MOTORCYCLING
From being a schoolboy at primary school to adulthood I always had a passion for motorcycles, though I have not always owned one. At primary school I had an imaginary one which I would pretend to kick up and ride to and from school on. When I reached senior school I met Dennis who became my best friend, his father had a Norton Dominator outfit and then a Norton Atlas. Dennis himself had a moped and a private field to ride it in, and it was not long before I had a field bike.
Throughout my life I have had quite a few bikes from an old Excellsior 98cc two stroke to a Kawasaki Z1100. I passed my test on a Yamaha YDS7 250cc which was capable of just under 100mph then went out and Part exchanged it for a 750cc Norton Commando Interstate.
In 1985 I was invited by Ron Hollingsworth (Dennis's brother) to join him and a few more Barnsley lads in starting a Motorcycle club. We called the club " Barnsley Bikers Club" I rode with them for a couple of years then let my membership lapse though I cannot now remember why. I along with Ron were first to get our names on the "Bob Ellam" Memorial Shield, presented to the rider that went on most club runs. One of those runs I organised to Staiths with a pre-booked meal in the Cod and Lobster public house which at that time was run by a couple from the Barnsley village of Darfield.
Later in life I started getting to rallies as a change from the racing scene that I had followed so far, and I found it a lot more fun and I was a regular visitor to the Kent Custom Show and the Bulldog Bash Both run by the "Hells Angels England" and Mag rallies at Upminster and Scarborough, I was also a founder member of The Barnsley Bikers Club .
On the evening of the 27th of February 2010 I had a very enjoyable time at the Barnsley Bikers Club 25th anniversary buffet and presentation. It was great to see old friends, some who I have not seen in 20 years. Ron Hollingsworth planned on giving them a song at the end of his speech and invited me to back him up on the violin which I did think went down quite well.
Ron and I entertain at the Barnsley Bikers Club 25th Anniversary Celebration
Below are pictures from my years on motorised two wheelers.
My 98cc Excelsion ignore the tank badge, just wishfull thinking. I had quite a few such wrecks while at school but I kept them all running.
Steve Taylor and Behind him Mick McPherson with his brother Dave on pillion three great mates from the eighties, who I have lost contact with.
Ken and his wife on the Guzzi's and myself with the CX500
Touring the Lake District on my Moto Guzzi V50
Four of my motorcycles top left Honda CX500, Top right Moto-Guzzi V50II, Bottom left Customised Honda CB400N and bottom right Kawasaki Z1100 shaft Drive, probably the best bike I ever had. The Norton, The Yamaha YDS7 and the YamahaXS750 hardtail Chopper I do not have pictures of.
At the Bulldog Bash, that's me on the left with the Tankard
