Old Bike Australasia

Old Bike magazine is a must for those who ride as well as the dedicated enthusiast and rebuilder, covering everything from Vintage to early 1980s bikes - marvel at the restoration of machines that could still sit proudly on the showroom floor. Each issue brings you the latest news and results from recent events, race reports and Rally Roundup, along with new and old bike news and reviews, readers letters, Club Directory, What’s On and much, much more.

On ya Mick

Old Bike Australasia

BLOW YOUR OWN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CLASSIC COB OUT IN THE SHED

Bonanza on hold

VJMC Rally filling rapidly

Kiwi Classics set for February

Mikuni mischief

Shannons out of auctions

Bridgestone Festival ready to rage

Take a ride to the Island

Under the Chequered Flag

Aub Vial

RICHMOND RIVER RAIDER • The CIG Golden Wheels Series heralded the end of an era in short circuit racing. It also marked the retirement of Tom Gibson, Queensland’s most prolific dirt track champion.

Ajay on the island • How a 1953 Model 20 earned its keep for decades in the South Pacific and now enjoys a well-earned retirement.

A RARE RACER IN NEW ZEALAND • CZ is famous for its years of dominance in the 250cc and 500cc World Motocross Championships. But less is known about the Czech company’s efforts in road racing.

French fillies • In its sixty years, the company founded by Joseph Martin made bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles and motor scooters, then disappeared from memory. Almost.

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The bikes return • After the circuit was all-but destroyed by the running of the 1962 Armstrong 500 car race, it looked like Phillip Island circuit was finished as well. Fortunately, just when all looked lost, along came a saviour…

LAST ROLL OF THE DICE • The five-speed Trident was quite literally born in a war zone. It was a turbulent time in the history of one of the once-great British motorcycle industry’s most iconic names, with a brutal game being played out between the Norton-Villiers group, controlled by industrialist Dennis Poore, and the government over the future of the Meriden works in Solihull, between Birmingham and Coventry.

Last but not least • It’s pretty ironic that the Rickman brothers, Derek and Don, who achieved dirt bike dominance in the 1960s with their stiff, light, good-handling Métisse frames powered by British twin and single-cylinder four-stroke motors, should have gone on to become Britain’s largest street bike manufacturer via the thousands of foreign-engined two-stroke singles to exit their factory at New Milton, Hampshire.

Tuner extraordinaire • Following the Second World War, when motorbike parts were almost impossible to obtain, Aussie ingenuity rose to the occasion. Numerous individuals made replacements and some of these men became competent tuners.

A trickier Tracer • It was a logical step for Yamaha to capitalise on the runaway success of the 3-cylinder Tracer 900 by introducing a Tracer version of the MT07 platform in twin cylinder form, the Tracer 700. That was back in 2017 and what was offered in Australia was in LAMS form only, with the 655cc engine.

Out ’n’ about • Welcome to Old Bike Australasia Out’n’about – a forum of people, places, history and happenings.

Harley Club celebrates its Centenary • The Harley Club of Victoria was officially formed on February 5th in 1924. Our first meeting was held at the Ritz Cafe, 110 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. It is the oldest motorcycle club in Victoria still operating, and is one of the oldest in Australia.

Shed Lock • A reflection of a life lived in sheds.

BMW Qld celebrates • The BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland,...