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This Sunday saw the 10th annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride get underway. Started originally in Sydney in 2012, this charity event has swelled to over 900 events worldwide. It also marked the 10th anniversary of the Derbyshire DGR, a route which takes in Matlock Bath. This is a Peak District-based biker’s paradise. It’s a most-famous ‘Mecca’ which magnetises and draws riders from near and far to experience the unique promenade deep within the Derwent gorge on any given Sunday.
This was my first DGR, and so I panicked about fitting in with my tweed jacket and bow tie but, as with other bike-related events I found it to be an all-embracing delight of dapper gents and ladies, riding their smorgasbord of steel from smoky 2-stroke contraptions to wide-tyred bobbers and the incredibly powerful Rocket 3, which my XSR700 had the privilege of riding in formation with for long stretches.
The unforgettable experience of riding into Matlock, at the virtual head of 336 metal machines was an immeasurable source of joy. But more than this, the knowledge that our small chapter had raised well in excess of £30,000 towards the Prostate Cancer and Men’s Mental Health awareness fills me with immense pride.
Riding to the event I felt self-conscious as drivers stared at the ill-fitting choice of clothing I was wearing for riding a motorbike, yet once I arrived at the first venue, I became one of many, making a statement.
Machine Mart is an Aladdin’s cave of tech, gadgets, tools and machinery and is made for such people who are proud to be different. Whether it’s tinkering away for hours on end on a restoration project, or lovingly polishing a cherished classic. We understand petrol heads. Our tools, storage, lifting equipment and cleaning gear are designed to help you repair and maintain your motorbike.
Just as I was unsure of certain engineering and mechanical aspects relating to maintaining my 700cc Yamaha, so, many of the customers who call into our store arrive with questions and uncertainty.
Machine Mart pride ourselves on our product knowledge, expertise and wide range of specialist tools for mechanical engineers and have-a-go DIYers alike.
Whether you’re a lowly, clueless apprentice or a wizened wizard of nuts and bolts, you’ll find the tools you need to tinker away to your heart’s content.
Make an Impact
Once you’ve got past the basics of chain tensioning and oil and brake fluid checking, an impact wrench is extremely useful for the slightly fiddlier job of actually replacing your chain. Changing the chain should coincide with changing the sprockets so as to ensure even wear of the teeth. The competitively priced Clarke CCIW160 with 2x 2Ah batteries is great for getting this task done. Taking the strain for removing those tough nuts, this cordless impact wrench offers a meaty 160Nm of torque, and at just £99.99 it’s a pocket conscious investment, too. Looking for a little more oomph? The CIR184 LIP ½” Drive 18V Compact Impact Wrench is well worth the price upgrade, boasting a brushless motor for longer life, 2x 4Ah batteries and 3 forward, 3 reverse gears for an accurate potent partner in the workshop. Priced at just £144.99 ex VAT, these pocket powder kegs have all the power you need. Delivering a gargantuan 400Nm of torque and are supplied with 2x 4Ah Li-ion batteries.
Take the Strain
Whether you’re polishing chrome spokes on an old BSA or fitting an Akrapovic noise belcher to a modern street machine, working on our bikes can be back-breaking. The Clarke CML3 Hydraulic Motorcycle Lift is designed to put the ‘rest’ back into restoration. Protecting your knees and back, the CML3 lifts loads of up to 450kg to a more comfortable working height of up to 770mm, meaning the moving parts can be easily accessed. Priced at just £459.00 ex VAT, with back-saving working platform is built with front swivel castors for easy manoeuvrability around your workshop or garage. If working height is not an issue and you just need to move your bikes around easily, the MCD1 Motorcycle Dolly is a snip at just £115, meaning you can stack the horses in your paddock, with ease.
Socket to ‘em!
If you’re anything like me, you can never have too many socket sets. One on the bike, one in the desk drawer at the office, one in the workshop and 1/3 of one in your magic box of tricks, complete with brass fittings from a 70s sideboard which has long since been taken to the tip. What you really need though is a definitive kit. A well-equipped, full metal jacket set which meets all your tightening and tweaking needs. What you need is the CHT859. This 300-piece AF/Metric Home Garage Repair Kit, complete with tool chest, is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your common repair and maintenance whether including or sans la motocycle. Priced at just £189.98 this comprehensive set includes ratchet handles, long nose pliers, screwdrivers, spanners and hex key sets.
Machine Mart have a proud 40-year history of supplying advice and quality equipment to engineers for projects big and small across the UK. Our expertise is unsurpassed in being able to recommend the right kind of fitting for your air compressor, the correct oil for your generator, the best pump solution for the problem patch in the lower field and the perfect welding equipment for those tricky repairs.
Our customer reviews are constantly thanking us for our knowledge, attention to detail and informed assistance in helping engineers and novices to find the right product first time and how to use it correctly. We have 65 stores scattered across the UK with a vast range of products available off the shelf, and a further 15000 products to view and buy online. Machine Mart is built by mechanics, for mechanics to help you get the fix you need to maintain your pride and joy. Visit our stores, call or visit machinemart.co.uk and upgrade your workshop today.
Phil Deakin is resident Copywriter at Machine Mart and recent retro bike convert. He rides a striking black and yellow XSR700 60th Anniversary Kenny Roberts Edition Yamaha and records his adventures on his IG account, @retrorider77
