MATCHLESS - IN NAME & REPUTATION
This is the inspiring story of how a young school-leaver, with no academic qualifications and low expectations, built a successful career based on an apprenticeship with Associated Motor Cycles Ltd, and eventually became Managing Director of his company.
It describes the very personal story of the ups and downs of factory life in the 1950s and 1960s. In particular, it conveys the unique atmosphere and excitement that surrounds the manufacture of motorcycles, an atmosphere that for those who have experienced it is like no other. The excellence of the training that was provided by the company enabled the writer to achieve far more than he ever anticipated.
The journey through the factory, starting with the lowliest of duties in the machine shops and ending as personal assistant to the top motorcycle designers of their time, is described in detail. It gives a rare insight into working practices within the different departments and the characters that were employed.
Supported by a host of period photographs and rare documents, it provides a unique record of work within the British motorcycle industry in the final years of its decline into oblivion.
Motorcycle Apprentice by W. A. ‘Bill’ Cakebread
ISBN: 9781845848583
Print equivalent ISBN: 9781845841799
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BULLET POINTS◾A unique record of an apprenticeship and working life in the British motorcycle industry◾Fascinating insight to the working practices of the motorcycle industry in the 1950s and 1960s◾Includes period photographs and rare documents relating to the Associated Motor Cycles Ltd factory at Plumstead◾Bill worked at the AMC factory from 1958 until 1966◾AMC manufactured Matchless and A.J.S. motorcycles
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in London in 1941, Bill Cakebread’s sole ambition was to work with motorcycles. This enthusiasm secured him an apprenticeship with Associated Motor Cycles Ltd. When the British motorcycle industry collapsed, he joined Peter Berthon, famous for his association with ERA and BRM racing cars. Adapting his vehicle engineering knowledge to mobile cranes, Bill then became one of this country’s leading experts in crane safety, and, as Managing Director of his company, was a regular contributor of articles on the subject, as well as representing the UK at international standards meetings.
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