It might be a bit of a cliché, but the phrase “they don’t make ‘em like that any more” springs to mind. Pete Edmondson, who passed away last month, was already a legend when I first met him more than 45 years ago. His infectious smile and unwavering enthusiasm for motorcycling and off-road sport, which seemed to be in his very DNA, endeared him to all who knew him. This passion was not only a part of his life but also a legacy he passed on to his sons and grandsons, who have successfully represented their country at international off-road events over the years.
One of Pete’s most significant contributions to the motorcycle industry was the Dalesman motorcycle, which he produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This motorcycle, based on the Puch M125 two-stroke and available in trials, scrambles and enduro options, was a testament to Pete’s ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. Dalesman Competition Products, set up in Otley, near Leeds, was a hub of innovation and success. Pete seized the opportunity after Villiers, which supplied engines for a large number of off-road brands, ceased operations and before the Spanish brands of Ossa, Bultaco and Montesa established themselves in the UK. In those days, a brand new Dalesman could be purchased for the price of a brake disc today.
Helping to keep the prices reasonable was a deal done with Leeds Prison, whereby some of the more skilled inmates produced parts, including silencers, for the Dalesman. Production volumes at this time were about 100 per month. Sadly, the commercial and export aspects of the business were taken out of Pete’s hands, and production eventually ceased in 1974. He continued to be a leading light in the off-road industry, but production of the Dalesman was an exciting time for Pete, and he never forgot it. He was not the sort of person to sit around twiddling his thumbs, and up until quite recently he could be found trading at shows and events.
To say that Pete was a one-off would be putting it mildly – he will be greatly missed.