* AJS MODEL 12: Lightweights are often overlooked, but this 1929 250cc single-cylinder sidevalve has lasted nearly an entire lifetime

* Ariel Leader: We have been rebuilding this bike for some considerable time. Rod takes on electrics this month. In the snow. A small fire might actually help matters...

* BSA B31: There has to be a purpose to every rebuild, and while putting his 1947 single back together this owner dreamed of chasing a train. A steam train. One which departed 60 years ago. Makes perfect sense, no?

* BSA A50 & A65: Author Matt Vale steers us through the development history, perils, pitfalls and possibilities of BSA's unit twins, 500cc and 650cc

* MV Agusta America: If you ever wondered just how bad things could get... imagine you've bought the bike of your dreams and it turns out to be the worst combination of a can of worms and a very deep money pit. Four cylinders quadruples the cost!

* Norton International: If you can't afford to buy a complete cammy Norton then you can build one yourself. It took 20-odd years, but this example evolved into a 1938-spec SOHC parade machine

* Norton Model 18: On the other hand, you might get just as much pleasure from owning and fettling a pushrod single like this 1948 Roadholder/rigid 500

* 1969 Triumph TR6 Trophy: High pipes, high bars, single carb. Easy starting, swift steering, half-sensible stopping. Frank Westworth rode a beautiful blue example of Turner's sporting 650 twin

* 1920s Warren Villiers 250: Odgie discover an extremely strange and wonderful thing; a 350cc two-stroke, wet-sump inline twin, complete with rigid rear end and girder forks. Hand change, of course...

Plus: Steve Wilson recalls long distance touring tales, PUB meets various Bonds, the NOC go for gold, Norvil offer freebies to RC readers, and Frank Westworth discovers a variety of strange things about his new Matchless G12CSR