The Norton Classic Rotary is likely the rarest Norton ever to have existed, and certainly the rarest to find today for collectors. The bike is highly coveted for motorcycle historians and collectors, the reason being is it’s rotary Wankel engine. With only 100 ever produced, the backstory is fascinating and while it didn’t take off, … Read more
Ask any motorcycle enthusiast about BSA and their immediate response would be along the lines of “You mean the Gold Star?” The BSA Gold Star was not only the most successful motorcycle throughout the Birmingham-based company’s 111 year history, but one of the most successful British motorcycles of all time, both on and off the … Read more
The Norton Commando 750 was a breakthrough in British motorcycling history. Despite being released during the UJM takeover, half a million were sold during the decade it was in production. Today, the Norton Commando 750 remains a popular buy to ride classic motorcycle. Norton Commando History The origins of the early Norton Commando 750’s can … Read more
AJS Motorcycles is one of the longest surviving British motorcycle companies to date. Founded in Wolverhampton, the Stevens brothers, Harry, Joe Junior, George and the company’s namesake Albert John (or Jack, as he was more popularly known as) created AJS in 1909. It was their dream to manufacture a motorcycle to win at the Isle … Read more
The term superbike was first used by the motorcycling press in October 1968 after the unveiling of the Honda CB750 at the Tokyo bike show. It’s not a given though that just because the Honda was the first to be called one that it was indeed the worlds first superbike. Contenders for the crown of … Read more
In the 1920’s motorcycles came of age and the decade was a boom time for the industry. In truth, it was a boom time for most industries. The war to end all wars was finally over in 1918 and advancements in engineering driven by the war movement were now being transferred into the automotive and … Read more
With the sad news of the administrators being called in to Norton Motorcycles, I thought that now would be a good time to reflect on what could have (should have?) been a fairytale story of racing success and British pluckiness. (That’s a real word, honestly). Although I grew up with British motorcycles, I never really … Read more
Anyone who knows me will happily confirm that for most of my adult life I have wanted to own a Vincent motorcycle. I’ve come close at least twice but the stars were never quite aligned. Lately, I had come to terms with the fact that owning a Vincent motorcycle was not meant to be. That … Read more
Norvin. A name that was long forgotten in my mind, and truth be told, of course I knew the name but it never really registered as to just exactly what it is. It’s a Norton & Vincent mashup, unless you’re Gregg Wallace or John Torode, and then it would be called a ‘fusion’. As a … Read more
Introduced in 1959, few motorcycles can claim a past quite like the legendary Triumph Bonneville. Discover the history of the Bonneville and its lineage through to the present Triumph modern classic range…. In 1978, my father, an original Meriden Triumph employee decided that at the age of 39, it was time to stop being bossed … Read more
I’m just coming to the end of my third Summer as a Triumph Bobber owner. I’ve had a great time with the Bobber and I’ve really enjoyed getting back into motorcycling. What follows is how I came to choose the Bonneville Bobber, how I’ve made it my own and how I’ve found it over the … Read more
Over the years, we’ve seen many different movements within the motorcycle industry. Trends have come and gone but there have been few movements as influential and powerful as the cafe racer. These motorcycles first started appearing in 50’s England – though the culture soon thrived all over the world too. What’s striking about the cafe racer … Read more