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Full Throttle: The Glory Days of British Motorbikes

Episode 1 of 7

Documentary which explores the British love of fast, daring and sometimes reckless motorbike riding during a period when home-grown machines were the envy of the world.

Timeshift returns with an exploration of the British love of fast, daring and sometimes reckless motorbike riding during a period when home-grown machines were the envy of the world. From TE Lawrence in the 1920 to the 'ton-up boys' and rockers of the 1950s, motorbikes represented unparalleled style and excitement, as British riders indulged their passion for brands like Brough Superior, Norton and Triumph.

But it wasn't all thrills and spills - the motorbike played a key role during World War II and it was army surplus bikes that introduced many to the joy and freedom of motorcycling in the 50s, a period now regarded as a golden age. With its obsession with speed and the rocker lifestyle, it attracted more than its fair share of social disapproval and conflict.

Narrated by John Hannah.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 4 Mar 2018 21:00

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • The Rock-A-Teens

    Woo-Hoo

  • Link Wray & The Wray Men

    Right Turn

  • Portico Quartet

    Paper Scissors

  • Portico Quartet

    Line

  • Jon Hopkins

    The Wider Sun

  • Irving Berlin

    Follow the Crowd

  • Jon Hopkins

    Wire

  • Ernie Fields Orchestra

    In the Mood

  • Glenn Barber

    Atom Bomb

  • Bert Kaempfert

    April in Portugal

  • Leroy Dallas

    Jump Little Child

  • Link Wray

    Rumble

  • Joe Clay

    Duck Tail

  • Bobby Rydell

    Good Time Baby

  • The Tune Rockers

    The Green Mosquito

  • Twinkle

    Terry

  • The Spencer Davis Group

    I'm a Man

  • Floyd Cramer

    Flip Flop And Bop

  • Jo Ann Campbell

    Motorcycle Michael

  • 00:19

    Jon Hopkins

    Wire

  • 00:31

    Jon Hopkins

    Vessel

    Remix Artist: Four Tet.
  • 00:38

    Link Wray

    Rumble

  • 00:56

    The Spencer Davis Group

    I'm A Man

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator John Hannah
Producer Andy Hall
Director Andy Hall
Series Producer William Naylor

Broadcasts