Understanding Garage in the Bristol, Bath & Wells area

[Ozawoza]

I've recently taken the plunge and purchased myself a running Mk3 (with a few other Mk version bits added)..... Not being particularly mechanically minded and never owned a British bike, let alone a Douglas before, I'd like to get her checked over by a professional who knows what they're looking at and understands these old girls? I've had her out on a couple of 20 mile runs after a fluids change, and she seems to run surprisingly well, a few little oil leaks and a few weird noises, the lights don't really work and she has a bit of a wobble at very low speed, but other than that I've fallen in love with her already....... what I don't want to do though is b*gg*r her up in my enthusiasm to just ride her.

With that in mind, does anybody know of an "understanding" and trustworthy garage or the like in the Bath/Bristol/North Somerset area that may be able to give her a check over and probably do a few bits and pieces to give me confidence that she is at least roadworthy?

Thanks in advance for any help provided

[roy]

Hi Oza,

The chances of finding a "garage" as you call it, is like looking for "hens"teeth.

My advice would be to join the LDMCC, which has an excellent spares scheme, there is also a vibrant section in Bristol.
It meets on the FIRST Wednesday of the month, at the Kingswood Heritage Museum, Warmley. There are some very knowledgeable members who would be only to pleased to help/advise you.

Good luck with your new Douglas venture.

Roy.

[Ozawoza]

Thanks Roy,

Yes signed up to LDMCC and went to first Bristol section this month..... I just don't want to be the new guy who just turns up and expects everything to be done for him for free by existing members..... I'm not mechanically minded (although I don't mind having a tinker and developing my knowledge skills), I was just hoping to find somewhere reletively local that, even if not experts in Douglas's, had enough experience of older bikes to at least tell me if there was anything seriously wrong with her..... I'm hoping to pop up to Stow on the Wold this weekend too, so hopefully speak to a few more people up there too

Cheers for the pointer though