One OWNER FROM NEW

My first motorbike ride was on a FS1 E in 1976 when I was 16. A couple of years later I bought a Suzuki 250 Hustler, passed my test, went straight out and bought a Triumph Trident Tl 50. I rode this for about two years while most of my mates moved on from British bikes to thrashing their new Japanese machines. I wanted a new bike but couldn't find anything I fancied.

There was talk about a new British bike, the Hesketh V1OOOand , I followed its development. On a cold Saturday morning in September 1980 I rode my Tl 50 to the Alexandra Palace motorcycle show to see this new Hesketh. WOW! What a bike it turned out to be, elevated in all its elegance and looking gorgeous. Black with red pinstriping, black wheels and a bright shiny nickel frame, with a stunning looking engine on full display. This was the bike for me. I talked to a salesman and asked for a reservation form. He looked at me with a wry smile and asked if I wanted a test ride.

'No; I replied. 'I want one exactly the same as the one on display:

Then started the waiting, and the saving.

In April 1981, I received a letter from Lord Hesketh thanking me for my order and saying they would allocate me a dealer. In June I was advised this would be in Hereford, 70 miles from home. Next I was told that my bike would be ready to collect on 7 April 1982, which gave me a bit more time to save up. I still didn't have enough so needed a bank loan for the last £500. I sat opposite him my bank manager and explained why I wanted the loan. He was surprised what I was spending it on but authorised my loan.

The big day arrived; I rode to Hereford with my mate Dean on the back