Generally speaking, I am a fan of unrestored bikes. Just thought I’d get that out of the way first. My absolute favourite machines are those which have somehow survived since they were manufactured almost untouched by anyone – apart from being ridden and maintained of course, I’m not daft enough to expect a bike to need no attention at all. That said, down the years I’ve stumbled across some real rarities, bikes which for one reason or another have covered almost no miles and have been mainly parked up. Very occasionally, I’ve stumbled across bikes from bygone years which have never even been registered and which have almost no miles at all on the clock. These included a Benelli 250/4, followed almost at once by a Triumph TR65. Both were entirely as new, even down to the brand-new 1982 tyres in the case of the Triumph. Tempted? You bet.
On one of several other hands, I also almost always (can you feel the slight hesitation there?) almost always enjoy riding bikes which have been personalised. Not entirely customised, but not entirely as their original makers intended them to be. I do this to my own machines, and I’m sure… almost sure that you do, too. Maybe electronic ignition, maybe a new and better carb, possibly beefed up brakes. Write your own lists if you like.
And of course I get to ride lots of bikes, many of which have been modified by successive
