The song at 4:17 is 'Ton Up' by my friend Norm Elliott's band Norm & the Nightmarez from the album 'Psychobilly Infection' available from Western Star Records.
Although it was closed in 1959 only reopening in 1998, but memories fade I guess. Perhaps that's why so many people talk about being there in the 60s,70's and 80's which would have been tricky.
You can't beat the ace cafe. I've been to Harley meets and to be honest...most are up their arse. You go to the ACE...motto guzzi, Vespa, Triumph, Ducati...you name it. Just love of the same thing. Makes me proud
hard men with hearts of gold for the genuinely in need, who remembers, down to the roundabout and back before the record on the duke box ended, ? i don't know, if anybody, ever, actually beat the record playing on the box ? but i doubt it. yep, one of my old hang outs, when i was a youngster. fond memories. really nice, to see, that the old spirit hasn't died
Had to go there a couple of times but it was all a bit too corporate, plastic and gammony for me. Either that or hundreds of kids on bikelife type scooters. We found a real transport cafe where all the bikers meet up, not run by an ex copper and we don't get asked to leave for a Toyota MR2 day. It must have been great in the 60's but it's not the same place now.
Great place to stop for a cuppa and sausage sandwich when I'm out visiting customers in the area of Park Royal NW London. Even the police stop for their lunch there and many other business people like me [though I'm a biker] or any other people. It's better than a Macdonalds or other crappy chain food places. Plus did the Reunion 1998 ride to Brighton.
Some great art and intelligence here. I am almost as crazy, with an obsession of old engineering from the early years. My daily transport is a 1950 Norton. There is a reverence and a romance. Love your gig!
I noticed the British AMAL Carburetor right away on the 168cc 2 Stroke engine. I own a collection of British Seagull Outboard Engines that used an AMAL 46N 2 Jet carburetor, or a small VILLIERS carburetor. Beautiful cycle.
I am working on a home made modern version of this motorcycle Cycle-Van twice the capacity still front wheel drive 800cc Yamaha engine disk brakes and modern suspension think it will be an excellent delivery cycle-van for rural or European country deliveries!
Brilliant place brilliant people the Ace was my place to go in the sixties as a rocker, just bought a new bonneville 120 gonna go back there as probably one of the oldest rockers at 74 but who cares 😂
I'm a fan of British bikes. The oldest is my 71 BSA 650 Lightning. I also buy old motorcycles because I believe they hold value and my money is not wasted. I have a few but nothing like your collection. Thanks for sharing your story. Beautiful bikes!
As seen on American Pickers Season 10. First offer... $20,000 and nothing, then Second offer... $25,000 and the nicest, drawn out, English way of saying No, thank you. Weird, but cool bike. Have to appreciate the passion that anyone has.
The old boy on who owned, it who refused there offer of $25.000, passed away recently, the bi van was sold at Auction for about £10.000, too the sammy millar museum
Your story and your motorcycles are truly impressive, I have one bike and I do whatever it takes to keep it running whether I fix it or the dealer fixes it. I have to ride it's my joy my peace of mind! I have been riding since 1980 first bike Sportster. You sir are a collector of vintage motorcycles who loves to ride. Thank you for your story, you are the guardian of old motorcycles forever I enjoyed getting to see and hear them run every one of those bikes has a story.
Great Briton once had an Empire and the working class had the Ace off the North circular . India was once in the Empire and now have the Royal Enfield and going from strength to strength . KEEP IT UP LADS ,were all people of this world . Thank you for a great production , could only be narrated with a voice like that .
I used to own the tri van until 2014. The tri van bi van and the other vehicle should all have around 2500 miles on the clock. This was due to a show drive that was done by the work staff to show the reliability. However, then though it was a successful drive no one bought one. They was all prototypes that exist.
Grew up and went to school in hackney wick in the 60's great tough area,full of funny nutters and very dangerouse nutters.not by choice but i wouldn't change it
I would absolutely love to have all the different types of motorcycles you have that is truly impressive, you are definitely one lucky man! I especially love that red 69 or 70 CB750 of yours right in front
Lived in the wick 10 years ago, stour road, watched the Olympic stadium being built out my window, till one day the Olympic committee bought our building and threw us out because they were going to knock our building down and build a bridge... the landlord never told us... just let us keep on paying the rent even though he didn’t own the building..... they never nocked it down... it stayed empty.. got squatted... then god knows.. last time I went back our unit was a grow room ... you could smell it... glad we moved to tottenham, Hackney wick is in the arse end of nowhere.
