British Bike Magazine – May 1989 – Issue No. 20

Vintage British Motorcycle Magazine | Triumph Tiger Cafe Racer | Norton OHC | Triumph Cub | Ariel Arrow | Triumph Trident

Original May 1989 edition of British Bike Magazine, Issue No. 20, featuring a distinctive custom-built Triumph Tiger cafe racer on the front cover.

Published by Green Designs in Cambridge, this vintage British motorcycling magazine offers an interesting collection of technical articles, classic motorcycle restoration information, historical features, workshop guidance and period motorcycle photography.

The magazine is particularly appealing to enthusiasts of Triumph, Norton and Ariel motorcycles, with detailed features covering a Triumph Tiger cafe racer, Triumph Cub competition modifications, Norton's early overhead-camshaft motorcycle and a Triumph Trident journey to Prague.

This is an original publication from 1989, offering a fascinating insight into the British classic motorcycle scene of the late 1980s.

Magazine Details

• Publication: British Bike Magazine

• Issue: Number 20

• Publication Date: May 1989

• Original UK Cover Price: £1.30

• Original USA Cover Price: $3.00

• Publisher: Green Designs, Cambridge

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Format: Original printed motorcycle magazine

• SKU: 1604

The publication is dated May 1989. An exact day of publication is not provided in the photographed pages.

Front Cover – Triumph Tiger Cafe Racer

The front cover features a large colour photograph of a customised Triumph Tiger cafe racer, photographed outside a traditional brick building with dark green wooden doors and window frames.

The motorcycle has a distinctive competition-inspired appearance, combining traditional British motorcycle engineering with custom cafe racer styling.

Visible Motorcycle Features

The motorcycle is shown from the left-hand side, revealing:

• Polished silver fuel tank with a sculpted cafe racer profile.

• Traditional Triumph twin-cylinder engine.

• Polished alloy engine and transmission casings.

• Yellow-painted motorcycle frame.

• Green-painted front forks and front mudguard.

• Black fork gaiters.

• Twin rear suspension units.

• Black cafe racer-style seat.

• Raised rear seat section.

• Low-mounted handlebars.

• Twin instrument gauges.

• Traditional round chrome headlamp.

• Spoked front and rear wheels.

• Large front drum-brake assembly.

• Twin black exhaust pipes and silencers.

• Exposed engine and mechanical components.

• Centre stand supporting the motorcycle.

The combination of the polished fuel tank, yellow frame, green detailing and black exhaust system gives the machine a distinctive custom-built appearance.

The photograph provides a clear view of the motorcycle's mechanical layout and styling, making the cover particularly attractive to collectors interested in classic Triumph cafe racers and customised British motorcycles.

The motorcycle is positioned on a roadside pavement in front of an older brick building, creating a traditional British setting.

Main Cover Headlines

"Tiger Special – All Triumph Cafe Racer"

The principal cover story examines a customised Triumph Tiger motorcycle.

Additional cover headlines include:

• Free Pull-Out Tuning Template

• Convert a Cub – Full Works Specification

• Camshaft One: Norton OHC Debut

• Czeching Out Prague on a Trident

• Workers' Memories of Plumstead

• Free Machine Dating and Technical Service

These features demonstrate the magazine's combination of practical motorcycle engineering, restoration, historic motorcycling and enthusiast travel.

Detailed Magazine Contents

The photographed contents page confirms the following features.

Page 4 – News

A selection of news items from the British classic motorcycle scene.

The contents description mentions a new British motorcycle and engine, Norton returning to profitability, Rockers reuniting and a diary of forthcoming events.

This section provides an interesting record of developments within the British motorcycle community during 1989.

Page 9 – Vintage

A feature examining opportunities and developments within the vintage motorcycle movement.

The contents description refers to Harold Childe and J. L. Norton.

This section is particularly relevant to readers interested in the history of Norton motorcycles and the preservation of vintage British machines.

Page 11 – Off the Beaten Track

A motorcycle-related feature examining an April 1st story.

The contents description suggests a humorous or unusual item connected with the classic motorcycle world.

This provides an example of the magazine's lighter editorial material alongside its more technical articles.

Page 12 – Workers' Playtime

A historical feature exploring the working lives of employees at the AMC Plumstead motorcycle factory.

The article concerns an exhibition at Greenwich Borough Museum, providing an insight into the people who worked within Britain's motorcycle manufacturing industry.

Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) was an important part of British motorcycling history, with connections to the Matchless and AJS marques.

The feature is particularly interesting for collectors researching British motorcycle manufacturing, factory workers, industrial heritage and the Plumstead motorcycle works.

Page 18 – A Tiger Growling

Main Cover Feature – Triumph Tiger Cafe Racer

A feature written by Tom Lancaster concerning an extensively customised Triumph motorcycle.

The contents description explains that the machine is an all-Triumph cafe racer, demonstrating how a special motorcycle can be created using components from the same manufacturer.

The article is illustrated on the contents page with a black-and-white photograph of the motorcycle.

The feature is particularly appealing to enthusiasts of:

• Triumph Tiger motorcycles.

• Classic British cafe racer conversions.

• Custom Triumph motorcycle engineering.

• Period motorcycle restoration.

• Traditional twin-cylinder Triumph engines.

• Individually built classic motorcycles.

The front-cover photograph provides an excellent visual introduction to this feature.

Page 22 – Making the Arrow Fly: Part Two

A technical article covering the Ariel Arrow two-stroke motorcycle.

This is the second instalment of a feature examining tuning and performance modifications for the Ariel Arrow.

The contents description identifies the article as practical tuning information for Ariel two-strokes.

The Ariel Arrow is an important example of British motorcycle design, with its distinctive enclosed frame construction and two-stroke engine.

This feature should appeal to Ariel enthusiasts, classic two-stroke motorcycle owners and readers interested in traditional engine tuning techniques.

Page 26 – Free Pull-Out Tuning Template

The magazine advertises a technical tuning template associated with its motorcycle workshop content.

Important: The original pull-out tuning template is not confirmed as present in the supplied photographs and is not included or guaranteed as a separate item.

The magazine is being sold as photographed.

Page 29 – Readers' Adverts

A period classified advertising section allowing readers to buy, sell or exchange motorcycle-related items.

This section provides an interesting snapshot of the classic motorcycle market in 1989.

Historical classified advertisements can be particularly appealing to collectors researching motorcycle prices, spare parts and the availability of classic machines during the period.

Page 30 – The Full Works

A technical feature concerning the Triumph Cub.

The article is attributed to trials expert Don Morley and examines the modifications that made a competition Triumph Cub successful.

The contents description refers to the development of competitive Triumph Cub motorcycles and how similar modifications could be achieved.

This is an especially relevant feature for enthusiasts of:

• Triumph Tiger Cub motorcycles.

• Classic motorcycle trials.

• Competition motorcycle preparation.

• Vintage off-road motorcycles.

• Traditional British motorcycle tuning.

• Historic trials engineering.

The article adds considerable technical interest to this issue.

Page 34 – Camshaft One

A historical feature examining Norton's first overhead-camshaft motorcycle.

The contents description explains that the early Norton OHC model has often been overshadowed by later motorcycles.

Written by Andrew Lambert, the article revisits this important chapter in Norton motorcycle development.

The contents page includes a black-and-white photograph showing an early motorcycle engine and associated mechanical components.

This feature should appeal to collectors interested in Norton engineering history, overhead-camshaft development and early British racing motorcycles.

Page 39 – Czech It Out!

A motorcycle travel feature describing a journey to Prague on a Triumph Trident.

The contents description refers to travelling through Czechoslovakia on a Trident and includes observations about the journey.

The contents page features a black-and-white photograph of a motorcycle parked outside a building.

This article provides a fascinating example of European motorcycle touring during the late 1980s.

It is particularly interesting because the journey took place during the final years of communist-era Czechoslovakia.

The feature should appeal to Triumph Trident enthusiasts and collectors interested in historical motorcycle travel.

Page 48 – British Bike Answers

A technical and historical information section described as the Veteran, Vintage and Classic Information Bureau.

The section also advertises a machine dating service.

This provides additional interest for readers researching the identification, history and restoration of older British motorcycles.

Any historical dating or advisory service advertised in the magazine should not be assumed to remain available today.

Motorcycle Photography and Collecting Interest

The magazine contains a mixture of colour cover photography, black-and-white historical images and technical illustrations.

The photographed contents page includes three additional motorcycle images:

Triumph Tiger Cafe Racer – Page 18

A small black-and-white photograph of the featured Triumph motorcycle, showing its distinctive cafe racer styling.

Norton Camshaft Engine – Page 34

A technical photograph showing the mechanical arrangement of an early overhead-camshaft Norton motorcycle engine.

Triumph Trident Travel Feature – Page 39

A black-and-white photograph showing a motorcycle outside a building during the Prague travel feature.

These images complement the magazine's historical and technical subject matter.

The issue is particularly suitable for collectors interested in late-1980s classic motorcycle publications, Triumph engineering, Norton history, Ariel two-strokes and traditional British motorcycle restoration.

Condition – Please Read Carefully

Original pre-owned magazine from May 1989.

Based on the supplied photographs, the magazine is in good used vintage condition overall, showing visible age-related wear, handling marks and some discolouration.

It is not a new or mint-condition example.

Front Cover

The front cover retains its original colour photograph and printed headlines.

The main Triumph Tiger photograph remains clear and attractive.

Visible imperfections include:

• Light surface rubbing and handling marks.

• Minor scuffs and small surface marks.

• Slight creasing and waviness along the upper edge.

• Light wear around the corners.

• Some rubbing along the left-hand spine.

• Minor edge wear, particularly near the lower corners.

• Light surface scratches visible across parts of the cover photograph.

• General age-related handling wear.

The upper edge shows some unevenness, and the magazine does not lie perfectly flat.

The cover remains presentable, with its main photograph and headlines clearly visible.

Spine and Binding

The spine shows signs of age and handling.

There is visible rubbing and minor creasing along the left-hand edge.

The photographed interior pages appear attached, with no obvious major binding separation visible.

The entire binding has not been individually inspected.

Interior Pages

The photographed contents page shows noticeable age-related paper discolouration.

The paper has a warm cream tone, with some darker yellowing around the margins and edges.

Other visible characteristics include:

• Light handling marks.

• Minor edge and corner wear.

• Slight waviness and curvature.

• Gentle creasing near the upper corners.

• Small age-related marks on the paper.

• Minor surface discolouration.

The printed text and photographs remain clear and readable.

No major tears are apparent on the photographed contents page.

Only selected pages have been photographed, so the condition of every individual page cannot be guaranteed.

Overall Condition

Good used vintage condition with visible cover wear, light creasing, spine rubbing, age-related paper yellowing and minor handling marks.

The magazine remains an attractive original example for a vintage British motorcycle magazine collection.

Please examine all supplied photographs carefully, as they form part of the description and show the actual magazine being offered.

Original Extras and Promotional Items

Any original free gifts, pull-out templates, loose supplements, promotional materials, detachable inserts or other items that may have accompanied the magazine when originally published are not included or guaranteed.

In particular, the cover-advertised tuning template has not been independently confirmed as present.

This listing is for the original magazine only, as photographed.

Packaging and Shipping

The magazine will be carefully packaged to help protect it during transit.

UK Orders: Dispatched in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: Dispatched in a protective cardboard mailer-size box for additional protection during international shipping.

Summary

Original British Bike Magazine – May 1989 – Issue No. 20, featuring a distinctive custom-built Triumph Tiger cafe racer on the front cover.

Includes features covering Triumph Tiger cafe racer engineering, Triumph Cub trials preparation, Ariel Arrow tuning, early Norton overhead-camshaft history, AMC Plumstead factory workers and a Triumph Trident journey to Prague.

An interesting original late-1980s British motorcycle publication for collectors of Triumph, Norton, Ariel and classic motorcycling memorabilia.

Condition: Good used vintage condition with visible age-related paper discolouration, light cover wear, minor creasing and spine rubbing.

SKU: 1604