My link to two wheels and motors started when a neighbour lad in 1959 gave me and my pals a ride around the block on his Harley 45 with a suicide shift. Hooked.My first project was an All State scooter I purchased in bits in the middle of winter. Some parts were in the garage and some parts were frozen in ice outside. Fitted it up and moved it along.

I decided in the spring of 1965 to buy a Honda 150cc bike from Rocky’s at Wharncliffe Road in London. Rocky, the man himself showed me the clutch, gear shifter, brakes at curbside out front of his shop then sent me on my way. I was in heaven and this state lasted about six weeks until ......

I was offered a chance to ride on a 1958 parallel twin Matchless British motorcycle. This bike had power, big time. Yes, I bought it.

This bike proved to be an adventure as the crank went out on it, so I refitted this bike and moved it along. Notice I say good bye to troublesome issues.

My corrective action was to pre order a new 1966 Bonneville from Tom Pope at TGP Cycle on Horton Street in London Ontario. In those days a new hot Bonnie had to be pre ordered as these machines did not gather dust in showrooms.

Real “Joy to the World” as this machine was every young man’s wish for speed. I loved it so much I sold it for cash to within one hundred dollars of new purchase price in the fall of ‘66 and I promptly ordered a new 1967 Bonnie from; you guessed it Tom Pope for a spring delivery. Another beautiful machine. The Sixties were great!

 My last purchase of a new Triumph of the Sixties was a 1969 Triumph Tiger 650. I still miss that Triumph. The photo is me on my TR6 1969 Triumph ride.

 I did take a twenty year plus hiatus from biking when marriage changed my focus and dreams.

Bit of a bad end there, so my focus and dreams changed again.

 I have had many old bikes, mostly British that kept me out of mischief fixing them to running, shiny condition. Mike Partridge of Walridge Motors Limited kindly sold me many new shiny bits to complete my ongoing projects. Thank you, Mike for your support and patience with me.

I am down to one Bonnie only now, a 1970 edition and it still feels good when I hear the exhaust on startup.

 I remember!

Brian Dalton