Real Classic

RealClassic magazine features the very best British motorcycles from all eras, plus charismatic Continental machines (and the odd Japanese classics crops up occasionally, too). Long term classic riders will recognise many of the members of the RC team, which includes authors, historians and journalists like Steve Wilson, Dave Minton, Matt Vale, Odgie, Jacqueline 'PUB' Bickerstaff, Rowena Hoseason and editor Frank Westworth -- but the magazine's key feature is that it is firmly grounded in the real world. Our articles are written by real life riders and reflect far more than a simple road test ever can. We're never scared of getting grubby in The Shed (and we even admit it when things go horribly wrong!)

Real Classic

FROM THE FRONT

The Lost Legend • The history of the American Excelsior is rarely told, and the bikes are rare indeed in the UK. Alan Cathcart delves into the past and rides a survivor…

INCOMING • RC readers write, rant and rattle on…

LETTER FROM AMERICA • You, gentle reader, may be entirely familiar with the foibles of old British bikes. It’s easy to overlook quite how ‘challenging’ they can be to someone living half a world away…

Velocette VICEROY • Is this the first - and last - British superscooter? Frank Westworth encounters Velocette’s noble Viceroy…

The ULTIMATE UJM? • When Honda introduced their home-market retro-roadsters in the early 1990s, they crammed all the excitement of the litre-class machines into a pint-size package. Thirty years later, they’re attractively affordable. Paul Miles praises the rise of the worthless machine…

One Owner FROM NEW • Three decades ago, Alan Thirsk almost bought a Moto Guzzi. Instead, he came home with one of the early Hinckley Triumphs. Together they’ve shared some rare escapades over the years…

SOLDIERING ON • It might’ve started life as a military machine, but Mark Holyoake reckons his Triumph 500 twin is in fact The Relaxing Wanderer…

MZ PROMETHEUS • Like Victor Frankenstein, Andy Havill has constructed a creation from undead components. Will his MZ turn out to be a monster?

Improved NAVIGATION • Ever fancied Norton’s oddly unloved Navigator? Paul Henshaw has history with one, and has recently fettled another. Here’s what he has to say…

A Lighter LAVERDA PART TWO • Last time, Stu Thomson explored the history and development of Laverda’s 350 and 500 dohc parallel twins. This time, he starts taking them apart…

PUB TALK • The long suffering Scruffy Suzuki finally demands a bit of attention. In mid-winter and just before an MoT is required of course…

Olie’s ODD JOBS LAVZUKI! • Once again, Ollie has scoured the entire planet, seeking out something truly remarkable for our delectation. A Lavzuki, anyone?

TALES FROM THE SHED • Frank thinks he’s fixed the Beezer’s clutch. Is this success or merely clutching at straws?

Members’ Enclosure • The newsletter for RealClassic subscribers only