Classic Bike Guide

Classic Bike Guide is a down to earth, practical - and sometimes irreverent - magazine that gets right to the heart of the classic bike world. With a mixture of features, tests, reviews and event reports it is the title that has become a must for the active rider and restorer. Classic Bike Guide magazine - with the biggest and best readers adverts - FREE! Enjoy the digital edition - and save over 50% on the print susbcription price.

A change is as good as a rest

■ Steve McQueen – against all odds

Biking’s ambassador A sit down and a cuppa with Henry Cole • What was meant to be an interview with a presenter from the telly turned into a chat with a genuine fellow biker who has a real passion for getting old motorcycles out there…

Classic Bike Guide

New bikes unveiled in Italy

Langen Lightspeed – 185 horsepower for 185 owners

History repeating itself? • Remember when Honda first came to the UK and showed the home manufacturers how it should be done? Now the Chinese are here, and it looks like they’re going to ruffle some Japanese feathers…

Robert Bensley • Some people promote motorcycling, some people live it, and occasionally a rare few do both, striving to show others how much two wheels can give…

Mick Grant on the Green Meanie • Many have said the infamous Kawasaki KR750 was a demon for its riders, but the man who tamed it, Mick Grant, says: “It’s a nice old thing”

Fancy a day out? • The weather may be turning, but there’s plenty going on to keep us occupied as the nights grow darker, from toy runs and ride-outs to autojumbles, and as usual, the Ace Café, London, has a packed schedule of events, some with a festive flavour. Have fun…

Old bike mechanics Directory • Your guide to those who are willing to help us!

Does riding old bikes really give us immunity from injury? • If you fall or get knocked off your bike with ancient riding gear, it’s going to bloody hurt - and there’s only you to blame

Frank Westworth looks back at: 1958 Triumph Tiger 100 • Triumph’s Tiger 100 has been a popular sporting machine since the late 1930s, and you can buy a new Bonneville T100 today. Frank Westworth recalls borrowing an earlier example. It was very good…

Sparks: the magneto and the coil • Oli Hulme looks into ignition faults

Why should I buy a classic British motorcycle? • British bikes have the best parts availability, are simple to work on, and give the most wonderful, characterful experience. What’s not to like?

British Bike Guide 2026

British need-to-know! You may find these terms useful • For the uninitiated, the world of the British classic motorcycles contains many terms; some obvious, some arcane, and lots get misunderstood. In order to make life easier, here is a basic guide to some of the things you might have read about or overheard.

Rebuilding an AMC Norton gearbox • Last month, we worked out how to pull apart our 1956 ES2 gearbox, so now we’ve got to rebuild it…

Oli’s project Moto Morini 350 Strada • Oli has been looking forward to rebuilding his Morini for years. Now he’s started, there’s those wonderful Italian oddities to remember… It’s character, Oli!

New recruit to the fold • Maria wants a new challenge and has been eyeing up the BMW R80/7 for a while. Is a European bike easier to work on than a British bike?

Frank’s Famous Last Words • Japanese classics are okay for other people, said Frank. And then he bought one…