of ‘The Doctor’. www.evropublishing.com TRIUMPH TRIDENT AND BSA ROCKET 3: THE COMPLETE STORY Author Peter Henshaw charts the journey of the three-cylinder Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3.…

VALENTINO ROSSI: ALL HIS RACES Valentino Rossi’s announcement of retirement brings down the curtain on an incredible career. With his nine titles, including seven in the premier class, he is widely regarded as the greatest motorcycle racer of all time, and his 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing are captured here. Rossi won his first Grand Prix aged 17 and quit at the end of 2021 aged 42. In this glossy, mighty tome, Mat Oxley covers each and every race in Valentino’s international career (more than 400 races in total), making this a book not to be missed by fans of ‘The Doctor’. www.evropublishing.com TRIUMPH TRIDENT AND BSA ROCKET 3: THE COMPLETE STORY Author Peter Henshaw charts the journey of the three-cylinder Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3. Both were developed to compete with Honda’s CB750…

cmm Tested Riding kit worn, tools twirled & tyres turned RICHA NIMBUS JACKET As a newbie to two wheels, the Richa Nimbus jacket was recommended to me as ideal protection for my commutes and trips as it is a great overall performer for a mid-range budget, which is what I had! This was my first bit of kit from Richa, and so far I have been genuinely impressed. It’s a simple and stylish-looking jacket, predominantly black with some grey trim. Not the most visible of colours I know, but the reflective strips down the chest and shoulder blades, as well as some small reflective logos, help make up for that. There are also plenty of pockets and zip-up vents to find your way around. The zip-up vents do a good…

RICHA NIMBUS JACKET As a newbie to two wheels, the Richa Nimbus jacket was recommended to me as ideal protection for my commutes and trips as it is a great overall performer for a mid-range budget, which is what I had! This was my first bit of kit from Richa, and so far I have been genuinely impressed. It’s a simple and stylish-looking jacket, predominantly black with some grey trim. Not the most visible of colours I know, but the reflective strips down the chest and shoulder blades, as well as some small reflective logos, help make up for that. There are also plenty of pockets and zip-up vents to find your way around. The zip-up vents do a good job, especially last summer, although I found the zips could be a bit…

This legendary marque makes its return in 2022 with a new version of that old favourite, the Gold Star! The last BSA rolled off the production line back in 1973, while the Gold Star itself ceased production in the 1960s, but from March you can buy a brand-new Gold Star 652cc DOHC single-cylinder motorcycle, but one which is thoroughly modern. This retro machine has been developed in the UK but will be manufactured in India by BSA’s owners, the Mahindra Group. The Rotax-derived motor itself pumps out around 45bhp at 6000rpm and 41lb/ft. of torque at 4000rpm. Despite the liquid-cooling, fins on the motor give the impression of an old-style air-cooled lump and is held in place by a tubular steel dual cradle chassis, with 41mm non-adjustable forks and preload adjustable twin…

cmm News BSA IS BACK! This legendary marque makes its return in 2022 with a new version of that old favourite, the Gold Star! The last BSA rolled off the production line back in 1973, while the Gold Star itself ceased production in the 1960s, but from March you can buy a brand-new Gold Star 652cc DOHC single-cylinder motorcycle, but one which is thoroughly modern. This retro machine has been developed in the UK but will be manufactured in India by BSA’s owners, the Mahindra Group. The Rotax-derived motor itself pumps out around 45bhp at 6000rpm and 41lb/ft. of torque at 4000rpm. Despite the liquid-cooling, fins on the motor give the impression of an old-style air-cooled lump and is held in place by a tubular steel dual cradle chassis, with…

We have to hand it to Honda for one of the colour schemes on the latest Honda Fireblade. Now, you’ll see we celebrate 30 years of the FireBlade (cap B until 2004) on pages 6 and 7, but one of the original colour schemes is making a return on this latest version of the CBR1000RR. Being a modern bike, we’re not that bothered about the spec but apparently these modern Blades go very fast and this one has been breathed on for more mid-range and better acceleration: like it needs it with 214bhp – around double what the original 1992 bike came out with… What would almost make us want to buy one is this ‘special edition’ version with paint inspired by that beautiful original. We love it… Now Honda, we all want…

Blade turns 30 We have to hand it to Honda for one of the colour schemes on the latest Honda Fireblade. Now, you’ll see we celebrate 30 years of the FireBlade (cap B until 2004) on pages 6 and 7, but one of the original colour schemes is making a return on this latest version of the CBR1000RR. Being a modern bike, we’re not that bothered about the spec but apparently these modern Blades go very fast and this one has been breathed on for more mid-range and better acceleration: like it needs it with 214bhp – around double what the original 1992 bike came out with… What would almost make us want to buy one is this ‘special edition’ version with paint inspired by that beautiful original. We love…

Winter Classic Cancelled!

We are so sorry, but we had to cancel the Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic motorcycle show. Annually held at Newark Showground, this event was due to be held over the weekend of January 8/9 2022 but the dreaded C-word took hold. Yup, the surge in Omicron variant cases across the UK and Europe, along with a government-predicted tidal wave of infections for the New Year, meant that we had to cancel the event as safety of staff and visitors was always going to be our number one priority. All tickets and trade bookings will be refunded. For visitors, contact our Customer Services team on 01507 529529 or email customerservices@mortons.co.uk. Meanwhile, for trade get in touch with the Shows Team on 01507 529430 or email exhibitions@mortons.co.uk. Visit www.newarkclassicbikeshow.com for further information on…

Winter Classic Cancelled!

Winter Classic Cancelled!

News CANCELLED! Winter Classic Cancelled! We are so sorry, but we had to cancel the Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic motorcycle show. Annually held at Newark Showground, this event was due to be held over the weekend of January 8/9 2022 but the dreaded C-word took hold. Yup, the surge in Omicron variant cases across the UK and Europe, along with a government-predicted tidal wave of infections for the New Year, meant that we had to cancel the event as safety of staff and visitors was always going to be our number one priority. All tickets and trade bookings will be refunded. For visitors, contact our Customer Services team on 01507 529529 or email customerservices@mortons.co.uk. Meanwhile, for trade get in touch with the Shows Team on 01507 529430 or email…

Winter Classic Cancelled!

Lucky Explorers return!

We love a good hark back when it comes to colour schemes: just check out pages 50/51, which is why we love these from MV Agusta… Back in the late 1980s/early 1990s the Cagiva firm (then part of the Ducati/Cagiva family) successfully raced its Ducati-powered ‘Elefant’ big trailie in the Paris-Dakar races, and these modern takes on the Elefant are instantly recognisable thanks to the ‘Lucky Explorer’ paint jobs. The bikes are the 5.5 and 9.5 models, the larger using the threecylinder motor from the F3/Brutale 800/Superveloce take out to 930cc and the smaller machine using the parallel-twin base motor from the Benelli/QJ series of machines, now of 550cc capacity. We think these colour schemes look great. Who doesn’t like a race replica? For more go to: www.mvagusta.com…

Lucky Explorers return!

How secure is the future of classic vehicles? Anyone? Just how long will it be before some numpty, numb nuts politico decides we are, collectively, worth little more than a cursory consideration? It really is just a matter of time before someone, somewhere, concludes that the best way to further their career is to slap us down, and slap us hard, with some eco-tosh. If you don’t believe it’s a credible scenario just consider the bare facts. Old vehicles, by their very nature, are apparently gross polluters. None of them are even within spitting distance of any Euro emissions standards – fact. Now add in those vile and unpleasant two-strokes – visible hydrocarbons hurtling out of tail pipes without an ounce of consideration for Joe Public’s lungs. And, of course, and by…

Lucky Explorers return!

Lucky Explorers return! We love a good hark back when it comes to colour schemes: just check out pages 50/51, which is why we love these from MV Agusta… Back in the late 1980s/early 1990s the Cagiva firm (then part of the Ducati/Cagiva family) successfully raced its Ducati-powered ‘Elefant’ big trailie in the Paris-Dakar races, and these modern takes on the Elefant are instantly recognisable thanks to the ‘Lucky Explorer’ paint jobs. The bikes are the 5.5 and 9.5 models, the larger using the threecylinder motor from the F3/Brutale 800/Superveloce take out to 930cc and the smaller machine using the parallel-twin base motor from the Benelli/QJ series of machines, now of 550cc capacity. We think these colour schemes look great. Who doesn’t like a race replica? For more go to:…

Lucky Explorers return!

Top display team at IDBS!

Honda UK’s official stunt team, the Bolddog Lings FMX team, has signed up to provide thrills for the crowd at The International Dirt Bike Show. The show – going ahead at the Telford International Centre over the weekend of October 28-30 – promises to be a corker. As the UK’s number one freestyle motocross team, the team bases its show around the world’s largest and most sophisticated mobile landing system, performing death-defying freestyle motocross moves up to 35 feet in the air! Sounds like a must-see to us. Head to: www.dirtbikeshow.co.uk for more information.…

Top display team at IDBS!

SCOOPERMAN! The sunny side of the classic world, with the VJMC’s Steve Cooper How secure is the future of classic vehicles? Anyone? Just how long will it be before some numpty, numb nuts politico decides we are, collectively, worth little more than a cursory consideration? It really is just a matter of time before someone, somewhere, concludes that the best way to further their career is to slap us down, and slap us hard, with some eco-tosh. If you don’t believe it’s a credible scenario just consider the bare facts. Old vehicles, by their very nature, are apparently gross polluters. None of them are even within spitting distance of any Euro emissions standards – fact. Now add in those vile and unpleasant two-strokes – visible hydrocarbons hurtling out of tail…

Top display team at IDBS!

News Top display team at IDBS! Honda UK’s official stunt team, the Bolddog Lings FMX team, has signed up to provide thrills for the crowd at The International Dirt Bike Show. The show – going ahead at the Telford International Centre over the weekend of October 28-30 – promises to be a corker. As the UK’s number one freestyle motocross team, the team bases its show around the world’s largest and most sophisticated mobile landing system, performing death-defying freestyle motocross moves up to 35 feet in the air! Sounds like a must-see to us. Head to: www.dirtbikeshow.co.uk for more information.…

Top display team at IDBS!

Ago: still stylish!

As a racer Giacomo Agostini had it all – race and championship wins and lots of style. Seems that Ago’s style has never gone out of fashion! This is because Ago has been lucky enough to have a number of special-edition motorcycles made in his honour and the latest – the MV Agusta Superveloce Ago – won the title of ‘Best Bike of the Show’ at EICMA. The sleek MV triple secured almost half of the votes cast during the show in Milan. More than 12,000 show-goers voted and the MV got 47.2 per cent of the vote, with the next best – Aprilia’s Tuareg – netting just 19 per cent.…

Ago: still stylish!

PRE-ORDER YOUR CMM!

Want the next issue of CMM? Of course you do! Then it’s simple. Subscribing is best but, failing that, why not pre-order? Simply scan the fuzzy circular thing with your smartphone (c’mon, we’ve all got one) and off you pop! Alternatively, if you like what you see coming up in the next issue (see page 105 for more) then go to: www.classicmagazines.co.uk/issue/preorder where you can pre-order all of Mortons’ wonderful magazines. Even ones about trains, cars or towpaths……

PRE-ORDER YOUR CMM!

Ago: still stylish!

Ago: still stylish! As a racer Giacomo Agostini had it all – race and championship wins and lots of style. Seems that Ago’s style has never gone out of fashion! This is because Ago has been lucky enough to have a number of special-edition motorcycles made in his honour and the latest – the MV Agusta Superveloce Ago – won the title of ‘Best Bike of the Show’ at EICMA. The sleek MV triple secured almost half of the votes cast during the show in Milan. More than 12,000 show-goers voted and the MV got 47.2 per cent of the vote, with the next best – Aprilia’s Tuareg – netting just 19 per cent.…

Ago: still stylish!

PRE-ORDER YOUR CMM!

PRE-ORDER YOUR CMM! Want the next issue of CMM? Of course you do! Then it’s simple. Subscribing is best but, failing that, why not pre-order? Simply scan the fuzzy circular thing with your smartphone (c’mon, we’ve all got one) and off you pop! Alternatively, if you like what you see coming up in the next issue (see page 105 for more) then go to: www.classicmagazines.co.uk/issue/preorder where you can pre-order all of Mortons’ wonderful magazines. Even ones about trains, cars or towpaths……

PRE-ORDER YOUR CMM!

FUN IN FEBRUARY!

While we are gutted to have had to cancel The Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic, there are still events on in February. Obviously they were on at the time CMM went to press and who knows what could happen, but why not head to The Classic Dirt Bike Show (sponsored by our good friends Hagon) which is held over February 12-13 at the Telford International Centre. Show Halls open at 10am an hour after the auto-jumble opens. As usual it promises a stunning array of off-roaders from yesteryear and some top-notch club stands. Moving on to the end of February, why not head to The Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show over the weekend of February 26-27? CMM’s very own Allen Millyard will be there with some of his amazing machines. Held at The Royal…

FUN IN FEBRUARY!

Grazzi Guzzi! Hi CMM! It was nice to see an article on the Moto Guzzi V50. It mentioned a variety of versions, but omitted the coolest version of them all – the ‘V50 NATO’! This model was produced for the Dutch Army to replace its aging Triumphs. So that squaddies didn’t get too carried away, it had a lower compression ratio (to run on poorer quality fuel) smaller valves, weedy carbs and a lower final drive. What it got in return were swanky large leather pannier bags, very useful for fetching beer and/or top secret documents (the British Army had to make do with small, smelly canvas ones); convoy running lights; useful for, er, convoys; and a complete absence of chrome (nice green paint job) and a ‘Fisher Price’ kick-start. The use…

FUN IN FEBRUARY!

FUN IN FEBRUARY! While we are gutted to have had to cancel The Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic, there are still events on in February. Obviously they were on at the time CMM went to press and who knows what could happen, but why not head to The Classic Dirt Bike Show (sponsored by our good friends Hagon) which is held over February 12-13 at the Telford International Centre. Show Halls open at 10am an hour after the auto-jumble opens. As usual it promises a stunning array of off-roaders from yesteryear and some top-notch club stands. Moving on to the end of February, why not head to The Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show over the weekend of February 26-27? CMM’s very own Allen Millyard will be there with some of his…

FUN IN FEBRUARY!

WIN! EVERY MONTH We’re giving away a brace of top prizes. For the Star Letter, it is a Key Collection bike goody of some description, be it gloves, helmet, jacket, jeans or boots, and for the semi-Star Letter it’s a Bridgestone Oxford Products Oximiser 3X. Simply get in touch by sending emails to: classicmechanics.com or direct to the editor at BSimmonds@Mortons.co.uk or post your letters to the normal address, giving contact details in case you’re the lucky winner. Friends Reunited! Hello CMM! This isn’t something I do often but reading the ‘Friends Reunited’ welcome column in the latest CMM I thought I would drop you a line. I have a 2001 CBR929RR FireBlade, which I purchased in 2003 with 8000 miles on the clock and she now sits at almost 68k. She is still…

FEEDBACK Moving on to the end of February, why not head to The Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show over the weekend of February 26-27? CMM’s very own Allen Millyard will be there with some of his amazing machines. Held at The Royal Bath and West Showground, hundreds of classic machines will be on display, as well as the indoor/outdoor trade and auto-jumble and some top club displays. As per usual, for ticket info and to keep up with what’s happening (just in case, you know what Covid-19 is like) go to: www.classicbikeshows.com WIN! EVERY MONTH We’re giving away a brace of top prizes. For the Star Letter, it is a Key Collection bike goody of some description, be it gloves, helmet, jacket, jeans or boots, and for the semi-Star Letter it’s…

BRIDGESTONE SEMI-STAR LETTER

Happy RD times! It was great to read in the January issue about the RD200 Electric. Having seen the preview for this in last month’s edition, I was counting the days until it would be released. Like the owner (another Martin) I too went from a Yamaha SS50 to the RD200 and for the same reason of cost versus the RD250 and I loved the beast. I even added upgrades of a Cafe Racer fairing and Ace bars to give it a few extra mph in top speed, or so I thought! The one thing the article did remind me of was the issue I experienced after my first service, when around three or four days later the engine seized. I called the dealer, who sent a grumpy guy out to collect…

BRIDGESTONE SEMI-STAR LETTER

STAR LETTER Grazzi Guzzi! Hi CMM! It was nice to see an article on the Moto Guzzi V50. It mentioned a variety of versions, but omitted the coolest version of them all – the ‘V50 NATO’! This model was produced for the Dutch Army to replace its aging Triumphs. So that squaddies didn’t get too carried away, it had a lower compression ratio (to run on poorer quality fuel) smaller valves, weedy carbs and a lower final drive. What it got in return were swanky large leather pannier bags, very useful for fetching beer and/or top secret documents (the British Army had to make do with small, smelly canvas ones); convoy running lights; useful for, er, convoys; and a complete absence of chrome (nice green paint job) and a ‘Fisher…

BRIDGESTONE SEMI-STAR LETTER

BRIDGESTONE SEMI-STAR LETTER Happy RD times! It was great to read in the January issue about the RD200 Electric. Having seen the preview for this in last month’s edition, I was counting the days until it would be released. Like the owner (another Martin) I too went from a Yamaha SS50 to the RD200 and for the same reason of cost versus the RD250 and I loved the beast. I even added upgrades of a Cafe Racer fairing and Ace bars to give it a few extra mph in top speed, or so I thought! The one thing the article did remind me of was the issue I experienced after my first service, when around three or four days later the engine seized. I called the dealer, who sent a…

BRIDGESTONE SEMI-STAR LETTER

We want to see YOUR pride and joy in our pages, so you can share what you ride and restore with fellow readers. Email your hi-res shots to bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk or mail in some photos to the address at the front of the mag. Let us know what you’ve done and how you’ve done it and send before and after shots if you can. Do get in touch. Bertie. We’ve teamed up with BRUHL, who manufacture a range of specialist motorcycle dryers. Send in pictures of your bikes and you could win a Bruhl MD1400 Single Turbine Dryer worth £119. Featuring a 1600W turbine, filtered air intake and 3.5-metre hose, it will blast water out of nooks and crannies on your bike, leaving it dry and spot-free. Find out more at bruhl.co.uk Keith Williams’…

The way we were…

We've teamed up with The Hobby Company (www.hobbyco.net) which distributes Tamiya plastic motorcycle kits in the UK to give our favourite restoration one of its amazing motorcycles in miniature. So, send in your pictures of your bikes and you could win the chance to indulge in a miniature motorcycle restoration of your own. Remember to send your name and address on each submission so we know where to post the kit. KIT WINNER Phil May says: “This is me, Phil May from Burscough, Lancashire, in 1974, aged 16, sat on my 1973 Honda SS50 in my mum and dad’s back garden! The other is a picture of the same bike with my now 90-year-old mother sat on it. It was a lovely looking bike but extremely slow. I used to have to…

The way we were…

SHOW US YOURS We want to see YOUR pride and joy in our pages, so you can share what you ride and restore with fellow readers. Email your hi-res shots to bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk or mail in some photos to the address at the front of the mag. Let us know what you’ve done and how you’ve done it and send before and after shots if you can. Do get in touch. Bertie. We’ve teamed up with BRUHL, who manufacture a range of specialist motorcycle dryers. Send in pictures of your bikes and you could win a Bruhl MD1400 Single Turbine Dryer worth £119. Featuring a 1600W turbine, filtered air intake and 3.5-metre hose, it will blast water out of nooks and crannies on your bike, leaving it dry and spot-free. Find…

Snowballing six!

riginally I wanted to write to Classic Motorcycle Mechanics after the ‘Sexy Sixes’ feature in the May 2021 issue. Obviously I wanted to tell the Editor that he does a fine job in the role on such a great magazine, and so I forwarded some words and pictures via my partner Helen’s email on my bike, hoping for some sort of showing in the ‘Show Us Yours’ section of the magazine. But then things snowballed… literally! This would be the first time I had ever written in or ever sent pictures of my bike or one of my bikes to a magazine and I did it to CMM as the magazine seems to cover quite a selection of interesting subjects, and I figured my Honda CBX1000Z would be an interesting subject. Why, you…

Snowballing six!

The way we were…

The way we were… Send us your nostalgic snaps of you back in the day with your steed! Either send to me at bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk or via our vibrant Facebook page. C’mon! We've teamed up with The Hobby Company (www.hobbyco.net) which distributes Tamiya plastic motorcycle kits in the UK to give our favourite restoration one of its amazing motorcycles in miniature. So, send in your pictures of your bikes and you could win the chance to indulge in a miniature motorcycle restoration of your own. Remember to send your name and address on each submission so we know where to post the kit. KIT WINNER Phil May says: “This is me, Phil May from Burscough, Lancashire, in 1974, aged 16, sat on my 1973 Honda SS50 in my mum and dad’s…

The way we were…

For many CMM readers, the Kawasaki Z650 represents something very special indeed. The ‘Son of Z1’ was seen by many as the sweeter motorcycle over the original Zed, and – so loved is this four-cylinder middleweight – many readers will baulk at the thought that this twin-cylinder ‘pretender’ can get anywhere near the original 1977 Z650 B1, but please read on… Firstly, retro bikes are clearly big business and following on from the Z900RS of a few years back, it makes perfect sense for Kawasaki to go for a middleweight version based on the capable Z650 platform. The Z650 is a cracking bike in its own right – light, agile and easy to ride while still being aggressive enough to put a smile on the face of even the most sour-faced of…

Snowballing six!

CMM BIKE OF THE YEAR READER’S SPECIAL Snowballing six! CMM reader Andrew Ellis had kept his Honda CBX1000Z for around 40 years, but then decided to get it back on the road. Things snowballed from there! WORDS: ANDREW ELLIS PICS: ANDREW ELLIS, HELEN SARGENT riginally I wanted to write to Classic Motorcycle Mechanics after the ‘Sexy Sixes’ feature in the May 2021 issue. Obviously I wanted to tell the Editor that he does a fine job in the role on such a great magazine, and so I forwarded some words and pictures via my partner Helen’s email on my bike, hoping for some sort of showing in the ‘Show Us Yours’ section of the magazine. But then things snowballed… literally! This would be the first time I had ever written…

Snowballing six!

RETRO RIDE Going green! The latest in a line of modern-dressed-as-classic is the Kawasaki Z650RS – but can it hold a candle to the original? WORDS: ROSS MOWBRAY PICS: KAWASAKI For many CMM readers, the Kawasaki Z650 represents something very special indeed. The ‘Son of Z1’ was seen by many as the sweeter motorcycle over the original Zed, and – so loved is this four-cylinder middleweight – many readers will baulk at the thought that this twin-cylinder ‘pretender’ can get anywhere near the original 1977 Z650 B1, but please read on… Firstly, retro bikes are clearly big business and following on from the Z900RS of a few years back, it makes perfect sense for Kawasaki to go for a middleweight version based on the capable Z650 platform. The Z650 is…

Delicious delinquent!

“Let’s see if this almost 30-year-old bike can still excite! Is it as crazy as it was all those years ago? Oh yes! It still has that delinquency in its DNA!” You know what readers, I can’t actually remember the last time I saw an FZR600 out on the road, at a track day or at a show. Where have they all gone? I guess when you actually think about it, lots of them would have been raced, rallied, ruined and otherwise destroyed during the bike’s dominant period in Supersport 600 racing and I bet a fair few went the same way out on the roads thanks to their over-enthusiastic pilots! This is a shame, because there is a lot to love with a nicely-sorted FZR600, as we shall see. But what of…

Delicious delinquent!

Delicious delinquent!

CLASSIC RIDE Delicious delinquent! Hurrah for the hooligan class! Back in the 1980s and 1990s there was only one place to go for the ultimate in sports middleweight fixes – especially if you wanted a two-stroke four-stroke! WORDS: ANDY BOLAS PICS: GARY D CHAPMAN, MORTONS ARCHIVE, YAMAHA UK “Let’s see if this almost 30-year-old bike can still excite! Is it as crazy as it was all those years ago? Oh yes! It still has that delinquency in its DNA!” You know what readers, I can’t actually remember the last time I saw an FZR600 out on the road, at a track day or at a show. Where have they all gone? I guess when you actually think about it, lots of them would have been raced, rallied, ruined and otherwise…

Delicious delinquent!

saucy scrambler!

The Japanese motorcycle industry of the mid-60s and very early 70s was nothing if not multifaceted. Make a simple yet structurally rigid chassis, develop a strong engine and then add a large spoonful of strategically engineered artistic licence. The result was a range or panoply of models that all ran the same basic DNA yet, with some aesthetic artifice, they all managed to look surprisingly different from each other. From commuters through to stylish street bikes and on to street scramblers, it was an extremely successful way of maximising returns on a single basic design. This month’s Classic Ride is a Suzuki ACC100 from 1971 which puts it right at the end of Japan’s obsession with obtaining a multiplicity of machines from a single basic design. From this point on Suzuki’s…

saucy scrambler!

APRILIA TUONO R

For my project Aprilia Tuono R, I really do need an historic paint scheme, something that celebrates the history – and perhaps even the racing history – of this prestigious and proud Italian motorcycle manufacturer. I have to say that, even having been in the motorcycle industry for almost three decades, it is surprising to know that Aprilia has been around since the end of World War II. Okay, so the manufacturer built its first proper two-wheeler in 1968 and has only been building ‘big’ road bikes for the last 20 years or so, but its racing history means my Aprilia Tuono has plenty of historical landmarks to choose from. After all, Aprilia won its first World Championship (125cc) with Alessandro Gramigni back in 1992 – that’s 30 years back! Also, when…

APRILIA TUONO R

saucy scrambler!

CLASSIC RIDE saucy scrambler! Part tiddler, part street scrambler, but wholly cute: we sample a rare Suzuki – the ACC100. WORDS: STEVE COOPER PICS: GARY D CHAPMAN The Japanese motorcycle industry of the mid-60s and very early 70s was nothing if not multifaceted. Make a simple yet structurally rigid chassis, develop a strong engine and then add a large spoonful of strategically engineered artistic licence. The result was a range or panoply of models that all ran the same basic DNA yet, with some aesthetic artifice, they all managed to look surprisingly different from each other. From commuters through to stylish street bikes and on to street scramblers, it was an extremely successful way of maximising returns on a single basic design. This month’s Classic Ride is a Suzuki ACC100…

saucy scrambler!

Sponsored by KAWASAKI Z1R Q: I have located a barn find KZ1000D1 Z1R and am in the process of restoring it. I noted that the original steering head bearings (ball) were not tapered and as such I’m trying to replace them with tapered ones. The specs I have and found on research are 30 x 48 x 14 and 38 x 52 x 17. I have approached a number of bearing companies here in Australia, all of which have stated they can’t assist. Would you know if these measurements are correct and if there is a taper roller equivalent out there – nearest is All Balls 22-1014 I believe? I have not heard any good reviews on these bearings, though. Is there a bearing from other companies that would suit such Timken/SKF…

APRILIA TUONO R

RETRO REBOOT APRILIA TUONO R Okay, so this is more of a retro repaint than a retro reboot or even a retro-spective, but our Bert needs the help of an expert to choose a scheme for his naked V-twin… WORDS: BERTIE SIMMONDS IMAGES: KAR LEE For my project Aprilia Tuono R, I really do need an historic paint scheme, something that celebrates the history – and perhaps even the racing history – of this prestigious and proud Italian motorcycle manufacturer. I have to say that, even having been in the motorcycle industry for almost three decades, it is surprising to know that Aprilia has been around since the end of World War II. Okay, so the manufacturer built its first proper two-wheeler in 1968 and has only been building ‘big’…

APRILIA TUONO R

Pan problems and a new four!

Over the last few months I’ve noticed a vibration on my 1991 Honda ST1100 and it has recently been getting worse, so I decided it was time to investigate the problem. My trusty 1991 ST1100 has been my reliable workhorse since the winter of 1999 and has now covered 103,000 miles. I ride it quite hard and carry all sorts of stuff on the back in all weathers. I set about diagnosing the problem by first checking when the vibration occurred and its frequency. It seemed to get worse as road speed increased and at around 70mph the vibration could be felt through the whole bike. The vibration was high frequency so was unlikely to be the wheels being out of balance. The centre stand had caused a problem in the past…

Pan problems and a new four!

WORK SHOP Q&A Our very own wizened sages, Messrs Mark Haycock and Steve Cooper, are here to answer all of your woes, be they mechanical or spiritual. Every month we will be giving advice, as well as some general tips. Don’t forget to send in your own tips, too. Sponsored by KAWASAKI Z1R Q: I have located a barn find KZ1000D1 Z1R and am in the process of restoring it. I noted that the original steering head bearings (ball) were not tapered and as such I’m trying to replace them with tapered ones. The specs I have and found on research are 30 x 48 x 14 and 38 x 52 x 17. I have approached a number of bearing companies here in Australia, all of which have stated they…

I am trying to get stuck into my custom Z900 project, though it keeps being interrupted by the boring necessity to put bread on the table. One of the great joys of a custom build is that it allows one to make bits how you want them, rather than repairing or replacing what the original manufacturer produced. As I am trying to improve the handling of my Z900 I am beefing up areas I believe will benefit. The engine mount plates were punched out of 4mm mild steel plate and I am making new ones from 10mm aluminium which will hopefully be stiffer, lighter and, once polished, look more trick. The first place to start is to make a drawing. In the good old days I learned to draw to BS308 at…

Honda Hornet 600

Simple solutions: Check what parts go for big bucks with a simple auction site search… Budget biking doesn’t come much more basic than the Honda CB600F Hornet, which means they attract penny-pincher owners who tend to run them until they stop. Will anyone ever restore a humble Hornet? In time I guess anything is possible. This bright yellow Hornet arrived with a current MoT and a full tank of fuel! Its previous owner told me the head gasket was gone, which of course it wasn’t! It had been running fine until he’d last filled the tank; his diagnosis of a Donald ducked head gasket was way off, it was actually a dodgy tank full of unleaded fuel. Besides, when did anyone ever manage to destruct a CBR600-derived engine? The thing is I’d already…

Honda Hornet 600

Pan problems and a new four!

Allen Millyard Pan problems and a new four! Award-winning motorcycle engineer! Over the last few months I’ve noticed a vibration on my 1991 Honda ST1100 and it has recently been getting worse, so I decided it was time to investigate the problem. My trusty 1991 ST1100 has been my reliable workhorse since the winter of 1999 and has now covered 103,000 miles. I ride it quite hard and carry all sorts of stuff on the back in all weathers. I set about diagnosing the problem by first checking when the vibration occurred and its frequency. It seemed to get worse as road speed increased and at around 70mph the vibration could be felt through the whole bike. The vibration was high frequency so was unlikely to be the wheels being…

Pan problems and a new four!

Tool of the month with BIKER'S TOOLBOX Marking time! Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works. WORDS AND PICS: RALPH FERRAND I am trying to get stuck into my custom Z900 project, though it keeps being interrupted by the boring necessity to put bread on the table. One of the great joys of a custom build is that it allows one to make bits how you want them, rather than repairing or replacing what the original manufacturer produced. As I am trying to improve the handling of my Z900 I am beefing up areas I believe will benefit. The engine mount plates were punched out of 4mm mild steel plate and I am making new ones from 10mm aluminium which will…

Buttoning up the box!

After playing with the fuelling of my stock Z900, this month I am going to prepare and nail together the bottom-end. Whatever cleaning has been used on an engine unit, even none, the first, and I have to be honest, fairly tedious job is to clean out all the threaded holes in all the castings. It is not one of my favourite tasks as there are so many of them, but bitter experience in the past has taught me that the failure to do this tiresome chore can lead to considerable gnashing of teeth and use of vulgar Anglo-Saxon vernacular at a later date. I have my iPhone bluetoothed to an amp and speaker set up in my workshop so listening to podcasts makes dreary assignments far less arduous. BBC Sounds is…

Buttoning up the box!

Any port in a storm!

Firstly, apologies for the hiatus between the introductions to Spa Motorcycles’ two-stroke guru Rob Pemberton and this part two: the Covid 19 pandemic forced us to stop any workshop interaction. We’re on the case again now but still observing the appropriate protocols, etc. We’re back with the ‘man that can’ and looking inside the sooty, carbon-encrusted world of two-stroke exhaust ports. As previously mentioned the apparently simple two-stroke is, in reality, a complex beast with multiple and often conflicting requirements. Altering one facet of its construction will almost certainly impact upon other elements within the motor. Quite possibly nothing is more critical to a cylinder’s breathing ability than its exhaust port. Simplistically you can gas flow transfer ports, tickle around with piston skirts, match cylinder bases to crankcases, machine heads and so…

Any port in a storm!

Honda Hornet 600

Breaking BAD Honda Hornet 600 Hailed as one of the best of the early naked middleweights, Honda sold a LOT of the first-generation CB600F Hornets – so many have been broken, right Scottie? WORDS AND PICS: SCOTT REDMOND Simple solutions: Check what parts go for big bucks with a simple auction site search… WORDS AND PICS: SCOTT REDMOND Budget biking doesn’t come much more basic than the Honda CB600F Hornet, which means they attract penny-pincher owners who tend to run them until they stop. Will anyone ever restore a humble Hornet? In time I guess anything is possible. This bright yellow Hornet arrived with a current MoT and a full tank of fuel! Its previous owner told me the head gasket was gone, which of course it wasn’t! It had been…

Honda Hornet 600

Buttoning up the box!

WORK SHOP Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 6 Buttoning up the box! Ralph’s moving on at pace with his stock restoration of Kawasaki’s Z900: what’s happening this month, Ralph? WORDS AND PICS: RALPH FERRAND After playing with the fuelling of my stock Z900, this month I am going to prepare and nail together the bottom-end. Whatever cleaning has been used on an engine unit, even none, the first, and I have to be honest, fairly tedious job is to clean out all the threaded holes in all the castings. It is not one of my favourite tasks as there are so many of them, but bitter experience in the past has taught me that the failure to do this tiresome chore can lead to considerable gnashing of teeth and use…

Buttoning up the box!

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE!

Pay just £3.50 per edition That’s a 27% saving when paying by direct debit Great reasons to subscribe >> Free UK delivery to your door or instant download to your digital device >> Save money on shop prices >> Never miss an issue >> Receive your issue before it goes on sale in the shops PRINT ONLY One year FOR £42 Direct Debit One year FOR £44 Credit/debit card Two years FOR £85 Credit/debit card DIGITAL ONLY 6 issues FOR £15.99 Credit/debit card » 13 issues FOR £28.99 Credit/debit card » classicmagazines.co.uk/CMMDPS TERMS & CONDITIONS: Rates are based on UK orders only. For overseas please visit www.classicmagazines.co.uk/cmm-overseas Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. Offer closes 23/02/22. Direct debit payments will continue at the price you paid, on this offer, every 12 months thereafter unless you tell us otherwise. Full terms and conditions can be found at www.classicmagazines.co.uk/terms Quoted…

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Yamaha DT360 – RT-1/2/3

It’s a well-established fact that when Yamaha whipped the covers of the DT-1 trail bike at the 1967 Tokyo Motorcycle Show, the bike world was slack-jawed. Here was a purpose-made trail bike from Japan and made for series production rather than being essentially hand-built as were the Spanish and Scandinavian bikes of the time. The 250 single had been in development since 1966 and on American soil but no one had spotted it. Sales of the first genuine Japanese trail bike began in 1968 and Yamaha was inundated with orders. Knowing it was on to a good thing, the firm swiftly brought out 125 and 175 versions via the AT and CT ranges which proved equally popular. Yamaha knew there was a market for a bigger-engined machine and by mid-1969 were well on…

Yamaha DT360 – RT-1/2/3

Any port in a storm!

WORK SHOP Any port in a storm! And breathe out – in part two of our two-stroke know-how, we look at how strokers get rid of exhaust gases by looking at exhaust ports! WORDS AND PICS: ROB PEMBERTON WITH STEVE COOPER Firstly, apologies for the hiatus between the introductions to Spa Motorcycles’ two-stroke guru Rob Pemberton and this part two: the Covid 19 pandemic forced us to stop any workshop interaction. We’re on the case again now but still observing the appropriate protocols, etc. We’re back with the ‘man that can’ and looking inside the sooty, carbon-encrusted world of two-stroke exhaust ports. As previously mentioned the apparently simple two-stroke is, in reality, a complex beast with multiple and often conflicting requirements. Altering one facet of its construction will almost certainly…

Any port in a storm!

IT’S MY BIKE: MARK HALL

“I bought this bike from the first UK owner who had purchased it from an importer. When it arrived in the UK it was in fairly rough condition but some work had been carried out to get it running – just! My RT-3 360 was produced for the 1973 market year but still bears the origins of the earlier RT-1 as can be seen by the engine and frame number which still began with the letters ‘RT-1’. It has now had a partial restoration which has included the frame, oil and fuel tanks and fender; the original carb has been replaced with an aftermarket Mikuni of the same spec. The paint restoration was completed recently by Steve Stanton of SS Autocare in Leek, Staffordshire, who welcomes enquiries from other enthusiasts…

IT’S MY BIKE: MARK HALL

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE!

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE! Pay just £3.50 per edition That’s a 27% saving when paying by direct debit Great reasons to subscribe >> Free UK delivery to your door or instant download to your digital device >> Save money on shop prices >> Never miss an issue >> Receive your issue before it goes on sale in the shops PRINT ONLY One year FOR £42 Direct Debit One year FOR £44 Credit/debit card Two years FOR £85 Credit/debit card DIGITAL ONLY 6 issues FOR £15.99 Credit/debit card » 13 issues FOR £28.99 Credit/debit card » classicmagazines.co.uk/CMMDPS TERMS & CONDITIONS: Rates are based on UK orders only. For overseas please visit www.classicmagazines.co.uk/cmm-overseas Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. Offer closes 23/02/22. Direct debit payments will continue at the price you…

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE!

What to buy and how much to pay

Identifying your 360 may prove to be something of a challenge. The presence of an angled alloy block/flange between the barrel and carburettor verifies the bike runs reed-valves. Oh, and the forums out there suggest it’s relatively easy to fit a reed-valve barrel on to the older-style motor. Any ID stampings or markings bearing an ‘M’ should indicate that the bike was originally a sport/enduro/motocross model but as many examples have be chopped and changed over the years. All genuine RT-1s run a 19-inch front wheel but the M versions, RT-2/3 and DT360 are all 21-inch. Many traders seem to mix and match description on these bikes so a DT may be an RT and vice versa. Project examples that are all there or thereabouts seem to start north of £1500…

What to buy and how much to pay

Yamaha DT360 – RT-1/2/3

BUYER’S GUIDE Yamaha DT360 – RT-1/2/3 Yamaha’s first big bore, two-stroke trail bike breaks cover but what’s it like to buy and own, asks Steve Cooper? WORDS: STEVE COOPER PHOTOS: GARY ‘D’ CHAPMAN It’s a well-established fact that when Yamaha whipped the covers of the DT-1 trail bike at the 1967 Tokyo Motorcycle Show, the bike world was slack-jawed. Here was a purpose-made trail bike from Japan and made for series production rather than being essentially hand-built as were the Spanish and Scandinavian bikes of the time. The 250 single had been in development since 1966 and on American soil but no one had spotted it. Sales of the first genuine Japanese trail bike began in 1968 and Yamaha was inundated with orders. Knowing it was on to a good…

Yamaha DT360 – RT-1/2/3

Simple solutions: Use your noddle: sometimes previous fixes will need to be 'redone'. Given the extent of the lacquering in the bottom-end of the motor I’m expecting similar stuff in the carbs. Yup, I’m not disappointed, they are a bit manky, but the good news is they’re all original, no snapped-off float pedestals, no missing jets. With carbs this old and this small it’s important to be very careful to have good-fitting screwdriver blades for any jets or other fragile bits. Don’t be scared to put the carb in a bowl of boiling water for a few minutes either, it won’t hurt it and it may make the difference between a pilot jet that hasn’t seen daylight for 40 years or so, coming out easily, or one that stubbornly refuses to move.…

IT’S MY BIKE: MARK HALL

IT’S MY BIKE: MARK HALL “I bought this bike from the first UK owner who had purchased it from an importer. When it arrived in the UK it was in fairly rough condition but some work had been carried out to get it running – just! My RT-3 360 was produced for the 1973 market year but still bears the origins of the earlier RT-1 as can be seen by the engine and frame number which still began with the letters ‘RT-1’. It has now had a partial restoration which has included the frame, oil and fuel tanks and fender; the original carb has been replaced with an aftermarket Mikuni of the same spec. The paint restoration was completed recently by Steve Stanton of SS Autocare in Leek, Staffordshire, who…

IT’S MY BIKE: MARK HALL

What to buy and how much to pay

What to buy and how much to pay Identifying your 360 may prove to be something of a challenge. The presence of an angled alloy block/flange between the barrel and carburettor verifies the bike runs reed-valves. Oh, and the forums out there suggest it’s relatively easy to fit a reed-valve barrel on to the older-style motor. Any ID stampings or markings bearing an ‘M’ should indicate that the bike was originally a sport/enduro/motocross model but as many examples have be chopped and changed over the years. All genuine RT-1s run a 19-inch front wheel but the M versions, RT-2/3 and DT360 are all 21-inch. Many traders seem to mix and match description on these bikes so a DT may be an RT and vice versa. Project examples that are all…

What to buy and how much to pay

Minion miles an hour!

Simple solutions: Separate parts on strip down in old takeaway boxes. Simple solutions: Wemoto do full brake refurb kits for many models! We now have the 600 in the workshop and outside the workshop too there are bits of CBR everywhere at the moment as you can see in the pictures. Everything has come apart with no hitches; nothing has snapped or broken which is good. We have found the best way to remove the engine from the steel frame CBR is to support the engine on the bike lift and lift the frame off the motor. With everything removed from the frame I like to give everything a good clean before I get anything recoated as it’s not fair them having to work on and handle manky, oily parts. While checking all…

Minion miles an hour!

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!

In the search for parts, I’ve noticed that seemingly the same things come up from different sellers. Some are branded, others not, and there is at times a big difference in the price for what appears the same part or item of equipment. There’s a site if you have not come across it yet which is worth checking out. They sell everything but I’ve found it really useful even if you do have to wait a bit longer for delivery and can live with their search engine! Just tap in Banggood. They don’t produce anything but sell Chinese manufactured goods and can be a good source of parts and equipment. However, ‘caveat emptor’ does apply! The majority of things I’ve had from them have been of reasonable quality and the price…

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!

Last time we overhauled the carburettors and made sure that we had a reasonable supply of clean fuel, so now we have moved on to the engine’s mechanical condition. I know that the engine does work but to give it a fair test I am going to give it a service to make sure that all the adjustments are correctly set. I shall start with the valve clearances and this is one area which is rather different from other contemporary Hondas. When the CB450 was introduced in 1964 it had a couple of things which were quite unusual, and they were the use of twin overhead camshafts and torsion bar valve springs. The main advantage of using two camshafts is that no valve rockers are needed and this reduces valve gear reciprocating…

SHAPE SHIFTERS!

As a tousle-haired youth in the Merchant Navy two pieces of kit were essential in the engine room on ‘The Southern Cross’. These were a wheel key (used to crack open or tighten down recalcitrant valves fitted with round handles, sometimes hot, always greasy) and a 10-inch Bahco shifter. A Bahco shifter is like the Levi’s of the jeans world, being the best at an affordable price. Back in the day (when you had to enter a red metal box if you wanted to ring somebody up) the selection process was simple. You picked a size, generally in two-inch increments from six inches up, and that was you done. A 10-inch was the near ubiquitous choice of weapon, and that would (and still will) handle the vast majority of hexagon nuts, provided…

SHAPE SHIFTERS!

WORK SHOP Project Suzuki S32 part 2 Mouse trap! Part two of the saga of Pip’s S32 Suzuki and the plot thickens, carbs get sorted, things don’t get rechromed, nothing gets repainted, and no polishing mops were injured in this process… WORDS AND PICS: PIP HIGHAM Simple solutions: Use your noddle: sometimes previous fixes will need to be 'redone'. Given the extent of the lacquering in the bottom-end of the motor I’m expecting similar stuff in the carbs. Yup, I’m not disappointed, they are a bit manky, but the good news is they’re all original, no snapped-off float pedestals, no missing jets. With carbs this old and this small it’s important to be very careful to have good-fitting screwdriver blades for any jets or other fragile bits. Don’t be scared…

Minion miles an hour!

WORK SHOP Project Honda CBR600F-V track bike part 2 Minion miles an hour! Our man Bolas carries on with his track-day Honda CBR600RR-V, well (ahem) he and his ‘minions’ do! WORDS AND PICS: ANDY BOLAS Simple solutions: Separate parts on strip down in old takeaway boxes. Simple solutions: Wemoto do full brake refurb kits for many models! We now have the 600 in the workshop and outside the workshop too there are bits of CBR everywhere at the moment as you can see in the pictures. Everything has come apart with no hitches; nothing has snapped or broken which is good. We have found the best way to remove the engine from the steel frame CBR is to support the engine on the bike lift and lift the frame off the motor.…

Minion miles an hour!

Silver service!

Simple solutions: Rattle-can spraying? Warm the can in water pre-shake! Simple solutions: Always check out the main parts suppliers for refurb kits. Simple solutions: Look, just go to wemoto.com as they do so much stuff! Of course, getting the Fazer 600 running and MoT’d wasn’t the end of this job; it probably just about counts as the beginning of the end. Truth is, it might have been running, but it still looked like a piece of crap The rough-sounding motor needed some fettling, and the chassis was definitely sub-optimal in several areas. Now, the Fazer 6 is never going to be a concours restoration job, sadly. She’s too far gone now really, and the amount of work needed to get her looking super-spangly is more than I can commit to. But it’s important not to…

Silver service!

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!

WORK SHOP Project Suzuki TR750 part 16 Nudge, nudge, wink, wink! Say no more! Our Malc is sorting out his wiring and lighting on the TR. But is he bright enough to sort it? WORDS AND PICS: MALC SHAW In the search for parts, I’ve noticed that seemingly the same things come up from different sellers. Some are branded, others not, and there is at times a big difference in the price for what appears the same part or item of equipment. There’s a site if you have not come across it yet which is worth checking out. They sell everything but I’ve found it really useful even if you do have to wait a bit longer for delivery and can live with their search engine! Just tap in Banggood.…

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!

SUZUKI GS1000S: John Nutting on this beautiful seminal Suzuki! Ice Cream anyone? HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD: 20 years on from the launch of a liquid-cooled performance Hog… STORM WARNING: Roland Brown rides a classic Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 special – the Cyclone! WORKSHOP HOW TO: When carbs go wrong! Sorting an EXUP valve! And much more – if we can fit it all in! BRIDGESTONE/CMM BIKE OF THE YEAR: Another one of YOUR restos/specials in the spotlight! PROJECT BIKES: We will be showcasing some of the following (space allowing): Mark Haycock’s Honda CB450, Steve Cooper’s Yamaha C3SC and Suzuki Apache, Kawasaki Hybrid or Rickuki, and Jeff Ware’s Suzuki RM80X. Ralph Ferrand with his project Kawasaki Z900 and maybe his Yamaha YZF-R6, Malc Shaw with his Suzuki TR750, and we may even get to see Taylor Mackenzie’s Yamaha TY80…

The Mighty Wump!

Can you remember the first bike you bought? I know it’s a stretch, but even if the short-term memory is shot I’m guessing that first bike is etched in the grey matter forever. I know mine is. Even though I struggle to remember what I had for tea last night (could have been fish… poached eggs….whatever) I know what the bike was, who I bought it off and what it looked like: 350 AJS, Alan C Clegg, and dispersed amongst several sacks, boxes and jam jars that roughly equated to a kit form 1948 350 thing. The collection of bits cost me four quid and I was 13 at the time. I’d never been kissed, kicked or run over, if you don’t count various aunties, everyone I played football with and the…

The Mighty Wump!

WORK SHOP Project Honda CB450K5 part 3 Brown Derby! Sadly not the lovely dessert from Wimpy where we used to ride out to, but lots of awful gunk that’s coming out of Mark’s Honda! And still coming! WORDS AND PICS: MARK HAYCOCK Last time we overhauled the carburettors and made sure that we had a reasonable supply of clean fuel, so now we have moved on to the engine’s mechanical condition. I know that the engine does work but to give it a fair test I am going to give it a service to make sure that all the adjustments are correctly set. I shall start with the valve clearances and this is one area which is rather different from other contemporary Hondas. When the CB450 was introduced in 1964…

SHAPE SHIFTERS!

WORK SHOP SHAPE SHIFTERS! Whatever you do, please do not call these ‘Monkey Wrenches’ in front of our Pip! WORDS AND PICS: PIP HIGHAM As a tousle-haired youth in the Merchant Navy two pieces of kit were essential in the engine room on ‘The Southern Cross’. These were a wheel key (used to crack open or tighten down recalcitrant valves fitted with round handles, sometimes hot, always greasy) and a 10-inch Bahco shifter. A Bahco shifter is like the Levi’s of the jeans world, being the best at an affordable price. Back in the day (when you had to enter a red metal box if you wanted to ring somebody up) the selection process was simple. You picked a size, generally in two-inch increments from six inches up, and that…

SHAPE SHIFTERS!

Silver service!

WORK SHOP Project Yamaha FZS600 Fazer part 7 Silver service! Last time we spoke to him, Al had got his manky old barn find Fazer 600 up and running (roughly), MoT’d and insured – just before lockdown struck! What did he get up to with the scruffy silver Yam while the world fell apart? WORDS AND PICS: ALAN DOWDS Simple solutions: Rattle-can spraying? Warm the can in water pre-shake! Simple solutions: Always check out the main parts suppliers for refurb kits. Simple solutions: Look, just go to wemoto.com as they do so much stuff! Of course, getting the Fazer 600 running and MoT’d wasn’t the end of this job; it probably just about counts as the beginning of the end. Truth is, it might have been running, but it still looked like a…

Silver service!

Next month IN YOUR MILDLY RESTORED CMM! SUZUKI GS1000S: John Nutting on this beautiful seminal Suzuki! Ice Cream anyone? HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD: 20 years on from the launch of a liquid-cooled performance Hog… STORM WARNING: Roland Brown rides a classic Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 special – the Cyclone! WORKSHOP HOW TO: When carbs go wrong! Sorting an EXUP valve! And much more – if we can fit it all in! BRIDGESTONE/CMM BIKE OF THE YEAR: Another one of YOUR restos/specials in the spotlight! PROJECT BIKES: We will be showcasing some of the following (space allowing): Mark Haycock’s Honda CB450, Steve Cooper’s Yamaha C3SC and Suzuki Apache, Kawasaki Hybrid or Rickuki, and Jeff Ware’s Suzuki RM80X. Ralph Ferrand with his project Kawasaki Z900 and maybe his Yamaha YZF-R6, Malc Shaw with his Suzuki…

The Mighty Wump!

Pip Higham The Mighty Wump! Tuner, engineer, rider Can you remember the first bike you bought? I know it’s a stretch, but even if the short-term memory is shot I’m guessing that first bike is etched in the grey matter forever. I know mine is. Even though I struggle to remember what I had for tea last night (could have been fish… poached eggs….whatever) I know what the bike was, who I bought it off and what it looked like: 350 AJS, Alan C Clegg, and dispersed amongst several sacks, boxes and jam jars that roughly equated to a kit form 1948 350 thing. The collection of bits cost me four quid and I was 13 at the time. I’d never been kissed, kicked or run over, if you don’t…

The Mighty Wump!

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