History of James Sandiford Motorcycles Limited
Three generations, spanning six decades. knowledge, dedication and expertise.
James Sandiford (Motorcycles) Ltd, of Burnley this year celebrate their continuing milestone as they mark their 40th year with MONTESA Motorcycles and 51 years in total since the business began back in 1956.
James Sandiford (Motorcycles) Ltd., was originally started in 1956 by Jim Sandiford Senior. He had retired from his car business and his son Jim was starting into his outstanding career of Off Road Motorcycling. Father Jim and Mother Sarah, had owned and run a successful garage on the Bury/Bolton border which they had built (literally) from scratch and decided to change direction at retirement and support Jim with what was already proving to be a potentially successful career.
So the original shop at Radcliffe, Lancashire, was established with franchises of the likes of BSA, Norton and Villiers. As young Jim's career flourished and Trials machines moved on he was successful in establishing a link in 1967 with the MONTESA importer MONTALA Motors for supply of MONTESA Trials machines for the North and Montala would in turn continue to promote the marque for the Southern Area. Shortly afterwards in the early 1970's Montala Motors closed it's business and alongside a move to bigger and better premises in Bury - Sandiford's were appointed by MONTESA as Sole UK Concessionaire.
The late 1970's and early 1980's are often termed the "Crazy Days" when consignments of bikes were arriving from Spain in their 100's and dealers were queuing and sometimes arguing to take as many units as possible. "Father" Jim had retired for the second time and "Young" Jim was well and truly at the helm. The demise of the Trials market then hit and although Sandiford's constantly supported Montesa and they Sandiford's, the unit sales dropped dramatically and the company was forced to place more emphasis on their other interests of Road machines and Honda Motocross. However, they always felt sincerely that their hearts were in off road and in 1990 alongside "Young Jim" and wife Alwyn's desire to take early retirement and leave the kids to it, they sold the premises at Bury and moved the business to Burnley into units that two of their four children, Caroline and Martin could manage themselves.
They made a strong commitment to Montesa and Honda in this respect - to be successful they felt they had to concentrate. However, shortly after the move to Burnley Jim fell ill with Cancer and despite a short respite and a courageous battle he didn't manage to beat the same and died peacefully aged a mere 53 in January 1993. The families one last great memory of Jim was in the December of 1992 - only four weeks before his passing, they held a party at their Burnley premises to celebrate 25 years with Montesa - he found his inimitable inner strength for the day and recounted many "good old day" stories with many good friends.
Brother and Sister, Martin and Caroline, in turn have now established relationships with the new faces of MONTESA (owned by Honda since 1984) not only on a personal basis, but also with a mutual respect on the business side. Sandiford's, although sadly without either Father Jim or Young Jim, is safe in the capable hands of the third generation.
It is a true family business... Now 4th generation, Caroline's Son Joe and Martins's Daughter Sarah keep everyone on their toes and sister Angela's Son James also helps out when free from college. Sandiford's original mechanic Bill Brandwood (affectionately known by many as "Little Bill") was succeeded by his own son Geoff - so one way or another, everyone here today has been involved - although comparative youngsters - for a very long time!
Appointed for Husqvarna in May 2008 their committment is undoubted...
The Story continues......
