DEALER VISIT Andy Metcalfe Motorcycles

First impressions always mean so much and I must admit, I was a little taken back by the bright, open, clean spaces of Andy Metcalfe Motorcycles on my ‘Dealer Visit’ that almost made me want to buy something! All the latest clothing and accessories along with a selection of new and used machines reminded me of the passion that the trials dealers have, in particular in the UK trials sector. Andy is no different and when you start to talk about the passion involved you can then fully understand why they believe in their own individual businesses in a tough economic climate, not just in trials but across the board. The post ‘Brexit’ climate offers some new and challenging times but I can assure you 100% that the future at Andy Metcalfe Motorcycles is both bright and busy.

It’s always interesting to take a nosey in someone’s office with the business owner and it was no different with Andy. The initial talk was about his father Dave, who had been a keen motorcyclist himself and also a mentor to Andy. He had been a good all-round motorcyclist in many different sporting disciplines including trials, motocross, road and sand racing. His employment had kept him close to motorcycling, as for the best part of thirty years he had looked after and maintained the motorcycles belonging to the Cleveland police force.

After retirement he opened up a small business looking after the German BMW machines. Andy inherited his passion for motorcycles but on leaving school he served his apprenticeship, as we all did back in the day, and turned his skills to the print industry. Over the following years he would enjoy a varied motorcycle career that would involve close on twenty years of road racing whilst working in the motor industry. His destiny would eventually lead him to Andy Metcalfe Motorcycles. Close on nearly fifteen years later Andy started to trade at the Old Forge in Yearby, Redcar. With workshop skills and experience passed down from his father he decided to open the doors and follow his passion for the sport in off-road motorcycling, in particular trials.

Trial Magazine owner John Hulme remembers Andy as one of its earliest customers: “Andy called and after a short chat about trials I soon realised he was as passionate about the sport as much as I was. Andy had placed at the time what was quite a large order with our sister company Yoomee, and off the back of this he soon registered as one of the very first advertisers to support my other business interest with Trial Magazine. The relationship has endured the test of time, and we remain not just business associates but also good friends who share the same passion for trials”.

ANDY METCALFE MOTORCYCLES

It’s quite obvious the shop is a busy one, as when we called the stock levels were pretty high with all the latest clothing and hard parts from the various trade suppliers. Andy was keen to point out the choice of both new and used machines, of which there was a wide selection, when a customer called who appeared pretty new to the sport. The whole shop experience is extended as far as offering excellent workshop facilities, which include classic renovation as well as offering a service on most of the parts and components found in the trials world.

Andy has been at his present location for just over twelve months after he started out at the ‘Old Forge’ at Yearby, Redcar. With the constant threat of flooding he made the brave decision to move to newer modern premises which is where he can be found today. Wanting to be constantly involved in the sport, he supports local rider Andy Chilton. This relationship goes back a few years to the Ossa days in 2012 and Andy has constantly delivered good local results, also in the far reaches of the British championship on both Beta and in more recent times on Scorpa machinery with the extra support from the official UK importer Nigel Birkett.

ANDY METCALFE: “We aim to please, it’s as simple as that. I have so many loyal customers based on the service we provide which is very honest. They come back time after time to talk and ask for our valued opinion on the products we sell and recommend. This is not just based on our experience but on many years of dealing with importers and trade suppliers. My personal enjoyment from the business is the renovation of older trials models, which is a fast expanding business in the trials world. When I was a kid there was not much money about, as it was for many families, and from the ‘Make do and Mend’ philosophy I learned many of the skills that I have to offer today.”

ANDY CHILTON: “I have received support from Andy since the Ossa days in 2012. His passion for the sport is second to none and I am eternally grateful for the support I have received from him in my trials career.”

Most parts and accessories are available off the shelf.

Yes, it’s an old and small picture, but it is Andy with his dad Dave.

A good stock of used machines is always available for riders of all ages and abilities.

His father Dave’s employment had kept him close to motorcycling, as for the best part of thirty years he had looked after and maintained the motorcycles belonging to the Cleveland police force.

It’s always interesting to take a nosey in anyone’s office with the business owner and this was no different with Andy. The initial talk was about his father Dave, who had been a keen motorcyclist himself and also mentor to Andy. Andy Chilton: “I have received support from Andy since the Ossa days in 2012. His passion for the sport is second to none and I am eternally grateful for the support I have received from him in my trials career.” The workshop facilities are second to none, offering excellent facilities which extend to classic renovation as well as offering a service on most of the parts and components found in the trials world.