CycleChat Investigates - Mods v Rockers

[Oldhippy]

The HA are still very much around. It isn't a club you leave as far as I know.

 

[byegad]

We used to go out on a long ride, looking for Mod's to overtake. We'd happily pass their Italian hairdryers whilst indicating by hand gesture that we were still in 2nd gear.

 

[Accy cyclist]

View attachment 594815

Non stop nasty cowardly posts from you mean you're the first poster in my 11 years on here that I've put on my ignore list! You can give it sunshine,but certainly can't take it!!😒

 

[Gillstay]

I was British bikes and Ducati / Aeromacchi singles which were great fun. Teddy boy in that early 70's revival that few remember. Rarely had bicycles on the farm as just endless punctures and a busy dad.

 

[lane]

I was out cycling with someone who was a mod. He said the real divide wasn't between mods and rockets but between Vespa and Lambereta riders.

My Uncle was a proper 50s rocker and he still speaks with derision about mods with their hairdryers

 

[Smokin Joe]

I was British bikes and Ducati / Aeromacchi singles which were great fun. Teddy boy in that early 70's revival that few remember. Rarely had bicycles on the farm as just endless punctures and a busy dad.

I do remember it. One night back then I was making my way back from the bar at Tiffany's in Ilford balancing a tray of drinks when a fight involving a bunch of Teds erupted next to me. The drinks went flying and so did I when I got in the way of a punch meant for someone else.

 

[DRM]

Weren't the 'clashes' mostly media hype rather than the tribal battles we romantically 'recall' from watching Quadrophenia rather than the news?

FWIW... i was a new born

Nope, apparently Paignton 1966, we were on holiday when, according to my parents all hell broke loose as mods & rockers were chasing one another until it ended up in a pitched battle on the beach, I wasn’t allowed out of my pram to join in!

 

[Deleted User]

Non stop nasty cowardly posts from you mean you're the first poster in my 11 years on here that I've put on my ignore list! You can give it sunshine,but certainly can't take it!!😒

Stop taking yourself so seriously.

 

[DRM]

1980’s was into the metal thing, still am, did have a BSA Bantam, but that never went on road, it was converted into a trials bike, so we went on the fields with it, do remember being in Bridlington one bank holiday, and me, my cousin and some friends left our parents and went wandering off on our own, only to get caught up in the middle of a load of mods I had on an Iron Maiden T-shirt and denim sleeveless jacket with various heavy metal band badges and embroidery on it, got some lip , but no real hassle, thank god.
I recall having patchouli oil on that jacket, my mum found the source of the ”bloody awful stench” and sealed it in a plastic bag

 

[Rusty Nails]

I must admit to being a mod in the 60s despite being given a Francis Barnett motorbike by my uncle.

Terribly shallow of me but, as a teenager, it was all about the girls, and the mod girls were much better-looking.

 

[MontyVeda]

Nope, apparently Paignton 1966, we were on holiday when, according to my parents all hell broke loose as mods & rockers were chasing one another until it ended up in a pitched battle on the beach, I wasn’t allowed out of my pram to join in!

this wiki page is an interesting read, especially the 'debunking' section.

 

[Deleted User]

Always rode bikes, still do, but got an old Lammie as well.

 

[Dec66]

Mod.

Thanks.

 

[Dave7]

I must admit to being a mod in the 60s despite being given a Francis Barnett motorbike by my uncle.

Terribly shallow of me but, as a teenager, it was all about the girls, and the mod girls were much better-looking.

Yay......my 1964 bike was a Franny Barnett 197cc......weighed a ton and did 65 mph with smoke pouring out of the exhaust.

 

[Oldhippy]

Didn't they have the advance and retard levever on the handlebar?