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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A Seeley 810 Norton

A new chapter

Meet the Incoming Editor

2026 Festival of Speed celebrates PCRA milestone

Bathurst entries now open

All British Day SA 2026

2026 Australian Classic Motorcycle TT to include parades

It’s a Manx, but not as we know it.

Oily Rag mops up

Alec Corner

Graham Froud

Leslie Jones

DON NEWELL REMEMBERED • Almost anyone who was a motorcycle enthusiast, racer or industry participant in Brisbane during the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s would have known Don Newell.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A GEAR MAKES • The original 1966 Honda CB450 was a ground breaker, no doubt about it. But the so-called Black Bomber (although it also came in red) was far from perfect.

PRESERVATION PROJECT • This story comes in three chapters, around 50 years apart, each culminating in one of the most unlikely unions imaginable.

A TALE FROM TASMANIA • Motorcycle tales become apparent in strange places. On a walking adventure to Cradle Valley (Tasmania) we were at the Ranger Interpretation Centre admiring many photos of the pioneer adventurers on the walls. My wife suggested I needed to see one particular photo and a spark was lit to research this incident further.

“DON’T TRUDGE IT… RUDGE IT!” • Rescued from a fate worse than death, a Rudge Special now struts its stuff again.

Westmead Speedway, Parramatta NSW • From 1955 to 1968, Westmead Speedway was the place to be during winter, running every Sunday afternoon in front of thousands of shivering fans. Located on a block bordered by Hawkesbury Road and Darcy Road, the speedway was well serviced by public transport, with many of the spectators arriving by train and walking the short distance to the oval.

The REAL DEAL • Seriously fast. Stunning Latin looks. An exhaust note to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. And a price tag to match. The Jota had it all.

BUSTING RECORDS AT ROCHESTER • Failure? Bert Flood didn’t know the meaning of the word. In business or in racing, Bert always gave 110%, because he knew the opposition would give 100%. And in both pursuits, he suffered his share of knocks – in the case of racing, enough of them to cause him to abandon the saddle and place talented riders on the seats of his always rapid motorcycles – usually Bultacos, for which he was the Victorian agent.

GREAT GIFT IDEA • SUBSCRIBE NOW!

CELEBRATING SEVENTY • For the motorcycle brands that have survived the test of time, any birthday is worth celebrating. In the case of Yamaha, which has in 2025 been commemorating seventy years of existence, the occasion is especially significant.

Chasing horsepower

Goulburn Swap Meet 2026

Canberra Swap Meet 2026

Amaroo 50th Anniversary Reunion 26 October 2025

One Addiction Bike Night 18th October 2025

Bill (Tin Legs) Watson • I was talking to fellow OBA contributor Ken Goodman and as we reminisced about the days of ‘useter’ he told me I should write about some of the people I had met over the years who made an impression, hence this story.

One for the calendar

FLASH BACK

A record-breaking weekend

Wild weather, great racing

Head for the Hill

Long Track action from...