When I was a lad blah, blah, blah, the older bikers who had anything around 500cc or greater were held in great esteem by the group of "apprentices" who were younger and rode smaller bikes and had to show us great respect. Then a learner at 16 could ride a 250cc bike or anything with a sidecar for heavens sake. They were only acknowledged very occasionally as they knew their place, but as time went by and they proved they could ride and bought proper bikes they were then welcomed into the fold. One never waved to apprentices or shared a drink with then at the pub, although if they bought you a drink that would definitely earn them brownie points. At that time BMW owners were very few and far between, had nothing at all to do with us and were somehow regarded as a completely different species- not much change there then. In many ways things were a lot more fun. Much less traffic, Avon SM tyres, Lucas 6v electrics and no electric starters, externally oil cooled bikes (one mate had a Bonneville nicknamed the Torrey Canyon- read your history!), no speed cameras or mobile traps, cops who clipped you round the ear rather than fining you, no speed limits except in towns and petrol at about 40p a gallon, greasy finger nails blah, blah, blah.
