| ||||||
Member's Recommendations
|
Biker Friendly CafésWhilst Camping on the Tyddyn Du Campsite which is sited halfway between Dolgellau and Barmouth, last weekend, a number of us took the short walk to the Café Bontddy which is run by a fella named Ian Clows, who just happened to be from Cannock in the West Midlands. We had a great breakfast (all cooked fresh) and a social chat with Ian in his comfortable café whilst taking shelter from the torrential rain dumped on us by that hurricane in September 2011. If anyone from the VSOC is passing down the A496 through Bontddy village, the café will be on the left just after the Halfway house. Ian will make any biker visiting welcome! If you have an organised run out to Barmouth and there will be a number of you wanting food, Ian can be contacted via email [email protected] to make specific arrangements Jem Powder CoatingHi guys and Gals
Many thanks. Allan Loveday member 4615 TopPatchesI don't know if it is of any use to anybody holding a rally in the coming months or years, or even the VSOC. I have found a really good company for embroidered patches. Good, fast & reliable. i4c Publicity Ltd TopBreakersJust a quick message to let the other members know of a bike breakers I have recently used. They provided a fast and efficient service. The part was ordered on Saturday morning and arrived, well packaged on Thursday morning with loads of bubble wrap. So that's the part AND a stress reliever FOC, ha ha ha.... Project Bikes LtdUnits 5-7 Great Northern Road TopBike Communications
For Bike to Bike and Rider to Pillion Communications systems I thoroughly recommend
www.intaride.com When I was learning to ride my Virago my husband got me one of their Bike to Bike systems so that he could coach me through roundabouts and generally offer help and advice when we were out on the road. Since passing my test I have had a full system fitted to my Dragstar 650, which lets me listen to music on those long journeys, as well as talk to my pillion, to my hubby on his bike and to other bikes. Intaride were great, offering not only first rate equipment, but a full fitting service.
TopInsurers
Ever tried getting bike insurance for a 17 year old?
Further to the posting in here for eBike, having just bought a brand new V Star, there have been a few insurance companies fly into fits of panic over anything not imported by Yamaha UK.
__________________________
Great insurance company called
Wicked Quotes. Got TPF&T in SW9 for £82 with £150 excess – not bad when you consider the next best quote was £128.10p from Bennett's who I’ve been with for 3 years now & they couldn’t match it.
__________________________
15th DECEMBER 2003
TopParts & AccessoriesHaving searched and failed miserably to get a new genuine screen for my Virago the boat part company below came recommended. __________________________
Just fixed my XV920c 1982 Virago by getting a brand new starter from www.cdiunit.co.uk 50% cheaper than official Yamaha UK for brand new 920cc starter. Works 100% Contact Steve on 07743-720961 (From Roger - C6) __________________________
In regard to an advert for 2 side covers for a Virago XV750 I found a man in the States who has and can get them. He seems to be able to most things he has a Part Number list for Yamahas.
__________________________
I hate to give away my Virago secrets, but here it is... I have a 1984 XV700 and get all my parts from www.greenscycle.com It is a motorcycle graveyard for all make and models of bikes. Every part that you could think of and engines as well. It is located in Millwood, Ky in the USA. From (Matt Duncan) __________________________
Here are some details of a great supplier I used in America: -
Their website is http://www.motorsportssuperstore.com/ They also stock items from suppliers like Barons, Vance and Hines etc. From (Bob "Badger" Dawson - Centre 12) TopWeldingFor all your welding needs. Ali, steel, cool ali-ark (tig welding), aircraft coded standards. Motorcycle (new, classic, off road ) and general repair work. He is a top class welder and will travel if needs be, he is also a biker. Contact Bob Crudgington on 01489 790 196 or mob 07752 383 624 or email [email protected] (From Michael Cunliffe) TopEngineeringI recently made contact with a lady who runs a small engineering company that also does very high quality work for Formula One clients. Carole's late husband was a biker (2 Harley's...what can one say?), so she has a interest in helping fellow bikers with their one-off or small quantity engineering job needs. Website is www.chmartin-eng.co.uk and she can be contacted on 01493 394948 (Great Yarmouth) or email [email protected] (From Martin Yates) TopBike ServicingHi, I have had some excellent service from a mobile mechanic who has fixed the problems on my 535. He came over to me and diagnosed the problem, sourced a second hand spare part to save me money, fitted the piece and carried out a first class job. I would like to pass on his details as he may be of service to other members. Russ Thomas __________________________ Hi, __________________________ Hi, For a good services (and a laugh) HALIFAX MOTORCYCLE SERVICES!
www.halifaxmotorcycleservices.co.uk __________________________ If you are in the Welwyn Garden City, Herts
area, why not give Duncan at BikersRealm a try for any servicing or repairs. He offers a good service at a good price. He looks after my Dragstar 650 and both he and the bike have not let me down __________________________ Cheap Mot's for club members in the Blackpool area £20.00 rolling road for brake testing great guy to get on with biker himself ACACIA MOT'S, CHISWICK GROVE BLACKPOOL Tel: 01253-791177 he also does tyres the guys name is Dave
Curwood. __________________________ Hello there. I'm in Nottingham and I have found a real good chap named "Ado" who has had 24 years experience in the bike service industry and he has now gone on his own at VERY reasonable prices. He has totally re-built my 650A classic inc re-spray and at a great price. I will recommend him to ALL bikers. __________________________ P & C Motorsport in Gainsborough have provided me with excellent servicing, loads of free advice. I can fully recommend this garage to all for used bike sales, servicing and repairs.
__________________________ Servicing of Viragos - great man called Les from La Moto in Wigan, Lancashire. 30 years+ really knows his stuff totally reliable and very cost effective. Tel Les on 01942-497602 (From Roger - C6) __________________________ Hi everyone my name is Steve Gaskell and as a new member of region six I would like to recommend a garage that I have recently used in Standish near Wigan. The name is Parkes Standish Motors and is run by Colin & Alan who are both bikers themselves and from what I have seen have the ability to cover most repairs and also MOTs. Apart from that they are both really nice guys who speak your language. Their Telephone number is 01257423740. I hope that they might be of service to you. (From Steve Gaskell) __________________________
Below are the details of a mate of mine, Paul Lord, he looks after and services my bikes and he is one of the best I have come across in many a year. Anyhow, I was round at his place over the weekend and he was servicing one of those big Jap Cruisers, I was surprised because I thought he only serviced sports bikes, but no he does Cruisers as well.
Other satisfied customers include John Burnell and Bob Corbin.
Tel Paul on: 01253 722478
__________________________ I can wholeheartedly recommend MAC MOTORCYCLES for excellent work and a really friendly attitude! They have recently worked on my XV750 and put it back on the road for £52. (Others had quoted ridiculous sums of money!!). They can be found at 180 High Street, Tooting, SW17 (Opposite a large Mercedes Dealership) and can be reached on 020 8672 4631. (From Phil Taylor) __________________________ If you need to get your bike serviced and live within striking distance of Horsham, West Sussex, then I'd suggest you use Turn One Motorcycles. They're very friendly, helpful and reliable. And they won't rip you off! Give them a ring on 01403-276969. (From Anne Hodson) __________________________ I f you need good service and sales at a very good cheap price (a new XVS1100 Drag Star at £4999) try KJM SUPERBIKE. Wrightington, nr Wigan. They are on the web www.kjmsuperbike.co.uk. Ring them on 01257451656. They sell a lot of Drag Stars, Wild Stars etc: I have found that they are friendly, helpful and reliable. Nothing seems to be to much trouble for them. I have been there 4 times in the last 6 months for bikes for myself and 3 of my family. (From Nigel Pargetor (daddy) member no:4105) TopB&B'sAlso see B&B's/AccomodationPension Williams in the Black Forest, Germany
Pension Williams David and Angela provide snacks such as sandwiches and soups at very reasonable prices or you can have a 10-15 minute walk to the local town where there are a few restaurants to choose from. There is a self service bar for beers and wine at reasonable prices within the Pension if you want to ride into the town for a meal and then come back to have a few beers which is what we did. David and Angela made out stay very enjoyable and would certainly recommend them to any bikers wanting to use this as a base whilst exploring the Black Forest. Due to being members of the VSOC they also gave us a 10% discount which was great and made our final bill at the end of our visit that little bit less frightening. We had an excellent time so please give them a try if you are thinking of going to the Black Forest. __________________________ Biker Friendly
B&B in Norfolk If you want to
know more, give us a ring on 01366-502116 or e-mail on
[email protected] __________________________
It would be great if you would list this site, www.dartleisure.co.uk A great base for some fantastic riding. Regards, Ken Hands __________________________
Open
the PDF information file (170kb) Contact: Mick and Vanessa French __________________________
We are Warner's Farm, Wimbish (Home of the
Wimbash- that goes back a few years). We now do B&B. We have 2 ensuite rooms, 1 double and 1 twin. Breakfasts are legendary and guests have the use of the swimming pool. As member nos. 0009 and 0810 we know what VSOC members need, however we are prepared to ignore that and just provide comfortable beds, big breakfast and friendly service. We are ideally situated for Centres 6, 3, 8 and 7 going to Harwich Ferry.
__________________________ Last weekend me and my wife took a ride down to Lyme Regis. We had a good journey and a good time there. It is a very interesting town. We stayed at the Manaton B&B in Hill Road, Lyme Regis, tel 01297 445138. It is run by John and Glenda. They told me that VSOC members will be very welcome. We had a very comfortable stay.
I think it will benefit other members to have the option of a good place to stay if they are in the area.
__________________________
Biker run B&B in west France, newly opened see
www.le-rendezvous.com
__________________________
We run a Biker only B&B and are situated a couple of minutes off the most beautiful part of the
Rhine in Germany. The roads here a simply a must for bikers.
__________________________ Callington, Cornwall. Ensuite B & B.
__________________________ Biker Friendly Accommodation, in France
2 x "Triple" bedrooms. (Each with double and single bed).
Duvets, and linen provided (Towels on request). Gas central heating
Contact by telephoning Edgar and Sheena 00 33 556613908
__________________________ Brecon Beacons National Park
New owners are Clive & Rhiannon Evans and the web address is
http://cherrypicker-house-b-and-b.wales.info/
and e mail address is
[email protected]
__________________________ Isle of Skye holiday cottages -
Uig, Western Isles of Scotland
__________________________
Anyone out there who visited Iain & Lynne at the biker friendly B&B The Donnington Scarborough will be pleased to know that they have now opened a new biker friendly B&B in the heart of France.
__________________________
__________________________ B&B in
Arromanches, France. Unbelievably biker friendly, does proper breakfasts, (I'm not knocking croissants but sometimes the body yearns for bacon!), and has secure covered parking for about nine bikes.
You can find them on
www.normandybeach.co.uk
and email
[email protected]
also
[email protected] TopHi there. Here is a great service for any leather repair needs - it is amazing what you can repair nowadays! Paul Gaskin
is a friendly guy - he has a great site full of leather repair examples. Here are the details: Leather Revive, 9 Avery Gardens, Poulton
-Le-Fylde,
Lancashire. FY6 7UP __________________________ Just thought I would drop you a note about NRP Carburettor Diaphragms who have just repaired my 535 units. I got one fixed last year but it came un-glued in the week and I also found a small hole in the other one. Sods Law!! Mind you it did get some stick on the trip to Prague. Anyway, Andy at NRP is very obliging and repaired both for me on Saturday, only charging me for the new unit. He is situated actually in Victoria Station in Manchester, not on the tracks, but pretty close in a lockup as you walk into the station approach. Very handy for me living in Eccles. He also has a leather repair and alteration service in the same place (think this is his main business) which may be of interest to club members as well. You can find him at www.nrp-carbs.co.uk . He also does Air cut-off valves, Fuel tap kits and Float valve repair kits. (Bob Aldham) __________________________
I have just used
The
Leathershop. No.5 Battye Street, Dewsbury, West
Yorks, to alter some leathers and found them to be quick and good quality repairs. Their Phone number is:- 01924 454990.
Leather Goods
Hi , the guy listed below has got the best and cheapest leathers of all types in Norfolk. They make and sell them through three outlets in Norfolk.
__________________________ There is a little leather shop called M.C. Handmade, opposite Halfords in Chatham that is very reasonable for leather goods. He had a set of throw-over saddle bags for £60 he also does repairs and is very helpful. The address is 18 Batchelor Street, Chatham, Kent ME4 4BJ Tel: 01634 830008. (From Ron Abbott) TopChrome Bits
Doug Taylor Metal Finishing Co.
Unit 7,Knightcott Ind
Est,
Banwell, Somerset. BS24 6JN.
__________________________
Cruise UK
, in Leyland, built me a pillion seat for my XVS1100. They did a great job and all for just £80.00. Any one with an XVS1100 and a pillion will know a new
__________________________ 2 recommendations: Firstly, M.A.D. products. They sold me some greatly discounted exhausts for my Dragstar. They look good & sound awesome! + £30 cheaper than anywhere else (they were Highway Hawk). Secondly, M.A.D. products. I went to the Beaulieu Motorcycle Festival in July (fab day, got burnt to buggery!). I bought some Highway Hawk Mirrors in good faith from a stand (bargain price!) but the sun must have got to me as he did a lucky dip when he said "Dragstar - no problem!". When I got home they didn't fit!! Ah ha!, I thought, got the bag with the phone number on! It was a bag from a reputable dealer in Glasgow! who said "Beaulieu, where is that?" when I explained it was about as far south as you can go he laughed even harder! and then became very interested about his carrier bags! Anyway, I spoke to MAD and they ordered me 2 new stalks for less than £8 !!! Thank you (Nigel, Solent Branch) TopSeatsBootleg Bike Seats are a part of Preston Car Trim, a company
that's been operating in Preston since 1979. They did my seat and Kevin's on his Raider and are doing Steve's Raider next week. They do a fantastic job and are good value. Check out the site.www.bootlegbikeseats.com/ (Janet Butterworth) __________________________ Motorcycle Seatworks, 366-370 Woodside Road, Wyke, Bradford. BD12 8HT. Tel 01274 604672. Website www.motorcycleseatworks.co.uk If you have a seat which requires re-foaming, recovering or altering then please call Damon who will be pleased to carry out the work for you. He can also convert seats into King & Queen if required. (From Howard, Yorkies webmaster) __________________________ Hi Guys (and gals) Just to let you know I have found the best "seat repairer" in the business. Give Lee a call on 07977874075 and he will travel within M25 area. Just did a beaut recovering job on my Corbin seat for £45. He tells me has never charged over £50! Brilliant guy, and can even do "Flag of St George" if needed! (From Jim Freeston: Centre 14) __________________________ Trev Marsh, Mansfield. I knocked up a back rest to stop Sue from flicking off the bike and could not think of any way of covering it to make it look as if it "fit". I took it to Trev Marsh in Mansfield and he did it in two days. No Problem! He also re-upholstered and covered a Honda seat very reasonably. So give him a call for your seat cover needs phone/fax 01623 654165 Home 01623 640317 (From Malc - Kirkby) __________________________ Bantaskin Bike Seats. I recently had a seat recovered by these guys and they did a great job of it. They have a range of colours and will tackle any seat - I have seen
a'Corbin' they did. The cost is around £50 +p&p for a standard Virago seat. If needs be they even do a 24hour turnaround at no extra cost.
__________________________ Brilliant upholsterer who is also a biker!!! Alterations to seats, saddle bags etc. Contact: Gary Hubbard, Unit 1DE Cumberland Road Trading Estate, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 5DF. Tel 01509 267166 or 07970 267747. Great service - cheap too (from Brad) __________________________ P&P Seating, Birmingham(
www.ppseat.co.uk TopBitsHi, __________________________
Stainless Steel Spokes at Brickwood Wheel Builders __________________________ I feel I need to let the Club know of this product I bought at the NEC this year.
I ride with a full face during winter and struggle to keep water off the visor like most riders also some stuff for water repelling ruins the coatings on my visors.
Check out www.grinfactor.com £6.99 inc P&P. This is great stuff! (Regards Rob - Centre 8) __________________________ Hi All. I would like to tell you of a company I found by accident while searching the web for replacement screens for my Royal Star. They are called Cee Baileys www.ceebaileys.com They are located in California USA. They make windshields for many different types of bikes as well as other useful bits. I ordered a replacement windshield for my Royal Star, they make them in various heights and also offer tinting. The price I paid for a 24 inch one was 90 dollars and 31 dollars shipping via Fedex priority overnight. They have a distributor in the UK called Woddies bike emporium but their prices are in sterling. I suggest if you want one go directly to Cee Baileys you pay in dollar. The quality of the part was as good ,if not better than an original manufactured part. If you have any questions you can email me at [email protected] Ade. (Centre 20 Ireland) __________________________
Fed up of balancing your 1100 Dragstar or Vstar or using two people to check the oil? Yep, thought so - then fit this. I have and it's great and it's only $30 including freight.
Rob Jones (Centre 8, #5212)
__________________________
Hi, just thought I'd let you know about the excellent service I have received from
VisorsWorldwide.
__________________________ Just thought I would drop you a note about NRP Carburettor Diaphragms who have just repaired my 535 units. I got one fixed last year but it came un-glued in the week and I also found a small hole in the other one. Sods Law!! Mind you it did get some stick on the trip to Prague. Anyway, Andy at NRP is very obliging and repaired both for me on Saturday, only charging me for the new unit. He is situated actually in Victoria Station in Manchester, not on the tracks, but pretty close in a lockup as you walk into the station approach. Very handy for me living in Eccles. He also has a leather repair and alteration service in the same place (think this is his main business) which may be of interest to club members as well. You can find him at www.nrp-carbs.co.uk . He also does Air cut-off valves, Fuel tap kits and Float valve repair kits. (Bob Aldham) __________________________ Lamba Motorcycles in Carshalton, Surrey have been giving me a 10% discount on spares/Yamaha accessories over the late few years, they are also pretty helpful if you have a problem. (Alan Stephens # 1803 Centre 14) __________________________ Thor Enterprises of Grimsby
__________________________ Customlids. Great site with great prices on clothing, lids, gloves, boots etc also lots of accessories (give them a bell & they'll bend over backwards to help if it's not on the site) is Custom Lids contact details as follows:
TopTyres and FittersMotorcycletyres UK. I spoke to their tech guy Mark regarding repairing a puncture - and they are expert! Gave me really good advice. Bottom line is - never use sealant for a permanent repair!! Use a mushroom repair for a simple nail in tyre job.
__________________________
I can recommend
MTS on
Little Tennis Street, Nottingham for tyres, balancing and of course fitting. Owner is Tim, a bike racer himself so he knows a thing or two about the essential black rubber bits.
__________________________
I would like to highly recommend
Alan at Watling tyres in
Gillingham, Kent.
__________________________
I must recommend the shop below for their ride-in, ride-out tyre fitting service. Continental Milestones fitted to my XV750 inc. balancing for just £140.00. Pity they are Honda Agents but we can forgive that for the brilliant service.
(Brad, Centre 9)
__________________________ K W Motorcycle Tyres I understand you are after good tyre fitters and suppliers, well I think I may qualify. My name is Karl, I'm based in Weston Super Mare, in Somerset, and fitting and supplying bike tyres is my business. I've been working for myself for 4 months now, and I've already had over 150 customers. I worked for a couple of national companies where I received training from Avon and Dunlop. I did my apprenticeship in a main dealer bike shop as a mechanic. I decided to set up on my own because after working in these places I felt that the bikers I met were feeling conned with parts, service, insurance and tyres. I'm a biker myself and wish that everyone tried riding a bike at least once in there life. So I wanted to do my bit and did what I know best sell and fit tyres at a sensible price, I haven't done much advertising, most of my customers have been recommended by other customers. I work from home so I've got very few overheads. I also don't charge for wheel removal , valves or balancing I'm not tied to any manufacturer so I can offer unbiased advice on most makes and patterns after establishing needs. All my prices are inclusive so what I say is what it is. I've invested a lot in getting the right equipment because a biker and his machine should be given the respect they deserve. I can put a pair of Bridgestone's on an XV750 (100/90/19h g535 front, and 140/90/15h g536) for £145 ride away price if interested then give me a call on 01934 642615 or 07751 381111 between 9.30 and 5.30 I also do out of hours fitting at no extra cost and at a time to suit. Thanks for your time and look forward to hearing from you soon. TopChrome Platerswww.ashfordchroming.com __________________________ I have come across a Chrome Plating Company in New Romney Kent called Swan Plating Ltd. I had the gear knob of my puma chrome plated and found them to be absolutely brilliant as they took the part in when nobody else wanted to know about such a small one off job. It is a family run business and the guy that runs it was very friendly and extremely helpful. Their details are as follows. __________________________ Here are details of an excellent chroming company in London. They go out of their way to help and do a fantastic job, paying close attention to detail. I can't recommend them enough!
__________________________ R&J Plating Ltd
, Elliot Works, Eliott Road, Bromley BR2 9PA Tel 0208-466-0966. Chrome Plating, Mainly small items and accessories. Average quality but attractive low cost.
__________________________ SILCHROME PLATING Ltd. Barras Garth, LEEDS. LS12 4JW.
Tel 0113 263 7808, Fax 0113 263 2382.
__________________________ Calladine Restorations, Unit 4 Brailwood Rd,
Bilsthorpe, Newark. 01623 870372
__________________________
I've just had my front exhaust clamp chromed for £17 that was with P/P.
TopPaint, Sprayers & Custom AirbrushHello The paint I needed wasn't in their massive range of 25,000
colours. I loaned them a mudguard for a few days and they created the pain I wanted. __________________________
Brilliant
Celtic artist for leather and helmet airbrushing and tattoo designs to order. This guy did a fantastic job on my leather waistcoat and is now airbrushing my
Dragstar trike with a Celtic design. No job too small. __________________________ DH Kustoms - Unit 13, Meadow Lane, Loughborough Call 07799-366641
__________________________ Stuart (Sam) Hughes made a lovely job of my bike which won best Custom at the North Star Rally, information can be found on his website at: www.bikeart.co.uk (C14 Member - Alan Johnson) __________________________
Just wanted to add that as well as supplying Novelty helmets, saddle/sissy bar bags and motorcycle valeting we at Enigma U.K. now offer motorcycle paintwork at very
competitive rates (includes collection, stripping, rebuilding and delivering) have always painted my own bikes and have now painted Ivan's Wildstar (Centre 5) __________________________ Four Aces: I have just had my tank and fenders airbrushed on my Dragstar 1100 and I have been asked by several members who have seen it if I could give them the details of the guy who did the work for me. The total cost to take the bike to bits, spray the tank and fenders with a mural and then re-build the bike was £750.00 CASH it would have been 17.5% higher if I paid by any other method.
__________________________ Top
|