Bob Missen’s TT bike returns to track

Last weekend saw the Classic Motorcycle Festival held at Donington Park, which saw former grand prix and  world champions, including Freddie Spencer, Ron Haslam,  Nail Mackenzie and Steve Parish parade various machines.

Richard Dobson has notched up top 10 finishes this season at Cadwell Park and Brands Hatch along with a 11th place finish in his Saturday’s race at Donington Park.

The machine Richard was riding was a Honda 400 four, which strangely had been provided by his father, Keith Dobson, who ran Bob Missen Motorcycles of Melksham for Richard Stevens of Devizes who rode this machine back in the 1977 Isle of Man TT races.

The bike retired from the TT and was sold shortly afterwards to another competitor, then, to Richard Dobson’s surprise, he found it for sale on e bay about two years ago. After he collected the machine he found it in the same colours and every detail was the same as when it was sold, even down to the sign written ‘Bob Missen Motorcycles’ on the fairing, and it hadn’t been raced.

Now fully restored Richard is enjoying his classic racing and it is also a tribute to the late Greg Marley who worked in the shop for many years keeping customers’ bikes safe.