Good Service Reviews from RealClassic.co.uk, No.17

RC readers recommend the good guys who help to keep their classic motorcycles in good working order. This time: wheels, ignitions, magnetos, MoTs and workshop services...

Wheely Great

I have just had a TR6 front wheel re-rimmed by PW Wheels of Herne Bay in Kent (PWwheels.co.uk). He did a great job at a very reasonable price and within the time he quoted. I can definitely recommend him if any readers need a wheel building service. Paul Woods is the man and he is an ex Speedway rider who rode for Eastbourne Eagles. He is a great motorcycle enthusiast and a pleasant polite man to deal with.

Dave Blanchard

Carbs & Sparks

I've recently experienced a couple of really excellent dealers, and I'd like to wholeheartedly recommend them to other enthusiasts. I bought one of the new Wassell Amal-copy carburettors from Mike Boulton Motorcycles near Bath (classic-bike-shop.com). I rang Mike to explain what I wanted it for, and he looked up the jet specifications there and then. The suitably-jetted carburettor came the very next day, along with four more spare jets in case I should need to make any alterations. These were free but not needed so I sent them back. My AJS 350 Lightweight goes infinitely better on its new carb, all for £80!

The other dealer is Rex Caunt Racing of Leicestershire (rexcauntracing.com), and his utterly charming American wife Debb. I bought a 6-12 volt electronic regulator/rectifier from them and had a few problems which turned out to be down to my faulty wiring. I approached them for a replacement for which they flatly declined payment, in spite of my admitting to my error. Both of those respectively also came the next day. The regulator/rectifiers were also very reasonably-priced at under £30.

Nigel Stennett-Cox

Workshop Guru

I highly recommend Maurice Evans (01332 371162) who served his apprenticeship at a BSA dealer. Maurice has completely stripped down and rebuilt my 1963 BSA RGS. He also services this bike and my 1956 Triumph T110 yearly. I have enjoyed many troublefree miles on both these bikes. Maurice attends the Stafford Shows and frequents the GP stand.

Ken Birkby

Bright Ideas Dark nights are coming and these hi-viz vests are good (urban-glow.com). I bought one a couple of years ago and have no complaints. It's all made in GB including the zips. One of the guys who run the business came out to meet me in a cafe to give me my jacket. I could not ask for a better service. And it' s not a flappy bit of green plastic! A UK company worth supporting. Simon Smith

Classic Hondas on

Workshop Guru Too

Moll Spring Motorcycles (mollsprings.co.uk) deserve a recommendation from me. Andrew will look after any machine and keeps my collection going at peak efficiency whether it be my R100 RT or MZ Supa 5. He has a passion for those and doesn't even mind my CX500s. There is always something interesting in his workshop whether it be a Rudge or BSA and he will soon be working his magic on my repatriated Panther.

Nowhere better in Yorkshire.

Andrew Lindley

Magneto Man

I sent my mag to Paul at APL Magnetos in Dorset (01747 852136) and had it returned within five days, repaired and ready to fit. All at a cost of £143 including return postage, which is less than the £250 charged by another firm which repaired a similar magneto for me. Paul will repair the unit, mag or dynamo, and will either have it sandblasted and posh, or leave the exterior condition as is. I asked him to leave it repaired and scruffy, because if it was poshed up I would have to clean the bike and change the habit of a lifetime. On receipt of the repaired unit I fitted it to the bike and it started first kick. So I would recommend Paul Lydford if you ever require magneto.

Alan

MOT Men

There are two MoT stations I've used, both of which have been excellent. Firstly, Star Garage of West Barkwith. You'll find it on the A157 between Wragby and Louth. Staff could not be more helpful. The owner of the garage, Andrew, is aware of the foibles of our old clobber and is sympathetic to our needs. Very interesting history to the garage too, much covert development work on racing two stroke Yamahas took place there. Ask Andrew and I'm sure he'll fill you in.

Secondly. Richard Dear, Mountview Garage, Lincoln Road, Horncastle. All of the guys there seem to be lovers and owners of classics. Again they have always been sympathetic to whatever machine I've taken in. As with Star Garage I'm sure that they lose more money doing one of my MoTs than they make. There must be at least an hour lost of their productivity due to tea consumption, tale swapping, info sharing and all the rest of the shenanigans that go on when classic enthusiasts get together. One other bonus of Richard Dear is that he invites you to an annual barbeque that he hosts just for us classic bores.

And while I'm about it. Carrot Cycles of Monks Way, Lincoln. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic providers of spare parts for classics, friendly service. Being lovers of all things engineering, they make and design bespoke surgical tools, much of what they say goes over my head. Second to none never the less.

Dean Brown

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More Service Stars Wanted
Have you enjoyed excellent service from your local bike shop or a national specialist? Don't be shy in sharing the details - your report will help other classic bike riders choose who to use, and will reward good performance with more business.

So send reports to RCHQ at RealClassic.net and remember to include contact details and plenty of info about what your products or assistance your Service Star can provide.

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