Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

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!…

Bikers! Be mindful that the final Bristol Bike Night of the season is on Friday, September 6. Hosted by Fowlers Motorcycles, this free, monthly event is the perfect way to kick off your weekend surrounded by fellow riders. In addition to the regular attractions, one lucky rider will take home the coveted ‘Bike of the Season’ title, picked from this year’s previous Bike of the Night winners. Other attractions include good biker grub; sounds from DJ Chunky; local bike groups on hand, such as Blood Bikes, Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists, and DocBike; and a free-to-enter raffle. The event runs from 5.30pm to 8.30pm and is at Fowlers Motorcycles, 2-12 Bath Road, Bristol BS4 3DR. www.fowlers.co.uk…

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! Hip-op hip-hop! I want to issue a warning to all bikers of a certain age whose vocabulary contains the word ‘arthritis’! After 30-plus years of no-claim biking (who claims for the odd spill: clutch/brake levers, etc.?) I’d accumulated the maximum amount of ‘No Claims Bonus’. This, coupled with being older than I wish to admit (I grew up with Zebedee/Magic Roundabout) my insurance premium for my Yamaha XJR1300C and two classics (Honda CB400/4 and CB900FA) was less…

The Yamaha RD250LC has to be one of the most iconic motorcycles of the 1980s. A liquid-cooled two-stroke twin developed with the TZ250 at its base, producing the equivalent of 140bhp per litre of displacement and a top speed of over 100 mph, it stunned the market at its 1979 Tokyo Motor Show debut. It fast became the ‘must-have’ bike for the cool street racer. Such was its sheer power and handling, it soon appeared in production racing, even spawning its own model-specific race series, as well as 350cc and 500cc siblings. In its two years of production, the RD250 LC was one of Yamaha’s most successful models, such that high numbers were produced in response to the market demand. Whilst definitive total numbers produced globally are hard to establish,…

There cannot be many classic motorcycle fans who haven’t encountered one of Yamaha’s seminal DT175s or its precursor the CT1/2/3 form range. Whether you rode one or knew someone who owned one, most are more than aware of the bike. Back in the day the 175 single was everywhere; they were ubiquitous, yet fast-forward a decade or so and many had been ridden into the ground… sometimes literally. The twin shock trail iron was pensioned off in favour of the DT175MX with its hugely competent mono-shock rear-end and anyone in the market for a lighter-weight trail bike almost immediately bought into the new technology. The MX was hugely proficient at what it did and, arguably, highlighted the older bike’s shortcomings leaving the twin shock looking decidedly unloved. Those that weren’t…

1974 SUZUKI TC185 Q: Please could you tell me what the ignition timing should be on my 1974 Suzuki TC185, in mm BTDC. Roy Hook A: I did think that this would be A:a pretty simple one to answer but I do see why you asked the question now! I don’t have the manual for this model and information seems to be pretty thin on the ground but your answer is: 3.07mm BTDC which equates to 24 degrees BTDC. PAINT PROBLEM Q: Have you ever done an article on paint codes for old motorcycles like my Honda CD175? Oh, and please could you do an article on retrofit USB ports. Also sat-nav updates might be helpful. I have owned my Honda CD175 from new for 50 years since 1972. I’ve…

This CB77 has been lovingly restored and is in absolute pristine condition: the engine has been completely rebuilt by professional engineers Partsmade. The hard-faced camshafts were supplied by Megacycle Cams of San Rafael, California. These cams improved the mid-range power with good low-end response and were sent to California for the work to be carried out at significant expense. All the alloy components have been professionally polished. Instrumentation was restored by a Japanese instrument specialist and recalibrated leaving the mileage in place from the initial purchase. The Honda Owners Club has provided a certificate of authentication. The headers have been remade out of polished stainless steel to match the original profiles. The single repro seat shell was purchased from abroad to mimic the works Honda CYB options offered at the…

Earlier this year the workshop and garage were plagued with incontinence issues and, no, it wasn’t me with the leakage issues. A combination of modern fuel and old parts conspired to moisten bikes, engines and owner… it was the beginning of ‘Wet Week’! First off the Suzuki TS400’s fuel tap developed an annoying weep and no amount of fettling helped. The wave washer received a gentle tweak to beef up resistance at the lever but to no avail. Assuming the rubber inside had shrunk due to the chemicals in modern fuel a new one was ordered up and fitted. This achieved two things: nothing and bugger all. In fact the wretched tap actually leaked worse. Serious levels of fettling couldn’t stop the flood so we weren’t going for a ride…

With the 2024 event still fresh in the memory, the countdown begins for TT 2025. Once more the event will commence on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, and will conclude with the Senior TT race taking place on Saturday, June 7. The race schedule will follow a similar format to this year with second races planned for the Superstock and Supertwin classes. The complete 10-race programme will be delivered across three sets of back-to-back race days split by two rest days to align with travel and accommodation capacities, providing visiting fans with greater opportunities to attend. PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME ■ Monday, May 26 (UK Bank Holiday) Morning Free Practice & Afternoon Qualifying ■ Tuesday, May 27 Evening Qualifying ■ Wednesday, May 28 Evening Qualifying ■ Thursday, May 29 Evening Qualifying ■…

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! David Houghton’s 1986 Yamaha FZ750 WINNER This Yamaha FZ750 has had a total strip and also the engine has been repainted. Then we fitted Thunderace front and rear suspension along with MT-07 front brakes and left it with the original paint/bodywork complete with 38 years’ worth of patina, scratches and marks… Philip Tyson’s…

When you’ve been around the block a bit in the biking world, there are not many machines out there that can intimidate, but there are still a few. Some motorcycles may be so expensive you just worry even throwing a leg over them for fear of scratching a grand’s worth of damage with a mistimed swing of an errant leg… Some may express mechanical malevolence as a result of their performance or wayward reputations. I’m thinking of, perhaps, the Laverda Jota; maybe the early Suzuki GSX-R1100s; the first Honda FireBlade; Suzuki’s TL1000S; something that demands respect from the bike’s performance or horror stories of a bike ‘gone bad’. You know the ones. Some may be just so HEEUGE, that just climbing aboard feels like scaling the Eiger and that –…

When I was 17 I rushed out and bought an almost new XT500. I had it for five days before it was stolen from Luton College! I still needed to get to work, so until the insurance paid out I bought a little DT175 as a runaround. It was great. I kept it after I was paid out and used it every weekend off-road. It became more and more disreputable but just kept going. My Dad would never ride my bikes as they were Japanese and consequently rubbish (not quite his words). Then one night I came home and he told me he had ridden “that little bike”. He was amazed: “Faster than my Ariel,”… his bike of choice since he was 16! After that he rode every bike I…

Hammers frequently are seen as the preserve of the blacksmith, but used correctly they are a most valuable and essential tool for the engineer and mechanic. As with all tools, misuse will cause serious problems and finesse is very much the watchword with hammers. There are a huge variety on the market, but I will only examine those in this article that will be used for regular motorcycle maintenance and repair. As with all tools it’s worth spending a few quid extra to get a decent quality tool and then cherish it. I still have hammers I bought when I started my apprenticeship at British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) in 1980. I would suggest that a quality, well used tool bought from a retiring engineer would be a far better…

OVER 250 ISSUES ARE AVAILABLE TO ORDER TODAY AT CLASSIC MAGAZINES.CO.UK JANUARY 2024 ■ Colourful CBR600 resto ■ Full-on Italian thunder ■ Project Kawasaki turbo time FEBRUARY 2024 ■ The black art of clutches ■ Honda’s mighty VFl000R ■ 1980s RD replicas MARCH 2024 ■ Stunning Yam Fazer ■ Rocket Ill turns 20 ■ Red hot magna APRIL 2024 ■ Bag a two-grand Tiger ■ Delight is a Darmah ■ Jump pack test MAY 2024 ■ Millennium Blade ■ Special Kturbo appeal ■ Kettle buyer’s guide JUNE 2024 ■ All hail YZF Thundercat ■ Scramble for Ducati’s 350 SCR ■ Buyer’s Guide RGV 250 JULY 2024 ■ Immaculate Kwak KR-1 ■ Race replica XSR900 GP ■ Tool of the month? Pure vice AUGUST 2024 ■ Honda’s game-changer ■ GSXl 100…

IN CONJUNCTION WITH We want to see YOUR shed, your workshop, your garage space, your man/person cave – call it what you will! We want to know what you love and loathe about the space you have to fettle and – each month – we have a £50 Venhill voucher for you to spend on Venhill’s British-made control cables and hoses if you’re selected! Contact us at: bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk. Don’t forget the pictures! Sheds are all things to all men/women really, aren’t they? I did not think for one minute that mine would qualify for the magazine as it is a bit different from the norm, but I thought most of us have other interests as well as motorcycles so here we go! My list of interests is quite extensive so…

WITH MORE THAN 30 PAGES OF PRACTICAL ADVICE! SUZUKI RGV250 VJ21: Road test by Andy Bolas SUPER STAFFORD: Why you should attend the BEST bike show of the year! YAMAHA GTS1000A: Buyer’s Guide GOING OUT IN STYLE: Motorcycle Funerals SHOW US YER SHED: WIN a £50 Venhill voucher if you show us YOURS! PROJECT BIKES: We will be showcasing some of the following (space allowing): Pip Higham’s Triumph Spotty Bike; Bertie Simmonds’ Kawasaki ZRX1100R-TC; Mark Haycock’s Honda ST70; Steve Cooper’s Yamaha YL1 or new Ducati/Suzuki special; Jeff Ware’s Bridgestone BS90; Malc Shaw with his Suzuki GT500 Café Racer. Kev Raymond’s back with a Honda SS50 and Taylor Mackenzie’s Yamaha TY80 should really be featured, and let’s not forget Dave Marsden from Z-Power and his ‘Goose’ Mad Max replica which is…

HJC V10 PAC-MAN HELMET If you had a misspent youth like our editor did, you’ll either have spent time in pool halls or arcades… And if it was the latter – you will have played Pac-Man, the 1980 arcade game featuring a little yellow chap who eats power pills and chases ghosts around a maze. With many super-heroes becoming the basis of crash helmets, it was only a matter of time that Bandai’s finest creation ends up on your bonce. The V10 lid is a retro-looking lid with an advanced fibre-glass composite shell, with the firm’s ACS (Advanced Channelling Ventilation System), a Pinlock Ready HJ-41 visor, removable/washable crown and cheek pads, and its Bluetooth comms ready. It looks good – just try not to say ‘WAKKA WAKKA WAKKA’ when you’re…

CMM recently headed to the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club’s big event and had a seriously good time. Not only was the two-day event part of the excellent CRMC race series with a bumper race card full of some super-saucy bikes, but also there was a big event on the unused Melbourne Loop. This was festooned with club stands and the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club’s display area organised in part by CMM contributor Andy Bolas. The whole weekend was a brilliant event so why not take in the final couple of rounds? The final CRMC events of the year are: August 24-26 at Oulton Park and September 28-29 at Anglesey. The hardworking VJMC events team will also be at those events. For more go to: www.crmc.co.uk and check out other VJMC…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH OLD BIKE MART: WWW.OLDBIKEMART.CO.UK AUGUST 21 SEPTEMBER CLASSIC MOTORCYCLES MECHANICS OUT 25 Sunbeam Motorcycle Club’s Bolney Summer Run (pre-1940) The Motorcycle Workshop, London Road, Bolney, West Sussex RH17 5PY. Web: sunbeam-mcc.co.uk What3words: parties.gourmet. alleyway 25 Shalbourne Classic Car and Bike Show Shalbourne Sports Field, Rivar Road, Shalbourne, Wiltshire SN8 3PZ. 10am-4pm. Tel: 07768 532070. Email: shalbournepavilion@gmail.com 25 Harley-Davidson Day The Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 7UD. Tel: 0208 961 1000. Web: London.acecafe.com What3words: fuels. losses.lions 25 Red Row Vintage Club’s Annual Rally Revival at Druridge Bay Country Park, Red Row, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 5BX. Free entry. 10am-4pm. Web: redrowvintagerally.co.uk What3words: struggle.rotations.famed 25 Classic Car and Bike Show at Thorney Hill Community Centre, Burley Road, Thorney Hill, Dorset BH23 8DQ. Tel: 07761…

Send us your nostalgic snaps of you back in the day with your steed! Either send to me at bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk or via our vibrant Facebook page. C’mon, we’ll send you a T-shirt if you are our first pick! Ian Simpson says: “I thought you’d like to see some of my old road bikes and pics of me when I was wee when my Dad Bill got me into bikes. He was a great engineer and a champion in his own right. The first picture is me outside my Dad’s workshop in Dalbeattie on Alastair Laurie’s Triton. He was my Dad’s business partner and was always great to me as a kid. The next is my beloved Yamaha FS1-E. I bought it when I was 14 and spent two years tricking it…

Triumph UK kindly offered me a few days on the latest (well, 2023) Rocket 3, which was nice. Previously the most modern versions I’d ridden had been a Roadster in 2010 and a Touring in 2012. Since the 2019 relaunch the Rocket 3 range has been the R model – the sportiest of the three, then the GT (tourer) and limited-edition TFC (Triumph Factory Custom). In 2024 you’ve now got the Rocket 3 Storm. The first thing you’ll notice are the utterly drop-dead gorgeous looks. At last the bike has a look all of its own. The bulbous tank has gone and the bike has a lower, leaner look completely, but still with that bug-headlight stare. Once more the engine is the beloved centre-piece – now boasting 2458cc (150 cubic…

CHOOSE WHICH CMM SUBSCRIPTION SUITS YOU BEST 1: 12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION 12 print issues for £47 Direct Debit 12 print issues for £52 credit/debit card BEST VALUE SAVE £15.40 2: SIX-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION 6 print issues for £25 Direct Debit 6 print issues for £27 credit/debit card SAVE £6.20 WHAT OUR READERS SAY ABOUT CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS CMM is the ‘go-to’ magazine for sensible restoration advice. BRIAN HERRON The magazine covers a shrinking, niche area of interest perfectly. ALAN BROWN A valuable asset to the classic rider, restorer and enthusiast. SIMON ROSE WHY YOU SHOULD READ CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS EVERY MONTH >> IF YOU WANT THE BEST IN MODERN CLASSIC MOTORCYCLING, THIS IS IT! >> EACH MONTH YOU’LL GET THE VERY BEST IN PRACTICAL WORKSHOP TIPS AND ADVICE >> READ ABOUT THE…