PREY OR Pray?

Manning the VMCC Dorset section stand for the whole weekend at the Bristol Classic Show earlier this year offered me a fascinating insight into the current mindset of the classic motorcycle enthusiast. For sure, the custom Vincent cafe racers, or over-shiny Japanese bikes restored to 110% originality always attract their fair share of attention, but for the first time it was apparent that a large number of covetous glances were being cast in the direction of small capacity bikes liberally sprinkled throughout the club stands, the sort of ride-to-work tiddlers we all cast aside as soon as bigger and better rides came our way.

Why would an experienced rider, with a shed containing a Norton Commando, post-Meriden Triumph retro, or even a fabled Vincent ever want to even glance in the direction of such execrable objects? Perhaps it’s just nostalgia. After all, we all remember with affection our early sojourns on two wheels. But if that were the case then why were such bikes largely being shunned even just a couple