Practical Sportsbikes Magazine – May 2017 – Issue 79

Special Build of the Year | 10 Amazing Reader Builds | Yamaha RD500LC | Suzuki GS1000S | Kawasaki Z1R | Suzuki XR69 Replica | Moto Guzzi Le Mans

Original UK edition of Practical Sportsbikes Magazine, May 2017, Issue 79, featuring the magazine's major Special Build of the Year competition, produced in association with Venhill.

This edition celebrates custom-built, restored and modified motorcycles, bringing together ten impressive reader-owned machines competing for the magazine's annual award.

The striking blue front cover features a collection of classic Japanese and European motorcycles, including models from Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda and Moto Guzzi.

The cover also advertises additional features involving the Honda NS400R, Yamaha RZ350 restoration, Japanese Kawasaki Z-series motorcycles, Suzuki X7, Morini 3½ and PS Superstockers.

An appealing original motorcycle publication for enthusiasts of classic sportsbikes, custom engineering, motorcycle restoration and vintage Japanese performance machines.

Front Cover – Special Build of the Year

The magazine features a distinctive bright-blue cover with the large black and red Practical Sportsbikes masthead.

Across the centre and lower half of the cover is the prominent headline:

SPECIAL BUILD OF THE YEAR

Underneath is the competition slogan:

10 BIKES. ONE WINNER. YOU DECIDE

The cover features multiple motorcycles photographed individually and arranged in a collage, showcasing different styles of engineering, restoration and customisation.

The machines range from classic air-cooled Japanese motorcycles and retro café racers to fully faired racing replicas and high-performance sportsbikes.

A yellow circular badge in the upper-left corner advertises 10 Amazing Reader Builds.

The cover also identifies the competition as being held in association with Venhill, a well-known supplier of motorcycle cables, hoses and related components.

The overall design makes this issue particularly attractive for enthusiasts of custom-built motorcycles and classic sportsbike restoration.

Special Build of the Year – Ten Featured Motorcycles

The main feature brings together ten motorcycles competing for the magazine's Special Build of the Year award.

Each machine is individually identified on the cover.

1. Yamaha RD500LC

Positioned prominently in the centre of the cover is a racing-style Yamaha RD500LC.

The motorcycle features a large yellow front number plate displaying the number 1, with a predominantly yellow, white and black colour scheme.

Its front-facing presentation highlights the racing fairing, front suspension and competition-inspired styling.

The Yamaha RD500LC is a highly regarded 1980s two-stroke performance motorcycle, known for its V4 engine configuration and strong connection to Yamaha's Grand Prix racing heritage.

The featured machine is particularly relevant to collectors and enthusiasts interested in classic two-stroke superbikes and Yamaha racing replicas.

2. Suzuki GS1000S

The Suzuki GS1000S appears on the left-hand side of the cover.

It features a blue and white colour scheme, a prominent front fairing and classic late-1970s/early-1980s superbike styling.

The GS1000S is closely associated with Suzuki's early large-capacity four-cylinder performance motorcycles.

Its appearance in this competition reflects continued enthusiasm for restoring and preserving classic Japanese superbikes.

3. Kawasaki Z1R

A Kawasaki Z1R is shown near the upper portion of the cover.

The motorcycle features a dark colour scheme, exposed mechanical components and the distinctive styling associated with Kawasaki's late-1970s performance motorcycles.

The Z1R is particularly recognisable for its angular design and air-cooled four-cylinder engine.

This featured motorcycle will be of interest to collectors of Kawasaki Z-series machines and classic Japanese superbike engineering.

4. Suzuki Bandit Café Racer

A modified Suzuki Bandit café racer appears near the top of the cover.

The motorcycle features exposed mechanical components, a stripped-back appearance and a low, purposeful stance.

Its styling combines elements of classic café racer design with the engineering associated with Suzuki's Bandit range.

The machine illustrates the popularity of transforming conventional road motorcycles into individually styled custom builds.

5. Honda Carbon Fireblade

The Honda Carbon Fireblade is pictured at the upper-right of the cover.

It features an aggressive racing-style fairing with Repsol-inspired graphics and visible carbon-fibre styling.

The motorcycle represents the more modern performance-oriented side of the competition.

Honda's Fireblade range is widely associated with lightweight handling, strong performance and superbike development.

The custom appearance of this example makes it particularly interesting to Honda Fireblade enthusiasts.

6. Suzuki Katana GSX1100S

The Suzuki Katana GSX1100S appears on the left side of the cover.

The featured machine displays the distinctive angular bodywork and styling associated with the Katana range.

The Suzuki Katana became one of the most recognisable Japanese performance motorcycles of the early 1980s.

Its unusual design, originally developed with input from Target Design, helped establish its lasting reputation among classic motorcycle enthusiasts.

The GSX1100S remains a desirable model for collectors interested in vintage Japanese engineering and distinctive motorcycle design.

7. Suzuki XR69 Replica

A Suzuki XR69 Replica is pictured on the right side of the cover.

The motorcycle features traditional racing bodywork with red, white and blue graphics.

Its appearance is inspired by classic Suzuki endurance and superbike racing machines.

XR69-style motorcycles are particularly associated with early-1980s racing and the development of large-capacity Japanese competition bikes.

This replica will appeal to enthusiasts of historic racing motorcycles and classic Suzuki performance engineering.

8. Kawasaki ZX-7/9R

A green Kawasaki sportsbike is positioned prominently on the right-hand side of the cover.

The magazine identifies it as a Kawasaki ZX-7/9R.

The motorcycle features bright Kawasaki green bodywork, a full sports fairing and racing-inspired styling.

The ZX-7/9R designation suggests a custom build combining elements associated with Kawasaki's ZX-7R and ZX-9R performance motorcycles.

This is an interesting example of the modified sportsbike culture celebrated by Practical Sportsbikes.

9. Moto Guzzi Le Mans

The Moto Guzzi Le Mans appears at the bottom-left of the cover.

It features a red fuel tank, exposed engine components and classic Italian café racer styling.

The Moto Guzzi Le Mans is well known for its longitudinal V-twin engine, shaft-drive layout and distinctive Italian sporting heritage.

Its inclusion provides an interesting contrast to the predominantly Japanese motorcycles featured in the competition.

The model remains popular among collectors of classic European motorcycles.

10. Suzuki GT550 Street Racer

The Suzuki GT550 Street Racer is pictured at the bottom-right of the cover.

The motorcycle features a dark fuel tank, exposed engine and custom street-racer styling.

The Suzuki GT550 was originally a three-cylinder two-stroke motorcycle produced during the 1970s.

The featured machine reflects the growing interest in modifying and restoring classic two-stroke motorcycles.

Its appearance is particularly relevant to enthusiasts of Suzuki GT-series machines and vintage Japanese two-stroke engineering.

Additional Features Advertised on the Cover

Honda NS400R

The magazine advertises a feature involving the Honda NS400R.

The NS400R is a distinctive three-cylinder two-stroke sportsbike from the 1980s, developed with styling and engineering influences from Honda's Grand Prix racing programme.

Its racing-inspired appearance and unusual engine configuration make it a popular subject among classic sportsbike enthusiasts.

Yamaha RZ350 Restoration

The cover advertises a Yamaha RZ350 restoration feature.

The Yamaha RZ350 is a well-known two-stroke motorcycle associated with the 1980s performance bike scene.

Restoration coverage is particularly relevant to owners interested in rebuilding, maintaining and preserving these increasingly collectible machines.

Zeds in Japan

The magazine advertises a feature titled Zeds in Japan.

This appears to concern Kawasaki Z-series motorcycles and Japanese motorcycle culture.

Kawasaki's Z-series has an important place in classic motorcycle history, particularly through models such as the Z1, Z900 and Z1000.

Suzuki X7 vs Morini 3½

The cover advertises a comparison between the Suzuki X7 and Morini 3½.

These motorcycles represent contrasting approaches to lightweight and middleweight motorcycle design.

The Suzuki X7 is associated with lightweight two-stroke performance, while the Moto Morini 3½ is known for its distinctive Italian V-twin engineering.

This comparison should be particularly interesting to enthusiasts of classic motorcycles from the 1970s and 1980s.

PS Superstockers

The magazine also advertises coverage of PS Superstockers.

This feature is relevant to motorcycle competition, performance preparation and the racing side of the classic sportsbike scene.

Fix Broken Mirrors

A practical workshop feature covering the repair of broken motorcycle mirrors is advertised on the cover.

This reflects the magazine's hands-on approach to motorcycle maintenance, repair and ownership.

Why This Issue Is Collectible

This edition is particularly interesting because it brings together a wide range of classic and modified motorcycles in one publication.

The Special Build of the Year competition features machines representing several important periods of motorcycle development, from 1970s two-stroke and four-cylinder models through to more modern superbikes.

The cover showcases:

• Japanese motorcycle engineering.

• Classic Suzuki superbikes.

• Yamaha two-stroke performance machines.

• Kawasaki Z-series motorcycles.

• Honda Fireblade customisation.

• Italian Moto Guzzi heritage.

• Café racer styling.

• Racing replicas.

• Motorcycle restoration.

• Custom engineering and fabrication.

The issue offers a useful snapshot of the British classic sportsbike and restoration scene in 2017.

It may be particularly appealing to collectors interested in reader-built motorcycles, custom projects and historic performance bikes.

Publication Details

Magazine: Practical Sportsbikes

Publication Date: May 2017

Issue Number: 79

Original Cover Price: £4.10

Language: English

Edition: UK

Format: Printed Motorcycle Magazine

Main Feature: Special Build of the Year

Competition: 10 Amazing Reader Builds

Associated Brand: Venhill

Featured Manufacturers: Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda and Moto Guzzi

SKU: 1594

Condition – Important Information

Pre-owned magazine with visible signs of previous handling and storage.

The supplied photograph shows the actual front cover of the magazine being offered.

Front Cover

The front cover remains bright and colourful, with the blue background, motorcycle photographs and large lettering clearly visible.

The cover retains good visual presentation overall.

Visible imperfections include:

• Light surface scratches and handling marks.

• Minor rubbing to the glossy printed finish.

• Small areas of wear along the outer edges.

• Light wear to the upper and lower corners.

• Slight creasing and surface impressions.

• Visible wear and small scuffed areas along the left-hand spine edge.

• Minor irregularity and wear around the upper-right corner.

The large central motorcycle photographs and cover headlines remain clearly visible.

Spine and Binding

The left-hand spine edge shows visible rubbing and small areas of wear.

There are several minor white scuff marks along the spine area where the printed surface appears worn.

The magazine appears to retain its overall shape, although the binding and internal page attachments have not been fully inspected.

Interior Pages

Only the front cover has been supplied for this listing.

The condition of the internal pages cannot be assessed in detail from the available photograph.

Any internal marks, creases, writing, page damage or missing pages cannot be ruled out without further inspection.

Overall Condition

Condition: Good used condition based on the visible front cover, with some spine and edge wear.

The magazine is not new or mint.

It remains an attractive copy for a motorcycle magazine collection, particularly because of its distinctive Special Build of the Year cover.

Please examine the supplied photograph carefully, as it forms an important part of the condition description.

Important – Original Accompanying Items

MAGAZINE ONLY.

Any original separate supplements, promotional gifts, loose inserts or other accompanying items that may originally have been supplied with this issue are no longer included.

Only the magazine itself is included.

Packaging and Delivery

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

UK Orders: Dispatched in a protective hardback envelope.

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

Collector Interest

This original May 2017 issue may appeal to collectors and enthusiasts of:

• Practical Sportsbikes Magazine.

• Classic motorcycle magazines.

• Suzuki GS1000S.

• Suzuki Katana GSX1100S.

• Suzuki XR69 replicas.

• Suzuki GT550.

• Yamaha RD500LC.

• Yamaha RZ350.

• Kawasaki Z1R.

• Kawasaki ZX-7R and ZX-9R.

• Honda Fireblade.

• Honda NS400R.

• Moto Guzzi Le Mans.

• Café racer motorcycles.

• Custom motorcycle builds.

• Two-stroke sportsbikes.

• Japanese classic motorcycles.

• Vintage motorcycle restoration.

• Motorcycle racing replicas.

• Motorcycle engineering and maintenance.

Summary

An original Practical Sportsbikes Magazine, May 2017, Issue 79, featuring the Special Build of the Year competition.

The distinctive blue cover showcases ten custom-built and restored motorcycles, including machines from Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda and Moto Guzzi.

Additional advertised features include Honda NS400R coverage, a Yamaha RZ350 restoration, Kawasaki Z-series motorcycles in Japan, Suzuki X7 versus Morini 3½, PS Superstockers and motorcycle mirror repairs.

Condition: Good used condition based on the supplied front-cover photograph, with visible light surface wear, spine rubbing and minor edge and corner wear. Internal condition has not been fully verified.

Important: Magazine only. Any original separate accompanying items are no longer included.

UK Packaging: Protective hardback envelope.

International Packaging: Sturdy cardboard mail-size box.

SKU: 1594