Interview: Mark Wilsmore

The Ace Cafe in northwest London is one of the most iconic biker hangouts in history—and the spiritual home of the original ‘cafe racer’ motorcycle. When the Ace closed its doors in 1969, it looked like this slice of motorcycling history was gone forever—until new owner Mark Wilsmore reopened the venue in 2001. Here’s a little more about Mark himself. What was the first motorcycle you bought with your own money? I’d just turned 17, the legal age to be able to ride a bike up to 250cc. I bought a RD250 Yamaha on HP (Hire Purchase—credit, for those too...