First bikes, take three

I noted your call for photos of readers’ first bikes.

Here is my 1949 D1 Bantam after I had decided to remove everything that I considered too heavy.

I even fitted a thin wooden seat without any padding, ace bars, bulb horn and Snell close ratio gears.

At the time I felt it looked great, but looking back I’m almost embarrassed!

My younger brother Brian is sitting on the bike in my replica flying jacket.

Happy days never to be forgotten.

Perran Newman

Read more Letters, Opinion, News and Features in the February 2020 issue of Old Bike Mart – on sale now!