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Past & Present
| I enclose two photographs of
two bikes; my first post war 1947 Ajay and my current
1982 Bonny 140 ES. ( I am sure you will notice the rider
has changed very little during the intervening years that
separate these two bikes.) |
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The 350 cc AJS was purchased new, using my demob money from
the RAF, for the sum of £139 - 10s Od plus £2 -
10s Od for the speedometer. Spares were hard to come by at that
time, taking three months to acquire the essential Flapper Rack.
Panniers had to be home-made and ex-army backpacks were used
which weren't exactly waterproof. It was not the thing to wear
any headgear, unless it was raining cats and dogs, in which
case a flat cap or ski cap was permissable. Motorcycle clothing
was only just becoming available at a price.
This is not a moan about the old days but a reflection on how
lucky we were, after five years of war, to be able to enjoy
the exciting freedom of the open road, roaming the Yorkshire
Dales on a gallant little Ajay which never missed a beat. The
roads were poor, the bike had a rigid frame, but the days were
magic, exciting and the motorcycle club life was great.
In later years I was tempted by Edward Turner's twins, first
the 500cc Speed Twin and then onto the 650cc Thunderbirds. The
subsequent introduction of Corker helmets, the sidecar for the
comfort of the good lady, were I suppose, inevitable and then
disaster struck.
A car was necessary for business reasons and for the love of
my life ( don't tell the missus ), my lovely Thunderbird had
to go and some of the magic went out of my life, presumably
forever.
However, two years ago, through a good friend, I found a local
club, namely The British Motorcycle Preservation Society, in
North Wales where I now reside. At our monthly meetings I have
met many members keen on their various classic machines and
full of humour and friendliness. The old magic flame flickered
into life again and once more, after a gap of some forty years
I returned to the two-wheeler. But I am well into my seventies,
thought to be of sound mind and have not ridden a motorcycle
since the fifties. Oh what the hell - let's have a go. Assisted
by my friend, a suitable motorcycle was located, tested, purchased
and delivered. The essential helmet and clothing were obtained
and the day arrived when, sat astride this throbbing beast,
the moment of truth had arrived.
Could I stay on, would I fall off ?
Well, gently out of the drive, carefully through the village,
neighbours agog ( the old fool has finally lost it ), out on
to the open road, bend after bend cautiously taken, speed gradually
increased as my confidence returned and the realisation that
the old skills had not entirely deserted me. I am now on my
third classic bike, all Triumph big twins of course, and I take
part in the North Wales classic bike scene, showing the Bonnie,
at the various summer events along with other like-minded biking
souls equally proud of their particular make and model.
This may be the story of a mad old codger, just turned 78, but
the aches and pains of getting out of bed in the morning always
miraculously disappear as soon as the Bonnie fires up and I
feel ten years younger ( maybe a medical breakthrough here ).
Happy Riding !
P.S if anyone knows if AJS reg- KUB834 is still in existence
please email here. |
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