Distribution: Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2East Poultry Avenue,
Guilty pleasures: we
Oh yes, we do,search your soul! Theycould be music,peoplewefind attractive (that others don’t), cars most people hate,orbikeswelove to ride when others do not.
Music: Ihave some esoteric tastes.I’m a product of my time,soI’ve been influenced by my latedad (PinkFloyd, ELO,Kraftwerk, Vangelis) but thenhad an older sister, so love a bitofthe NewRomantics and (ahem) Level42 are my fave band. My true ‘Guilty Pleasures’ of music include some Cliff Richard tracks and The Nolans: Ikid you not. Cars: Istill love Austin Allegros andMorris Marinas.AmI weird? Women? I’dprobably best not say ‘Guilty Pleasures’ then, are those things/ people/music/machinesthat aren’t popular or that the generalpopulace don’t likeorfind ‘conventionally attractive’.
On two wheels Ihave plenty of ‘GPs’.One of themisthe Honda DN-01. This is amachine woefully short of power,pathetically bereft of any practical touches whatsoever,and throws
allhavethem…
up more questions than answers,but look at it: it’ssointeresting to look at.
There are more… Ireally enjoy bigtourer Harleys and Ithink everyone should ride a Gold Wing once.I also have afondness for maxi-scooters,but the ultimate expression of atwo-wheeled guilty pleasure is this:BMW’s C1 scooter thing.Yes,the one with aroof…
When at TwoWheels Only magazine in the early noughties we had along-termer and I loved it. The200ccversion was our company ‘hack’. OnceIused it to ride (in fullleathers) to pick up abike at Kawasaki in Bourne End. Down the M40, people were looking at me and laughing.Other bikers were shouting: “Anchor.” Then it rained. Smug git me simply hit the windscreen wiperbutton and watched the other bikers get wet. Ha! Losers!
Editor BSimmonds@Mortons.co.uk
www.twitter.com/cmmmag
44
52
56
Zed legend Dave Marsden’s second specialbuild
Malc Shaw finallyfinishes the build.
72 ❙ BAY-WATCH!
Kev Raymond looks atwhat projects are out there
80
86
Pip Higham’striple comes together
Kev
Vic Shield returns to do dyno work
006 ARCHIVE
What have we foundinthe CMM archive this month?
008 CMM STUFF
New kit, tools, tyres and tested stuff
012 NEWS
News and views for August 2025
018 EVENTS
What’shappening in thenext few weeks on two wheels?
020 FEEDBACK
What are you all talkingabout this month?
022 SHOW US YOURS
We want to see what’sinyour shed andsee what you looked like back in theday!
026 SUZUKI GT550
Steve Cooperridesastandard andspecial Suzuki triple two-stroke
038 2008 HONDADN-01
Honda’sweird andwacky take on the ‘future’ofbiking, 17 years on
046 SUBSCRIBEAND WIN!
Lots of goodiesfor new subscribers!
050 CENTREFOLD
You’ve got to love aLaverda!
096 NEXT MONTH
What’shappeninginthe September 2025 issue?
098 PIP HIGHAM
Pip makes a(slow)buck fixing aVincent
To preorder your next issueof
head to azines.co.uk/pre-order-cmm can theQRcode on this page and order oday.Wewill send it directly to you!
LUCA!
Luca Cadalora is athree times world champion who was a prominent figure in thegrand prix paddock from the mid-1980s until 2000.
Born in Modena, Italy,Luca’scareer would be most closely linked with the smaller capacity grand prix classes, entering the world championships in 1984 and winning the 1986 125cc title with Garelli and thenbeing a regular front-runner in the 250cc championship both with Yamaha and Honda.
Joining Giacomo Agostini’s250 Yamaha team, he would battlewith the talents of thetime in the class, such as HelmutBradl, Carlos Cardus, Frankie Chili, Jean-Phillippe Ruggia, Loris Reggiani, Carlos Lavado and John Kocinski. He would finally take two back-to-back titles while riding for Rothmans Honda aboard theirNSR250 in 1991-1992.
He’d dabbled with the 500cc class in 1989 with aone-off ride at the British GrandPrix, but went full-time in1993 with Kenny Roberts’ Yamaha squad. Overthe years he’d win eight premier class races and be second to champion MickDoohan in 1994. He’dretire in 2000, with 34 grand prix victories across all classes.
Following retirement, he wouldtake some interesting one-off rides, including this one in The BMW BoxerCup series. This had Randy Mamola as an ambassador and ran alongside the MotoGP series in the early 2000s. Other guest riders included Markus Barth, Sebastien Legrelleand our own Brian Morrison and Gus Scott Today,BMW are the reigning World Superbike champions with their M1000 RR and (if rumours are to be believed) considering amove into MotoGP…
Most recently,Luca worked with Valentino Rossi as his ‘spotter’ out on track, before the nine-time world champion retired in 2021. cmm
WORDS: BERTIE SIMMONDS PIC: BMW MOTORRAD/MORTONS ARCHIVE
Luca Cadalora
cmm St uf f
Thelatestridingkit,t tyres, retroclothinga
SHOEI JO2 HELMET
Classic open-faced silhouette meets modern safety and versatility in Shoei’slatest lid: and we like the look of it!
The original JO0 was launchedin 2016 and nowShoei launchesthe next generation helmet: the JO2.One of the big updates is the addition of three discreet rivets above the viewport, allowing easy attachment of apeakor bubblevisor,broadening the helmet’s appeal from avintage street look, through motocross and urban cruising
Youhave the CJ-4 retractable visor system,which tucks away seamlessly for an uncluttered open-face look or drops down quickly for wind andglare protection. Six lensoptions are
FURYGAN JACKETS
As Itype it’shot, so why notstaycool this summerwith one of Furygan’s ventilated textilejackets that feature large mesh panels? These are engineered for maximum airflow, comfort and versatility,without compromising on protection.
We’ve got two here this month, the Montroc Kevlar Primaloft 3in1+ or the Brooks Vented+ –both seamlesslyblend technology and versatility
Both jackets feature the waterproof In&Out Humax removeable liner, which can be worn over or under thejacket, and D3O protectors in the shoulders and elbows –Level 2inthe Montrocwith Kevlar reinforcements. The Montrocalso benefits from customisableairflow mesh panels and asummer flapfor increasing ventilation, while two liners and three configurations mean that thisjacket can adapt to temperature changes,wind and rain. Ventilation in the Brooks Vented+ jacket is provided by large mesh panels. The Montroc Kevlar Primaloft 3in1+ is available in Black/Pearl/Red or Blackwith aretail of £419.99, whilethe Brooks Vented+ is available in BlackorBlue/ Pearl/Redwith aprice of £239.99. https://www.furygan.com
LASER TOOLS 3-IN-1 MINI RATCHET
Laser Tools’ new 3-in-1 Mini Ratchet Spanner (part number 9139) is aversatile and high-quality tool designed for pros and home fettlers.
At just 155mm in length, this clever little ratchet packs apunchwith a90-tooth, reversible ratchet mechanism and three interchangeable,quickrelease drive adaptors stored neatlyinthe handle Whether you’re working with ¼-inch or 3/8-inch drive sockets,orusing ¼-inchhex screwdriver bits, this has you covered
The ratchet spanner is forged from polished chrome vanadium steel,while the drive adaptors are made from high-strengthchromiummolybdenum steel with adurable black phosphate finish. The ratchet ring is bi-hex 11mm, making it useful on its own, even before adding the adaptors. Useful for under your pillion seat along with the bike’stool kit! www.lasertools.co.uk/Product/9139
available,including clear,dark tint, HD yellow,SpectraGold, SpectraSilver, and photochromatic
Fully certified to ECE 22.06, the helmet is available in fourshellsizes for aprecisefit, complemented by a multi-density EPS linerand a traditional double D-ring chinstrap. You’ve also got aremovable, washable interior,eyeglass channels(for us specs wearers) and optional fit pads for bettercomfort. Availableinall the normal sizes and in many colourways from plain colourswith avariety of matt/satin and gloss finishes to afew subtle designs
Apparently,with acompressor, while piston machines have traditionally been thedefault choice,vane compressors offerseveral distinct advantages, including lower lifetime ownership costs, better reliability,quieter operation,and higher air quality.
And this is the Hydrovaneupgraded5 Series SE compressor with enhanced capacity and convenience (it sayshere!) Now,we’re not compressor experts,but apparently this updated version gives enhanced capacity,improved spaceefficiency,and simpler maintenance –all within amore compactand workshop-
www.facebook.com/ClassicMechanics/
friendly design.
The receiver capacity of the compressor has been increased from 75L to 100L, enabling it to run more efficiently for longer periods.A new sight-glass,meanwhile,gives operators an easy way to check oillevelsand maintain optimal performance with minimal effort. Modelsinthe 5series range include the HV01 (1.1kW), HV02 (2.2kW) and HV04 (4 kW). Theyain’t cheap –but ifyou need agood compressor,take alook.
You’ve got to have somewhere to stick your ars… erm,‘arrisonamotorcycle, so thankgoodness our friends at Wemoto have our delicateposteriors covered They’ve added some new replacement seats,including one forthe Honda Z50 J Monkey (1979-2005) for£42.50, and Honda MSX125 Grom(2017-2018) for £87.60. www.wemoto.com
WATSONIANSQUIRE T-SHIRT
Watsonian Squire have launcheda collection of branded clothing andaccessories in response to demand forsouvenirs from people visiting theirrefurbished factory showroom and café
So,ifyou like sidecars and lovehats,neck tubes,T-shirts, mugs,signsand even afleece blanket (to keep you passengers warm when riding in asidecar) then look no further! The goodies include aT-shirt (S-XXL) for£25; amug for£9; and atin sign with the hilarious slogan: ‘Watsonian owners love abit on theside’ for £40. See theirwebsite for allthe merch! www.watsonian-squire.com.
From: £9
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BIKERSPARADISE MENS
JEANS
Bikers Paradise Integrated Aramid DenimJeans are AAA rated –that means they are the best you can get andthey are pretty darn stylish,too,as you can see!
With discreet, comfortable, body-conforming level 2hip and knee protectors included and the added bonusofthe knee protector height being fully adjustable, these jeans look and feel casual but protect seriously
Available in blue or black, in waist sizes 28 to 48 and with a choice of leg length www.bikersparadise.co.uk/ integrated-aramid-denimjeans.html
LASER TOOLS DIGITAL BRAKE DISC CALIPER
The Laser Tools’ Digital Brake Disc Caliper (part number 9129) is designed to take the hassleout of checking brake disc wear
This smart digital tool allows for fast, accurate measurementsand fittedwith specially designed caliper jaws that allow
them to fit over any wear liporcorroded edge running around the outside of the disc.The clear LCD displayoffers metric and imperial readouts,with adata-hold function for convenience when working in tight spaces.Battery supplied. www.lasertools.co.uk/Product/9129
Tested
Riding kitworn, tools twirled&tyres turned
£194.35 CARCOON BIKEBUBBLE
Along time ago,inagalaxy far, far away (well, more like 30 years ago in Peterborough, anyway) amotorbike magazine of some reputethat Ionce worked on received asample of anew kind of bike cover
The basics of it were that you wheeled yourbike in, zippedup the cover,turned it on andthe ‘coccoon’inflated,surrounding your loved one with aconstant current of filtered air to keep it dry and rust-free
Zip it up, turn it on, leave it be!
We were acynical lotback then and initiallyitwas overlookedasa bit of a gimmick at the time.However, 10 years later Ifound it at the back of the magazine’slock-up and smuggleditbackhome to where the atmosphere in my draughty,damp stone barn was doing horrible things to my bikes,and particularlytomy hybrid Honda Bros/Africa Twin/ RGV special. Could this once derided ‘gimmicky’ product be
the secret to my baby’s longevity?
Yes, it would. Once ensconced in itsown personal bouncy castle, my Bros/Africa Twin/RGV specialhappily sat out the next20years with no appreciabledeterioration. Iwas very impressed with the Bike Bubble,even more so as I hadn’t paidfor it.
Iassumed it was just the PVC degrading with time,but actually it was the ancient spare tyre on the back door of my even more ancient camper van, which had exploded spectacularly, spearing the Bike Bubble with hundreds of flying shardsofsteel reinforcing Utter balls!
But time and tide wait for no man –orBike Bubble. The original foam air-filter disintegrated years ago (replaced with an air-filter from aKDX200, abit of carboard and some hot glue) and at some point apanicking catlanded on it from agreat height and ripped itsclaws down the plastic.Some polytunnel mending tape fixed that and it soldiered on for another few years,but acouple of weeks back Irealised it was deflated again and found the plastic utterly shredded.
Now,asithappens,I have an industrial sewing machine (long story) and the remains of a lightweight tent, so I’m going to have agoatfixing it, in which case it can housemyCX500 once that’sback in one piece Formybeloved Bros though, there’sonlyone thing for it –I’ll have to buy anew one.The moral of thistaleisthis: the young may mock things, but the more experienced nab themand give them atry first. Recommended… KevRaymond
www.carcoon.com
News
BIGRETRO KWAK COMING!
So many rumourssurround anew,big-bore retro machinefromKawasaki –and we’re very excited by it
We all know that Kawasaki have listened to we nostalgiclot and have produced thelikes of the Z650RS and the Z900RS.Historically,the bigK has always been on the ball and ahead of the curve, producing machines like the Zephyr range in the late 1980s andthe ZRXrange in the late 1990s.
Now itisthoughtthattheyare joiningupthe dotstomake anew take on theZ900RS, using the updated 1100cc motor usedinthisyear’s sports-touring Ninja 1100 SX andadventure touring Versys 1100.
Respected German bike magazine Motorrad reckons they’ve seen documents relating to a new retro-styled machineusingthat1100 motor Now,whilethe Z900RS has avery healthy 110bhp, the new 1099cc inlinefourinthe SX and Versys can churn out134bhp –more than you’d want on anaked retro. But, with (say) 120bhp and around85ft-lb of torque,that would make for averysaucy retro indeed
That’snot all… While we feel that themachine could well be simply a‘scaled-up’Z900RS, as seen inall theAI-generated YouTube videos that
Recent models would suggest an 1100 version of the RS (above) but it could also be aZRX... below!
are out there, we have heard that another version will be launched
Yes, it could be that Kawasaki will finally be going back to the ‘looks’ of the ZRX range, too. It makes perfect sense withan1100cc motor.The ZRX range came in 400, 1100 and1200cc models, in both naked and‘bikini-faired’ ‘R’ versionsingorgeous‘ELR’ EddieLawson Replica lime-green paint.
Thelast 1200Rs were sold in theUKuntil emissions laws killed them in 2006 and that was that for us. Meanwhile, in Japan the ZRX1200R ‘Deag’ was sold (with fuel-injection) until 2016. We reckon afull-on Lawson rep-retro would go down astorm over here andinthe US. Make it so, Kawasaki. We should know more during bike show season this autumn,fingers crossed!
NEWITALIAN HALL AT SAMMY’S!
The Sammy MillerMotorcycle Museum has marked another major milestone with thegrand opening of its newest exhibition space —the stunning Italian Hall, or La Sala Italiana.
The hall was so named by special guest Alan Cathcart, renowned motorcycle journalist and racer,who was thereto perform the official opening.
Before cutting the ribbon, ‘Sir’Alan paid tribute to Sammy Miller’searlyand hugely successful road racing career on Italian bikes, finishing third in the 1957 250cc World ChampionshiponaMondial Bialbero exactly like the one on display in the museum. He was also amemberof the Ducati factory race team the first time they racedinthe Isle of Man, finishing
4th in the 1959 Ultra-Lightweight 125cc TT.
As visitorsentered thenewly transformed Hall —oncethe original Bashley Manor Tearooms —theywere met with abreathtakingarray of immaculate, mostly red,shiny Italian motorcycles. The walls are adorned with rarememorabilia, creating afeast for the eyes and areal sense of stepping into Italy’shistorictwo-wheeled legacy.
The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) also hasaprominentnew presence inthe Hall, having moved its collection to theentrance of the area, allowing for better visibility.The museum’stearoom hasnow relocated and reimagined itselfasSammy’sPit
This is Yamaha’slatest official ‘Yard Built’ machine created by renowned UK builders Haxch Moto and it’sinspired by Yamaha’s 1990s sports machines.
The XZR900 Thunderbolt isaradical reimagining of the2023 Yamaha XSR900 thatdraws its soulfrom the adrenaline-fuelled
Stop —afresh, bright, andwelcoming space now runbyL’arte Coffee Shop. Visitors can enjoy deliciousrefreshments and tasty meals in amodern setting, just astone’sthrow from motorcycling history
The new Italian Hall is nowopen to the public andincludedinthe standard admission.Based at Bashley Cross Roads, New Milton,inHampshire, the museum is home to more than 500 exotic andrare motorcycles from all over theglobe. The museum also hosts awiderange of variousmotorcycle-related events. For more: www.sammymiller.co.uk
1990SSPORTSYAM REBORN
race machines of the1990s –namely the legendary YZF750, TZR250 and YZR500.
With weightsignificantly reduced, theXZR900Thunderbolt is engineered for performance andprecision.The geometry hasbeen tweaked with 40mm lift on therear through abillet linkage, rake/trail decreased,Maxton Suspension frontand rear,while lightweight Dymag wheels slash unsprungmass. Stopping power comes courtesy of HELPerformance, while theengine has been remappedand dyno tested by Seton Tuning to produce an impressive 10 percent power increase.
It’sthe looks that we love: the track-ready XZRfeatures abespoke, hand-formed full aluminiumfairing and tankusing traditional
metalworkingtechniques. Andit’sall finished off with areal 1990s-looking paint job that Yamaha themselves would have been proudof.
Rather than aone-off, Haxch Moto (based in Margate, Kent) is now offeringthisconfiguration as a limited-production custom, with each bike built to order and tailoredtothe owner’sdesired specifications. Youcan even get aroad-legal version with headlight, discreet indicators and a tail tidy: this model is due later this year.Yummy!
For more on this machine and how to order your own XZRThunderbolt, go to www.haxchmoto.com Andfor more lovely Yard Built machines including some cool XSRretro race-repsgoto: https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/ motorcycles/yard-built/
Want the next issue of CMM?Ofcourse you do! Then it’s simple.
Subscribing is best but, failing that, why not pre-order? Simply scan the fuzzy circular thing with yoursmartphone (c’mon, we’ve allgot one) and off you pop! Alternatively,if you like what you see coming up in thenext issue (see page 97 for more) then go to: www.classicmagazines.co.uk/ issue/preorder where you can pre-order allofKelsey’swonderful magazines. Even ones abouttrains, cars or towpaths…
News
DEALSAND COLOURS FORBUSA/KAT!
There are new colours and new deals on the likes of Suzuki’sHayabusa and Katana motorcycles.
The Busanow comes in arather strange ‘Metallic Matt Steel Green’ (pictured) and the much nicer Silver option and black option. While not really aretro, the Busa has been around for more than aquarterof-a-century and the latest third generation willrip your toupee off, grandad...
The 2025 Katana now comes in a revised silver scheme and the ‘PearlVigor
Blue’ with shown
Blue’with bronze wheels that we’ve here. We like theblue!
Andthe deals are new, too, as Suzuki is offering savings of up to £1300this summer,with dealer contributions availableoneverythingover 650cc. That means theBusa is available with £1300 off its OTRprice of £18,599, while the Katana comewith £1000 savings. It all helps! Oh,and thelegendary SV650 also gets £650 off! Formore, go to: https:// bikes.suzuki.co.uk/offers-and-finance/
EKINSMACHINE TO BE AUCTIONED
A1952 Matchless G80S owned and ridden by motorcycle racer and Hollywood stuntman Bud Ekins will be among aselection of rare bikes featured in the Iconic Motorcycle Summer Saleauction Best known as Steve McQueen’sfriend, ridingpartner and stunt double, Ekins paired with McQueen to competeinWest Coast desert races in theearly 1960s. In 1964 they both represented the U.S in the International SixDays Trial in East Germany,where Ekins would win multiple Gold Medals. Ekins would earn global acclaim as McQueen’s stunt double for twoofhis most legendaryfilms: in 1963’s‘The Great Escape’ and ‘Bullitt’in 1968. In 1971, Ekins and
McQueen appeared together in the cult off-road film‘On AnySunday’
The 1952 MatchlessG80Swas owned by Ekins in thelate 1980s, exporting the bike to theUKin 1990 for participation in events such as the Beaulieu AutoJumble and the Munster International Rally in Ireland. More than 150 auction items from memorabilia to classic motorcycles will take place at the Iconic Motorcycle Summer Sale auction,heldatShuttleworth, Old Warden, in Bedfordshire, on 20 July.There are some lovely classicand modern classics there, including anice 1990s Honda Africa Twin, anda Yamaha YZF-R6. Afull list of the auction itemsisat: https://www. iconicauctioneers.com
MOTOGP RETROYAM
At the recentGrandPrix of theNetherlands, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP celebrated Yamaha Motor‘s 70th anniversary with avery special retro paintscheme.
All four riders ran aone-off livery on race day (Sunday) which was inspired by theiconic red and white colours usedfor the 1999 YZF-R7. The MotoGP YZR-M1 took the colours of the YZF-R7 OW02; meanwhile, FabioQuartararo, ÁlexRins, Jack Miller andMiguel Oliveira drew inspiration from the race kit work by Noriyuki Haga duringthe 1999 season when he was ridingthe R7 in the World Superbike Championship
We love it! It shows that even themodern ‘pig’s ear’ lookingMotoGP bikes can look like asilk purse with therightcolourscheme…
cmm events
Wanna getinto CMM newevents section? Then contact us at: BSimmonds@mortons.co.uk. Youmay even become ‘Event of the Month’!
19 Kempton Park MC Jumble
Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East,Sunbury-onThames, Surrey TW16 5AQ. www.kemptonautojumble.co.uk
20 Honda OC Classic Bike Show at the SammyMiller Museum, Bashley Crossroads, New Milton, HampshireBH25 5SZ. www sammymiller.co.uk 23 AUGUST CLASSIC BIKE GUIDE OUT NOW
25 Bike Night at Wheels Motorcycles, First Drove, Peterborough, Cambs PE1 5BJ. www.wheelsmotorcycles.co. uk/
26 Summer Air Show 2025, Shuttleworth, Old Warden. shuttleworth.org
26 David Silver Spares Meet Unit 14 Masterlord Industrial Estate, Station Road, Leiston, Suffolk IP16 4JD davidsilverspares.co.uk 26-27 British Two-Stroke Club SouthernRally
The Fox &Goose, The Street, Greywell, Hampshire RG29 1BY Tel: 07501 518822.
Ardingly Autojumble South of England Showground, Selsfield Road, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6TL. www.elkpromotions. co.uk. 27 Stickney Autojumble Main Road, LincolnshirePE22 8AG: www.stickneycarbootsale. co.uk 27 National BMW Airhead Day Sammy Miller Museum. sammymiller.co.uk.
31 Bideford Bike Night
The Quay car park, Bideford, Devon EX39 2AG. bidefordbikeshow.org
31 DH.60 Centenary Fly-in, Shuttleworth, Old Warden. shuttleworth.org
AUGUST
5 OLD BIKE MART OUT TODAY
5 Bike Night
Three Sisters,Otterham Quay Lane, Rainham, Kent ME8 8QR. www.gbbikeleathers.com
The Bull Inn, Regent Street, Rolvenden,KentTN174PB. www.thebullinrolvenden.co.uk
7 Bike Night
The Iron Bull Roadhouse, Water End Park, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 7BB. www.ironbullroadhouse.co. uk
7 Mott MCs Bike Meet
Mott Motorcycles, Kempshott Hill, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG23 7LL: www.mottmotorcycles.co.uk
7 Late Night
Krazy Horse, Empire House, Lark Valley Business Park, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 6NU. www.krazyhorse.co.uk
9 Littleport Motorbike Autojumble
Compound3,Saxon Business Park, Littleport, Cambridgeshire CB6 1XX. 8am-2pm. Free entry.
10 Mere Brow Autojumble at theLeisure Lakes, TheGravel, Mere Brow,Tarleton,Preston, Lancashire PR4 6JX:www. merebrowautojumble.co.uk
11 SkegnessBike Night
TheShip andAtlantic Bar, Castlen Boulevard,Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 1RZ
14 North Devon MCC’s Barnstaple Bike Night in The Square, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 8LN.
16 Classic Motorcycle Meet at theBell, Bell Lane, Smarden, Kent TN27 8PW:www bellsmarden.co.uk
16 Flying Proms 2025, Shuttleworth, Old Warden: www shuttleworth.org
19 Royal Oak Bike Night at theRoyal Oak, Main Street, North Leverton,Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 0AD
Post to Mechanics,POBox 99,Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ or email yourpictures to editorial@classicmechanics.com
Star Letter
Rediscovering CMM
Allow me to introduce myself. I’m 81 years old from Perth and am fortunately stillable to ride motorbikes. Ihave afew! Iwas in the high street newsagents and noticed Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on the shelf.
Ibought this magazine in the 1960s until Imoved north to Invergordon but I’m now back in Perth. So, although I’ve owned many bikes Hondas are my favourite. Youmention in the VFR article last month comparing the Ducati ST2 and the Triumph Sprint.Honestly, the Ducati was my worst-ever purchase! Istill havethe Sprint; it is avery fine bike. However, Ihave owned eight VFR750s and still have two. I
have owned three 800F-isand still have two, one of which has had atotal recommission It is the 50thAnniversary model and Iknow thepaint scheme is not everybody’scup of tea but it suitsme.
So, what awonderfularticle about the VFR by Andy Bolas and great pics, too. Ican tell you that Ihave now become a paid-up subscriber to receive the mag by post so it was definitelythe front cover and subsequently the contents that have brought meback to the fold! Sorry for goingona bit but just wanted tolet you know you have avery appreciative new customer
Bill Suttie
We love to hear from you, so why not let us know what you like, or dislike, in YOUR magazine. Simply get in touch by sending emails to: letters@classicmechanics.com or direct to the editor at BSimmonds@ Mortons.co.uk or post your letters to the normal address.
The best will win oneof our lovely T-shirts!
Left or right?
Steve Cooper’sarticle ‘Braking Sense’ from June makes no sense to me! Ihave to tell him that port is left andstarboard is rightand notthe other way around as he says it is.Ihope heknows hiselbow from his… well, you know.Tell himto ease up on thebig words,too, they hurt my head.Other than that –love themag and his stuff!
Trevor Blanchard
Bertie says: “I will kick him up the elbow Trev!”
More two-bike tests!
Youcould doa series of features with an original and aresto-mod compared: bestor better? Just an idea, but Iwould love to seethis. David Houghton
two. Bertie says: “That email made my Monday Bill! Subscription is always best! a T-shirt…”
Bertie says: “Thatemail my onday Subscr be Have aT-shirt…
Ihave just read theJuly issue andenjoyed it as usual. Theadfor next month’smag with the original spec andmodified Suzuki GT550s pictured set me thinking.
Love the RE5!
Bertie says: “Thanks for this David.Asper usual it’sall about finding the bikes andgettingthem to a suitable location. Cost is also the overriding issue! Buthappy to do what we can when we can.”
Love RE5! there – greetings from Oregon! I love buyer’s guide the RE5. I was at back the day, one regularly in the parking lot. It looked something from another
Hey there –greetings from Oregon!Ilove the feature/ yer’sguide on theRE5. When Iwas at college back in theday, there used to be oneregularly in eparking lot. It looked like somethingfrom another planet
back then. I’ve always wanted to try one. Anda woman owns the bike in the article: thatisvery cool indeed!
