Mr. Peter Minton
I’ve had the Bonnie since 1979, and it’s spent the last 30 odd years in the shed. Both it and I have been out of it for decades – the usual story of career and family taking precedence. After a few years’ retirement, I decided to have a go at refurbishing it. I decided from the outset that it wouldn’t be a full restoration of absolutely everything: I wanted a clean, working bike that was mechanically up to scratch. It would be be a mixture of me and specialists, so I looked up a few of them up. Meriden Motorcycles caught my attention, because of the engine rebuild specialty and because the website testimonials pointed towards a flexible, relaxed and grounded approach. Having now dealt with them, I’m happy to add my commendation to the others.
I reached a stage with the T140 engine where I couldn’t get any further – the barrels wouldn’t move, likewise one or two other bits, so I contacted MMC, explained the situation to John and arranged a visit, complete with engine. We began by having a cup of tea and a relaxed hour long chat about the engine – him gauging how much (or little) I know, and what I wanted done, and me picking his brains and asking his advice and opinions. We eventually agreed on a rebuild to standard on the understanding that he would let me know if there was anything alarming, but otherwise to carry on. He sent regular emails and photos to keep me informed and to let me know of anything untoward. “Any problems, or advice needed, get in touch.” The eventual cost was less than the estimate.
Having struggled to get the engine out of the frame, I wasn’t keen to try and put it back in, so I took the frame to MMC for steam cleaning, coating and fitting the engine. Again, all completed with no fuss or pressure, and at what I thought was a fair price. Seeing the rebuilt engine in the refurbished frame was a real buzz.
No doubt at some stage down the line I’ll need some more specialist input, and in that case I won’t hesitate to get in touch with John and MMC again!
Peter Minton.