Motorcycling for 60 years

**DougB** · 25th August 2011, 00:02

Sixty years ago today I purchased my first motorcycle. It was a 1950 500cc AJS,
the first production bike with swinging arm rear springing. I have never been without a two wheeler since then and had twelve different bikes. I learnt to ride on a 1936 Harley which had a foot clutch and a hand gear change. Now I am nearing 80 I have a 400cc Burgman scooter, step through which is easier to manage as
I get older and it has a better performance than my 1952 purchase.

**ellipsis** · 25th August 2011, 00:12

good stuff, DougB...did you ever get into the racing of bikes on your way through those years..

**Mort** · 25th August 2011, 00:23

Good on yer.... biking keeps you young.

**Edbear** · 25th August 2011, 07:36

Once a biker, always a biker! Goodonyermate!

**Maha** · 25th August 2011, 07:46

....a time when the word computer was yet to be used...

**Oakie** · 25th August 2011, 07:51

Ha ha. And I noticed you posted that 2 minutes into the day of the 60th anniversary so you are obviously excited by biking still. Good on you. I wish you many more happy kilometres.

**willytheekid** · 25th August 2011, 08:01

Happy Anniversary DougB

**Edbear** · 25th August 2011, 08:06

Originally Posted by Maha

....a time when the word computer was yet to be used...

And the Gestetner was our "photocopier"...

**Bald Eagle** · 25th August 2011, 08:07

Great to see. Hope you have many more years on the road.

**240** · 25th August 2011, 08:32

Awesome DougB that's good to hear you've had a bike the whole way through so far that's a real biker!

**Grasshopperus** · 25th August 2011, 09:22

Good stuff mate! Only 12 bikes over 60 years? You must have been taking care of them aye? What was the bike that lasted you the longest?

**wysper** · 25th August 2011, 09:57

Well done, I hope I make it that far! Only 25 years for me so far, and I was bike less for a couple of years when we had our first child. So I am impressed you have had two wheels the whole time. Awesome.

**_Shrek_** · 25th August 2011, 14:43

DougB a great achievement & inspiring for all cheers

**slofox** · 25th August 2011, 16:14

Thanks for the post DougB. It makes me feel much younger, bein' as how I've only been at it 43 years. Guess I have a long way to go!

So all you young whippersnapers who like to call me old can shurrup for a bit. Come back in another 17 years...

Happy riding for many more years Doug.