BILL CORNEIL BIO

I have a lengthy history with motorcycles which started in 1966. Gawd, that’s nearly 60 years ago now. My first ride was a new 66 Honda CB160 I bought from Rockys Cycle in London. I was still a year away from getting a drivers license but no one worried about details like that when you live in a small village. My best friend at the time lived on a farm outside town and had also bought a CB160 so we learned fast putting on thousands of miles on marble (gravel) roads. Since then, I’ve enjoyed many bikes (some more than others) … several more Honda’s, BSA, Triumph, Norton, Kawasaki and Harley’s. Thinking back over them all, I’d have to say my all-time favourites were the Honda CB750K and Harley FXSTD Deuce. As of this writing, the Deuce is the last one I sold several years ago, and still regret letting it go.

In the mid 70’s I got distracted from bikes for a long time (decades) while restoring C2 (63-67) Corvettes. It's only recently I’ve switched gears from car restoration back to motorcycles. I have a pretty well-equipped machine shop which comes in very handy whether you’re working on old cars or bikes. And bike restoration takes up a LOT less room in the shop! When I started collecting motorcycles again I decided to try avoiding 2 things … brands my friends were doing, and kickers. I didn’t want to compete at swap meets with friends for parts, so that meant no Triumph, Royal Enfield, Norton, or Kawasaki. That kinda left me with 1970’s Honda and Harley … but the Harley’s have to be e-start as I’m too damn old to be kicking over a stubborn old Hog after it’s been sitting a year or two. I joined CVMG to connect with other like-minded enthusiasts and before long, I’ve reconnected with other lost friends and made some new friends who also collect Honda’s and Harley’s. Ya can’t win.

I’m currently in the middle of a complete bare frame restoration on a 76 Harley XLH 1000 Ironhead. When that is finished there are a couple Honda CB750s patiently waiting and a 68 BSA 650 Lightning. And possibly another 79 Harley XLH Ironhead. I know I said “no kicker”, but the BSA caught me at a weak moment. So I’m gonna be busy for the foreseeable future. I’m still closely connected with the C2 Corvette clan, so actually riding any motorcycles very far is going to be unlikely, unless it’s a test ride or a short trip to a show close by. Nowadays my enjoyment comes from hours in the shop restoring and then moving it along to someone who will cherish the work and enjoy the open road on a vintage motorcycle.