FIRST BIKES

RC194 reminded me of BSA C10s and my first bikes. I started riding at 11 or 12 on a plunger BSA D1 Bantam around our orchard in rural Warwickshire. We had a succession of early and later D1s, then a D3, and I ended up with a two-tone green C10L. These bikes were obtained by my uncle who was a serving officer with the Coventry Police Force. He took me for my first pillion ride on the C10 to the local windmill and back, an experience that has stayed in my memory ever since.

When I turned 16 he sourced a maroon C15 complete with a handlebar fairing, leg shields and a rack – an ideal starter bike, but sadly my parents would not let me have it. An accident when I was 13 while riding the Bantam had something to do with my parents being not keen on motorcycles.

It didn’t put me off, however. I’ve ridden all my life and am still as keen on BSAs as ever. I know Frank has had his ups and downs with BSAs, but someone has to love them! Andy Bean, member 12,473

I’ve no idea why I find working on BSAs to be so unrewarding, to be honest. I enjoy riding them as much as any equivalent machine, but just feel incapable of building them to a level I’m happy with. I suspect it’s because I’ve become familiar with the way AMC and Nortons are put together and find the BSA way difficult to handle. Maybe I should get another BSA to build – this time a complete one so that I can see how it all fits together?