Old Bike Australasia

Old Bike magazine is a must for those who ride as well as the dedicated enthusiast and rebuilder, covering everything from Vintage to early 1980s bikes - marvel at the restoration of machines that could still sit proudly on the showroom floor. Each issue brings you the latest news and results from recent events, race reports and Rally Roundup, along with new and old bike news and reviews, readers letters, Club Directory, What’s On and much, much more.

EDITOR’S LETTER

Old Bike Australasia

Farewell Jim!

Waratah Villiers • Sydney’s Affordable Icon

Indian Motorcycle Unveils New Chief Vintage

Triumph Debuts Speed Twin 1200 Café Racer Edition

Former Olympian Arrested in Mexico Following MotoGP Motorcycle Collection Seizure

BSA Motorcycles Returns to Australia

Harley-Davidson Unveils 2026 Lineup

Under the Chequered Flag

GREAT GIFT IDEA

THE RISE & FALL OF THE BABY BOXER • A fascinating journey into the post-war German motorcycle industry, where ambitious entrepreneurs like Jakob Oswald Hoffmann reached for the stars with the unique “Baby Boxer” - and flew just a little too close to the sun.

A CENTURY OF HISTORY, HOSPITALITY & THE OPEN ROAD • Nestled in the hinterland town of Palmwoods on the Sunshine Coast, Rick’s Garage is more than just a stop on the map - it’s a living, breathing piece of history. With roots stretching back to 1913, this iconic venue has evolved from a blacksmith’s workshop to a thriving hub for riders, car enthusiasts, and anyone chasing a slice of nostalgia.

SWEET SLOPER • Few other vintage-era British manufacturers offered as extensive or as varied a range of motorcycles in the late 1920s as Ariel. One of the pioneer brands in two-wheeled history, Ariel was by then part of the Components Ltd. group owned by the Sangster family. Charles Sangster had purchased Ariel back in 1902, but it wasn’t until his son Jack - who’d duly prove to be one of the most astute management figures ever in British motorcycle industry annals - took over running the company after WW1 that the Birminghambased marque really began to flourish.

EMPIRICAL EVOLUTION • For many of us, life is now divided into two eras: BC (Before Covid) and AC (After Covid). One of the cherished events that used to grace our calendars but sadly hasn’t returned since the pandemic struck in 2020 is the annual Island Classic race meeting. Traditionally held each January over the Australia Day weekend at the Phillip Island GP Circuit, its absence has left a significant void in the Australian two-wheeled road racing calendar - for both competitors and avid fans from across the country and beyond.

Manfeild, New Zealand • Manfeild was designed with a singular, brilliant vision: to let spectators soak up every moment of the action around the entire circuit. It’s a spectator’s dream, yet it very nearly remained just that - a dream. The hurdles were immense, and frankly, they were there for all the wrong reasons.

THE SPEEDWAY BILL OF 1959 THE DAY THE SPORT STOPPED • The Kop Hill Climb, in Buckinghamshire, UK, had been happily hosting events on the 826 metre ascent since 1910 - a fun day out for the whole family, so to speak. Then on 28th March, 1925, a competing car left the road and struck a spectator, breaking his leg. It was not exactly a bloodbath, but it had a shattering effect on motorsport in England. The Royal Automobile Club, together with the Auto-Cycle Union, which sanctioned such events for cars and motorcycles respectively, announced they would no longer issue the permits required for motor sport on public roads.

ONE OF A KIND • In production for just one year, the Suzuki T500 Cobra is a very significant model. It is also an exceedingly difficult model for restorers, with NOS components virtually nonexistent. Confusion with the later Titan...