Classic, Vintage and Veteran motorcycles are at the core of our work. Whether it's a 1900's atmospheric-inlet veteran or a 1990's turbocharged tyre-scorcher, we will apply the appropriate techniques, materials and skills to restore a loved vehicle to its former glory. We don't just build show-pieces: these bikes are designed to be used. We complete all restorations to the highest possible standard to ensure the end product is as beautiful, characterful and reliable as it is possible to be. We build Bantams that tour Europe, Enfields for long-distance trials and, most gruelling of all, one 350cc AJS that takes its owner to work day in, day out.
Take a look at a few of our past projects below. We don't limit ourselves to one particular marque or time period so we can offer a breadth of experience to deal with the most extraordinary machines and unusual problems. We love a four-stroke single as much as the next man but can't help ourselves around sleeve-valves, diesels, hub-centre steering, tricky bitsas or hand crafted race bikes...
This AJS 16MS was purchased by the customer as an 'almost finished' project and looked a lot like the completed bike you see below. However, closer inspection revealed it was really a collection of parts assembled into the shape of a motorcycle... The bike had been assembled from at least two AJS/Matchless bikes which is not a problem in itself, but the models straddled some quite important design changes!
The worst issue was the resulting lack of a cush drive (not sensible on a big single) which meant rebuilding the crank to change the drive-side mainshaft. After frame modifications, a new fuel tank and checking, correcting or re-making almost every other assembly on the bike the owner was left with a beautiful bitsa, now used as daily transport with the occasional weekend's trail riding.
It's always nice to see something different and this Enfield-Robin Diesel is one of the original Ernie Dorsett bikes. Bought new by the current owner in 1993 it was well used and well looked after right up to the moment it collided with the side of a Transit van. It arrived in the workshop in a sorry state. The frame was straight but the engine and gearbox had both been damaged in the accident and the front forks and wheel were scrap.
The main concern was oil starvation as the engine kept running after the accident so the 412cc Robin diesel engine was stripped and inspected but it had survived intact. The main damage was where the timing cover had been ground away by the tarmac, this was built up with weld and machined back to correctly accept the oil filter cartridge. The gearbox, primary drive and front end were all built up with readily available Indian Enfield parts. The fuel tank was straightened out and colour-matched by a local expert and new tank transfers bearing Ernie's "Enfield Diesel" logo were re-made from photographs of the damaged originals.
The owner does not drive, so arrived by train to collect the bike before riding it 100 miles home - there's trust!
A really unique bike, the Kawasaki "Growler" special is a genuine Isle of Mann star. Originally constructed for the 1984 TT where it was piloted to an astounding 4th place by "penniless privateer" and builder of the beast Andy McGladdery, who sold the bike at the end of the season to fund the next Suzuki-powered iteration. Rediscovered and restored by the McGladdery family the Growler was brought in for some finishing touches to the engine, electrical system and fairing mounts before being fired up for the first time in almost forty years.
The bike is a unique testament to back-street builders. Based around the Kawasaki Z750 engine, the entire frame is a custom design including a bell-crank progressive rear suspension geometry and is now up and running, with occasional outings for VMCC parades
