April 2008

FEATURES

8 > HONDA CBX550F
It was the great white hope for middleweight superbikes. So why did Honda's CBX550 disappear so quickly?

20 > DONINGTON SHOW
It's the season?s opener, and the wraps come off some splendid restorations at Donington.

28 > KAWASAKI 810 INJECTION SPECIAL
We go down under to ride a rather special big bore Z650, equipped with fuel injection.

48 > MIRA FILES
Yamaha started a whole new genre of performance tourers with the remarkable FJ1100. John Nutting looks back to the bike?s launch.

54 > READER REBUILD
No garage? Why not build your 900 BMW in the living room? Just don't tell the neighbours!

58 > SHOWSTOPPERS
Check out this original unrestored Laverda Jota, so carefully preserved it's still a cover bike stunner!

62 > STATESIDE SCENE
We mix with the crowd at The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction.

68 > KATANA 1260 PROJECT BIKE
Wave goodbye to the big Kat and wipe away that tear as it goes off to its new owner.

70 > KAWASAKI KR250
It's yet another example of mint two-stroke madness from the collection of Andy Bolas. And he gives us the keys!

94 > BUYING A YAMAHA YB100
You'll be hard pressed to find one as good as this.


TECHNICAL

24 > HONDA CB125J REBUILD
It's another silly project for our Rod. This time the wife's Honda 125 needs a bit of attention before teatime.

64 > THE KNOWLEDGE
The fine points of ignition timing with our technical guru Mark Haycock.

76 > BASICS
Vacuum fuel taps and dodgy starter clutches; the two most common problems we get asked about.


REGULARS

15 > NEWS
What's hot and what's happening.

34 > PRODUCT NEWS
Our pick of the best new products.

36 > SHOW US YOURS
The very best readers? bikes in our monthly showcase.

40 > VJMC
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club.

44 > LETTERS
Speak your mind through our mailbag.

78 > BIKE BASHES
Events, rallies and shows

80 > FEATURES INDEX
A dip into our archive.

83 > PROBLEM SOLVER
Free advice from our panel of experts.

87 > JAP CORNER
The ultimate emporium for your Jap classic.

98 > BIKES AND BITS
Buying or selling; the best place for a bargain.

106 > SERVICES GUIDE
Expert services for your bike.

109 > NOSTALGIA
Building two-strokes in sanctions stricken Rhodesia.

112 > NEXT MONTH
A peek at next month's issue.

113 > BIKING LEMONS
Spokes stirs it up again with another Yamaha V-twin feature. Oh dear...