Chequered Flag

I first met MERV COOPER in the early ‘seventies. He was asked by the founders of the BSA Owners Club if he would be our first president, to which he agreed. At the time he was running, with one of his three brothers, ML Motorcycles, a small shop in Croydon, outer Melbourne, specialising in BSA. His knowledge and help was a great asset to the club. In the early days, post WW2, Merv campaigned in scrambles a range of BSAs to much success, so when Classic racing started in the early ’seventies Merv was there and often he was at the front of the pack, however, it must be said, more by cunning than daredevil skill. It went like this; about two laps into a five lap scratch race, he would pull over on the far side of the track and pretend to change a plug (he always carried a plug spanner in his boot). When the entire field had passed, he would re-join the race and finish last. This would assure him of pole position in the handicap, when he would then ride like the wind to a generally good result. His bikes, whether rally or race, were always very well prepared and seldom gave trouble. A skilful mechanic, competent rider and a great source of knowledge – a chap who will be missed by many, but most of all by his wife Barbara and their three daughters.