The magazine for classic Japanese motorcycles

Hello... August 2010

These machines are just a couple of the bikes that have rocketed in value in recent years yet they sat in the price doldrums for years between their popularity as a modern machine and gaining a renewed popularity as a classic machine. It doesn’t mean bargains aren’t out there but they’re few and far between.

The popularity of a bike when new has a big impact on which bikes become ‘classic’. If you wanted it when you were young but couldn’t afford it, the likelihood is that you’ll pay good money for one today. The CB900 on the cover of this issue is one of those bikes that has reached the bottom of its price slide. It had issues when new and it was in the shadow of the six-cylinder CBX. Hence today it’s a bargain. There are other bikes out there just like this that offer the classic experience for reasonable money.

And because these bikes are cheap, the sky is the limit to what you can do with them. Just take a look at p59 for what we think is the ultimate CB900 in the guise of a Freddie Spencer replica, built by a reader.

It’s not all big bikes though, Steve Cooper has had the opportunity to sling a leg over the gorgeous diminutive Suzuki Trail Cat. Turn to p37 for more.

Talking of LCs and two-strokes, we’re excited to welcome two-stroke genius Stan Stephens to the ranks of CMM’s expert contributors. He has a lifetime of knowledge that he wants to share with you. I can’t wait.

Enjoy the magazine!

Ben Wilkins
Editor