SPICE OFLIFE

Just a note to congratulate you on RC151, surely the best edition in ages. RC150 was good, but for me RC151 is so much better than many of the preceding issues. The reason I say this is because of the variety on offer. On receiving the magazine I enjoy that first five minutes flick through to see what is in it.

Imagine my excitement when I realise that as well as the expected ‘Real Old British Motorbike’ inclusions we always see, there are Italian, German, Japanese and even Norwegian subjects to tickle the classic taste buds. Also a great mix of motorcycling eras, from the girder forked BSA and AJS old timers, through the Bonneville, Bullet and BMW classic years, and up to what might be seen as ‘modern’ bikes such as the Guzzi Spada / Yamaha Virago V-twin challenge.

Please keep the Italian bike stories coming in. Guzzi, Laverda and Ducati from the 1970s era are a real interest to me, having been a Guzzi rider this last 25 years. Classic Japanese too, let’s see a few more of them. Some readers may disagree, but when you have read about Triumph twins in different guises over and over, you sort of get the script. Not that the Meriden Bonneville story in RC151 is unwanted. No, all are welcome, like I say it’s all about variety. So the Japanese entrant, the Honda 350/4 is a rare bike, and the story becomes that little more interesting.

One of my favourite aspects of RC’s articles is the modifications and repairs that are described, especially the unusual and ingenious. Peter Holland’s starter motor adaptations to the Norton Electra are fantastic: now we’re talking engineering! In fact anything involving a lathe, taps and dies, making swarf and bashing away with tools in the workshop is, for me, all part and parcel of classic bike ownership.

My regular ride is a Guzzi Spada, but another of my favourite bikes is seen here. Keep up the excellent work! Mick Dobson, member 8716

Delighted you enjoyed that issue in particular, and thanks for saying so. We’re always happy to feature old bikes from all over the place. We just need owners to write about them. Hint. Rowena