Steve Martin
After the test on Steve Martin’s Majesty 270cc in the last issue, which was organised by regular Classic Trial Magazine contributor Matthew Heppleston, I knew it was time to catch up with the ‘Majesty Man’ himself. I had known Steve from my ventures into North Wales for trials many years ago but had lost touch with him until more recent times, when I realised it was Steve who was the new face of the Majesty Yamaha at this year’s Telford Classic Show.
Steve as usual welcomed me with a warm handshake, and the conversation over a coffee soon turned to ‘Back in the Day’ and the trials scene as it was in the late seventies and the early eighties. The names of Mike Leddy, Ian Dodd, Andy Gardner, Ady Morrison and Simon Bullock all came into the conversation as we remembered how strong the competition in the Cheshire Centre was. The conversation then turned to myself, and the Majesty trials machines I rode for the originator of the brand, John Shirt Snr.
Enjoying Life
Why the Majesty move, was the question I wanted to ask Steve, and so the Majesty-Yamaha story and his new venture soon came to light. Steve has worked in the house building industry for 30 years, and has ridden with success in Trials and Enduro competitions over the years before moving into the Classic Trials scene.
It was during a weekend of competition that he struck up conversation with Craig Mawlam who had originally purchased any remaining parts and stock from ‘Shirty’. He had successfully carried the brand-name into the modern classic trials scene and began to have new parts manufactured to the original specifications along with frame kits etc, and many other much-needed parts and components. As his business interests changed he decided to sell his connection with the Majesty Yamaha along with all the stock.
Now 48 years old and enjoying life Steve began to talk to Craig with a view to purchasing it. During a long drive home from a competition in the South of England Steve began to think about the whole project. A quick, convincing chat with his wife, as you do, and his mind was set. As with many motorcycle transactions a handshake was made and a deal was done with Craig.
A New Job
As usually happens Steve did not realise how much stock and parts he had acquired, and new premises would be need to accommodate his ‘new job’. He would still remain in his house builder role but would start to divide his time, with his wife’s support, to establishing his new Majesty business. Secure premises were located and the stock inventory was all checked and given part numbers, and placed on shelving to afford easy access.
It’s now over six months since the project came to life, in which time Steve has extended the range of products available and, most importantly, carries a good stock of parts.
When I made my visit one of the main topics of conversation was the production of new frame kits to accommodate the Yamaha TY twin-shock trials range. These will be presented in kit form, which will help the purchaser to carry out their own rebuild and be able to update with new products as they become available. The Majesty 270cc that Steve rides has become a mobile test machine and many of his ideas and modifications will be built into the new frame kits. Never be afraid to ask Steve for a test ride on his machine as he is always open to new ideas!
Why Majestys?
In his younger days, which also included cycle trials he, as many other kids before him, had watched Mick Andrews on the original TY range before purchasing the machines in his early motorcycle trials days. As time moved on he had watched with interest the Majesty Yamaha project in the late seventies with John Shirt Snr and Mick Andrews. A few years ago he had touched on the Pre-65 scene building a very ‘trick’ Triumph Tiger Cub but it was a case of trying to make them perform like a modern machine — so ‘why not buy a modern machine?’ was the question he asked himself many times. He loved the atmosphere of the Classic scene and so the next purchase was a Majesty and, as they say, the rest is history.
Steve aims to provide a quick, efficient service and the majority of the parts he supplies are in stock and on the shelf ready to go out, as many new customers have already found out from his mail order service. The website carries 90% of the parts he has in stock, but new parts and accessories are constantly added as he expands his product range. Now, Steve; have you any other Majesty questions before I depart?