IN COMING

EARLY YEARS

This is me on my first bike which cost £10 in 1961, when I was 16. It seems like yesterday. I had just started an apprenticeship earning just £1.50 a week, which meant I had to borrow the money to buy and run the bike . I was told it was an Ambassador with a Villiers 6E 197cc engine. But looking at the photos, it had a swinging arm frame . I think this may have been fitted onto what should have been a rigid frame - who knows? The Ambassador had a very large rear sprocket and would climb up a wall if you weren't careful!

My friend at the time had a brand new Tiger Cub which his family bought for him , but he never looked after it like I looked after my old bike. I remember him blueing the exhaust pipe after the first week because he couldn 't be bothered to run it in. I looked after my bike as if it was a new one. This paid off in later life, making me appreciate and value what I could afford .

I currently own six old bikes, a 1951 Ariel Square Four, Matchless G3LS, Honda CB77 and a Triumph Tigress scooter - these are currently under restoration. My riding bikes are a 1955 Triumph Thunderbird and a 1959 Ariel Leader - the same year and model I passed my test on. So I have plenty to get on with to keep me feeling young .

I always look forward to RC coming through my letterbox every month and it gives me inspiration.

Bill Warren, member

Thanks for that, Bill - and a great selection of machines to choose from, too. I wish I'd learned the same lessons as you, way back. Frank W

REMEMBERING BOB

Mention of Bob Currie recently reminds me of when I was researching the history of my unique racing bike. I wanted to know if