On the 6th of December 2011, we celebrated 60 years trading.
Many thanks to all our customers,friends and fellow motorcycle traders who came to our open day to help us celebrate.
Startrights is the best known motorcycle spares dealer in Leeds. Our customers describe us as 'a proper bike shop'.You really can't define that but trading as a family business for over 60 years has a lot to do with it.
My Dad, Rex Wilshaw started Startright Motors with next to no cash but lots of enthusiasm.
Recently demobbed from the RAF in 1951, my Dad vowed never EVER to take orders from anyone again.
Startrights began as a partnership but within a few months, the others (Perhaps for the best?) Had turned their backs on being self employed, leaving my Dad on his own.
A disastrous deal with a typical money lender of the time;Woodland finance, off Roundhay road, Leeds (No longer around), who signed people up for finance to buy bikes,included a 'buy back' clause, which was a total disaster for Startrights because in 1952 to 1953 letters started arriving at Chariot street saying due to non payment by your customers.....(It was called a repurchase guarantee).
The safeguards on money lending didn't exist then so it was my Dad who had to foot the bill,when after a year, the purchasers had fallen into arrears with their finance, it was us that had to pay instead!
My Dad didn't like talking about it but he did say some things I won't repeat, it was nearly 20 years later when he finished paying off 'the debt'.
The bikes were repossessed due to non payment, there were some good customers for whom we will be forever grateful,but a surprising number had ridden the bikes until they expired through lack of servicing. Few of the bikes were in a fit state to be repaired, once assessed after recovery,they were mostly dismantled for spares to try and meet the payments of the moneylender.....
So, the trend was set, and we dismantled motorcycles to make ends meet and still do so to this day.
Startright Motorcycles
My Dad giving zero thought to.... well anyone else really 
Rented 47 meadow Road, and another small shop on Meadow Lane, opposite the gas works . Then cleared the rubble in between the two, and built a workshop from the wood and bricks he salvaged, I remember walking between the two shops through a wonderfully warm workshop, often heated by wood salvaged from our surroundings, which must have been derelict houses.
Rented 47 meadow Road, and another small shop on Meadow Lane, opposite the gas works . Then cleared the rubble in between the two, and built a workshop from the wood and bricks he salvaged, I remember walking between the two shops through a wonderfully warm workshop, often heated by wood salvaged from our surroundings, which must have been derelict houses.Joining our only employee at the time, Delroy Calvin White.. Roy, with my Mum and Dad for fish and chips from Nash's is a solid, but faded memory I presume it was in the summer holidays.
I do remember, when they all went back to work, I used to sneak up the stairs in the derelict house, the top floor was FULL of pigeon poo, not just a few inches either..There was very little roof left, and the top flight of stairs was 'wobbly'!.
Given that I was still in single figures, my memory isn't perfect, but I do remember there was an old model battleship in between the two shops. I found it fascinating, did anyone salvage it? Or is it lost forever like so much else I never even recognised, my Dad said it was all pre-war stuff, so had no real value, not even as scrap.
Given that I was still in single figures, my memory isn't perfect, but I do remember there was an old model battleship in between the two shops. I found it fascinating, did anyone salvage it? Or is it lost forever like so much else I never even recognised, my Dad said it was all pre-war stuff, so had no real value, not even as scrap.
Notes for me; detail needed, date of move from Chariot Street to Meadow Road, Meadow road to Water lane, Water Lane to Hunslet Road.
Rough dates:
Chariot street 1951 to 1959
Meadow Lane / Meadow Road 1959 to 1966
111 Water Lane Leeds 11 1966 to 1971/2
144 to 146 Hunslet Road 1972 to Present day.
Graham.
Anyone with any information please do get in touch
144 to 146 Hunslet Road 1972 to Present day.
Graham.
Anyone with any information please do get in touch