My 1970's bike test. How did that HAPPEN!! /

If you were learning to ride in the 1970's this will echo with your experiences. The world was such a different place then to what it is today.
Hope you enjoy these memories, I am loving telling them, as I am then able to re-live those moments myself.
Let me know what your experiences were I would love to hear from you.
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Happy riding

[@stuarthammond1009]

Really enjoyed that recollection because it brought back so many memories of my own very similar test. With the two part test looming I knew I needed to get last walking man test to avoid all the nonsense. I had already completed the rac/acu training scheme at walsall council yard . I was only 16 so I did the moped version on there Batavus go go . For my test I planned on using my Honda c50 super cub fitted with 70cc head barrel and piston. Honda Cubs were always motorcycles not mopeds with one tiny exception they did a fully automatic moped version the c50lac. I thought the examiner might say no so had my brother waiting across road with a Honda cb125s but not a problem examiner was happy with the mighty cub. Obviously slow control with him walking fast and slow was comical with no clutch. The emergency stop was easy because I only got up about 20mph but don't forget the crazy leading link forks I at too contend with. My brother said I was riding for less then 10 minutes, think the old boy just wanted to get out the rain and end this fiasco. I like too think he could see my incredible talent on a motorcycle as I'd been riding for years and the rac/acu training was intensive and very good. So test passed bottom fell out the 250cc market...... nearly new KH250b4 @ £150 but that's another story.

[@RestorationBiker]

Wow, brilliant memories of days gone by. It is amazing how we managed to pass when you look at what it is like today. Loved reading your story, many thanks for posting it.

[@bofor3948]

Took my test in the 70's also. My examiner instructed me to continue going round a figure 8 of streets in the town and at some point he would raise his hand for the emergency stop. On about the second circuit he stepped out of an alley and raised his hand. I applied the brakes and managed to make the rear wheel skid, which I managed to control by cadence braking, but it looked ugly. He then asked questions about skids and their control and sent me off again. I thought damn no pass this time despite doing the RAC/ACU training course with a good pass. Next time I passed him a van pulled out in front of me from a side turning and I had to stop to save myself for real with a perfect skidless ES. He remarked on it as he handed me my pass slip at the end of the test "That stupid Sod could have killed you, I am going to report him. Thankfully your training served you well" He had spotted my course badge.

[@RestorationBiker]

Brilliant story, great that you can remember that too. I think it was so much easier for us way back then. When you look at what they have to do today to get a licence eh!

[@cornishhh]

My friends and I all took our driving tests in the mid 1970's. A few failed their car tests but I don't recall anyone failing a bike test. I don't remember there even being any way to get formal bike training in my part of Cornwall. Far more teenagers had bikes than do now. Your own bike or car was your passport to freedom.

[@RestorationBiker]

Yes, I think that most bikers today are older 'boomers' When we go the motorcycle industry may fall into decline. Look at what is happening now in America with Harley shutting shops and slowing production. We are a 'last of' group

[@cornishhh]

@@RestorationBiker Small bikes are very popular in many parts of the world though. Even in Europe; look at traffic in Italian and Spanish cities.

[@RestorationBiker]

@@cornishhh yes you are dead right. They form the easiest way of getting around that you can have.

[@EDP1]

my first bike was a honda 125 XL brand new . to me it was a ferrari . first time riding 100 klm , on the highway . i felt i was king . haha

[@RestorationBiker]

Yes it is amazing how we see things when we were younger, eh!

[@Toca_waffle843]

my test was held in a part of town with terraced housing that had a network of alleys behind them. The examiner would send you off on a circuit the leg it down the alley so he could pop out unexpectedly once you had done a couple of turns.

[@RestorationBiker]

Yes, indeed. It was so funny when you think how they used to conduct tests back in the day eh! We were lucky

[@Toca_waffle843]

@@RestorationBiker Anyone still walking after riding motorbikes back in the day is "lucky". If I ever bump into people who knew me in my twenties, they often express surprise that I survived.

[@RestorationBiker]

@@Toca_waffle843 Yes, yes, I think exactly the same way. We were more than just lucky especially how I used to ride. I thought I was invincible, 100 mph every where I could go. How on earth did I survive??

[@Toca_waffle843]

@@RestorationBiker perhaps overly loud aftermarket (or corroded) exhausts helped?

[@RestorationBiker]

@@Toca_waffle843 Yes, indeed

[@richardgomes3228]

Isn’t there some system in place, that would have allowed you to appeal the pass? Sounds like you had rightfully earned the fail. How could he take that away from you? I’m guessing at some other time in your life, that wrong was righted. Thank you for sharing the experience!

[@RestorationBiker]

Yes, I know what you mean. But as he was an official, I was scared to say anything, I should have really, and threatened to tell his superior if he didn't fail me. I spent ages working out how to best get a fail. I mean, the wrong way up a one way street, and he still didn't fail me. It was quite fun to re-count the experience though. Thanks for the comment.

[@flybobbie1449]

I failed my first, the examiner was other end of street when he raised his clip board emergency stop. I thought, what, is that it. Too slow to brake. I thought i would be next to him when he required the stop.

[@flybobbie1449]

Since before i took the test i was safe, been on L plates 3 years. Is all the modern testing needed?

[@RestorationBiker]

Yes, today is totally different to our day eh! There is so much traffic today, I would hate to be a learner today. The thing is that people are today so used to having it NOW!!! They wouldn't ride for a year first, they want to take a four day course and then get out onto a bigger bike. Scary !

[@supermansbigsister3012]

At unmarked junctions no one has priority...

[@RestorationBiker]

Yes, I now know that purely because of what happened on my test all those years ago. So, really, that being on my test taught me something which I have never forgotten.