We take a look through the archive for all those that have used bikes for work
SPEED, AGILITY, PRESENCE AND EVEN COST; the attributes and advantages of a motorcycle have long been known for more than 100 years to the police and other services around the world.
From early days where bikes were the only way to get around for most, to the large-capacity bikes for pursuit nowadays, the needs of a copper have been met. Fairings, carrying capability, reliability and even the ability to impress important state visitors, the boys and girls in blue like a bike. And should your
Ford Anglia have dropped a valve or overheated, the sight of an AA or RACrider would be a glad one.
After reading Ian Kerr's piece about the Malaysian police using a two-stroke Yamaha, we had a quick root around the Mortons archives to see what else we could find. Yes,Triumph holds honours for the most common find, but BSA,Norton, Ariel, Velocette and even Moto Guzzi have played a part.
Bikes still perform now, with blood bike charities an essential part of the medical world, as well as medics and the police using pace and small size to get quickly through our overcrowded roads.
As a courier for several years in the 1990s, I personally know the importance of getting the right machine for the job. And they may have been good at the time, but looking at some of these bikes in the photographs, I may have pitied the rider if I wasn't forever being chased by them! Hope you enjoy our lawful look down memory lane.
1. The BSAA65 rider has a neat fire extinguisher and radio fitted, compared with the ex-army radio of the officer in the road. Building work in the background hows how safety has improved, and the rider's boots show how rider safety has too! 2. Looking at the face of the rider, these soldiers have been caught at some speed!
BSA made many V-twins, not for racing, but using the power mainly for hauling sidecars, as seen here.
3.This was to be the last of the Police Triumphs, the 1981 Tl40ES.
4. 'Available in either two or four valve heads' according to this leaflet. l0in discs, sintered pads, rubber-mouned engine (for the protection of the radio) and contoured seat. It even boasts electric start - in 1983...
The
Britishwere not the onlynationthat shoWhow would proudtheYwere of their motorcyclists. Here are some of the Germanpoliceforce at th BerlinPoliceShOW1,958 in the
Olympicstadium
Welsh registered Triumphs line up for training.
5. A Triumph Trident - now that would have had the traffic division queueing up to ride that one at speed!
6. Norton Interpol 2. You couldn't buy one unless you were buying a fleet of the rotaryengined tourers. Pleasingly modern in styling.
7. An RACpatrolman gets the 'you don't wanna go that way' from a cabbie. The Norton rider has a dayglow vest, but not sure about the 'safety' jumper!
8. Tank-mounted radios could cost as much as the bikes and were the cause of many serious injuries to riders.
9. British bikes, especially Triumphs, got everywhere. Here is a Triumph Speed Twin being used by Fijian police 1966.
AND THEN THE GERMANS CAME! BMWS HAVE BEEN A MASSIVE HIT AS WORKING BIKES IN THE MODERN AGE
10. A Matchless gets abused during the Metropolitan Police Motor Club's third annual gymkhana, on June 23, 1957. 11. The Italians always seem to do it with more style ...