The problem with parts…

TRY BUYING PARTS FOR A 15 year-old Fiat or a fiveyear-old washing machine and you’re in trouble. In the age of obsolescence even the most basic request is met with a sullen ‘Sorry mate, discontinued’. By contrast, obtaining essential supplies to keep a stone age British motorcycle on the road is an uplifting experience. Fork rebuild kit for a 1948 Matchless 350? ‘Yep, I can do that,’ says Steven Surbey without a pause. ‘It’ll be £38.81.’ Steve and his mum Linda run AMC Classic Spares from a collection of sheds in Bedfordshire. They specialise in the AJS and Matchless models produced by Associated Motor Cycles in South London from the 1930s to the midsixties when the original firm went bust. The Surbey’s business was started by Steven’s late father Tony and they’ve got a decent stock of second-hand bits, but most parts are made specially by engineering firms in the UK, even though that’s expensive. ‘You can buy some Indian-made spares for British bikes on ebay,’ admits Steve. ‘But the detail isn’t right and they often don’t fit.’ Parts are sent to America, Australia and the rest of the world. ‘We had an enquiry from Afghanistan last week,’ says Steve. ‘You wonder how that particular bike ended up there, but it does tell you how globally dominant the British bike industry was at one time.’ amcclassicspares.com

Hugo Wilson Editor If you’ve ever attempted to buy an old bike you’ve no doubt been sagely advised to think twice due to lack of spares. Pay no attention…