Real Classic

RealClassic magazine features the very best British motorcycles from all eras, plus charismatic Continental machines (and the odd Japanese classics crops up occasionally, too). Long term classic riders will recognise many of the members of the RC team, which includes authors, historians and journalists like Steve Wilson, Dave Minton, Matt Vale, Odgie, Jacqueline 'PUB' Bickerstaff, Rowena Hoseason and editor Frank Westworth -- but the magazine's key feature is that it is firmly grounded in the real world. Our articles are written by real life riders and reflect far more than a simple road test ever can. We're never scared of getting grubby in The Shed (and we even admit it when things go horribly wrong!)

Real Classic

FROM THE FRONT

Back On Track • A couple of years back, Odgie built a fearsome flat-tracker based around a BSA B50. We left him with one win under his belt and one eye on the national championship. Here’s what happened next…

IN COMING! • RC readers write, rant and rattle on…

BARRING DISASTERS…

SUPER SMALLS

SERVICE STAR

TOP FLIGHT

POWER PULSES

REAL RESPECT

THE APPRECIATION STATION

EASY OUT

DOUGLAS DAYS

TIMING IS EVERYTHING!

SEE YOU IN SCOTLAND?

LETTER FROM AMERICA • Want to turn back time? You don’t need a TARDIS and you can leave the Delorean in the drive. You just need the right old bike and the desire to re-live history…

Convenience, With Added Cool • Before Triumph launched their own Scrambler in 2006, Norman Hyde had offered his very own alternative - in advance, as it were. Alan Cathcart reports…

NORMAN HYDE’S WINNING IDEAS

Featherbed FUN • Not even the quickest of glances would fool anyone into thinking this is a stock Norton. Frank Westworth took a ride on something completely different…

Shooting The SILVER BULLET • It’s not easy to build a retro motorcycle which looks correct and rides just right. Many major manufacturers have fallen at this very hurdle. Henry Gregson talks us through a design masterpiece, built by two men in a shed…

X-RATED • Paul Henshaw has been lucky enough to ride three different vintage V-twins recently. How does the Matchless compare to its prewar competition?

The History Bit

ISLAND STRIFE • It’s always the way. You’ve made all the arrangements for a big ride. You’ve booked the ferry, taken time off and packed your panniers. Even the sun is shining: in Scotland! And then, as Marion Thirsk discovers, the gremlins have come with you…

OUTWARD BOUND • Adventures, autojumbles and rides on great roads: point your wheels this way in 2025

Classic TECHNIQUES • Components for prewar classics don’t come cheap - if they’re available at all. John Lay crafts some suitable tubular stays in his workshop…

WRITE4REAL

On The Road To HarMless! • Travel with Tony Colman as he develops an AJS 650 into the HarMless 440…

PUB TALK • Vintage Stony on January 1 was not cancelled, but only postponed. In March, and blessed with fine weather, the delayed event in Stony Stratford town centre was very busy. PUB reports…

Ollie’s ODDJOBS ROUGH! INFERIOR? • Take an allegedly unloved Honda, and turn it into something almost certainly unique. Ollie may have unearthed a genial gem…

TALES FROM THE SHED • There’s a pause in the customary mechanical meanderings while Frank ponders what to do next. Normal service will be resumed shortly. Or not, of course….

Members’ Enclosure • The newsletter for RealClassic subscribers only