Photos and Memories from Canada

[Eamonn]

The following words and pictures are from Frank now living in Canada, if anyone can confirm the models/dates it could help Frank's memory of his old bikes.

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They're nothing special, just a young lad's first real bikes (after a BSA Bantam).

I'm afraid I don't know the model names or year for any of them but others possibly will.

This first was my first AJS and I believe it was a 1951 550cc twin. Anyway with a Canadian winter on the way I took it all apart ... just because. It got a lovely cleanup and looked marvellous the next Spring.

Frank_a.jpg

Frank_b.jpg

[Eamonn]

This was a slightly newer Matchless (55? maybe) and I think it was a 600 cc made for the North American market. I had a nasty accident on a fog-bound highway and ran into a stopped car. I went over the bars and landed on my tail in the grassy median. The bike and I got away pretty lightly. Here I'm just getting the front end rebuilt.

Frank_8.jpg

Frank_9.jpg

This is actually my younger brother on a later AJS/Matchless ... I don't remember what it is ... I'm 85 now.

Frank_10.jpg

And here he is again on yet another Matchless of mine.

Frank_11.jpg

As I said, nothing special but fond memories for me. Would you believe one of my later bikes was a Vincent Rapide and I have no photos of it!!

FYI I was born in Dunfermline, Fife and emigrated after the war to Canada with our family. Still retain a fondness for British bikes, cars and steam engines!

I hope some of your members find these interesting and thanks again for helping me post them.