The way we were…
Send us your nostalgic snaps of you back in the day with your steed! Either send to me at bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk or via our vibrant Facebook page. C’mon!
Paul Lieberman says: “I love the mag but I can’t seem to throw them away after reading, so I need a bigger wardrobe to keep my collection – the wife has too many clothes anyway! Here’s perhaps something different for ‘The Way We Were’. I’ve lived in the Surbiton area for 50 years. Tippetts Motors has been a local landmark, and always had dozens of motorcycles parked out front. A major part of the local biking community, their open days were legendary back in the day. The great staff in the parts department helped me rebuild my 400/4 engine in 1979 – cam-chain problems (what else would it be on a 400/4?). I understand a mix of Honda wanting dealership expansion, the local council not able to support planning permission, and a tragic family illness meant the demise of a once very proud and successful motorcycle business. Driving past the other day I was quite shocked and saddened to see what the site looks like now – wiped away forever, some classics just can’t be restored. I tried looking on the interweb for a picture of Tippetts in their heyday, but alas no, thosewere days when pictures were taken with 35mm film. I wonder if any of the readers have stories or images of Tippetts back in the day, or any much-loved local motorcycle shop?”
Dave Bickley says: “This is me and my Dad back in 1958; I looked as excited and enthusiastic back then as I still am today. The bike is a BSA side-valve of some description but I am unsure of the model. He traded in a BSA C10 for the outfit when I came along; seemingly it caught fire on a regular basis! Today, I ride a Suzuki GSX1400 amongst others. If it’s in the blood it won’t be shifted!”