Features

When painter and decorator Roger Simkin wanted a Beezer that looked good and went even better, it was Mick Bennett he went to. Ever regretted selling something? I bet you have. In Roger Simkin’s case it was a neat Triumph engine Cotton, reputed to be an ex-Arthur Lampkin machine. Roger was approached by someone who…

Continue reading »

The Banks family of Bury St Edmunds has a special place in motocross history, with no fewer than three generations all becoming British champions. Words: Ian Berry Pics: Ian Berry, Peter Cutts, Graham Milne and Mortons Archive Every dynasty needs a founder, and for the Banks it was John who started the ball rolling, winning…

Continue reading »

Put two off-roaders together and the first question from either is generally “What’ve you got on the go at the moment?” This is often followed by “You’re doing a WHAT!?” Occasionally it is “Oh, one of those…” but more often it’s “You must be mad”. You choose which of these statements is applicable to us…

Continue reading »

Kawasaki’s advertising slogan in the Seventies made much of the light weight and colour of their MX models, we check out an SR400 which epitomised the advert legend. It is a fascinating world in which factory team bikes live, and there are three separate elements to that world. Naturally there’s the race day, then there’s…

Continue reading »

You probably don’t realise it, but a big four-stroke single is what you need in your life right now and the AMC version is pretty damned handsome. Surely everyone must know the story of how the upstart lightweight bikes came along in the Sixties and knocked the big bangers off their seemingly unassailable perches? Yes? No?…

Continue reading »

The ISDT often showcased future developments in our industry and proved they would work too. Naturally the press were there. This is a little bit of personal indulgence on my part here… and I suppose I ought to apologise for that…. but it’s probably obvious to regular readers that the archive here at CDB is…

Continue reading »

Though still fielding machines based on production bikes, the UK team for 1966 had some good kit. To perform well on the world stage was always the aim of the UK’s motorcycle industry throughout its existence and the International Six Days Trial was tailor made for this purpose. When it was launched in 1913 the…

Continue reading »

When it came to teaching the MX world a lesson, Husqvarna’s 400 Cross was top of the class. Looking at Will Bennett’s bike again, after its Stafford-winning appearance, it was clear this was still a superb machine. A photoshoot planned for December is fraught with difficulty, the weather being the major problem as it could…

Continue reading »

Words: Rob Edwards and John Moffat Pics: Nick Nicholls Collection at Mortons Archive Stalwart of the Montesa trials team Rob Edwards got his break with a semi-official AJS, John Moffat has an hour with the modest Tees-sider. On a slightly misty morning, I venture into the spacious marquee erected by the Richmond Motor Club for…

Continue reading »

Put two off-roaders together and the first question is generally “what’ve you got on the go at the moment?” – often followed by “you’re doing a what?”. Occasionally it is “oh, one of those…” but more often it’s “you must be mad.” You choose which statement applies as we head into act six of the…

Continue reading »