BIKES AS WELL AS BITS

Bighorns aren’t exactly thick on the ground in the UK, but we found two at David Silver Spares (davidsilverspares.co.uk). Best known for NOS and remanufactured parts for classic Hondas, David has added a growing bike import operation to his Suffolk-based empire. “Since we opened our US operation, the import side made sense,” he told us. “We’ve been importing complete machines for about three years and business is still growing. Last year we brought in 340 bikes, all from the USA.”

David concentrates on rideable midrange bikes, though does bring in a few projects and some exceptionally high-quality machines, too. It’s not just Hondas, either, as these Kawasakis prove – David brings in a broad mix of Japanese, British and even the odd Italian. Bikes are offered at an ‘as is’ lower price, or a higher ‘on the road’ price which includes workshop preparation, warranty, registration and MOT (if required). With tax and MOT exemption for bikes over 40 years old, registration for 40-year-old ‘as is’ bikes costs £97.50, including DVLA first registration fee and numberplate.

Our test bike is £2600 as is or £2900 all sorted, and the silver 1975 model (see previous page) is £3300 or £3950. New stock is arriving all the time.