Page 47 - VE Magazine - Issue 42

build quality, wiped the floor with the competi- trawling the net, I came across someone who just something special about the superbikes
tion and opened up the floodgates to Japanese bike production.
Within a decade, Japan was the largest manufacturer of motorcycles, swamping 140,000 British bikes with more than half a million a year!
And the rest, as they say, is history...
What to buy
If you’re in the market for buying an old bike, there are some fantastic 1970s Japanese ex- amples out there that are affordable, fun and a really good investment – whether you prefer a Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha or Suzuki – plus you’ll look seriously retro riding one!
Now, I’m not professing to know anything about buying 1970s motorbikes, but whilst
does. By day, Paul Brace is the Director and technical guy behind Eagle E-Types (eaglegb. com), which has kept him busy for the past 30 years. His proudest project to date was the de- signing and building of their E-Type Speedster, which Jeremy Clarkson declared his favourite car of all time!
However, Paul is also the owner of Proper Bikes, a website that shares his passion, and collection of 70s motorbikes. He’s a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and has been involved with motorbikes since his youth. I asked him, what is the allure of a 1970s Japanese motor- cycle today?
“Whether you were lucky enough to own one at the time, or maybe a schoolboy who had the poster on your bedroom wall – there’s
from the 1970s. If you’re searching for some- thing that makes for a wise investment, is a lot of fun, is really usable, is reliable enough, safe enough and faster than fast enough – you naturally look to the 1970s. They are easy to start, easy to maintain, satisfying to ride sed- ately – and electrifying to ride hard!”
I then asked Paul if he was forced to keep just four bikes from his collection – one Honda, one Suzuki, a Yamaha and a Kawasaki – which ones would he choose, and why?
“That’s actually an easy question as I have four clear favourites, and it’s one from each manufacturer! ve
Turn the page to see Paul’s choices. Also, take a look at the entire collection on his website and drool away! www.properbikes.co.uk
www.vintagexplorer.co.uk
ve / October-November 2018 / 47