HONDA C CB400 FOUR 70s 7
Buying guide
One man’s fight to restore Suzuki’s seminal
T125 STINGER
CAGIVA GP5 500 Ridden & rated!
90s
31
OF PAGES AL PRACTIC E ADVIC
MO ODERN ELSIE Yamah ha XSR900 copy-cat RD-LC!
FIVEE DECADES OF MODERN CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS INCLUDING:
Two-stroke heads, tank sealing. 80s: Suzuki GSX-R750F, T Suzzuki RG500. 70s: Kawasaki Z1325 Special, Kawasaki Z1300. 60s: Yamaha CS3C. Also: Allen Millyard column, Q&A: Your 6 questions answered and your bikes and memories!
February 2019 Issue 376
February 2019 Issue 376 Publisher: Tim Hartley, thartley@mortons.co.uk Publishing director: Dan Savage, asavage@mortons.co.uk Art editor: Justin Blackamore Designers: Fran Lovely, Charlotte Turnbull Picture Desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Production editor: Dan Sharp Divisional advertising manager: Zoe Thurling zthurling@mortons.co.uk Tel: 01507 529412 Advertising: Robert Bee rbee@mortons.co.uk, Tel: 01507 529575 Subscription manager: Paul Deacon Circulation manager: Steven O’Hara Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole Editorial address: CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS MAGAZINE, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Website: www.classicmechanics.com General enquiries and back issues: Tel: 01507 529529 24-hour answer phone help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk Archivist: Jane Skayman jskayman@mortons.co.uk, 01507 529423 Subscription: Full subscription rates (but see page 42 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £51.60. Export rates are also available – see page 42 for more details. UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. Customer services: Tel: 01507 529529 Lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm Distribution: Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. Tel: 0203 787 9001 Subscription agents: CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS MAGAZINE, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Printed: William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton Published date: CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS MAGAZINE is published on the third Wednesday of every month Next issue: February 20, 2019 Advertising deadline: January 31, 2019 © Mortons Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher. ISSN 0959-0900 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS magazine takes all responsible steps to ensure advice and technical tips are written by experienced and competent people. We also advise readers to seek further professional advice if they are unsure at any time. Anything technical written by the editor is exempt – he’s rubbish with spanners. CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS (USPS:729-550) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK. USA subscriptions are $60 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Postmaster: Send address changes to CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS, Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715572-4595 chris@classicbikebooks.com
Hubble, bubble, Stinger trouble! It’s fair to say that Steve Cooper’s Suzuki T125 Stinger restoration has been tough on the old boy… In CMM’s pages we’ve traced the highs and lows of the purchase, strip-down, restoration and rebuild of this popular Suzuki twin, but only now can we appreciate the effort that Steve and his select band of helpers and product/service providers have put in. For proof of the pudding, go to page 50 and enjoy! It’s wonderful to see projects come to fruition… such as Allen Millyard’s RC374. We all know that this has been long-since finished, but the full story has only been seen in CMM month-on-month. Next month is his final instalment before a big recap and photo-shoot in which you will see the bike in all its glory. We
Allen Millyard
Pip Higham
Massive applause for Steve please. He recounts his Stinger rebuild and rides it at last for our main test.
You only get the FULL story of the RC374 in CMM and this month our Allen fabricates those amazing fairings.
Pip talks on about meeting people by the name of Terry and Byron… they went on to create an empire!
Scott Redmond Social media mogul
Martin & Helen Kirk
Spanish fliers!
CMM readers Martin and Helen report back from a winter break on classic motorcycles in sunny Spain.
Having trouble finding a copy of this magazine? Why not Just Ask your local newsagent to reserve you a copy each month?
www.twitter.com/cmmmag
Steve Cooper
Stinger tamer!
Independent publisher since 1885 The Professional Publishers Association
Editor
BSimmonds@Mortons.co.uk
www.facebook.com/ClassicMechanics/
Expect to see more of him as he leaves his social media role for a more active part in our pages from next issue.
Member
hope you’ll enjoy that, before he embarks on his next big project in the pages of CMM! Our down under dude Jeff Ware has dug up some gems this month… for the off-road fans he’s come up with a tale of the restoration of a Mick Andrews’ Ossa and he’s recounting the tale of when he rode the beautiful Cagiva V593 GP 500… He’s a lucky so-and-so that one… As I’m tapping this on Jan 4, may I take the opportunity to say ‘happy New Year’ and ‘thank you’ for taking CMM to a record subscription high! Stay with us for 2019!
Engineer extraordinaire!
Jeff Ware King cobber!
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
You can’t knock what a busy-bee our down under dude Jeff has been this month: from retro-riding a Cagiva 500cc GP bike, to showing us a restored Mick Andrews Ossa, through to starting a swift GSX-R750 Slabbie resto to getting on with sorting the rotary valves on the RG500 rebuild – he’s been hard at it! Give that man a beer! In fact, give that man several beers! But not a rise, obviously…
Recalling legends
Ralph Ferrand Big Zed lover
Ralph’s back from a Spanish sojourn, when he moaned about the beer, with project Z1325 and his big beast Z1300.
Mark Haycock
Q&A wizard
Sorting the tank of his Honda CB750 K2 has been a priority this month, but only after answering your questions!
Jack Watts
CMM subscribers
Robert Bee
In his third restoration in CMM’s pages, 16-year-old Jack Watts tackles a Honda XR75. He’s onto bigger bikes for 2019…
CMM subscribers are the life-blood of our magazine – and we’re at a record high! Wanna be part of it? Go to page 42.
Big Bad Bob is the man to go to if you want to put a top-notch advert in this amazing organ! You know who to call…
Top lad!
Yes, you lot!
Damn fine dude!
www.classicmechanics.com / 3
Contents 62
❙ Q&A
64
❙ KAWASAKI Z1325
70
74
80
Mark Haycock with a page of tips.
Ralph Ferrand sorts the stand and other bits.
❙ ALLEN MILLYARD
In the penultimate RC374 article the fairing is built.
❙ SUZUKI GSX-R750F
Jeff Ware on part one of a swift oil-cooled resto.
❙ WORKSHOP: TWO-STROKE HEADS Steve Cooper gets the goss on how to sort them.
84
88
92
❙ KAWASAKI Z1300
Ralph is getting close to the finish line with the big six.
❙ SUZUKI RG500
Our Jeff again, talks rotary valve replacement.
❙ HONDA CB400 FOUR
A buyer’s guide to one of the archetypal classics.
106 ❙ YAMAHA C3SC
Scoop goes all cranky…
110 ❙ HONDA CB750 K2
Mark Haycock finishes sorting the tank.
06
ARCHIVE
08 10 14
CMM MARKETPLACE
20
FEEDBACK
Tilt your head now, trials fans. Paul Jayson on race bikes.
CMM STUFF
32
YAMAHA XSR900 ELSIE
38
MICK ANDREWS OSSA
New kit, tools and tyres!
NEWS
Events, news and what’s happening. WIN Bridgestone tyres for our star letter!
22
SHOW US YOURS
26
CAGIVA V593
And ‘The Way We Were!’ WIN prizes too! Jeff Ware rides the most beautiful two-stroke racer ever.
42 44 46 50 60
A 110bhp four-stroke twin that looks like an RD350LC…
Trials restoration that celebrates a legend.
SUBSCRIBE!
Subscribe and save cash!
HONDA XR75
Our youngest reader’s latest restoration!
CLASSICS HOLIDAY!
Ride old bikes abroad!
SUZUKI T125 STINGER Steve Cooper rides the bike that almost broke him!
RETRO REBOOT
Suzuki off/on-road DRZ rebooted as a twin!
113 NEXT MONTH
What’s happening in the March 2019 CMM?
114 PIP HIGHAM
Pip on meeting a few legends….
Ossa & Mick
Double European Cha
s Mick Andrew mpion
O
ssa or ‘Orpheo Sincronic Sociedad Anónima’ was originally a company that specialised in manufacturing cinema projection equipment. Founded in 1924 by Manuel Giro, it became renowned for its two-stroke motorcycles that had great racing success in the 1960s and 1970s. This rather large shift in focus happened after the Second World War when motorcycle production for the Spanish market took off, as people needed affordable transport. By the 1960s exports to Europe and North America played an important part in the company’s success and racing/competition was seen as the perfect avenue for increasing both awareness and demand for the brand.
In 1967 Ossa had its first racing breakthrough, when in the 24 Hours of Montjuic in Barcelona, its bikes took first and second places. Santiago Herrero competed aboard the manufacturer’s monocoque-framed racebike and won four 250cc Grand Prix, before being killed while competing at the 1970 Isle of Man TT. This tragic event affected the firm greatly, ending its involvement in road racing. Turning to observed trials competition in the US and Europe, Ossa hired Mick Andrews to assist in designing their trials bike, as well as riding the bike for them. Mick, from Derbyshire, began competing in trials back in 1959 at the age of just 15. He went on to win the 1971 and 1972 Trial European
WORDS: JEFF WARE PHOTOS: NICK NICHOLLS
■ See more old classic off-road metal at The Classic Dirt Bike Show (February 16/17) sponsored by Hagon. For more go to: www.classicbikeshows.com
Championship (the precursor of the FIM World Championship) as well as the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1970, ’71, ’72, ’74 and ’75. By the mid-1970s Ossa was struggling to keep up with its competitors, both European and Japanese and – despite merging with Bultaco in 1979 – the Ossa factory closed in 1982. In 2010 a group of Spanish businessmen gave the brand a new lease of life, purchasing the trademark and producing a small range of trials and enduro motorcycles. cmm
Marketplace Racing
cmm
certainties... How do you price up a classic race bike? And when do you know when to buy? We’re not sure anyone really knows… WORDS: PAUL JAYSON PHOTOS: MORTONS ARCHIVE
E
xcuse the mist in my eyes if you will, but I remember the 1980s when TZ750 Yamahas could be picked up at race circuits for £200, TZ350s for £100 and RG500s for about £500… Also, in 1995 Jim Doyle, Randy Mamola’s manager sold me 12 sets of Randy’s leathers and two of Kenny Roberts’ for £400 including a letter of authenticity. At that time he offered me an immaculate limo from the 1970s once owned by Barry Sheene for £2000, but I didn’t have £2000 or a lock-up... Old two-stroke race bikes were almost being given away because the four-stroke proddie bikes of the 1990s made them seem almost slow and ill-behaved. Back then even a machine with proven race
Any Sheene machine would be worth a mint!
8 / classic motorcycle mechanics
history wouldn’t have increased the value of such machines. As recently as 2008 I sold former team-mate of Barry Sheene, Mike Baldwin’s fully restored RG500 for €17,000 along with enough spares for another bike. Such memorabilia was old clutter, got in the way and was not valued as the veil of nostalgia had not yet dropped on these bikes, which was a shame. Even in 2004 one of Sheene’s Yamaha TZ500s sold for just £20,000… How times have changed eh? There has been a massive shift in collectible racing motorcycles with history from the 1970s. Big money has moved into this area and Sheene’s old Suzukis are now priceless and proper TZ750 and other TZ Yamahas are seriously sought after. But the prices for these TZs are nothing compared
to where they are heading. I will make a prediction that – once one of the King Kenny championship winning motorcycles comes on the market – and I bet one will in the next decade, prices will be unrecognisable. Even older TZ350s are commanding high prices now. And it’s not just Grand Prix two-strokes any more: in 2014 one of Carl Fogarty’s title-winning 916s was sold for well into six figures… And then go back further… Moto Guzzi allowed several replica V8s to be built from the original blueprints and one failed to reach £300,000 in 2016-ish. There are only a couple of the original machines left now. It was only after Mike Hailwood’s 300cc Honda six-cylinder racer
www.classicmechanics.com
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Foggy four-strokes: pricey.
Imagine the price of a pukka Ago racer...
was pulled out of a barn at Brooklands, by Anthony Godin would Honda finally release the blueprints to George Beale to build a crank which then allowed George to build a handful of replicas from factory drawings. Those replicas sold at, I believe, £500,000. That Hailwood bike (the only one outside of Honda’s museum) is now firmly in private ownership, no-one knows what was paid for it and anyone can only guess at its value. What is certain is that rare classic racers with history have taken off value-wise and the only way is up… Everyone who grew up in the 1970s wants to know what the powerband is like
on a TZ750 or a factory Suzuki RG500. And people with large amounts of money are prepared to pay a lot to find out. I suspect they are somewhat underwhelming and disappointing by today’s standards, but it gets their money out of vulnerable banks. The stories behind these bikes are legendary and everyone loves a good story and the wealthy will pay to be part of that story, believe me… There are also some great bargains to be had out there, as Japan made some incredible little racers up to 400cc in the late 1970s and through to the mid-1980s which are weird, wonderful and insane and they can still be picked up for very little.
Kevin Magee on a TZ: some buy old racers to parade or race...
www.twitter.com/cmmmag
If you have a big pension pot that you want to shift into something profitable, then Yamaha TZ 500s, 700s and 750s are still a little undervalued as are Ducati 926 Corsas and Isle of Man TT race machines, along with Laverda SFCs. China has now entered the classic motorcycle market properly and you will see great change. Prices will become unrecognisable due to such a massive demand evolving in the coming years. Also many classic car owners are starting to buy bikes as they have woken up to this market and this means there will be a lot of money chasing very few motorcycles. They are not daft and they will only want machines that are absolutely spot on. If you are thinking of investing in such machinery then know what you are buying, or employ someone who does. Also beware as many of these motorcycles have magnesium parts and they degrade disgracefully if they are kept in a damp environment. Know your stuff and get it properly authenticated. It’s no good saying, 10 years down the line, that the bloke you bought it from swore it was one of Barry’s or Kenny’s but he lost the paperwork… Values are very hard to say on these machines as originality, the specification and history affect prices enormously and there is no green book for race bikes. Just be very, very cautious and know what you are doing and believe no seller until authenticated otherwise. The trick is to be dispassionate about what you’re passionate about and to either prove or disprove the story associated with the bike. That’s some trick... cmm www.classicmechanics.com / 9
cmm
Stuff
The latest riding kit, top tools, tyres, retro clothing and more! FURYGAN JACKETS Furygan has released four stylish and functional autumn/winter jackets which provide bikers with hard-wearing protection and off-bike style. Check them out.
Furygan Bruce
£229.99
The Bruce jacket is made from 100% premium waxed cotton. It comes with a waterproof and breathable liner, as well as a removable thermal lining. Protection comes in the form of CE/D30 armour at the shoulder and elbow as well as a pocket for a D30 back protector. You’ve got five pockets too! Sizes S-4XL, in back or brown.
£249.99
Furygan Thruxton
The Thruxton is a fully CE-approved waxed-cotton jacket and comes with a shoulder and elbow D30 protection and a back pocket for an optional back protector. There are eight pockets (six outside) and for weather protection, there is a waterproof and breathable liner, as well as a removable thermal lining. This comes in brown, S-4XL:
Furygan Karl
£229.99
The Karl is a textile CE-approved protective motorcycle jacket with a thermal, removable and a waterproof and breathable liner. Again, it has Furygan D30 shoulder and elbow protection, and the option of adding a Furygan D30 back protector. Blue or black, in sizes S-4XL:
£329.99
Furygan Clint
The new Clint jacket is made from super soft buffalo leather, has a removable thermal lining, CE-approved shoulder and elbow protection (with pocket for the back protector) and comes in black. Sizes S-4XL: For more visit: www.nevis.uk.com
TCX MOOD BOOTS
We like these sorts of boots: they look ‘traditional’ and can be worn off the bike as they look that good. The ‘Mood’ boot comes in black or brown, is full-grain leather, and has a Gore-Tex liner. And yes they come with CE-approved safety features. www.nevis.uk.com
10 / classic motorcycle mechanics
£149.99
www.classicmechanics.com
WEISE MALMO GLOVE
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£74.99
These new Malmo gloves from Weise are the perfect winter warmers for yer mitts! Construction is a mix of full-grain leather on the palm while the rest of the outer shell is made from textile material, with padding at the knuckles, palms, fingers and thumbs. Hands stay dry thanks to a waterproof, windproof and breathable liner, and you’ve got insulation too. Sizes are from small to 3XL. www.thekeycollection.co.uk
DAVID SILVER MUSEUM CALENDAR
£9.95
The David Silver Honda Collection calendar 2019 features a brilliant selection of shots of some of the classiest motorcycles from the museum itself. Quality. www.davidsilverspares.co.uk
From
£20
KAWASAKI CLOTHING Kawasaki Race Team World Superbike clothing is now available from your local Kawasaki dealer. A wide-range of kit from caps and hats to T-shirts, shorts, trousers and jackets is available so you can look just like the team members and riders Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam. www.kawasaki.eu
ANDY TIERNAN CALENDAR
£10
Another staple calendar we see is this one. The Andy Tiernan calendar this year concentrates on post-war twins with all artwork by the legendary Mike Harbar. Proceeds go to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. www.andybuysbikes.com/Calendars/ Calendar%20page.html www.classicmechanics.com / 11
cmm
Stuff
From
£12.50
SPARK PLUG SOCKETS From
£81.58£287.98
CLARKE TOOL CHESTS
Some bikes are downright fiddly to work on or the motor is a snug fit in the frame. Such tight dimensions mean that the spark plugs are deeply recessed and you will invariably find that your trusty spark plug socket will not fit into the recess. So try this new thin-walled spark plug socket set from Laser Tools (part number 7295). This is a three-piece, 3/8in drive set of dedicated spark plug sockets that feature very thin walls to fit these narrow, modern spark plug recesses. Manufactured from chrome vanadium steel to keep them strong, they also feature a rubber insert to grip the spark plug. The three socket sizes are 14mm (18mm outside diameter of socket), 16mm (20.4mm outside diameter) and 18mm (23mm outside diameter). All three are of a 12-point (bi-hex) profile and 63mm in length. www.lasertools.co.uk
Heavy duty, lockable tool chests perfect for work or your home man den. They feature smooth-action large push-lock drawers, steel construction, reinforced base, protective top mat and chrome spoked wheels so you can push it around. Available as a nine-drawer chest for £143.98 or a seven drawer mobile cabinet for £287.98, three-drawer units can also be added for around £81 a pop. Nice. www.machinemart.co.uk
SDOC100 CORROSION PROTECTANT
Salt and water corrosion can really knacker our classics quickly, so try this. SDoc100 Corrosion Protectant shields all metal parts against salt and water damage, and if used regularly, can stop existing corrosion in its tracks. Comes in a handy 300ml aerosol can. www.motohaus.com
£13.99
12 / classic motorcycle mechanics
Around
£107.94
SEALEY IMPACT WRENCH
Check out Sealey’s latest impact wrench. It’s powerful, producing around 222lb-ft of torque in both directions, is ergonomically pleasing in the hands and comes in a carry case with four impact sockets of 17mm, 19mm, 21mm and 22mm. www.sealey.co.uk
www.classicmechanics.com / 13
cmm
News
Let’s OFF-ROAD! If you like your classic action dirty, then look no further as the Hagon Shocks-backed Classic Dirt Bike Show is back for 2019. Once more taking place at the Telford International Centre, the event is held over February 16-17, 2019 and this year has two iconic all-time off-road champs confirmed as the guests of honour. The first is multiple world, indoor and British Trials champion Dougie Lampkin while on the motocross side four-time British champ John Banks will be joining him. Both will be grilled on stage by Jack Burnicle.
A theme of the show will be the dirt bikes of 50 years ago – so 1969 will be celebrated: do you have anything that fits the bill for the show? If so, call show consultant Alan Wright on 01789 751422. Dozens of clubs and private owners will be showing off their beautifully prepared off-road machines at the event, while hundreds of traders will be offering dirt biking kit – from new bikes to parts, accessories and kit.
John Banks back in the day.
■ Further details of advance ticket sales and the Saturday night sit-down dinner with both Dougie and John, go to www.classicbikeshows.com And don’t forget to check out the Mick Andrews Replica Ossa on page 38. Demon Dougie!
Listen to Burnicle’s waffle!
Lots to see and do!
2019 SPEED TWIN TRUMPET We know we’re more into classic Jap and retro Jap bikes than looking at the British stuff, but we rather like the look of the 2019 Speed Twin from Triumph. Their blurb says that: “...the beautiful new 1200cc Speed Twin reintroduces a legendary Triumph name and sets a new category benchmark for how a custom roadster should ride and feel, with class-leading handling and thrilling performance.” We clearly can’t comment on all that, but she
14 / classic motorcycle mechanics
sure does look rather saucy, featuring such modern touches as Brembo brakes, ABS, switchable traction control, low seat height, 1200cc Bonneville-based parallel twin with around 97bhp, LED lights, slipper clutch and even a USB charging socket!
■ Price isn’t available until January 18, so for more, go to: www.triumphmotorcycles. co.uk/motorcycles/classic/bonnevillespeed-twin
We like... a lot!
ENJOYED THIS PREVIEW? THE BEST ACTION IN TRIALS AND MOTOCROSS
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CLASSIC
#48
ISSUE
Forty-eight Autumn 2018
OCTOBER 2018
No. 330 October 2018 £4.30 UK Off-sale date 31/10/2018
MOTO MEMORIES // TECH TALK // MONTESA COTA 200 // BULTACO MATADOR
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Running, Riding & Rebuilding Running, Rebuilding Real RealClassi RealC Classic C lassi Motorcycles
BOXER CKS TRIC
HOW THE LEGEEND BEGAN
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PLUS MOTO MEMORIES TECH TALK MONTESA COTA 200 BULTACO MATADOR AN HOUR WITH: GERRIT WOLSINK
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HOME, JAMES!
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R 2018 ISSUE 174 OCTOBER
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