Original Kit.

[guest27]

Ahhh - Crazy Cavan's "'Lil sister" was the calling song of the MK Rebels (Member No3).  But you are right some of the 'proper' stuff is real.  Soft spot for Chuck Berry, Littl e Richard etc.  Mind I also like some of the Whiteboys, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly etc.  Love real Amaerican blues, Willy Dixon, Shaky Horten, Rober Johnson and particulaly Mk2 Sonnyboy Williamson, but have to say Shaky plays harp in a manner that grabs me more.

Many a fine night spent 'chug-chug-chugging' across the dance floors of Bletchley to the rhythm of a rock-a-billy stomp Ray Campi's "Catapiller" was and is a particular fave - and "Wash Machine Boogie" but cannot remember who that was by.  Or bouncing about to the sounds of some good Rock-and-Roll.  Particulaly fine was watching the girlies in their circle skirts and stockings spinning about.  Mmmmmm Now a lad caled Lizard had a very fine girlfriend who was just a little too tall for spinning under is arm as they were jiving, causing her to dip her knees on the way through - result!  Circle skirt would get well above the horizontal!

Then there was the scooter-boys who used to turn up to beat up a 'Ted'.  Got a little boring, they would beat up a ted, the Loughton Wolfpack would go out and beat the s**t out of the scooterboys and calmness would return. Then one night tey not only beat up a ted they beat up his girlfriend too.  LW get up to go and sort it and their girls (The Bitches) told them that they would deal with it.  Rather than the friendly thumps of the LW the scooterboys got a total pasting from The Bitches and never troubled us again!

Ahhh - probably cemented my love of 60's style cafe-racers.  Despite being the mid 70's and the hot poop being GS750's etc most of the LW rode cafe racer brit iron.  Add to that the teddygirls in their circle skirts and - well bliss really.

"Old blue monday was our wash day and I learnt to boogie them blues away so come on baby I want to do the wash machine boogie with you slip sap slop slew come on baby cos I want to do the wash machine boogie with you"

R

[guest7]

Here's a fork in the road, what kit did you try out but discard early on in your biking careers? It almost goes without saying that all of us tried plastic bags over our boots for waterproofing  .

I used to ride wearing an open face with clear lense plastic (workshop) glasses as eye protection and that was ok, but soon discarded on style grounds!

GC

[squirrelciv]

I tried a newspaper stuffed inside my jacket to help keep out the wind but that plan went t1ts up the first time I got caught in heavy rain. Not nice arriving at the girl friends with a paper mache chest piece

[Mark]

I used to ride wearing an open face with clear lense plastic (workshop) glasses as eye protection and that was ok, but soon discarded on style grounds!

GC

As I get older I don't give a toot about style, practicality every time. I now wear them clear safety glasses with my pisspot rather than 'cool' shades where I cant see nowt after 3.30pm.

[Mark]

I tried a newspaper stuffed inside my jacket to help keep out the wind but that plan went t1ts up the first time I got caught in heavy rain. Not nice arriving at the girl friends with a paper mache chest piece

Reminds me of the time I got a real soaking whilst wearing a t-shirt with 'The real Mr Men' on. I had those characters dyed onto my chest and belly for a fortnight.

[Richard]

This thread reminds me of the old 'Zed Cred'.

Does anybody still make handguards out of old oil bottles ?

Richard

[KirriePete]

Does anybody still make handguards out of old oil bottles ?

Oil bottles, how common!  2 litre organic full fat milk jugs, thank you very much!

Tried and discarded:-

'Genuine WWII Desert Rat' disposable goggles (off a stall at Duxford)
Turbo visor - keeps vision clear in the heaviest downpours - NOT.  Oh lordy, just checked and they're still making them!
Bodywarmer as a denim cutoff replacement - incredibly naff.
Smoking a cigar in an Everoak Griffin, at *cough* mph - well, I thought it would look cool at the time!  Unravelling, ash & cinders in the mush .... oh, to be young and stupid again (instead of old and stupid).

[OMEGAMAN]

 Those rubber blade wipe things that went on your fingers!

 Womens tights (in winter!)

 Walkman in the pocket with earpieces!

 Sunglasses inside a full face helmet!

 Bike to passenger intercom (in the old days!)

[guest18]

Anything at all by Frank Thomas...

[robG]

Balaclavas.Just can't get on with them.

Over mitts always caused me a problem as well, tried Rukka and Waxed cotton jobs.

Flared jeans never met with success either. Come to a graceful halt, kickstart up leg and untidy heap on floor.

Tried riding in cowboy boots, not good, especially in the wet.

Rob.

[guest18]

Two and four worked for me...! 
But these rubber blade things really were mince weren't they? How to destroy a perfectly good visor in a couple of swipes 

 Those rubber blade wipe things that went on your fingers!

 Womens tights (in winter!)

 Walkman in the pocket with earpieces!

 Sunglasses inside a full face helmet!

 Bike to passenger intercom (in the old days!)