About me and my passion for bikes

I wanted a motorcycle from the time I was 9 or 10. Of course my mother balked at that. I finally was allowed and had enough money to buy something used by the time I was 13. My uncle took me to one of the local shops, and amongst the old 160 Hondas and so forth, was a Gilera. Never heard of let alone seen one. But, compared to the pressed steel Japanese bikes, the Gilera looked more like a real motorcycle. Anyway, she came home with me, and though continually having problems, it was my set of wheels, my independence. And, I learned how to make things work, fix them, learned to understand the mechanics of it. And have an incredible passion for it. I do not have that bike anymore, but amongst the Harleys, the Kawasaki, the restored 650 Benelli Tornado, sits a restored Gilera 124. Just a little sporty bike, but still makes me feel 13 when I take it for a short ride around town. Somehow, I don't remember it being so small 35 years ago! Maybe because I weigh 100 lbs more!

My first bike

a 1966 Gilera 98. Four stroke, four speed. Italian red of course.

Bike I still wish I had

Yes, that old Gilera 98.

My dream bike

MV Augusta 750. About 1975.

Bike clubs I’m in

I am a member of the Italian Motorcycle Owners Club and the Gilera Owners Club of Britain.

Favorites

• Type of racing: Road Racing
• Rider: Kenny Roberts
• Riding song: Born to be Wild
• Bike movie: Then Came Bronson
• Bike book: Benelli
• Bike magazine: Walnecks

— Profile last updated: Jun 20, 2007