Old Bikes YOUNG FACES
Meet the next generation of classic bike owners and restorers
“Classic bikes? Let’s face it – there’ll be no future for them once we’re gone.”
“Our mainstream classics will be worthless in just a few years...”
“The only old stuff that will retain any value will be the upmarket collector’s bikes.”
“We’ll soon have lost all the engineering skills and knowhow to keep these things going.”
How many times have you heard conversations with those sentiments when you’re at some kind of old-time bike event, supported by old-timers, poring over old-timer motorcycles?
Well, I’m an old-timer and while there’s nothing wrong with us old-timers messing with old bikes, I’m totally stoked* about the future of classic motorcycling. Thing is, you don’t have to look that far to find young people living the whole classic bike dream, whether it’s restoring old clunkers, re-engineering dead flat-tankers or riding the wheels off old classics, youngsters are out there, doing what we did in our youth. Rick and I were talking one day about how much positivity Lewis’ Excelsior restoration story has engendered – and musing on just how many youngsters were out there messing about with old motorcycles.
“What we need is to feature more youngsters with old bikes – and hopefully that will generate even more interest,” said Rick.
Within a few minutes the plan was hatched, and the challenge taken. We’d do a complete issue of Classic Bike featuring only youngsters with old bikes. And, just to add a bit of pressure, there would be a maximum age limit of 30 years for anyone to be featured in the issue.
Well, here it is. I know it’s a shocker seeing Classic Bike full of old bikes owned, ridden or fixed by such fresh-faced sprogs, but it’s proved that the future of classic bikes is in good hands. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it. For us, an issue of Classic Bike has never been more rewarding... *Young person’s speak for being excited about something – apparently!
Enjoy the issue