Welcome!
It's great to see you at Backstreet Mechanics!
Owned by Mike Thomas (yes - that's right! Happy Birthday Mike!) this information website offers an ever growing resource for other passionate old bike enthusiasts or old, passionate bike enthusiasts!
With extensive knowledge & a library of model manuals, particularly BSA related, Mike is available to offer advice & support on just about any BSA query to help you get more enjoyment out of your classic bike. If he can't help you, he'll probably be able to point you to someone who can (but do bear with us as this is a hobby & not a day job). Enjoy a good rummage around our site & we hope you'll find stuff to interest you - any questions, just ask!
About Mike
Born in Bedfordshire in 1959 Mike was introduced to his passion by his father, who sat him & his brother on a moped as little boys. His fascination for how things worked started just as early, taking things apart & constructing things with Meccano, making his first model railway layout in the garden shed, taking a mechanical watch apart etc. His first motorbike was a Raleigh Runabout which, according to family legend, his mother gave away when they moved house. Mike has never forgiven her & regularly still scours the ebay adverts for a Cream & Green Raleigh Runabout even though his long suffering partner has already bought him one!
Mike loves all bikes old & new. He passed his bike test as a young man of forty & started with a 1200cc Suzuki Bandit before aquiring a Royal Enfield (one of the ones produced in India). Gradually Mike's become more interested in older bikes, specifically BSA 1920's & 1930's models. Appreciating all kinds of bikes, his own tend to be unrestored or pre-loved working models to be used & enjoyed - far from pristine but usually very original! That said, he loves to see the concours models & the usual home engineered versions such as Norzuki's!
This is his birthday pressie, November 2015 & we hope you all enjoy it!
Mike's Monthly Photo Picks
Forthcoming Events
- Mikes Birthday! | 13/11/15 | Mikes House
- Christmas! | 25/12/15 | Lapland
- Hogmany! | 30/12/15 | Worldwide
