“IT JUST looked cute on a trailer” was Clem and Deb Hutchesson’s first thought when they saw this once worn-out 1951 c11 BSA 250cc motorcycle around four years ago.
Mr Hutchesson said the bike was spotted at a Naracoorte Swap Meet in need of some tender love and care.
“It took around six months to get the bike back up to scratch,” he said.
“We re-did its paintwork, added new rims and spokes and just made sure it was tidy and put back together correctly,” he said.
“Although the bike may be a small four-stroke, it rides like magic.”
Mr Hutchesson praised John Rigby for his help with the wiring and his “wizard” fingers.
The couple purchased the bike with the intention Ms Hutchesson would ride it in the annual All-British Rally held in Newstead, which they both regularly attend.
“I usually drive a car just in case we break down and strangers have to ride our other bike as we do not have anyone else,” Ms Hutchesson said.
“I just obtained my learners license so I can share Clem’s passion with him and I aim to learn how to confidently ride a bike.
“Hopefully I will sit for my provisional license before the end of the year.”
Ms Hutchesson said she recently rode in the rally for the first time with her learner plates.
“It was a different experience because there are a thousand or more bikes and I was somewhere in the middle of them all,” she said.
“I did conk out but I got on again and choofed away.
“It is not hard to stall a bike like this because sometimes you are not used to it.”
Mr Hutchesson said the only history he knew about the BSA was it was originally from Loxton.
“Luckily the engine only needed resealing as they can leak oil,” he said.
“It is a nice and peaceful bike to ride on the open road.
“The restoration process is all done now but the hard part is keeping them clean and if you take them out, you often have to go and fix it again.”
Mr Hutchesson has an extensive history in motorcycle racing and he said his passion remains alive through his bike collection.
“I have always had a strong interest in bikes from very early on,” he said.
“I started to learn how to ride a bike on my uncle’s farm and he had an old BSA which we had to push-start.
“I still have the urge and want to ride all the time and I could ride and ride if the weather was not so hit and miss.”
Ms Hutchesson said the bike shares a special connection with both herself and his husband.
“Clem’s bikes are family heirlooms and I recently discovered my father rode a BSA when he was dating my mother,” she said.
“My mother also apparently wanted to ride bikes as well but my dad would not let her.
“It is great I can share a family connection now we have one.”
The couple are members of the Veteran & Vintage Car Club Inc and enjoy taking the bike on weekend cruises while registered on historic registration.
