Late Edition - 14 May 2015

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Two wheeled vintage Transportation

Some of the silver screens greatest moments are entrances or exits. We can all dream of the day of having our own crewed airship, but in reality we have to settle for something more mundane.

If you can fund it, given our glorious weather, top of the list would be a sports car, but these are top of everyones list, thus, expensive. Even Betsy our Morris 10 (1934) has had over £12000 spent on her, and while reliable she is still nowhere near 'show standard'.

I don't personally know how to make a good entrance or exit on a bicycle, and those who attend the tweed run will testify, tweed and cycling can leave you looking a little hot under the collar.

Adding a little power into the mix would seem preferable. Francis Barnett of Coventry has just released some beautiful electric assist bicycles which will give you 15mph with little effort. More than this will require you to don headgear so bouffant hairdos will suffer.

Motorcycle licensing has changed radically over the years, so while some will have some entitlement from a car test passed many years ago your start point is the CBT. This will get you going on either 50cc or 125cc (age dependant). You will need to complete more than 1 test to sit a-top some 600cc monster.

My BSA Bantam has drum brakes, and I ride very much like I drive Betsy, vintage vehicles of all types require longer braking distances. This is not the only problem as they also experience fade if breaking down a long hill. As being on two wheels does have added risk no-one will blame you for having a stylish reproduction / modern machine. It is something to do with dealing with this extra risk that creates very strong communities around whatever your chosen machine. Modern retro style machines or in some cases manufacturers returning to the market also give you the luxury of modern technologies which is a worthwhile trade if it will be your only transport. Good luck, see you out there...