Theclassic starttoyour biking year
Maythewhole ClassicBike Guide magazineWinter Classicgangwishyou aHappyNew Year!
Let’shopeit’sagoodone,so whenthedaycomesputthat oldmincepiedown,head toNewark andenjoyagreat lookaroundthehundredsofgreat bikes,scooters,stallsand events. With anew yearcomesnew goalsformanyofus,whetherthat betofinishthatbikeintheshed, toridemore,getto arallyor even tohave agarageclearout. TheWinterClassicshowhopes tohelpwithallofthose,withparts andtoolstohelpfinishprojects, gorgeousclubstandstoenthuse youtotakeyourbikeoutmore(or further),andperhaps evenhave yourownstandtopassonparts
youdon’tneedbutothersmay. Therealwaysseemstobea buzzattheWinterClassic, Iknow we go away feeling we’rereadyto accomplishsomethingmorethis
Timetable
Saturday
10am WayneGardnerandRogerMarshalltalktoStevePlateron themainstage
11am to 12pm
Blastfromthepast: Fire-upareademonstration. Bikesand scooterswithSteve Plater,WayneGardner,Roger Marshall plusJohnandNormanRonald
12.15pm WayneGardnerwithStevePlateronthe main stage
1.30pm to 2.30pm Blastfromthepast: Fire-upareademonstration. Bikesand scooterswithSteve Plater,WayneGardner,Roger Marshall plusJohnandNormanRonald
3.30pm WayneGardner,RogerMarshallandStevePlateronstage
Sunday
10am WayneGardnerandRogerMarshalltalktoSteve Plateron themainstage
11am to 12pm
Blastfromthepast: Fire-upareademonstration. Bikesand scooterswithSteve Plater,WayneGardner,Roger Marshall plusJohnandNormanRonald
12.15pm WayneGardnerwithStevePlateronthe main stage
1pm to 2pm
Blastfromthepast: Fire-upareademonstration. Bikesand scooterswithSteve Plater,WayneGardner,Roger Marshall plusJohnandNormanRonald
3pm Awardswith WayneGardnerandRogerMarshall onthestage
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newyearandhopeyoudotoo. Helpingcreateanexciting buzztostartoffthisyearisnone otherthan WorldGPchampion from1987, Wayne Gardner.The Australian waspartofagolden era,battlingLawson,Spencer, RaineyandSarron; whenthebikes wereexcitingtousanddangerous totheriders.Soexpectsome rivetingstoriesonthestagetalking toStevePlater.Hisgreatmate fromtheUK,11-timeBritishchamp andTTpodiumfinisher Roger Marshall,willalsobe withus, sharingtheshowspotlightandno doubtrememberingthoseon-track battles.
Whenyou’re wanderingaround andfind aclubstandyoulike,don’t beafraidtochattothevolunteers –theknowledgethesegroupshave isincredible.Letthempassiton toyoutomakeyourlifebetter! Bikefans,goandseethe
scooters,andscooter fans,havea lookat the bikes –I alwaysmake abeeline forthe scooterhallas themachinesarebrilliant, the folk areonly too happytochatand the superbsoundtrack in theremakes itfeellikearealparty.
With most of the show
undercover,even the weather will find it hard foranyone to nothave agood time at theWinterClassic. We’llseeyou there.
and the Classic BikeGuide gang
Meet WayneGardner
Australia’sfirst500cc GP champion
StarguestattheClassicBikeGuideWinterClassicshowis
VisitorstotheNewark event willhavethechancetomeeta racernicknamed‘IronMan’ by Japanesefansandadmired theworld over:WayneGardner –the WollongongWhiz –was thefirst Aussietobecomeworldchampin motorcycling’spremierclass.
The65-year-old’s passionfor motorbikesstartedatanearlyage, andhe wasracingonminibikes by theageof12inhisnativeNew South Wales.Afterfinishingschool, hebegananapprenticeshipbut
soonquittochasehisdreamof racingglory.
Launchinghiscareer in1977 and riding asecond-hand 250ccYamaha intheAustralian championship, he madeanimpressivedebut, finishingsecondatSydney’s Amaroo Park.Hethensecuredhis firstvictoryshortlyafterat Oran Park Raceway. With a‘win orcrash trying’mentality,hequickly moved up tothe350cccategory, buthis aggressivestyle raised eyebrows withinthe racingcommunity,leading theAutoCycleUniontoconsider banninghim.Hissponsoratthe time,KarlPraml, amotorcycledealer inhishometownof Wollongong, intervened,encouragingGardner torefinehisskillsandfocuson winningchampionships instead of justindividual races.
By1979,Gardner was‘promoted’ andexcelledonboth 350ccand 750ccbikes.In1980, hedominated averywetSandown racein Victoria. His Japaneseengineerand then teamowner,Mamor Moriwaki, sought atalented riderforthe AustralianSuperbikeChampionship as wellas tocompete overseas. ThisledGardnerandco-riderJohn
Paceto securepolepositionat the prestigious1981Suzuka8 Hours, beatingthefactoryteams.
In1981 Gardnerfinished fourth inthe Superbikeraceat Daytona before winning his first racein Englandandcomingunderthewing ofBritishtrack and TT starRoger Marshall.Lifelongfriends,Marshall helped GardnerlearntheBritish tracks andhonehisskillsstill further.Not long afterbeing inthe UK,Gardnerfound himself racing against legendslikeKennyRoberts andBarry Sheeneand,despite suffering afractured ankle inthe May, he removedhisplastercast and won atSuzukathatsame year. GardnerjoinedHondain1982, winningmultipleraces andentering his first500cc worldchampionship event. However,hiswholeracing future andcommitmentcame into question whenreigningchampion FrancoUncinicrashedheavily in front ofhim. The Italian wasleft in acomafor aweek,the whole experience leaving Gardner shaken. In1984, withHonda prioritising British racing overEuropean GPs,Gardnerhad to self-fundhis campaign.Hisimpressiveresults
earnedhim areputation inEurope as well as the British500cc championship. Suzukibegan to show interest,prompting Hondato providehim with achance to pursue theworld championship in1985. However,his three-cylinder bike struggledagainst thecompetition’s V4s,forcinghim to pushbeyondits limits.
In1986, Honda equippedhim withcompetitive machinery. Gardner made historyasthe first Australian towin a500ccGPrace in nine yearsand ended the season in secondplace. By1987 everything fell into place,andhe clinched the blue riband world championship, becoming thefirst Australian to achieve thismilestone.
Astandout moment in his career came at the inauguralAustralian Motorcycle Grand PrixatPhillip Island in1989. Thisthrillingrace sawhim triumph against formidable opponents,andhe repeatedthis featin1990,despiteriding witha broken wrist anddamaged fairing. His newteammate, fellowAustralian MickDoohan, wasinspired by Gardner’ssuccessand wenton to win fiveworld championships.
Gardner wasinducted intothe SportAustralia Hall of Fame in1991 andhe retiredfromGrand Prix racing in1992, concludinghis careerwith avictoryatthe British Grand Prix. His legacyincludes 18 Grand Prix wins and four victories at the Suzuka 8-HourEnduranceEvent. However, he remained involvedin motorsport, mentoringriderssuchas Daryl Beattie.
After his time in Grands Prix, Gardner shifted his focusto V8 Supercars,debuting in1993 and achievingvictoryattheAustralian Grand Prix. He later founded Wayne Gardner Racing and competed until 2000, earning areputation for his adventurousdrivingstyleand anew nickname, ‘Captain Chaos’. He alsoparticipated in the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championshipuntil 2001, securing victories in1999 and 2001, and wastheonly Toyotadriver tofinish everyrace that season in the points. In1998, Gardnermade aone-off appearanceat the 24 HoursofLe Mans, drivingalongsidePhilippe Gache and Didier de Radigues. They qualified 26thbutdidnot finish due to engine issues.
Waynewill be joined by hisformer teammate andBritish champion RogerMarshallatthe Newark event.
Essential W
viewing
MartinArmstrong’sstunning1995 YamahaYZF750
It’shardtobelievethat Yamaha’sYZF750 willbe 32yearsoldin2025. It’sabikethat wasfull ofpromiseandsettobe perhapsthebenchmark superbikeintheearly 1990s,exceptforonesmall problem...Honda’slaunch
ayearearlierofthegame changing Fireblade. Martin Armstrong’sbike isn’ta‘pinky’butthelater, 1995colourschememore associatedwithNoriHaga inhisdebut yearof World Superbikes.Itissimplya beautifulexample.
Oneofonly afew remainingexamples;the1977Honda CB750PhilReadracereplica
There areveryfew bikes overtheyearsthatcarrya racer’sname;sureyouget racereppaintschemesbut not aspecificmodelnamed afterthem.
This1977PhilReadrace replica HondaCB750 was oneofonly150produced by ColinSeeley, ofwhich onlyaroundhalfremainin existencetoday. It wasthe
firsteverfully-fairedrace replicaavailablestraight fromtheshowroomfrom anyJapanesemotorcycle importerintheworld. Itcosta whopping£360 morethanthestandard machineat£1895(alarge sumatthetime).Ifnothing elseyoujusthavetocheck outtheexhaust,whichisa trueworkofart.
inter is abusy timefor allofusclassic bike and scooterenthusiasts. If you’re not working ona fullrestoration, then you’refettling yourpride andjoyand tendingto all thoselittle jobs. Oncefinished, surelyyouneed toshow it off? So theseason
Aglorious1947
TrevorRatcliffe’s1947
TriumphSpeed Twin500 is apostwarbabyand finished inresplendent maroon (there were only afew coloursavailable straight after the war). Thisexampleisfrom
the firstyear ofproduction and itwould be madefora further 10years.498cc,air cooledwith aheadyoutput of28bhpat6000rpm, this old girl couldcertainly get down theroad. Could it be the best in show?
Checkout thisTVstar.No not the owner PaulReynolds (or isit Corporal Jones?), buthis1949BSA M21 Combination. Does itlook familiar?That’s because it wasused inDad’sArmyand also inOntheBuses. With a600ccsingle cylinder sidevalveengine, rigidframe, girderforks and
four-speed,hand-change gearbox, thesebikes were rugged andendowed with copiouslow-speedpulling power.The model washighly successful intheirintended role assidecar tugsand its stablematethe M20,did sterling serviceasdespatch riders’ mounts during the Second WorldWar.
Discoverrarefindsand expert traders
Forthe tradersonsite, Newark offers agreat rangeofitems including spares,parts,paints, clothing,registration plates,oils, lubes, chains andcarbs;infactjust abouteverythingyou could possibly need to complete your winter project. Allthe indoor halls andoutdoor stalls will be packed with motorcycle autojumblers offering plenty of unique items. Whynot come alongand meet thelikes of SteelCity Classics,Midland Scooter Centre,AmalCarburettor Company, Spicers Auctioneers&Valuers, andMTC Exhausts?And that’s notall.Manymore expert traderswillbe on hand to help youfind exactlywhatyouneed and perhapseveninspire your next project.
openeratNewark’s Classic Bike Guide WinterClassiciswithout doubt the perfectplace to showcase your work. Here is aselectionofjust four bikesand twoscootsthat have come outof thegaragereadyfor the 2025 seasonthat youneed to check outat thisyear’sshow.
If ever the love someone has fortheir scootcan be demonstratedinonepicture, thensurely thisisit. Meet this 1960 Lambretta TV175 Series2 owned by KirkWattis. Boasting apoweroutput of 8.6bhp, with atop speed risingto65mph(although with atrailerthatmightbe ambitious), itis simplya
showstopper.Backinthe dayitwas marketed as “theSportsmanscooter” withthestyling basedon the lateLi Series 1, but this example hasa few changessuchasanew headlight whichturned with thesteering,and floor mats insteadof runners. Visitthe ScooterWorld halls.
TheLambrettaLi Series1 waslaunched inApril 1958, seven monthsafter theTV175 Series 1was launched.By then, Innocenti hadeliminated mostof the engineproblemsthe TV175 Series 1had. The Lambretta Li150 wasadramatic departure fromtheshaft-drivenLD rangethathadpreceded it.
Thenew enclosed chaindriven engine wascentrally positionedunderthe frame and had more power than theLD.Withlarger 10in wheelsandbeautifully designedpanelworkitwas asuperbscootertoride and an instant hit. Steve Bains’1958 Framebreather exampleisasympathetic and beautifulrestoration.
TriumphSpeed Triple500
1949 BSAM21 Combination; astar inits ownright
SteveBains’beautiful 1958 Lambretta Series1 Framebreather
Love is… a1960 Lambretta TV175 Series2
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Meet theclubs and theirbeloved machines
The ClassicBikeGuide WinterClassicpromisestobea true delightfor anymotorcycle or scooterenthusiast, with afantastic lineupofclubs expected forour 2025 event.
Sincetheshow’s inceptionin2012, we’veproudlyhosteda numberofgreatclubs, eachreadytoshine alighton theirfavouritemachines.
Withclubmemberson handtodiscusstheinsand outsoftheirprideandjoy, here’saglimpseofwhoyou canlookforwardtomeeting.
Firstupwehavethe BanditOwners’Club, foundedin2003forlikemindedenthusiasts witha passionfortheiconicSuzuki machines.
Theclubprovides aspace formemberstomeet, makefriends,andattend
showsand events,proudly displaying adiverserange ofBanditmotorcyclesfrom variousyearsandsizes.
Evenaftermorethan20 years,theclubremains strong,withsomefounding membersstillaroundto sharestoriesfromtheearly days.
Today, itstandsasthe largestBandit-onlyclubinthe UK, aclose-knitfamilyunited by sharedinterests.
Next, we have aclubthat willbecelebratingits50th anniversary–theUK Gold StarOwners’Club which was formedbackin1975. Fivedecadeslateritis
still the place to be ifyou ownorenjoyGoldStars, with regular attendanceat shows and eventsthroughout the countryallowingthemtokeep inthe public eye. Dedicated tothe preservation, maintenance andenjoyment of Gold Stars, we can’twaitto seethemagain.
Theseclubs arecertainly notalone. Avarietyofother bike-focusedclubs will be joiningus,suchas lastyear’s winner of thebestbikingclub stand, the ItalianMotorcycle Owners’Club.Its display for the2024 showfeatured well-known models and some very classyrarities,including
a75cc Pirotta. We’llbekeen to seeiftheycanpulloff anotherbeautifuldisplay. Ifscootersaremoreyour style,why not visit thelikes of the MaicoOwners’Club or the GenerationsSC club –two of themanyScooter clubsthatwillbejoiningus.
The MaicoOwners’ Club cantraceitsroots backtothelate 1950s, originating fromthe heydayof Scootering.
Likewise,theGenerations SC will be takingthe short tripfromthis newspaper’s home town of Horncastle in Lincolnshiretocelebrate25 yearsasa club.
Feel thethrill of thefire-uparea
Thesuperbfire-upareawill roar tolifeonceagainintheStanley SheldonHallattheNewark Showground,whereyoucansee, hearandfeelthepowerofincredible machinesfromalleras.
Stepintothispartoftheshow andyou’llbeabletoimmerse yourselfinthesmokyatmosphere, wheretheechoesofrevving enginesandthesmellofburning fuelfilltheair.It’syour chanceto getupcloseandpersonalwith theaction,asourstarguest –the formerworldchamp WayneGardner –andcompereStevePlaterlightup thehallwithanimpressivelineup.
Youcanexpecttoseeall kinds ofmachinesbeingfiredup, from classicracebikesandsleekroad bikestohigh-speedsprintmachines,
iconic scooters, thunderingdrag bikes,and evennostalgic strokers. Eachstart-upbrings its own thrill,withengines glowinghotand
exhaustscracklingin awonderful displayofpowerandengineering. It’s atruecelebration that helps kick startthenewyear.
Competition
Ifyou signup foryour WinterClassic tickets ASAP,you’ll have ashotat winninga 741-piecetoolkit worth £8995from TengTools! Don’tworry if youmisstheadvanceticketdeadline, as therewillstill be anopportunityto enterfor thisgrand prize overat the ClassicBikeGuide stand in theLady Eastwood Pavilion. The competitioncloseson September 1,2025.Thereare no cash alternativesavailable.The winner will bedrawn at random.Winners will be contacted via an officialMortons email. We never askforbank details. Termsand conditions apply.Toviewthe privacy policy of MMGLtd(publisherof Classic Bike Guide andalsothis publication)please visit www.mortons.co.uk/privacy
30 FANCYA SCOOTERING SUBSCRIPTION? SEESTANAND
Scoot overtoNewarkin January forall things Scootering
JoinusinJanuary forareal scooterextravaganza! This annual gatheringbrings together apassionategroup of scooterenthusiasts showing offsomeofthe UK’s finest rides–whether custom,classic, or just downrightcool. Asthefirstmajorgatheringof theyear,this eventkicksoffthe seasonwithclubsfromacross thecountryshowcasingtheirtwowheeledbeautiesandsharing storiesfromyearsgoneby.
With twoofthe Crocker Hallsdedicated to theone andonlyScooter World, Newark becomesthe ultimate destinationfor amix of custom, club,classic,and trade displays.You’llfind everything from meticulously restored vintageVespasand Lambrettas to cutting-edge custom builds that push theboundariesof scooterdesign.
At the2024show, the
VeteranVespa Club earned the covetedtitle of Best Scooter Club Standwithadisplay commemoratingthe 60th anniversaryofits inauguralride from London to Brighton. Featuring26oftheir finest Vespas andtwo membersfrom theoriginalrun,theyset thebar high –sowho will triumphthis year?Alongside theClubStand award, therewillalsobeprizes forthe Best ScooterinShow. Whetheryou’realifelong enthusiast or simply curious aboutthe excitement,there’s somethingfor everyone at this year’s ScooterWorld.From browsing partsand accessories in thetrade stalls to admiring theuniquemodificationson display, you’re sure to leave with inspirationand maybeeven afew newadditions foryour owncollection. Don’tmissout on this fantasticstart to theseason!
Celebrate Scootering’s 40th anniversary with editor Stan andthe magazine team
When you’vehadyour fillofmincepies, what better waytostartthe seasonthan with avisit toour winter warmer show!
Heldoverthe weekendof January 11-12 atthemassive Newark Showground, theWinter Classicis establishedastheshow thatkicksoffthenew yearto agreatstart. Withhallsfullof two-wheeledexhibits, tradestands,guest speakersandthe legendary‘live run’ area,there’ssomething for everyone. Highon thelistofattractions
forscooteristsare the twohallsdedicated to Scooter World.There you’llfind agathering ofclubs,tradersand exhibitstobrighten even thedarkestof winter days, whilstoutside, there’sanautojumble andenoughfoodoutlets tosatisfy even the largestappetite. Alwaysaspectacular event,the2025show has aspecialplace in ourheartsas it kicksoff Scootering magazine’s 40thanniversaryyear. Our team will be there, will you?
Stan and the Scootering team.
Useful bits to know
Establishedback in 2012, the Classic BikeGuide Winter Classicoffersawelcome respite from the hectic holidayseasonand achance togetlostexploringthemany hundredsofstunningclassic machinesondisplay.
Whatbetter waytokickstart your2025thanwith amixof traders, dealers,andautojumble plots?It’stheperfectplace to grab aboxofpartsandspares, as well as findingthatinspiration neededto finishyourrestoration forasummerofriding…or perhapspickup anew project.
Notonlythat, butwealsooffer freeparkingforall,including aclearlysignposteddisabled parkingarea,alongwith avariety ofamenitiesincludingbar, catering andtoilet facilities. Opentoallages,theshow providesfreeentry forkidsunder 16yearsofage.
Ifyou’renotsurewhat’sgoing
on orwhereyouare,there’san informationdesksituated inthe George StephensonHall, where ourcrackingprivateentries can alsobefoundalongwithother tradeandclubareas.Notonlythat butyoucanalsodownloadthe CBSappforthelatestupdates andshownews:Simplygoto www.classicbikeshows.com/app andgettheapptoday. LocatedatNewarkShowground NG242NY,ourvisitorentrance islocatedattheshowground’s bluegateasshownonthe correspondingmap. Checkusouton Facebook@ classicbikeshowsandInstagram @classicbikeshowsandtwitter @classicbikeshowforthe latest news. To learn moreaboutthe show visitwww.classicbikeshow. com/newarkwhereyoucansign uptoournewsletterlist.
WELCOMETO
JANUARY11-12,2025
TOILETS TOILETSincDISABLED