BMW, Hesketh, Jedi Race Car, Honda, Suzuki and more at mono motorcycles.
It’s been another busy fortnight at mono motorcycles and BMWs and a race car have dominated the workshop.
Let’s find out more about some of the bikes and cars we have welcomed through our doors.
Week commencing 21st August 23
Hesketh V1000
mono motorcycles are well known for welcoming a broad range of makes and models of motorcycles and some which may be considered rare, perhaps a little eccentric or customised. However, we never thought we would welcome one of the UK’s long lost brands, the Hesketh V1000.
The Hesketh which has joined us underwent a full refurbishment in 2018, but thanks to Covid has not turned a wheel since 2019. We have been tasked with getting the bike back up and running and arranging an MOT in advance of the Hesketh sale.
Despite the Hesketh having started and run for a few moments, the bike has required additional work to get it running. The carbs unfortunately needed to come off the bike and have been ultrasonically cleaned and rebuilt.
As the parts for the Hesketh are impossible to find, we are working with the original parts and recommendations from the Hesketh Owners Club.
A little history of the Hesketh brand –
Lord Hesketh wanted to use the skills and facilities built during the F1 years to greater effect. He had a vision of producing a high quality motorcycle and, driven by this vision, the Hesketh motorcycle was developed on the Easton Neston estate, the home of the Lord. The prototype was up and running by the Spring of 1980 with, what was then, a “special” Weslake engine, commissioned specifically for the Hesketh machine. The engine adopted a V-twin configuration and exploited similar 4-valve cylinder heads to those pioneered during the Hesketh Racing F1 era.
After two years of intense development, the V1000 was announced to the press and partners were sought for the move from development to manufacturing. None were forthcoming, but “the City” was interested in investing in the venture. So; Hesketh Motorcycles PLC was formed. Over 1981-82 a modern, purpose-built, factory was set up to manufacture the bikes at Daventry (15 miles to the North of Easton Neston) but, unfortunately, due to lack of cash, start-up problems and a collapsing motorcycle market, the firm went into receivership and, after manufacturing about one hundred V1000 models for the home market, ceased trading.
This information was provided by the Hesketh Owners Club.
Suzuki GSX-R 1000 – Straight bar conversion
Earlier in the week we welcomed a Suzuki GSXR1000 to the workshop. Our customer (a senior gentleman in his 70’s) asked us to complete a straight bar conversion.
This is the second straight bar conversion we have completed this year. The first was the Triumph Thruxton R which you can find out more about here.
BMW medley
We are often asked if we work on BMW’s. Yes, we do. We have recently been asked if we work on BMW GS’s. Yes, we work on GS’s too.
In the lineup last week, we welcomed a BMW R1150GS for a charging fault/repair, a BMW RnineT Scrambler for a fuel leak assessment/repair, another BMW R1150GS for a new battery and oil leak assessment/repair, a BMW R1200GS for final drive oil leak assessment/repair and the BMW R100 S custom we look after for an international customer.
Breakfast Club Sunday 27th August 23
What an incredible morning! The sun shone, the bacon sizzled, and the bikes just kept on arriving. We would like to welcome all of the newcomers who joined us for the very first time today and to say thank you to all our regulars, friends and family. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported us today.
Massive thanks to Alex and Sam who worked feverishly to provide great food and drink for us as always. We really appreciate all they do for us.
We look forward to being able to do it all again on Sunday 24th September. Tell your friends and keep an eye on our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more updates and to find out more about mono motorcycles head over to our website www.monomotorcycles.co.uk
Week commencing 28th August 23
Bank Holiday Monday
Although we were closed to the public on Monday, Daniel was at the workshop working behind closed doors to catch up with some of our overhanging work.
Jedi Mk4 Race Car with Honda CBR600 engine – full rewire.
On Tuesday we welcomed a race car to the mono motorcycles workshop. A few people have commented that it has two too many wheels, however at its core it still has a motorcycle engine, which is why it is here.
The Jedi had a series of electrical faults and several additions to the loom and repairs until the car gave up and so did the wiring.
Daniel has spent many hours this week on the floor or sat on a wheel as there really is no easy way to wire a car without some considerable stretching and bending.
The original wiring in the car was not in a good way and the faults meant the car was not running. Daniel has managed to make all of the relevant repairs, tidy and re-route a lot of the wiring and make it safer for the car.
The car is not quite finished as we write and there will be a final update on our social media channels early next week.
BMW R1200RT – Major Service
On Thursday we welcomed a giant of the BMW touring range, the BMW R1200RT. The RT joined us for Major Servicing.
BMW F700, BMW R1200GS and BMW S1000XR.
On Friday we welcomed three more BMWs to the mono motorcycles workshop.
BMW Friday …. it’s becoming a theme!
First up we welcomed a BMW F700 GS for replacement tyres and chain and sprockets. While the bike was road tested it was noted that the headstock bearings were very notchy. This is an MOT failure and as the MOT is due on this bike on 11th September, the customer has agreed to have the replacements fitted. The parts are now on order.
Next up, Daniel completed the valve checks on the BMW R1200RT.
Up next one of our regular BMW visitors, the BMW S1000XR. The XR joined us for new tyres, chain and sprockets, new pads, disc assessment/repair and an assessment of a cutting out fault.
In the afternoon we welcomed a BMW R1200GS in for more tyres.
Booking Deposits
We have welcomed quite a few new customers to the mono motorcycles workshop and some who have previously had their motorcycles serviced or repaired elsewhere. We would like to bring everyone’s attention of the importance of our booking deposit policy.
Our policy is to request a minimum £50 booking deposit for all bookings.
Booking deposits must be received at the time of booking, otherwise the booking is not secure.
We are not going to chase for booking deposits as they are clearly requested to be paid at the time of booking. This information is included in the confirmation email sent at the time of booking.
If the booking deposit is not received at the time of asking, the booking will be removed from the diary.
All booking deposits are adjusted at final invoicing.
Events
We only have two more breakfast clubs left for 2023 on Sunday 24th September and Sunday 22nd October.
But never fear, to break up the winter we have decided to run our popular Charity Christmas Quiz in aid of SERV Wessex. Tickets are on sale now! Contact us at the workshop on 01243 576212 / 07899 654446 or email us for more information info@monomotorcycles.co.uk
