I was attracted to Italian machines early on and in particular Moto Guzzi machines.

My first Moto Guzzi was a 500cc Monza. I bought UNM 89W (British registration number) in 1981 after lusting at early pictures in the bike press and then seeing one in the metal at the 1980 British Motorcycle Show.

The Monza was my sole main transport for many years and I covered over 110 000 miles on it! Not exactly totally trouble free but nothing I could not sort out myself and nothing that ever left me stranded.

The bike was very tatty towards the end and I put it away to restore one day but in a fit of financial weakness, with a house to restore, I stupidly sold it! If you have what remains of it - I'll have it back!