Re: Speaking of bikes
It's uncanny that this post started today as I have been thinking about a particular bike for the last couple of days.<br /><br />I first fell in love with motorbikes when my uncle took me for a ride on his Vincent Black Shadow. I was 6 years old and I remember looking under his arm at the enormous speedo as the needle bounced its way to 100 mph. It was the most exciting thing of my life and still gives me goose bumps when I think of it after 40 years.<br />My uncle had bought the Vincent on his 32 birthday which was also the day I was born, so the Shadow has always held a special place for me. <br />My uncle went on to collect a number of special bikes which he still has in his garage in NW England. These include the Shadow, Vincent Comet, Cammy Velo, 250, 500 & 750 BMW, Arial Square Four and a Rudge.<br /><br />Even though my parents tried to discourage me, with my Uncle's help I started riding trials bikes in my early teens and as soon as I reached 16 I got an Arial Golden Arrow.<br />After trashing the first couple of bikes, which was enough for my Uncle to state "You will NEVER, ride any of my bikes, especially the Shadow" I smartened up and started collecting and restoring bikes. <br />Over the years I would visit my Uncle but never got the opportunity to ride the Shadow and latterly it has deteriorated and will require a complete restoration. <br /><br />In 1996 when my first daughter was born, (two more have followed) my work shop had 9 bikes in varies states of restoration, but I made a promise to my wife that they would all go until the children were grown.<br /><br />Yesterday I received an e-mail from England that my Uncle has been taken into a Hospice and is very seriously ill and I should make plans to head back soon.<br />Now, thinking about my Uncle has brought back all the memories, especially of the Vincent.<br />I told my wife last night that if my Uncles family decide to sell his collection of bikes that I want to buy the Vincent's and ship them back to my workshop in Canada. <br />I really would like to see the Shadow back to its former glory, black, shiny, with the smell of a British classic and the speedo hit 100 mph again!<br /><br />Following is the list of memorable bikes I have owned:<br />1958 Cotton Scrambler (Girder Forks)<br />1961 Greeves 250<br />1961 Arial Golden Arrow<br />1955 Triumph T110<br />Pre Unit Triton (Wideline Featherbed/Bonniville)<br />1974 Montessa 250 Cota<br />1973 Bultaco 350 Sherpa <br />1972 Ossa 250<br />1976 Kawasaki Z1<br />1969 Triumph Trident (Toaster Tank)<br />1970 Triumph Trident (Slippery Sam Replica)<br />1974 BMW 90S Silver Smoke (Less than 10K)<br />1976 BMW R65 <br />1982 Yamaha 750 Virago<br />1987 BMW K100RT
<br /><br />2002 Harley FLHT<br />1939 Harley ULH flathead<br />1940 Harley chopped 45 c.i. flathead<br />1940 Indian chief
