The return of the Norton motorcycle looks like being a success, judging by the pre-sales orders at Rocker Classic Motorcycles.
Brisbane’s first of the new-age custom bike shops is the Queensland retailer for the iconic British marque and owner Matt Jones says they have pre-sold their full first shipment of six Commando 961s arriving in the next couple of weeks.
“We’ve also got a lot of other riders making inquiries. We won’t have to sell them; they’ll sell themselves,” he says.
Rocker Classic Motorcycles has recently moved from Nundah to bigger premises at 21 Beach St, Kippa Ring, and hopes to open a shop with a bar and stage at Redcliffe to act as the showroom for Norton.
Norton Cafe RacerMatt says that by March they will have on show one of each of the three Commando 961 models – Sport ($31,490 plus on-road costs), Cafe Racer ($35,490) and SF ($37,490) and limited edition Dominator SS (about $38,000). All are powered by a 58kW/90Nm 961cc parallel twin.
Matt says he has pre-sold four Sport models and two Cafe Racers so far.
Other Norton dealers are Fraser Motorcycles Sydney and Melbourne; Adelaide Motorcycle Centre; Bike Craft, Cairns; and Cyclespot Group, Auckland.
Brett gives Matt the treatmentRocker Classic Motorcycles began in February 2012 and quickly outgrew its premises, so Matt leased the area next door for a bar, an entertainment area and a barber shop. Barber Brett van Berkel – or Geezer, as he is known – has moved to the new premises as well.
The new shop again features the Ton-Up cafe, but the bar and stage will be at the new Redcliffe premises and Matt hopes to attract touring ‘80s bands of the calibre of the Hoodoo Gurus and Mondo Rock.
“Redcliffe is a great rider destination,” he says. “We are an open door for any riders, whether you’re a new rider, covered in tatts, women or anyone. For us it’s about building a culture and a community.”
Barista Shaye at the cafeRocker Classic Motorcycles is still a custom shop specialising in bobbers, trackers and cafe racers, but also a service and repair shop with a qualified team of mechanics.
Matt says much of their custom business involves small-capacity ‘70s Japanese bikes such as SRs and CBs, but he’s seeing a recent trend toward later models and higher capacities.
Rocker has also put together a conversion kit for the new kick-start-only Yamaha SR400 which turns the iconic bike into a cafe racer. The kit will be available at yamaha dealers for about $1500.
It is also a dealer for the American-designed and Chinese-built Cleveland CycleWerks Heist bobbers with three other models arriving soon. All cost $4500 rideaway.
Rocker Classic Motorcycles
- Where: 21 Beach st, Kippa Ring, 4021
- Email: sales@rockerclassicmotorcycles.com.au
- Phone +61734962827
