Son of Sam’s story told to section
Dictionaries describe ‘legendary’ as ‘remarkable enough to be famous’. True legendary status is rarely sought, and often appears unbeknown to those creating it, as they’re just getting on with doing the job, whatever the job maybe.
Race bikes are a prime example, they’re built to win races and once this is done they’re discarded. Just occasionally though, one survives and transcends to a higher plane to be whispered about with awe, or in the case of Son of Sam – the legendary T160 Triumph triple race bike – discussed in Black Country brogue by John Young, current custodian of this incredible machine, during a talk at the Northumbrian Section of the VMCC’s club night.
John regaled the tale of how this ‘not’ works bike built by works mechanics and raced by works racers survived a clattering against the stone walls of the Isle of Man, before showing its colours in mainland racing, then the burgeoning classic race scene. Hear how the bike avoided the fate of many race machines and of its resurrection from static exhibit to a working icon of the glorious 1970s, by catching one of John’s club talks as he heads on his retirement tour.