Ian's Motorbikes & Cars through the years

Probably the culprit that started the motorcycle addiction my grandfather Robert Bisco around 1915 with what I believe to be a Phelan & Moore Motocycle.

The three Velocette MAC’s owned by the Bisco brothers,Phil, Bob & John. Mid to late 40’s era!

I bought this Bike from a shop in Gloucester for 3.5 pounds and Dad had one of his mailmen bring it home for me in the mail van. I was 14 years old then.

The day the BSA C11 arrives curtesy of John Fowles an old friend. Here John & I set about stripping the machine down to the bare frame.

Working on the BSA again, My younger brother Neil looks on from the front and another friend Martin Stokes leans on the seat. I am down behind the back wheel .

BSA Cll mid 50's era. this was the second bike I owned and again was used to blast around the fields

I guess I forgot to mention in between playing with motor bikes I built a few model airplanes. Down on Freeman's fields (now all homes) in the back ground Mike Philips.

50's era Ariel Red Hunter Scrambler, which I bought for three pounds less front forks & wheel. I managed to find the parts & get it running. I guess I was around 14 -15 years old then

Hmm. Well I guess I almost forgot, I also made a boat and it did float. I made it at school with help from the woodwork teacher Billy Brooks. I entered it in the "Three Counties Show" competition and won 3rd prize. I later sold it in Poole Dorset to help fund my first road going motorcycle a Triumph Tiger Cub.

1961 Velocette Viper 350cc was my third street bike I bought when I was 16 (my first was a Triumph Tiger Cub second a Norton Jubilee). I was proud to continue the family tradition of owning Velocette's. This fair beauty covered many miles and most of it flat out until I sold it to buy my first car.

1961 Velocette Venom Clubman. I restored this bike back in the mid seventies in the UK then brought it with me to California. I originally bought it for forty five pounds in 1972. I still have this bike & take it out for a ride every now & then.

Now with Californian Plates!

In 1998 I decided to venture back into road bikes and the Yamaha V-max took my fancy. Unfortunately for someone with long legs its not the most comfortable of machines and the new one introduced 2008 is even worse.

With my long legs the riding position was not the best. The fuel filler cap in the middle of the seat area did not allow me to slide back a bit for comfort.

April 2003 Picking up my new Aprilia Tuono from the dealers. The V-Max was sold to help pay for the Tuono. I dropped the footrests a bit and the riding position was ideal for my long legs and a vast improvement over the V-Max.

2003 Aprilia Tuono is my current ride. a great bike and fun to ride

My First car a 1961 Ford Anglia

The 1961 Ford Anglia 105e was the first car I owned and it was not long before it became heavily modified. When I parted with it the engine was a 1600GT crossflow, front disc brakes, lowered all round, 5 1/2j steel rims, sump guard, spots, corbeaux seats plus a tow bar. It was fast in its day! I ended up selling the Anglia when I purchased a 1964 Lotus Cortina with the engine in bits.

This was taken down in Newquay when on a camping trip with the lads

Ian in a Ross Motor Club auto test on May Hill. I won the class but also ended up bending the chassis rail on a submerged rock.

The 1964 Lotus Cortina replaced the Anglia and was a lot of fun. Of course it was not standard and I increased the engine size to 1760cc fitted it with a 4.125 diff due to the high first gear and towing requirement. It was very fast but but ate so many starter ring gears, I could take the engine out and change them in about 2 hours. I just wish I knew about pre-engaged starters back then!

Andy had progressed from Jalopy's to Formula Fords and this was the first Dulon L4C. It was Andy's racer and all his money went into this so I provided the towing transport & helped with race car maintenance where ever I could, we spent hours working together on these things. This picture was at Castle Combe where Andy won the Championship in this car.

After the Lotus Cortina I bought an Escort RS 1600 from Broadspeed, i ran this for a few years then traded it to Frank Pierson for this tamer Escort Mexico, it was actually less maintenance and with my busy lifestyle ended up a wise choice. I put 50,000 miles on it before I changed the oil (first time) and clutch at the same time.

When Broadspeed were racing the Triumph Dolomite Sprints and I was building the race motors I sold the Ford Escort Mexico & Bought a used Sprint. It was originally left hand drive but I converted it to right hand drive, uprated the engine and suspension making it very quick for its day. Just one problem it would not stop!

When moving to California in 1978 the used Camaro was the first car I bought

A 1964 Ford Fairlane bought for Anne to learn to drive in and use in 1978/79.

Toyota Corolla I bought with a blown engine and fixed in 1979 for Anne to drive

Datsun Pick Up truck I bought and restored as my primary transport in 1979. we loaded it up and brought all our stuff to LA in 1980, sold it in 81.

A Ford Fiesta with a 1600 crossflow engine came after the Datsun, I bought it with front crash damage and repaired it.

At home in California this picture was taken in 1992. The Porsche 928 I rebuilt from a damaged vehicle, The Velo came with me from the UK and the Triumph TR3A I picked up in California.

Fully rebuilt and on the road my Porsche 928

The second of 2 Lincoln Navigators keeping me in luxury wheels from 2001-2006. Both were company cars.

I leased a Mercedes GL450 2007-2008, Sadly had to let this go when I lost my job at Cosworths

What I used to call my Trusty Home Depot Truck is now my primary mode of transport for a while as I close out 2008. If I need a speed fix I can jump on the Aprilia! Sold in Feb 2011.

2007 BMW X3, This car was a big disappointment, we bought it with the intention of owning it a long time. Driveabilty was very poor and unpredictable when commuting at lower speeds in traffic. Never seemed to know what gear it was in and acted like electronic brain could not think fast enough. Once out on highway at cruising speeds it was good with good cornering and handling. In LA though that was not enough. Reversing lights did not light up ground area and sun roof rattled. I thought BMW would be better than this!

Yes the Bimmer went and this replaced it a good faithful Ford, room for 4-5 people and my mountain bike or garden rubbish in the back. Down side is fuel mileage at around 13 in town driving carefully!