Hitchcocks Forum

I popped in to Hitchcocks today and while talking to Allan about some other matters I happened to mention that I was preparing to make some engine/gearbox plates for the early "small frame" 1958 Meteor Minor that I am working on. This model is unusual in that it uses a frame about halfway in size between the Crusader and the Bullet and Twin models, a frame that was only used on the Meteor Minor and only for about 6 months so is consequently quite rare. Allan had already checked for me that they have none of these engine plates in stock but he thought they might have the original Factory drawings amongst the treasure trove of Factory material that Hitchcocks recently acquired and he said he'd let me have the dimensions if he could find the drawing. Imagine my surprise when I got an email 3 hours later to say not only had he found the drawing but he's ordered the parts to be made! Service or what?!

REgards, Mark

It is nice to hear good news.

I find that their postal service is second to none as well.......To freely Mis-quote Shakespeare}--- "Aye--and there's the rub"------- In other words, if my previous 3 Bullets hadn't required such frequent shopping trips I wouldn't have had that delightful service experience in the first place !!...........

On the other hand if it wasn't for them and their tireless efforts owners of those rare birds like Mark M describes would be up that proverbial creek "sans padd-el" as it were...........So, on balance it's}---- Hooray for Hitchcocks !!!.................(ahem, koff-koff--how's my 10% discount coming along, chaps. ??)...

Been there often, no spare parts at all in the place.


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Yes, I find their postal service second to none. Order one day, receive the goods the next day. TBH if it weren’t for the existence of Hitchcock’s there’s no way I would have bought a new RE. I’d hate to have to rely on the importer and dealer network. Like others on here, my supplying dealer stopped selling REs after about one year.

Alan, grateful as I am that Hitchcocks are re-making a part that is long out of stock I don't want folk to think I am helpless without bought in spares! I was in the process of making some plates and my conversation with Allan started with me offering to supply Hitchcocks with some sets of plates as I have a guy ready to laser cut some when I've made the pattern. Making 5 sets is as easy as 1 with this new technology! However, if Allan gets them done it saves a lot of cutting and filing a pattern and I'll concentrate on the rest of the cycle parts instead.

REgards, Mark

Just a little point Alan. Not sure how it’s only ‘Hooray for Hitchcocks !!!................’ ‘on balance’. As they don’t make the bikes (that failed you from time to time) your experience of H’s is a plus plus: ‘second to none’ postal service (a plus); dedication that keeps older rarer models on road (a plus). Seems its ‘Hooray for Hitchcocks !!!................’ on all counts!

Hi Mark---Perish the thought !!LoL ---I'm sure that the majority on here ( and out there in "Clubland" ) know you to be one VERY capable young chap !!------------Well, ok then, slightly middle-aged !!......Regarding Laser Cutting then those are my thoughts as well ----------In my other life of Model Engineering I'm a great advocate of using any and all "modern" processes to aid in repetitive accuracy, speed of production etc....much to some of the "Old Guard's chagrin who would still have you chain drilling, chiseling and filing some 40 years after finishing your apprenticeship and achieving HNC status etc... I have used Malcolm High at Model Engineers Laser in Doncaster ( http://www.modelengineerslaser.co.uk/ ) for many years now with 100% satisfaction... ( Usual disclaimer )...

Hi Leon-----With a bit of the old "Googling" I think I now have the history for the founding family of that town -------> ------------> ( http://www.fotolibra.com/gallery/634528 ... ffset=0&se )

Hi Presto--------sorry, have only just seen your posting-----Yes, happy to agree with you there....