Real Classic - April 2019
MATCHLESS G80 ...........................................6
Riders seeking classic credentials attached to all mod cons might seriously consider the last Matchless of the line: a big single with electric start and twin-disc stoppers. Paul Miles gives one a whirl…
BSA SS80 .....................................................22
Back in the day, teenage tearaways made short work of BSA’s 250 single. Frank Melling shares his recollections of the supersport version of the C15
HONDA CB750A HONDAMATIC ..................30
Twist’n’Go scooters are well known. Automatic cars are even better known. Frank Westworth was entirely unfamiliar with the CB750A Hondamatic, until now…
MOTO GUZZI V50........................................38
Old Italian motorcycles are unreliable, right? Not necessarily. Kev Brown’s small- block Moto Guzzi has endured four decades of entertaining episodes in all weathers, and it’s still going strong…
ROYAL ENFIELD SUPER METEOR ................46
Last month, Robert Murdoch introduced us to his electric-start touring twin. This time he shares his riding experiences… and a sudden engine seizure
VELOCETTE DOHC RACER...........................54
Inspired by Velocette’s dohc racing single, a team of keen enthusiasts set out to build a modern-day development capable of lapping at 100mph. Stuart Francis follows their progress…
NORTON GOES GLOBAL .............................62
Norton. Where they are today and where they’re going. Alan Cathcart interviews Stuart Garner, the company’s owner
DMW DOLOMITE.........................................80
Something borrowed something blue. Rob Davies learns a little about DMW, a largely unsung hero from the past…
NORTON COMMANDO REBUILD ................86
Martin Peacock had a vision, a conversion on the road to Bude. He understood that he wanted a Commando, and this is how he made it… Part 6: Fuelling Follies and the Joys of Riding
AERMACCHI BUILD .....................................98
Last month, Stu Thomson learned all about Aermacchi’s ‘Wing’ series of singles. This time he tracks down a 1959 Ala Azzurra and starts to prep it for flight…
RC REGULARS
THE CONTENTS PAGE ................................ 3
And now for some things completely different. How’s about a frank conversation with Norton’s head honcho? How’s about an automatic Honda? Also a DMW of course
WE’VE GOT MAIL! .................................... 14
The endless debate continues endlessly, debating. There are countless questions, and every question has a thousand answers
EVENTS .................................................... 72
The calendar’s filling up fast. Already shows and runs and invites to remote cafés and trips to visit unremarkable but distant places are colouring in the giant RC wall planner. It’s almost exciting
READERS’ FREE ADS ................................ 74
Some tidy tackle in here, as usual. Also one of Frank’s bikes (but don’t tell him!)
PUB TALK ............................................... 102
PUB the pot-hunter has no events to report on this month – lethargy rules OK – but those projects and bikes call for attention…
TALES FROM THE SHED ......................... 108
Frank’s been taken for a ride. Again and again and again. This time he’s been playing hooligan with a sweet 650 twin...