Mickey Oates Motorcycles
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ThreeDawg
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Anyone ever go to Motolux in (Iirc) West Scotland Street Lane.? They sold vintage Indians. Rick Partington (?) who became a journalist on Classic Bike worked there and the owner was once the lead singer of The Rezillos.
Alan Forbes, aka Eugene Reynolds. The second last time I saw him was when he was at the NEC show with the Indian Dakota 4 that he was aiming to put into series production until
he was sued by Polaris over who had legal title to the Indian trade name. The last time I saw him we had lunch in Edinburgh to discuss production methods
Way back in the mid 70's, when he was at Edinburgh Art College, Alan was the drummer in Ken Powrie's college band which also featured Joe Callis, who went on to play with Human League, on guitar. At the time, I was doing roadie duties for an Art College modern jazz quarter called Jobsworth. One evening we had to borrow a bass drum from Alan. Cue him driving me around Edinburgh perched in the single rear seat of his Messerschmitt 3 wheeler, cradling a bass drum.
What a Picture! What a picture! ...
Just read that, awful newsI see North Harbour (Honda) Motorcycles in Ayr has closed. Another dealer bites the dust.
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Very local to me ,, bought from them for many years bikes and gearI see North Harbour (Honda) Motorcycles in Ayr has closed. Another dealer bites the dust.
They were a long established dealer
and I am sorry to see them go Angus Campbell was the dealer in Dunfermline on Campbell Street, can’t remember the name of the Suzuki dealer in Kirkcaldy but did take my gs 550 there for a service and cam shims, the thing was like a bullet when I got it back.
They were on the corner just opposite what is now Fife College in Kirkcaldy.
They were on the corner just opposite what is now Fife College in Kirkcaldy.
KAYCEE
Registered user
I worked in the parts department in Better Bikes from 1976 till 1981.
When I started they were dealers for Harley Davidson (remember them having a XLCR Cafe Racer in the showroom) and Kawasaki.
The two owners, Chris Martin and Robin Worrall, had started the shop selling Velo Solex's. Story was that they bought 300 Solex's and brought them over from France in the back of a lorry. They didn't have anyone cross the threshold for a couple of weeks, before a nurse came in a bought Solex 3800.
The Harley franchise gave way to BMW. As the dealership grew, Better Bikes started selling Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, Batavus, and Ducati's.
They also opened up Kawasaki dealerships in Glasgow (Clarkston Road?) and Kirkcaldy (St. Clair Street).
They also opened up a Yamaha dealership in Nicholson Square (just in time for the LC's).
Great bunch of guys worked there.
Great memories for a 17-21 year old.
When I started they were dealers for Harley Davidson (remember them having a XLCR Cafe Racer in the showroom) and Kawasaki.
The two owners, Chris Martin and Robin Worrall, had started the shop selling Velo Solex's. Story was that they bought 300 Solex's and brought them over from France in the back of a lorry. They didn't have anyone cross the threshold for a couple of weeks, before a nurse came in a bought Solex 3800.
The Harley franchise gave way to BMW. As the dealership grew, Better Bikes started selling Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, Batavus, and Ducati's.
They also opened up Kawasaki dealerships in Glasgow (Clarkston Road?) and Kirkcaldy (St. Clair Street).
They also opened up a Yamaha dealership in Nicholson Square (just in time for the LC's).
Great bunch of guys worked there.
Great memories for a 17-21 year old.
I bought a Z1000 MkII from Better Bikes. Decent place.
I don’t suppose you worked in parts at Edinburgh Harley before their demise?
Glasgow was Clarkston Rd, used to visit for a bit of tyre kicking at weekends. There were a few small repair, spares places on the south side, Ride on was the other dealer I can think of
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