The last word has not yet been written about the originality of classics. There are people who go for 'factory original'. There are those who appreciate "time originality." That is a somewhat emerging trend because the prices of quite a few factory-original classics have become quite stiff. More
Now we can all continue to grumble that the classic world has been held hostage by wealthy, opportunistic neoliberals. But yes: if, for example, you suddenly scored 9.000.000 on a deal with some masks, then you have to do something. Because putting it on the couch doesn't help. Then with some bad luck you even get into it. So that's why classics are priceless and kept in acclimated safes. According to the stories… More
Whether our hobby will have new growth in 25 years? No idea. But I fear the worst. I've had the 2021 press kits and read the first complete tests. Motorcycling today is apparently 80% about electronics, assistance systems, connectivity and communication. And about the fact that under 100 hp you are somewhat poorly motorized. Because you read mildly surprised: 'Despite the fact that this engine has only 105 hp, you never have the feeling that your power is lacking'. More
Our classics are usually the bikes of our youth. And let some of us navigate our own experience around the sixties, then you see what we experience as our classics: the late British, the early Japanese, BMW and Harley. More
Classic love can usually be traced back to your childhood, childhood dreams and nostalgia. The motorcycle of a family member, a neighbor or the motorcycle from a story from what was then the only Dutch motorcycle magazine: Het Weekblad Motor. That magazine was printed in black and white on newsprint. The 57th volume, issue 50 of December 11, 1970, cost 65 cents. And on the cover was a close up of the engine block of a Kawasaki 500 cc three-cylinder. Behind it was such a highly valued reader test under the heading '538.908 km with the 500 cc Kawasaki Mach III. More
New Beetles. Minis and Fiat 500s? I see retro as a designer's weakness or crafty marketing. Retro isn't real. Of course there are exceptions that I like. On two wheels there are the Kawasaki W650-800 king-axes and the recent 650 cc Royal Enfield twins. Those things each have added value. But whether […] More
Peter Koelewijn already sang it: "You're getting older Dad, just admit it". And statistically, we classic enthusiasts even have a reasonable chance of being not only 'daddy' but also 'grandpa'. But we are young at heart and keep riding motorcycles. But on motorcycles that look like motorcycles are meant to be. […] More
Japanese classics have now become 'main stream'. That's because there are now a lot of people who have their reference/nostalgia frame around 1960-1970. And certainly when it comes to the mid-seventies – also 40+ years ago – then the Japanese memories play a more important role than names like Ariel, […] More
Converting engines: In BMW classic circles it is usually clear: Only factory original is good. Some go very far in that. We once saw a BMW fan turn away in disgust when he noticed that the piping on a tank had been glued instead of drawn. Original is historically best But once upon a time almost every […] More
And it was somewhere in 1981 or '82 that there were a whole bunch of orphaned MGAs at a car company somewhere in Zeeland. They were neglected and forgotten. They were only kept because there was enough space…. Throwing an MGA away won't happen very often anymore. The type celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. […] More
Not so long ago we had a message about AMK reader Hans Beltman and his Lief. They had traveled to the Repubblica Italiana. Inside. And in an R4. According to Hans, that wasn't a problem as long as you weren't in a hurry and didn't have a passenger m/f focused on comfort. In the January issue of […] More
The APK exemption is a realistic thing for us enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the scheme has created a new problem. From the sector of the 'professional hobbyists', vague private individuals More
