My name is Lars Lindqvist and I have a genuine MC interest since the mid sixties. I started my career on a Husqvarna 175 cc Silverpil and at that time, I also had a Honda C110 Sport (the little 50 cc fourstroke machine). On the picture to the right (from 1967), I'm standing, the youth with the light red sweater, behind my 1966 UK Triumph T120 Bonneville. Then followed, a UK model Bonnie 1967 (the lilac/white beauty), a 68 and a 69 US model. The picture below to the left, shows the 69 T120 that I rode some debutant race on. I also had a race built Suzuki T500. When the photo below to the right was taken, it had became the mid seventies and my Honda CB750 café bike, I still think was a beauty. During the eighties, the focus was on italian bikes, Laverda, Moto-Guzzi and Ducati singles. The nineties was hard work, educations and some more CB750 SOHC:s and 305 CB77:s. But now it´s 2005, despite all predictions and sense of dooms by the time of the new millenium. The little hair still on the head has became grey, but anyway, a new racing career is planned. Well, joking apart, some classic racing (read) track training and parades with my Ossa 250 and a Bultaco Metralla MK2 Kit America, when the restore is finished.  

Well, besides a common Motorcycle interest, my heart claps a little extra for Spanish classic bikes, like Bultaco Montesa and Ossa. Spain has old and glorious Motorcycle traditions and Spanish bikes and drivers has been succesful in many sport/racing events. Besides the bikes mentioned, another 40 (or about) different makes has been made. Among others, many Italian bikes were built on license in Spain, for example, Ducati, Moto-Guzzi, Gilera, MV, Vespa and Lambretta. The reason for this was the protectionist policy by Generalísimo Franco. Import was prohibited. That policy forced the Spanish industry to produce all parts themselves and thats the reason for all the goodies, like Akront, Femsa, Motoplat, Betor and so on. And then, after Francos death in 1975, the democratic Spain banished the trade barriers, wich was the beginning of the end for the motorcycle industry. Every coin always has two sides. Well, if you are interested in Spanish motorcycles and the rise and fall of Spanish MC industry, I strongly recommend the book: Spanish post-war road and racing motorcycles by Mick Walker.

The Spaniards often have a relaxed and sympathetic view of life and work, which is a well known fact. You can read some interesting articles, when journalists visited Spain for motorcycle tests in the sixties and seventies and Sr. Bulto recommended them to use small and twisty roads, step on the gas and have fun, take a break for watching the beautiful scenery, relax, enjoy the food and just have a good time.  See the articles.
I will also mention a philosophic book that I suppose is well known, but anyway, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M Pirsig is a classic, still worth to get to know.   

My bikes: Moto Guzzi 850T, Suzuki T500, Montesa 250 Impala Sport, Montesa Cota 348, Montesa 250 Cappra GP, Ossa 250 classic racer, Ossa 250 Phantom, Bultaco Metralla MK2, Bultaco Metralla GTS, Bultaco 350 Pursang MK6.