My interest in motorcycles began in 1952.  The only motorcycles I recall being aware of up to that time were the two Harley-Davidsons used by our local police department.  At that time foreign motor vehicles were beginning to appear in America, among which were Austin-Healey, MG, Jaguar, Morris, and Volkswagen cars, and Triumph, BSA, Royal Enfield, NSU, and BMW motorcycles.  The dominance of British and German makes was probably due to the large number of American military personnel returning home from Germany and England.  I liked the look of the British two-cylinder 500 cubic centimeter displacement (cc) and 650 cc models.  They were sleek, simple, and fast.  They also were beginning to make their mark on the American motorcycle racing scene.

    I began to ask my parents to take me to motorcycle races in New England, which were of three basic types.  The classic road race and hill climb at Laconia, New Hampshire, were part of the national competition series, while Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire were home to many "scrambles" tracks, where most New England area competition went on.  Scrambles were the predecessor to motocross on this side of the Atlantic.  As far as I know there was no flat track or drag racing for motorcycles in the New England area in the 50s and 60s.

    At these events I would ask people to give me rides on their motorcycles, and some would oblige.  This set the stage.  Later, when I was closer to driving age, I would ask them to show me how to drive their motorcycles.  Fewer people were willing to do that, but there was always one or two.

    The die was cast.  My passion for motorcycles grew and grew, and remains undiminished to this day.
 
 

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