David Campbell


And there it is- the Johnson's Transport Caff. (This was the hangout of the JOHNSON'S MOTORCYCLE CLUB! I hung out there, back in '65- '66. I was there- three or four nites a week & most weekends. I rode a '58 Enfieldld Meteor Minor Airflow Deluxe, (the one that came with a factory fiberglass touring fairing on it- very handy in the rain). I bitched about that bike- but it never failed to get me home- even when I crashed it- and it never leaked oil. You can't ask for more than that.

The young fellows that I hung out there with- finest bunch of yobs I ever met! And I will never forget- Harry Johnson, (the guy who owned that caff. First time I was introduced to him, he glared at me, and he said: "We got one rule here- you never show up here while on drugs or alcohol, and you never bring any of that shit- here! Becauseif you do- you are gone and you don't come back- is that clear?) I never once saw either of those things there- I would have known, because I was one of 'em!

Harry arranged for us- to have a go, around Brands Hatch, one Sunday afternoon. We went out in a bunch, and did one lap. Such fun! On the second lap, I come flying into Paddock Bend, only about 10 mph more than I done before. (Paddock is a downhill right- hander.) My suspenders bottomed at the apex, and I went into a tank slapper, (scared the crap outta meself!) Keep it up! Surrrounded by bikes! And some guy came flying past on the inside, with a huge grin on his face! Looked like he was out for a Sunday romp!?! Afterwards, I went into the pits and asked who this guy is? "He is called the King of Brands!"

That's interesting- how did he get that name? "Because he can get around this track- faster than anybody else. His name, is Derek Minter- he lives just up the road." I done the 'Ton- for the very first time in my life- between that caff and West Kingsdowne. Never forgot that. The guy I was riding with, that nite- was 'Mad Johnny'. He was riding a 500 BSA Goldie- and it had all the Taylor-Dow mods on it. (Musta cost him a fortune!) We knew all the local hangouts.

I got taken to the 59 Club one nite, (But I never got to meet Father Bill Shergold. The 59 Club was a hoot. (If you were stuck in London at nite, Bill Shergold would rent you a pew to sleep in- for a couple of bob. But Ya had to be out before morning services started!?! It was just fascinating-all of it! Super bunch of people!

I built a Triton, over there- and brung it back to Canada with me, in the winter of '68. Pulled wrenches in bikeshops for the next 3-4 years. Still riding- and am now 73 years old. Am a member of the VINTAGE ROAD RACERS ASSOCIATION- here in Ontario. (Check us out online- fine bunch of total gearheads!) Not all the caffs served alcohol- Harry didn't. He deserves to be remembered for that. (It was a good scene- and still is!)