Servicing in Tyneside

The friendly local mechanic that I usually entrust with servicing my
bikes when I haven't got the time or the inclination appears to be
somewhat shut: phone just gives a "Sorry, your call cannot be taken
message", so I suspect the answering machine's full; shutters are down,
and there are no signs saying anything like "On holiday, back soon".

The business signs are all there still, and there are some worn tyres
lying around - I'm hoping that means that he hasn't gone out of business.

So, two questions:

1. Anybody know what's happened to DIT Motorcycle Repairs?

2. Can anybody recommended an alternative place to get my bike serviced?
I'm not keen on using any of the main dealers, and I really don't want
to pay their extortionate labour charges.

 

Take it round to AndrewR's place.

 

If I was paranoid, I might have thought that.

But last time he moved, all the business signs went and the premises
looked deserted - this looks more like someone's having an extra-long
weekend, which could be the case.

That's one of my concerns. The other is that I have a vague recollection
of him having to go into hospital for something a year or two ago, so it
could be a recurrence of that.

 

Nah, he always gets one his ham-fisted mates to help him.

 

Hammer? You always told me that was "Honzukisakimaha Special Tool #1"!

 

Don't forget we have two different lengths of scaffolding pole, for
those times when we need to fine-tune the amount of scaffolding pole
that is applied.

If we're really lucky, we can sometimes use both pieces at the same time!

 

"Percussive Maintenance Application Tool" - #1 in a fucking great big
boxful of the fuckers.

 

There was a place in East Boldon, over the road from Asda, next to a
bodyshop. I cant remember what it was called though, so thats
probably not a lot of use

 

It's not much to go on, certainly.

Were they any good?

 

.... although it appears that there's a business called "FI Sport" based
there - is that them?

Well? Were they?

 

Yep, did exactly what they said, and the full service (including
valves on the gixxer) came in at £125.00

It was just two blokes, an oldish bloke and a japanese fella, had a
few bikes in various stages of rebuild around the place.

Just looked for the receipt, and cant find it. Next time I'm up that
way I'll have a look

 

So might I. Could be useful. The name led me to
http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/d_tynewear.htm

 

did exactly what they said, and the full service (including

Barkers rings a bell, but I'll check

 

Heh, yeah - that's where I found the "FI Sport" name.

Well, from their address on that website, and the fact that Asda in
Boldon is on the same street, I guess that's probably the one.

I'll have a trip over there to see what it looks like first, before I go
trusting them to poke around inside my bike.

 

And I did. No sign of either place. Found the bodyshop opposite Asda
but no bikeshop.

 

Bugger - it was down the alley at the left of the bodyshop car park,
sort of comes off the car park, with a steep concrete ramp outside the
door - but no signs on the building

 

Ah. Might take a closer look then.

 

Had another look today and it's still there, just as you describe.
One man and a dog - a small workshop and a few bikes in the yard. We
seem to be talking about

Barkers Motor Cycles
North Road
Boldon Colliery
Tyne And Wear
NE35 9AF
Tel: 0191 5362671

Someone want to give them a try?

 

Too late - had mine done by Armstrong's last week.

Fancy popping out to see if there's any sign of life at D.I.T. sometime,
as you're in that neighbourhood?

 

Who?