What's In Our Garage: Wemoto's collection

19 May 2017

What's In Our Garage: Wemoto's collection

Behind the scenes at Wemoto

John Newman

Over the past months, we've been visiting Wemoto customers who have allowed us into their garages and sheds to talk about and picture their bike collections and rebuild and restoration projects.

People who visit our premises in West Sussex to pick up their spares, accessories, oils and lubricants etc, may have noticed that tucked into the counter behind a glass front is a rare Honda RVF750 RC45. Rare because only 200 were made primarily to compete in the World Superbike Championship. Joey Dunlop rode one of these in the 1995 Ulster Grand Prix. Jim Moodie achieved a 124.45mph standing start lap at the TT, and John Kocinski won the 1997 World Superbike Championship on the RC45.

This is one of a number of bikes parked up in different departments across Wemoto's premises. This article could justifiably be titled 'What's In Our Office' because in the sales office is parked John Barton's TT-competing Suzuki GSXR1000. It's in 'straight from the track' condition, including insects on the fairing and screen, and the mark from a collision with a seagull at 140mph. And in the next door spare office is a BSA B31 of unknown vintage with an unsprung rear frame.

Nip over to the IT section and standing out almost incongruously amongst the computers and church-like quiet, with an oil drip tray under the engine, is a very well preserved Ducati 900SS. Once the ride of my colleague John Younge, who decided a machine with a less radical riding position needed to be acquired. His 'yellow peril' Harley Davidson has featured in these pages.

Then there's the meeting room with a motorcycle standing at each end.

The black Honda Bros, the beloved workhorse of the courier trade and its riders back in the day.

At the other end of the table, so to speak, is something completely different: an LE Velocette. Known to many as 'Noddy Bikes' because of their extensive use by the police and because the riders were required to 'Nod' to senior officers without taking their hands off the bars....could be an urban myth this one. They were manufactured from 1948 – 1970. At 120kgs it was quite a lump, but the engine they developed to power the shaft drive was interesting: a horizontally-opposed 150cc water-cooled twin.

Away from the offices and units where all the parts are stored and the mail-order action takes place, is the Wemoto secret garage. Where there are a number of very desirable machines waiting for some TLC to restore them to former glory and status.

A couple of BMWs - older R90 and R100 models. Sought after these days by the various custom and cafe racer converters. A classic VFR Honda tucked in one corner and opposite a GSXR Suzuki...the sharp-eyed will spot that the front disc caliper has become detached.

Keeping them company is a nice looking Triumph. Not sure what model this is, but one of our enthusiast readers will probably be able to identify it.

Finally, out back amongst the benches and machinery lurks a BSA C15 250cc, said to still go well, and keeping company with a drastically stripped down step thru that may never see the road or a field track again.

Like any motorcycle company worth its credibility, there's always a gaggle of staff bikes parked out front, and anywhere else they can slot in.

We hope you enjoy this brief tour and the pictures of the Wemoto 'collection'. Many thanks to Carol and Steve Boydell, Jo D, Martin Smith, and Gary Laurence for showing us their collections.

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