I've been riding motorcycles since my sixteenth birthday with a long break starting when I married until Matthew (my eldest son) hit seventeen. I bought my latest bike on 5th May, 2002, a Kawasaki ZX9R E1 (previous years model but brand new).
I have a few snaps of bikes exibited at the Hare & Hounds Classic Vehicle Club annual shows. For a slide show of the snaps click here or to see thumbnails of the pictures click here
The following table lists the bikes I have owned.
![]() Ambassador 197cc 2-stroke single |
Mine had girder front forks, the engine is a Villiers |
![]() Bantam D1 125cc 2-stroke single |
I believe my first ride on a motorcycle was on one of these when I was about seven. Pam, one of my mother's friends, gave me a ride up the road on one. It was also the bike I passed my test on. Mine was red with a dual seat and a later model than that pictured. Ground clearance was a joke. |
![]() BSA Bantam D7 175cc 2-stroke single |
I regularly travelled between Ramsgate and Finchley on one of these. Mine was red. |
![]() Panther 600cc 4-stroke single combination |
Mine had a big black fairing and a tattier sidecar (and no spare wheel). It was my first four stroke bike. It was a good tourer and I also used it for travelling between Ramsgate and Finchley - more comfortable than the D7 Bantam and no hassle from car drivers. |
![]() Matchless 350cc 4-stroke single |
This was my first 4-stroke solo machine. |
MZ ETZ125 125cc 2-stroke single |
Back on 2 wheels with a better Bantam. Mine was a more basic model than the one in the link. It was plain black with drum front brake and no tachometer. |
![]() Honda CB350S 350cc 4-stroke twin. |
Mine had a red frame and black body work and tank. I fitted a black Powerbronze half fairing. It was a good commuter. I gave it to my son Matthew. |
![]() Kawasaki GPZ500s 500cc 4-stroke twin |
This bike was a great commuter, scratcher and tourer. |
Kawasaki ZZR600 600cc 4-stroke four |
Fast tourer, best bike yet.... |
Kawasaki ZX9R E1 900cc 4-stroke four |
Sports bike. First brand new 4-stroke. Running in was most frustrating! (rev limit 4000rpm). After the first service the rev limit was raised to 6000rpm (about 90mph in top and better acceleration) so less frustrating. The bike is well run in now so the rev limit is the 12,000 red line. The new best bike!. |