RESTORATION PROJECTS

The large capacity six-cylinder Z1300 model arrived on the motorcycle scene in 1979, to mark the end of a decade that had seen great change in superbikes’ performance, size and technical specification.

This beautiful Norton was born of a blend of parts, but does have matching engine and frame numbers. ‘Oggy’ has been a Norton fan from his teen years, when Manx Norton engines were invincible, powering two- and four-wheeled racers.

This Ariel Square Four has been owned by Kevin T since 1966. An ex-Victoria Police bike, it’s had a chequered career; being raced as a solo machine, then its engine was transplanted into a racing outfit, before being returned to the original solo frame.

This BSA B18 is probably the last genuine survivor of the Class of ’36. BSA made only 250 bikes to this specification in 1936 and very few survived World War II. This bike was an active participant in that conflict.

A 1937 Excelsior Meritor is a rare motorcycle indeed. While not a museum piece like the contemporary Manxman racing versions the 247cc Meritor street bike is nonetheless a very important piece of British motorcycling history.

David Richmond is without any doubt a Honda CB750 groupie, with a shed housing four, plus an outfit that’s a work in progress.  Also in his collection are a late model Honda road bike, an XR400 off-road Honda and his mower and brush-cutter are both Hondas.

NSW South Coast resident Allan Hawkins is a Ducati enthusiast who is  lucky enough to own  two of these classic motorcycle thoroughbreds. 

History tells us that, in 1967, Kawasaki instructed a team of engineers led by Gyoichi ‘Ben’ Inamura to produce a large capacity, four-cylinder, four-stroke, across-the-frame motorcycle with a capacity of 750cc. Kawasaki was very keen to be the first Japanese company to bring such a motorcycle to market.  

Historic Vehicles’ Jim Gibson caught up with retired Eurobodalla (NSW) dairy farmer Don Greig and discovered more than just a good all-round Aussie bloke. 

Peter Sutherland has a passion (which is infectious) for both two and four wheels, with several projects on the back-burner. This two-wheel yarn is about a bike he lusted after as a young man when he saw it on the cover of Two Wheels magazine in 1979 – Honda’s iconic CBX six.