Christchurch motorcycle shop nostalgia

[Aprilia_nut]

These guys are the amazing. Went to Christchurch from Tauranga to buy a bike privately, On Friday picked up bike only to find owner had not checked oil amongst other things, tried ringing Rolling thunder on Saturday morning to get an oil change done...what a waste of total time, sorry we dont work on Aprilias we dont have any tools that fit them, "its an oil change how hard can it be", no help what so ever basically told me to F&^k off. Rang Hampton Honda, sorry our mechanics are not on today but you are welcome to do it yourself. WOW that was to easy, went down there used there bench, tools and they supplied me oil and filter and a discount when i went to pay for it..Big ups to the Robin and Ryan, More than went out of there way, but thats not all, bloody bike died 20km out of chch, old owner tells me it my problem thanks for the money... you know who you are...Hampton Honda pick it up for me and help me out yet again..what more could you ask for from a non Aprilia dealership..You guys need anything in CHCH for your bike see them, very friendly and helpfull...makes me want to buy a honda now..

[cynna]

good to hear some good news about a dealer. have never heard of hampton honda tho - where are they at

i think rolling thunder used to be the aprilia dealership once upon a time (maybe - not too sure)

[The Lone Rider]

good to hear some good news about a dealer. have never heard of hampton honda tho - where are they at

i think rolling thunder used to be the aprilia dealership once upon a time (maybe - not too sure)

If i'm not mistaken, they are in hornby

[MVnut]

Yeah, Carmen Road, just up from Hornby Hub shopping centre. I think they still may do Aprilia and Guzzi tho Honda is their main brand. :cool:

[Lucyloo]

That's great service.
There are so many people who are quick to dish out the dirt but not too often do we get to hear about the good news.
Well done Hampton Honda.

[Dave-]

hampton honda? since when?

last i checked they did aprilia and guzzi

I however speal very highly of robin and the lads there, they helped me huge with my dispute with an aprilia i had, infact I still have to get around to dropping them a bottle of something, or a few beers...

[Caladbolg]

Yeah theyre in hornby.. they've just recently changed to a dealer of hondddda from aprilia. They used to sit a SXV550 supermoto out the front.. They are such a sexy looking bike

[The Lone Rider]

dang, sounds like I'd been better off taking my bike there for my service and engine overhaul!

Expecting the bike back end of June!

[98tls]

Nice,out of interest what was the problem when it died down the road?

[nosebleed]

Nice,out of interest what was the problem when it died down the road?

x2. and Rolling Thunder is the rebranded Eric Wood isn't it? in which case your Aprilia shouldn't have been an issue since they were dealing in Aprilia since, well... since ages ago.

Bit of a disappointment that, and to the 'you know who you are'

[stevewederell]

...Aprilla. Just bought a wee Honda so looking out for a place to take her. Good service can be so hard to find too.

:niceone:toHampton, just hope I don't have to see you soon.

[gav]

Hampton have recently taken on the Honda brand, they used to have it years ago, as Hornby Honda. But as a consequence they have had to drop the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi range as Honda wont let there dealers carry other brands, shame really. Emoto will be picking up Aprilia and Moto Guzzi in June.

[TygerTung]

Thats funny, casbolts are/were the ducati dealership, as well as being the honda dealership.

I must say also say bob macleary yamaha in rangiora are very good, rang up about fork seals, he took my creditcard number, two days later they were in my letterbox from auckland!

[XRKID]

I have a suzuki a honda and a yammah and i find rangiora yammaha and hornby honda are one of the better motorcycle shops in canterbury. NOt like casbolts who seam to add their own tax to everything. Hoping to get a job at Hamptons honda, will make work on my v4 much easier.

[Jerry74]

Recommend Hamptons to all !!! Will shave a few bucks off here and there once they get to know you.

Textile riding gear is cheaper than anywhere else in ChCh.

Friendly and helpful.

Go and visit them. :Punk:

[lostinflyz]

halleluyah. Finally a Honda dealer that doesnt hate you. Praise be the lord.

Have been to these guys previously and they seemed pretty good. Sounds like genuine good cunts all round. bout time.

[zulu]

Same experience here. I bought a bike in Chch - needed to sort out some gear for the ride back up to Wellington. Hampton Honda were great - stayed late, gave professional friendly service and were reasonably priced. I'd definitely make them my local parts and service shop if I lived nearby.

[sleemanj]

Yep definate thumbs up for Hamptons :2thumbsup

[SMOKEU]

Fuck Hampton Honda. My scooter was running rough at high revs so I took it to them. They said the exhaust was blocked. I paid them about $160. On the way home it cut out and wouldn't start (something it had never done before they fucked it) so I had to push my scooter home. I then had to pay someone with a ute to take it back to Hampton Honda. I got it back a few days later and they were going on about how it was running real mint now and that I shouldn't have any problems with it. It still ran like shit when I got it back, exactly the same as before I sent it in to them in the first place. They couldn't even fix a basic 2 stroke, yet they had the nerve to rip me off and deny that there even was a problem with it. I didn't even get an apology after they fucked it.

[NZTransalp]

Perhaps not the cheapest but what top service! Recently had a break down and then needed further work - all a long way from home so not an ideal situation. They were just great. Highly recommended! Cool shop as well!

[{.bLanK}G_o_D]

Fuck Hampton Honda.

I can tell by the way you articulate yourself that there is more to your story than you are telling us.

My NSR engine was recently rebuilt by Mark at Hampton Honda.
Brilliant job, brilliant service. I recommend them to everybody.
Their part of assembling the new motor, big bore kit, new spannys and getting her running went very fast and professional with a side dish of friendly.

:rockon:

[SMOKEU]

I can tell by the way you articulate yourself that there is more to your story than you are telling us.

My NSR engine was recently rebuilt by Mark at Hampton Honda.
Brilliant job, brilliant service. I recommend them to everybody.
Their part of assembling the new motor, big bore kit, new spannys and getting her running went very fast and professional with a side dish of friendly.

:rockon:

They are a bunch of fuckwits who ripped me off. They couldn't fix a basic 2 stroke and they didn't even apologize after they fucked my scooter. They cost me over $180 + lots of my time. That is the worst customer service I have ever experienced.

[onearmedbandit]

They are a bunch of fuckwits who ripped me off. They couldn't fix a basic 2 stroke and they didn't even apologize after they fucked my scooter. They cost me over $180 + lots of my time. That is the worst customer service I have ever experienced.

Still reckon there is more to this story. We've dealt with them as well, buying a new bike, and like everyone else says had great service. You, on the other hand are the only one here so far with a complaint.

[thealmightytaco]

Still reckon there is more to this story.

Yeah, just to spark some flame I'm gonna predict it was either "I rev it to snot while Hamptons only fixed it so it revs where it should", or a case of "Hamptons couldn't fix a basic chinese copy of a 2 stroke," in which case you wasted much more on the scooter than you did at Hamptons.

[SMOKEU]

Still reckon there is more to this story. We've dealt with them as well, buying a new bike, and like everyone else says had great service. You, on the other hand are the only one here so far with a complaint.

I'm telling the full story here. They could have at least given me monetary compensation after they fucked me around and I had to pay someone to take the scooter on the back of a ute back to them to fix. I was not happy having to push the scooter home after they fucked it. They should have done the decent thing and given me back the $160 or so that I paid them. You fuck it, you pay for it. Fair enough?

[onearmedbandit]

I'm telling the full story here. They could have at least given me monetary compensation after they fucked me around and I had to pay someone to take the scooter on the back of a ute back to them to fix. I was not happy having to push the scooter home after they fucked it. They should have done the decent thing and given me back the $160 or so that I paid them. You fuck it, you pay for it. Fair enough?

Sounds like you have a legitimate issue then. I take it you spoke with the manager about this.

[SMOKEU]

Sounds like you have a legitimate issue then. I take it you spoke with the manager about this.

I sure did. In the end they said it was running quite well but I needed to clean the exhaust out. When I asked how to clean the exhaust out they couldn't give me a clear answer. They're the 'specialists' so they should have fixed it. Anything faster than 45kmh on the speedo and it would start to splutter really badly like it wasn't getting fuel, and it would feel like it's stalling, only to pop into life 5 seconds later. That was happning at 3/4 throttle and full throttle.

[{.bLanK}G_o_D]

I'm telling the full story here. They could have at least given me monetary compensation after they fucked me around and I had to pay someone to take the scooter on the back of a ute back to them to fix. I was not happy having to push the scooter home after they fucked it. They should have done the decent thing and given me back the $160 or so that I paid them. You fuck it, you pay for it. Fair enough?

Let me guess.
You rang them and said, "You fucking cunts fucked my bike! Fucking thing shit out on the way home, it's all your fault, you useless mother fuckers couldn't fix an orgy in a fucking brothel!"

Something a bit like that was it?
I would tell you to piss off too!
You are going to realize one of these days getting all agro gets you nowheres.

[SMOKEU]

Let me guess.
You rang them and said, "You fucking cunts fucked my bike! Fucking thing shit out on the way home, it's all your fault, you useless mother fuckers couldn't fix an orgy in a fucking brothel!"

Something a bit like that was it?
I would tell you to piss off too!
You are going to realize one of these days getting all agro gets you nowheres.

I didn't get abusive and I ddin't swear at them.

[imdying]

Soooo... your already fucked scooter, fucked out on the way home, just after they looked at it and they told you it was fucked. And this is somehow their fault? You're aware that telling such a story on here makes you sound like an exceptionally large dickhead?

[Bikernereid]

When looking for break pads at the very last minute Ryan was exceptionally helpful and went out of his way to accommodate!! Nice attitude & great customer service!!!

[CRM]

Yep +1 from me. During my tour of the South Island last week I dropped my fully loaded VFR in Hornby McDonalds carpark, breaking both mirrors:angry: and my foot :sick:- went down to Hamptons and they made me put my foot up while they sorted out some replacement mirrors - picked them up from the wholesalers - and fitted them - only charged for the mirrors - no labour. Excellent service - highly recommended :rockon:.

[Hurrie]

The guys at hampton honda have to be the best at what they do, i always go to them for all my fixing up and they are always more than happy to help. bit pricey sometimes but its worth it for the great service they do. They were pretty good at showing a newbie a few things about bikes and how to take care of them. And i've also found that as you build your loyalty to them they give you mad discounts so BONUS! Cheers Mark, Ryan and Joseph for all your help!

[phoenixgtr]

Big thumbs up for Hampton from me. A good bunch of guys

[austin1960]

These guys are the amazing. Went to Christchurch from Tauranga to buy a bike privately, On Friday picked up bike only to find owner had not checked oil amongst other things, tried ringing Rolling thunder on Saturday morning to get an oil change done...what a waste of total time, sorry we dont work on Aprilias we dont have any tools that fit them, "its an oil change how hard can it be", no help what so ever basically told me to F&^k off. Rang Hampton Honda, sorry our mechanics are not on today but you are welcome to do it yourself. WOW that was to easy, went down there used there bench, tools and they supplied me oil and filter and a discount when i went to pay for it..Big ups to the Robin and Ryan, More than went out of there way, but thats not all, bloody bike died 20km out of chch, old owner tells me it my problem thanks for the money... you know who you are...Hampton Honda pick it up for me and help me out yet again..what more could you ask for from a non Aprilia dealership..You guys need anything in CHCH for your bike see them, very friendly and helpfull...makes me want to buy a honda now..

I have also found Hamptons to be very good and willing to go out of there way to help. You do not get the impression you are a nuisance there unlike some other shops.

[Tigadee]

I have a suzuki a honda and a yammah and i find rangiora yammaha and hornby honda are one of the better motorcycle shops in canterbury.

Old Bob's moved up to Welly - I bought my old XJ400 from him early this year...

[SMOKEU]

Nice thread dredge.

[Dave-]

Nice thread dredge.

Nice spam.

I just had the forks of my R6 done by Mark at Hampton Motorcycles (as it is now known) perfect job as expected, also got him to touch up a few things here and there while he was at it.

He even set my fiddly silly steering damper back exactly as it was.

But then I would say that.

[SMOKEU]

Nice spam.

I just had the forks of my R6 done by Mark at Hampton Motorcycles (as it is now known) perfect job as expected, also got him to touch up a few things here and there while he was at it.

He even set my fiddly silly steering damper back exactly as it was.

But then I would say that.

Maybe things have changed in the years since I've been there.

[gammaguy]

Maybe things have changed in the years since I've been there.


Yeah they've changed franchises more times than a schoolgirls panties at a Justin bieber concert

[anebv8]

Emoto in Moorehouse Ave deal with Aprillia, bought some body armour from them and drooled all over their bikes ;)

[Kevin McEntee]

I have had, what I consider to be, the best, the very best example of what the term service means by shopping at Hamptons. I purchased a Honda St1300 off Robin and I cannot speak highly enough of what he did for me. Not only did he allow me a bit of time to get the necessary funds in order, he discounted the price on everything I bought. Along with the bike I bought a new helmet, jacket and gloves. Not only this but Hamptons supplied me, free of charge, a top box for the bike. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Hamptons to anyone for anything they require in the way of motorcycling. Thanks very much Robin, it was an absolute pleasure dealing with you, and believe me, you will be the first person I will tell people to go to.

[quickbuck]

5 Years on, and still providing great service....... Something in that I reckon...

[thepom]

SMOKEU on a scooter= tool lol...

[SMOKEU]

SMOKEU on a scooter= tool lol...

Better than walking.

[JT3K]

Hey forum

Are these guys still in business, they seem to only have a facebook page with very little activity and their website is broke. I could try calling them but who has the time during biz hours?

[onearmedbandit]

Hey forum

Are these guys still in business, they seem to only have a facebook page with very little activity and their website is broke. I could try calling them but who has the time during biz hours?

Still operating as far as I know (been overseas for 2mths) but no longer a Honda dealer.

[sleemanj]

Hey forum

Are these guys still in business, they seem to only have a facebook page with very little activity and their website is broke. I could try calling them but who has the time during biz hours?

You could try to email them from the yellow pages listing
http://yellow.co.nz/y/hampton-motorcycles-carmen?src=name

[AllanB]

Have not been a Honda dealer for ages. Still there, unsure what if any specific brand they have as I can account for the major ones and exotic ones (MV etc) elsewhere.

[Dave-]

Hey forum

Are these guys still in business, they seem to only have a facebook page with very little activity and their website is broke. I could try calling them but who has the time during biz hours?

parts: parts@hamptonmotorcycles.co.nz
sales: sales@hamptonmotorcycles.co.nz

[HenryDorsetCase]

I called in a couple of weeks ago. Lot of P & A inventory, not many bikes. two staff on in FOH (mid week) not sure about workshop.

As others said not a Honda dealer. Also a for lease/for sale sign out front.

[Dave-]

I called in a couple of weeks ago. Lot of P & A inventory, not many bikes. two staff on in FOH (mid week) not sure about workshop.

As others said not a Honda dealer. Also a for lease/for sale sign out front.

They pride themselves on their range and display. For example their ladies gear section is almost as big as the entire gear section at ACS, and much bigger than the entire gear and parts section at Norjo's.

They're getting Honda consumables from overseas and they're moving building, they've got a pretty cool plan ahead.

Best place for gear in Christchurch, maybe New Zealand?

[Autech]

They pride themselves on their range and display. For example their ladies gear section is almost as big as the entire gear section at ACS, and much bigger than the entire gear and parts section at Norjo's.

They're getting Honda consumables from overseas and they're moving building, they've got a pretty cool plan ahead.

Best place for gear in Christchurch, maybe New Zealand?

Be hard to beat Boyd's in Hamilton! I will go have a look there for my next helmet though :2thumbsup

[Gremlin]

I think I recall that they were better off not being a branded dealer and being restricted. They have tools and equipment for multiple brands, so service several?

Very helpful when we're down that way...

[AllanB]

Will service anything.

A 'no brand' dealer? wonder if they are doing used imports? Suppose I could always pop in :-)

[T.W.R]

Probably had more brand changes than any other dealer in chch :yes:
Still remember the old days when they were in the Branston buildings selling hondas in one half of the shop & pushies in the other.

[Grumph]

Probably had more brand changes than any other dealer in chch :yes:
Still remember the old days when they were in the Branston buildings selling hondas in one half of the shop & pushies in the other.

That's a definite. And the ones they've had - Yamaha and BMW come to mind - have struggled to regain footing here afterwards due to poor pricing policy by Hamptons.
Personally I'd doubt if specialising in accessories and clothing would work in the ChCh market, particularly with the high ground rentals now common.

[onearmedbandit]

That's a definite. And the ones they've had - Yamaha and BMW come to mind - have struggled to regain footing here afterwards due to poor pricing policy by Hamptons.
Personally I'd doubt if specialising in accessories and clothing would work in the ChCh market, particularly with the high ground rentals now common.

TP Yamaha seem to be doing fine, an industry insider told me they're the biggest selling Yamaha dealer in NZ. And BMW seem to be doing fine at Avon City.

[T.W.R]

TP Yamaha seem to be doing fine, an industry insider told me they're the biggest selling Yamaha dealer in NZ. And BMW seem to be doing fine at Avon City.

Near 20yrs since Hampton had the yamaha dealership so the landscape has changed a fair bit since then Tommy had pulled the pin & was sharing premises with Kevin at his shop on Durham st.
Monarch had closed its doors in Hornby and Bob McCleary was just finding his feet in Rangiora & The ex Tommy's salesman was struggling with a fledgling business in Linwood so Yamaha was out in the cold in chch. Trevor Pierce wasn't brand affiliated till the shop in Linwood died & hampton lost it.
Hamptons 2nd site was imo the best store in chch (at the time & now) for layout just the ease of access to the place was horrid.

[Grumph]

Near 20yrs since Hampton had the yamaha dealership so the landscape has changed a fair bit since then Tommy had pulled the pin & was sharing premises with Kevin at his shop on Durham st.
Monarch had closed its doors in Hornby and Bob McCleary was just finding his feet in Rangiora & The ex Tommy's salesman was struggling with a fledgling business in Linwood so Yamaha was out in the cold in chch. Trevor Pierce wasn't brand affiliated till the shop in Linwood died & hampton lost it.
Hamptons 2nd site was imo the best store in chch (at the time & now) for layout just the ease of access to the place was horrid.

Ha - I helped Grunter get the Yamaha sub agency going. Mollers reckoned that there were no road bike parts sales in ChCh while Hamptons had the agency. They told us that it would be 95% farm parts and maybe 5% road. Once it became known how Grunter was pricing stuff the road bikes came out of sheds and parts flew out the door. From a hole in the wall in Linwood ave, top parts sales in NZ for 2 years...

[AllanB]

I'm sure Hamptons had Guzzi for a short period.

[Coldrider]

When I was buying trailies years ago it was Holland Honda & Honda City, Casbolts, McCleary and Cresswell swapped agencies overnight. Now when I go back to the olds the place is **cked.

[T.W.R]

When I was buying trailies years ago it was Holland Honda & Honda City, Casbolts, McCleary and Cresswell swapped agencies overnight. Now when I go back to the olds the place is **cked.

Hollands, Casbolts, Whitings, Hornby (Hampton) were Honda as long as I can remember. Tommy McCleary was Suzuki then moved from Manchester St (Eric Woods site) to St Asaph St & took on Yamaha; Eric Wood moved from Moorehouse Ave
(roughly were Southside Kawasaki was) & took Suzuki on. Norjos started out as Suzuki (have a Norjos Suzuki key ring) then went Kawasaki & have been ever since.
Doug Cresswell were Suzuki for as long as I can remember till they closed their doors....as a kid was there almost every week with the old man (Eddie McCann workshop manager was the old mans mechanic & Evan Norris head mechanic had been engaged to my aunt). Evan worked for Hamptons for a while before retiring.
Kevin McCleary looked after the old family store on the St Asaph/Montreal corner then moved down to Sydenham (montreal/disraeli corner) where he & Tommy saw their days out.

[AllanB]

And you can't forget Christchurch Motorcycles in their early Tuam Street days - a treasure trove of odd and unusual parts and bikes collected inside and out in the sheds.

[T.W.R]

And you can't forget Christchurch Motorcycles in their early Tuam Street days - a treasure trove of odd and unusual parts and bikes collected inside and out in the sheds.

The 1st shop was the best......on the opposite side of St Asaph closer to the hospital, a long narrow dimly lit place like Aladdin's cave pretty dodgy old hole but full of gems.
The 2nd shop & yard was (as a teenager) just straight out cool...dunno how many times I'd parked my arse in the barbers chair and gazed dreamingly over the bikes & bits n bobs around the show room.

[HenryDorsetCase]

The 1st shop was the best......on the opposite side of St Asaph closer to the hospital, a long narrow dimly lit place like Aladdin's cave pretty dodgy old hole but full of gems.
The 2nd shop & yard was (as a teenager) just straight out cool...dunno how many times I'd parked my arse in the barbers chair and gazed dreamingly over the bikes & bits n bobs around the show room.

there used to be a bike wreckers out the back, right? I remember sifting thru stuff looking to fix various POS I had broken stuff on. I remember the Hesketh up in the roof, and a Harley BEARS racebike too.

[Grumph]

Hollands, Casbolts, Whitings, Hornby (Hampton) were Honda as long as I can remember. Tommy McCleary was Suzuki then moved from Manchester St (Eric Woods site) to St Asaph St & took on Yamaha; Eric Wood moved from Moorehouse Ave
(roughly were Southside Kawasaki was) & took Suzuki on. Norjos started out as Suzuki (have a Norjos Suzuki key ring) then went Kawasaki & have been ever since.
Doug Cresswell were Suzuki for as long as I can remember till they closed their doors....as a kid was there almost every week with the old man (Eddie McCann workshop manager was the old mans mechanic & Evan Norris head mechanic had been engaged to my aunt). Evan worked for Hamptons for a while before retiring.
Kevin McCleary looked after the old family store on the St Asaph/Montreal corner then moved down to Sydenham (montreal/disraeli corner) where he & Tommy saw their days out.

Doug Cresswell was a family friend for years. Bought an ex cop 500 triumph off him when he was the Triumph agent. Still remember Sonny Clark (sales manager) turning up to one of the first 1/2 hr production races at Ruapuna with a T120R straight off the floor. Don't know if Doug had OK'd it - but he won anyway. Wore out a new set of mufflers doing it though. Doug was the first yamaha agent in ChCh I think. Yamaha for quite a while before changing.
Anyone remember the short lived kawasaki agency in High St ? Sonny Clark and a mate of his set it up. Didn't last long.
The best one to look at in a lunch hour was the Velocette shop in Tuam st...Jones Bros ?

[T.W.R]

Whiting & Waltho or Adams were the Triumph agents, Bond & Hockley were the BSA agents with workshop upstairs and hoist in the showroom. Sonny Clark & Tommy McCleary were best of mates, the old man beat him a few times at the beach racing at New Brighton.
Bob Burns son (david I think was head of sales) was head of sales at Doug Cs.
ChCh MC was Lindsey Williamson & Joe Hannah they'd bring containers of bikes out from the US & load them to the max with bits to make worthwhile thats a bit of where the parts side came from. Think 1 of the salesmen from Casbolts brought the Hesketh & still has it. The Harley racer( Blackadder) was a mckintosh framed replica of the Sputhe Engineering XLCR racer ridden by Vance Breese in the AFM series in the late 70/early 80s in US.

[Kickaha]

there used to be a bike wreckers out the back, right?

Yes

Jacks Yamaha was also in Oxford terrace before moving up Colombo street, first road bike I ever had a go on came from there

[T.W.R]

My 1st race bike the old man brought from Tommy, 1 season old YZ80 ex Mark Lyndon.....Tom did the old man a pretty sharp deal, but they were mates, had raced together for many yrs & dad had taught Bob to drive ( had 1 of the 1st proper endorsed driving schools in chch).
Eric W was well known as a tight bastard, Eric the hood in certain circles. Remember talking with his boy once & he was having a real moan about the lack of support & having to pay thru the nose for bits for his race bike. Remember seeing Eric pull up front of shop 1 day in the Thunderbird with a cockatoo on his shoulder.....just like a pirate (thought it was quite apt at the time).
My mate brought the only green frame 1000s guzzi that Eric had allocated to the shop. Spent a few hrs there drooling over the Laverda SFC1000. Saw a few of my ex bikes grace the floor there over the years.

[Stylo]

My 1st race bike the old man brought from Tommy, 1 season old YZ80 ex Mark Lyndon.....Tom did the old man a pretty sharp deal, but they were mates, had raced together for many yrs & dad had taught Bob to drive ( had 1 of the 1st proper endorsed driving schools in chch).
Eric W was well known as a tight bastard, Eric the hood in certain circles. Remember talking with his boy once & he was having a real moan about the lack of support & having to pay thru the nose for bits for his race bike. Remember seeing Eric pull up front of shop 1 day in the Thunderbird with a cockatoo on his shoulder.....just like a pirate (thought it was quite apt at the time).
My mate brought the only green frame 1000s guzzi that Eric had allocated to the shop. Spent a few hrs there drooling over the Laverda SFC1000. Saw a few of my ex bikes grace the floor there over the years.

I remember that SFC1000, bright red. It sat there for weeks and no-one was interested, maybe months. Think it was priced at somewhere around 9 grand. I have a picture of it sitting in the showroom.. must dig it out and post it through.

[Kickaha]

I remember the SFC1000, it sat there for weeks and no-one was interested, maybe months. Think it was priced at somewhere around 9 grand. I have a picture of it sitting in the showroom, somewhere

We met a guy in the Cheviot pub the night he bought one, doing a run to Kaikoura to get some miles on it with another mate of his on a race kitted SFC

Rode back to Chch with them the next day, he had instructions to stay under a certain amout of revs but that still meant he could go 160kmh

Swampy was indicating 200kmh on his R90S when the race kitted bike went past like he was going backwards

[Grumph]

Lot of bike shops around then, I used to enjoy a coffee with Tom McCleary when I worked for him many years ago and he used to rave on about when he was in Moorehouse Ave as Tommys Suzuki and how many bikes he used to sell in 1975. He was a miserable bastard though, his office always had the windows shut and the curtains down even on a sunny day. Best thing about him was he used to shout Kentucky fried chicken on a Friday night.


I have a bench from Tommy's Moorhouse Ave. Mate was setting those premises up as a paint and panel shop when we took over his old premises for Budget in St Asaph St. He offered us the benches he didn't want so round there with a skillsaw and trailer...it's come with me now through three moves. About 6 meters long and metal topped, it'll outlast me.
That place was at the time the biggest floor area motorcycle shop in Australasia so Tommy said...certainly cost a fortune to fit out.

[T.W.R]

Just been browsing thru a race program for the 1967 Halswell 100 the ads were as follows:

McCleary Motors, 42 Tuam st
Hornsby & Tapper Ltd, NZs leading motorcycle apparel, 115 Lichfield st
Russell Motor Co (Alistair Sabiston now workshop manager), 27 Manchester st
Bond & Hockley (agents for: BSA, Honda, Ducati), 38 Ferry Rd

Velvin & Cresswell Ltd (distributors for: Triumph, Yamaha, Honda, Vespa), 112-114 Manchester st
Westpoint Glove Co Ltd, 113 Durham st

Jones Bros Ltd, 88 Lichfield st

Waltham Service Station Ltd (Shell), Mick & Gordon Holland, 2 Shakespeare Rd
Scooter, Motorcycle & Moped Services, Manchester st

R Lovegrove, Motorcycle Engineer, 287a St Asaph st

[AllanB]

I remember Norjo having a BMW agency at one point when they were I think in Riccarton Rd as I remember test riding a K75 there.

That's right they did. I think I was on my second new Kawasaki from them when they added BMW - I remember test riding the K75, being disappointed at the lack of guts the R650 had and seriously looking at a R80/GS. Flagged the GS and went on my OE.

[Grumph]

Back in the 70s there was another Honda dealer called Bakers too but I am not sure how popular they were. They may have sold cycles as well.

Yep, Cashel St, pretty much on the edge of the CTV building site. They also had Ducati, I remember the first yellow 750 Sport sitting in the window. A silver 350 single was another feature display. Pretty sure they disappeared when the site was sold to put up what became the CTV building.

[Kickaha]

I remember Norjo having a BMW agency at one point when they were I think in Riccarton Rd as I remember test riding a K75 there.

They were selling BMW from Blenheim road on the corner of Clarence street, not sure if they already had the dealership when they were on what is now the Ilam Toyota site

[ellipsis]

...I saw my first HD in McLearys window when I should have been at school...it seemed a fairly odd and wondrous thing, until all thoughts of it disappeared when a couple of years later I saw my first 400/Four on the floor at Casbolts...it was all irrelevant as I had bought a T250 Hustler by then...and I have a 400/F and a HD in my shed now...all things come to those who wait, I suppose...I spent a lot of time being told being told to fuck off back to school by all of the above mentioned names...my dream was to work in one of them shops...thank fuck my old lady sold me into slavery as an apprentice chippy...

[Stylo]

First Hayabusa I ever saw was in '99 at Hornby Suzuki, where Dress mart is now. It was the Copper colour version. I just stood there and looked at it agog. So ugly and 'what were they thinking' springs to mind ...

Think they had BMW as well on the floor, dual dealership thing. The young Hampton was out the back with his sleeves up, spanner in hand...

[HenryDorsetCase]

Was there or was there not an NR750 on display in Whiting Honda?

I have talked myself into believing that I saw one there. I did do a lot of drugs though so there's that.

[husaberg]

Was there or was there not an NR750 on display in Whiting Honda?

I have talked myself into believing that I saw one there. I did do a lot of drugs though so there's that.

There was a RC30 for years in the corner window facing the intersection, it was brand new and belonged to John Boote.
there was also a CB77 Honda up top near the parts counter built from nearly all NOS parts (I think the frame was a second hand part)

[Grumph]

There was a RC30 for years in the corner window facing the intersection, it was brand new and belonged to John Boote.
there was also a CB77 Honda up top near the parts counter built from nearly all NOS parts (I think the frame was a second hand part)

I remember going in to the old shop East on Cashel in my lunch hour to see the new CB750...Only one in ChCh, been assembled for two days and on display. Ian senior fired it up for me, remarked that they were having to charge the battery every night as everyone wanted to hear it run...
How many shops now will fire a brand new bike so customers can hear it run ?

[husaberg]

I remember going in to the old shop East on Cashel in my lunch hour to see the new CB750...Only one in ChCh, been assembled for two days and on display. Ian senior fired it up for me, remarked that they were having to charge the battery every night as everyone wanted to hear it run...
How many shops now will fire a brand new bike so customers can hear it run ?

Snr was a good old fella, the Mrs Snr was a bit er.......... techy...... I guess both are dead by now.
When I was there last, there was Snr, Mrs Snr, Jnr, Jrn Sister, Jnrs son. Pretty sure Jnrs sisters Husband also worked there at one stage also.

[ellipsis]

I remember going in to the old shop East on Cashel in my lunch hour to see the new CB750...Only one in ChCh, been assembled for two days and on display. Ian senior fired it up for me, remarked that they were having to charge the battery every night as everyone wanted to hear it run...
How many shops now will fire a brand new bike so customers can hear it run ?

...I saw one prior to that ...our neighbour was romantically involved with a crew cut from the base, he had one out here a few moments after it's release in the States, as the yanks could...my love affair with the marque started the second he pulled up on it... the old Beezer at the end of the road and my brothers Francis Barnett suddenly became obsolete...

[husaberg]

...I saw one prior to that ...our neighbour was romantically involved with a crew cut from the base, he had one out here a few moments after it's release in the States, as the yanks could...my love affair with the marque started the second he pulled up on it... the old Beezer at the end of the road and my brothers Francis Barnett suddenly became obsolete...

I remember going out to the airport base for the Yanks in the Mid nineties and picking up a Goldwing 6 and taking it back on the use for a service, The yank officer had flown it over and used it as transport around the base, it wasn't even used on the roads in NZ.
Just as well there were a couple of huge MP's to get it on the ute.

[AllanB]

The early CB's were nice and rowdy too - not like the neutered sounds that slowly puff and wheeze their way out of the exhaust outlet of most modern Hondas. I had liberated my Hornet with Yoshis. Beautiful.

[dangerous]

what a bunch a old cantab cunts...


I used to go to Whiting Honda in my lunch times and while they never sold me a bike due to Hollands Honda always offering a better trade in deal, I did buy a lot of parts off them. .
yeah parts... up stairs were old man and missus W wore a blue smok... fark like it was yesterday, anything ya wanted in stock... not now days



And you can't forget Christchurch Motorcycles in their early Tuam Street days - a treasure trove of odd and unusual parts and bikes collected inside and out in the sheds.
yeah shit yes... as a pimply teen id need parts for my cb125s roll on in around all them biker types feeling well out of place but ya'd be pointed in the direction and strip ya own parts, and yip remember the dentist chair.

Rode a new VF750 out a hornby honda branston buildings, Nevel H ran the pushie shop
Big shop was creswells allways something in there to look at
Brought a cb250T from tommys
and yip the rc30 in the corner window...
But not mentioned is Steve vigus? kawasaki on morehouse, remember the 750 turbos lined up in there.

as for the comment re: NR750... never in NZ... till a couple a years ago when the honda shop in ashburton brought one... its on display at the musume down there... awesome machine

[AllanB]

Max db rating on motorcycles in NZ is 100.

Most stock ones are significantly lower - there will be a compliance sticker on the bike somewhere.

My new Ducati has a sticker saying it is rated at 97db at 5,000 rpm. Much louder than most new bikes.

[ellipsis]

Max db rating on motorcycles in NZ is 100.

Most stock ones are significantly lower - there will be a compliance sticker on the bike somewhere.

My new Ducati has a sticker saying it is rated at 97db at 5,000 rpm. Much louder than most new bikes.

...my bucket is too loud for Levels...so was timg's...the noise made up for lack of everything else...

[gsxr]

what a bunch a old cantab cunts...


yeah parts... up stairs were old man and missus W wore a blue smok... fark like it was yesterday, anything ya wanted in stock... not now days



yeah shit yes... as a pimply teen id need parts for my cb125s roll on in around all them biker types feeling well out of place but ya'd be pointed in the direction and strip ya own parts, and yip remember the dentist chair.

Rode a new VF750 out a hornby honda branston buildings, Nevel H ran the pushie shop
Big shop was creswells allways something in there to look at
Brought a cb250T from tommys
and yip the rc30 in the corner window...
But not mentioned is Steve vigus? kawasaki on morehouse, remember the 750 turbos lined up in there.

as for the comment re: NR750... never in NZ... till a couple a years ago when the honda shop in ashburton brought one... its on display at the musume down there... awesome machine

Slightly off topic but Dangerous mentioned the Kawasaki .
Way back end of 84 I bought Mark and John Boyle of Boyle Kawasaki Wellington GPZ 550 factory racebike to help fund their purchase of the new Kawasaki 750 Turbo of which they brought 3 of them in at the time. First one was assembled by Mark and John whilst we others did the Friday compulsary beer thing as ya do as we all watched in awe. Mark took it for the first run and came back and said FUCK that LOL. John took it for a quick ride and he said sorta the same thing. I took it for a quick blat up the petone Highway and I was sort of the same oppinion . The turbo lag was not pleasant .Under braking the motor was still attempting to propel you forward. Maybe they fixed that maybe they didnt . Or it may well explain why you seldom see them anymore

[dangerous]

The turbo lag was not pleasant .Under braking the motor was still attempting to propel you forward. Maybe they fixed that maybe they didnt . Or it may well explain why you seldom see them anymore
naaaa... the kawa blew to bits a lot IIRC so most proberly went to the heap, however there is a lot in sheds hidden away in NZ

Now the Kawa is the only turbo I havent owned or ridden, so cant comment, how ever I believe its lag was minimal and I dont get the propel forward bit, might be lack of compresion and that brakes were not up to the performance of the engine, they are way different to a naturally asperated bike but way farking cooler



I am more interested on how a bike goes than the sound it makes but if I was going to buy a bike on sound I would get a Ducati Monster.

I think Grumps comment is more related to the fact the CB750 was the 1st muilt pot super bike to be seen or heard, when you have only heard singles and twins the sound of a 4 must have been sceary.

[ellipsis]

Slightly off topic but


...what was the topic ?...

[Grumph]

I think Grumps comment is more related to the fact the CB750 was the 1st muilt pot super bike to be seen or heard, when you have only heard singles and twins the sound of a 4 must have been sceary.

Correct - in fact I remember saying to Ian that it sounded like a hot Mini Cooper....not a bike.


I remember Honda selling a CX500 turbo that also did not last long. I think they were about the same price as a CB750.

I'd suggest that nearly every CX Turbo made is still in existence - not ridden but tucked away in collections. Like the NR's they became instant collectibles.
Best place for them too IMO.

[AllanB]

CX500 Turbo was very expensive in the day. Thus fairly rare on the road. You could just go and buy a CB900F or other big bore bike for less.

[Kickaha]

You cunts just couldn't fucking help yourselves, any minute that fucking Ginga will be back wanking on about the CX500 Turbo

[dangerous]

You cunts just couldn't fucking help yourselves, any minute that fucking Ginga will be back wanking on about the CX500 Turbo
not just the turbo... ALL CX's


I'd suggest that nearly every CX Turbo made is still in existence - not ridden but tucked away in collections. Like the NR's they became instant collectibles.
Best place for them too IMO.NO farking way, mine came from a colector I rode its nuts off... built to ride, defnitly a bike to ride.


I remember Honda selling a CX500 turbo that also did not last long. I think they were about the same price as a CB750.
dont know what the CB was worth but the CX was the 1st bike to pass the 10k tag

[Grumph]

You cunts just couldn't fucking help yourselves, any minute that fucking Ginga will be back wanking on about the CX500 Turbo

Depends how much home brew he's had...Still not as bad as the ChCh owner of one i met who had EVERY piece of honda literature and promo bumf ever produced for the bloody things, including the store display material not available to the public. I heard that when the quakes struck he abandoned the family and ran to save the bloody CX...

[dangerous]

ya wana know what the rearest was... heres yours truly on it at the 87 Brass

317347

[Kickaha]

ya wana know what the rearest was... heres yours truly on it at the 87 Brass

Fuck, that looks like a fucking steep hill

[AllanB]

I had to pry open a window to jump out of to get to the garage to check on my bike ... I had ensured the family were OK first :niceone:


CX500 Turbo - yeah 10k was probably right big bickies back then.

In 1982 I paid $3999 for a new 750 Twin Kawasaki - the fours were under $5 k, Z1000 a bit more.

[T.W.R]

But not mentioned is Steve vigus? kawasaki on morehouse, remember the 750 turbos lined up in there.


Southside Kawasaki :msn-wink:


naaaa... the kawa blew to bits a lot IIRC so most proberly went to the heap, however there is a lot in sheds hidden away in NZ

Now the Kawa is the only turbo I havent owned or ridden, so cant comment, how ever I believe its lag was minimal and I dont get the propel forward bit, might be lack of compresion and that brakes were not up to the performance of the engine, they are way different to a naturally asperated bike but way farking cooler

You had a fairly solid sniff at that GPZ Turbo that came up for sale on TM up Blenheim way a while back.


ya wana know what the rearest was... heres yours truly on it at the 87 Brass

The CX650 Turbo made the 500 look common as muck.
What was one of the original comments made in a test on the 500turbo .... power of a 350 off boost, almost the power of a 1000 on boost and the weight to go with it.


One bike that would have been interesting to know where it ended up was the Katana1100 that sat in Cresswell's for years, under the plastic cover down in the bottom corner of the 2nd hand bikes area opposite the workshop access; was there up until the night of the clearance auction.
When Trevor Pierce started up in the warehouse on Tuam or St Asaph east of Fitzgerald Ave.
Anyone ever experience upstairs at McCleary's Tuam/Durham corner :eek: that was wall to wall bits spread all over the floor. Tommy gave the old man two CZ360 mx bikes in bits, we had a great time putting them together :cool:
One place that used to pop up the odd gem was Bland brothers between Riccarton High & the Cable factory.
I remember when Paul Walton got Pacific Motorcycles up and running and started pumping grey imports into the area, wonder how GSXR750s he moved? once I walked into the show at Brighton and there must have been 8 of them lined up for sale.
One of the most memorable moments was at Norjos when someone took a CBX1000 for a test, it had a 6-1 and the bloke just let loose and hammered it out the driveway & straight up Clyde Rd :first: spectacular sight & awesome noise

[Kickaha]

When Trevor Pierce started up in the warehouse on Tuam or St Asaph east of Fitzgerald Ave.
Sure it wasn't Ferry rd? he was down there near the corner of Lancaster street, then he moved down next to Blue Star out the back of the Shell Station

[HenryDorsetCase]

So Honda had the CX500 Turbo and the CX650 Turbo. Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo. Suzuki XN85.. was there a Yamaha? there must have been right? XJ650 Turbo or something?

I always thought supercharging was a better way for a motorcycle: instant throttle response from down low. I want one of you old bastards to buy me a Rotrex kit and a VFR800.

I can contribute a bag of chips and $3.50

[neels]

So Honda had the CX500 Turbo and the CX650 Turbo. Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo. Suzuki XN85.. was there a Yamaha? there must have been right? XJ650 Turbo or something?
Yep. Same bodywork as the fuel injected XJ750 if I remember correctly....was very space agey for it's time


I always thought supercharging was a better way for a motorcycle: instant throttle response from down low. I want one of you old bastards to buy me a Rotrex kit and a VFR800.

I can contribute a bag of chips and $3.50
Too much drag from the blower on a low torque engine maybe? I've seen how much power they can suck at low revs when driven by an electric motor.

But anyway, I'll also happily contribute $3.50, and bring along a bag of chips to eat while I watch you try and ride it.

[gsxr]

Sure it wasn't Ferry rd? he was down there near the corner of Lancaster street, then he moved down next to Blue Star out the back of the Shell Station
Blair Carpenter was in Ferry Rd for some time before moving to Picton

[T.W.R]

Sure it wasn't Ferry rd? he was down there near the corner of Lancaster street, then he moved down next to Blue Star out the back of the Shell Station

Nah prior Ferry rd. I applied for a workshop apprenticeship and was short listed and had to go there a couple of times; was further over from Ferry rd.

[T.W.R]

Yep. Same bodywork as the fuel injected XJ750 if I remember correctly....was very space agey for it's time.

Pretty much identical the 750D had a full digital dash and a more complexed management system; the fairing & bodywork were different but damn efficient & air assisted suspension front and rear made for a pretty comfy ride.

[dangerous]

So Honda had the CX500 Turbo and the CX650 Turbo. Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo. Suzuki XN85.. was there a Yamaha? there must have been right? XJ650 Turbo or something?

The XJ differed to the others with blow through carburetors, one exhaust pipe altho it had two the other was from the wast gate only...
Now there is one other turbo, built by USA Kawasaki, they needed to move excess Z1000's so on went a single blow through carb and turbo.
http://www.turbomotorcycles.org/TMIOA/Bike_Kawasaki_Z1RTC.html
http://www.turbomotorcycles.org/TMIOA/Bike_Honda_CX500Tc.html
http://www.turbomotorcycles.org/TMIOA/Bike_Yamaha_XJ650.html
http://www.turbomotorcycles.org/TMIOA/Bike_Honda_CX650Td.html
http://www.turbomotorcycles.org/TMIOA/Bike_Suzuki_XN85D.html
http://www.turbomotorcycles.org/TMIOA/Bike_Kawasaki_ZX750.html

[Grumph]

When Trevor Pierce started up in the warehouse on Tuam or St Asaph east of Fitzgerald Ave.

That wasn't TP - that was trev and me at Budget in St Asaph st opposite Wormalds. can't remember where TP was - but he bought a lot through trev...

Anyone ever experience upstairs at McCleary's Tuam/Durham corner :eek: that was wall to wall bits spread all over the floor. Tommy gave the old man two CZ360 mx bikes in bits, we had a great time putting them together :cool:

If you think there was some stuff there, you should have seen old Tom's home - that was where the stuff went which wouldn't go upstairs...

One place that used to pop up the odd gem was Bland brothers between Riccarton High & the Cable factory.

Alan Bland is still going - and has an immense stock of parts scored from buying up dealers in the US going out of brit bikes.

I remember when Paul Walton got Pacific Motorcycles up and running and started pumping grey imports into the area, wonder how GSXR750s he moved? once I walked into the show at Brighton and there must have been 8 of them lined up for sale.

I did quite a bit for pacific. One funny bit, they used to repaint XR/XL Hondas white & sell them as the rare "canadian model". Paul brought in some of the first off road 3 wheelers we'd seen in ChCh - so the vacant section next door got a hammering as we all tried riding them. At least two guys limping after running over their own legs...
Darcy Watson had a Yamaha agency in the main drag of Brighton for quite a while too.


plus 10 characters

[Stylo]

Yeah, Carmen Road, just up from Hornby Hub shopping centre. I think they still may do Aprilia and Guzzi tho Honda is their main brand. :cool:

Saw my first Hayabusa at Hornby Suzuki, 1999 just after they moved there from the Branston buildings.

Never seen anything so ugly but so captivating, copper coloured and a 300kmh speedo. I just stood there, agog, for the 20 minutes while my DT400 was getting a warrant. Neville Hampton, the old man was always floating around saying Hi and having a chat. Think they had BMW on the floor as well. Robin Hampton back then was still in the workshop from memory ...

[AllanB]

Oddly I have absolutely no recall of a Hornby Suzuki. Creswells in town yes. First Katana 1100 wire wheel version. Instant stiffy.


Yammy turbo was the last one from the big 4 Jap builders. Possibly the best mannered but to late to the party and oddly advanced with freaky (for the time) electronic instrument cluster. We were still getting over the opposing direction the Katanas dials spun in.

At the same time there was nothing of interest from Europe as they struggled to keep up with Japan and produce even remotely reliable rides. Apart from the Jotta - shit that bike was the horn and only 'real men' could apply.

Times have truly changed.

[husaberg]

Saw my first Hayabusa at Hornby Suzuki, 1999 just after they moved there from the Branston buildings.

Never seen anything so ugly but so captivating, copper coloured and a 300kmh speedo. I just stood there, agog, for the 20 minutes while my DT400 was getting a warrant. Neville Hampton, the old man was always floating around saying Hi and having a chat. Think they had BMW on the floor as well. Robin Hampton back then was still in the workshop from memory ...

So the same dealership was, Hornby Honda then Hornby Yamaha then Hornby Suzuki..................

[AllanB]

So the same dealership was, Hornby Honda then Hornby Yamaha then Hornby Suzuki..................

They have had many, many brands ...... brand sluts really. Which in itself is not bad - at least they know them all :yes:

I have no idea of the process of either being dumped or dumping a brand of motorcycle in your shop. I do know they were landed with all the Guzzis they had in the shop when changing to their next brand. Guzzi importers would not take them back. Same happened when the HD dealer had Guzi and was going exclusively Guzzi - shit they had good deals getting them off the shop floor. Should have purchased one!

[dangerous]

Oddly I have absolutely no recall of a Hornby Suzuki. Creswells in town yes. First Katana 1100 wire wheel version. Instant stiffy.


Yammy turbo was the last one from the big 4 Jap builders. Possibly the best mannered but to late to the party and oddly advanced with freaky (for the time) electronic instrument cluster. We were still getting over the opposing direction the Katanas dials spun in.


LMFAO instant indeed...
hampton zookie was 90's well after creswells etc were about
re yamie comments... well manered.. it was the least powerfull, electronic instrument cluster??? na just the usual diles and idiot lights... ya not thinking of the XJ750 like the coppers used?

[AllanB]

Well mannered - that's bike speak for least powerful!

Years may be blurring the memory - a Google shows a fugly instrument consul. Maybe Honda had the first fancy electronic one was it the VFR that had the graphic rev counter?

The last CX turbo was a 650. But I do not remember a standard CX of that capacity.

What's a tidy CX turbo worth today?

[dangerous]

Maybe Honda had the first fancy electronic one was it the VFR that had the graphic rev counter?

The last CX turbo was a 650. But I do not remember a standard CX of that capacity.

What's a tidy CX turbo worth today?

the VF750 Saber had a fancy dash...
yeah the 650 ED same as the 500EC (euro sport) also availble in custom form.
7-8k I know were mine is and when I have the funds it will be mine again, got about 30k on it and open replica mufflers that I had made up in Brissie buy the guy that built replica mufflers in chch back in the day, farked if I can remember his name.

[Grumph]

the VF750 Saber had a fancy dash...
yeah the 650 ED same as the 500EC (euro sport) also availble in custom form.
7-8k I know were mine is and when I have the funds it will be mine again, got about 30k on it and open replica mufflers that I had made up in Brissie buy the guy that built replica mufflers in chch back in the day, farked if I can remember his name.

Dennis Foran ? He's back in ChCh.

[dangerous]

Dennis Foran ? He's back in ChCh.what was the name of his shop was between tuam and st asif wee rd that joined the to?

[Grumph]

what was the name of his shop was between tuam and st asif wee rd that joined the to?

Can't remember - was it where Dirt Action is now ? Dennis was down Palmers Rd Brighton for a long while.

[Kickaha]

what was the name of his shop was between tuam and st asif wee rd that joined the to?

Are you sure you're not thinking of Saxon street, between Tuam and Cashel ?

[dangerous]

Are you sure you're not thinking of Saxon street, between Tuam and Cashel ?yip thats it... mighta been Noel?

[husaberg]

the VF750 Saber had a fancy dash...
yeah the 650 ED same as the 500EC (euro sport) also availble in custom form.
7-8k I know were mine is and when I have the funds it will be mine again, got about 30k on it and open replica mufflers that I had made up in Brissie buy the guy that built replica mufflers in chch back in the day, farked if I can remember his name.

There was the tourer as well "silver wing"

[T.W.R]

plus 10 characters

Thought Budget started up just between Manchester & Colombo beside where Atlantic Motorcycle Company started (shared the driveway between the buildings). Had rather short lived relationship with a white XL250SA from there (48hrs or there abouts) ;)



Yammy turbo was the last one from the big 4 Jap builders.

GPZ750 Turbo was the last from the japs.

The Yamaha XJ Turbo had a analog dash long slender instrument panel, the XJ750D had a full digital dash (we weren't meant to get them, total grey import). And the cops used the 1st spec XJ750 Seca, had the wee fog light slung under the main headlight.

VF750 Sabre had a long slender analog dash with the top corners nipped off & a odd grid pattern in green on the backing panel



Dennis Foran ? He's back in ChCh.


Are you sure you're not thinking of Saxon street, between Tuam and Cashel ?

Saxon Street Exhaust Specialists 29 Saxon St, had the Harris Pipes franchise. Built a full Harris F3 pipe system for my Mirage then Phil Payne tuned it.

Thinking of Phil remember when he had Doctor Desmo, Don had Pitlane, & Andy had Motorcycle Restorations all in the same building on Tuam St

[Grumph]

Thought Budget started up just between Manchester & Colombo beside where Atlantic Motorcycle Company started (shared the driveway between the buildings). Had rather short lived relationship with a white XL250SA from there (48hrs or there abouts) ;)


Trev had been running a mail order specialist parts business for some years before he was talked into opening a shop in Lincoln Rd. From there I think it was Ferry Rd - same premises Blair had later. Then center of town, corner St Asaph St and the one way South. Then St Asaph St East outside Fitzgerald ave which is where I came in. Then to where they are now.

Atlantic started where you mention then to a car sales yard in Fitzgerald ave which is where they finished when Bill died.

[Kickaha]

Thinking of Phil remember when he had Doctor Desmo, Don had Pitlane, & Andy had Motorcycle Restorations all in the same building on Tuam St
I thought Phil had the original Cycletreads in that building at 50 Tuam st (I Think) Then he moved down the road to the corner of Montreal/Tuan/Oxford Terrace


Trev had been running a mail order specialist parts business for some years before he was talked into opening a shop in Lincoln Rd. From there I think it was Ferry Rd - same premises Blair had later. Then center of town, corner St Asaph St and the one way South. Then St Asaph St East outside Fitzgerald ave which is where I came in. Then to where they are now.

Atlantic started where you mention then to a car sales yard in Fitzgerald ave which is where they finished when Bill died.

Budget were also in Blenheim road in between St Asaph st Branches

I bought my BMW 750/7 off Bill in 1988

[Grumph]

I thought Phil had the original Cycletreads in that building at 50 Tuam st (I Think) Then he moved down the road to the corner of Montreal/Tuan/Oxford Terrace



Budget were also in Blenheim road in between St Asaph st Branches

I bought my BMW 750/7 off Bill in 1988

Yep, memory has kicked in, Blenheim Rd with his brother in law, Terry, who's still around doing mobile mechanicing.

Bill Jefferies sold a lot of bikes both at Eric Wood's and Atlantic. Nice guy, much missed. Good rider too, raced for a few years locally.

That building at 50 Tuam was a bloody dungeon. I believe Phil started up there as a franchise but fairly soon was on his own with only the name in common with the NI.

[husaberg]

Velvin and Cresswell used to be across the road from there at the west end of Tuam too then moved to the East on the same street closer to Madras St on the same side of the Rd in the early '70's, not far from where the Mobil is now. Think they went Suzuki, must have been about '75.

Ch Ch Motorcycles also began on Tuam St near the hospital and near the Pegasus pub. Correct me if I'm wrong. Took a Second hand DT- 360 out for a test ride but, at $500 , it was out of my price range...

Still remember 'Pit Stop' motorcycle spares started out in Bath St too, then Madras not far North of the Countdown Supermarket by a few meters on the same side of the road. Nigel Wood was the man . After a few years 'Pit stop' moved up to Madras on the East side and closer to Lichfield St , they just got the Kawasaki dirt bike dealership and, back then every dirt bike was a 2 stroke, trail bikes excluded.

There was another shop with a wrecker attacked on either Barbados or Madras can't remember what it was called? Superior?
There was also another wreaker over by allparts at can't remember what that was either.

[gsxr]

Ok My mind isnt as good as it used to be or should be/needs to be.

Things have changed around Christchurch and shops come and go or move.
Am I correct in thinking that Rolling Thunder are now in the old Eric Woods Suzuki store.

AND about 2 door down was another bike shop with Pit Lane out the back doing tyres and bits and pieces or am I more confused that I think I am

Cheers

[AllanB]

Ok My mind isnt as good as it used to be or should be/needs to be.

Things have changed around Christchurch and shops come and go or move.
Am I correct in thinking that Rolling Thunder are now in the old Eric Woods Suzuki store.

AND about 2 door down was another bike shop with Pit Lane out the back doing tyres and bits and pieces or am I more confused that I think I am

Cheers


Correct. Pit lane a few doors down. Building gone now. ANd Pit Lane has been in Darfield for 3 plus years

[husaberg]

What was the Ducati workshop in the industrial estate next to Beaumont engineering, out towards Cashmere called

[dangerous]

Correct. Pit lane a few doors down. Building gone now. ANd Pit Lane has been in Darfield for 3 plus years

NOT any longer... moved to his Glentunnel property, still selling and trading, by apointment mostely

[AllanB]

NOT any longer... moved to his Glentunnel property, still selling and trading, by apointment mostely

Oh...... Country life got to Don then.

Shame - it was good having a dedicated tyre shop in competition with the other dedicated tyre shop....

[dangerous]

Oh...... Country life got to Don then.

Shame - it was good having a dedicated tyre shop in competition with the other dedicated tyre shop....

no no... still doing the same deals Allan I wont go anywere else, new work shop but at his own property, was kicked out of the darield shop rent to high etc and its air marked to come down

[flashg]

Oh...... Country life got to Don then.



Shame - it was good having a dedicated tyre shop in competition with the other dedicated tyre shop....


Had a nice argument with Bill at the other tyre shop you speak of less than six months ago.
Was looking for a new 18" rear for one of my enduro bikes, his words were my bikes were to old as nobody makes bikes with 18" rear, only 19" these days 18" are hard to get. He wouldn't back down even when I told him one was 2012 and other 2014 justified himself by saying mine were oddballs
And yes you guessed it........I bought it somewhere else.

[Kickaha]

What was the Ducati workshop in the industrial estate next to Beaumont engineering, out towards Cashmere called

Desmocycle, Phil Sutton, he is out near Darfield now

[husaberg]

There used to be a bike exhaust place in ChCh called Motorcycle Exhaust Specialists. Have not seen any advertising from them for years so assume they are no longer around.


Motorcycle Exhaust Specialists

Hes is out at Lewis pass now in the old MOW camp
He has as a very yellow Lada.

'there was also
Graeme Harris
Harris Pipes
Private Bag 55004
Orchard Road Mail center
Christchurch 8154
New Zealand

He used to do a roaring trade in pipes for Harleys.

[gsxr]

Is that the same guys that had the workshop in Saxon Street.If so they built the pipes for my race bike like 30 years ago .

[dangerous]

Had a nice argument with Bill at the other tyre shop you speak of less than six months ago.
yip been there done that, had bigger issues with the preivious owner tho, but they tared with the same brush... wont steep foot in there PITLANE all the way.



Desmocycle, Phil Sutton, he is out near Darfield now hey Kick ya will love this... the kids in our wee hood (suttons hood) were out doing that trick or reat shit all nabours were great... till Phils were ye bellowed from the modern day mantion that he resides in "FUCK OFF YOU LOT"




Motorcycle Exhaust Specialists

Hes is out at Lewis pass now in the old MOW camp
He has as a very yellow Lada.

'there was also
Graeme Harris
Harris Pipes
Private Bag 55004
Orchard Road Mail center
Christchurch 8154
New Zealand

He used to do a roaring trade in pipes for Harleys.

LOL... Harris is the above you mention, recently built a very nice replica muffler for the xn turbo


Is that the same guys that had the workshop in Saxon Street.If so they built the pipes for my race bike like 30 years ago .No


Not sure if they are still going but I visited High Country Motorcycles once on the outskirts of Fairlie.
yeah shit yes, we have one of his builds a xbr12 he does very nice work, very hard to get a hold of.

[Grumph]

Not sure if they are still going but I visited High Country Motorcycles once on the outskirts of Fairlie. They were importers of secondhand Harley and European bikes. I remember there was a Motoguzzi, Korean or possibly Taiwanese bike shop on the cnr of Manchester and Bath before the earthquakes and he traded from inside Sportzone Suzuki after the earthquake.

Your memory is at fault, High Country is on the outskirts of Methven - and still there.

[dangerous]

Your memory is at fault, High Country is on the outskirts of Methven - and still there.

HAHA... got ya father X... I can asure you he is on the out skirts of FAIRILE

[HenryDorsetCase]

Motorcycle Exhaust Specialists

Hes is out at Lewis pass now in the old MOW camp
He has as a very yellow Lada.

'there was also
Graeme Harris
Harris Pipes
Private Bag 55004
Orchard Road Mail center
Christchurch 8154
New Zealand

He used to do a roaring trade in pipes for Harleys.

I have Graeme Harris' current business card. He works for the Polytechnic now, teaching people how to do stuff. I went to a motorbike show recently and he was there with a stand and they had this grass kart racer that the students had built. Nice guy. Still does a bit of stuff on the side and owns the dyno as well. Last time I saw it Glenn was using it at Street and Sport doing stuff on his VFR400

here is a linky I found

http://www.cpit.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/go-karts-too-good-not-to-race

[HenryDorsetCase]

I wonder if that guy with the overpriced SR400 ever sells anything? he is in the middle of buttfuck nowhere too....

errr this guy

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-890492740.htm

[Grumph]

HAHA... got ya father X... I can asure you he is on the out skirts of FAIRILE

Yep, got me again. Outskirts of Methven is Spring lynn. I claim lack of opportunity to do the mileage you do....


I wonder if that guy with the overpriced SR400 ever sells anything? he is in the middle of buttfuck nowhere too....

errr this guy

I believe he does. Has some unusual bikes occasionally.

[nudemetalz]

There was another shop with a wrecker attacked on either Barbados or Madras can't remember what it was called? Superior?
There was also another wreaker over by allparts at can't remember what that was either.

Yup Superior,...was owned by a tight wad dude called Nigel. Used to buy a lot of bits off him for my buckets back in the 80s and 90s

[nudemetalz]

I posted this up years ago but seems fitting for this thread...Here's one for you oldies.....My old man's Mach111 outside a "certain shop" in 1970..... :)

[Grumph]

I posted this up years ago but seems fitting for this thread...Here's one for you oldies.....My old man's Mach111 outside a "certain shop" in 1970..... :)

Manchester street frontage in the period when it was Triumph/Yamaha - and your old man was in the parts dept..
Doug must have been out - if he'd seen a kawasaki being photographed out front he'd have been out and said something.

[nudemetalz]

Manchester street frontage in the period when it was Triumph/Yamaha - and your old man was in the parts dept..
Doug must have been out - if he'd seen a kawasaki being photographed out front he'd have been out and said something.

Funny you should say that,...as you know he was racing a YR-5 not long after that !!

[husaberg]

LOL... Harris is the above you mention, recently built a very nice replica muffler for the xn turbo

No


yeah shit yes, we have one of his builds a xbr12 he does very nice work, very hard to get a hold of.


I have Graeme Harris' current business card. He works for the Polytechnic now, teaching people how to do stuff. I went to a motorbike show recently and he was there with a stand and they had this grass kart racer that the students had built. Nice guy. Still does a bit of stuff on the side and owns the dyno as well. Last time I saw it Glenn was using it at Street and Sport doing stuff on his VFR400

here is a linky I found

http://www.cpit.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/go-karts-too-good-not-to-race

Well I am f-ing confused?

So harris has the Yellow Lada out at Lewis Pass? if so why does he have two company names?
I remember going to his workshop I think it was it was over somewhere parallel to the Railway lines on the port hills side?

[Grumph]

Well I am f-ing confused?

So harris has the Yellow Lada out at Lewis Pass? if so why does he have two company names?
I remember going to his workshop I think it was it was over somewhere parallel to the Railway lines on the port hills side?

Reasonably simple....Motorcycle Ex specialsts have the "licence" to make harris pipes from G Harris.
They're up the Lewis...And the owner's name is Graeme...
Graham Harris himself is in ChCh - as has been said, tutoring at what seems to be a combination of Poly and Uni.

[Grumph]

Funny you should say that,...as you know he was racing a YR-5 not long after that !!

So was I - but mine was homebuilt TR3. If your dad was still around i'd be asking where the TR3 pistons are i ordered.....

[nudemetalz]

So was I - but mine was homebuilt TR3. If your dad was still around i'd be asking where the TR3 pistons are i ordered.....

I think these are them,...sorry they're a little late,..and he ran them in for you..... ;)

[dangerous]

ok... seen as we now have our own thread, heres one for ya... a couple a doors down from Jacks yamaha, Stu White what was the shop called and were was he pror to that?

I know ;)

[cynna]

got my first bike from pacific motorcylces in new brighton. they moved opposite linwoood city and then from memory next to eric woods suzuki

[Kickaha]

ok... seen as we now have our own thread, heres one for ya... a couple a doors down from Jacks yamaha, Stu White what was the shop called and were was he pror to that?

I know ;)

You mean after Jacks moved to Colombo street?

Wasn't that Classic lines before they moved to Sawyers Arms road?

[HenryDorsetCase]

got my first bike from pacific motorcylces in new brighton. they moved opposite linwoood city and then from memory next to eric woods suzuki

was that Tony Holtham? It ultimately became Street and Sport in Manchester street?

[Grumph]

I remember reading in a history book on ChCh there was a shop called Bells Motorworks in Litchfield St that sold Harleys.

Correct - my old man worked there pre war. They were also AJS agents and the old man won the NZ beach race title 3 years running on an ex works Big Port 350 they owned. The building existed pre quakes and still with the Bells up on the pediment. Gone now I think.


You mean after Jacks moved to Colombo street?

Wasn't that Classic lines before they moved to Sawyers Arms road?

Yeah, Classic Lines - no idea where Stu came from, he just appeared in Colombo St.....i know where he is now though....

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yeah, Classic Lines - no idea where Stu came from, he just appeared in Colombo St.....i know where he is now though....

Does he still Whitech or whatever it was called? I bought some clipons from him for my VFR a couple years ago

[Grumph]

was that Tony Holtham? It ultimately became Street and Sport in Manchester street?

Don't think so. Paul wound Pacific up volountarily and moved to aussie. Back again I hear. As is John Shand who "worked" there.....

[Grumph]

Does he still Whitech or whatever it was called? I bought some clipons from him for my VFR a couple years ago

In another line of business now but probably would still make the odd bit. Last time i spoke to him he was looking for a TZ to restore.

[gsxr]

On that subject, is that John Boote still selling cars on his front lawn in Brougham St or, is it some-one else now ?

John Boote was a legend too, been a while since I've talked to him .....

His workshop manager Terry Reed ? rebuilt my YZ360B when I was racing it, did a great job

Been a while since I talked to him as well.
As for selling cars there I dont think so . I drive past there twice a day and it appears either John or someone else is setting up a museum on the front lawn .

[gravediggerNZ]

Whiting & Waltho or Adams were the Triumph agents, Bond & Hockley were the BSA agents with workshop upstairs and hoist in the showroom. Sonny Clark & Tommy McCleary were best of mates, the old man beat him a few times at the beach racing at New Brighton.
Bob Burns son (david I think was head of sales) was head of sales at Doug Cs.
ChCh MC was Lindsey Williamson & Joe Hannah they'd bring containers of bikes out from the US & load them to the max with bits to make worthwhile thats a bit of where the parts side came from. Think 1 of the salesmen from Casbolts brought the Hesketh & still has it. The Harley racer( Blackadder) was a mckintosh framed replica of the Sputhe Engineering XLCR racer ridden by Vance Breese in the AFM series in the late 70/early 80s in US.

im sure elton john wanted to by that hesketh,British Spares was down tuam st a bit, and a harley mechanic out back, long john

[jellywrestler]

ChCh MC was Lindsey Williamson & Joe Hannah they'd bring containers of bikes out from the US & load them to the max with bits to make worthwhile thats a bit of where the parts side came from. Think 1 of the salesmen from Casbolts brought the Hesketh & still has it.

the Hesketh was brought new Engaland and a guy did a bit of a world trip on it then shipped it back to NZ, it then went to the queenstown museum for a year or two then was sold to someone else. I recall seeing it in the ceiling of CHCH motorcycles. in about 85 on my way to my first brass monkey, the massive underside of the engine left me wondering what all the fuss was about.
ChCh M/c's had an auction some time later and greg atkinson brought it, he went to the auction with no plans to but did. i dont think he ever got it home, it was stored maybe in Williamsons shed when there was fire. some time later i was curious to find any in nz and greg got hold of me, a wee while later he offered to me. i brought it and fuck knows why as it was the only one around and fire damaged melted a lot and way before the interweb etc so well hard to try and rebuild. took me five years from start to finish but i restored it and still have it tucked in the shed.
It was red when i got it and the second to last of the production line so most upgrades the early bikes needed were done, i decided to repaint it british racing green as i'd been to the factory just up the road from silverstone racetrack and brought a mudguard in that colour and like it.
Craig from Casbolts got another bike.
pics of bike after resto, at the auckland war memorial museum when they had the 100th year of the motorcyle expo

[Grumph]

This is why it's often hard to track a bike's history in NZ - changing the bloody colour makes everyone think it's a different bike....

At least you've answered that question Spyda.

[jellywrestler]

This is why it's often hard to track a bike's history in NZ - changing the bloody colour makes everyone think it's a different bike....

At least you've answered that question Spyda.

yeah, craig roberts bike is black, the chch mc one was red and mine is green