Classic Motorcycle Mechanics - March 2009

Features

8 > CULT BIKES
Rod rides two rare, beautiful and crisp-handling Bimotas from Paul Murphy’s collection in Ireland.

20 > TRENDSETTERS
Twenty years ago, Yamaha bucked the ‘race rep’ trend with its quirky but remarkably fast TDR250.

28 > STREET SPECIAL
In Oz, an engine from a crashed Suzuki GSX1400 is fitted into an old GSX1100 frame to produce a stunning special.

44 > CLASSIC RIDE
After decades of unjustified prejudice against Suzuki’s T250J, Steve Cooper finally rides one - and it presses all the right buttons.

48 > MIRA FILES
Forty years after Honda’s CB750 Four went into production, John Nutting charts the early development of the all-time classic Superbike.

54 > SHOWSTOPPERS
Malc Anderson’s show-winning American Eagle 350 Marauder RS takes centre stage this month.

70 > DOWN UNDER
Neil Batterham relives a happy slice of his youth by restoring a 1976 disc-valve Suzuki TC100.

86 > BUYING BIKES
Andy Bolas brings his superb Suzuki RGV250 to our studio - and Steve Cooper puts the model under the spotlight. Technical

58 > DEALER FEATURE
Chris Pearson learns the secrets of a perfect paint job when he visits KAS Racepaints.

62 > THE KNOWLEDGE
Mark Haycock explains what makes clutches slip or drag. His piece about two-stroke oils will appear next month.

66 > A BIT ON THE SIDE
Further progress with our BMW R100RT/Watsonian Palma sidecar project.

79 > PROBLEM SOLVER
Our technical team answersyour questions.

100 > HOW’S YOUR HOOTER?
Our buffer’s guide to horn restoration could save you a load of trouble.

REGULARS

15 > NEWS
As a new biking season gets under way, we bring news of lots of special events - and an electric motorcycle.

25 > MAILBAG
Have your say on CMM’s well-read correspondence pages.

34 > PRODUCT NEWS
Huggers, rearsets and racing seats, grippy screwdrivers and cable kits feature this month.

36 > SHOW US YOURS
More readers share their two-wheeled treasures in our monthly showcase.

40 > VJMC
Why not try restoring something different for a change, writes Steve Cooper.

60 >STATESIDE SCENE
Only Maynard Hershon could write an entertaining column about oil and filter changes.

74 > BIKE BASHES
Don’t forget to let us know about the runs and events your club is planning.

76 > FEATURES INDEX
The best place to track down that old CMM feature.

82 > JAP CORNER
The ultimate source of information for your Japanese classic.

90 > BIKES AND BITS
If you’re buying or selling, this is the best place to be.

105 > BIKING LEMONS
Suzuki’s GT185 looked as if it had everything going for it, but it fell short in a few areas.

106 > NOSTALGIA
Del Freegard remembers his very first bike - a Casal K190