Good evening all.
My name is Joe Anastasi and, whilst being new to this forum, I am not new to Vincent / HRDs. In fact I presently own, run regularly, and enjoy riding a Series B 1948 HRD Meteor, which I have owned for some 25 or more years.
I was brought up with motorcycles, my father's firm, The John Bull Ironmongery Stores, started by my grandfather in the late 1800s, were sole importers for BSA motorcycles in Malta. I moved into the business in the early 60s, the hayday of the British parallel twin.
My Series B Meteor has also spent most of it's life in Malta. It was purchased new from Pankhursts of Weymouth in 1948 and was soon on it's way to Malta where it's British services owner had just been posted. On ending his 3 year stint of service in Malta he sold the Meteor to a local motorcycle dealer, Mr. Carmelo Tanti of Nofsis Garage, The Strand, Sliema, who then sold it on to it's first Maltese owner, a gentleman from Tarxien known by the nickname "Is-Sieheb" who was also not new to HRDs, and who passed away recently. I believe Mr. Tanti was actually the official Malta importer for HRD motorcycles.
The next owner was a Mr. Albert Jackson from Hamrun, who has also owned a series of Vincents. Mr. Jackson too passed away recently, and the picture on his tombstone is actually one of him riding one of his Rapides. I have a copy of the picture which I will try putting in the Vincent page on Facebook.
Mr. Jackson sold it on to Mr. William (Bill) Kind, who then sold it on to me. I have just been talking to Bill, who is now in his 70s and has also owned a number of Vincents in the past.
Throughout the years, the Meteor has never been restored and still sports it's original paintwork. I only recently took the head and barrel off and gave it it's first rebore, a new set of valves, guides, springs etc, new clutch plates, cush drive springs, brake linings and cables in preparation for the 1000 mile Giro di Sicilia to which I was again honoured to be invited again this year. The Meteor ran like a bird throughout the 6 day rally.
I also participated in last year's Giro di Sicilia, as well as the famous Milano - Taranto Rally in the early 90s, all riding the Meteor.
All the HRD's and Vincents which were in Malta in the 50s and 60s have unfortunately disappeared, except for my Meteor, but recently 2 twins have been imported from UK. One is a Series C Shadow belonging to a Mr. Joseph Fenech from Tarxien, and the other, a C Rapide, has recently been purchased by my friend Mr. Tony Cassar. Facebook members may see pics of both my HRD and Tony's Vincent in our respective pages.
My name is Joe Anastasi and, whilst being new to this forum, I am not new to Vincent / HRDs. In fact I presently own, run regularly, and enjoy riding a Series B 1948 HRD Meteor, which I have owned for some 25 or more years.
I was brought up with motorcycles, my father's firm, The John Bull Ironmongery Stores, started by my grandfather in the late 1800s, were sole importers for BSA motorcycles in Malta. I moved into the business in the early 60s, the hayday of the British parallel twin.
My Series B Meteor has also spent most of it's life in Malta. It was purchased new from Pankhursts of Weymouth in 1948 and was soon on it's way to Malta where it's British services owner had just been posted. On ending his 3 year stint of service in Malta he sold the Meteor to a local motorcycle dealer, Mr. Carmelo Tanti of Nofsis Garage, The Strand, Sliema, who then sold it on to it's first Maltese owner, a gentleman from Tarxien known by the nickname "Is-Sieheb" who was also not new to HRDs, and who passed away recently. I believe Mr. Tanti was actually the official Malta importer for HRD motorcycles.
The next owner was a Mr. Albert Jackson from Hamrun, who has also owned a series of Vincents. Mr. Jackson too passed away recently, and the picture on his tombstone is actually one of him riding one of his Rapides. I have a copy of the picture which I will try putting in the Vincent page on Facebook.
Mr. Jackson sold it on to Mr. William (Bill) Kind, who then sold it on to me. I have just been talking to Bill, who is now in his 70s and has also owned a number of Vincents in the past.
Throughout the years, the Meteor has never been restored and still sports it's original paintwork. I only recently took the head and barrel off and gave it it's first rebore, a new set of valves, guides, springs etc, new clutch plates, cush drive springs, brake linings and cables in preparation for the 1000 mile Giro di Sicilia to which I was again honoured to be invited again this year. The Meteor ran like a bird throughout the 6 day rally.
I also participated in last year's Giro di Sicilia, as well as the famous Milano - Taranto Rally in the early 90s, all riding the Meteor.
All the HRD's and Vincents which were in Malta in the 50s and 60s have unfortunately disappeared, except for my Meteor, but recently 2 twins have been imported from UK. One is a Series C Shadow belonging to a Mr. Joseph Fenech from Tarxien, and the other, a C Rapide, has recently been purchased by my friend Mr. Tony Cassar. Facebook members may see pics of both my HRD and Tony's Vincent in our respective pages.