VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIAST TURNS HOBBY INTO A BUSINESS

How many times do you hear of people getting out of the rat race, either turning their hand to something completely different, or turning their hobby into a full time job?

Well my name is Neil Hopewell, and the latter is just what I have done. A hobby of just over 20 years has now become my business.

After working in a factory for 23 years, and with my engineering qualifications, I thought there has got to be more to life than this.

It was my wife that urged me into looking at its possibility/feasibility, and after 18 months in the planning, we launched the business on June 1st 2006.

It all started when I started biking in 1978, stripping and re-building my bikes through the years. These included Japanese two and four stroke, road and race machines, of twin, inline and V-four engines.

20+ years ago I developed a passion for British classic motorcycles, and I am still passionate about them today, more so.

I own five classics, one of which, a concourse 1955 Sunbeam S7, has just returned to me having been on loan at the London Motorcycle Museum for 2 years.

The name of my company is NSMB British vintage and classic motorcycle restorers. I work from home, and have areas for restoration work and an engineering workshop.

I am able to undertake most work myself, but the more serious engineering work is sent away. I have, over the years, built up a good contact/spares supply chain, thus keeping time to a minimum.

NSMB do not specialise. We will carry out work on all vintage/classic British machines, and their components.

We provide a multitude of services. These include full restorations, wheel building, engine/gearbox overhauls, forks, carburettors, magneto, dynamo, brakes and everything else that makes your bike work.

QUESTION

Where do you take your motorcycle for a full service?, or who gets your machine prepared for its M.O.T.?

We at NSMB will carry out full servicing/M.O.T. preparation work on any British machine.

I also provide a forum on my web site, to answer questions/solve problems you may have with your machine. Most faults have several possible causes. By contacting my forum, I can provide you with a list, from minor, which you can look at rectifying yourself, to the more serious faults. By assisting in this way, my integrity will bring me your more complicated work.

I look forward to all you enthusiasts getting in touch.

To contact me: Telephone: 01636 613638
e-mail: enquiries@nsmb-restorations.co.uk
Web: www.nsmb-restorations.co.uk