When Steve and Carole Linsdell opened the doors of Flitwick Motorcycles in 1984, they had one aim- to build a Friendly approachable Motorcycle retail outlet, concentrating on old fashioned Customer care.
The company was started at the start of a recession period, and staffing consisted of just Steve, Carole and one part time mechanic.
Originally selling lawnmowers alongside Yamaha, MZ and simson Motorcycles, after two years the mowers were put out to grass, and the business evolved into what you see today.
Five of the team you see below have been with us since year four, and all of us truly understand what it takes to give a service that stands out from the crowd.
We are current holders of the Yamaha UK master of customer care- as scored by you our customers- a title which we are truly proud to hold.
Steve Linsdell, co- owner.
Specialising in all things workshop. Steve is well renowned in the Motorcycle industry for his Engineering and tuning skills. He has built prepared many race machines of note over the years, including the Locktite Yamahas of the 90's and his own GTS racer- famously used to on the challenging Isle of Man TT circuit. His love of building unusual race machines and attention to detail is second to none.
Carole Linsdell, joint owner.
Carole keeps the office running efficiently, with the help of Pam and Barbara. She can also often be seen on the shop floor assisting in the Bike sales, parts and clothing department, releasing bikes to their new owners, arranging finance, and even on the Service reception.
Mark freeman,clothing and accessory Manager.
Mark has been with the company since 1989, and if there anything he doesn't know about biking, we haven't found it yet.
Mark can be found in the clothing accessories and parts department, where he will be pleased to assist you with your purchase. Mark is a keen motorcyclist, having raced in the past as well.
Wayne Kempson, parts and Service.
Wayne joined us in 1989, as a junior parts man, left briefly to work abroad, then returned to us in 2010.
He splits his time between parts and Service reception, and his wealth of experience ensures you get what you neeed- first time. In his spare time he likes to Moto cross.
Barbara "Babs" Stevens.
Babs joined us as service receptionist in 2002, and moved to the clothing and accessory department two years later. She is sure to make you welcome and will assist you in your clothing and accessory choice. She can also be found in the office, where she assists in sales and purchase ledger input.
Babs rides regularly on the road, and owns both modern and classic machines.
Saul Towers Motorcycles sales Manager.
Saul joined us in 1997, having worked for a multi branch chain in London for some time.
He rides to work everyday using a Yamaha scooter, and is a keen golfer.
Speak to Saul about your new or used bike requirements, he wll be happy to tailor a deal to suit
Richard Anderson, Sales, parts and accessories.
Richard can be seen on the Bike sales floor, to assist you in your choice, and keeps all our machines in a clean and sparkly condition. If you bike is delivered, it is likely that it's him behind the wheel. He also assists in the clothing parts and accessories department- a very busy member of our team
Charles marvell, Chief Technician and Mot Tester
Charles joined us in 2000, having lived and worked in South Africa for many years previously. He has been in the top three in the Yamaha Technical Guild competion on more that one occasion, and worked as a wold superkibe technician for Ducati in the part. His wealth of knowledge and experience means you can be sure your machine is in good hands
Pam Warren, Accounts.
Pam joined us in 1986, as a part time accountant, and ensures that the books are kept up to date, and the staff get paid.
Rarely seen out on the shop floor, she can normally be found in the office where her ever cheerful voice is heard keeping us in tow.
Image to follow
Terry Parker- tyre fitter
Terry joins Charles and Steve on a Saturday, to make sure your tyres get fitted when you need it done.
Opening times
Tuesday-Friday: 8.30-6.00 (workshop closes at 5.30)
Saturdays: 9.00-5.30
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Flitwick Motorcycles, Station Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1JR, UK
Tel: 01525 712197
Fax: 01525 750390
Parts Hotline: 01525 750380
Service Reception: 01525 755511
First Modern road race- Monza Ducati 848 challengeFirst of all I must offer my sincere apologies for being so bad at keeping you all up to date..... Things have been really tough in 2011, first of all overcoming the injuries sustained at the Manx GP, and then trying to come to terms with suddenly only having classic racing, instead of complimenting it with riding Superbikes and Supersport bikes at places like the TT and northwest etc.
Don't get me wrong, I love everything about Classic racing as both an engineer and a rider, but I need my modern fix too! Combine that with my two early crashes at the start of the season (it would seem that 23 is the age that you stop just bouncing, everything hurts!) and a meeting that saw me break down in every session and maybe you can see why I perhaps fell out of love with racing slightly.
It had been a couple of years since I'd been pain free and suddenly I felt like a nobody.... Anyway, all of these are just excuses, I decided to take a few months break to clear my head, and recover from the continual bouncing, so I went to the Northwest and TT as just a spectator. A great time was had by all and it really kicked my arse into gear, I don't want to miss another one!
As soon as I was home from the Northwest I started training again and have now decided I will enter the UGP on the 600, a Classic, and hopefully a 125 and 250.
I have also agreed to a ride on Andy Kirkwood's 848 Ducati for a one off event at Monza this weekend (9th & 10th July)- thank you so much Andy! I must also extend my appreciation to Steve and Sarah Jordan for allowing me to ride a bike that Steve has otherwise inherited for the year.
I was at Mallory park on Saturday just gone, to familiarise myself with the Ducati, and started learning how to ride a modern bike, with modern tyres and brakes on a short circuit again - the last time I did it in anger was in 2008 Superstock 600!
I will update on my antics early next week, so check back soon.................
Back on Track at MalloryWell at last I was back racing at Mallory for the opening round of the CRMC 2011 meetings, for the first time since my big crash at the Manx grand prix in August.
Riding the Seeley Enfield push rod single that Dad Steve took to over a ton during Manx practice, and a Yamaha TD2 250,on loan from Roger Bryant, I was pleased and relieved that I had lost none of my riding skills.
It was however a mixed week-end for Team Flitwick, with both myself and brother David off, on the extremely slippery new Mallory surface.
My off came in my first race back after the big Island crash, at the 'Bus stop' chicane going in on the borrowed TD2 Yamaha. I landed heavily on my shoulder that was dislocated on the Island, but despite the bruising still went on to ride in four more races- my Mother was having kittens!
So Dad, Merv, Steve Bond and Roger set to repairing the little Yam, in readiness for the next days races- sorry Roger, the racing adrenelin had kicked in!
Brother David was even unluckier when he had nowhere to go at Edwina’s' chicane on Sunday. Rriding Bob Light’s 500 Goldie in the first race of the day, another rider dropped his bike just in front of him, during the warm up lap. This had him off resulting in a dislocated right shoulder- we are now like book ends! They tried three times manipulating it into place, before taking him to theatre to finally get it back in. The Mallory new surface is very slippery at cold temperature and there were 26 fallers on the Saturday alone so that made us feel a little better!
David had brand new AM leathers that were cut off- the top half at the medical centre at Mallory and although he begged them not to do it at Leicester Royal they also cut the bottom part off up both legs. Every panel has a cut in them so they are completely ruined- so Steve from AM Leathers is busy making a replacement set as we speak- good leathers I highly reccomend them.
Despite my' early tip off, I got my head down and went on to win three out of the four Group 2 races on the Seeley Bullet but finished 2nd in the other after a slow start just after David’s crash. Tyre warmers are banned with the classic club, so this time I made sure I warmed the tyres before cracking on!
The group 2 bikes now run with the 1300 bikes so I had my work cut out but finished the last race 2nd overall with a fastest lap of 58.7 seconds- not far behind Gary Thwaites, who doesn't hang about. This also knocked about 4 seconds off the lap record for my class, at Mallry, so far so good.
As a bonus, and a thank you to Roger Bryant for loaning his TD2, I also won on the Yamaha, and knocked 6 seconds from that lap record too- all in all a good comeback shakedown! Next race is Pembrey (south Wales) Easter Sat/Sunday, I will again be on the Enfield and hopefully David will be fit to ride Bob’s Goldie’s.
Meantime back to the physio now for some work on my shoulder, then roll on the next round- can't wait!
2011 season at LastWell at last I was back racing at Mallory for the opening round of the CRMC 2011 meetings, for the first time since my big crash at the Manx grand prix in August.
Riding the Seeley Enfield push rod single that Dad Steve took to over a ton during Manx practice, and a Yamaha TD2 250,on loan from Roger Bryant, I was pleased and relieved that I had lost none of my riding skills.
It was however a mixed week-end for Team Flitwick, with both myself and brother David off, on the extremely slippery new Mallory surface.
My off came in my first race back after the big Island crash, at the 'Bus stop' chicane going in on the borrowed TD2 Yamaha. I landed heavily on my shoulder that was dislocated on the Island, but despite the bruising still went on to ride in four more races- my Mother was having kittens!
So Dad, Merv, Steve Bond and Roger set to repairing the little Yam, in readiness for the next days races- sorry Roger, the racing adrenelin had kicked in!
Brother David was even unluckier when he had nowhere to go at Edwina’s' chicane on Sunday. Rriding Bob Light’s 500 Goldie in the first race of the day, another rider dropped his bike just in front of him, during the warm up lap. This had him off resulting in a dislocated right shoulder- we are now like book ends! They tried three times manipulating it into place, before taking him to theatre to finally get it back in. The Mallory new surface is very slippery at cold temperature and there were 26 fallers on the Saturday alone so that made us feel a little better!
David had brand new AM leathers that were cut off- the top half at the medical centre at Mallory and although he begged them not to do it at Leicester Royal they also cut the bottom part off up both legs. Every panel has a cut in them so they are completely ruined- so Steve from AM Leathers is busy making a replacement set as we speak- good leathers I highly reccomend them.
Despite my' early tip off, I got my head down and went on to win three out of the four Group 2 races on the Seeley Bullet but finished 2nd in the other after a slow start just after David’s crash. Tyre warmers are banned with the classic club, so this time I made sure I warmed the tyres before cracking on!
The group 2 bikes now run with the 1300 bikes so I had my work cut out but finished the last race 2nd overall with a fastest lap of 58.7 seconds- not far behind Gary Thwaites, who doesn't hang about. This also knocked about 4 seconds off the lap record for my class, at Mallry, so far so good.
As a bonus, and a thank you to Roger Bryant for loaning his TD2, I also won on the Yamaha, and knocked 6 seconds from that lap record too- all in all a good comeback shakedown! Next race is Pembrey (south Wales) Easter Sat/Sunday, I will again be on the Enfield and hopefully David will be fit to ride Bob’s Goldie’s.
Meantime back to the physio now for some work on my shoulder, then roll on the next round- can't wait!
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