Making Classic Superbikes

If I have been lucky when it comes to riding bikes I have been just as fortunate in working for Mortons Media. As I have mentioned, Steve O’Hara pressed the big green ‘go’ button for Classic Superbikes II during a blizzard and it was great to have Mortons Magazines’ managing director, Dan Savage, on board too. Thanks to you both.

The book’s front cover has been designed by Mike Baumber. This is the fifth cover we have produced together – and he’s still working with me, which I guess shows something about how well we get on.

Jonathan Schofield has found some great pictures from Mortons’ magnificent archive which is unquestionably the best repository of classic motorcycling images in the world. Thanks Jonathan.

Finally, and most importantly, my wife Carol has toiled on the text until it is the very best we can make it. As husband and wife we get on very well but when she’s the editor and I am an author, discussions can sometimes get awfully near a mixed martial arts bout!

Additionally, Carol took almost all of the pictures in this book – and she’s a brilliant race mechanic too. And no, she doesn’t have a twin sister who’s looking for a long term relationship with a classic bike racer.

I want to conclude by thanking all the many people who have entrusted me with their valuable bikes over the years.

I will begin with the legendary Sammy Miller, and the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, for letting me ride his BMW Rennsport because that is a privilege accorded to very few people in the world.

Lawrence Rose, of Classic British Bikes, continues to let me ride his bikes and he has some lovely machines: thanks Lawrence. Thanks also to the private owners who let me try their bikes.

It’s a real vote of confidence when I have been entrusted with an owner’s pride and joy. So, many thanks to Jo for her lovely RGV racer-on-the-road; to Phil for his stunning Honda CBX 6 and Ian for giving me such a good time on his Yamaha SRX. And it was a great pleasure to ride Mark’s KSS Velocette which was a real time travel door to pre-war Britain. Bill Smith Motors in Chester kindly allowed me to borrow their Honda CB1100RS demonstrator.

Jim Blomley owned the Yamaha OW01 in the book and there is a lovely backstory to the chapter. I would never claim to be a world class star but I can ride a race bike. We were at Spa, in Belgium, with Jim when he offered me a ride on the Yam. What he didn’t tell me that I was also, unknowingly, doing a demo to a potential customer.

I rolled back into the paddock, all smiles – Jim took the bike from me and handed it straight over to the customer. It doesn’t bear thinking about what would have happened had I whanged it up the road!

And last, but far from least, the smiling Maureen who let me experience the horrors of her Ariel 3.

Many of the track action images were taken at the fantastic Anglesey Circuit. Thanks to everyone at Trac Mon for their kind hospitality.

Thanks to you all for extending me the great privilege of allowing me to ride your very precious machines.