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Performance Motorcycles

I read with interest the article on page 76 of OBA 85 about the Nortina spotted in Bathurst. My memories of that bike go back to 1973 when I was still apprenticed to Bill Shaw, owner of Performance Motorcycles at 177 Gympie Rd Kedron Brisbane. I was indentured to Bill as a Fitter and Turner, doing engine rebores at one of his other businesses at the same address, Precision Reboring. My daily commute was a metallic green Suzuki Hustler and would often take my girlfriend (now wife) to Willie’s Bazaar, Queen St. Brisbane, a coffee shop and late night meeting place in Petrie Bight a couple of doors down from the Orient Hotel. The Nortina attracted a lot of interest among those who saw it and I remember that it was well presented but at that stage may not have had the turbo fitted.

Should this go to print I would like to find a key fob from Performance Motorcycles, depicting a rider flapping behind a fast bike hanging only by his hands on the bars; a photo or the real thing. I would be happy to have my contact email passed on to any reply to this request.

Jonathan Anderson

7 Clabon Street Hillcrest 4118 Mb: 0414 673 445

Stevenage stuff

Here is a photo of the Vincent HRD factory with each building identified. Dennis Minett was in charge of the Black Lightning and Grey Flash assembly from 1947 to 1950 before he immigrated to Australia. He signed the photo for me in 1984. The front building was Phillip Vincent’s residence and head office. First on the left was the canteen and tube bending. Behind the residence