OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: monaro308 on January 17, 2010, 08:59:40 pm
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After reading about the mini bike reunion in the previous post....it got me thinking.
Are the bike shops in the area that you grew up in still around?
I grew up in Oakleigh (Vic) and around 1976-1980 I used to bolt from Hughesdale primary and then Oakleigh Tech with my pushie and down to Astoria Honda on North rd Bentleigh East(when i had the SL70)and annoy the crap out of them ;D.
Astoria is still there today (i doubt they do bikes anymore).
I also dreamt of having the YZ80E,F,G and scoot on further down to the Yamaha dealer opposite Murrumbeena High...i think it was called Howdens Yamaha.
Now....i REALLY used to annoy the absolute crap out of the owner...can't remember his name...john,ken,david...no idea.
I used turn up and ask him if any new pamphlets(brochures) on the YZs arrived...and he'd give me one or two....and then i'd go and sit on the new YZ80 and YZ100 and just talk to him for about an hour and ride off home.
I would do this about once a week as we would all race around the laneways behind the shops and PBR manufacturing.
Howdens disappeared years ago and it got me thinking about the shop and minibikes.
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all the bike shops i used to go to are all gone now
stoney creek motorcycles(still freinds with original owner)
hurstville motorcycles and cycle city hurstville(c/c is now at tarren point)(sill freinds with original owner of cycle city)
ryans of parramatta.
barry grahame motorcycles of arncliffe.
guss lue of sutherland
spoke wheel repairs of oatley,worked there in the 70s after school.this is still around and not gone too far now at peakhurst
cheers
jim
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About the same for me. I used to hang around at Laurie Fox Honda in Mt. Gambier S.A. Laurie sold it some time ago but recently it has closed.
I also bought the last bike off Alec Campbell when he sold his shop (and was shortly after killed while racing) I did work experience at the same shop when it was owned by Eric Cram and he then sold to Trevor Reynolds. I think that one has also closed, but someone in SE of SA might be able to confirm.
Don Thornley Motorcycles was bought out by Carling & Gazzard and I'm pretty sure that has closed as well.
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All gone.
The shops that l bought from and visit, from early 60`s to 1977
Alsop M/cycles ( Honda, Kawasaki
Bert Flood (Bultaco, KTM, SWM. Plus Pratt & Osbourne (Suzuki, Yamaha
Al Paterson ( KTM, Husqvarna Gary Adams (Honda
Lyall O`Brien ( Montesa, DKW Gary 0`brien (Yamaha
Frank Musset ( CZ
John Burrows ( Greeves, Dot, OSSA
Sport & Road ( Hodaka
Miliage Bros ( Yamaha
Stacker Keith ( Macio
Toorak Village Kawasaki
Pitmans m/cycles S.A. (Yamaha
Coles Motors ( Yamaha, Suzuki
Benders Geelong (Kawasaki
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Pitmans are definitely still going and I'm fairly sure Stackers are too??
Paul would know. :D :D
But I get the point, it will never be the same for the young 'uns of today. Hanging around the shop, sweeping floors and doing anything just to be around bikes.
Well that's what I did ayway................ :-\
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Yep, Paul Stacker will be surprised to know he's gone as he's still showing up at the shop every (most!)day! :o
Doing fine in Heidelberg.
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McCulloch Suzuki still going
Vic Park Perth
We used to ride the road bikes down from Newman and later the Wheatbelt to check out the new bikes on the floor :P always had a friendly cuppa ready ;D
Haven't been there to that part of the city for years.I believe Andy still works there.. :)
cheers
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I used to frequent Mayfairs Suzuki at Windsor. The guy behind the parts counters' name was Robbie and he had only 1 arm with a hook thing on the other but he was the most helpful bloke I ever met. The old Mayfairs building is still there but the business is long gone. Northside Suzuki and Reece Hampson was another shop I hung around like a bad smell. Great service from that establishment also but alas it's all but memories now too. Sandgate Honda, Northside Yamaha folded. Fresh out of school I did a few years with Bert Kingston (still going now at Cleveland) I worked for Phil Beaumont ( whom now works as a salesman for Morgan and Wackers) , did some time at Brisbane Kawasaki (now Metro Kawasaki) with Greg Linklater who ended up more into jet ski's than bikes. Spent a little time setting up Brisbane Honda with John Speck at the old Bert Kingston shop in Fortitude Valley, Keith Novak's 'Tyres For Bikes' used to be right next door to Beaumont's, it's still going but now run by Rob Turton (another top bloke). Redcliffe Suzuki (Graham's Auto) and Redcliffe Honda I'm unsure if they still exist, so far as I know they folded also :-\ not many shops left in comparison to the 70's and 80's and more recently Noyes Honda has shut up shop also which shocked the heck out of me when I turned up to find the place abandoned :o
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Doc - if my memory hasn't failed I had Bert Kingston hot parts on my XR75!!!
Not sure now as I haven't lived there for ages but Lloyd Campbell Honda and Geoff Bowling Motorcycles both in Burnie in Tassie - don't think they are there now?
Rossco
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Ross, Bert sold the bigbore Cobra Kits for the XR's and he also stocked a few other parts. If you ever bought a hot cam from Bert you were actually purchasing Ivan Tighe cams ;)
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Yep, all the same shops as jimg1au with the addition of one he perhaps forgot, that was in the same area. George Williamson's (I'm pretty sure that was it!) at Hurstville/Bexley, which was a Bultaco and Suzuki dealer and who also happened to share a fence with my High School......so there was always somewhere to go at lunchtime.
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there was only one were i grew up it was in the main st (queen st)st marys i think it was called western suzuki.firko might be able to help here.me and a couple of mates used to ride our pushies down there on a saturday look at the new rm,s sweep the floor and they used to shout us lunch.i think they got out of new bike sales and moved to another building in the back streets opposite the wagon wheel pub and just did repairs had my rm125x top end rebuilt there.never ended with one of those new rm,s only a suzuki jersey :'( my mum bought when i was hobbling around on crutches with my leg in plaster.she figured if i did that on a pushbike i wasnt getting a motorbike well that was her excuse anyway.cheers gary.
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Gordon Yamaha Sydney - the guys name was Roger Bound I think, used to go there just about every day to check out the TY80A I wanted untill I finaly got it for $356.00 brand new. Still have one today.
The place dissapeared into road works mid 80s I think.
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About the same for me. I used to hang around at Laurie Fox Honda in Mt. Gambier S.A. Laurie sold it some time ago but recently it has closed....
Don Thornley Motorcycles was bought out by Carling & Gazzard and I'm pretty sure that has closed as well.
Fox Honda has closed eh? Thornley's closed quite a few years ago. There used to be a Husqvarna dealer as well didn't there? Mansre Motors or something like that. There was also a Yamaha dealer, whose name I can't recall either.
Are there any bike shops still active in Mt Gambier now?
Tex
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Yeah, Mansers is still going. Was Bob, but now his son Owen runs it. He's the Kawasaki dealer as well now.
On my last trip down there (on the way back from the Harrow Vinduro) I was as shocked as anyone to see Fox Honda closed. They seemed to be the biggest at least.
Not sure what else is down there now.
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To add to my first post after moving from Oakleigh to Dandenong....Geoff Taylors Yamaha/Honda and Dandenong Suzuki in Foster st.......Suzuki went years ago....possibly to Peter Stevens on Lonsdale st Dandenong.
Geoff used his pocket money to build the complex a hundred metres from where he originally was over a decade ago and still is there today.
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In the same stomping ground as Jim and Smithy, I used to frequent Macklin Motorcycles in Miranda. Harry Macklin was Steve Galls first sponsor, initially on an MX250 and then a string of YZs. Harry had a pretty good collection of classic motocross bikes even back in the early 70s. He bought my mates very trick ex Scaysbrook, Vic Lyons prepared factory DT1MX and I remember him telling us when we dropped it off at his home that "these old bikes will be worth a lot of dough one day". He was definitely a visionary.
I also used to frequent Amalgamated Scooters in Goulburn street and Omedies over on George street near Central Station. I used to buy my Ashman Red Devil boots and other stuff from Stollier Brothers, a disposal store run by two little old Jewish brothers who loved nothing better than to put it over you. The also loved to barter but you'd have to be pretty switched on to get it over them when it came to money!
As a kid in the early 60s my priorities were different and I used to pedal my pushy from my home in Maroubra the 10 or so miles just to look through the window at Bill Warners Speedshop on Clovelly rd, Clovelly. The highlight came one afternoon when Bill Warner senior gestured for me to come into the workshop and asked me if I'd like to sit in Bill juniors legendary Hilborn injected Chevy powered super modified speedway car while they tuned it for that evenings Sydney Showground Speedway. I can still remember him asking me to blip the throttle and to give it a big rev before he killed the ignition. Later that night, my mates were impressed no end when Bill junior acknowledged me by name for my "help" when he was accepting his winners trophy.
Moments like that help to form a kids future in more ways than can ever be imagined at the time.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/60mod1.jpg)
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Bought my YZ125E that I still have from Don Brown's Yamaha Motorcycleland. Both he & the shop are still going strong. He sell Hondas too now.
Viper666
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firko
were was maklins first i can remember 3 locations for them
1st kiora rd sth of miranda fair
2nd kiora rd hth of miramda fair
3rd in caringbah on president ave when chris dixion owned it
1 other shop i used to go to with my older brother i think it was all parts in george st nth of redfern
jim
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Another one in Mt Gambier closed sometime last year but i cant think of the name. A lot of the sales reps often will tell me several shops have closed down or doing it tough and about to close the doors. I dont know if its the global finacial crisis or ebay but somethings causing it.
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I bought a heap of CR's from Bedgood Honda (Ballarat) in the 80's as indeed my brother did as well. I think in ten years we bought about eight bikes between us. Then he shut up shop and started selling used cars. ??? Now they're the KIA dealership. ::)
I had to go in there one day and tried to strike up a conversation about the good 'ol days with the bikes. :P
I was promptly told that the 'good 'ol days' were exactly that.
Old news
"So Sir if we can't interest you in a new or used vehicle could you please move on." :-[
Not bad for a bloke that took about 20G off of a couple of young guys.......
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Good thread, I remember always going to Maurie Quinceys in Moonee Ponds, they were a huge Honda dealer down here in Vic, as a kid back in the 70's nearly every week(so it felt) after school I'd travel there by tram to get parts for my Dax or XR75, in the spare parts section there was Mauries old man Percy who would have to be around 90 years old not out back then, after an eturnity of finally getting my parts from him he would add up the bill then I'd get my hard earned out only for Percy to always say "PLUS TAX" from then on we used to call him "ol Percy Plus tax" ;D.
They closed up shop around the early to mid 80's, as far as I know around the North or Western Suburbs of Vic there are no old Honda dealers left, the last one would have been Town & Country.
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were was maklins first i can remember 3 locations for them
Jim, I'm not sure of the name of the street but it was ajacent to Miranda railway station (I suspect it's Kia Ora rd). It was one of the first shops to show a bit of pizzazz about the showroom and have the sales staff dress in corporate clothing. Even though it was a professional 'new age' shop, it still had that race shop vibe.
Allparts in Refern was really in the shit part of town even then. Lots of derros, gutter junkies, agro 'indidgenous' Australians and graffiti everywhere. It was also the best place to get your British parts. Jack Grahams shop in Arncliffe, located right in the flight path of landing 707s (the loudest of the loud jets of the 60s/70s) at Kingsford Smith Airport was another of those rough and ready places with a wrecking yard vibe and always had lots of interesting bikes for sale. I remember seeing my first ever Cheney for sale there in around '68 or '69. It had a Villiers Starmaker engine from a Cotton in it from memory.
I also bought a couple of bikes including my stinkin' Lobito from the old Frasers shop on Parramatta road Strathfield (opposite the current mega-store). Vic Lyons Yamaha shop further back towards the city on Parramatte road Homebush was the place for GYT parts and trick bits and bobs for your DT1. They sponsored Peter and Jim Scaysbrook on DT1/RT1s and the shop was then the unofficial 'works' team headquarters. The shop was still there with old Vic at the helm until about 10 years ago.
Another old school shop is Bruce Northcott Suzuki on Richmond rd Blacktown. The place has always been a bit of a mess and Bruce lost his Suzuki franchise a few years ago when he refused (or more likely couldn't afford) to upgrade the shop to the modern shiny format. He just continued on selling second hand bikes, parts and offering repairs and engine work. The place always smelled like an ashtray because of Bruces chain smoking and nothing has changed today. The place is a treasure trove for Suzuki owners even though much of the TM/RM parts were cleaned out by the first wave of vintage racers back in the early 90s. I bought a NOS head and barrel for my Honcho and while he was digging through the shelves looking for a piston for it he found a NOS RH head and kickstarter which my mate promptly bought for second hand TM money. I've never seen old Bruce (who must be in his late '70's) without a rolly fag stuck to his lip but he's still going strong between coughing fits. ::) There are still a lot of Suzuki gems to be found there.
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for the Tassie boys - John Humphries Suzuki at Cooee (yep!!!) in Burnie - just down from the cordial factory!!! He was squashed between the highway and the ocean and I bought my RM250Z from him. The highway was upgraded later so expect he disappeared then?
Rossco
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Mark
I also remember Amalgated Scooters in Sydney being a St Andrews boy it was a lunch time walk down the road, my mate Jeff Couch did his aprenticeship there in the 70's and rode his MX250B (road rego) to work from Killara.
I still remember drooling over a new TM250K at the Suzuki joint across the road but was told by the sales guy that it was way to powerful for a kid like me but I think that was the start of a life time interest in Suzuki MX bikes.
I remember Jeff's boss was Frank Pons and that they used to test just about anything in the lane next to the shop, wouldnt happen these days.
We were also regulars at SS Speedway and we only used to buy the programe for the Whynns sticker inside - great days.
211
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Jack Adams at Liverpool, Ace Motorcycles Liverpool, Brian Collins in several western Sydney suburbs, John Maklin's in Belmore, Laurie Mitchell also in Belmore, Campsie Motorcycles, Mentors on Taverners hill and of course the original Curly's shop on Chapel rd Bankstown.
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I was in grade two, and my dad worked next door to Whitehouse Motorcycles in High St, Wodonga, I would go into the shop after school and sit on the bikes and pretend to be a racer. One day I was on a brand new Z900, rocking side to side and making motorbike noise when the bike fell sideways into a line of three or four Z900s, all crashing to the ground. I hid in a cupboard in the back of dad's work, until I heard Roy Whitehouse and dad standing outside waiting for me. Was I in trouble! I lost my life savings ($44.75) to pay for the repairs to those bikes, and whenever I see a Z900, I think of it.
I still lurked around the bike shop as a teenager (making sure never to scratch any more new bikes) helping wheel around an amazing collection of secondhand bikes over the years. Everything from old BSAs to the Whitehouses' fantastic RM dirt track machines. Roy and Steve helped me a lot when beginning to race. I learned innovative swear words from Foster the mechanic that actually help when changing stiff old tyres. Foster could mono the length of High St on his Z1300. Ken Bell also worked there for years an was one of the nicest blokes you could meet in this sport.
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Hi Doc, Yeah, the old days are definitely gone.....
Used to hang around at Anand & Thomson Yamaha, both at Newstead and there later shop at Buranda.
A&T Buranda was next to Brisk Sales Kawasaki, and John Titman had his speedway bits shop there too.
Rob Assink's Gaythorne Yamaha.
Bob Morgan's Brisbane Yamaha.
Mayfairs Suzuki.
Annand & Thomson gave us most of the current heads of Yamaha Australia. Steve Cotterell (head of Yamaha Aust), and Peter Payne (head of Yamaha NZ) both started off as salesmen and sponsored enduro riders for Annand & Thomson.
The good old days......
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Trying to wrack my brain to remember who else was working around the Brisbane Bike shops...
Brian Foster (A&T) - he's up north somewhere now I think
Ray Howard (A&T) - was head of Yamaha QLD, but I think he's Yamaha Race Team Coordinator or something now.
Joe Klawitter (A&T technical guru) - He's still around Brisbane somewhere
Dave Lucas (A&T) - On the Sunshine Coast?
Brett Hampson (A&T) - still in Brisbane I think
Barry Ashton (was head of Honda QLD) - many years after leaving Honda, took a semi retirement job as a security guard on an armoured car and was tragically shot and killed during a robbery at Sunnybank.
Cam Bailey (Brisk Sales) - still around Brisbane I think...
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One day I was on a brand new Z900, rocking side to side and making motorbike noise when the bike fell sideways into a line of three or four Z900s, all crashing to the ground. I hid in a cupboard in the back of dad's work, until I heard Roy Whitehouse and dad standing outside waiting for me. Was I in trouble! I lost my life savings ($44.75) to pay for the repairs to those bikes, and whenever I see a Z900, I think of it.
:D :D :D Whenever I see a Z900 from now on, I'll think of that too.
Thanks for that! :D :D :D
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Yes Macklin motorcycles at Miranda and Gus Lou at Sutherland I lived in Sylvania and use to ride my pushy to these shops. Macklins repair bikes now on the Princes High way near Sutherland. There was also Carringbah Motor Cycles on I think Capton Cook Drive. Jimson
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jimson
its john macklin motorcycles not the same as macklin of miranda,
st george mcc club member owns and runs carringbah motor cycles
jim
ps
i still live in the area (shire)only just though
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IT400C, there's also Leo Cash, I met him when he worked for Rob at Tyres for Bikes. Great bloke and I think now one of the head honcho's for McLeods Accessories. The pic below taken at Nudgee pre vintage days also shows Big Brett ('gilla) who worked for near everyone at some time but mostly for Beaumont and Rob. I've know him since grade 8, best man, riding buddy, godparent to his kid, he's a good ol' mate. Then scrawny me (still wearing the same leather pants these days :D), Leo with helmet and his cool kid, Josh who'd now be about 20 I guess. You'd think I'd look happier, my old (even back then) RM400 had just blitzed Leo on the dirt track but fact is he was riding a sorted KDX200 :o I had a little more grunt when needed ;D bloody good rider and I believe he may have rode speedway in UnZud :-\
(http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pRj461sy1F9oppPxcfcCLGcEVomrlR3bCMVPnGV8AxLWqFvTJH-XSeZIQjs341NZDQceCqRYR_YDbYAZ-8nVb0Q/shankster_doctor_leo_and_lil_josh1992.JPG)
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Of the bike shops of my youth not one of them remain.
My main shop was Parklands Yamaha at the 'Mechano Lights' Hume Highway Villawood. Hardly a day went by without me calling in to see the Two Macs and the boys who worked there - either to buy, plan the week end or just hang around and talk motorcycling shit. Often times we would go for a ride there and then - dirt bikes through the old jamboree site, or Menai, or a road ride through the 'Nasho'. Parklands Yamaha became Parklands Trading and is still out there importing Tas power tools +++. Mick Alton was with Honda Australia (cars) for years and might be still there.
I bought my MX250 from Brain Collins at Parramatta opposite Ryan's. Can't remember why I bought from him rather than Mac at Parklands - I think it was availability. I know I got a good price and brought the MX home in the crate. Brain Collins essentially morphed into Actions Suzuki - still there but moved down about one shop front (bigger, better, brighter).
Adams and Sons were at Liverpool, Fairfield and Guildford. Almost bought a TS250 from them - I might have been a dumb 17yo but was smart enough not to have my head turn by that pretty red tank ;D. Also lusted over the Triumphs they had there. Pretty to look out but the Honda Four was a better proposition for a crass uncaring youth who wanted to do everything and do it now (give the bike a thrushing with minimum maintenance ;)). Adam's were always good to rush to late on a Saturday to get and urgent spare to two. Adam's shops went early during the shake out of the late 70's.
I had to deal with 'Jimmy the Jew' (Jim Ayres) at Fairfield for Honda bits. There were there a long time, different ownerships, but are now gone.
Use to window shop at Burglers and Sinners (aka Burling and Simmons). Went to buy a BMW 600 and another time a Velocette from them. Haggled, but they wouldn't budge an inch (hence their reputation as Burglers and Sinners). The Velo was still there about 2 years later. The shop still there but you'll walk at with a carpet rather than a m/c.
I use to window shop at Frasers at Homebush. Lusted for and haggled for a Purstang at the time I bought the MX. Again they wouldn't budge. I think the Bully was a bout 1/3 more in $$$'s. The shop is apartments now I think. Fraser's are still close by but you'll walk out with a Hardly rather than a Bully.
Who was that Suzuki dealer Richmond Road, Blacktown? Was the same shop, same layout for years. Bikes lined up out front, your eyes would have to blink and adjust has you walked into the shop it was so dark. Then there was the voice out of the twilight; "yeah, whata ya want?". "I need 1st and 2nd gear for a '69 TS90", "Yeah, we have those. Wait there". (no referring to books, computers or any of the time wasting shit). There would be much rustling in the darken bowels of the shop but in due course, a surprising 5 minutes or so, "Thats what you want. The price is marked, its $13.50." I don't get down Richmond road too often but I pretty sure I didn't notice them last time I was there. I was always surprised how long they lasted and how long they didn't change.
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john macklin motorcycles not the same as macklin of miranda
I'm reasonably certain that Harry and John Macklin were brothers but their businesses had nothing to do with each other.
Graeme, If you pop back to my previous post I talk of Northcott Motorcycles on Richmond Rd Blacktown. It's still there and still exactly the same smoky, dark hell hole. It's a gem.
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Graeme, If you pop back to my previous post I talk of Northcott Motorcycles on Richmond Rd Blacktown. It's still there and still exactly the same smoky, dark hell hole. It's a gem.
Sorry, I did miss that one. Northcotts shop should be preserved as a National Treasure and a museum. It represents a unique motorcycling experience of the time. Back in the day when if you got noticed as an enthusiastic knowledgeable motorcyclists you got different treatment to the spotty face know-it-all crass youth. Often you became known by name and you're interests and offered test rides and stuff you didn't even think you needed :D. It blurred the line between customer service and friendship. (I'll be getting tear of reminiscence in my wheaties shortly ;D).
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northcott whent there once to buy some part couldnt get anywhere else long drive then.the back rooms were full of rotary suziki nos stuff.nice old place very freindly people
cheers
jim
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You are right mx250,i would enjoy just hanging out in the shop and just "shoot the breeze" with the owner or the next customer that would come in,and then so on if someone else would come in.
Parts would be there most times in case of an emergency.
I know its the way it is these days with just having parts "sitting around" and the cost,but on that late friday night you notice something broken....you know your weekend is pretty much screwed.
You almost feel threatened going into a shop these days and can't wait to get out again....you usually know the answer....it should be here wed or thursday.
Thats progress i suppose.....but then shops wonder why we shop on the net and at lower prices delivered from the US...and quicker too.
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I had some business in Blacktown this morning and drove by Northcotts on the way. I remembered that I had my little camera in the console so....below is the photo of Bruce Northcott Motorcycles at 1.30PM today.
This place is an Alladins cave for Suzuki nuts. It's dark and dingy and there seems to be no rhyme or reason for the shelf plan or floor layout but if you've got the time to wait and a good set of lungs old Bruce will probably find it for you. Like I said in an earlier post, I went in there for a TS90 piston and came out with a NOS barrel and a NOS race kit head and my mate got a an RH kick starter bottom and RH head. This little time capsule epitomises the old school shops we're all nostalgically remembering in this cool thread.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/ebay%20189.jpg)
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Roy East`s Honda shop in Station St Penrith ( and Blacktown ) and right next door, Brian Clarkson`s ( err ) shop
Roy was the most helpful bloke you could meet.
Both shops are gone now and been replaced with a Office of Fair Trading building. If they knew Brian was previously operating on the site i think they would have chosen a different location...haha. Great bloke Clarko
Brian Collins Yamaha in Kingswood. They hated us young blokes so we were glad when Roy poached their apprentice mechanic. A young bloke who could pedal a bit. Glenn MacQuarie. R.I.P. mate
Paul Giles in Richmond..I think is now Hawkesbury Honda
Glenn,Phil ( another Easty mechanic ) and myself were at his shop just prior to MR MOTOCROSS 1975
( i think ) talking up Glenn is gonna flog everyone in B Grade and Phil says i`ve got this young bloke coming down from the bush. He`s riding a OSSA . His name is HODGE. He was right. Hodgey donkey licked everyone. Caught up with him at CD 6. He`s still riding OSSA.
Anyone remember the Suzuki shop in Blaxland. Just over from the Lapstone Hotel. Same side of highway. Bought a new 1975 RM 125 S off him
And what about the Suzuki shop in High St PENRITH. Was owned by that long haired guy that was mad on Short Circuit racing. I reckon he raced an Outfit. Bought a new TM 125 off him.
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His name is HODGE. He was right. Hodgey donkey licked everyone. Caught up with him at CD 6. He`s still riding OSSA.
Hodgy could ride alright, still can. He's a part of the Klub Kevlar evil web of doom along with old Youngy and their OSSAS. It's almost forgotten that Garry Hodge was hammering Ron Dinsdale at the very first Amaroo vintage meeting but his lack of fitness saw him fade late in the races. Shit, he was so fast..could have gone all the way but his heart wasn't in being a racing star. He liked to party too much. He still owns and occasionally races the very same OSSA raced in the day. Hodgy is also famous for winning a A&B grade 125 final at Amaroo Park on a Hodaka Super Combat Wombat against top line competition including Anthony Gunter and Greg Cady.
Paul Giles Honda shop opposite the movie theatre in Richmond was the best "racer" shop around. It was one of those places where you could have a yarn with old Paul all arvo as long as it was about Hondas or BMWs! Edgar Phipps worked there and Pauls son Shawn would become one of Australias road racing superstars. The slick Hawkesbury Honda that took over after Paul died might sell more bikes but it has zero soul.
Eastys Honda shop was called Motocross Pty Ltd on Kildare Road Blacktown as well as Penrith. Hid partner was Col Evans who now lives on the Gold Coast. Cols son Glen races his Metisses and won four classes at last years dirt track Nats on them. Clarko is truly one of the legends of Aussie motocross and bike retailing. His shop in Station st Penrith was directly accross the road from the Red Cow hotel so he'd close up and sit in the bar watching the shop door. If a punter came along he'd throw his schooner down and run accross the road and open the shop for them. Luckily for his drinking time, selling Alrons, Rickmans and Carebelas didn't see too many customers spoiling his pub time! Poor old Clarkos very crook so a few of us are heading up to Port Maquarie in a couple of weeks to try and brighten him up.
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Firko..Do you know the shops in High St and the one in Blaxland
Was the guys name in High St...Cannell or something similar
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Paul Cannell?
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Great thread! Really got me thinking. Does anyone remember Mooroolbark Motorcycles. Bob Buys was the owner (wonder if he is still alive?) Chis Oldfield was the apprentice. Mostly he sold Suzuki's I think although I bought a Phantom from him and I also remember him having a 360 Mikkola that he couldn't shift for ages (if only I had a crystal ball eh!)He used to sponsor Chris, Sam Skilling and Pedro Van Asten as well as ride himself on a TM125. I deluded myself that I was sponsored as he allowed me to put his stickers on my bike and paid my entry fee a couple of times. I used to hang around after school and soak up the atmosphere and Chris would sometimes drive me home in his mum's Mini and scare ther crap out of me. You know I probably haven't thought about any of this if it wasn't for this thread. I better go before I get all emotional! Cheers Jerry
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Firko..Do you know the shops in High St and the one in Blaxland
Was the guys name in High St...Cannell or something similar
Jeez Ted, I have to really think hard to remember my mums name!......can't remember his name but can picture his face.
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I used to have to catch the school bus home from Watsonia Tech and occasionaly on sports days we would catch it at the bottom of Greensborough. This was where we could spy the new Honda's at Watsons Holden, which used to have a Honda dealership within. This was where I first spied XR75's & SL 70's.
Grimshaw Suzuki was a good place to hang out. Wasn't real bright to name the shop after Grimshaw St. though as they weren't there long before moving onto Para RD.
Spent most of my money at K & J Thomas in Whittlesea.
Remember visiting EDC as well, Eltham Dirt Cycles. They used to make chambers for a lot of bikes including RD's and such.
Used to be a Honda shop in Preston, I think in Gilbert Rd? They always seemed to have the most obscure part in stock.
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Bought my first bike ( MX125B) from the CYCLE SPOT Concord Sydney in 1975
Remember Brian Collins Parramatta ( retired very wealthy)
Gus Lui Sutherland ( became a Mazda dealer , Now selling real estate in Cronulla)
Wellbank Motorcycles Artarmon Yamaha ( broke )
Gordon Motorcycles Yamaha ( gone)
Top Rider Ryde ( gone)
Hazel & Moore Suzuki Sydney ( gone)
Blair Harley Maico & Yamaha ( gone)
Sid Smart Suzuki Chatswood ( gone )
Scotts Honda Artarmon ( now cars only)
Alan Hales Suzuki Brookvale ( Deceased)
Frank Matich Honda Cremorne ( ex Formula 5000 driver, son Kris involved)
?????? Bultaco Ducati dealer in Crows Nest and Balgowlah ( just can't recall the name, John something)
Motocross Pty Ltd Blacktown ( sponsored JB )
Kawasaki Territory Willoughby
Bill Morris W/Gong
Tony Hatton Motorcycles Husky, BMW, Campbelltown, Sid ( deceased )and Jan Crowe, and son Les ( A Grader)
Mentor Motorcycles Leichardt
a few have already been mentioned and a couple i just can't remember
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paul spooner motorcycles were at balgowlah or brookevale.hagon dirttracker importers what happened to them
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Hazel & Moore were the Suzuki importers originally, my brother did his apprenticeship there.
Tony Hatton was a great bloke, is he still around?
Macarther Motocycles , Roger Prior, was married to my cousin.
What was the name of Ron ( shonky ) Bouldens shop at Chullora?
Kawasaki City was a part of Lennox Motors at Camperdown.
Ellie's Spokes.
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G'day Jim, Paul Spooner sponsored Billy Mack to his 2 Unlimited aussie titles.
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hey mx125b a mate of mine"s uncle used to make wheels for frank matich gb wheels now mini and moke world at brookvale.my mate had a tyre off one of frank matich formular 5000 we used to roll down his driveway at whalan inside it.cheers gary
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Yeah i remember Paul Spooner, just can't think of John??? Bultaco shop, another one came to mind , John Caskey Motorcycles, there's an oldie.
Brian Martin worked at Sid Smarts and later at Blair Harley's.
There was a salesman at Scotts Honda we called " Lester the Hump" god knows what happened to him.
Funny how you remember some names 40 years on,
I can recall the salesperson , Glenn Haddaway, who i purchased my very first bike, fancy that.
Bought a YZ250H from Carl Bletcher when he worked for Welbanlk, part owned by Ron Boulden ( Aust Road Racing Champ)
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Hazel & Moore were the Suzuki importers originally, my brother did his apprenticeship there.
Tony Hatton was a great bloke, is he still around?
Macarther Motocycles , Roger Prior, was married to my cousin.
What was the name of Ron ( shonky ) Bouldens shop at Chullora?
Kawasaki City was a part of Lennox Motors at Camperdown.
Ellie's Spokes.
Tony Hatton's son road races 600;s i think,
Ron Boulden shop was Wellbank ( Artarmon and Chullora )
I remember Ellie, she raced a Maico, one day at Dargle , she crashed and the flaggies got a shock when the took her jersey off ( to access a broken collarbone) not many women racing motocross in those days
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Used to be a Honda shop in Preston, I think in Gilbert Rd? They always seemed to have the most obscure part in stock.
That Honda shop was in Gilbert Road. I think it closed in around 1988/89? I'm fairly certain it was still labelled as a Honda shop, but closed, when I moved into one of the townhouses right over the road in 88/89.
Became a Rare Spares.
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hey mx125b a mate of mine"s uncle used to make wheels for frank matich gb wheels now mini and moke world at brookvale.my mate had a tyre off one of frank matich formular 5000 we used to roll down his driveway at whalan inside it.cheers gary
Franks son Kris, was a keen motocross racer, rode a tricked out CR125, like Marty Smiths, probably better.
he was in the old Manly Warringah Club, i was a member in the 70's
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Yes Macklin motorcycles at Miranda and Gus Lou at Sutherland I lived in Sylvania and use to ride my pushy to these shops. Macklins repair bikes now on the Princes High way near Sutherland. There was also Carringbah Motor Cycles on I think Capton Cook Drive. Jimson
Hey Jimson, Ha Ha!!! i live in Sylvania now! and ride my pushy around!
What a small world, What street did you live in?
Gus is a good friend of mine.
Carringbah is still there, although old Steve is retired now, i think and Bob owns Highway KTM at Rockdale
Macklin Motorcycles are still going on the highway at Kirrawee
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mx125b
great to here from another shire boy.when did steve retire from caringbah motorcycles.i might be down what way next week
cheers
jim
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mx125b
great to here from another shire boy.when did steve retire from caringbah motorcycles.i might be down what way next week
cheers
jim
Only recently, i think he still owns it, just spends less time there, he has been there for a long time.
The Shire! we live here because it's 45 minutes to Kembla and similar to Appin
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hey mx125b a mate of mine"s uncle used to make wheels for frank matich gb wheels now mini and moke world at brookvale.my mate had a tyre off one of frank matich formular 5000 we used to roll down his driveway at whalan inside it.cheers gary
Yep, GB wheels, i know of Moke World ( i'm in the car business)
They were great days watching the Tasman Series
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JIM EADE at ashfield on parra rd still there...
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JIM EADE at ashfield on parra rd still there...
It's heritage listed!
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That photo of the Northcott shop is making me feel real old Firko.
Last time I was there as a kid there wasn't a two story building next door that I remember, and that newer building looks like it is so old it is about to fall down :D
and there is kerb and guttering..... and there is grass out the front too :o
My Mum worked for Maude Wilsons in the Griffiths Teas building in Wentworth Avenue Sydney so my school holidays were spent hanging around all the bike shops in that area from the late sixties into the seventies.
Mum still can't understand why I have a love of motorcycles as nobody else in the family shows any passion for them ;)
After the Victa powered Deltek I bought a new TS125 from Hazel and Moore in 1976.
I do remember the Top Ryder shop at Ryde that MX125b mentioned but what about West Ryde Motorcycles on Victoria Rd. Yamaha dealer with a showroom as big as a luxury suite at the Peoples Palace. So tiny, you had to almost climb over the bikes to get to the counter, but good helpful service, even for a Suzuki rider like me. I had the forks on the TS tweaked back to straight on the lathe in the back of the shop after a trip under the back of a HR Holden station wagon on the Pacific hwy at Carlingford. We'd spent the day having a hoot around the scrub of Hornsby and a torrential downpour on the way home lead to an embarrassing display of the mighty brakes on the TS... just hopeless :D
Yeah, I can laugh now ;D
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Dave Byrnes Motor Cycles in Nowra had been around for 30 or so years was a great shop with real good service but was recently sold in the last couple of years and has been raped pillaged & plundered now is under a different name and I don't go there any more :'( jimson
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his name is graham bergan he used to race minis and an lc torana v8 at amaroo and oran park, also had a v8 morris minor drag car sponsored by scotties tissues,the morris was painted like the old tissue boxes with all the coloured shapes on them.ive always liked bikes but not into them as much as you blokes when i was young a lot of the shop names on here from western sydney especially the penrith blacktown area i do know of but dont remember them like you fellas do.i was moore into the cars and drag racing(goodals gasser era) and later did crash rescue at amaroo and bathurst.but still a great thread and great reading.cheers gary...............one shop in parramatta that i dont think has been mentioned cant remember the name of it but it was opposite brian collins a little white that used to sell triumphs and then later became an aussie distributer for royal enfield and i think it is still there.cheers have a great night gary
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i also remember that northcott at blacktown thats near the old pizza hut opposite the old blacktown showground.and trailie when you mentioned curb and guttering i thought you were going to mention the old pub at blacktown no longer there affectionally known as the curb and gutter (comb and cutter).gary
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The pub's still there...they hosed the junkies and vermin out and renamed it the Blacktown Inn. I was going to have lunch there yesterday but thought better of it. I saw Rose Tattoo there (in Comb and Cutter days) and the place literally shook. It was a shit hole but it was a fun shithole.
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mark
i saw rose tattoo at the sylvania hotel,they sure did rock the pub seen back then.we could start another thread about pubs we used to go to.seabreese gone millers gone cecil gone ect ect
jim
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I remember Ellie, she raced a Maico, one day at Dargle , she crashed and the flaggies got a shock when the took her jersey off ( to access a broken collarbone) not many women racing motocross in those days
Ele is still alive and well and came to CD5. She gets around on a big GS Beemer these days. I'll try to get her to CD7.
A bit more 'old shops' trivia......Ele started and ran the shop in Artarmon with some dill named Ken Smith (after they'd both worked together at Chatsworth Motorcycle Accessories) and they both sold it to Carl Blecher, who morphed the place into Northside Motorcycles. Small world.
Regards
Ken
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mark im pretty shaw i seen cold chisel there my mates sister knew bouncers there and snuck us in when we were about 14.the memories of my drunken youth :o
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I remember Ellie, she raced a Maico, one day at Dargle , she crashed and the flaggies got a shock when the took her jersey off ( to access a broken collarbone) not many women racing motocross in those days
Come on, that can't be the story. If they had to whip off her jersey to find out she was a girl we're not talking about the same Ellie ;).
My bet is that they couldn't wait to go hands on with their first aids skills ;D.
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Ellie is now selling antique clocks, i found her website one day, It was posted here, Firko may have the address.
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John Dunn Motorcycles, Balgowlah and Crows Nest, a friend bought his Bultaco there, and another (friend) a black Ducati Dharma
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JIM EADE at ashfield on parra rd still there...
aka Greedy Eadey ;) ;D
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I remember Ellie, she raced a Maico, one day at Dargle
In the pre vintage days Ele used to host a riders reunion picnic at Lane Cove National Park every year. I went a couple of times but it eventually faded away. I spoke to Elle at CD5 and even though she's been in Australia since the early 70s you'd swear she just got off the plane. The Massachusetts accent is still as strong as ever. Shes's doing well in the Lucky Country, running Jonathon Knowles Clocks on the Northside of Sydney.http://www.jknowles.com.au/shop/home.php (http://www.jknowles.com.au/shop/home.php)
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So is Ellie still hangin out with this Ken Smith fella ? ,or just likes check'n out bike events on the east coast.?
cheers
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No, Ele and I never hung out in that sense! She moved out of Sydney many years ago and lives at Barrington now. Runs the clock company from there as well as having some cabins to rent on their property.
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Chatsworths were great for buying your uncool 'Racing Mate' type accessories and plugs and oil. They had lots of stock on display but never seemed to have the real hip stuff. A mate of ours from the old days, Roy Ricketts worked for them and ran the Beverly Hills store, often from the steps of the pub accross the road, a'la'Clarko. He always bragged that he had a "fling" with Ele but none of us believed it. She had way too much class for him. 8)
I remember buying a helmet from Ele at the (I think)[/] Wentworth Avenue City store. Would that be right Ken?
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I remember buying a helmet from Ele at the (I think)Elizabeth st City store. Would that be right Ken?
N/Eastern Cnr Wentworth and Goulburn IIRC.
Tom Burns BMW up the road, Amalgamated Scooters along Goulburn st (with a few other small shops coming and going), an NVT shop front down the road in Wentworth, across Wentworth a large shop with Suzuki (might have been Hazel and Moore although their traditional shop was Campbell street up from Omedies in lower Pitt Street). There was also a 'hole in the wall' scooter shop under the upramp to Central station in Pitt Street.
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Of course it was Wentworth Ave Graeme, What was I thinking ? And You're right about Omedeis, they were indeed in Pitt St and not George st as I posted earlier.
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Bike shops in Bendigo in the 70's, Les PENNA Yamaha,(still going although no longer a official yammie dealer-but would still have a lot of 60's-80's parts for those interested.), Competition motorcycles-Kawasaki/Suzuki/BMW dealer now long gone, R.J.Conroy Honda still going-current owners worked for Dick Conroy back as far as 1973 and changed the name to Elliott Bros Honda about 1982,-also have a heap of old stock Honda parts-CR-MT-SL-XL-CB ETC.
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Mark - yes, Ele was mainly at the Wentworth Ave store while I moved about a bit between stores and indeed also ran the Beverly Hills store for several months (across the road from The Bennelong as you mentioned).
Ken
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The lovely Ele Knowles in action circa 1975.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/ELE.jpg)
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That's either the Evil Ele or the Demon Maico (666) ;D.
I was in the same races as Ele on a few occasions at Amaroo but I can't remember her on the track or if she finished in front or behind (I was generally too tied to care ::)).
I knew her as a fellow Willoughby club member and I bought from her on a few occasions at Chatsworths. She also caged a ride as a pillion with me from Chatsworths to somewhere local. For the life of me I can't remember where. I think it was to pick up a bike but I can't imagine any workshop in the area that wasn't close enough to walk to :-\.
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I was in the same races as Ele on a few occasions at Amaroo
Same here, so that would have put us in the same race going by the law of averages Graeme! She usually raced in the 250 class and I only occasionally did. I actually brought Ele and a few more riders down in a monumental pileup in the old tyre chicane caused by my front tyre going flat and departing from the rim. To my everlasting enjoyment/embarrasment she landed on top of me but any romantic opportunity was unfortunately lost in the Amaroo mud.
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Seems a lot of guys remember Bruce Northcotts on Richmond Road Blacktown. If my memory serves me correctly there was a Yamaha Dealer next door to Bruce for four or five years (mabey six or seven) in the early to mid to late seventys. I think.
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Anyone remember the Kawasaki shop in high street northcote near separation street. When I was a kid coming to melbourne to visit my brother we always went past and saw all the new KX models in the late 70's.
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Trailetrash it is interesting you mentioned the Yamaha shop i on Victoria Rd West Ryde. Graeme Dodds was the owner at about the time you called in. Good guy. If my memory serves me correctly the guy that owned it previous to Graeme was one Jack Ahearn. I used to frequent the joint a bit when I was at an age when I didn't appreciate whom I was talking to.
Same goes for when I used to annoy Jack Carruthers on Pittwater Rd Gladesville in the late sixtys. I can thank Col Evans whom I worked with for awhile at Bennett Honda (Importers, Distributors and Retail) on Gardners Rd Mascot for turning me onto Jack. Jack didnt have a motorcycle shop as such, just did tuning and service work on pommie stuff from home.
How about Husky Dealer South Pacific Motorcycles on Harris St Ultimo, from early/mid sixtys that I can remember. South Pacific Motorcycles, I love that name for a motorcycle shop.
There is a few more old names bubbling to the surface but I'll get back to you on those.
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Hey Doc,
Where is Bert Kingston at Cleveland? I live 2 suburbs from there. I saw a Bert Kingston sign on a front fence in a side street at Hamilton Qld 2 months ago but looked as if it had been there for years.
Inskip Yamaha at Toronto NSW is still around, just moved to a different street, from when I frequented their merchendise in 1980.
What about Frasers Motorcycles at Broadmeadow in Newcastle, are they still around?
Cheers,
Wayne.
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G`day mud guard bert kingston is around the cnr from my shop at cleveland his ph no32864106
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Any one remember Mick Oliver Honda in Benettswood Victoria. Rode some of his minitrails at wallan and brought(dad did) my first bike an MR 50 there.(Mods by the legenary Bert Flood, Pipe, manifold and bigger carby) Use to hang around the workshop with Mick Nichol who was mechanic who raced Honda's and CCM's from memory. One of the very few rideing 4 strokes back in mid to late 70's. We probably anoyed the shit out of them hanging around after school but had some good times there. Also Box Hill Honda started up by Chris Wright just down the road from Mick Hones. Both now long gone.
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"just down the road from Peter Stevens. Both now long gone".
If think you mean just down the road from Mick Hones's
#8
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I know Bikes and bits or whatever they are called in Brighton have been around for ages dad told me he used to get bits for his bikes there when he was a kid they had everything.
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How about Bennett and Wood in Joynton ave Zetland in Sydney. From memory they were BSA Importer/Distributor/Dealer in the sixty's and seventy's and also parent company of Bennett Honda whom where in Gardeners Road Mascot at the time. Bennett and Wood carried all the Honda parts at the time and in my position as gopher at Bennett Honda in the late sixty's I remember going around to B & W a couple of times a day to pick up Honda parts
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Hawkesbury Honda, My MR50 came from there in 1975, it was $335.00 band spanking new, Shop has moved now but they are the best bunch of Guy's around, Shane has his head screwed on and keeps his staff happy, more than I can say for most.
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.......bought my first set of leathers from Elle Knowles back in '76......anyone remember John Scott Yamaha out at Gordon, Hans Applegren used to work there, I remember watching him fall off a trials bike out the back of the shop because he just couldn't ride slow.
Roger
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.......bought my first set of leathers from Elle Knowles back in '76......
Personal fitting was it Roger?
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wow bike shops from our youth gr8 thread, for me it started in Elizabeth st Melb, Stanco, was it melb suzuki a labyrinth type store inside. Yamaha was it clipstone or just yamaha city? I know it was clipstone in ringwood. also Modak ( brought my 1st open face centurion helmet $25 ) Peter Stevens of course ( still have Doug in spares after all these years and he is yr typical old skool bike shop guy, helpful & knowledgable ) funny to grow up buying parts off some one and over 30 odd years later still be talking to them in the same place, very rare today, but apparentley things are better now and to move around in a job is better for you. oops went off on a tangent. oh yeah motobitz, bike barn, i rember racing in on a friday nite to get a knobby for the w/end for my SL125. Later I discovered Coburg Kawasaki another nice bloke old skool Jack who is still going in the biz I was devastated when it closed but it became a Turkish restaurant and it was the best, i would always torture my friends & family about the history when we dined there ( it was the best turkish food around ) I was later devasted when the turkish restaurant closed but that's another thread lol. After discovering bike shops in the burbs i met Bill & John Crawford 2 Gr8 blokes who didn't mind u hanging around their shop in Glenroy, I had to pedal 10k or so but it was all good and eventually bill offered me a job but i thought the high salary would change me ($70) so I declined and opened the door for Shaun Gallagher to step in. On that side i remember Speedie yamaha, component yamaha, Quinceys. Over the east we had Preston Honda which morphed into town & country which dwindled to an ebay auction. Regent motorcycles / wreckers, GP motorcycles who then took over Vic Wreckers, Uncle don who took over GP motorcycles shop but was still uncle don. What was the name of the Yammy dealer in high st reservior near broadway?? Once i got my learners I discovered a whole lot more in my travells but most have gone.
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Yippee i get to write the 100th post ;D
I was just thinking about Elizabeth st Wombat,i am sure that when i was rebuilding my SL70 i was hunting down a lighting coil for the bike and we had just finished seeing I think it might have been Rocky or Star Wars and at lunch time the teachers would let us off for an hour and run down to the trick/magic shop,but i bolted to a wrecker hidden between the bike shops in Elizabeth st...a deep narrow shop with parts EVERYWHERE and asked about a lighting coil for my bike and he had 1...i was wrapped and he sold it to me for about $5 or $10....the good ol' days for sure.
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Bought my first SL70 from Parkside Marine, Nepean Hwy Brighton, basically opposite where Dendy Rd starts.Owner had 2 boys who raced SL125s and the Twin 350 around 1970.Tough way to go against the zeds, maicos etc.
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K&J THOMAS in whittlesea are still goin. I got a YZ 250 E of him in 78
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"just down the road from Peter Stevens. Both now long gone".
If think you mean just down the road from Mick Hones's
#8
Whoops your right #8
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Indeed this is a great thread. As an aside it adds another perspective/dimension to everybody concern'd if when posting you could throw a year or there abouts into the mix.
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Wombat ,The yamaha shop in high st Reservoir near Broadway was NORTHERN YAMAHA. All the stickers where missing from the Bell Helmet boxes. mmmmmm
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Nothing's ever been safe in Reservoir :-X
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How may BELL stickers have ya got left ?
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A few i do remember,
Max Halton Honda in Barkly street Footscray, parents purchased my first new bike there an XR75 in 1978. No longer trading.
Then there was Huff and Puff Motorcycles in Ballarat road Footscray, this is where my parents purchased my YZ 125 H in 1981. No longer trading.
Sunshine Yamaha in Victoria street Footscray, i dealt with them from 1982 thru to 1993 during which time i recieved a lot of assistance from them for my racing. I believe the shop burnt down in the late 90`s to never re-open.
R and E Motorcycles in Melton, Kawasaki and Suzuki dealer for a long time. They were there for a long time during the 80`s and 90`s, i did a lot of part time mechanical work there. No longer trading.
Peter.
P.S. these shops were all located in Victoria.
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How about Eltham Dirt Cycles, Bates Cycles (I was the shop-fly drooling over the Canam's) in Preston, Grimshaw M/C Broadmeadows and Northern M/C in Fawkner.
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Gone now, bought first 125, 73 KTM from Athol Patterson in sprivale Rd near the tain station in Springvale, a husky from Geoff Burrows in Malvern and had my Triumph motor rebuilt at "Dirty" Frank Musset in Sydney Rd Coburg. still there I think is Don Saffords shop now Yamaha who was righ into dirt trackers in the early 70s. Can't remeber the name of it but drooled over the Nortons in a shop (nearly opposite the present Moak shop in Elizabeth St Melb) with oil stained wooden floors and glass top counters full of shinny stuff. Ah they were the days.
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Rick Andrews at Waitara. I had yz 80D model and bought my parts here.
I purchased a YA 250A from Rick when I started riding in Vintage for $300
Rick is now living in Tasi sadly he hasn't been well for years I still hear from him now and then or catch up with his brother.
I used to walk past Gall shop on my way to and from work as an apprentice he once had the trickiest RM 400 out the front that urban myth said was Günter's ex factory bike. I really wanted to buy and now I regret it I think it was $1200.00 for a kid living on $60.00 a week plus overtime plus it was more then than new YZ 250 G.
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R and E Motorcycles in Melton, Kawasaki and Suzuki dealer for a long time. They were there for a long time during the 80`s and 90`s, i did a lot of part time mechanical work there. No longer trading.
from memory i think the owners misses used to race (enduro and Mx) and she was quite a Unit back then.
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JACK GRAHAM MOTORCYCLES ARNCLIFFE
used to go there when i was a kid with my brother (jap454).english bikes only.barry allways said hello at swap meets.
also stoney creek motorcycles,still see trevor all the time.
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R and E Motorcycles in Melton, Kawasaki and Suzuki dealer for a long time. They were there for a long time during the 80`s and 90`s, i did a lot of part time mechanical work there. No longer trading.
from memory i think the owners misses used to race (enduro and Mx) and she was quite a Unit back then.
Your on the money Hoony, his wife did race and was fairly good at it.
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This is all very sad. Now days when you walk into a bike shop the kid/girl behind the jump goes all blank if you ask for something other than a flightpath sticker/stupid hat/hoody or pair of trainers (runners to us older folk). I thought it was just me when I was trying to buy stuff for my older Monties untill I started to buy stuff for my 2000 yz and they still didn't have a clue what I was on about!
If they don't have a part number/bar code for it, it doesn't exist....... :(
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Harry Pines Yamaha,Tamworth has been around for a while. 8)
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Gee , so many , all gone .
Mooroolbark M/Cycles in Mooroolbark was a Suzuki and Gemini dealer as l recall , long gone .
Stebbins Minibikes/Motorcycles in Melb. sold a huge array of bikes . Gemini's , Tas , Deckson / Deltek etc. etc. long gone . Spoke to the original owners son some time ago , Russell Stebbins , very interesting guy .
Geoff Taylor Yamaha been around since the 70's , still in business in a big way in Dandenong , Vic .
I remember once when l was about 15 or so in the early 70's desperately needing a piston kit for my overbored Yammie HT1-90 stripped down trailbike so that l could ride over the holidays and my dad driving me around everywhere to get one a few days before Christmas , 1974 l think , to no avail .
A helpful young guy in a small shop as a last resort directed us to Milledge Yamaha in Mulgrave , Victoria and somehow we ended up out the back in the warehouse where an accomodating old storeman felt sorry for us and handed over the required piston kit and wished us merry christmas !!!
Those WERE the days . ;D ;D
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some of the shops i remember
Triple c
Ray Barnes Yamaha
Parkveiw Marine
Campbells Honda
Eltham Yamaha
Rosanna Suzuki
Sport & Road
Grimshaw Motorcycles
David Knight mc
Motorcycle Racing Services
Eric Anderson mc
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Mick Dyer Motorcycles out at Penrith still going, used to be Brian Clarkson MC til the Dyer's bought him out in about 1983. Paul dyer now in Tassi, Clarko now residing on far north coast NSW. Clarko was a GUN on all sorts of things, Rickmans, Alrons etc, you blokes of here would remember?
Hmm, Motocross Honda and Husky from Penrith & Blacktown- GONE & Roy East,one of the owners has gone to God, good bloke,nah FANTASTIC bloke and an even better rider too. Roy & Hans Applegren "took over" John Harris's Husky import rights & sold Husky for a loooong time til Hans took over from Roy, Husky Imports still sort of around with son Stefan running a Husky shop and is a really good guy, so is Hans for that matter.
Kawasaki West- Blacktown GONE, Allan Tomkins owner, cut from same cloth as Roy East, Allan now works at the Homebush Showground mess doing welding and stuff, GREAT Bloke, he tried to sell me Jimmy Weinharts works Kawasakis about 10 year ago AND CHEAP but they went to a bigger payer.
Brian Collins Yamaha- Kingswood and then Penrith after they bought out Motocross Pty Ltd - GONE, Brians gone i think but John Collins had a Yamaha shop at Nerang QLD last time i spoke to him.
Ian Palmer Kawasaki Penrith- GONE, Ian is still around and running Penrith Chamber of Commerce i think. Another champion bloke AND if i remember right not a bad rider either, actually very good, better than he thought anyway which is a lot like Roy East!
Western Motorcycles- Ray Moody, Penrith STILL GOING STRONG witha very nice collection of bikes too!
Boy i miss most of these blokes, especially Roy East & Allan Tomkins, although still get to speak with Al now and again. you guys definately get a bloke thinking, its the people in these places that make them what they are, its the blokes like you guys who make riding what it is. I was thinking the other day that i had only learned recently that not all bike riders are ok, some are dead-set wankers, you lot are restoring my faith in the people that ride. NOT bikies, NOT bikers, just good people who RIDE, does me good as i hope ti does you lot.
Kt :)
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Is that Ray Palmer your thinking of.
Rode Speedway.
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KTM181, interesting you mention Brian Collins. Had a bit to do with him when I was a Gofer at B & H in the late sixtys and he was a Honda Motorcycle Dealer. Dont quote me but I think maybe Parramatta or there abouts. Anyway a mate of mine has a Mower shop at Carlingford and Brian calls in there a couple of times a year chasing up whatever. Still gets around in one of those two or three cylinder Honda utes of that era.
How about Whirlwind Sales at Gladesville in the mid/late sixtys/early seventys. Honda Motorcycle and Marine Dealer and Sponsor of Ken Bushnell. Blindingly fast rider on 350 Maico.
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As a kid in the early 70s I remember walking down elizabeth st melb and thinking I had gone to heaven (living in act a the time ) . My dad lived in malvern so John borrows shop was only 10 min walk away. pro cycles in hornsby nsw Ann ,her daughter (forgoten her name) and staff where great Ann would greet every one by name , it was a shop you felt welcome in . they had a young bloke in spares called john ,one of the best spares guys Ive ever met .I was given the run around in a Yamaha shop in nsw last year when asking for old stock was told get a new one who wants those old sh*t boxes or cant You afford one . Now being a mellow 49 year old I told the young pr*k I have 22 vintage yamahas so add up all the tyres ,chains, oil & assorted parts your bl**dy rude commet has just lost in sales Iainyz
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You're right Col, Brian Collins's original shop was on Actions corner. I'm pretty sure Brian developed that site and expanded to 2 other shops further out west. I rode Speedway with one of his sons, Mark, and brother Carlos worked for him just after retireing from England.
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Bloody hell, Brian Collins himself?!? he must be 200 years old, looked a 100 when i used to buy stuff at his Kingswood store, AND yup, he did have the shop that is now Actions at Parramatta, he built the building and it was Honda I think. I used to drewl over brand new Yz250As and Tz700s in his shop. Brian, if i remember right was a world land speed record holder, not sure what class but i do remember talking to him as he showed me the bike he piloted.
Hey what about Hawkesbury Honda, Paul Giles used to own it, then his son Shawn then sold to Sean Turl who moved it from Richmond to Windsor in a new store, all good blokes, Paul went to God far too early.
Remember Ryans at Parramatta? Suzuki gave the franchise to Actions i think, Ryans stuck with old bikes, i think the business is still trading up the Hunter valley somewhere.
Old Man Northcott at Blacktown with Suzuki, the list goes on and on.
Amazing places, Amazing memories.
Kt.
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My push-bike parts came from Baglee&Weston in Fairfield, which later became Jim Airey's. Through the fifties my 500 AJay road bike parts came from Superb Cycles church st Parramatta opposite the old Rivoli dance hall.My cousin Jim Gammon was the parts manager there at the time. He rode in the first 24 hour race at Mount Druitt, now lives in SA. There was another bike shop a bit further down the road from Superbs & Ryans but can't quite remember the blokes name. [will remember tomorrow]. When I started racing about '57 all my racing requirements came from Ryans every Saturday morning, like every body elses' it seemed.Old paddy was a gentleman as was Barry. Does any one remember the other parts man there? All we Merrylands club members new him as 'super'. Other shops I remember were Jim Madsens & Jim Eade on Parramatta rd, Askews at Bankstown, plus Nuwarra M/cycles. Must be still more somewhere in my head! cheers pancho.
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ktm 181 brain collins land speeded bike is up at nabica? i think it`s 50cc.
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g'day micks, I think one of the Collins' bikes used in the records was ridden by Brian Hindle. by the way, how's the cook?
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when i was a kid, Bert Flood`s Motorcycle shop in boxhill.Use to ride the bicycle up to his shop, and look at the bikes in the front window.Made my day if i saw Gary Flood . Peter Stevens in ringwood, brought my first bike there Suzuki tm 125 $649.00 . Had to do 2 paper rounds and other stuff to pay for it .. good ol days..
cheers
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ktm 181 brain collins land speeded bike is up at nabica? i think it`s 50cc.
Fantastic, I will have to get a look in there next month on the way to visit the oldies up the coast. Nabiac is in God's country, the perfect place to house our history.
Cheers,
Kt.
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Pancho,there were 2 bobs working there at Ryans, with barry i don't remember the 1st Bobs surname ,but Rob Pendlebury work there for a bit toward the end with Pat after Barry died, :P
what was the Honda shop in Chatswood,i use to work couple doors down At the Big W towards the end of the 60"s,John Dunn m/cycles in Balgowlah rebuilt my A65 when it split the barrells wfo down roseville chase trying to keep a mach 1 Kwaka in sight ::)
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my A65 when it split the barrells wfo down roseville chase trying to keep a mach 1 Kwaka in sight
Jeez, that was a bit of wishful thinking Mick ;D! Splitting the barrels was the big Achilles heel on the BSA twin, it seems every Beeza twin owner I've spoken to can relate a similar experience.
I can go back to when both Laurie and Denis Alderton worked out the back at Ryans. It was one of those good old fashioned "racer" shops you never see these days. My earliest interest in vintage racing goes back to seeing all sorts of old classics being prepped by Barry Ryan for the then new concept of vintage road racing back in the seventies.
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Two more, has anyone mentioned Omodies in the city or Ryde Motor Cycles? both previous haunts of Lester Morris, he used to describe modified bikes as "hotter than a stove bolt" and I remember he sold a BSA goldie clubman to a mate of mine and told him it used a 44 gallon drum for a carby slide!. That bloke sold the goldie and bought a harley [agricultural device] I bet he wishes he hadn't now. cheer pancho.
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Pancho, had completly forgotten about what you mention as Ryde Motorcycles. Was actually TOP RIDER and was a Suzuki Dealer from memory and was at the intersection of Lanecove and Blaxland Roads Top Ryde. Owners name was Brian................. who committed suciside in the early eightys, I think. The older of the Ray Dole's was the service manager their for a number of years. As always I will stand corrected
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I just remembered the name of the other Bob, he was Bob Keeble. I think thats how you spell it. He invited me up to his place one day for a slot car challenge on this massive layout in a back room. Can't remember who won so it must have been him. Also bought a used cylinder head from him off his ex Cutler Healy100 for my one.Other bloke I remember was Ian Cork. Nice bloke, left the scene too early. What about Phillips and Thomas, at StMary's, remember them? cheers.
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Col, I remember the add "ride motor cycles from Ryde Motorcycles", and later I think the same business became "Top Rider" cheers
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My push-bike parts came from Baglee&Weston in Fairfield, which later became Jim Airey's.
I was in the Boy Louts with the Baglee brothers ;D (2nd Fairfield troop).
I can't remember Baglee&Weston into motor bikes. To my knowledge/memory Jimmy the Jew just popped up out of the ground in the early expansion of the '70's.
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You're right Col, Brian Collins's original shop was on Actions corner. I'm pretty sure Brian developed that site and expanded to 2 other shops further out west. I rode Speedway with one of his sons, Mark, and brother Carlos worked for him just after retireing from England.
Brian Collins's original shop was just up for Action's corner. It was one of those classic long narrow shops with tightly packed bikes either side of the aisle leading to the back counter. My MX came from Brain Collins (in the box) - ah back in the days of heavy discounting and bargaining ;) ;D.
From memory Brian Collins started as a Bridgestone dealer and went over to Yammy (both initially distributed by McCulloch's I think). My brother was the first to deal with Brian Collins buying a Bridgestone 90 from him, and later a Yammy YDS5E. Brian Collins deserved his success. He was always personable, attentive and gave good personal service.
If my memory serves me well, Brian Collins's expanded from their original shop to include the next door shop and then Brian Collins designed and purpose built and developed the Action's corner shop/complex, and later selling to Actions. But I stand to be corrected ::).
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I think your right, Brigestone first, in the little shop just up from the corner,then Yamaha, both by courtesy of McCullochs, then B.C. built on the corner, brick work done by Sharpie,{who I never met] then later sold on to Action. I'm still trying to think of the other shop near there a long way earlier , it was Johnny something. Back to Baglee and Westons of course Alf Baglee was a prominent racer from way back. Motor cycle repairs were done in their original shop near the old Crescent picture theatre at the end of The Crescent Fairfield. I'm pretty sure Jim Airey was an apprentice bike mechanic there.cheers.
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(http://i38.tinypic.com/4fzdza.jpg)
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Norm Frasers Broadmeadow Newcastle. Still on the same site.
I used to play the Buck Rogers pinball machine in the late 70's.
There was a cranky old bloke in parts, but you would always wait to be served by him as he would pick your part without looking it up & never got it wrong.
AJ
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(http://i38.tinypic.com/4fzdza.jpg)
You don't have a brother called Carl do you Curly?
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Sure do.
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Mondays MC shop News :'(
Clem Nunn Motorcycles opened its doors to the Perth public in 1974, directly over the road from its current premises in Albany Highway Kenwick.
Today, Monday the 7th of February, 2011 Clem Nunn Motorcyles officially ceased trading at 5pm, one week after closing the doors to the public for the final time.
Sunday was the final opportunity to visit the store as the last of the stock was sold under auction, by Eddie Peters from the Honda Shop, and there were plenty of shoppers eager for a bargain at the auction.
It was a day of mixed emotions for Clem, his wife Lesley and the family who have supported the business for 37 years. Clem was both a little sad, but more optimistic about the next faze of his life, "It is a bit sad to close the doors, but it gives me more time towards my other passion, bicycle riding".
Lesley Nunn was more forthcoming, "having an auction like this is a little hard, it almost feels as though people are leaving with pieces of your family and sort of history", as bidders and purchasers grabbed a bargain or two, with workshop items, tools, parts, accessories, stock items walking out the door. Old friends called in to say farewell, thanks and good luck.
Clem and Lesley's daughter Tracey agreed that it was a day of mixed emotions for the family as we were able to have a talk and stroll down memory lane reminiscing about ignition points, fuel mixtures, magnetos and the changing times of the industry.
"The internet has made it difficult for the industry as the on-line selling aspect has seemed to have overtaken the need for experience, which is sad, plus the industry today is pretty cut throat. But look we have had a wonderful time over the years, it's been hard work, but we've met some great friends, supported riders along the way like Jeff Leisk, who's father Bob came in today to wish us the best. So sure it is sad in one respect but it is time for Mum and Dad to enjoy retirement, their two little dogs, and their grand kids".
So to Clem, Lesley and their family thanks for 37 years of business, 7 days trading which included being open on a Sunday. The question remains: where will we get our parts from on a Sunday in Perth?
The parting shot goes to Clem when a few of us joked with him: "Ask the buggers who just bought the last of the stock at the auction - I'll be off riding my bike"!
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I compare this to having to line up all my bikes and bits and watching other people walk off with them never to be seen again. The money only a small consolation but it also makes me realize how materialistic I am. Not about to sell off everything I own but why the heck am I so attached to a collection of plastic and metal!! how can it be my life!! ::) Just need to stop thinking about it I suppose :-X
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but why the heck am I so attached to a collection of plastic and metal!! how can it be my life!!
Hey come on what about all of us lot !! arent we part of the collection also ;D ;) :-*
cheers
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Norm Frasers Broadmeadow Newcastle. Still on the same site.
I used to play the Buck Rogers pinball machine in the late 70's.
There was a cranky old bloke in parts, but you would always wait to be served by him as he would pick your part without looking it up & never got it wrong.
AJ
I remember the same guy as a kid and yep he knew his stuff. Does any Newcastle people remember when Norm Fraser had a smaller shop on Maitland Rd Mayfield in late 70's early 80's? I remember it!
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I remember the shop that Norm had in Hamilton,I think it was run by Warren,It was called the Palms? I used to go past on the bus to school every day.It was sort of his race division.He had TSS, Elmontadero and Bandito,Pursangs lined up out the front.
Is that why I have a collection of Elmontaderos and Bandito's now!! lol.
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Has anyone mentioned Springs Motors on Blaxland Road Eastwood. They were one of the original Bridgestone Dealers in the Sydney metro and traded at the same address for quite a few years as a Bridgestone then maybe a Yamaha Dealer
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Col, I have no recolection of Spring's in Eastwood, in those days we rarely ventured north of the Parramatta river, unless heading to Salty Creek, Taree or Kempsey.
I went into Jim Eade's old shop yesterday to p/u a B44 Victor Special for my other brother, it didn't look a lot different to what I remember from 25 years or so ago.
He's got some good gear in there but isn't real talkative until he see's the colour of your money.
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Gone now, bought first 125, 73 KTM from Athol Patterson in sprivale Rd near the tain station in Springvale, a husky from Geoff Burrows in Malvern and had my Triumph motor rebuilt at "Dirty" Frank Musset in Sydney Rd Coburg. still there I think is Don Saffords shop now Yamaha who was righ into dirt trackers in the early 70s. Can't remeber the name of it but drooled over the Nortons in a shop (nearly opposite the present Moak shop in Elizabeth St Melb) with oil stained wooden floors and glass top counters full of shinny stuff. Ah they were the days.
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Taffy Williams Yamaha in Yass Road,Queanbeyan. Doug Bryants Yamaha in Fyshwick ACT. Good memories from both of them and now long gone. Miss riding their bikes up at Ameys in Queanbeyan and the Brindabellas in Canberra, SIGH....... :'(
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Who remembers the shop on the corner of Church St and Boundary st Parramatta?
I had a look in there once and there was a stack of dead bikes mainly Velo's all piled up in a heap about 8 feet high in a back corner. Can't remember much more but would have been about '59 i think.
Maybe it was Col Crothers place. I was told that shortly after I saw that place all the bits were sold for scrap metal and a big car yard opened up.
Refering back to an earlier post on this thread I was trying to remember the name of the other shop near Bert Jones and I recently saw my 83 yr old cousin that sold spares at Superb Cycles , he told me it was Johny Ifield.
cheers pancho.
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he told me it was Johny Ifield
I believe he was Frank Ifields brother.
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I remember youhoo.
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Man where do I start?...
Dad bought me my first bike, Italjet Bambino 50, from Baileys Honda in Frankston, long gone now, the owners son Andrew Bailey races classic Maico's in Queensland now.
First started working in the industry for Alan Lambert motorcycles (went on to be Lambert Leathers when we all wore leather lol) in Boundary Rd Mordialloc, in '73, then a Suz & Bultaco dealer.
My first new bike, Suz TM125L, was bought from Peter Stevens in Warrigal Rd Moorabbin (burnt down in the late 70's) for $649.
My first sponsor Bryant Suzuki in Beach St Frankston also long gone, the owner Terry Bryant (recently deceased) started Top Gear Motorcycles which eventually got sold to Marty Orchard who does KTM & Husky I think.
Bought an RM12A from Grimshaw Motorcycles in Greensborough, long gone.
I use to work at Milledge Yamaha in Springvale Rd Mulgrave, was sold to Yamaha Japan.
I use to work for Aust Motorcycle Importers, the importers of Moto Guzzi & Benelli, that was owned by Libby Ross, daughter of Alec Milledge, now gone.
Too many more to try and remember.
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Bought an RM12A from Grimshaw Motorcycles in Greensborough, long gone.
Probably when Grimshaw Motorcycles was still actually in Grimshaw St.
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Doc - if my memory hasn't failed I had Bert Kingston hot parts on my XR75!!!
Not sure now as I haven't lived there for ages but Lloyd Campbell Honda and Geoff Bowling Motorcycles both in Burnie in Tassie - don't think they are there now?
Rossco
I did my work experience at Lloyd Campbells Honda with the promise of a possible apprenticeship, which did not eventuate.
There was also Sport and Road, the Yamaha dealer out past the showground. Not sure when they dissapeared, went back one year for a holiday and they were gone too. I was on for buying a superseded IT 465 for $1800, but my Dad said I would probably hurt myself, I think he was probably right :'( :'(
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Grimshaw Motorcycles had three locations over the years. Grimshaw st, Main st and Para rd, I can remember dropping into the Grimshaw st shop just about every night walking home from school. Phillip Arbuckle had the Main st and the Para rd shops I can't remember if he had the shop in Grimshaw st. Mate of mine I went to school with was sponsored by them and also worked there part time.
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Grimshaw Motorcycles had three locations over the years. Grimshaw st, Main st and Para rd, I can remember dropping into the Grimshaw st shop just about every night walking home from school. Phillip Arbuckle had the Main st and the Para rd shops I can't remember if he had the shop in Grimshaw st. Mate of mine I went to school with was sponsored by them and also worked there part time.
You may be right, I can't remember for sure if they were in Main St as I think they were called Greensborough Motorcycles in Main St and at the same time Grimshaw was in Para Rd.
Curran and Scale used to run it but I think some one else owned it
Used to wander down their after school as well, then later years after work.
You weren't a Watsonia Tech boy were you 79?
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Yeah I was a Watsonia Tech boy, they were in Main st opposite the service station the shop is now Greenvalley Mowers. I don't think they were there for long before they moved to Para rd it would have been around 1979 I can remember my mate putting together his new sponsored RM 250N there. I bought a new PE 250T of them when they were in Para rd so it must have been only a year or two they were in Main st.
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Not enough Queensland in this thread. So here are some from Sunshine Coast that are no longer around.
B & D Motorcycles- Nambour- Suzuki
Mollers Motorcycles-Nambour- Kawasaki Now Pro Moto at Maroochydore
Suncoast Yamaha - Woombye.
Gateway Yamaha-Maroochydore
Webby's motorcycles- Caloundra Now called Northcoast something. Can't remember
My first bike (MR50) came from Pete's pitstop in Yandina in late 70's. Not sure if that was a bike shop or not.
Anymore to Add NSR
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For Qld add
Ropart Honda at Moorooka
Annand and Thompson at Stones Corner
Brisk Sales Stones Corner
Moorooka yamaha ( at Coopers Plains )
Auto cycle service ( Fairfield then Moorooka )
Bert Kingston when he was bike shop in the valley
There were a couple in Ipswich that the names have escaped me at the moment
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Buckets, I worked for Bert late '70 early 80's when he was at Fortitude Valley. Close my eyes and I see it all so clearly including all the speedway stuff he had tucked away up in the loft. I'd spend a little time up there assembling his Cobra Kits in slow times and had penty of time to sniff around all the speedway stuff that was so 'way out there' to me as a 16y/o. Great times were had by all ;)
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For Qld add
Ropart Honda at Moorooka
Annand and Thompson at Stones Corner
Brisk Sales Stones Corner
Moorooka yamaha ( at Coopers Plains )
Auto cycle service ( Fairfield then Moorooka )
Bert Kingston when he was bike shop in the valley
There were a couple in Ipswich that the names have escaped me at the moment
How about Darryel Reeks at Dinmore in Ipswich. ( It's an Archery shop now if it;s still there)
Brisbane Suzuki Centre at Ross st Newsted. ( Max Sheffield was the manager at the time )
I remember the Boat races that the bike shops in that area used to participate in once a year in Newsted creek where they had to build a boat and race it on the creek whilst throwing flour bombs ,rotten eggs and the like at each other. Never laughed so much in my life.
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yup, whilst never actually participating I remember the Breaky Creek raft races :D I did about 4 years at Beaumonts/Brisbane Kawa which backed right onto the creek at Alison St. Also did a stint at Ross St bike wreckers, City Wreckers. Max was a good bloke, don't think he ever stuffed up my orders once..I was good mates with Paul Whitehead in the workshop (rip Paul) thanks for the memory 779 ;)
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Yea Doc, I would be interested to hear any more Breky Creek raft race stories. I was Max's sidecar passenger. Still keep in contact with him. He is well and living in Vic now.
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779 Was Max's outfit that yellow 650 (based) Yam powered Wasp that Beaumont had for a while? If so it fairly motored! I remember riding it if it was the same one..actually I remember racing other people to ride it..I was very fast! ;D not so fast on a sidecar though. From memory Phil sold it to Reece Hampson at Northside Suzuki and he put it on the road :o ;D
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Doc , there used to be a MC accessories joint opposite Perry park of which I spent many an hour killing time in the 80s .
Bought a jet ski in 1981( as they where the hot ticket back then ) from the Kawasaki dealer that operated in High St Southport - across the road was Southport Suzuki and I think Honda where around the corner in Nind St.
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Anymore to Add NSR
Gilletty, your a young pup,
Abell yamaha used to be on the beach at Alex Headland and North Coast Yamaha at Yandina where Smarty is now.
(http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww125/NoelSR/Save0004.jpg?t=1297678481)
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That MC accessories joint was McLeods Stew. That's where I purchased all my Go The Rat gear in the day. Incidently it's now located at 53 Raubers Rd Nudgee..right at the gate to the track ;) I believe the QLD branch is headed by Leo Cash and the whole deal owned by Repco.
779 you'd probably know Big Brett aka Bretto or Gilla seen on the left in the pic, he was at CD7 talking with Popeye. On the right is Leo and his son Josh..dunno who that weird guy in the middle is but he managed a win on the day ;D old pic, old days, good friends and great times 8)
(http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pNZ-71WA4L88sUc4E1HE4vPkk4O0QuJ316ipwZMic_la5QJtABqnixMscs4E78bXzpzKP_X0rOS8rrrZOO8qv6g/shankster_doctor_leo_and_lil_josh1992.JPG?psid=1)
phark, just noticed :-\ I still wear the same riding gear ::)
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Yea. I still have my old riding gear aswell, Although it has'nt fitted for years. The Suzuki Racing mate nylons and SCP jearsy. Yes I remember Brett but I dont Know him very well. Hopefully catch up at CD8.
Max first built a DR 500 outfit (yellow one) and then came across a Wasp replica. We put the DR engine in that and raced it for a few years. The yellow Wasp Yamaha could be the one currently owned by Vaughn Fletcher. The one that he and Popye crashed in spectacular fashon at CD7. Saw it happen as I was behind them riding the Red Wasp (the nice sounding one) with Stunt man Dave Russel swinging. ;D
More great times to come :D :D
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I still wear the one piece leathers I had tailor made in 1963, funny thing is they are tight where the once were loose and loose where they were tight! pancho.
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Hey what about Hawkesbury Honda, Paul Giles used to own it, then his son Shawn then sold to Sean Turl who moved it from Richmond to Windsor in a new store, all good blokes,
fullnoise.com
The State 2012 winners of Honda's Dealer of the Year Awards:
New South Wales: Hawkesbury Honda
Queensland: Rising Sun Honda
Victoria: Peter Stevens Motorcycles Geelong
Tasmania: Circular Head Motorcycles
South Australia: Honda World
Western Australia: West Coast Honda Motorcycles
The Northern Territory: R & M Motorcycles