Leather and Simpsons Motorcycles

[iamwoody]

What happened to it and what happened to the mechanics who worked there , they dealt in british motorcycles , triumphs ,bsa ,s etc , did you ever buy a bike from there and is there any place like that now where i go to buy an old british motorbike ?

[hillsbro]

Ah, Leather & Simpsons... They were on Langsett Road until the properties were demolished in mid-1969; then they moved across the road and down Flora St. to their "Flora Street Garage". This building eventually vanished to make way for the Mecca bingo car park, and Leather & Simpsons moved to a new building near the bottom of Hoyle Street before finally fading away. The business was founded by Eric Leather and Harry (Fred) Simpson, the latter having previously worked for Roper's, as had his mechanic, Jack. I bought a new BSA Bantam from them in February 1969 and the following year traded it in for something a bit bigger. Harry died aged 86 in 1992; his son David had his own taxi as well as helping out in the shop - I don't know if David is still living locally. Since moving away from Sheffield I've lost touch with the local motorcycle trade; classic machines are of course bought and sold via enthusiasts' magazines, also eBay - to judge from the price of this machine I wish I'd kept my Starfire!

[bullerboY]

Dave Simpson lives at Chapeltown now but his son lives in the old house at Bradfield.Eric Leather used to have Leacroft Garage opposite the end of Claywheels Lane I think he retired to the IOM.

Edited June 29, 2015 by bullerboY

[Downsunder]

Here's a photo of Leather & Simpsons circa 1968-9, (my brother buying his new Bonneville)

 

[iamwoody]

some great answers/great memories so far along with some great photos

[hillsbro]

Here's a photo of Leather & Simpsons circa 1968-9, (my brother buying his new Bonneville)...

My goodness - that takes me back!. It looks like David with his back to camera - he always reminded me of Bernard Bresslaw (sorry Dave!).. I've Photoshopped the photo a bit for my album - here's the result. And here is an advertisement from the 1954 Kelly's Directory.

[langy]

I bought a Yamaha XS 400 from there around 1980 for 500 pounds, I really wanted the Triumph Bonneville T140 US Special, but that was 1700 pounds and there was no way I could afford that as an apprentice painter and decorator. 30 years and 8 Jap bikes later I finally bought myself a new Bonneville and I love it.