Nostalgia time!

[Dizerens5]

This was my first bike. I learned to ride on it in Richmond Park, London. It's a 1939 500 cc Triumph Speed Twin, same age as me. I was part owner (my part being about 5% of it, I imagine!). Photo taken in May 1957 where I lived: Stadium Street, London SW10. Then a scuzzy neighbourhood, now you can't park for all the Mercedes and Volvos. Anyone else like to show some nostalgia?

[nhmaf]

Wow - you've dialed the "way back" machine pretty far back with that one - it is a classic!   You've a few years on me - the oldest bike that I've ever ridden was a buddies'  1969 Trident.   I suppose it still has some roots going back to the speed twin, in some way.

Looks like you had some serious-looking tread on that rear tire on the twin.

[dav]

Beautiful beautiful bike, mate i'll do anything to ride classic old bike like that, & that was your first bike!!!  great pic 8-)

[Lucky_Lou]

Imagine what your share would be worth now.....its a thing of beauty ill bet it didnt sound too bad either
Lou

[Ed Miller]

That's one of the few bikes older than my Bonneville that I really sort of lust after.  I mean, there's Vincents and Broughs and that, and stuff I don't know about.

My Bonnie isn't quite as old as me, and it's on a different thread, but I love the old Speed Twins, and I've seen several at show.  Never ridden one though.  

[Dizerens5]

Good to see the interest in my old Speed Twin. Here's the other photo - rider's eye view. The two dials in the tank top were oil pressure (did not work I recall!) and ammeter. Also light switch and removable emergency inspection light, it had quite a long lead coiled up inside. Small levers on the handlebar are air slide (choke) and ignition advance.
I've just looked in website of our DVLA (vehicle registration). They have no record of GHA 114 so it must have gone to the scrap yard many years ago.