As a child, I nearly got to ride in the sidecar of a Brough Superior. Nearly.

Alas, the point was moot – the bike lasted 45 minutes before it was stranded on the side of a mountain road, mechanically cactus (not before nearly killing the man in its saddle). At least in the few hours the novice owner (he’d won the bike at auction the week before) was waiting for assistance, he was able to just sit and look at the beautiful, beautiful Brough. Which is probably all it was good for.

Moral of the story? Before you charge off to buy a classic bike, determined to look as cool as TE Lawrence, do your research. It’ll save you from buying a mechanical basketcase and possibly save your life. (Remember, TE Lawrence died on a Brough).

Connoisseur’s Guide – Collecting Vintage Motorcycles [Forbes]