Mike Tottey’s first bike was a BSA C11 rather like the one he’s just restored, but this is no tale of an epic mission to recreate a long-lost first love.
“No,” he admits, “I didn’t really want a C11 in the first place. I’d set my sights on a Bantam, but in 1950 they weren’t to be had for love nor money, so, with my dad’s help, I settled on a secondhand one of these.”
I suppose I can understand 17-year old Mike wanting the new and fashionable tiddler, but with the benefit of hindsight I reckon BSA’s inability to keep up with demand did him a favour.
Read more in September’s issue of TCM
