Yamaha MJ2 –
55cc of brute, mostly blue, two stroke power. Had this quite a while. I even passed my test on it – more than 50cc so I can now ride anything! And it could be ridden on motorways!! I did though spend a lot of time fixing it particularly the starter dynamo crankshaft bearing, which I rebuilt with Araldite, and the two seals on the induction pipe which went through and across the gearbox. If the inner seal leaked gearbox oil would get into the engine…

Honda C200 –
I liked this one. So much so I wouldn’t mind another for old times sake. Indeed I’ve been happy with most of my various Hondas down the years. This one was black. I was looking at a CB77 at the time, but this one was only £15. I got it home and replaced the missing chain-guard with one from a push-bike = back to front of course – and then proceeded to run the 90cc beast for two years including two up riding to school (a certain Sir Stephen Bubb was often pillion…) and with my boss down to Canterbury on the M2 at circa 70mph. I sold it to a school friend for £30 after which it blew the  big end. Not sure he’s a friend now…

Royal Enfield 500 Bullet –
An incomplete project… I wheeled this big, single cylinder machine home one day as a non running project. I proceeded to try and get it to go but never did finish the thing. I can’t remember what was wrong exactly but it might have been electrics. At least I learnt how to pick up a heavy bike! It did eventually go somewhere – I don’t remember where. Dad was happy to get his garage back though.

Honda CB400 –
My first bike after a long gap. Bought in Durham and black. In theory, as it was manufactured in 1974, it was old enough to become an historic/classic tax free vehicle in the following year, but, just my luck,  the rolling tax exemption programme was stopped that year. I rode it a bit , but it  eventually rusted away in a rented garage in Bath although I did manage to sell it for a reasonable sum.

Yamaha XS750 –
Three cylinders, blue. A bit too tall for me so not a favourite. I did some rides on this, but it was eventually stolen off my drive way. It was found but the frame was considered damaged – the steering lock lug had been broken off so was written off. I’ve decided blue is not a lucky colour for bikes as well as cars

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Honda CB250N –
The only Honda I haven’t liked. It didn’t have much power considering its size. Perhaps that was the trouble it was quite heavy for a 250. The clutch cable broke on one occasion which made getting home from Bristol to Bath quite interesting. I did some rides on this but nothing memorable. Not sure where it went but I didn’t keep it long.

Honda CB1 –
One of my favourites. For such a relatively small engine, 400cc, it went extremely well and sounded amazing. Surprisingly tractable as well. It would pull in any gear at any speed. No major rides to speak of but I rode it extensively around the West Country where I live. Bristol Swindon Bath Trowbridge etc. and rode to work most days with it. It drew a surprising crowd when parked in the college bike park. Had to sell when I bought a house.

Honda CD200 Benly –
Always fancied a CD175. Saw a red Benly at D and H motorcycles in Bath. Looked a bit like a CD but 200cc so better than a 175. Funny old thing though, the drum brakes were fairly useless, there wasn’t as much power as I had hoped, the bike was a bit rusty in places and the tyres were old and hard (I slid off once for no particular reason near the Avon Street car park in Bath). I did get the Benly up to 70 mph on the motorway once though the binnacle cover blew off and disappeared. I rode the beast a fair bit although I don’t recall any significant rides. Eventually the chain came off one day. I parked the machine up and left it with the intention of effecting repairs. When I got back it had gone. The bike was found but would have cost more than than its worth to retrieve from the recovery firm so was written off.

BMW R80RT –
This bike was in fantastic condition so I bought it on impulse although I agreed to part exchange the Triumph. But the seller annoyingly reneged on that idea! I now had three bikes – including the Benly. I got it delivered and then found it was really too big for me especially using the heavily sprung loaded side stand. Best bike ever though to place on the centre stand. I also had quite a bit of trouble with dripping carbs and gearbox oil leaks . After dropping it due to a steep road camber, getting stuck under it and straining a leg muscle, the after effects of which I still have to this day, I decided to sell..

Triumph Legend –
With 900cc and three cylinders this was the most powerful bike I’ve ever owned. You had to really hang on to the handlebars when accelerating hard. I even had the back wheel spinning on one occasion. It was comfortable as well, but there were issues. For instance there was not much steering lock and some of the chrome was peeling. But the main concern were the three ignition coils – one for each cylinder.  they had a habit of failing individually at awkward moments. Indeed I dropped it once while attempting to negotiate an awkward junction as the engine cut out on me. So I decided to part exchange with the Deauville (shown below) at Kellaways in Bristol. I had the Triumph serviced to do so after which it performed so well I wanted to keep it but I had already completed the part exchange deal.

Honda Deauville –
Quite nice but not a favourite. The panniers were quite small and it was awkward to manouver and park.

BMW 650CS (Scarver) –
Also quite nice. I liked this one. It was quirky with its fuel tank in the frame etc.I also liked that it was a single cylinder 650. Like an old British bike… but went a lot better!!

Webster – see Projects

NB. Photos aren’t necessarily of my machines..

Some brief rides (details to follow) on OP Machines

BSA Bantam, BSA A10 Golden Flash, Norton Commando, Susuki 125, Vepa 90, Lambretta 150, Berkeley 3 wheeler (included as almost a motorcycle!)