A MOTORCYLE enthusiast is heartbroken after thieves stole rare bikes from his garden.

Robert Young, 43, says he has felt sick ever since crooks stole the two vintage Yamahas from outside his home, in St Luke’s Road, Southend.

Mr Young, who repairs bikes for a living, said he had hoped to teach his son to ride one of the motorcycles, when he was old enough. He is now offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the return of the bikes, which were his pride and joy.

He said: “I usually lock the bikes in the garage, but I had been working late that night so I decided to cover them up and padlock them to the gate.

“I got up the next morning, looked out the window and saw the bike covers had been dumped on the floor and the bikes had gone.”

Thieves had broken off the bikes’ steering locks and smashed the two heavy-duty padlocks that held them to Mr Young’s gate.

Mr Young said: “It would not have been easy to get the padlocks and steering locks off so they obviously knew what they were doing.”

The first bike was a 1983 RD125LC bike in a rare candy blue colour.

The second was a 1987 RD125LC, which was black and red in colour.

Echo:

Both were in near-mint condition and had been extensively modified and restored with new parts.

Mr Young said: “I am sick and I feel sicker by the day. Everyone keeps saying ‘chin up’, but it has really upset me.”

Police have confirmed they are investigating the theft, which happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.