Arthur Bricknell

Member Profile

Arthur started riding motorcycles at the age of 17 in 1955, starting off on a BSA Bantam progressing through to a BSA B31 Springer to Triumph’s T110 and a T100 Thunderbird. He then moved on to Japanese motorcycles with a Honda CG125 with which he toured Spain and France.

Chasing the need for more power and speed he moved onto a Yamaha 535 Virago, then to a Kawasaki VN 800, which he owned when the club started. After deciding to purchase a more suitable touring machine, he  choose  a Yamaha 900 Diversion. Whilst doing some “ touring”  of the area, he took a small “diversion” which resulted with his bike being written off after only 45 minutes road use. His excuse  being “I didn’t like the colour red”

The Diversion was replaced with a Triumph 900. Adventurer,  swiftly followed by a BMW R1100R. Still not happy with his choice, Arthur decided to go full circle and got another VN800, the Classic model.

Q. What first attracted you to motorcycling?

A. It was the next step up from a push bike. [ i.e. speed]

Q. What was your first motorbike?

A. BSA Bantam.

Q. What was your worst or most unreliable motorbike?

A. BSA B31 Springer>

Q. What motorbike would you most hate/ love to ride and why?

A. Hate: 1997 Triumph Adventurer. Love: Gold Wing.

Q. What bike would you buy if money was no object and why?

A. Batistine- because it is made to measure.

Q. What is your favourite stretch of road ?

A. The last mile home when raining, the first mile out when it’s sunny.

Q. What has been your best  biking moment to date?

A. Riding my bike to our BBQ and playing in the band in my leathers.

Q. What has been your most embarrassing biking moment?

A. Insuring my new bike at 4pm and then ringing back at 4.45pm to say it’s been written off!

Q. Who do you regard as your biking hero/ idol and why?

A. Evel  Knievel—pure courage.

Q. Do you have a biking confession?

A. The older I get the better I was.