Hi Bob,
I got my first bike, A Puch Cheetah scooter, the day after I left primary school ( aged about 12?)
I was always into mechanical stuff, How I came to serve my time as an electrician is another story!!!
I had been doing mech eng at college, but with no jobs around it seemed like a good idea at the time
Anyway, I never had any money to buy a "new" or modern bike, so I ran all sorts of stuff usually gotten for practically nothing!!
I had encouragement and help from older club members which is how I got into earlier stuff,
I could always make "stuff" and people asked me to help or repair their bikes
I have always been into BSA's and had wanted a ""shiney red six fifty" ever since I can remember
The helping others developed into taking on various projects and restorations as a sideline,
I took voluntary redundancy two years ago and now work "almost" fulltime on Classic and vintage bikes
I dont want a full time job ???? had enough of that for 34 years
Cheers
John O R