mick walkers the man!!!

**jbird** · 29 Aug 08, 01:23 AM

went to fenhams bike show on bank holiday mpnday, and met mick walker. got to say this man knows bloody everything there is too know about dukes (he has written 110 books, mostly on dukes), but not only that, he is a really nice fella. spent a good 30 mins trawling his knowledge, and he never once moaned, and was a star.

**Ventodue** · 30 Aug 08, 12:18 PM

He was also one of the handful of guys who kept us owners going during the dark days when Coburn & Hughes were the offical importers and spares supplier, a task which they seemed to find - how shall we say? - 'burdensome to execute'

.

Ciao

Craig

**northworthy** · 30 Aug 08, 02:24 PM

Yes Mike is truly a terrific gent.

I had the honour years ago of spending hours with him at his home, drinking tea, rummaging through spare's boxes, thumbing his books in the study and discussing all things Italian bikes whilst trying not to drop biscuit crumbs on the carpet.

It is Mike's "fault" that I am a Ducatisti, as it was he who introduced me to a friend of his who was also barking mad about Italian bikes - Phil Worth owner of Italia Moto Lincoln.

Ace chaps both of 'em. :clap

**Mr.R** · 30 Aug 08, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ventodue

He was also one of the handful of guys who kept us owners going during the dark days when Coburn & Hughes were the offical importers and spares supplier, a task which they seemed to find - how shall we say? - 'burdensome to execute'

.

Ciao

Craig

Hi,
I might be wrong here but I seem to remember that for a while (Late 70's-early 80's) whilst Coburn & Hughes were the bike importers, Mick was the spares importer.
I had to ride upto Wisbech to pick up some spares for my '79 900SS while it was still under warrenty.

Steve R

**Ventodue** · 30 Aug 08, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.R

Hi,
I might be wrong here but I seem to remember that for a while (Late 70's-early 80's) whilst Coburn & Hughes were the bike importers, Mick was the spares importer.
I had to ride upto Wisbech to pick up some spares for my '79 900SS while it was still under warrenty.

Steve R

Yeh, the whole set-up was mightily confusing, that was for sure. For example, I know it was Mick who had the contract for changing all the Speedlines under warranty. But I think he said that was under contract to C&H, not Ducrappi itself.

I still remember C&H's parts clear-out when they finished up. Parts which they'd denied ever having were all over the place - it was somewhere in Luton, I seem to recall. Bought meself a pair of pistons ...

Ciao

Craig

**Ventodue** · 30 Aug 08, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northworthy

... a friend of his who was also barking mad about Italian bikes - Phil Worth owner of Italia Moto Lincoln.

This is true. Who else but Phil would get his mechanics to come out and 'admire' - his words, not theirs

- my Laverda RGS Corsa, just after I'd bought it a few years back.

Of course, they all thought it was a right load of cr** compared to the modern stuff they were used to.

**Mr.R** · 30 Aug 08, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ventodue

Yeh, the whole set-up was mightily confusing, that was for sure. For example, I know it was Mick who had the contract for changing all the Speedlines under warranty. But I think he said that was under contract to C&H, not Ducrappi itself.

I still remember C&H's parts clear-out when they finished up. Parts which they'd denied ever having were all over the place - it was somewhere in Luton, I seem to recall. Bought meself a pair of pistons ...

Ciao

Craig

Hi,
If I remember rightly most of them went to Bernie's 'Spares & Repairs', (Later Spares GB) there was some good kit floating about back then at good prices, I bought a new 750SS rear disc for £15, I have a spare original one you could probably add a nought to that price now?

Steve R