55 replies to this topic

[Griffin]

They do. The company in Madras was taken over by a firm called Eicher a few years ago, and they invested a lot in improved equipment and quality control. The bikes are distributed in this country by Watsonian Squire, better-known as sidecar manufacturers. Their Royal Enfield web site is here.

However, if you want one of the traditional machines for about £2,500 on the road, you'll have to be quick. They no longer comply with EU regulations on emissions, so the company have developed a new lean-burn engine. The old machines are no longer imported; and, once existing stocks are gone, only the newer type will be available.

The new machines have the gears on the other side, like Japanese bikes, and an electric starter. I had a test ride on one of the old type machines, and it was quite reasonable and very good value, if not particularly exciting. If I wanted a practical and affordable bike, though, I think I'd spend a bit more and get a Suzuki Bandit.

[donkey o'tay]

Yes the speed was slower than the Bonneville but the reliability was a 100 times better than the Brit bikes. I'd say the XS650 was typical of Jap bikes in that it was built much better than the equivilent Brit bikes. A touch slower and maybe didn't handle quite as well in the twisties but it was definitely built and designed in a different league to the Brits. I have an 1976 XS650 that I've done 130,000 miles on and has never failed to get me home.

[Dion]

donkey o'tay, on Nov 25 2008, 02:12 PM, said:

Dion
I ride a 1972 Yamaha XS650 that would challenge what you say.

1972? thats a new one Horses for courses Honda for work- Norton for weekends.

[rooster]

All this talk of bikes and no-one has mentioned Bill Popes in Haydock.
I was born n bred 5 doors up next to Oggies shop and my Dad used to work for Bill in his spare time.
My Dad told of a tale where they went in one morning and the wooden floor had collapsed and bikes had fell into the basement. It to ages to get em all out.
He had loads of tales from wooden pistons, to Bill ripping a little fingernail off timing an engine up.

[Veronica]

Wasn't the Motorbike shop in Greenfield Road where TESCO Shop is now.

[Griffin]

It was.

[gypsygeoff]

Technically it wasn't in St Helens,but Joe Spooner had a shop in Prescot on the corner of Warrington road and Kemble Street.

[Griffin]

I used to go there for my MOT tests in the eighties. I'm fairly sure the shop's gone now, but there's a big new development near there with Tesco and some other stores, and houses and apartments.

[Olliebeak]

Wasn't there another one on a corner on the top part of Boundary Road (maybe Doulton/Silkstone Street)?

[Griffin]

That was Tom Collins, on the corner of Silkstone Street and Boundary Road, just after the railway bridge. By the late 60s, he also had premises further up on the corner of Doulton Street, with the showroom on Boundary Road and the workshop at the back in Crowther Street. The shop on the Silkstone Street corner was for spare parts, clothing, etc. Later, they took that shop at the Five Ways next to the former Post Office, which more recently became a fireplace showroom. Maybe someone can tell us when the business closed down altogether, because I can't remember.

[daystate]

Dion, on Nov 21 2008, 10:13 PM, said:

Besides Dingsdales and Tom Collins does anyone remember any other motorbike dealers in St.Helens, around 1960/1961?
Also did Geneva Motors of Bootle ever have a branch in St.Helens around that time?

My father in law seems to remember Geneva Motors in tellins, ill find out more later 2nite and let yer know

[daystate]

Ok, just been speaking to him, and he says he's almost certain it was on Haydock street, above it was a carpentors shop/college where you would go as part ov serving your apprentiship. He's quite certain of remembering a Triuph Renown? in the window. He said it was mainly cars but did have the odd bike too whether they where part x's he's not sure, hes going to ask his brother and afew other people but for now thats it.

[gilly]

[quote name='Griffin' date='Mar 8 2009, 02:45 PM' post='293531']
That was Tom Collins, on the corner of Silkstone Street and Boundary Road,Later, they took that shop at the Five Ways next to the former Post Office, which more recently became a fireplace showroom. Maybe someone can tell us when the business closed down altogether, because I can't remember.

I can't be 100% certain but at least 10yrs ago the premises were taken over by kay flooring.Before that it was empty for about 1 yr,sio probably shut down circa '97/'98

[Dion]

daystate, on Mar 13 2009, 07:40 PM, said:

Ok, just been speaking to him, and he says he's almost certain it was on Haydock street, above it was a carpentors shop/college where you would go as part ov serving your apprentiship. He's quite certain of remembering a Triuph Renown? in the window. He said it was mainly cars but did have the odd bike too whether they where part x's he's not sure, hes going to ask his brother and afew other people but for now thats it.

Thanks for that, I hope his brother can remember. There was a car sales there in the 70's maybe it was the same place.

[Griffin]

The secondhand car place in Haydock Street in the seventies was called Gainsborough. They had a slightly dubious reputation, as I recall.