AMPS has moved

[Voltaire]

I was up the Khyber and saw AMPS was gone :gob:

Google says they are now in Mt Wellington.

eek a Harley shop is now my nearest bike shop :rolleyes:

[Richard Mc F]

Not Botany Honda.................they be almost as close.......just sayin'

[gammaguy]

I was up the Khyber and saw AMPS was gone :gob:

Google says they are now in Mt Wellington.

eek a Harley shop is now my nearest bike shop :rolleyes:

Goes to prove all things must pass

[Big Dog]

Have to say I was a little shocked to see their premises empty the other day.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[trustme]

On the bright side, you'll be soothed to sleep with the sound of tassles rustling in the breeze.:baby:

[Voltaire]

Mt Wellington is not a very cool place for cool motorcycle and their cool owners.

I had an idea for a café next door based on the Harley sales model.

Standard cup off coffee would be a small cup with instant coffee at $4.50 , keep the price high to give the impression of quality.

For another 50 cents you can have milk

another 50 cents sugar

You'd have to wait about 1 hour for it as although there would be lots of staff , no one would be around.

flat whites would have to be in another part of the café , thru a door maybe.

[The Pastor]

Mt Wellington is not a very cool place for cool motorcycle and their cool owners.

I had an idea for a café next door based on the Harley sales model.

Standard cup off coffee would be a small cup with instant coffee at $4.50 , keep the price high to give the impression of quality.

For another 50 cents you can have milk

another 50 cents sugar

You'd have to wait about 1 hour for it as although there would be lots of staff , no one would be around.

flat whites would have to be in another part of the café , thru a door maybe.


must spread rep blah blah blah.

very funny and true.

[Gremlin]

I can't help but think of the parallel with Haldanes. They moved out to a random location... shut down a little while later.

I would have thought AMPS would have a lot more support? Perhaps also more suitable for riders coming from the south... worse for the north tho...

[Big Dave]

I can't help but think of the parallel with Haldanes. They moved out to a random location... shut down a little while later.

I would have thought AMPS would have a lot more support? Perhaps also more suitable for riders coming from the south... worse for the north tho...

There is no parallel with Haldanes.

Many regional Harley Dealerships have had significant renovations or relocations. Much of it is about Harley's global marketing standards.

[Motu]

Mt Wellington is not a very cool place for cool motorcycle and their cool owners.

Lived and worked there for 20 years...but moved out 35 years ago, our old house in Mt Wellington would be worth a million bucks by now. Was not a cool place then, and not a cool place now. When Ray started back in the early 70's I was definitely his target market, most certainly not now. Now those Baby Boomers from bad suburbs have grown fat and sleek, and they have money to waste, and the need to show how they can waste it. I spent the 70's wasted, and haven't got the cash flow back since.

[SPman]

AMPS used to be out in Otahuhu, a while ago, didn't they - perhaps they're moving back to their roots.......

[swarfie]

perhaps they're moving back to their roots.......

Probably closer to where the roots of the potato potato potato's are grown:lol:

[Bikemad]

i was under the understanding AMPS was formed when Shaft otahuhu and Universal new lynn got together..........i remember when Universal were in stoddard rd ? many moons ago

[Motu]

Shaft started off in Hall St opposite Davie Motors, which was handy when I went to pick up Holden and Vauxhall parts....then they moved to the otherside of the main road. Universal had a couple of places in Stoddard Rd, first was a dark damp basement. Shaft were always considered dodgy, Universal never.

[swarfie]

Shaft started off in Hall St opposite Davie Motors, which was handy when I went to pick up Holden and Vauxhall parts....then they moved to the otherside of the main road. Universal had a couple of places in Stoddard Rd, first was a dark damp basement. Shaft were always considered dodgy, Universal never.

Weren't Universals in Rosebank Rd at one stage? Corner of Honan Pl and Rosebank Rd I seem to remember or was that some other dodgy Harley outfit?

[Bikemad]

Weren't Universals in Rosebank Rd at one stage? Corner of Honan Pl and Rosebank Rd I seem to remember or was that some other dodgy Harley outfit?

no that was Auckland M/Cs John and Caz? Gurney.......they moved there from Ponsonby Rd

[Voltaire]

Lived and worked there for 20 years...but moved out 35 years ago, our old house in Mt Wellington would be worth a million bucks by now. Was not a cool place then, and not a cool place now. When Ray started back in the early 70's I was definitely his target market, most certainly not now. Now those Baby Boomers from bad suburbs have grown fat and sleek, and they have money to waste, and the need to show how they can waste it. I spent the 70's wasted, and haven't got the cash flow back since.

http://www.amps.co.nz/#&panel1-1

Sure they are, you can check out their Facebook site, Tweet them, and hashtag them too...but not in a foil.
And be sure to check out the Youtube clip on how to polish you bike.
Can you get your hair and nails done there too?

What the fuck happened to bike shops.

[boman]

I think it was more to do with the Non Earthquake proofness of the building, and the cost of insuring the stock contained within those walls. If everything you are told is correct.

[Motu]

no that was Auckland M/Cs John and Caz? Gurney.......they moved there from Ponsonby Rd

John and Caroline Gurney, had to leave Ponsonby when it became trendy. This is what John does now.

http://www.stelvio.co.nz/stelvio-team.html

Still rides his 1949 Vincent apparently. The ''real'' boss is my ex sister in law.

[trustme]

Ray was doing it pretty tough during the GFC, I suspect there is more bang for your buck with a Mt Wgtn premises as opposed to Khyber pass. The Harley buyer will follow.
Always liked Ray, never did me wrong , can't say the same for the other bloke in Avondale.

[Motu]

Ray and John were very much into British bikes, there for the bike and rider., never had a problem with either. Auckland Motorcycles went under with the '87 crash, Ducati riders were trying to save their portfolios, not a motorcycle shop.

[Voltaire]

Ray and John were very much into British bikes, there for the bike and rider., never had a problem with either. Auckland Motorcycles went under with the '87 crash, Ducati riders were trying to save their portfolios, not a motorcycle shop.

I used to look in to the window of Auckland Motorcycles after a night out on the town...probably about 10:15 PM,
I used to drool over the new Ducati Mille 1000 in the window ( 17k I think it was) and to a lesser degree the $6000 Darmah. My 4 year old Z1000J at the time cost $4k.
Went to Aussie in 86 Frazers had about 4 Darmahs in better condition for under 4 K AU.
Got mine for $2700.
I only ever pay cash for bikes so the stock market crash passed my by...that was until it caught up with me in the UK in 1990...Sparkie to brickies labourer.

[trustme]

Back in the day I was on the committee of Bronz, we tried to organise a flash evening with speakers like Rodger Freeth & Phil Irving, We had poor sales , probably not surprising & wondered why there were no Vincent guys coming. Gurney had gone through the back door & set up all sorts of shit with Phil, piggybacking on our fronting up for all the travel expenses . Everyone got most huffy when confronted about their behind the scenes dealing , the event was cancelled.
Gurney & his mates had to front with their own money for Phils travel , which they did, freeloading arseholes.

[Larksea]

I went on a bit of a road trip to look for some new gear a few weeks ago and got a shock to see AMPs closed in newmarket. checked google on smartphone only to find it had moved to Mt Welly just a spit from my work.

Called in later in the day the place was full of Harley Dudes, felt a bit out-numbered parking my Ducati :bleh:

nice place but a bit disappointed as it was literally all Harley stuff. When I was in AMPS less than 2 years ago and got my helmet they had a lot of non Harley stuff, cool non-Harley gear and Triumph stuff & bikes.

Naaa not anymore, it was all exclusively Harley stuff. :weird:

so I left, couple guys intercepted me as I left wanted to check out my bike, I think I talked one into taking a Ducati for a test ride... :devil2:

[Motu]

Back in the day I was on the committee of Bronz,

Sounds like Bronz, maybe someone got sick of all the talk at committee meetings and decided to do something.

[trustme]

At that stage Bronz was very much the baby of Lee Hurley, love him or hate him & a few did , he was the driving force & he made things happen. We started off blood runs , toy runs , remember posting tyres to parliament, & a fair bit of other stuff, granted not all of it successful. It was not just a snivel fest.

[Big Dave]

It was not just a snivel fest.

It never was. Finn did a great job too. What it was - was constantly undermined by people who thought they could do a better job. And couldn't.

[trustme]

It never was. Finn did a great job too. What it was - was constantly undermined by people who thought they could do a better job. And couldn't.

+++ 1000 Oh so true

[Motu]

And apathy from people like me who only wanted things done, but when turning up to a meeting just saw people spouting words, and others spouting more words arguing. They got very little support from me.

[Big Dave]

And apathy from people like me who only wanted things done, but when turning up to a meeting just saw people spouting words, and others spouting more words arguing. They got very little support from me.

Typical wrench. Patient as a kettle.

[Voltaire]

And apathy from people like me who only wanted things done, but when turning up to a meeting just saw people spouting words, and others spouting more words arguing. They got very little support from me.

Those sorts are the ones who end up running the country, making the laws and so on. I remember a union meeting once in Sydney where 'Paddy' went on and on and on...till most of the tradies got tired of it and left, then they had the vote....surprise surprise out on strike..

[pritch]

What the fuck happened to bike shops.

Still trying to figure that out. When I bought my first bike it was from a shop which had a staff of two: the owner and an apprentice. A small, crowded, showroom and a workshop out the back. All in a normal sized shop premises right in the main street, in the middle of town.

A couple of years ago I visited the Ducati dealer in Melbourne. The shop was all black marble with a couple of bikes on big shiny black pedestals and some artfully displayed leather jackets. More like a fashion boutique than a bike shop. The Victory boutique was similar. In contrast Peter Stevens across the road was like a trip back in time - to Aladdin's Cave.

[Big Dave]

What the fuck happened to bike shops.

Short answer:
2014.

Longer answer:
American brands in particular - Market research.
Desire for larger customer base. IE Wimmens. No more mechanical butt crack, tit posters or patronising - or it's hard work attracting around 50% of humans to your product.
The quest for buyer loyalty and repeat business - to provide beyond the bike. Social occasions, riding club, pleasant lounge for service while you wait. A place to ride to or start from - and hang with like-minded individuals.
To build relationships with customers.


Personally - I don't have full buy in. Generally prefer riding alone or in small groups if it's not for a gig.
But I certainly understand the attraction of the whole shindig. I have friends that are full noise on it and it brings them much joy. I go and take photos and report on the parties and events and there are a lot of people enjoying themselves. I enjoy myself.
I have other mates that are 100% down on the whole thing. They don't have any real logic behind the hatin' - fashion sense seems to be the main bug-bear.


Anyway, I'm currently in lust with this:

298853

[trustme]

FFS don't take it any further offroad than the end of your driveway. But you journo types already know that . :msn-wink:
Don't get those white walls dirty.

[Voltaire]

Short answer:
2014.

Longer answer:
American brands in particular - Market research.
Desire for larger customer base. IE Wimmens. No more mechanical butt crack, tit posters or patronising - or it's hard work attracting around 50% of humans to your product.
The quest for buyer loyalty and repeat business - to provide beyond the bike. Social occasions, riding club, pleasant lounge for service while you wait. A place to ride to or start from - and hang with like-minded individuals.
To build relationships with customers.


Personally - I don't have full buy in. Generally prefer riding alone or in small groups if it's not for a gig.
But I certainly understand the attraction of the whole shindig. I have friends that are full noise on it and it brings them much joy. I go and take photos and report on the parties and events and there are a lot of people enjoying themselves. I enjoy myself.
I have other mates that are 100% down on the whole thing. They don't have any real logic behind the hatin' - fashion sense seems to be the main bug-bear.


Anyway, I'm currently in lust with this:

298853

It all sounds very nice but I'm with your other mates on that one.:lol:

I guess I'll just have to buy old shitters and tinker on them in my shed with the odd beer and lonely spontaneous rides....:weep:

Did you know Steve McQueen also rode one of the German bikes chasing himself in the Great Escape ( yeah I know Bud did the actual jump) :sherlock:

[Motu]

When Auckland Motorcycle Wreckers first started in a real window shop on Eden Terrace it was a dark place of magic and terror to a young teenager, by the time they shifted to Ponsonby Rd I knew the guys and how the place worked. By the time Ray opened his basement cave I was fully in the scene. These places may have been scary and intimidating to the uninitiated, but they were a magnet to those who wanted to play with old British bikes - they may not of had the parts you wanted, but someone there knew someone who knew someone...and so another link was formed in the chain.

As Dave said - buyer loyalty and repeat business. Ray hung in there as the British bikes finally dried up, and took the lifeline of Harley Davidson, never to look back. Auckland Motorcycles took Ducati, but the brand loyalty is not there, lose, lose.

[Voltaire]

FFS don't take it any further offroad than the end of your driveway. But you journo types already know that . :msn-wink:
Don't get those white walls dirty.

Speaking of end of your driveway , is Winston ready for Sunday ?

[Big Dave]

FFS don't take it any further offroad than the end of your driveway. But you journo types already know that . :msn-wink:
Don't get those white walls dirty.

East Brisbane. Ironically it would be a mostly Urban bike anyway. Whitewalls would be temporary although I'd probably stick with road tyres.

What I'd more likely do is make a stocker like that myself and paint it Matte Black. I'd jack it up and put longer forks on it to fit me better too.

[trustme]

Clutch goes back together tonight. Gearbox is sorted hopefully. Hope the weather shapes up, I don't relish the thought of another wee lie down . Graeme Cole reckoned ' worms ' . Apparently the track was covered in them although I did not notice any during my high speed close inspection .:laugh: I reckon wet track & cold tyres more likely.

[SPman]

A couple of years ago I visited the Ducati dealer in Melbourne. The shop was all black marble with a couple of bikes on big shiny black pedestals and some artfully displayed leather jackets. More like a fashion boutique than a bike shop. The Victory boutique was similar. In contrast Peter Stevens across the road was like a trip back in time - to Aladdin's Cave.Our local bike shop is a multi dealership, which Yamaha Australia are having problems with - they had 2 shops, one predominantly Yamaha, but after Yam Aus. got shitty about things, they closed it down - didn't need the hassle.
Anyway, go in there - you can't move - acres of bikes - they have Kawasaki, Yamaha, Ducati, Aprilia, Benelli, EBR, Bimota, KTM, all in stock, plus second hand stuff, in one shop, converted out of four, with holes in the walls.....and always odd stuff, like a Ducati DD16 for sale, tucked in a corner...a Bimota SB8 theshop owner decided to sell...an RC45 Honda, likewise............whilst not as interesting as the dark little holes full of bikes of our youth, probably the next best thing......

[swarfie]

Hope the weather shapes up, I don't relish the thought of another wee lie down . Graeme Cole reckoned ' worms ' . Apparently the track was covered in them although I did not notice any during my high speed close inspection .:laugh: I reckon wet track & cold tyres more likely.

Yeah right....Graeme's always had worms :yes::nya:

[Conquiztador]

What happened to bike shops?
Many became dinosaurs and died.
There are those who have evolved but only just enough to not become extinct.
Then there are the ones who have an ability to make the right moves and change before the customers understand why. Ray fits in this category. From Universal to AMPS to Auckland HD. In my 30 years in NZ I have only purchase two bikes from a shop. Both from Universal MC.

I see some of the small backstreet bike shops and how the owner struggles to make ends meet. They live on passion. But it is hard. And even if they might dislike the big shops that have captured the market, If the opportunity came they would all go the same way.
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