When US and other overseas owners send their treasured bikes away for restoration in a factory in England, they demonstrate more trust in the arrangement than most of us do when getting our TV or washing machine repaired. The chances are that they will not see the bike again until the restoration project is completed. Probably, their contact with the restoring team has been by telephone or mail only. And - would we be happy with this for our domestic appliance repair? - they do not know what the restoration is going to cost. What makes them act in this extraordinarily trusting way?


Restoration work at Robin James
"It’s a matter of the dialogue which springs up between true enthusiasts," believes restorer Robin James. "Somehow, the owner and we understand that the restoration project is something that rises above the ins-and-outs of a usual commercial arrangement.

"Mind you, we are not shy about pointing to our more than 20 years’ experience of restoration, to ex-works or award-winning Concours standards," continues Robin, who rides and races his own classic bikes as a hobby. "And every restored bike carries our numbered and engraved badge, a seal of my personal approval which guarantees the excellence of our workmanship."

Most owners sending their bikes to Robin James for restoration have no estimate of the cost. It simply is not known at that stage. Instead, the firm promises that four key standards will apply throughout the work to come, and charges are made for ‘time blocks’ of work, backed by detailed progress reports.

It’s a way of working, and doing business, which sets a heartening example in today’s often cynical world.

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