Its time again for a newsletter update, we hope that you have all had a good Christmas and we would like to wish you a Happy New Year. We have already heard that many of you are preparing for this season and have sneaked off to the garage, barn or shed when the lure of Christmas, relatives, Turkey and mince pies had worn thin!
Many of you may already have seen the article about us in the current edition of Classic Racer. If you haven’t, then have a peek, but don’t stand around too long in the newsagents as they get annoyed
. Many thanks to Graham Lawlor for the well written and well thought out article and thanks also go to those customers he spoke to for their kind words.Important Workshop Update
We have also been busy over the last few months as we have been re-organising the workshop to accommodate our growing parts business. This has involved clearing the old cluttered store, redecoration, installation of new heating and lighting and installing of new racking and benches. We have also recently taken on more second hand stock and all our second hand components have now been sorted and shelved. We are now organising and shelving all the new stock for greater efficiency. To this end we will need to concentrate on a thorough stock check and shortly and after this, we are taking a holiday!
. So if you need to speak to me or you wish me to answer an e mail, I will only be able to do this until Friday 16th January. If you need anything that is not on the website please contact us before this date. When we return from our holiday we will be preparing for the Bristol Classic Bike Show (Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February) which we will be attending – do call and see us at the stand. We will be taking a selection of new parts and some clearance second hand parts. If you would like us to bring any particular parts to the show, please e mail us by Thursday 12th February. Full service will be resumed again on the 16th February.
However the business will be manned throughout this period for straightforward web purchases only with goods being despatched on a weekly basis. So if what you require is listed on the website, it will be in stock and you can still “click to buy”.
New Stock
We have a large batch of both 250 and 350 race pistons in production, 74.5mm, 75mm, 76.6mm and 77mm. We expect delivery of these mid February.
We are also working to try and reproduce the gearbox circlips which should be back in stock shortly.
We are now poised to place an order for front and rear sprockets which we also hope to have in stock mid to late February.
Engine Work
In our last newsletter we mentioned that due to the amount of work already booked, that I could not take on any major work until August 2009. Since this time I have now booked several other projects which will take me through to early 2010. As before, smaller jobs such as crank rebuilds should still be able to be slotted into the schedule. Unfortunately I can’t see this changing in the near future, so if you do have an idea that you would like me to do some work for you, PLEASE talk to me early. I only have one pair of hands and I do appreciate the patience of those prepared to wait.
VAT and Pricing
At present as you probably know, we are not VAT registered. Which if you live in the EU is good news, not so good if you live outside the EU. However we may well be forced to change at some point this year. VAT will be charged on all parts and labour from this point. Some prices such as Nova components will effectively remain similarly priced if you are in the EU and if you are outside the EU you will be buying these parts for less as you will be charged excl. VAT.
As you are aware with the global financial situation in particular the weakness of sterling, a small amount of items sourced outside the UK will increase. These will include gaskets and clutch components. Fortunately the majority of components are sourced or manufactured in the UK so the majority of the prices will not be so badly affected. Of course if you are outside the UK now is a good time to be placing an order!!!
2009 Season
News is beginning to filter through from our customers about their plans for the year. Nigel Palmer is hoping to attend all the CRMC meetings, concentrating on the Nationals with a few club events to keep his eye in. He is also hoping to attend Chimay and possible Gedinne. He will as before be fielding Harvey Ellis’ 480 Ducati and his own 350 Ducati, that’s assuming I get both engines sorted in time. (Don’t worry Nigel,… Joke!). I think the Snows (John and Doug) will again be concentrating on the Manx this year with their 350 Desmos.
We hope to be attending some CRMC meetings and would very much like to attend a VMCC meeting at some point, so hopefully will see some of you at some point during the year.
We would like to wish you all good luck and safe riding to both our race and road bike customers for the season.
Best Wishes
Nigel & Edina
p.s You can add comments on the news page, please feel free to do so!
