In the interests of building up an inventory of the good dealers and workshops here, a shout-out for Baines Racing, based at Silverstone. Baines are very well known to many on here. Brothers John and Geoff established the co. and worked together there for many years; John has now semi-retired to Normandy (where he is equipped with a large workshop and servicing Ducs in France and the Channel Islands), and Geoff holds the fort at Silverstone, where the premises have expanded to include a cycle shop. They're top-notch indies (used to spanner for Duc importers Moto Cinelli, and sold Ducs before selling that part of the business to specialise in Duc/Guzzi servicing), have a massive parts stock, and won't do unnecessary work. I started taking my bikes to them years ago after recommendations on the old forum, and have everything done there, including tyres. They work on any vintage but their bread-and-butter, looking at the workshop, is aircooled SSs and Monsters through to the 'strettas (they're Mathesis-equipped). Very highly recommended, therefore, to anyone looking for a specialist in that vicinity (though I know they have customers from all over the UK). For summer servicing it pays to book early: Geoff gets very busy. Baines Racing Silverstone circuit - Contact us Usual disclaimer: no connection with them, just like to see the good guys flourish.
Second that, been in there today for a belt service, coffie supplied & good guy to talk to while the works done, A1.
+1 to that, Geoff and John have always been really good to me, so I wouldn't hear a bad word against them. Absolutely top people in every sense of the word.
ill agree on good guys............a certain irony that they never got a ducati uk franchise, and now Ducati uk is what a stones throw from their back door..........
I suppose in many ways they might be the better for not getting a franchise - being forced to stock bikes, meet targets, stock clothing, move spares and accessories... or else... I see it as a double edged sword in many ways.
Got me out of a hole after a bit of a clutch melt-down at Silverstone, all the parts I needed & free advice.
"a certain irony that they never got a ducati uk franchise" Especially when you consider their role as Hoss Elm's workshop and Fleet maintainers in the fledgling days of his role as effectively Ducati u.k anyway !
Used Baines a few months ago when I had my 749s serviced - belts, timing, oil, etc - and couldn't have been more pleased. Prices were sensible, quality of work was good and Geoff took time to show and explain what he'd done. This was the first 'full service' under my ownership and I expected the worst. I needn't have and would fully recommend to others.
I will probably get my shims done there at some point next year. It's local to me so its a no brainer.
I dropped my bike off on a Saturday morning and collected it a week later. I live 35miles away so it suited me perfectly. Cheers...
I've been using them for nearly 20 years. Top blokes, or at least Geoff is as he is on his own now. His brother John now lives in France.
Been using them for all my Ducati servicing, won't take my 749 anywhere else, top quality work, great prices and nice blokes to boot. Duke
When the Duchess died in Normandy last year, John was kind enough to go and pick her up, spend ages trying to find the fault and when he couldn't, due to lack of the diagnostic kit, he packed her in the van and drove to Silverstone, where Geoff continued the work as they were both at this time intrigued and determined not to let a tiny 695 Monster defeat them. Most of the work they did didn't even end up on the bill. Superb service.
