Old Aus motorcycle news story

Hey Q Modak is now run by the son of that old lady, he offers a sort of over the phone on line service but I believe the stock of parts are no longer in Elizabeth St as that shop site was so valuable it got sold.
 
That old lady in Modak (Jean Beanham) was a legend. What she didn't know about Pommy bikes wasn't worth knowing. She worked behind the counter at Modak right up until a couple of weeks before she died in her early 90's.

The first time I went into that shop, I felt like I'd gone back in time by about 50 years. I was looking for some part (I forget what) for my '67 Bonneville. An old lady asked me what I needed. At first, I was a little hesitant to talk about motorcycle parts to some old duck who was probably only there to make the tea and wipe down the counter top, so I was casting my eye around for the bloke who actually ran the shop. But she soon put an end to my ageist/sexist attitude by asking sensible questions about the bike and surprising me with her encyclopaedic knowledge. She disappeared up a ladder and returned with something wrapped in greasy brown paper. There was no label on the paper to identify what it contained, but she unwrapped it and there was the very part I needed.

www.theage.com.au

One-of-a-kind classic with plenty in the tank

At Modak Motorcycles spare parts shop, the modest 88-year-old Jean Beanham says her job is to mind the counter when her son is out, answer the phone and make lunch.
www.theage.com.au www.theage.com.au
 
It's sad these institutions have gone. We had 3 shops like that in Sydneys Bike area plus the Japanese Super Shops, Tom Burn BMW who had their Triumph parts up a dodgy staircase in the corner. Allparts in Redfern run by Joe The XXX, better not use that word, he must have been in his late 70s when I dealt with him and my favourite Omadies near Central Railway Station. They had the look of a 1920 Emporium, and a front window with everything on glass shelves in little boxes with printed labels including oddball Gardiner Mechanical Fuel injection, Amal Carby Bits, Aviator Goggles Spitfire Pilots would wear, old-style Ashman boots, every Waxed Cotton bit of bike gear you could imagine. etc. Dozens and dozens of old-school bits and pieces. Even in the 1980s, it was like stepping back in time 50 years. Early on that was the only place in Sydney that sold Classic Bike Magazine. Window shopping could last for hours.
 
I remember going to Elizabeth St as a kid (early 80's I guess) with Dad and really feeling the 'bike vibe'. I was occasionally in Melbs in the early 90's and it was still pretty evident. In 2019 I found myself in Melbourne city for the first time in ages for a work gig, and figured I should take a stroll down Elizabeth St. How depressing. Generic mobile phone / noodle/ international money transfer / whatever shops up and down. There was a bike shop or two left here and there but the vibe was totally gone.
 
Vince said:
It's sad these institutions have gone. We had 3 shops like that in Sydneys Bike area plus the Japanese Super Shops, Tom Burn BMW who had their Triumph parts up a dodgy staircase in the corner. Allparts in Redfern run by Joe The XXX, better not use that word, he must have been in his late 70s when I dealt with him and my favourite Omadies near Central Railway Station. They had the look of a 1920 Emporium, and a front window with everything on glass shelves in little boxes with printed labels including oddball Gardiner Mechanical Fuel injection, Amal Carby Bits, Aviator Goggles Spitfire Pilots would wear, old-style Ashman boots, every Waxed Cotton bit of bike gear you could imagine. etc. Dozens and dozens of old-school bits and pieces. Even in the 1980s, it was like stepping back in time 50 years. Early on that was the only place in Sydney that sold Classic Bike Magazine. Window shopping could last for hours.
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Omodeis also sold 'Aero' leather dressing:
1687431807064.png
 
piranha-bro2 said:
Still got a Mars jacket- belong to my missus, but fits me a treat.
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So have I. Bought it when I was a teenager. I can't even get my arm down the sleeve now. Apart from a bit of road rash that's been repaired (gives it street cred), it's still in quite good condition. I used to keep it supple with some kind of leather treatment that I don't remember the name of. Seems to have worked anyway because the leather is still good. It also got a new lining sewn in at some stage. Perhaps I should pass it on to another teenager, or maybe it'll fit Quentin's wife to replace the one he nicked from her. ;)
 
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