Videos from Motorcycle Classics

Our motto at Motorcycle Classics is simple: ride ’em, don’t hide ’em. Below you can browse our video archive that shows it’s more than a motto for us: It’s a lifestyle. From multiple project bikes and ride reviews to events coverage and museum tours, our videos explore the ins and outs of the classic motorcycle hobby. We’re always putting together new videos, so check back often for new releases.

Museum Tours | Race to Rebuild Project Bikes | Classic American Motorcycles  |  Classic British Motorcycles  | 
Classic German Motorcycles  | Classic Italian Motorcycles  |  Classic Japanese Motorcycles  |  More Classic Motorcycles  | 
Classic Motorcycle Repair  |  Classic Motorcycle Events

Museum Tours

Race to Rebuild Project Bikes

Honda CB500

1973 Honda CB500, Part 1
The 1973 Honda CB500 project bike is rough, and in this video editor-in-chief Richard Backus and associate editor Landon Hall attempt to get it started.

1973 Honda CB500

1973 Honda CB500, Part 2
The 1973 Honda CB500 project bike gets a compression and ring check.

Triumph Bonneville

Triumph Bonneville Build, Part 1
Motorcycle Classics editor-in-chief Richard Backus and advertising director Rod Peterson begin stripping a new Triumph Bonneville in preparation for customization as a bobber.

Completed Triumph Bonneville Bobber

Triumph Bonneville Build, Part 2
Motorcycle Classics editor-in-chief Richard Backus and son Charlie show off and start up the new Triumph Bonneville that MC editors Backus and Landon Hall have customized as a bobber.

Unrestored BMW R90/6

Unveiling the Unrestored BMW R90/6
Motorcycle Classics and Dairyland Cycle Insurance teamed up to build a custom classic out of a 1974 BMW R90/6. We found our project bike in Colorado and had it delivered to MC HQ in Kansas, where we got our first look at the “bones” of the build.

1974 BMW R90/6 in progess

Race to Rebuild: 1974 BMW R90/6
Motorcycle Classics and Dairyland Cycle Insurance have teamed up to build a custom classic out of a 1974 BMW R90/6. Here’s a look at the progress of the project bike.

BMW R90/6 first start

Race to Rebuild: 1974 BMW R90/6 First Start
We fire up the almost completed Motorcycle Classics and Dairyland Cycle Insurance Race to Rebuild 1974 BMW R90/6.

1974 BMW R90/6 completed restoration

Race to Rebuild: BMW R90/6 Reveal
The Motorcycle Classics and Dairyland Cycle Race to Rebuild 1974 BMW R90/6 is ready to go. Take a look at the completed bike.

Classic American Motorcycles

Sportster

1974 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1000
After languishing for some 17 years, a 1974 Harley-Davidson roars back to life following a sympathetic refurbishment by owner Ken Peters, who sold the bike 19 years ago and just got it back!

Zero XU Electric Bike

Zero XU Electric Motorcycle Review and Test Drive
Richard Backus, editor-in-chief of Motorcycle Classics, gives us his thoughts as he test drives the ZeroXU all-electric motorcycle.

1959 Harley-Davidson XLCH Sportster

1959 Harley-Davidson XLCH Sportster
The Hollingsworth Racing Team from St. Augustine, Florida, pulled out the stops at the 2015 Riding Into History Concours d’Elegance, bringing 11 Harley-Davidson race bikes, including an outrageous 1959 XLCH Sportster!

Classic British Motorcycles

Scott Flying Squirrel

Quick Ride: 1927 Scott Flying Squirrel
Motorcycle Classics editor-in-chief Richard Backus takes a ride on Mark Scott’s 1927 Scott Flying Squirrel at the 2009 Barber Vintage Festival at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Ala.

Royal Enfield Bullet Classic C5

2010 Royal Enfield Bullet Classic C5
Motorcycle Classics’ editor-in-chief Richard Backus rides into the office on a brand new 2010 Royal Enfield Bullet Classic C5 500cc fuel-injected single.

1973 Norton 850 Commando

Ken Peters’ 1973 Norton Commando 850
Motorcycle Classics editor-in-chief Richard Backus and his buddy Ken Peters start up Ken’s 1973 Norton Commando 850.

BSA Firebird Scrambler

1968 BSA Firebird Scrambler
Richard Backus and his crew bring a 1968 BSA Firebird Scrambler back to life.

Norton Commando 850

Michael Bailey’s 850 Norton Commando
A recently completed 850 Norton Commando rebuild starts on the third kick.

1950 Vincent Black Shadow Special

1950 Vincent Black Shadow Special
One of the many pleasant surprises at Barber was Bev Bowen’s 1950 Vincent Black Shadow, “Felix.”

1974 Triumph Bonneville

Twin Engine Triumph at the 2014 Barber Vintage Festival
Steve Pieratt’s 4-cylinder, 1,500cc 1974 Triumph Bonneville.

1949 Vincent Black Shadow

Barn Find Vincent: 1949 Vincent Black Shadow
Maggie, the barn find Vincent Black Shadow, runs for the first time!

1951 AJS 7R Boy Racer

Starting a 1951 AJS 7R Boy Racer
A 1951 AJS works 7R starts up at the Lone Star Vincent Owners Club and North Texas Norton Owners Association joint rally and ride.

Classic German Motorcycles

1974 BMW R90/6 with EPCO Pipes

1974 BMW R60/6 With New EPCO Stainless Steel Pipes
A before-and-after video shows the difference a new exhaust system makes on a 1974 BMW R60/6.

Classic Italian Motorcycles

1951 Moto Guzzi Gambalunga at 2011 Barber Vintage Festival

1951 Moto Guzzi Gambalunga
Antonio Ricciardi rides his 1951 Moto Guzzi Gambalunga into the Motorcycle Classics Vintage Bike Show at the 2011 Barber Vintage Festival in Leeds, Ala.

1971 Ducati 350 Silver Shotgun

1971 Ducati 350 Silver Shotgun
1971 Ducati 350 Silver Shotgun owned by Robert Westercamp, Cedar Falls, Iowa. This bike was entered into the 2011 Road America Motorcycle Classics Ride & Show in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Starting a 1934 Moto Guzzi GT-17

Starting Up a 1934 Moto Guzzi GT-17
Rod Schmidt starts up his 1934 Moto Guzzi GT-17 at the 2011 Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic in Elkhart Lake, Wis., June 11, 2011. Rod’s Guzzi took the People’s Choice Award in the Motorcycle Classics Ride and Show.

Moto Guzzi GT-17

1934 Moto Guzzi GT-17
Walking around Rod Schmidt’s 1934 Moto Guzzi GT-17 at the 2011 Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic in Elkhart Lake, Wis., June 11, 2011. Rod’s bike took the People’s Choice Award in the Motorcycle Classics Ride and Show.

Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic

Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic
Motorcycle Classics takes delivery of a brand new Moto Guzzi V7 Café Classic, delivered by Van Dam Trucking. The editors spent a month riding the bike and it was featured in the September/October 2008 issue

Classic Japanese Motorcycles

Yamaha Enduros

Allen Brotz’s 1973 Yamaha Enduro Lineup
This lineup of 1973 Yamaha Enduros owned by Allen Brotz was entered into the Motorcycle Classics Ride and Show at the 2011 Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic in Elkhart Lake, Wis., June 11, 2011.

SYM Wolf Classic 150

SYM Wolf Classic 150
The small-bore single gets a new lease on life with the new SYM Wolf Classic 150.

Editor Backus and our Project Honda CB350

Starting Our Project 1970 Honda CB350
After eight issues of updates, the Project 1970 Honda CB350 is finished and ready to get back out on the road. Watch us fire it up!

More Classic Motorcycles

2001 Ghezzi-Brian

2001 Ghezzi-Brian at 2011 Barber Vintage Festival
A look at Larry Hubbard’s 2001 Ghezzi-Brian, which won Best Moto Guzzi in the Motorcycle Classics Vintage Bike Show at the 2011 Barber Vintage Festival in Leeds, Ala.

Classic Motorcycle Repair

Chain and sprocket replacement

Chain and Sprocket Replacement on a 1972 Yamaha TX650
Motorcycle Classics editors Richard Backus and Landon Hall replace the chain and sprockets on Hall’s 1972 Yamaha TX650.

Classic Motorcycle Events

Barber Vintage Festival Highlights 2006

2006 Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival
Highlights from the 2006 Barber Vintage Festival in Leeds, Ala.

John Surtees prepares to race at Barber Vintage Festival.

John Surtees Races at 2006 Barber Vintage Festival
John Surtees, the only person to win world championships in both Grand Prix motorcycle racing and Forumla One, prepares to race at the Barber Vintage Festival.

Helmet cam on the track.

Motorcycle Classics Helmet Cam: Barber Vintage Festival
Ever want to see what it’s like to race a motorcycle? Now you can: AHRMA racer Craig Breckon let us strap a camera on his helmet as he rode around the track at Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, Ala.

Alan Cathcart

Alan Cathcart and the Ghezzi-Brain at the 2011 Barber Vintage Festival
Motorcycle luminary Alan Cathcart and Moto Guzzi brand manager Rick Panettieri present the award for Best Moto Guzzi to Larry Hubbard for his 2001 Ghezzi-Brian, which he entered in the Motorcycle Classics Vintage Bike Show at the 2011 Barber Vintage Festival in Leeds, Ala.

Editor's Choice Award

2011 MC Editor’s Choice:1951 Moto Guzzi Gambalunga
Antonio Ricciardi accepts the Editor’s Choice award in the Motorcycle Classics Vintage Bike Show at the 2011 Barber Vintage Festival in Leeds, Ala.

Alan Cathcart at 2011 Barber Vintage Festival

Alan Cathcart’s Favorite Moto Guzzis at the 2011 Barber Vintage Festival
Motorcycle luminary Alan Cathcart discusses the Moto Guzzis that impressed him most in the Motorcycle Classics Vintage Bike Show at the 2011 Barber Vintage Festival in Leeds, Ala.