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

[vmxken]

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.

[firko]

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.
I remember buying a helmet from Ele at the (I think)[/] Wentworth Avenue City store. Would that be right Ken?

[mx250]

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.   

[firko]

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.

[SUZUKI311]

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.

[vmxken]

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

[firko]

The lovely Ele Knowles in action circa 1975.
                                             

[mx250]

That's either the Evil Ele or the Demon Maico (666) .

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 .

[firko]

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.

[colmoody]

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.

[D project]

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.

[colmoody]

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.

[mudguard]

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.

[VMX247]

       How about this one since 72..                       OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU ...
To Provide Motorcyclists throughout Australia with the largest range of Quality approved new & used bikes, advice and after sales service. All at the very best value for money.
OVER 2 MILLION Motorcyclists around world experience the RED BARON difference - now you can.
RED BARON MOTORCYCLES has developed since1972 to service over 2 million motorcyclists around the world.
Motorcycling opens up a whole world of fun excitement and freedom. At RED BARON we are dedicated to assisting new and experienced riders, experience the world of motorcycling, by providing you with Sydney's biggest range of quality approved, new and used motorcycles accessories and after sales service.
RED BARON MOTORCYCLES continually strives to provide motorcyclists with the best in Accessories choice & value, the latest in technology and experience to ensure your motorcycle is maintained and tuned to the highest possible standard. Red Baron has introduced the exclusive A.C.I. DYNO (Commonly known as the "Acid Test") This state of the art equipment combined with our fully trained & experienced technicians ensure you get the very best technical support, for your motorcycle.
History  It was during World War I and the place was Europe.
The invincible air fighter, Baron Von Richthofen
flew his bi-plane magnificently.
As with the knights of the Middle Ages,
he fought with a passion for honor and glory.
His story has been passed on from generation to generation.
He is known as Red Baron.
Now, as in the past, life challenges us to seek adventure and romance.
Today motorcyclists are the very people who accept this challenge.
 We, therefore, regard them as the "Contemporary Red Baron of the Road."
Our logo of the "Passionate gentleman" symbolizes these riders since we were founded in 1972.

May 2010Red Baron Motorcycles, will now sell Kawasaki motorcycles and ATVs in Australia via its Liverpool dealership.
Established in 1972, Red Baron Motorcycles has serviced millions of motorcycle enthusiasts the world over with the Liverpool, NSW dealership operating for 18 years.
Red Baron Liverpool Manager, Daniel Bustamante, has been in the industry for 7 years and is excited about the addition of Kawasaki motorcycles to his showroom floor saying, “We’ve come to realise that Kawasaki motorcycles are just as strong and competitive as the other manufacturers’ bikes that we also sell so it was a logical step to add Kawasaki motorcycles to our range.”
“The reception to the green bikes has been extremely positive in a relatively short amount of time so we’re very happy. The Ninja models and KX models have such a good following so, as expected, the interest in them has been great. We anticipate a long and fruitful relationship with Kawasaki.”
Kawasaki Australia National Sales & Marketing Manager, Robert Walker says, “Kawasaki is extremely pleased to be going into business with such a respected dealership as Red Baron. They have more than proven themselves to be amongst the countries best motorcycle dealerships so it really was a natural progression for Kawasaki to go into business with them.”
With 12 enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff members on hand to assist, Red Baron Motorcycles is open 6 days a week and is located on the main road in Liverpool, NSW.

[shorelinemc]

G`day mud guard bert kingston is around the cnr from my shop at cleveland his ph no32864106