Its Time...

 For an Update

So there has been a lot going on recently both in my personal life and externally, but DON'T WORRY,  it's good stuff and there aren't going to be major changes around here any time soon.

Or, are there?😊

Honda P50 Moped

But first let's go back before we can go forward, as it were. Above is my first Bike, a Honda P50 moped. It cost my father as I recall £25 from its previous owner a Police Officer. I was 16, had long unruly blondish hair and a matching attitude. The bike was on a J plate, so 1971 and it was 1975 when I got it, so just 4 years old. However, said Copper had commuted on it in all weathers and as he was (as all coppers were then) a big bloke, it was looking rather tired. So with teenage enthusiasm, I set about brush painting whatever parts I could remove a rather fetching (to my eyes anyway) Duck Egg Blue. Riding gear consisted of the obligatory helmet, equally obligatory flares and as the next image shows, a belted flannel coat with regular gloves.

On my Honda P50

Sadly this picture has fared less well than the black and white one shown above it. Colour prints of this era are subject to this fading and colour shifts. One day, I will use modern technology to bring it back, but just for now it's good to see me as a callow youth full of vim and vigor on it taking  my first baby steps in Motorcycling, a pastime, I still follow 50+ years later.

That Moped was freedom to me and I went everywhere on it! often racing my mate Steve who had a Puch Maxi. His Maxi being a 2-stroke was faster off the mark, but my Honda marginally had the edge on top speed. Happy days indeed.

Stanley Thompson

And now let's go back even further in time to my Mum's Uncle Stanley. Stanley was clearly a bit of a Jack the Lad as in every single photo, he sports a cigarette dangling from his lips and a wicked glint in his eye. I never met Stanley, but  I think we would have got on like a house on fire. Why? Because he rode motorcycles. 

Hell yeah😁 

In the family photo album from which these shots were taken, she has put a hand written note saying 'My Favourite Uncle'

I can see why!

Family Portrait 

The shot above, was clearly taken in a Photographic Studio with a backdrop and the motorcycle leant over to make it look like he was riding it. I think it is unlikely that he and possibly his brother (see right hand pic) would have worn their best suits for a ride. The cigarette seems essential though. And, here he is again on the right, still with the ciggy, but this time in work gear with sleeves rolled up in what seems to be a garage with a cobbled floor. In the sidecar is possibly his Brother again and either his Sister, my great Aunt Beatrice or my Grandmother Hannah (AKA Nancy) with him. As my Grandmother was born in 1895, this dates the photo to before World War One.

Now we move much further forward in time and to see me on my first Harley Davidson, a 1996 883 Sportster with my son Ashley aged about 7 or 8 as my pillion. If you look carefully you will see the foam I wrapped round the Pillion Pegs so his feet could reach them. 

Me and my Son aboard my Harley

This image probably dates from around the year 2000 and you can see the touring screen, pannier rails and open pipes. Happy days again, but sadly this bike had to be sold when I started my Nursing course. One day I will tell the whole story, but just for now, it's good to know that the motorcycle gene seems to have passed down to my son. 

So now we come back to the present. I am riding this bike, a BSA Goldstar 650. I fell in love with this bike immediately I saw it and had to have it. I have now owned this bike for two years and to be honest it's been a mixed experience. I love the way the bike looks and the riding experience, the cameraderie and the way others respond to it.

BSA Goldstar 650

But and it's a big but, my riding experience has been tainted with unreliability, a poor dealer experience and I am beginning to sense as I get older, that physically I need to have complete control of my bike every time I ride it.

Which means a change if I am to continue this pastime for a few more years. So, I have set some criteria and these are:

1. Ownership - No PCP for me
2. Affordability - There is a budget
3. Reliability - no breakdowns
4. Accessibility - low seat height 
5. Fun Factor - must be enjoyable to ride
6. Brand - must be recognisable

What next? Well the process of change is already quite advanced as I have both mentally, financially and physically assessed the candidates and my short list is growing ever shorter.  

I will keep people updated, both in written and video form in due course. But what do YOU think? Comments both here, on my YouTube and on Facebook welcome.