RealClassic – August 2019

36 I AUGUST 2019 More old bikes online: Real-Classic.co.uk

hisyear Icelebrate a
half -centuryofriding
motorcycles,and since1969
ever ybikeI’veowned has
been British... until now!
In the 50years sincemy16th birthdayI’ve
definitely ridden morethan 120,000 miles.I
know that forcertain becauseI’ve keptadiary

of my motorcycling lifesince2003, when I

boughtaRoyal Enfield 250Continental GT.

My diaryrecords fuel,destinations,mileage –

and the occasional breakdown.

Istartedout ona1962 BSA Bantam D7

boughtprivately for£50. I’donlyridden a

moped around the playingfield so someone

came with me on the busto collectit. We

rode back with me on the pillion, leaning

the wrongwayofcourse!Afte rsomebasic

instructionIset offon thecountryroads and

returned after30minutes or so.

‘The long grass whipsyour legs!’Isaid,and

wastold thatyou don’t ride amotor cycle

like apushbike.Iwas fartooclose to the

left, so adjustedmy road positioning.The

Honda’sCB400F isanunusual choicefor a

‘first Japanese’bike.Butarewarding one

Afterriding British bikes for halfacentury, JamesFrench recentlydid the unthinkable...

andboughtaHonda. How? Why?Andishehappywith this momentous decision?

PhotosbyJamesFrench