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Autocom, manufacturers of high quality motorcycle headsets and intercom systems, hit a bad patch recently but they have been rescued and are now part of a larger Group of companies and they are trading normally – and they are releasing new products too.

Some Wingers prefer Autocom headsets to the the standard Honda/J&M types.  The are a number of differences between the two systems, one  being that Autocom use electret (i.e. powered, miniature-sized) microphones rather than the larger, self-powered (and arguably old-fashioned) dynamic mics on which Honda/J&M still rely – mainly because they are restrospectiovely compatible across all GoldWing models.

Autocom has many loyal biker followers, based on a reputation for excellent noise suppression as well as audio quality.  Bikers who migrate to a GoldWing (or should it be ascend to a GoldWing?) having used an Autocom system on a previous bike will often want to stick with it, not least because of their investment in the headsets.

Autocom headests are not directly compatible with a GoldWing’s intercom system but a simple adapter can be purchased which goes in series with the headset, to convert to a Honda 5 pin DIN connection.  This adapter allso provides the necesary power supply for the Autocom electret microphones.

So Autocom headsets can be used with the GoldWing’s normal (i.e. Honda) intercom system via this simple adaptor arrangement, but thius means buying extra parts, so some riders prefer to continue using their complete Autocom Intercom system with their Wing instead.  In this case the Autocom system, which is designed to accept and “talk to” a variety of other audio devices, does most of the work and it just “listens in” to the GoldWing’s intercom, in order to pick up and pass on to the rider’s headset things like Navi system voice instructions and such other audio output from the bike which the rider wants to make use of.  The bike’s FM radio and, if fitted, CD changer will also be relayed to the rider via the Autocon system in the same way.

Although on the face of it adding a full Autocom intercom system to a GoldWing is an unnecessary complication, it does open up one or two interconnection options which are otherwise more difficult to contrive on a UK -spec GoldWing.  For example CB radio and a Bluetooth interface for a mobile phone can be made more easily to an Autocom system than directly to a GoldWing’s own intercom.  An Autocom intercom system’s “brain” is designed to accept mixtures of audio input and output safely and easily and it’s often just a question of buying the appropriate additional connector lead.

For many Wingers, Autocom’s rescue from the brink of what might have been closure is therefore very welcome news indeed.  Their Website is active and can be viewed here.  Their new phone number is 01480 494444.

The amount of money involved is not being released but it’s apparently enough to allow the Federation to cover the whole of its annual administration and IT costs and therefore underpins the services which it is developing for the UK GoldWing Community.

Instead of sucking money out of GoldWing clubs in the form of subscriptions, the Federation will be providing its services to GoldWing Clubs free of charge.  Even PLI cover is virtually free for a Club’s first year of affiliation.  The Federation also plans to make grants to clubs, especially new and newly affiliated clubs, to help them get going.  For further information about the Federation visit its Website.  (GWOCGB subscriptions are again being increased by about 10% for next year.)

For further information about Knutsford Honda (which incidentally has four GL1800s on special offer at present) please ring 01925 752600 or visit their Website.

Polishing Gary Stubbs''s immaculate GL1500 trike

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A new service for bikers, a really good, professional cleaning, is being launched by a Lancashire biker who is also a professional, full time vehicle valeter.

Shane Hutchinson, based in Garstang, North Lancashire has operated his own vehicle valeting business, Lancashire Valeting, for many years and he drives a purpose-fitted van containing a full range of kit and materials to provide an excellent mobile service.

Shane recognises that many bikers enjoy cleaning their own bikes but not everyone does and not everyone can, especially when it comes to achieving Shane’ s exceptionally high standards and thoroughness.

And his prices are very attractive, starting from as low as £35 for a bike which the owner drops off and collects from Shane’s home in Garstang.  The price is a bit higher if he travels to a bike, depending on distance, but the extra cost per bike may be relatively small if he travels to a place where there are several bikes to clean.  So for example you could book him to come and clean a group of bikes for a Club or for Wingers (and/or non-Wingers) who live closely together.

Shane's purpose-fitted van, crammed with all sorts of kit

Although he is based in the North West he is prepared to travel more or less anywhere anywhere in Britain providing there is enough work to justify the journey.  Shane is also planning an arrangement with bike transport companies to collect and return bikes for him for cleaning, which could also be fairly cost effective.

So if you would like to treat your bike or yourself to the special deep cleaning every Wing should get before it gets tucked away for the off season, you might want to give Shane’s new service a try.

Shane can be contacted by tlelphone on 07990 586585 or by email shane@lancashirevaleting.co.uk

Eric & Bridget, Owners of Knutsford Honda, have bought Pricedright too

Pricedright Ltd, which started only a couple of years ago but has become the UK’s premier mail order GoldWing Accessory business offering keen prices, stock  on the shelves all the time and a rapid dispatching service.  Now it has been bought by Knutsford Honda.

This is part of their strategy to become a full service GoldWing Specialist Official Honda Dealer.  They are based on the A50 just East of M6 Junction 20 at the site of the former GoldWings International.  The Showrooms have been extensively refurbished so it’s not just a case of GoldWings International being re-born, Knutsford Honda are taking things to a whole new level.

Pricedright’s extensive stock is to be transferred to the Knutsford Showroom as soon as practicable and specially converted accommodation is being built to house an expanded Clothing and Accessory Department.

The new Department will be completed and stocked up fairly soon but Knutsford Honda will also be taking a big chunk of their accessory stock to the Blackpool Light Parade (coming soon, it’s only the weekend after next) and so for the opening offers which there are sure to be, Blackpool is the place to go.

Sean Davis and his Team will be on site at Pontin’s from Friday lunchtime (September 4th) and over the weekend.  They are also bringing along their Chief Techician Paul, who will assist with fitting lighting and accessories on request.

Indoor accommodation is available at Pontin’s for fitting accessories and lights to your bike, so this opportunity to buy stuff at special offer prices and then fit it or have it fitted is going to be very useful.

If you wish to pre-order any accessories and maybe claim your place at the head of Paul’s queue for fitting at Pontin’s, ring Knutsford Honda on 01925 752600.

You can still place internet order using Pricedright’s website.  Knutsford Honda plan to continue the Premier Dealer status which Pricedright have enjoyed with Big Bike Parts and Add On, so they should be very competitive.  They will also be continuing to stock Pricedright’s range of heated clothing and Draggin jeans etc.

So save your pennies  – this year’s real GoldWing bargains are going to be at the Blackpool Light Parade!

Sean Davis - keen to buy GoldWings

Sean Davis, General Manager of Knutsford Honda, is very keen to buy GoldWings for cash as well as to part exchange them, as they try to build up their stock.

Distance is no object either and Sean will consider collecting your bike from anywhere in UK.  Absolutely any GoldWing will be considered, any model any age – even bikes which have been unused and in storage.  If you have a GoldWing you’re not using, this is your chance to turn it into cash.

If you have a GoldWing for sale Sean or his Salesman, Mike would be delighted to hear from you on 01925 752600.

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They are in newly re-furbished premises on the former GoldWings International site, on the A50 near Junction 20 of the M6.

Knutsford Honda aims to become a major player in the UK GoldWing,  stocking a wide range of bikes and accessories – Classic GoldWings as well as new and late-model GoldWings.  Unlike other dealers, they will be catering for any age of GoldWing.

Eric & Bridget Warburton

The owners of Knutsford Honda are Eric and Bridget Warburton.  Many Wingers will know Eric as the man who was behind GoldWing International, which once upon a time operated on the same site.  Eric has been on the UK GoldWing scene for a long while and has a great deal of knowledge and experience.

Salesman Mike

Sean Davis, whom Eric recruited as General Manager has had many years in the bike trade too and he is now also a GoldWing convert.  Their GL1800 demonstrator is also Sean’s personal daily transport; he rides a GoldWing every chance he can.

Senior Techie Paul

They are in the process of laying in a useful stock of GoldWing accessories in their modern and stylish showrooms and these should have arrived within the next week.  There is also always a welcome and a cup of coffee for any Winger who is passing by.  Links have been established with suppliers of accessories for any model of GoldWing, old or new, so if they don’t already have what you are looking for in stock there’s a fair chance they will be able to get it for you fairly quickly.

Jack - Service Reception and (if you're lucky) valeting

Mark looks after their Parts and Clothing and Jack does Service Reception – and he might even be the one to give your bike a valeting while its in for service.

Paul is the senior Technician in the Workshop, which is equipped to service any model of GoldWing, and his sidekick is Adam.

Tyre Fettler Adam

Charise, who might be the one to answer your phone calls occasionally sometimes shows her face on the sales floor but she’s the one who does the books, so spends much or her time in the offices upstairs.

Beautiful Bookkeeping - Charise

Knutsford Honda are making a real effort to set themselves up to provide a comprehanesive service for the UK GoldWing Community and it’s a very welcome development.

They will be hosting a Ride Out by GoldWings North West on the aftrernoon of Sunday August 23rd, so if any other Winger are in the area that day it would be a good one to pop in.

This Hesketh caught my eye

Near the display of GoldWings at Fleetwood Tram Sunday a Hesketh caught my eye.  It was being displayed by a recently established local motorcycle service and repairer business called StreetRod.

Rob Angel, who used to run the workshop for Raceway Motorcycles, a Dealer in Fleetwood, has decided to go it alone.  Rod will be buying and selling the odd motorcycle but his main aim is to provide specialist servicing and repair facilities, for example to plastic fairings and specially fabricated exhaust components. He was showing a  few examples of damaged fairings which had been repaired and were ready for filling and painting, a much cheaper option than replacing with new.

His services might therefore be useful to a Winger who is restoring an old GoldWing and struggling with damaged plastic bits or unable to get exhaust parts.  He offers general repair and servicing facilities too and he would be quite happy to work on GoldWings.

Exhaust section fabricated from three pieces of stainless steel - you can't see the welds anywhere

Rod operates from a small industrial unit in Fleetwood. He hasn’t got a website yet but you can contact him on 07846 560178 or by email at lgmrod@googlemail.com