The James Brothers...Bill’s Story

I have always been interested in all things mechanical including cars motorcycles and of course SPEED. I completed my motor mechanic apprenticeship after leaving school and although having a break from the trade to work at Affco Imlay have maintained my interest in cars, motorcycles and SPEED. I met my wife Heather thirty something years ago who had a love affair with her 1966 MGB roadster and was looking for someone to do some work on it. The rest is history. We married in 1995 and I remain chief mechanic, cleaner, polisher and driver etc. We joined the VCC shortly after marrying and have recently attained our 25 year badges. The MG has been rallied regularly both locally and at the last 2 international rallies. I have been Motorcycle Convenor at the VCC for many years and have just run the 40th Annual Motorcycle Trial which was a huge success.

The mid 60’s saw me competing locally in scrambling but had to quit after a rather horrific accident. In the 1970’s I spent a lot of time at Speedway (both on the track and clubrooms) building, preparing, racing and rebuilding my street stock and stock car. I have always had a love of the Boxing Day Cemetery Circuit from watching as a child with Dad and brother Frank, to competing on classic motorcycles, to preparing the circuit and helping to run the event for many years. In the 1990’s I got back into classic motorcycle racing and for the last 25 years have made the annual pilgrimage up to the Classic Festival at Pukekohe each February. After 2 or 3 years of break downs on my very modified Matchless Heather said to “It’s time you got something better”. It only took a few minutes for me to formulate a plan. While still at the meeting I approached the late Paul Daws who was racing an AJS7R. I knew he had another one in pieces. He said give me a couple of days to consider. Very soon after this I was rebuilding my own AJS which I have raced all over New Zealand and in Australia at Eastern Creek and Phillip Island

I have also owned a 1973 Mini Couper which I raced at Taupo, Manfield and Ohakea and participated in many local hill climbs. Unfortunately at one such hill climb I put it into a bank damaging the chassis. I bought another Mini to replace it but never got it back into racing trim and eventually sold it as a road car. I have some long time friends who in 1978 bought a brand new Triumph Bonneville and a Norton Commando here in Wanganui. I purchased the Bonneville making me the second owner and it has just 12,060 miles on the clock. I have promised to care for the Norton (which of course includes taking it out for a run) until her son is in a position to take possession of it. Heather and I use both these bikes in the VCC and Classic rallies. There are few other bikes in our shed which have been built by a very clever chap now in his eighties and who continues this hobby today.