Thanks Derek

Well Mark, I'm sorry you find Derek's article boring, and I'm even more sorry you had to rubbish him here on the web site.

If you are unhappy with the articles in Roadholder, I suggest you write some yourself and see if the other members like them. Members give up their time to write for Roadholder, and we should be grateful. The magazine is a lot better than most of the news stand magazines about old motor bikes.

As Colin says,try writing an article. Not as easy as it sounds. The quality of articles published in Roadholder is far above most club and commercial magazines. And of course you can't please all of the people all of the time. As for curing insomnia, nothing beats The Handbook of Aviation Meteorology, believe me.

Mark, Regarding poor parts for your Norton, dont mess about, just go to Mick Hemmings ok.

Previously alan_johnson wrote:

Mark, Regarding poor parts for your Norton, dont mess about, just go to Mick Hemmings ok.

And pay thought the noses for very expenive parts and Norvil are not much better . yes Norton parts get very expensive . and owners now selling there machines as they cannot afford to maintain there machine any longer then they do not renew there membership as well , so the membership then dwindles . this is based on the Truth And If I am castigated for this thread then so be it, Yours Anna J

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Previously alan_johnson wrote:

Mark, Regarding poor parts for your Norton, dont mess about, just go to Mick Hemmings ok.

And pay thought the noses for very expenive parts and Norvil are not much better . yes Norton parts get very expensive . and owners now selling there machines as they cannot afford to maintain there machine any longer then they do not renew there membership as well , so the membership then dwindles . this is based on the Truth And If I am castigated for this thread then so be it, Yours Anna J

I allways use Mick Hemmings as he is quite local, he is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. There is not much Mick doesn't know about Commando's or any Norton for that matter. I don't agree with you for the reason people are selling their Nortons or don't renew their membership either.

You can't be castigated Anna, you're a girl! Not all Norton parts suppliers get it right all the time, but at least they are there and thanks to them we can still keep the mechanical anachronisms on the road. It must be a bit disheatening for suppliers to see so much griping. A bit of constructive criticism might be in order, or even praise from time to time.

Some suppliers deserve all the criticism they get, constructive or not, they're primary reason for existence is to make money and some of them don't care how.

Mick and Angela Hemmings, however, have always provided a top class service in my opinion and it is a pleasure to do business with them. They still make a profit but I don't mind paying for a top quality service. Long may they continue,

Simon.

Just had to jump in here to defend Mick and Angela Hemmings. I've lost count of the times I've rung Mick, not just for parts but for advice too. Mick's always been willing to help, and Angela knows her onions too - and she's a girl!

I think that it would be fair to suggest that allmost of us ask for is quality parts at a fair price and someone on the other end of the phone who is helpful but not patronizing.

Some of the big name dealers are easily 'top of the shop'by consistently making the effort to take time and be courteous when dealing with their customers. Otherstend to shineby giving a fast postal service or quality parts or both.

The quality of Norton spares is often criticizedand all of the bigdealers have been guilty, at some time, of bad quality control. Even MH. The biggest surprize I had wasduring avisit to the Andover Norton stock room, when it was based near Hungerford. Virtually all the boxes, crates and containers I passed by were sportinglabels which said made anywhere but in the UK.I was assured that every part was made tooriginal Norton specifications but are they?Mind you, my experience of buying some British made stuff, in recent years, has got me very worried. Are we getting what we pay for? Not always.

As a point ofinterest. My meansregular 'get to work,' reasonablymodern 2 wheeltransportwas clobbered by wear and tear, this year, to the point of needing a new rear mono-shock, chains, sprockets,front disc and fork seals. As some of the work needed was beyond my capability I asked mylocal dealer for a quote for the whole bundle,plus a top end service and oil change. When he suggested a £1000 as a starting figure, I began question why I was not using my Commando for the same daily journey instead. I could do all the maintenance and repairs myself and a rough comparising of prices for the cost ofsimilar replacement parts gave me a 60% cash saving.