Bike shops in your youth...still around???

[jimson]

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

[jimg1au]

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

[DR]

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 ), 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 I had a little more grunt when needed bloody good rider and I believe he may have rode speedway in UnZud 

[mx250]

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 . 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.

[firko]

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.

[mx250]

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 .  It blurred the line between customer service and friendship. (I'll be getting tear of reminiscence in my wheaties shortly ).

[jimg1au]

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

[monaro308]

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.

[firko]

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.
   

[ted]

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.

[firko]

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.

[ted]

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

[ted]

Paul Cannell?

[jerry]

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

[firko]

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.