Remembering the Past

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A Few More Things from The Past

As I have already stated being in business as we were we met some Great People. One of these was the 'Mad Major', Major Draper, from WW11. He was the only man to fly under 13 bridges along the Thames at low tide. He got into big trouble for it but he didn't care. Hence the name 'Mad Major'. That was back before the war and he did it by request in the 50s for H.R.M. But what a smashing chap he was, just one of the few. God Bless them. Another rare type of man I knew, was the Rev William Shergold of the famous '59 Club from 1959 to 1962. He had all types of motorbikers and their bikes in his church and ran the Motorcycle Club from his crypt. This was at Hackney Wick in London. He had many, many services for motorcyclists in those days. He rode a Triumph himself and loved it. What a man. Back in those days, we were members of the Triumph Owners Club. Now thats when you made a lot of friends. We met a lot of people and some are still friends today, 50 odd years on. Unfortunately many have passed away now, but the memories still remain. The Triumph Owners Club is still going with new faces and friends being made every day.
	Salt Lake Flats You can see for yourself that no mean feat in those days.
This is Johnny Allen breaking the land speed record for two wheels back in 1958
	'Brooker's Motorcycles' of North London I feel I was very lucky to grow up with the Motorcycle trend of the 50's and 60's. My father started the business in 1938 and lost everything during the war. He rebuilt the business after the war and my mother carried it on until the big credit sqeeze of 1963. Although we lost the business, I stayed in working on Motorbikes for many years after that.
Here is a rare photo of our Motorbike Shop in the 50s, at Queens Parade, Harringay, North London
	Triumph Bonneville was in a Class of it's own The Bonnie was just one of many makes and models that I used to work on. But what a beautiful bike to ride and own. I love all motorbikes, but my true love will always be Triumphs
YEAH! 1956 Triumph Bonneville

Motorcycles will always be in my blood