NOTHING CHANGES... EVERYTHING GETS CHANGED

The subject still rages; I’ve really enjoyed the recent articles and letters regarding modifying/spoiling classics. I started my biking life on borrowed British death-traps and moved on to owning Japanese twostrokes, then four-strokes, Harleys and Beemers, to the last 15 years on Italian bikes of the ’70s and 80’s that I couldn’t afford at the time. The only common denominator was that I modified every single one – and almost never was the modification to return the bike to standard, unless to repair a bodge or it represented an improvement.

From 2/4 seats and expansion chambers to transplanting engines, altering frames to accept rearsets and grafting on modern suspension, I’ve done the lot. When I owned a bike, it was mine – I altered it to suit my riding needs and never cared whether it was ‘concours’ (although anodised tat was always avoided).

I’ve had to let all my classics go, one by one – the Laverda was the last to go. Arthritis and a dodgy back meant that if I wanted to keep riding, a compromise was required. I plumped for a Hinckley T100 Bonneville, so just hit the button and ride, yes? Well, yes and no...

So far, I’ve had to change the shocks as the suspension was truly appalling, remove an air injection system, replace the stifled silencers, download a ‘tune-up’ program, and change the handlebars and useless mirrors. The forks are the next thing that need attention; I think I’ve come full circle.

Concours classics are a beauty to behold, but almost every motorcycle, regularly ridden, has been modified. Whatever you do, just enjoy! Pat Whitaker