MY SPACE

JOHN PACE

ohn Pace’s dad hated motorcycles. So when he turned up out of the blue with a classic BSA, Pace says his jaw dropped. “I just couldn’t believe). Sometimes he’d stand in for the actor and drive them on screen, too. The green 1941 BSA 500cc cost £800 and was a star in its own right, having made frequent appearances on the telly, including the early-70s series , and another show where it was ridden by British actor David Jason. When Pace immigrated to New Zealand in the early 90s, he brought the BSA with him, along with a 1949 Army Indian Scout that had been used by the Canadian army. Today, his motorbike collection has doubled to include a silver 1954 Matchless 350 and a 1975 Honda Gold Wing 1000 – all stored in a huge garage under his house in Wellington, where he works as an industrial consultant. “I was a rocker, back in the day; I’ve still got the leather jacket to prove it, though it doesn’t fit anymore,” Pace says, pointing to where his jacket hangs on the wall among a collection of motorcycle memorabilia. “Back then, I had lots of British bikes, before settling for a Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor – a very cool bike for a rocker.” He’s ridden his bikes all over the country, and says the BSA remains a sentimental favourite. His father died many years ago, but Pace still recognises him every now and again in old TV programmes. “Recently I spotted him driving a Rolls-Royce in an episode of ,” he says. But never in his life has he seen his dad riding a motorcycle – “not even on TV”.