Pushrod ES2 Manx Norton

Built up by Mike Pemberton of Pushrod Performance this smartly prepared road racer features a full race spec pushrod 490cc ES2 engine. The bike is owned by Sue Stelfox.

Red Marley 'Freak' Hill Climb

The Red Marley Hill Climb event consists of a straight 440 yard or 1/4mile off road hill reaching approximately 1:1.5 at the top ending in a tricky jump known as "the pimple".

Competing four at a time from a standing start, all bikes entered must be built pre-1970, the first two riders across the line progressing to the next round. There are three classes allowing a range of eligible bikes including rigid pre-1950 machines and custom made classic scramblers.

Watch the excellent video provided by Richard Radon of riders dealing with the hill in the 2010 event.

The event is also supported by the Red Marley Classic Trial, a 20 stage event that attracted over 120 riders in 2010.

Founded by Len Vale-Onslow -the first man to ever scale the hill over 75 years ago, the event went from strength to strength up until 1971 when for one reason or another the event was cancelled. During that time a challenging, twisty route was introduced and at one point heavy duty mesh was installed on the track to aid traction in poor weather! Too little interest and too much bureaucracy was more than likely to blame.

Read the full story at the RedMarleyHillClimb.com

NSU Sportmax by Kent Riches

Spotted on Facebook, this homemade NSU 250 Sportmax was built by American motorcycle parts manufacturer, Ken Riches. A fine first effort, Ken recently sold the bike and it now resides at the National Motorcycle Musuem. A very interesting machine and an equally interesting choice of supporting model. Anyone for Freedom Thighs?

Battle at Olivers Mount

This fabulous footage from Duke Video covers the Seniors event at Oliver's Mount in 1956 as Geoff Duke (Gilera) and Bob McIntyre (Norton) fight it out for the lead and the prestigious Gold Cup.

Original Nortons

Restored Nortons make great colour photos but the oily, original used bikes have great stories to tell and hold much more interest. These marvellous grainy images speak volumes.

Racing NSUs circa 1955

Classic footage posted by Vintage Motor Channel covering a race featuring all NSUs. Anyone know  the venue?

Geoff Tanner 1954 Norton 350 International

A bright afternoon in late October provided one last photo shoot opportunity before the Clubmans Inter is wrapped up for winter. Restored by Bernie Allen, the bike featured in Classic Racer several years ago. Click here to read the full story.

Old Town Clothing

Inspired by classic British workwear, Norfolk based manufacturer Old Town Clothing create a range of lovingly made, purposeful clothing that wouldn't look out of place on a rider of any vintage machine. Immaculately groomed moustache hair is imperative for the desired look..

 

  

Ducati 350 Cafe Racer

This bike shares one thing in common with one of the first bikes I ever rode. It's the engine. Straight from a Ducati 350 Scrambler (albeit ported and meticulously polished), a bike I learnt to ride on cruising around the back garden.

Im not sure the L plates would suit this featherlight creation by lathe operator and engineer Christian Klein. Can we have a seat too please Christian?

Harris Performance Hyde Harrier

The Hyde Harrier, built in conjunction with parts supplied by Harris Performance.

McCandless Monster!

There's Tritons and there's Norvins and now we have Norzukis or GSXtons or whatever..

1954 Norton International 350 Clubmans

A recent photo taken of the 350 Clubmans TT bike featured in Classic Racer last year. For more on the reunion with original rider Geoff Tanner and this highly original machine visit the full article on Mr Motor Tweeter.

Grand Prix Legends Norton Grandad Polo

Online motorsport merchandise specialists Grand Prix Legends have a new Norton range of clothing including these vintage styled cafe racer collar grandad T shirts. Like!

1929 Norton Flat-tank meets Cafe Racer

Brainchild of Photoshop tinkerer, Andrew Jones (Pamberjack) of Pipeburn and my latest wallpaper, this 1929 Norton 500 cafe-racer certainly caught my eye. Manx tailed twin sprung saddle is an interesting break from the norm. Nice work Andrew. Click here to suggest further design ideas.

Kedo SR500

Late seventies based Yamaha SR500 cup racer from German XT and SR500 part specialists Kedo is right on the money. The tuned thumper produces 50hp and features a featherlight alloy swingarm. Talking of money, they'll build you one for 9,900 Euros.

Source: Pipeburn

Aussie Leather- Apex Apparel

Spotted on Pipeburn last month, Aussie motorcycle leather specialists Apex Apparel offer stylish, protective motorcycle clothing, ideal for riders of classic iron. Pop over to their new website to view the whole range.

The Brooklands Can

It is widely known that the legendary fishtail shaped exhaust muffler or 'Brooklands can' was orginally designed in the mid 1920s to reduce the noise of bikes and cars racing at speed around the Brooklands banking as many people lived in close proximity to the track. As is often the case, function determined form and the shape of the silencer was born.

Source: British Only Austria

Source: Cast alloy example from Vintage Supplies

Lack of experience with silencing in pre war times meant they were not particularly effective, the slanted rectangle design consisted of a large open chamber with partitioned entry and exit pipes. However, the recognisable sound given off by a Brooklands can meant it was adopted by many racers and owners for cosmetic purposes and to obtain the fashionable Brooklands rattle. Nowadays the iconic appearance of the Brooklands can is a fitting addition to many road and race vintage motorcycles built around the time of the banked circuit's heyday.

Both cars and motorcycles used the fishtail Brooklands can, some with cheese holed fins to lessen the amount of power robbing back pressure.

Source: Real Classic

Source: 'Copperknob' from The National Motorcycle Museum

Just imagine the sound of a whole field of pre-war racing cars or motorcycles roaring around the old banking all blurting through their fishtail Brooklands cans...

Vintage Flat Track

Hold on to your sideburns for vintage flat track crashes, plus some excellent slo-mo footage.

Brittown Video

Atmospheric video proving British bikes are still popular across the pond..

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