Some people take up golf or lawn bowls in retirement.
Others hitch up the caravan and go on a trip.
But retired crab fisherman Ian Boyd collects vintage English motorcycles.
Today he owns the world’s largest collection of the coveted Vincent motorcycles, which are proudly displayed in a purpose-built showroom at his Jurien Bay home.
“They were in bedrooms, hallways, lounges, back porches, so I had to build a bigger room to house them,” he said.
Mr Boyd’s collection includes 80 vintage motorcycles, a Jaguar E-type sports car and an orange Amanda Water Scooter – a forerunner of the modern jet ski.
But Vincent’s greatest passion is motorcycles.
“In 1988 I was fishing for crabs and put all my money into boats. So I decided to get something I like, which is motorcycles,” he said.
“It’s a passion and a hobby, and halfway through I realized that a lot of people like to come in and look at old bikes.”
The British company manufactured bicycles between 1928 and 1955 before production ceased due to financial reasons.
Mr Boyd credits former Vincent apprentice David Bowen with keeping his dream alive in the early days when he used his expertise to restore several machines which were the first in the collection.
motorcycle madness
A since-broken world record was set for the most expensive bike sold at auction in 2018, when a Vincent Black Lightning fetched more than $1.2 million (US$922,000) at auction in Las Vegas.
Mr Boyd has two of these in his showroom.
“[They’re] very, very rarely. They are a factory race bike. They built about 24 of these and there are only 19 left in the world.”
“The price is really only what people are willing to pay.”
The bike is famous for once holding the 150 mph motorcycle speed record set by American Rollie Free in Utah in 1948.
Not for sale
While Mr. Boyd is aware that he is sitting on a motorcycle gold mine, he has no intention of cashing in on his passion.
The retiree offers tours by appointment and is rarely forced to turn away potential buyers.
He plans to keep the collection in the family and believes his love of collecting is genetic.
“I have a problem: half the family has the same mistake. You have to collect and you can’t give anything away,” he said.
“My daughter in Geraldton has about eight cars, my son is also a car collector.
“It’s just a love of everything.”
