Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

SPRAYWAY CORRAN THERMAL MOUNTAIN HOODY If you’re an all-year rider, then thermal layers really come into their own during the colder months. I have had the opportunity to test Sprayway products for years, and I cannot recall any item that has disappointed me, the Corran being no exception. I don’t want to over-egg the pudding, but Sprayway’s products have seen me through some severe weather conditions, particularly as a back-packer and mountaineer. Now I am heavily into biking again they are also doing the job here for me. If you wear a long-sleeved, crew-necked baselayer, and like to add a mid-layer, then the Corran will suit you just fine. When you’re indoors, you can remove your outer jacket and feel cosy thanks to the Corran’s soft and versatile, high pile…

The prices of Kawasaki’s new Eliminator 500 and Eliminator 500 SE have finally been released. Sharing the name with an illustrious family of power-cruisers from the past, Kawasaki hopes that the new models will have a big presence in the 500cc middleweight class. The EU A2 licence class compliant Eliminator 500 mates a liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder motor to a trellis frame creating a mean and moody silhouette, just like you’d expect from a good cruiser. With a low seat height of just 735mm (but offering two other seat height options of 765 and 715mm, courtesy of different seats) the Eliminator is aiming to be comfortable for all. Modern LED lighting is used throughout, as well as all digital clocks and Bluetooth/smartphone connectivity. The final price point for the machines…

■ Sat/Sun, April 6-7: Ducati UK Roadshow ■ Sun, April 28: Royal Enfield Day ■ Sun, May 5: Spring Auto Jumble ■ Sun, May 12: Annual Gold Wing Gathering ■ Wed, May 15: Norton Owners’ Club and VMCC Meeting ■ Sun, May 12: Rickman Day ■ Thur, May 23: Healey Owners’ Club ■ Sat, May 25: Off-road and Adventure Bike Day ■ Sun, June 2: VJMC and Japanese Bike Bonanza ■ Sun, June 9: BSA Owners’ Club ■ Sun, June 16: Harley-Davidson Bike Meet ■ Sun, June 30: Smokin’ Sammy’s Two-Stroke Event ■ Sun, July 7: Lady Bikers’ Day – Breast Cancer fundraiser ■ Sun, July 14: Annual Scooter Ride-in ■ Sun, July 21: Honda Owners’ Classic Day ■ Sun, July 28: National BMW Air-Head Day ■ Sun, August 4:…

Back in 2001 Yamaha were riding high on the success of their YZF-R range which included the now iconic R1 and R6, and were also following the trend of making naked versions of their sports machines. These were bikes with more practicality, less pose and a bit less speed. The blueprint came first for Yamaha with 1998’s FZS600 Fazer – not powered by the R6 motor, I’ll grant you. Instead it used the punchy and beautifully-carburated four-cylinder motor from the previous 600 sports machine, the YZF600 Thundercat. It made sense then that at some point, either a 1002cc Thunderace motor or perhaps the 998cc YZF-R1 motor could be a good starting point for a big naked Yamaha. Eventually, the news broke in 2000 that (for the 2001 model year) a…

1966 TRIUMPH TR6 Q: I hope you can help me. I have imported a 1966 Triumph TR6 from the USA. I have the NOVA and pink slip. I know I need to insure it on the frame number. Because the bike is over 40 years old, do I need to MoT it, or can I simply complete the V55/5 with the various documents I have, plus £55 reg. fee, plus road tax and apply? Do I need to send the road tax as it will be exempt? I couldn’t afford one of these aged 18! Peter Hampson A: I think prices are getting so crazy that people now can’t afford them in later life, either! Just to clarify, by ‘pink slip’ you mean the US Certificate of Title? I ask…

G’day! You know about my injuries by now and thus lack of bike work for my updates. Well, I now have Tim working with me weekly to get the Slabby 3 and the Bridgestone BS-90 projects, along with a few others, done. That means progress is forthcoming! But first, let’s share a beer! Just for you lot, I’ll go a cold London Pride. Last update I boasted about me scoring a GSX750 JDM motor and carburettors; I planned on using the CV carbs in Slabby 3. Stupidly I gave a set of OEM 750F flat-slides away to a mate for a case of beer a few years ago, as I thought I would never use them. Also I gave away a set of CV carburettors from a 1986 Californian model!…

So here’s a quick recap: I was asked by Tony Hutchison (from suspension specialists Hagon) to help sort out his rather tired-looking Thundercat. Well, with everything I need to reassemble and the Thundercat in my possession, I can start work again as the Cat and I have a pressing engagement… The plating is back from Parkfield Electroplating and as usual the guys have done a great job; my preparation of the parts has paid off as they have come out better than expected and saved Tony a few quid in replacement fasteners in the process too. First on my list is to fit the new swingarm bearings now the lacquer has had a few days to harden off. To do this I put the bearings in the freezer for the…

My friend Gary Ward’s brother Paul’s DT is back again. This time it came in with a headlight problem… “Oh, and while you’re at it can you get the mangled screws out of the master cylinder lid?” which I did by reforming the screw head with a JIS bit and careful use of an engineer’s ball pein hammer. Once the T-handled driver had persuaded the abused screws from their long-term home, and the lid was lifted: yuck… The disgusting gloop masquerading as brake fluid was clearly full of water and allied disgusting stuff growing in this fetid fluid. I explained that I could not allow this bike to leave my workshop in such a potentially dangerous condition. With the fluid being in that sad a state, I would need to…

WITH MORE THAN 30 PAGES OF PRACTICAL ADVICE! DELECTABLE DARMAH: Steve Cooper rides a gorgeous 1970s Ducati TIGER, TIGER: Bertie Simmonds reveals a 20-year-old adventure bike for £2000! SUZUKI GT550: Buyer’s Guide SHOW US YER SHED: WIN a £50 tools voucher if you show us YOURS! PROJECT BIKES: We will be showcasing some of the following (space allowing): Pip Higham’s Suzuki TC305 Laredo, Alan Dowds’ Kawasaki ZRX1100R Turbo, (we’ve heard it running!), Mark Haycock’s Honda ST70, Steve Cooper’s Yamaha YL1, or new Ducati/Suzuki special, Jeff Ware’s Suzuki GSX-R750 F or his new Bridgestone BS90, David Punshon’s Honda CB750 DOHC, Malc Shaw with his Suzuki GT500 Café Racer and maybe Taylor Mackenzie’s Yamaha TY80, and let’s not forget Dave Marsden from Z-Power and his ‘Goose’ Mad Max replica. Oh, and Rob Bean’s…

“I’m just seeing how fat I can get and still beat the rest of the guys…” An American journalist has just asked Anthony Gobert about the ‘chunky’ physical shape he’s in, following an AMA race that he’d just won. Colin Edwards, two-time WSB champ, once said: “Without any doubt, Anthony Gobert was the biggest natural talent I ever saw ride during my career, and that includes Valentino.” Sure, Anthony had his demons, but he was an incredibly talented off-road and Tarmac racer, who should have become a world champion. Gobert was an off-road racer who came late to the Tarmac. By the time he’d come to road racing in the early 1990s, Gobert had already learned a great deal and had a wild, rear-wheel sliding style. He was teamed up…

Want the next issue of CMM? Of course you do! Then it’s simple. Subscribing is best but, failing that, why not pre-order? Simply scan the fuzzy circular thing with your smartphone (c’mon, we’ve all got one) and off you pop! Alternatively, if you like what you see coming up in the next issue (see page 105 for more) then go to: www.classicmagazines.co.uk/issue/preorder where you can pre-order all of Mortons’ wonderful magazines. Even ones about trains, cars or towpaths… Scan me with your camera phone!…

The exciting GP Originals season is back with a bang in 2024 as they look ahead to a six-round season. GP Originals held their first event back in 2017 at Oulton Park at an event hosted by No Limits and this kicked off a five-round series each year since – save for the Covid-19 hit 2020 season. GP Originals runs three championships: ■ 250cc (bikes up to 1984) ■ 350cc (bikes up to 1981) ■ Masters (Riders aged 55 or over, irrespective of machine capacity). For 2024, the six-round series takes place at: ■ Snetterton: May 4-5, hosted by Bemsee ■ Pembrey: May 25-26, hosted by NG Road Racing ■ Brands Hatch: June 22-23, hosted by NG Road Racing ■ Cadwell Park: August 3-4, hosted by Sidecar Revival ■ Donington…

We love to hear from you, so why not let us know what you like, or dislike, in YOUR magazine. Simply get in touch by sending emails to: letters@classicmechanics.com or direct to the editor at BSimmonds@Mortons.co.uk or post your letters to the normal address. The best will win one of our lovely T-shirts! In defence of the retro Just thought I’d spring to the defence of CMM as I’ve seen on the Facebook page people literally being offended by having some ‘new’ bikes either on the cover or in the February issue of the magazine… It seems that, despite the fact that these are pretty good replicas of the original 350 and 500LCs, people still don’t like seeing them in a ‘classic’ mag. Well, come on… These things are marketed…

As you can imagine just after the passing of both my parents I really needed something of a distraction and this bike was it… Barry Gill, the bike’s rightful owner, left me with the boxes which contained the Kawasaki H2 back in September 2021 and my feeling was just to get the bike as close to full original as I could. Looking through the box of bits I could see that the frame was straight but in poor condition, with the centre-stand lugs missing (clearly cut out to fit some expansion chambers) and engine mounts cut-out, too. I bead-blasted the frame and powder-coated it to the original colour; this was only after I’d engineered new lugs for the frame thanks to help from my South African ‘genius’ friend Ronald Coss.…

At long last I am proud, nervous, and excited to show the product of over a year’s work of pain, pleasure, frustration, joy, heartache, (and yes) empty pockets, communication, planning, IT information for so many parts and yes, even YouTube! I have had more than a year on a learning curve to become more skilled and knowledgeable; trying new skills and self-teaching myself things I have never approached before and to gain experience that will benefit other builds and projects. Well, I may have a rest for this summer, first. September 2022 was when the journey started after seeing the second Top Gun movie and Tom Cruise pulled the cover off his Kawasaki GPZ900R. I didn’t know quite what I was taking on or the challenges I would be faced…

My girlfriend and I moved into our first home in November 2023 and one of the criteria that we had for our new home was that it had to have a driveway to park on and a garage as I had previously been renting one to store my motorbikes and tools. We bought the bungalow and it came with this 5mx2m prefab garage with an asbestos roof which was put up in 1982, so it should have been a good basis for what I wanted. The first van-load of stuff came from the rented garage and moving-in day was dry, so I rode the bikes over. Within a few days of moving in I soon realised that some work needed doing: there was a huge gap between the fascia and…

Well dear readers, I’m really enjoying my time with the Katana and I think now is the time to address one of the negatives the Kat has. The rear number plate/indicator bracket sadly makes the bike look like a large scooter and we can’t be having that, can we? With this being Suzuki’s bike, I didn’t want to go too mad buying and altering stuff on it, so after looking through that well-known internet auction site I stumbled on DB Moto who supply tail tidies for numerous bikes and at a very reasonable £45.99 plus postage, which was the cheapest one I could find. The order was delivered within a couple of days from the order, too, so that’s excellent service. Let’s see what we have got for our £45.99…

Brakes are good and good brakes are even better. But stopping isn’t just about absorbing a heap of kinetic energy and thereby avoiding a close encounter with a Conor 2750R or a Redrock 3500 (these are both big muck spreaders); you really do not want to tangle with a 15-ton unholy trinity of steel and cow shit. The stopping I was alluding to is that most basic stop thing, simply stopping the motor. Straightforward? Yeah sure! Back in the Middle Ages a pal of ours, let’s call him Bernard, Barmy Bernard, Bernard (not bad, three Bernards in four words) had an Ambassador Supreme. I know, but stay with me. In the absence of a functioning ignition switch, Bernard searched for a way to ‘thief-proof’ the big ‘A’ so he adopted…

LS2 RAPID II HELMET LS2 has added five new graphic colourways to the Rapid II line-up for 2024. Riders can choose from the stylish and subtle ‘Circuit’ in Black/Red or White/Red options; make a statement with the ‘Claw’ and glow-in-the-dark ‘Zombie’; or get noticed in the Matt Black/Hi-vis Yellow Rokku, which is nice. The Rapid II is ECE22.06 certified and weighs just 1300g. It comes in three external shell sizes for a smaller outline in each size, and has a long oval shape and laser-cut foam inserts, for a naturally comfortable fit. Dynamic Flow-through Ventilation keeps the rider cool and comfortable in changeable conditions. The breathable, hypoallergenic liner is also removable and washable. Up front, the scratch-resistant 3D Optically Correct visor offers maximum clarity. It’s Pinlock-ready and has an intuitive…

There will be a double treat for visitors to the International Classic MotorCycle Show this April 20-21. First up is the news that former motorcycle and TT racer turned TV presenter Guy Martin will be the special guest wowing the crowds at Stafford when he appears on stage over the two-day event, which takes place at the County Showground. Doubtless he will have plenty of stories to share as he will be appearing a number of times over the weekend. Exhibition manager Nick Mowbray said: “Guy Martin has become a beloved figure in the world of motorcycles, with his charismatic personality and impressive career. I am sure this really will be a date for the diary!” And there’s also this beauty in the Bonhams spring auction. This is the 14th…

Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear – so the saying goes! Those were the words subconsciously running through my addled brain when spotting a pool of oil underneath the 1973 RD350 recently. Even though, just like its stablemates, it’s Japanese quality doesn’t preclude the occasional oleaginous incontinence issue. There’s also a Suzuki in there that has a mystery gearbox oil weep that no one can track down; best guess is very subtly porous casting – they’re not all perfect you know. As many of us have discovered, even the best quality oil seals don’t last forever. Initially suspecting an output drive shaft seal failure, a dab with a finger disclosed the slip hazard was red in colour… so that’d be two-stroke oil then. Getting…

We want to see YOUR pride and joy in our pages, so you can share what you ride and what you restore/build with fellow readers. Email your hi-res shots to bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk or mail in some photos at the address at the front of the mag. Let us know what you’ve done, how you’ve done it and send before and after shots if you can. Do get in touch – because the best of the month gets a free T-shirt! Austin Kidd-Smith’s 1998 Suzuki GSF600 Bandit If you look in this month’s issue (Show Us Yer Shed) you’ll see my girlfriend bought a ‘Suzuki’ mat by mistake. So I had to get a Suzuki, right? This is my 1998 Suzuki Bandit, bought in January 1999 by my Grandad when I was…

I’ve known this bike for almost as long as I’ve known its owner Andy Jones. For longer than either of us care to remember the Honda V65, known by close associates as Red Molly, was variously a pile of parts, a semi-completed build and perennially work-in-progress. When he wasn’t spannering on customers’ bikes, Molly would receive some TLC and the pair of us often pondered just what 1098ccs of cruiser-style Honda V4 might be like to actually ride. We concluded that ‘bloody dangerous’ might be just one of the phrases called into play and ‘downright scary’ could very well go on to cover most, if not every base; it is something of ‘a unit’ after all. When Andy and Molly decamped to rural Lincolnshire the bike finally had been sorted…

I will never be able to thank my late friend Johnny Hopkins enough for marching me down to Machine Mart many years ago, on one of their VAT Free days, to stick a bike lift in the back of my van. Once I had realised how indispensable a bike lift was, he announced that I MUST have a table lift as well. At the time I couldn’t really see why I’d need one, but he was more than slightly convincing, so I bought one and never looked back. I have since replaced the bike bench with a pair of electro-hydraulic professional lifts, but still have the original scissor lift. Machine Mart asked me to test their new Clarke Strong Arm table lift and as I only had one slightly wobbly…

Seized: a nasty word really and there was a nasty, almost prehistoric/primordial-looking soup inside this Yamaha 350cc single cylinder two-stroke. The odometer indicates the bike covered just shy of 3000 miles in its short active life. Based on the fact that it lived in America, where they have lots of open spaces, and that the indicators have been removed, I’m guessing they were predominantly off-road miles, so maybe three years of use? Who knows! But even if it was used for double that time, it’s still sat seized-up for the best part of 40 years, so I wasn’t expecting to find happy things when I opened up the engine. Especially as pulling off the barrel had exposed a grey amalgam of oil, water and God knows what else. To be…

£ 5.00 EACH (inc p&p) For EU and ROW, please see www.classicmagazines.co.uk OVER 250 ISSUES ARE AVAILABLE TO ORDER TODAY AT CLASSIC MAGAZINES.CO.UK JULY 2023 ■ Game-changer BMW ■ Superb Honda CB400 ■ RD350LC buyer’s guide NOVEMBER 2023 ■ Unbeatable CBX750F ■ Testing your fluid ■ The pick of the tourers AUGUST 2023 ■ Enter Kawasaki’s Ninja ■ Suzuki’s top tiddler ■ Show us yer shed… DECEMBER 2023 ■ One Super Blackbird ■ Guide to the VFR400R ■ Original parallel twin SEPTEMBER 2023 ■ Yamaha teen dream ■ Opening up the Katana ■ Special GSX-R750 JANUARY 2024 ■ Colourful CBR600 resto ■ Full-on Italian thunder ■ Project Kawasaki turbo time OCTOBER 2023 ■ Delectable Aero ■ Buyer’s guide: BMW R60/5 ■ Beautiful rare Guzzi FEBRUARY 2024 ■ The black art…