CATEGORIES

Retro Spective BMW R80 G/S
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Retro Spective BMW R80 G/S

The daddy of them all – the BMW R80 G/S is still a big draw…

time-read
1 min  |
January 2021
Tea-time stories!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Tea-time stories!

Pip Higham Tuner, engineer, rider

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2021
Sassy with the chassis!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Sassy with the chassis!

In this very issue you can read about our ride of Allen’s Super Six Zed! Here, he’s getting on with bike number two!

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2021
The desired Ducati…
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

The desired Ducati…

Is it really 30 years since the first Ducati 888? A machine which (formany Ducati aficionados) is better than even the sublime and beautiful 916?

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2021
T-REX!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

T-REX!

Aussie CMM reader Derek Henderson had adream: an ELR replica, but it was not to be.Instead he picked up a 2001 ZRX1200R, puta turbo on it and made it a T-REX! Bliss!

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2021
Soldering on!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Soldering on!

Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2021
Modern Vintage
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Modern Vintage

Seven years after the launch of Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, we ride two unique project bikes to find out if they go as well as they look: and all at the wonderful Sywell Pistons and Props event!

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2021
Six therapy!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Six therapy!

Allen Millyard’s latest project extends his engine reconstruction skills further by building a six-cylinder version of Kawasaki’s iconic Z1. John Nutting finds out what it’s like to ride

time-read
10+ mins  |
January 2021
CUMBRIAN INVADERS
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

CUMBRIAN INVADERS

CMM reader Phil Graham offered our Pip the chance to ride his two classic Suzuki two-strokes – here’s what happened (it was a bit damp…)

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2021
Project Honda CBR600F-V Track Bike Part 1: Track Day Hound!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Honda CBR600F-V Track Bike Part 1: Track Day Hound!

This bike was gifted to CMM but nowt’s happened for two years – until now!

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
Project Yamaha YZF-R1 5VY part 5: Where fuels rush in…
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Yamaha YZF-R1 5VY part 5: Where fuels rush in…

Final preparations for PB’s Spanish track test go awry with a mystery rich-running problem…

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Project Yamaha TX750 part 7: Electric Avenue!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Yamaha TX750 part 7: Electric Avenue!

Our Mark sorts out any electrical gremlins with the TX and finds that the system was fairly advanced for the time.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
TRIUMPHANT RETURN!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

TRIUMPHANT RETURN!

On the 30th anniversary of the launch of the first Hinckley Triumphs, we look at how John Bloor single-handedly revived the British motorcycle industry.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1050
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1050

Short, stubby and yet stylish, the first 1050 Speed Triple is now ripe for classic status!

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2020
Super Six Mk.2!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Super Six Mk.2!

Only Allen would have spares left over and say “Let’s build another six-cylinder Zed!”

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
Project Suzuki TR750 part 6: Exhausting times!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Suzuki TR750 part 6: Exhausting times!

The crowning glory of any ‘special’ two-stroke has to be the expansion chambers, right?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
Kawasaki Z550F part 6: Tanks for the memories!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Kawasaki Z550F part 6: Tanks for the memories!

Time for John to sort out that 550F’s tank issues, we think…

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Banana Republic
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Banana Republic

As a head-scratching bike from the time, the years have been kind to Triumph’s thought-provoking Daytona 1200.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2020
Balls to this!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Balls to this!

In olden days, like bicycles, motorcycle headstock bearings used a system known as cone and cup bearings with hardened steel ball bearings running in between races known as cups for the outer and cones for the inner.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2020
Half A Century Of Haze!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Half A Century Of Haze!

Suzuki’s GT750 two-stroke triple was the factory’s first real superbike. John Nutting details its origins and rides two examples of a machine with a faithful following.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2020
Kawasaki Z550F part 5: Back-end blues!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Kawasaki Z550F part 5: Back-end blues!

During lock down, our John had to tackle a few back-end issues with his on-the-cheap Z550F restoration…

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Lockdown LC part 1 :Lockdown Lovely!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Lockdown LC part 1 :Lockdown Lovely!

It’s the middle of lockdown and Tony Greenslade of Allspeeds/Gibson Exhausts has a plan… restore an Elsie, in competition with mate Andy Davies.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Show us yours
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Show us yours

We want to see YOUR pride and joy in our pages, so you can share what you ride and restore with fellow readers.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Winds of change!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Winds of change!

Kent-based CMM reader Stuart Gilbert loved a Z1, but couldn’t afford it, nor a Zephyr back in the 1990s – but then he could, and boy would his be a breath of fresh air!

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Stirk ‘razy!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Stirk ‘razy!

Oh I’ve really missed my springtime outing to Stafford, bit of a pilgrimage really. I’ve done both shows now for more years than I care (or dare) to remember.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
RIDE BETTER!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

RIDE BETTER!

Welcome to part one of our three-part series on how to ride your modern classic better! Messrs Niall Mackenzie and Neil Hodgson give us some tips on survival out on the road and on track. Part one: preparation, the basics and urban riding…

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2020
Project Yamaha TY80 part 1: Tall tales!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Yamaha TY80 part 1: Tall tales!

Just like buses you find that two Mackenzies turn up in one issue! Here’s Junior on why he just had to choose a TY80 as his first restoration.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
HONDA CB1000 Project Big 1
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

HONDA CB1000 Project Big 1

Check out this rare Honda ‘Four’ that will be hard to find today, but is worthwhile if you can!

time-read
1 min  |
November 2020
Carry on Doctor!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Carry on Doctor!

Suzuki’s big V-Strom has some new retro clothes for 2020 and we love the look!

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
Shed Scrambler!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Shed Scrambler!

CMM reader Andy Taylor’s wife gladly handed over her potting shed for the build of ‘her’ Kawasaki Z400-based Street Scrambler!

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2020