First published in the Ross Gazette on April 25th, 2012:

LUCAS Motor Cycles celebrates 50 years of trading on May 1st and continue to go from strength to strength, with customers travelling from far afield for their reputation of solid reliability, trustworthiness and intimate knowledge of the motor cycle business.

This isn't just any old business. Three generations of the Lucas family live and breathe motorbikes. And it shows – their enthusiasm and knowledge is second to none in the industry. As technology and mechanical engineering in modern motorbikes have changed and evolved, so Lucas Motor Cycles have respondedGordon first started working in a motorbike shop in Hereford when he was just 15. You could say it is in his blood. In fact, on the Lucas MotorCycles 50th anniversary, it will have been 67 years – to the day – that he first started at the shop in Commercial Road. As a young man, he bought Harold Webb's motorcycle business, then located at the Icehouse in Wilton Road.

In those days there were only three other motorbike shops in Ross. Ever present alongside Gordon in the business has been his wife of nearly sixty years, Margaret. At a time when motorbiking was largely the preserve of men, Margaret was riding her own bike from Much Dewchurch to Ross every day. Even the arrival of Neil and Gail didn't stop their motorbiking. Family holidays were taken on a motorbike and side-car.

Today second and third generations of the Lucas family – Neil and his son, James – are fully involved in the business. Their discretion in the business counts for a lot. They do a lot of interesting work for interesting clients, but their lips remain sealed.

Lucas Motor Cycles keep motorcycles, mopeds and scooters in stock but they can get any make you want.

They will supply anything. It's not unknown for customers from the early days of the business to return with their children – and grandchildren even – to buy that first bike. "If people want to buy a bike, you've got to go and see them."

Neil and his son, James, will repair and service most bikes. And, if they cannot – some of the older British models for example – they will pass them onto someone they know who can.

Between them, the whole family represents over 150 years of skill, graft, experience and love for the business and motorbikes. "We just do a good job. Let's leave it at that," said Gordon.

"We are able to change, adapt and develop along the way," said Neil. "And that includes our servicing equipment and facilities. We are updating all the time. That's how it should be. If we have something really difficult, like a wiring fault, then we will get Gordon here and we will put our heads together and find a solution."

In a corner of their workshop, Gordon still builds wheels, a very skilled craft. The wheels literally arrive in bits in a box. It was the first job he was taught to do. Currently he is working on wheels of a 1939 Triumph and an Arial 1947.

As Lucas Motor Cycles enters its second 50 years of business it continues to deliver good quality service, product, and advice. Pop in and see.

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