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  • Missing men

    Missing men

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    Dear CR It is nice to see the photograph Nick Nicholls took at the start of the 125cc TT in 1961. And it is nice too, to have mentioned most of the riders, some of them getting fame later on. But it’s a pity, as the two most important riders of that class and that…

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  • Setting it straight

    Setting it straight

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    Dear CR Regarding the story in part one of the formation of the CRMC on page 77 of the November/December edition of Classic Racer and the photographs on page 79 – the guy in all black leathers in the photos is John Bowman (not Bill Bowman), a well known racer who hailed from Framlingham in…

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  • Maico-ing my own way

    Maico-ing my own way

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    Dear CR Please find enclosed photographs of my recently finished restoration: a 1971 RS125 Maico, single cylinder two-stroke disc valve engine, with six gears producing 28hp @ 11,000rpm, with a top speed of 125mph. The bike features a slimline duplex frame with Ceriani front forks, twin leading shoe front brake. It was originally bought from…

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  • Sticky issue

    Sticky issue

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    Dear CR I have just received my issue of Classic Racer with a wonderful photo of Mick Doohan on his Rothmans Honda (p54/55) and on the lower fairing is a sticker for SAK who were a sponsor of the Rothmans team. On the sticker there is some wording beneath the letters SAK. My question is:…

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  • Classic / Vintage… umm… old?

    Classic / Vintage… umm… old?

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    Dear CR With regards to the ongoing debate about what defines a classic/vintage racing machine, I would like to propose that there be three different types as follows: Completely original (eg: Lansdowne Series, Goodwood Revival) Replica (faithful to original drawings/specifications e.g.: Works Racing Manx Norton). Alien. The third type is defined by deviations in drawings/specifications…

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  • Remembering the roads

    Remembering the roads

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    Dear CR The article in CR #197 about the making of the film, The Road Racers, got me thinking – always dangerous for a pensioner… I saw the film on BBC2 when first shown and was inspired to have a go at between the hedges racing before making my MGP debut in 1981. I entered…

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  • A reply from Pete Crawford

    A reply from Pete Crawford

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    Dear Dick I’m so glad that you enjoyed the recent Ray Knight and Mick Boddice pieces. I’ve always had a soft spot for the chairs and production racers. They never quite commanded the same status as some of the other national classes but they invariably threw up the toughest battles, huge entertainment and all on…

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  • It’s… and… with…

    It’s… and… with…

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    Dear CR Yet another great mag (#198 July/August) and the where and when picture did indeed get me thinking, so many cross issues to note. To start, the two Nortons made me think 1973 but then Ago is on a Yamaha so it has to be 1974 (and Sheene without his number 7!), but when…

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  • Remembering Rodney

    Remembering Rodney

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    Dear CR Hope this note finds you well and continuing with your great endeavour of producing the wonderful magazine that is Classic Racer. It’s always a good day when my subscription arrives in my mailbox here in Canada. I wanted to send in this letter for a well known motor-sport figure and bike racer (and…

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  • More on the Roberts clan plus

    More on the Roberts clan plus

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    Dear CR The Roberts boys were involved in motorcycling from a young age, and Kenny senior took them to various northern California events, just to meet some of the motorcycling greats of that time. Dick Mann organized vintage dirt racing events from 1985 which included interviews with the local heroes of that time. First photo…

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