Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

More than 20 years or so back, I got involved with a magazine that was a little bit different. Called ‘Two Wheels Only’ it approached biking and all things two-wheeled from a slightly different angle. For a start, it had a back section where you actually had ‘scooters’ in there. I don’t just mean ‘scooters’ which conjure up fights on Brighton beach, but scooters for commuting and even touring on. From knowing very little about them and not having ridden anything other than my auntie’s Honda Melody, it was great to throw myself into another world. I’d soon get used to navigating roads on much smaller wheels. Pretty soon big scoots were my favourite method of travel thanks to their practicality. I’m saying this because some people dismiss stuff that’s…

It was like 1995 all over again: Carl Fogarty spraying a crowd with champagne, 30 years after his most dominant season… Foggy was a guest of honour at the 2025 Festival of Speed and he got to ride one of his original championship-winning bikes, recently restored by Tom Irwin. The fans helped the four-time World Superbike champion roll back the years, cheering him on as he tackled the world-famous Goodwood Hill before taking the applause from the packed crowds in front of Goodwood House. Foggy took 59 wins and 109 podiums during his career which saw him win the 1994, 1995, 1998 and 1999 WSB titles.…

In the early 1980s, the motorcycling stars really did align and, in doing so, created one of the most celebrated two-wheeled hybrids of all time. oday the word ‘hybrid’ conjours up an environmentally friendly car, but we’re talking about a two-stroke, rev-happy hybrid complete with blue smoke and lots of redline attitude. Apologies to the environment while we retell this story… In 1980/81 Yamaha’s RD350LC was the headbangers’ choice. Then in 1983 Yamaha refined the breed with the introduction of the 350 YPVS. The Powervalve system smoothed the power delivery some and made it more tractable on the road. Meanwhile, on the road and on the tracks, Suzuki had released a competitor. The RG250 was the first production bike with an alloy frame. It received rave reviews at the time…

Motorcycle journalists are a reprehensible lot on the whole. I should know, I’ve been one for 30 years and still call many of them ‘friends’. Perhaps reprehensible isn’t the right word, but – back in the day – we were often having to be sensationalist or bombastic when it came to what we wrote in a bid to stand out. I rather think that (with the passage of time) this meant some bikes were either lifted way above their station or unfairly derided. Or perhaps both? Maybe that happened to the Yamaha TDM. First released as an 850 in 1991, it was a funky-looking urban street, upright commuter – a granddaddy of the MT series in some ways. The wide bars, comfy seat, roomy riding position and user-friendly practicality were…

When did Allen keys become hex keys? When I was a lad the only way of undoing what we then called Allen screws was with an Allen key. These days nothing is the same and Allen screws are now cap screws of which there are myriad variants and Allen keys are more generally referred to as hex keys. But hex keys are only the basics as we now have all manner of tools that will undo cap screws. When this magazine was titled Motorcycle Mechanics often there were adverts for CDS Allen screw kits to replace the JIS screws attaching the engine covers on most Japanese motorcycles in those days. The majority of us serviced our own bikes because we couldn’t afford to pay others, but few even knew what…

Looking back to the 1990s, I can’t help but think what a great decade it was to ride a motorcycle through… I mean, think of it. We had it all back then, with sports bikes in all shapes and sizes. Foggy was beating them all in World Superbikes and (as a result) we had a wide range of lovely Italian V-twins or copycats thereof. Bikes were simpler and massively cheaper, sales were on the up thanks to born-again bikers, and the soundtrack to the times was Brit Pop. Halcyon days: days that are worth recounting and revisiting. So, while Pulp and Oasis are back, why not take another look at this saucy little number: the Yamaha FZS600 Fazer? The Fazer was a bike which was ‘of its time’. Middleweights have…

I have seen a few bodges in my time, and yes, before you start, I may even have perpetrated a couple or three, but that’s life, you have to kiss a lot of frogs in this game. The Invader donor bikes were absolutely riddled with bodges, incorrect fasteners, snapped bolts, studs and much more besides. I’ve extracted more broken screws due to ham-fisted clots, or post-accident damage than I care to remember, and most of this is avoidable, but a couple of gems surfaced in the Trinny Saga. I’m not sure what our feckless Invader owner was attempting to achieve or possibly remedy here (see pics one to three) but all he has managed to do is ruin a perfectly good Mikuni oil-pump; my mind still boggles when I try…

The latest hotshot World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlıo lu is bound for MotoGP in 2026 and all wish him well… History has shown that the transition from WSB to MotoGP isn’t the easiest to make. Perhaps the most successful has been Cal Crutchlow, who won three MotoGP races for Honda and three in WSB for Yamaha. Three decades ago, former WSB champ Scott Russell had just made the switch to the finicky and fearsome 500s after winning the 1993 WSB title on the Muzzy Kawasaki ZXR750 and finishing runner-up to Carl Fogarty’s Ducati in 1994. His 1995 season in superbikes wasn’t going well when he got a chance to replace the retiring Kevin Schwantz in the Lucky Strike Suzuki factory team. He’d make quite an impact – in every sense…

Two legendary race icons will be at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, sponsored by Carole Nash, on 11-12 October, 2025. Taking place at Staffordshire County Showground, the show will welcome Wayne Gardner and Roger Marshall. Wayne Gardner began his racing journey in his native Australia and quickly rose through the ranks, making his 500cc debut in 1983. Moving to the UK in the early 1980s, he achieved major success with Honda Britain, winning his first Grand Prix in 1986. He went on to beat legends Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola to claim the 1987 500cc World Championship title. Joining him on stage will be Wayne’s best friend from his time in the UK, multiple British champion and former Grand Prix rider Roger Marshall. With 11 British Championship titles to his…

For the first time since 1991, three-time 500cc grand prix champion Wayne Rainey rode again at Laguna Seca. Rainey was paralysed from the chest down in a crash at Misano, near the end of the 1993 500cc season. His arch rival Kevin Schwantz would take the crown. Wayne, a Californian, has long had close links with the Laguna Seca circuit, being a three-time GP winner there. He still lives not far from the track. Meanwhile, the challenging Turn 9 is called ‘Rainey Curve’ in his honour. At a MotoAmerica round at Laguna, Wayne was presented with a specially-prepped Yamaha XSR900 GP machine resplendent in his 1990 Marlboro race colours, in which he won his first championship. ‘His’ XSR900 GP is the only one of its kind to come with Yamaha’s…

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! CHRIS QUIREY’S KAWASAKI AR50 Thought I’d send some pictures in of my recently completed AR50 restoration. I’ve owned the bike since 2001 when I acquired it for free as it was getting scrapped when I was 14 years old. The bike was stripped and restored by myself with help from my…

CHOOSE WHICH CMM SUBSCRIPTION SUITS YOU BEST 1: 12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION 12 print issues for £49 Direct Debit 12 print issues for £54 credit/debit card BEST VALUE SAVE £15.80 2: SIX-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION 6 print issues for £26 Direct Debit 6 print issues for £28 credit/debit card SAVE £6.40 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 REAL BIKES YOU LOVE…

WITH MORE THAN 30 PAGES OF PRACTICAL ADVICE! 1979 YAMAHA XS400: Maligned four-stroke twin reappraised by Steve Cooper 2003 HONDA CBR600RR: Bertie Simmonds promises that this time this 22-year-old supersport missile WILL be in the magazine. Or he’s for the chop! SUPER STAFFORD: What’s happening at the best show of the year: CMM’s show at Stafford Showground AND: Find out how to win Wayne Gardner’s ACTUAL hat from his 1987 500cc title-winning year! It’s a unique prize! YAMAHA TZR250: Buyer’s Guide to Yamaha’s legendary two-stroke twin SHOW US YOURS AND THE WAY WE WERE: Win a T-shirt for sending us your nostalgic waffle! PROJECT BIKES: We will be showcasing some of the following (space allowing): Mark Haycock’s Honda CB400 Four; Steve Cooper’s Ducati/Suzuki special; Jeff Ware’s Honda CBR900RR FireBlade or Suzuki…

FURYGAN ULTRA SPARK 3-IN-1 VENTED+ JACKET Another of those clever ‘multi-use’ jackets is the Ultra Spark 3-in-1. As the name suggests, it’s very flexible and versatile. The look is traditional sporty but understated. Which is nice. You’ve got a pocket so you can fit a Furygan D3O back protector, but you do have D3O shoulder and elbow protectors. These are soft when wearing the jacket, but the molecules lock in the event of an impact. In essence you have two liners and three configurations of this jacket, which give versatility as well as a warm, snug, waterproof jacket when all are combined. However, the In&Out Humax removable liner means you can wear this under or over your jacket/garment for the ultimate in flexibility. There’s also a light, breathable fixed liner.…

Suzuki have launched two brand-new retro-styled machines, based on their 800cc parallel twin-cylinder platform. The GSX-8T and GSX-8TT combine retro spirit with next generation performance. The 8T takes styling cues from classic bikes of the 1960s and 1970s, such as the iconic Suzuki T500, while the 8TT has inspiration coming from the faired race bikes of the period, such as the legendary Yoshimura GS1000 AMA superbike. Both models use Suzuki’s 776cc parallel twin engine with its 270-degree crankshaft design, which gives it unrivalled drive and low-down power, with double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. Also you’ve got traction control, power modes, an up and down quick-shifter and a colour TFT display. We won’t lie, as here at CMM we love the faired model. In fact, with its almost…

The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum recently held their ‘Smokin’ to Sammy’s – Two-stroke Day’ and it proved to be a big success. Despite initially poor weather, the museum on the Bashley Cross Road in New Milton was soon filling up, so much so that an adjoining field had to be cleared of the resident alpacas and sheep so more bikes and cars could park! Two-stroke bikes filled the courtyard and rear car park, with late arrivals even forming a third row down the museum’s rear drive. Martin Kemp, chairman of the British Two-Stroke Club, said: “We’re a national club open to all two-strokes, no matter the origin – British, European, Japanese. This is our first time here as a club, and it’s been brilliant. We’ve even recruited new members and…

AUGUST 20 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS OUT NOW 21 CLASSIC RACER OUT 21 Bike Night Hangar 3, Old Sarum Airfield, Old Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6DZ: www.hangar3.co.uk 24 Open Day Mono Motorcycles, Row C New Barn Offices, Funtington, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9DA: www.monomotorcycles.co. uk 24 Bike Day The Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 7UD: www.london.acecafe.com/ 25 Bank Holiday Bike Meet Chequers, Church Road, Wimbotsham, Norfolk: www.thechequerswimbotsham.co.uk 25 Bay Cruisers Drive and Jive Whitstable Bends, Kent CT6 8BH: www.driveandjive.uk 27 CBG ON SALE 27 Wicked Wheelie Wednesday Fendick’s Fishery, Methwold Road, Whittington, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE33 9GP: www.fendicksfishery.co.uk 28 Bideford Bike Night The Quay car park, Bideford, Devon EX39 2AG: www.bidefordbikeshow.org 28 All American Bike night The Ace Cafe, London NW10 7UD: www.london.acecafe.com/ 28 Bike Night Wheels MCs, First Drove, Peterborough, PE1…

Tim Jones says: “My interest in motorcycles began when my friend Gus took me round to see a guy he knew who was building a Triton. It was the finest thing I had ever seen and I wanted to get on to two wheels as soon as I turned 16. My girlfriend was a Mod so I had my eyes on a Lambretta, but my Dad said they were too dangerous, but I could have a motorcycle, which was great. I gained the deposit in an unusual way! I was cycling home from the shops carrying a pint of milk when I was knocked off my bike. I was in hospital for a week with a broken wrist. The milk bottle was unbroken. At this time, 1969, Gus was working for…

I purchased the 2006 TDM900 from a dealer in Bristol in April 2021. Previously I had a Bandit 1200 but, as I was getting older, it was too heavy to manhandle. The TDM900 is much lighter. Years before I had bought a Mk.1 TDM850 from BAT Motorcycles in London and thought it was perfect for riding round the city as I could see over all the other traffic and it was equally as good commuting to Somerset at the weekends. The TDM900 has improvements everywhere over the 850 but retains the same feeling when riding it. It is easily capable of doing anything you want from a motorcycle. I know it got the moniker of ‘Tedium’, I think because everyone at the time only wanted GSX-R1000s, FireBlades, R1s, etc. I…

YAMAHA MT-03 Q: My Yamaha MT-03 660 has a Q: very intermittent fault. After a good run (80-plus miles) and upon coming into heavy traffic (where air-flow to the engine is limited and where the engine gets very hot and the cooling fan comes on) I appear to lose control of the throttle, with stalling, engine cutting out, and terrible low throttle opening control. If I stop and leave it to cool down, normal function is restored. Only in these specific circumstances does this problem occur. At all other times the engine runs without fault. I suspect the Throttle Position Sensor. The original part no. for the TPS was 5ps8588500 and was superseded by part no. 3p68588500. Could you please tell me are the symptoms I describe indicative of a TPS…

*and FB Marketplace, and Gumtree, and anywhere else we spot something we like… 1991 Yamaha FZR400R Asking: £2000 This brings back memories of a trip to the Nürburgring in 1992, back in the happy days when bikes were welcomed. I nearly didn’t make it to the track after chasing a couple of loonies on FZR1000s for miles along straight forest roads on the way there, flat out in top and still being left behind. Came howling over a crest to find they’d stopped in the road for a chat. I breathed in and shot between them still doing 100-plus. Not sure my leathers ever quite recovered… The speedo is in km/h which says it’s a grey import, and the DVLA checker confirms it was first registered in the UK in 1998,…