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

SMALL BIKE: BIG AMBITIONS • Cheaper, lighter, faster. Has BSA delivered the outright lightweight winner? Rowena Hoseason investigates…

INCOMING! • RC readers write, rant and rattle on…

The BANZAI BANTAM • In RC229, Kevin Leaverland warned rivet-counters to avert their gaze from his last Bantam project. This time, Valium might be the only answer!

One Owner FROM NEW • Owned since 1965, Ray Jones’ BSA has a big birthday this year. What’s happened since we last saw them back in RC175?

THE GILDED LILY (AGAIN) • In RC256, Neil Cairns got to grips with a superficially shiny BSA 250. It turns out that a little more work was required…

THE FULL SKINNY • What’s the secret to enjoying life with a vintage motorcycle? Dave Barkshire shares his insights with one of BSA’s final flat-tankers…

Early DAYS • Meet Bob Lusk, Cecil Downer-Groves and the age of inventions. Alan Cathcart is our guide…

Bucket LIST BIKE • You know that moment when you sell a bike, and then immediately set about buying another one, just like the other one? Henry Gregson is very familiar with that feeling…

WRITE4REAL

The nicest PEOPLE • Simon Huntington has made great progress with his first classic Japanese project. But there are some components which money just can’t buy…

Muddy Makeover • Last month, Odgie fixed all of the XT’s issues. So this month he rides off into the sunset, surely?

PUB TALK • After visiting the Welland Steam and Military Fair last year, PUB and her Flying Flea were keen to join ATS Corporal Mary’s display again in 2025. However, the motorcycles, it seems, were rather less keen…

Ollie's ODDJOBS • Sunbeam are mainly remembered for their post-war parallel twins, but their heritage is rather more sporting than you might think. Ollie tells the tale of a speedy survivor

TALES FROM THE SHED • Frank has declared victory overthe BSA A65, and started to do a little work on the giant Thudderbird project. However, reality intruded, as it does, and another old Triumph ended up on the Bench of Woe…