Friends reunited

Over 60 years ago, both the writer of this article and the subject machine joined Bristol police. Now, both long retired, they’re back together again.

Words and photographs: RICHARD WHITTLE

In the 1960s, I spent several years as a humble copper in the Bristol police. Then, our motorcyclists rode Triumph Speed Twins and LE Velocettes – the infamous ‘Noddy bikes.’ The force bought their Triumphs in batches of four, one for each of the city’s divisional areas. When I joined, in 1961, the force had just bought four new bikes, a batch of 5TA unit twins to join the eight it already had. These four bikes – 307, 308, 309 and 310 MHY – were Ruby Red, a slightly brighter red than Triumph’s traditional Amaranth Red, a colour the company had used since 1938. One of these new arrivals, 5TA Speed Twin 309 MHY, was allocated to my division. I rode it regularly and knew it well. A few of my colleagues…

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The Classic MotorCycle (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 2024

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