Giving a young bloke a go

I thought that this photo was worthy of it's own post. This is young Kane Burns whose European 600cc Super Sport career was unfortunately curtailed following a major accident (through no fault of his own). Three and a half years later in 2019 I offered him a ride on an old Norton.

We had never met until the day he walked into our pits carrying his kit - with I understand contained his last worn at Suzuka. I had told him over the phone that at 6 foot one and a half inches, that he was too tall for the bike. His response with a smile was "I can fit onto a Moriwakai 250 so I will fit onto yours". Over the week end he casually mentioned that he had never seen a "Classic" bike before, had never ever ridden a bike with drum brakes, and had never ridden on "road" tyres (they weren't BTW but looked like that to him) . After a day he was a second off the lap record. unfortunately over that week end it rained heavily. He brought home wins for our team at events since.

If you have an old race bike in the shed/basement/barn. then get it out and prep it and give a (sensible) young bloke a go. It just maybe what is required to keep the owners and the bikes truly alive as well.

First optimism I have entertained in some time. Most racers stand down at some point and carry on with the spanners finding a young bloke to ride.
And that is as it should be!

ES234-
Very cool, and a nice pic. "never ridden one with drum brakes", wow, another realization of my age...
only 1 bike out of my stable of 8, has disc brakes, all have points/condenser ignition.....Makes me think of other things a different, younger generation, or, a couple of generations now, has no clue of....driving a manual shift vehicle...rotary dial phones, our analog lives before digital lives in general. I know the list is long.... My 27 year old son may be one of the exceptions, as growing up, he learned to ride/ drive my vehicles, mostly manual shift. Other parents my age at the time, had newer, way nicer vehicles. Great
thing about it is, my son has told me he had a great child-hood growing up, learning some things his piers
never had a chance to experience....

Once self driving cars are the norm, kids won't know how to do anything for themselves except swipe left or right.

The percentage of people in the USA that can't drive a stick car is currently 82%.

I think youz guys with the money are the best of the best for letting the young guns get on your vintage race bikes. No way in heck could many of the younger generation with interest in motorcycle racing afford to ever own, maintain, and race one.

Schwany said:

Once self driving cars are the norm, kids won't know how to do anything for themselves except swipe left or right.

The percentage of people in the USA that can't drive a stick car is currently 82%.

I think youz guys with the money are the best of the best for letting the young guns get on your vintage race bikes. No way in heck could many of the younger generation with interest in motorcycle racing afford to ever own, maintain, and race one.

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I am fortunate to have had a good job that I enjoyed and worked hard at. I also managed to pay off a house and bring up a couple of good kids. My wife has done the same, and has put up with a bit so that I can do what I do over the years. Finances have been pretty tight at times, particularly if a bike has been crash damaged or failed for some reason. What makes a big, big difference where he/she has "a little flesh in the game" and is willing and able to assist with maybe an entry fee, or a set of new tyres, and look after some of their own travel and accommodation expenses during a race meeting. Their commitment (and unspoken risk on the track), is balanced by my commitment to try and build a competitive and reliable bike.

Now finding "a young bloke" interested in building and maintaining one of these old bikes, or from what I have seen - their modern race bikes, is another matter. I have yet to find one willing to learn. One day my extensive workshop including the parts, machines and tools will likely all be sent to landfill, which will be a pity. I have a couple of road Norton projects - 1952 ES2, a 1955 Big 4, and a 1945 WD Big 4 that would be great for a younger person to learn some skills. When complete I would encouage them to ride and maintain at their pleasure. My adult children have their full lives and interests and have escaped (most of) my afflictions.

wow, 82%.....mind-blowing......

No money but I've lent out bikes near enough since I started racing. Usually as projects to complete & ride. Minimum two year deal once they are built. Always a you bend it you mend it deal. Then again we did the Manx 3 times & got the engines back as scrap!
Four bikes out at the moment. A Drixton Honda to a 17 year old who's never raced. The rest with old farts ie as old or older than me. And then there are the parade bikes. One off special meetings occasionally, a couple a year. Lost more parts than I can remember through helping out. Ie lending them out.
But by Christ it's fun.

1977years said:

wow, 82%.....mind-blowing......

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I was wrong, it's 88%. Only 12% know how to drive a stick.

Schwany, an additional 6%, that's very depressing.....I would reckon when I was coming of driving age, there was an even mix of automatics-manual shift. I have an old 84 Ford Bronco 5 speed....fun to drive just to shift !!!
My first 4 wheeled vehicle was a well used ' 67 GMC 2wd pickup, a sweet running 327 with Glasspacks and 3 on the tree ! Can You imagine how that would baffle them ?
I suppose those 88% would think having to manually interact is quite 'archaic' ! I loved it !

1977years said:

Schwany, an additional 6%, that's very depressing.....I would reckon when I was coming of driving age, there was an even mix of automatics-manual shift. I have an old 84 Ford Bronco 5 speed....fun to drive just to shift !!!
My first 4 wheeled vehicle was a well used ' 67 GMC 2wd pickup, a sweet running 327 with Glasspacks and 3 on the tree ! Can You imagine how that would baffle them ?
I suppose those 88% would think having to manually interact is quite 'archaic' ! I loved it !

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Flashback: Drivers Education used to be taught in 8th grade in the 60's using what was essentially a Ford Fairlane seat, dash, steering wheel with 3 on the tree, and pedals. It would stall virtually/audibly if you didn't use the clutch correctly. It's all a bit on the fuzzy side for my memory, so I can't remember exactly how it all worked, but it was a special day when a student got to get in that seat.

Time for me to stop babbling off topic. Oops