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Mark, I started my apprenticeship using about 50/50 AF (Australian /American) and Whitworth (Pommy cars, of which Oz had many). All measurements were imperial. Then metric started gaining ground as Japanese cars and bikes become more common.
This was an era when engine and other major component reconditioning was common. Imperial was a PIA even before there was an alternative. The metric system was a Godsend. If you could count to 10, add, subtract, multiply and divide by 10 and move a decimal point, you've got it nailed.
I spent decades working with both, there is no contest. Our bike's are metric, don't fight it.
IMO
Noel
No worries Noel, I prefer the metric system as well.