Phil, thanks for the Grays photo, happy days!!.
Tony, Thanks for the reminder of the Banbury run. Down the years there's so many places & events l've promised myself like the I,O,M, TT, but for various family & work commitments l've never gotten round to managing them. However now that l am retired l hope to put these things right.
Malc, thanks for your memory of the "dream machine". If l got the lottery up there would be a Goldie in my garage, l would lubricate it with Castrol R and run it just to hear that beautiful exhaust "twitter" on over run and breathe in the "R", memories of Mallory Park in '60s.
Despite todays bikes being high tech, fast, reliable etc,etc, to me they lack soul & individuality, even today l could name makes of Brit bikes by there engine/exhaust tone, l don't think you could do that with modern bikes. Maybe it's just a generation/era thing but how many young guys would be able to even start a high compression 500cc single without todays starter motors?? and how many could strip and rebuild their pride & joy in the back yard using only basic tools. Sorry if l sound like an old codger [which l suppose l am] but l loved everything 6os/70s & 80s but l don't thing todays young folk will look back with such affection, we were so lucky.