The Classic MotorCycle November 2025

In the last issue, we ended up with a slight three-wheeler theme; this time, it’s very much a ‘specials’ thread running through, even more so than last time’s three-wheelers. The use of the word ‘special’ in a motorcycling context has many different applications, several of which are exampled within our pages this month. First of all, there’s the perhaps most traditional usage, insomuch as a motorcycle built by someone, other than a factory. If we play motorcycle word association for a minute, and say ‘special’ how many would say ‘Triton’ as the first thing that comes into their head? Quite a few, I’d wager. In that context, three of our offerings – the AJS V-twin, the Surtees 7R and the Pegasus four – sort of come into that bracket, taking…

This wonderful picture was published on September 9, 1926, in The Motor Cycle with the headline attached as reused above, with the caption: “A group of competitors waiting to start in the cathedral square, Antwerp.” The reports reads: “The Motor Cycling Club’s second London to Lugano run started officially at 9.30am on August 21. This year’s route ran through Belgium via the Belgian Ardennes, crossing into France just beyond Arlon, near Luxemburg. “The first day’s run did not produce much trouble among the motorcycle section, the only rider reporting serious trouble being H E Collier (Scott.) He had considerable difficulty, which was ultimately traced to a spare roller from a big-end bearing having been left in the crankcase and had also caused a fractured oil lead. After attempting several repairs…

Racing icons Gardner and Marshall at Stafford Motorcycle speedsters Wayne Gardner and Roger Marshall will be star guests at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, on October 11/12, 2025, at the Staffordshire County Showground. The 1987 World Motorcycle Grand Prix Champion, Gardner began his racing journey on a five-dollar dirt bike and quickly rose through the ranks, making his 500cc GP debut in 1983. On Hondas, the Aussie won his first Grand Prix in 1986, then went on to claim the 1987 World Championship title, aboard the fearsome NSR500 two-stroke V-four. His ferocious style and battling attitude, enabling him to come back from some big injuries, ensured he was a fan favourite. Joining Wayne will his old mucker, multiple British champion and former Grand Prix rider Roger Marshall. With 11 British…

1925 Over the past couple of years, many new restrictions had been levied on competitors and entrants at Brooklands, including the tightening of silencer rules. Pundits warned of slower racing and a number claimed the silencing of performance machines would cause engine damage. Instead, the reverse was true, with race and record attempt speeds increasing in leaps and bounds. On the negative side, there had started a modest drain of talent and racing motorcycles to the French banked track at Montlhéry, which was smooth and had no restriction on noise; in fact, open exhaust pipes were welcome. During the final race meeting of the year run by the BMCRC on Saturday, October 24, Rex Judd (494cc Douglas) won the three-lap Solo Handicap at a staggering 95.59mph (FTD for the meeting)…

Author: Peter Miller Published by The Crowood Press, The Stable Block, Crowood Lane, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wilts SN8 2HR Tel: 01672 520320 Email: enquiries@crowood.com www.crowood.com Hardback, 280 x 215mm, 320 pages, with over 350 colour and black and white photographs. ISBN 978 1 84797 1128 £50 GB; $69 USD; $94 CAD; $105 AUD. Young George Brough achieved considerable success riding Brough motorcycles manufactured by his father, William. While Brough senior’s offerings were of high quality, they were rather staid, and George believed that he could produce better machines. Designed jointly with Percy Mayo and built at the Montgomery works, George’s new machine was called the ‘Brough Superior’ to distinguish it from his father’s efforts, and to denote the highest levels of performance and quality of manufacture. Announced to the public in…

Reported in Motor Cycle (by then ‘The’ had been dropped) of July 18, 1963, the report began: “Imagine giving up a night’s sleep, riding 600 miles – and paying for the privilege! That is just what 600-odd competitors did in last weekend’s ACU National Rally.” It continued: “They started from control points all over the country at 11am on Saturday and contrived to arrive at London’s Battersea Park 25 hours later with 600 miles in the bag – and average of 35mph. At least, some 70 per cent of the finishers did. “Impressive as it was, machine reliability was not the most striking feature of the rally. After a day and night stint the competitors at Battersea Park gave the impression that they had just returned from a Sunday afternoon…