British Bike Magazine – January 1996 – Issue No. 100

Vintage British Motorcycle Magazine | Norton F1 | Ducati Imola 750 | Ariel | Matchless | Classic Motorcycle Racing

Original January 1996 edition of British Bike magazine, Issue No. 100, published by Traplet Publications.

This milestone 100th issue celebrates classic British motorcycles, motorcycle racing history, vintage machinery, road testing and motorcycle ownership.

Featuring the prominent cover headline "100 Top Bikes", the magazine brings together selections from well-known motorcycle personalities, alongside a feature examining Norton's exclusive F1 model.

The publication combines historical motorcycle journalism, colour photography, classic motorcycle road tests, buying advice and enthusiast features.

An interesting collectable for enthusiasts of British motorcycles, Norton, Ariel, Matchless, Ducati, vintage motorcycle restoration and 1990s motorcycling publications.

Magazine Details

• Publication: British Bike

• Issue: No. 100

• Date: January 1996

• Publisher: Traplet Publications

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Original UK Cover Price: £1.95

• Original USA Price: $3.95

• Format: Printed motorcycle magazine

• Main Theme: Classic motorcycles, road tests and vintage motorcycling

• SKU: 1604

The magazine is dated January 1996. No specific day of publication is confirmed in the photographs.

Front Cover – Norton F1 Motorcycle

The front cover is dominated by a dramatic action photograph of a black Norton F1 motorcycle being ridden through a corner.

The rider is wearing a white full-face helmet and dark motorcycle leathers, leaning into the bend with the machine.

The motorcycle features distinctive enclosed black bodywork, a prominent front fairing, twin headlights and white graphics.

The image captures the sporty appearance and unusual styling associated with Norton's rotary-powered machines.

The cover also features the magazine's distinctive red, silver and black BRITISH BIKE masthead.

Main Cover Headlines

Absolutely F1bulous

A prominent feature concerning Norton's expensive F1 motorcycle, described on the cover as being road tested twice.

100 Top Bikes

A special feature in which motorcycle personalities select their favourite machines.

The cover specifically names:

• Paul Smart

• Dave Croxford

• Barry Sheene

Seven additional classic motorcycling personalities are also advertised as contributors to the selection.

Nutty's Back!

The return of the magazine's cartoon character.

VMCC Women Racers

A feature concerning women participating in Vintage Motor Cycle Club racing.

Ducati Imola 750

A feature relating to the historic Ducati racing machine.

Buying an Ariel Single

Classic motorcycle buying advice.

Harris G80 Matchless

Coverage of the Matchless G80 and Harris-associated motorcycle engineering.

The combination of racing history, collectable motorcycles and practical ownership advice makes this issue appealing to a wide range of classic motorcycle enthusiasts.

Detailed Magazine Contents

The photographed contents spread confirms the following features.

Page 20 – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

A feature focusing on women participating in vintage motorcycle racing.

The contents photograph shows several riders competing on classic racing motorcycles.

The image captures a group of competitors negotiating a corner, with riders leaning their motorcycles into the bend.

The feature is particularly relevant to collectors interested in the history of women in motorcycle competition and Vintage Motor Cycle Club events.

Page 26 – 100 Magic Memories

A special feature celebrating 100 memorable motorcycles and motorcycling experiences.

The contents page identifies contributions from several notable motorcycling personalities, including Paul Smart, Mike Edwards, Dave Croxford, Barry Sheene and other riders and enthusiasts.

As part of the magazine's 100th issue celebrations, the feature looks back at favourite machines and memorable moments in motorcycling.

This is one of the publication's principal historical and collector-focused articles.

Page 34 – A Grand Old Duke of Spain

A feature concerning Ducati's celebrated Imola 750 racing machine.

The article is associated with the historic Ducati racing success at Imola and the motorcycle's place in racing history.

This feature will be of interest to collectors and enthusiasts of classic Ducati motorcycles, Italian racing machinery and 1970s motorcycle competition.

Page 40 – Great Expectations

A feature examining Norton's F1 motorcycle.

The contents page describes the F1 as a landmark in British motorcycle engineering and refers to its high original purchase price.

The article provides a period perspective on one of Norton's most distinctive modern classic motorcycles.

Of particular interest to Norton collectors, rotary motorcycle enthusiasts and readers researching 1990s motorcycle road tests.

Page 46 – A Bullet Around the Earth

A travel-related feature following a motorcycle journey.

The photographed contents page refers to the second part of a rider's journey, with a stop in South Africa on an Enfield 500cc single.

The accompanying photograph shows a dramatic rocky landscape at sunset, with silhouetted figures standing above the horizon.

This adds an adventure and long-distance motorcycling element to the magazine.

Page 52 – Buying the Dream, Living the Nightmare

A feature offering a personal perspective on the motorcycle trade.

The contents description refers to one man's view of the motorcycle business.

An interesting period article for readers interested in the commercial and ownership side of classic motorcycling.

Page 56 – Non-Starter

A feature concerning the Harris Matchless G80.

The contents photograph shows a dark-coloured motorcycle photographed outdoors.

The article discusses the machine and its place in British motorcycling.

Particularly relevant to enthusiasts of Matchless motorcycles, Harris engineering and classic British singles.

Page 66 – Ringing the Changes

A feature discussing Triumph's four-cylinder Speed Triple.

The contents page describes the machine as an impressive motorcycle and examines its character and performance.

This provides a useful contrast between traditional classic motorcycles and the British machines available during the 1990s.

Page 74 – Buying a Classic

A practical buying feature focusing on Ariel single-cylinder motorcycles.

The contents description refers to the pleasures and potential difficulties of Ariel ownership.

Useful for enthusiasts researching vintage British motorcycle buying advice, maintenance considerations and period market opinions.

Regular Magazine Sections

In addition to the main articles, the magazine contains a variety of regular departments.

The photographed contents page lists:

• Page 4 – Transmission: Latest news from the classic motorcycle scene.

• Page 9 – What's On: Classic motorcycling events and competitions.

• Page 10 – American Notes: Motorcycle news and observations from America.

• Page 12 – Herbert: A regular illustrated feature.

• Page 14 – Letters: Reader correspondence and discussion.

• Page 16 – Club News: Updates from classic motorcycle clubs.

• Page 18 – New Products: Products and accessories for motorcycle enthusiasts.

• Page 78 – Advice Bureau: Technical advice and classic motorcycle-related questions.

• Page 80 – Nutty's Stack: The return of the magazine's cartoon character.

• Page 81 – Tail Light: Closing regular feature.

These sections make the magazine a useful snapshot of the British classic motorcycle scene in the mid-1990s.

Photography and Presentation

The publication features a mixture of colour and black-and-white photography.

The front cover uses an action photograph of the Norton F1, while the photographed contents spread includes several images representing the magazine's main articles.

Visible images include:

• Norton motorcycle action photography.

• Classic motorcycle racing competitors.

• A vintage motorcycle photographed with a rider.

• A Triumph motorcycle photographed outdoors.

• An atmospheric landscape photograph.

• Motorcycle road-racing scenes.

The magazine's layout uses large headings, descriptive article summaries, page references and a combination of modern and historic motorcycle imagery.

The contents spread also displays the magazine's distinctive red and silver branding and the slogan "The True Spirit of Classic Biking."

Historical and Collector Interest

This January 1996 issue is particularly interesting because it represents the magazine's 100th issue.

The special anniversary content includes a retrospective selection of favourite motorcycles from established racing personalities.

Norton F1

The front cover and main road-test feature make this publication particularly relevant to collectors of Norton rotary motorcycles.

The F1 is one of the more unusual machines associated with the Norton name, making contemporary magazine coverage valuable as a period reference.

Ducati Imola 750

The Ducati racing feature adds an important international element to the magazine.

It provides a connection to Italian motorcycle racing history and classic Ducati competition machinery.

Barry Sheene, Paul Smart and Dave Croxford

The special 100 Top Bikes feature includes contributions from notable motorcycle racing personalities.

Their involvement adds interest for collectors of motorcycle racing history and memorabilia.

British Motorcycle Ownership

The magazine also covers Ariel, Matchless and Triumph machinery, offering a mixture of historical material, buying advice and period road-test impressions.

Vintage Motorcycle Racing

The VMCC women racers feature and other racing-related content provide a snapshot of classic motorcycle competition during the 1990s.

Condition – Please Read Carefully

Original pre-owned magazine from January 1996.

Based on the supplied photographs, this example appears to be in good used vintage condition, with visible signs of previous handling and age-related wear.

It is not a new or mint-condition magazine.

Front Cover

The front cover retains its original colour photograph, masthead and main feature headlines.

The Norton F1 photograph remains clearly visible, and the printed colours are generally strong.

Visible imperfections include:

• Light surface scuffing and rubbing.

• Small scratches and handling marks.

• Minor wear along the left-hand spine edge.

• Some light creasing and pressure marks near the spine.

• Slight wear to the upper and lower cover edges.

• Minor corner wear, particularly around the lower corners.

• Light marks visible against the darker areas of the cover.

The lower-left section of the cover shows a noticeable light reflection in the photograph, alongside some visible handling wear.

The cover remains generally presentable despite these imperfections.

Spine and Binding

The spine is visible along the left-hand side of the front cover and within the opened contents spread.

There is some minor rubbing and wear along the spine edge, consistent with previous reading and storage.

The photographed pages appear to remain attached, with no major binding separation evident.

However, the entire binding has not been individually inspected.

Interior Pages

The photographed contents spread appears generally clean and readable.

The magazine retains its original colour and black-and-white printed photographs.

Visible signs of age and use include:

• Slight curvature of the pages around the centre binding.

• Minor handling wear.

• Light edge and corner wear.

• Small surface marks associated with previous use.

• Some gentle waviness in the paper when opened.

The article headings, page numbers and printed photographs remain clearly visible.

No major tears are apparent in the photographed interior spread.

Overall Condition

Good used vintage condition with light to moderate age-related wear.

The magazine is approximately 30 years old and shows normal signs of handling and storage.

The front cover remains attractive, and the photographed interior pages appear readable and generally well preserved.

The supplied images do not establish the condition of every individual page, so minor imperfections elsewhere cannot be ruled out.

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

Original Extras and Promotional Items

Any free gifts, promotional items, supplements, loose inserts or other additional items that may originally have accompanied this magazine are no longer included.

This listing is for the original magazine only.

Packaging and Shipping

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

UK Orders: Sent in a protective hardback envelope.

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

Summary

Original British Bike magazine, January 1996, Issue No. 100, featuring a Norton F1 front cover and a special anniversary selection of 100 favourite motorcycles.

Includes features relating to Barry Sheene, Paul Smart, Dave Croxford, Norton F1, Ducati Imola 750, Ariel singles, Harris Matchless G80, Triumph Speed Triple and vintage motorcycle racing.

An appealing period publication for collectors of classic British motorcycles, motorcycle racing memorabilia, historic road tests and vintage motorcycle magazines.

Condition: Good used vintage condition with visible surface rubbing, minor creasing, edge wear and handling marks.

SKU: 1604