In 1971, 16-year-olds were restricted to riding mopeds in the UK, prompting a rash of poseworthy sports ’peds from Europe to tempt teens. We found these signs of the times lurking in our archive

1955-1964 TRIUMPH T120 BONNEVILLE

Designer Malcolm Bates had his finger on the pulse of what was hip for the trip

1955-1964 1975-1984 YAMAHA RD350LC

Joe Tinley (right) started tinkering with old British bikes as a kid thanks to his dad John (left). Joe ended up making it his full-time job and now Toolbox Lifestyle is a thriving firm specialising in Matchless and AJS

In the first of three helpings of nostalgia this week, we head to a Birmingham site that helped all these vehicles go. Or sometimes not go…