My first motorcycle was a 1963 650cc BSA. I just turned 17 years old and was working at Noble’s Auto Parts in Signal Hill. I bought it from a sailor and paid him $60 a week until I hit the $600 total. It took me 10 weeks because I only made $65 a week take home.
That would be like buying a GSXR1000 today because it was one of the most powerful bikes made back then.
I seldom wore a helmet and my protective gear consisted of some garden gloves, a Levi jacket and steel toed biker boots. It was my only transportation, so rain or cold I was riding! No rain suit, so I remember many times being soaked to the bone at the end of my ride.
All of this didn’t dampen my passion and lust for motorcycles and riding. I loved every minute I was on that bike! Even when the gas tank split and poured gas all over my hot engine while at a stop light or the numerous times it took 100 kicks to get it started.
That BSA started me on my lifetime journey in motorcycling, and I just cannot imagine life without them. It thrills me every time I see a new rider leave the dealership on their first bike because I know the wonderful life they have ahead!
