Central Coast Classic Motorcycle Club Officers

John Bernard

Founder and President
John has been riding British motorcycles for the past 37 years and has lived in San Luis Obispo County for 26 years. John first got hooked on British motorcycles in the 7th grade when his sister brought home her boyfriend on a 1963 Triumph bobber. The smell of gas and oil on that Triumph - the look, the sound - changed him forever. Even though he never owned a Triumph, he soon went on to own his first Norton several years later and has owned 11 Norton's over his 37 years of riding.

John rebuilds and restores his own Norton motorcycles and has won awards at the Clubman show in San Jose twice. He won Best Norton by the Norton Club of Northern California and Best Late Model Norton by the BSA Club for his 1973 Norton Interstate and in 2007 he won the Clubman award for his 1972 Fastback Norton. John currently owns a 1970 Norton Roadster, a 1971 Norton Roadster, a 1973 Norton Interstate and various parts of many other different Norton's, believing that the Norton is the 'World's Greatest Motorcycle.'

Paul Allen

Vice President and Charter Member.
In 1963 Paul bought his first motorcycle, a basket case 1957 Matchless G80CS 500 cc single, inspired by visions of a college roommate riding off to school with his girlfriend on his 1958 Triumph twin. Paul chose to rebuild that Matchless in his upstairs bedroom in a Victorian house he rented in Riverside. That was the first time he had ever assembled an engine. All went well until the bike was finished and he had to get it down the stairs. Roommates provided many helping hands, as it was suspended over the banister and stairwell and they carried the 450 lb bike slowly downstairs that night. Then with flashlights illuminating it and a fire extinguisher close by, he tickled the Amal and gave the starter a hefty kick, also for his first time ever. The engine started on that first kick and settled into a nice idle, while his roommates cheered wildly- he was hooked for life. Later, after moving to San Luis Obispo, he worked from 1970 through 1977 as a motorcycle mechanic for a local Honda dealership, and developed a loyal following of customers.

In his "mature" years, he is now well-stuck in his Matchless habit. He owns and has carefully restored a 1967 G80CS 500 cc single and a 1966 G12CSR 650 cc twin. Both have won awards at the San Jose Clubman's show. He is now in the midst of restoring another rare Matchless twin, a 1963 738 cc G15/45, and is slowly assembling a "new" 1967-era Rickman Metisse Mk III, powered by a 500 cc Matchless single engine. Paul's hope is to build a street legal dual-sport bike. Paul is looking forward to riding a lighter classic bike with legendary Rickman handling and that great Matchless single power, feel and sound.

Wayne Custer

Vice President,Treasurer, and Ride Coordinator.

Wayne has a long history with motorcycles starting in 1965 when his dad brought home the first of many to pass through the garage. A 1965 Triumph T120 Bonneville was the first followed by a BSA A65 and a Bultaco 250 TT Special. Wayne got to play with dad's toys, and started his own collection at 16 with a Honda Super 90 and then a Suzuki X6  Husler for school and work. . Wayne landed his dream job, at the time in his hometown at a  BSA / Schwinn bike shop in Battle Creek Michigan.  Wayne said his boss was not big on him riding a "rice burner " so a new 1968 B44
Victor became his first English motorcycle. Wayne worked thru high school at the BSA shop from the mid to late 60's and has great memories about one of the best jobs a kid could have. Wayne has always had a hand in motorcycles and in the last 5 years he has restored a 1965 Triumph, and a 
T120 Bonneville just like the one his dad brought home in 1965.   His next project was a 1969
BSA B44 Victor . The bike took the best single trophy at BSA mid-state rally in 2008. Both
He and his wife Terri have been active in the local clubs and service sectors in the community. They both feel  they have met a lot of great people and had a great time  because of classic motorcycles.

Duane Davis

Vice President, Social Secretary and Pick Up Carrying Motorcycle Specialist
Duane has been riding British bikes since 1956. He rode his BSA C11g single cylinder 250 cc to high school which was about a 25 mile round trip everyday rain or shine. He has ridden BSA and Triumph motorcycles exclusively and currently owns a 1967 TR6c, a 1968 BSA Shooting Star 441 and a 1970 Triumph 650 Tiger 120. Duane is a firm believer in keeping his bikes in original condition.

John Tucker

Vice President, Charter Member 

It all started in 1953 when I bought a Whizzer Sportsman to help me with my two paper routes (the excuse to my parents). Later, I purchased a BSA Bantam and then a 1952 BSA Gold Star that had been set up for Daytona.  Needless to say, I got into a lot of trouble.   After that, all I could  think of was motorcycles and of course, girls. I also wanted to fulfill another passion, flying, which is three dimensional motorcycle riding.  I obtained a commercial-instrument rating hoping to be employed by anyone, but it didn’t happen. Most of my 60’s and 70’s riding was in Southern California enduros, rides in Mexico, and weekend desert riding.  For the past 30 years I did road and touring riding, mainly up the California coast and down the Sierra Mountains.   I attended Dave Roper’s racing school, the 2006 BSA rally in Brimfield, MA and worked for the Long Beach Grand Prix for ten years.  In the early 70’s, British motorcycles were selling for a dime on the dollar.  I bought a dozen or more BSAs until I knew I was out of control.

I kept some Gold Stars and an A10 which I have today.  I also have various Hondas such as CBXs and VFRs, a Triumph, and an Aermacchi.  My “motorcycle” bucket list includes a round trip across the US, attend the Isle of Man TT, and design an electric motorcycle or leaning three wheeler.