Classic Motorcycle Mechanics August 2022

I’d like to apologise to you all. Yes, all of you, and by that I mean both the contributors to this magazine and the readers. To the contributors I’d like to apologise for being a bit of a pain in the backside. To the readers I apologise if any feature ‘talks down’ to you. Here’s the reason I’m in full apology mode. I’ve been thinking a lot recently. Often I have to quiz the contributors to make things clear to me. I read through countless thousands of words and, sometimes, I see something I just don’t understand. They may have a turn of phrase that is colloquial to them; they may make an acronym of something that – while it makes sense to them – is Dutch to me. As…

Publisher: Tim Hartley thartley@mortons.co.uk Publishing Director: Dan Savage asavage@mortons.co.uk Designer: Michael Baumber Production Editor: Mike Cowton Group Advertising Manager: Sue Keily Divisional Advertising Manager: Ashley Johnson AJohnson@mortons.co.uk Tel: 01507 529412 Advertising: Simon Meyer SMeyer@mortons.co.uk Tel: 01507 529310 Sales and Distribution Manager: Carl Smith Marketing Manager: Charlotte Park Commercial Director: Nigel Hole Editorial address: CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS MAGAZINE, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Website: www.classicmechanics.com General enquiries and back issues: Tel: 01507 529529 24 hour answer phone help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk Archivist: Jane Skayman jskayman@mortons.co.uk, 01507 529423 Subscription: Full subscription rates (but see page 94 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc. post and packing) – UK £52.80. Export rates are also available – see page 94 for more details.…

As it’s coming up to the traditional time of the year for the British Motorcycle Grand Prix and following up on news of Wayne Rainey’s amazing ride at Goodwood, we figured we’d take a look back at the time of legends… This is the 1989 British Grand Prix at Donington Park and one which stays in the mind for many of us as our very own Niall Mackenzie got to lead the race. Niall had ridden for Honda in 1987 and 88, but switched to the Marlboro Yamaha team run by Giacomo Agostini... but who would be his teammate? Niall recalls: “I went off to Switzerland to meet the Marlboro people. Eventually I found out that Freddie Spencer was to be my teammate when I saw some negatives in a…

LS2 AVANT This is a full 180-degree flip-front lid – which means it’s certified in both open and closed positions. The Avant’s shell is made from LS2’s exclusive Kinetic Polymer Alloy; comparable to much more expensive high-end composites, it’s strong, flexible and light. The opening mechanism is designed so the chin bar sits close to the face, and opens the visor automatically when lifted. A superfast release mechanism allows the wide visor to be removed and refitted without any faff, and comes with a Pinlock anti-fog insert as standard. The breathable Comfort Lining is removable and washable, with Emergency Release System cheek pads. Practical additions include the drop-down sun visor and quick-release buckle fitment. From £249.99 The LS2 Advant is available in a choice of five solid colours and four…

LUMBERJACK BS228 9-INCH BANDSAW I’ve bought lots of kit over the years and I’ve borrowed occasionally from friends at times of need, but one item that doesn’t fit into the normal run of things is a bandsaw. I use my bandsaw pretty much every day. I use it for odd woodworking tasks but also to facilitate those sundry little tools and jigs that make life a bit easier. The one shown here is a relatively inexpensive one I bought from Lumberjack tools. It’s sold as a hobby/ craft saw but it does much more than that. Previously I’ve had a couple of similar devices and to reduce the blade speed I had to make alternative drive pulleys, bit of a pain, but with the choice of modern blade configurations most…

The man behind the remarkable Scottoiler system has passed away, aged 87. Fraser Scott told CMM back in 2015 that “bikes have always been part of my life”. He added: “My first memory was falling off my Dad’s Triumph Twin back in 1937 when I was two years old. From then on I was obsessed with bikes.” Riding in off-road competition, Fraser invented the Scottoiler aged 42. He said: “I worked on it for five years to perfect the design, and in this time I realised that not only did the O-rings not wear out, but also the entire chain was cleaner and more efficient. I knew I had to share this invention, even if the time spent designing it and the money it cost meant my social life and…