Master’s in Historic Motorcycle Racing
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in historic motorcycle racing. 12 modules covering historic racing regulations, two- and four-stroke racing engines, chassis, suspension and brakes, set-up, rider safety, riding technique and team logistics, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Historic Motorcycle Racing — studying from South Africa
Classic vehicle restoration is a niche but active interest in South Africa, supported by owners' clubs, specialist workshops and historic motorsport events. Restoration work draws on skills in mechanical engineering, materials and heritage conservation. Specialists source parts, rebuild engines and conserve bodywork for vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. Clubs and heritage organisations help maintain the community and promote conservation practice.
Fees for South Africa: R 148 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Restoration work is not generally a regulated title, though ECSA registration applies to engineering roles and the SABS covers relevant standards. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by clients, employers or the relevant body, so check with them first.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in restoration and classic vehicles?
The classic vehicle sector is largely made up of specialist workshops, collectors and small firms that value demonstrable craftsmanship and reputation over formal credentials. A private qualification may add technical depth to your profile, but its impact depends on individual clients and employers. Speak to people in the field to see how they would regard it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, can pay in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Ask SEIUM about time-zone and workload details before committing.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the history of motorcycle racing.
Apply historic racing regulations.
Prepare period two- and four-stroke engines.
Set up the chassis, suspension and brakes of classic motorcycles.
Tune the motorcycle for each circuit.
Manage rider safety and riding technique.
Organise a team and assess sporting heritage.
Who it's for
- Historic racing motorcycle preparers.
- Classic motorcycle race mechanics.
- Historic racing riders.
- Team managers.
- Racing motorcycle restoration technicians.
- Classic motorcycle event organisers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking a career in historic motorcycle racing.
What you'll work with
- FIM Sporting Code (general rules of international motorcycle sport)
- FIM Medical Code (medical requirements for riders and events)
- FIM Racing Homologation Programme for helmets (FRHPhe) (helmet approval for FIM competition)
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 22 (protective helmets for motorcycle riders)
- EN 17092 (protective garments for motorcycle riders)
- EN 1621-1 (motorcyclists' limb impact protectors)
- Regulation (EU) 168/2013 (approval of two- or three-wheel vehicles)
- AiM Race Studio 3
- 2D Datarecording
- MOTA
- Microsoft Excel
12 modules
1.1Early road races1.2Grands Prix of the fifties and sixties1.3Street circuit racing1.4Classic motocross and trials1.5Manufacturers and racing teams1.6Production and works machines1.7Technical evolution by decade1.8Benchmark riders and teams1.9Sporting heritage1.10Case study: historical record of a racing motorcycle
2.1The FIM Sporting Code2.2Categories by period2.3Classes by engine capacity2.4Period specification2.5Permitted modifications2.6Technical forms2.7Scrutineering2.8Rider licences2.9National regulations2.10Practical: classifying a motorcycle by period
3.1Piston-port, reed-valve and disc-valve induction3.2Port timing3.3Expansion chambers3.4Carburation3.5Ignition3.6Cooling3.7Pistons and rings3.8Reliability3.9Race preparation3.10Laboratory: measuring port timing diagrams
4.1British singles4.2Overhead camshafts4.3Desmodromic valve gear4.4Period multi-cylinder engines4.5Multiple carburettors4.6Racing lubrication4.7Cylinder head preparation4.8Balancing4.9Reliability4.10Workshop: rebuilding a racing cylinder head
5.1Double-cradle frames5.2Steering geometry5.3Period telescopic forks5.4Rear shock absorbers5.5Twin-leading-shoe drum brakes5.6Early disc brakes5.7Spoked wheels5.8Historic racing tyres5.9Chassis set-up5.10Practical: setting up a telescopic fork
6.1Racing gearboxes6.2Close-ratio gears6.3Dry and wet clutches6.4Chains and sprockets6.5Choosing gearing6.6Gear changes by circuit6.7Wear and maintenance6.8Common failures6.9Permitted improvements6.10Case study: gearing for a circuit
7.1Annual preparation plan7.2Engine running-in7.3Dyno tuning7.4Reading spark plugs7.5Carburation by circuit7.6Suspension set-up7.7Data logging7.8Checklists7.9Maintenance between races7.10Laboratory: tuning on a rolling road
8.1Approved helmets8.2Leather suits8.3Body armour8.4Boots and gloves8.5Circuit safety8.6Medical services8.7Flag procedures8.8Crashes and prevention8.9Equipment on classic motorcycles8.10Practical: checking rider equipment
9.1Body position9.2Braking technique with drum brakes9.3Racing lines9.4Managing a two-stroke engine9.5Push starts9.6Wet conditions9.7Physical preparation9.8Mental training9.9Video analysis9.10Case study: improvement plan for a rider
10.1Team structure10.2Season budget10.3Transporting motorcycles10.4Spares and tools10.5Paddock operations10.6Fuels and lubricants10.7Calendar10.8Sponsorship10.9Communication10.10Workshop: season plan for a team
11.1Exhibition events11.2Parades and demonstrations11.3The racing motorcycle market11.4Authenticity and provenance11.5Replicas and their declaration11.6Museums and collections11.7Archives and documentation11.8Classic motorcycle clubs11.9Promoting heritage11.10Case study: valuing a racing motorcycle with history
12.1Motorcycle selection12.2Historical research12.3Regulatory analysis12.4Preparation plan12.5Engine and chassis preparation12.6Set-up12.7Season plan12.8Results12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is AiM Race Studio 3, 2D Datarecording, MOTA and Microsoft Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for carburation tuning on a rolling road, chassis set-up at the circuit and scrutineering of a period motorcycle. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIM Sporting Code, FIM Medical Code, FIM Racing Homologation Programme for helmets (FRHPhe), UN/ECE Regulation No. 22, EN 17092, EN 1621-1, Regulation (EU) 168/2013.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with AiM Race Studio 3, 2D Datarecording, MOTA and Microsoft Excel, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience, plus English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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