Classic Racer Magazine – January/February 1998 – Issue No. 69

Original Vintage Motorcycle Racing Magazine | Barry Sheene | Honda NS/RS500 | DKW V-Three | Triumph & BSA | Pre-65 Motocross

An original January/February 1998 edition of Classic Racer magazine, Issue Number 69, featuring historic motorcycle racing, legendary racing machines, classic Grand Prix competition, racing engineering and off-road motorcycle sport.

This vintage British motorcycling publication features a striking full-colour racing cover dominated by a Honda Grand Prix racing motorcycle carrying the unmistakable yellow number 9.

The magazine celebrates several important periods of motorcycle racing history, including Barry Sheene's first 500cc Grand Prix victory, classic Honda racing motorcycles, British racing triples and the remarkable 1951 DKW V-three.

Additional cover features include a new Cotton trials motorcycle and pre-1965 motocross competition featuring Tri-Metisse machinery.

A fascinating collectible for enthusiasts of historic motorcycle racing, vintage competition bikes, classic two-stroke engines and British motorcycle engineering.

Publication Details

• Magazine: Classic Racer

• Issue Number: 69

• Cover Date: January/February 1998

• Publication Period: January–February 1998

• Original UK Price: £2.95

• Original USA Price: $5.50

• Language: English

• Format: Printed motorcycle racing magazine

• Subject: Historic motorcycle racing, Grand Prix motorcycles, classic motorcycles and motocross

• Condition: Pre-owned vintage condition

• SKU: 1585

Date note: The magazine is dated January/February 1998. An exact publication day is not visible on the supplied cover.

Front Cover – Honda Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle

The main cover photograph is a dramatic close-up action image of a Honda racing motorcycle leaning into a corner on a racetrack.

The motorcycle displays a large yellow number 9 racing plate, with the number repeated prominently on its side fairing.

The front fairing has a striking combination of red, white, blue and yellow, with large Honda branding visible along the lower side.

The rider wears full racing leathers and a white helmet, crouched low over the motorcycle in a classic Grand Prix racing position.

Notable visual details include:

• Large yellow number 9 front racing plate.

• Matching number 9 displayed on the side fairing.

• Prominent Honda branding.

• Red, white, blue and yellow racing livery.

• Racing sponsorship decals.

• Full protective racing leathers.

• White racing helmet.

• Low racing handlebars.

• Large slick racing tyres.

• Detailed front suspension and brake components.

• A dramatic low-angle photograph capturing the motorcycle leaning through a corner.

The photograph is especially appealing to collectors of Honda racing memorabilia and enthusiasts of late-20th-century motorcycle Grand Prix racing.

The rider's identity is not independently confirmed from the single supplied photograph.

Featured Articles and Cover Stories

Barry Sheene – First 500cc Grand Prix Victory

Across the upper edge of the cover is the prominent headline:

"Sheene's First 500 GP Win"

This feature focuses on an important milestone in the racing career of legendary British motorcycle racer Barry Sheene.

Sheene became one of Britain's most recognisable racing personalities and an influential figure in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle competition.

The article is particularly relevant to enthusiasts interested in:

• Barry Sheene's racing career.

• Historic 500cc Grand Prix racing.

• British motorcycle racing history.

• Two-stroke Grand Prix motorcycles.

• Classic motorcycle world championship competition.

This is a particularly interesting cover subject for collectors of Barry Sheene memorabilia and historic racing publications.

Honda NS/RS500 – 1980s Grand Prix Racing

A prominent left-hand headline reads:

"'80s Honda NS/RS500s"

This feature concerns Honda's 1980s Grand Prix racing motorcycles.

The Honda NS500 and RS500 are closely associated with the development of highly competitive two-stroke racing motorcycles during the 1980s.

The NS500 was particularly notable for its three-cylinder engine configuration and its place in Honda's return to top-level two-stroke Grand Prix racing.

The RS500 became an important racing machine for private competitors and teams.

This subject will appeal to readers interested in:

• Honda NS500 motorcycles.

• Honda RS500 racing machines.

• 1980s Grand Prix racing history.

• Two-stroke racing-engine technology.

• Honda racing development.

• Classic competition motorcycle restoration.

• Historic motorcycle racing photography.

The cover directly identifies both NS and RS500 motorcycles as a major feature of this issue.

1951 DKW V-Three

Another important feature is advertised as:

"1951 DKW V-Three"

A separate colour photograph at the lower-left corner of the cover shows a historic racing motorcycle.

The machine features a distinctive streamlined racing fairing, metallic finish and a yellow racing number 8.

Visible details include:

• Large rounded front racing fairing.

• Yellow number 8.

• Narrow motorcycle tyres.

• Traditional spoked wheels.

• Exposed rear wheel assembly.

• Long racing seat and tail section.

• Historic mechanical components.

• Paddock-style display with the motorcycle supported on a stand.

The photograph gives readers an excellent view of the motorcycle's classic competition design.

The DKW V-three represents a particularly interesting period of European motorcycle engineering and historic Grand Prix racing development.

This feature may be especially appealing to enthusiasts of German racing motorcycles, early two-stroke racing machinery and classic motorcycle restoration.

British Racing Triples – BSA and Triumph

The cover carries the headline:

"Beezumph! Threes Old & New"

The term Beezumph is closely associated with classic BSA and Triumph motorcycle enthusiasm.

The feature highlights three-cylinder motorcycle racing machines, connecting older examples with more recent developments.

British racing triples occupy an important position in motorcycle history, particularly through the achievements and engineering of Triumph and BSA competition motorcycles.

This subject will interest collectors and enthusiasts of:

• Triumph Trident motorcycles.

• BSA Rocket 3 motorcycles.

• British three-cylinder engines.

• Historic racing triples.

• Classic British motorcycle engineering.

• Vintage motorcycle racing modifications.

• Triumph and BSA racing history.

The feature is particularly relevant to enthusiasts following the preservation and continued competition of classic British racing motorcycles.

Pre-1965 Motocross – Tri-Metisse

The upper-right corner features an action photograph of classic off-road motorcycles competing on a dirt course.

The accompanying headline reads:

"Pre-65 MX: Tri-Metisse"

The photograph shows a competitor wearing red racing clothing and protective headgear while riding a motorcycle bearing the number 59.

Another motorcycle racer is visible close behind.

The photograph captures an exciting vintage motocross scene, with loose dirt, an uneven racing surface and motorcycles being ridden in competition.

The article concerns pre-1965 motocross, a category associated with preserving and competing on historic off-road motorcycles.

The Tri-Metisse name is particularly interesting to enthusiasts of classic British motorcycle specials and the famous Rickman Metisse tradition.

This feature will appeal to collectors interested in:

• Pre-65 motocross.

• Classic scrambling.

• Triumph-based off-road motorcycles.

• Rickman Metisse racing history.

• Historic motocross competition.

• Classic trials and scrambles machinery.

• Vintage motorcycle restoration.

New Cotton Trials Motorcycle

The upper banner also advertises:

"New! Cotton Trials Bike"

Cotton is a historic British motorcycle manufacturer associated with lightweight motorcycles, trials machinery and off-road competition.

This cover feature discusses a new Cotton trials motorcycle in the context of the late 1990s.

It provides an interesting comparison between Britain's historic motorcycle manufacturing heritage and the continuation of specialist competition motorcycle development.

The subject will particularly interest enthusiasts of Cotton motorcycles, British trials competition and lightweight off-road machines.

Why This Magazine Is Collectible

This edition brings together a wide selection of historic motorcycle racing subjects covering several decades.

The cover alone combines:

• Grand Prix Honda motorcycle racing.

• Barry Sheene racing history.

• Honda NS500 and RS500 motorcycles.

• Early 1950s DKW racing engineering.

• British Triumph and BSA triples.

• Classic pre-1965 motocross.

• Tri-Metisse competition motorcycles.

• Cotton trials motorcycle development.

This variety makes the issue especially appealing to collectors interested in historic motorcycle engineering and the evolution of racing motorcycles.

Unlike general motorcycling magazines, Classic Racer focuses specifically on racing heritage, historic competition motorcycles and the people and machinery associated with the sport.

The magazine offers an interesting snapshot of the classic racing scene as it stood in 1998.

Condition – Detailed Assessment

Pre-owned vintage condition with visible age-related wear.

The supplied photograph shows an original magazine with signs of handling, storage and general ageing.

Front Cover

• The original front cover is present.

• The main Classic Racer masthead remains clearly visible.

• The principal Honda racing photograph retains strong colour and detail.

• The red, yellow and blue racing graphics remain vibrant.

• The cover shows visible surface rubbing and handling marks.

• Some minor scuffs and light scratches are present.

• The cover has slight waviness and does not lie perfectly flat.

• Minor discolouration and general ageing are visible around lighter printed areas.

Spine and Left Edge

• Noticeable wear is present along the spine.

• The left edge shows rubbing and small areas of paper deterioration.

• Small nicks and irregularities are visible along the spine fold.

• The lower-left portion shows more pronounced wear.

• The top-left corner has slight bending and wear.

• A narrow strip of underlying paper is visible along portions of the left edge.

Corners and Outer Edges

• The top edge shows some unevenness and light bending.

• The upper-right corner is slightly curled and worn.

• The bottom-left corner has visible rounding and wear.

• The lower-right corner shows slight rubbing and curling.

• Minor marks and abrasions are visible along the bottom edge.

• The outer cover edges show general handling wear appropriate to a magazine of this age.

Interior and Completeness

Only the front cover has been supplied for inspection.

Therefore:

• The interior page condition cannot be independently assessed.

• The presence of every original page has not been verified.

• The condition of the internal binding cannot be fully confirmed.

• Any internal annotations, marks or damage cannot be ruled out.

• The photographed cover information confirms the subjects advertised, but the complete articles have not been individually inspected.

Overall Condition Assessment

Condition: Fair to good vintage condition, based on the visible cover.

The magazine remains attractive and presents well from the front, although it has noticeable spine wear and various age-related imperfections.

It should not be considered mint or near mint.

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

Important – Original Extras and Supplements

This listing is for the original January/February 1998 Classic Racer magazine shown in the photograph.

Any original free gifts, loose supplements, promotional inserts, detachable extras or other accessories that may originally have accompanied the magazine are not included unless specifically shown.

No additional items are being advertised as part of this listing.

Only the magazine itself is supplied.

Packaging and Delivery

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

UK Orders: Dispatched in a protective hardback envelope to help reduce the risk of bending and damage.

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

Final Summary

An original Classic Racer Magazine, January/February 1998, Issue Number 69, featuring a dramatic number 9 Honda Grand Prix racing motorcycle on the front cover.

Major advertised features include Barry Sheene's first 500cc Grand Prix victory, Honda NS/RS500 racing motorcycles, the 1951 DKW V-three, British BSA and Triumph racing triples, pre-1965 Tri-Metisse motocross and a new Cotton trials motorcycle.

An appealing vintage motorcycle racing publication for collectors, classic motorcycle restorers and enthusiasts of historic Grand Prix and British motorcycle competition.

You will receive the actual vintage magazine shown in the photograph.

SKU: 1585