1969 I got a cancellation test for the next day (Royal Mail worked properly in those days), but my Bantam was waiting for brake shoes to come back from relining by Ferodo.
Jack, who knew my Dad knew, offered me his Honda C50 but would only be home from work just before the test.
Dad suggested I ride in a sports jacket and trousers and shoes, not my bike gear. An hour before the test, I set off popping a wheelie after stalling it, then did a stoppie at the end of the road. I was terrified. Riding around the estate and then the country lanes seemed sensible, but I realised otherwise as I struggled with everything especially the twitchy steering.
Eventually, I set off for the centre of Widnes, tackling back streets trying to learn every trick this little monster would play on me. 5 minutes before the test I walked in, legs like jelly & shaking like a leaf. "You nervous, son?" asked the Senior Examiner out from Liverpool (it was a free test after a centre bodged first - another story).
"No sir, I'm riding a borrowed Honda 50," I squeeked. "Never mind, let me check your insurance then." Fortunately, I had an RAC/Norwich Union Rider Policy, covering all bikes my licence covered.
The test went well, until he asked me to ride around the block again so he could do the emergency stop. I rode off, but before reaching the end of the road, a young mum ran out of a doorway & pushed her pushchair with baby into the road in front of me. I just grabbed at and stamped on everything the little bike offered and did another huge stoppie with the back end swinging around to rest parallel to the push chair.
Young mum burst into tears, "I've missed my bus!"
At that point the tester arrived having sprinted down the road. He checked there'd been no impact, sent her on her way after a few choice words & told me to come back to the test centre.
His exact words as he gave me the Pink Slip of success were, "Bugger the emergency stop, with observation and reactions like that, you'll do. Ride home carefully." Those words were and have been a lifetime's encouragement to do better.
The brake shoes for BMA 59F had been delivered with the afternoon post, while I was out.
(Remember when there were 2 Royal Mail deliveries each day?)