Manky Monkey Motors

Sorry if this means nothing to 99% of you, but if you can't be self indulgent on your own website where can you.
Heard from "Speedmaster" the other day for the first time in ages. He texted me with the sad news that a mutual friend had passed away. Speedy knew him much better than I -Ian was best man at his wedding, but I knew him well enough to want to mark his passing in some way.
Ian Sinclair-Jones was a "proper" biker. When I was a spotty, awkward 17 year old, starting out on my first bike in this all consuming hobby of ours that's kept me busy, & skint, for the past 30 years, Ian was one of those guys I aspired to become.
With his thick black beard, long hair & tattoos, he looked like he'd ridden straight out of the pages of Easyrider magazine. He rode a Harley when they were still a rare sight over here. He kept a pair of bull terriers long before the chavvy crowd decided to adopt them as a status symbol. He had a part built B31 BSA single chop sat in his living room. He didn't follow the crowd, did his own thing & was all the cooler for it. He's one of the faces I remember from my mis-spent, very well spent youth with great affection.
As I moved on, changed jobs, moved house & moved towns, I lost track of him. Last time I spoke to him he was moving to Wales to start a new life. There was talk some time later of him splitting up with his beautiful wife & starting to use drink & other substances heavily. That was several years ago. I guess he'd be in his early 50s by now. The news that Ian died last week of kidney failure wasn't a complete suprise, but still made me very sad. I'd just arrived at a local custom bike show with Taz when the text came through from Speedy. Seemed kinda appropriate somehow. I'll remember him in his shades, a big devillish grin on his face, booting his bike into gear & taking off up the road.
Seeya mate.  8)
 

Here's to ian, remember him well andy, to absent friends.....

Respectfully.

A Biker's Epitaph

So Long, Old Friend
The gypsy wind, it called your name, with no time to say good-bye
You left us here alone, old friend, to take your final ride.
This world it couldn't tame your soul, you lived your life with pride.
now you soar free like the crow, you're on your final ride.
Your memory won't fade, old friend, we'll hold you deep inside.
We'd come with you, if we only could, upon your final ride.
It's time to say so long, old friend, as you take your final ride.
We'll keep you with us in our hearts, if not riding by our side.