Paint specialist Proline of Earls Barton, Northamptonshire, is looking to increase bike business from 20% to 50% thanks to a series of custom specials commissioned by Steve Nash (group service manager) and Richard Higgs (general manager) who run North Oxford BMW and Wollaston BMW (Northampton).
Proline director Gareth Jones (second picture) says: “We are doing a series of one-off ‘Custom Legends’ for North Oxford and Wollaston, and are looking to further penetrate the bike trade and expand the bike business in general.
“We first started doing paint for Wollaston 10 years ago. Five years ago, we did the first of their Custom Legends – all based on new BMW R nineT twins. Since then we have done 12 versions, all different.
“Our latest project, for North Oxford BMW, is a ‘barn find’ look R nineT BMW. The barn-find and vintage look is now all the rage in bikes, as well as in furniture, clothes, and so on. People want their bikes to look patinated but be mechanically perfect.
“This is our first barn-find commission and we are confident of a lot more work in this style when this project is finished.”
Last weekend (7-8 September) North Oxford BMW held a sales weekend with several Proline/North Oxford Custom Legend specials on display.
Proline has also painted a new Hinckley Triumph Bonneville Bobber in 1930s Speed Twin style for Pure Triumph of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
“Our motorcycle work is growing rapidly,” says Jones who raced schoolboy motocross for 10 years. “Cars make up 80% of our business and bikes 20% but we are hoping to build bikes up to 50%. Bikes are a big passion of mine, I love this stuff.”
Jones started the business 24 years ago and now has a staff of six. Panel work and dent repairs are also part of the service. Details: 01604 811 969 www.proline-paint.com
Fuller story in the next issue of BDN
Pictured top is the Wollaston-North Oxford BMW tribute to the German marque’s 1939 Isle of Man TT win.
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