Scooter News The Scooter Linc Read regular updates from Linc, the man behind ScootaCo, Cairns. This week its a short intro for a new feature blog here on Scootersales : The Scooter Linc
Linc Introducing Linc, the man behind ScootaCo Cairns. Linc is a Scooter enthusiast who likes to dabble in all things mechanical. We've asked Linc to write a regular feature about the first thing that comes into his mind at the time, which could get a bit scary as we move forward. Look out for Linc's regular column and we hope you enjoy scootering from a new angle. Scootering from the perspective of a fan, a shop owner and a fair-dinkum fiddler.
The Scooter Linc / Part 1
When asked to contribute a regular blog for Scootersales I was at first flattered and then a little lost as to what to write. The brief was to make the content a little more personal than the technical pieces which I have written previously and which were what drew the attention of the editor, so to get the ball rolling a quick bio;
My name is Lincoln Biggins or just Linc to all but mother and wife Geraldine. We own ScootaCo in Cairns, which as the name suggests is a scooter and LAMS specific dealership. I am the Dealer Principle, Parts Manager, Mechanic, Pick Up Driver and general dogs body. We have one employee Leonie who does our Accessories, Clerical and shares Sales duties. The shop was opened March 2006 after I saw a trend towards scooters in early 2005. I was the service manager at the local Honda dealer and was looking for alternative transport to my registered competition bike. It was unwieldy in traffic, kick start only, loud and drew unwanted attention. Fuel had just gone over $1 for the first time so I purchased a dead AE50 Suzuki with a burnt crankshaft. Two weeks later with a rebore, rebuilt second hand crank, a roadworthy certificate and the new work commuter was away!
Initially I thought it would just do weekday duties for work but increasingly the little air-cooled, dual drum brake, 50klm per hour scoot found itself doing duty as transport to the shops, sports events and weekend trips to the beach for a swim. Next thing I knew the race bike rego was due and it occurred to me the bike had not turned a wheel in three months. It was sold off and another cheap wreck was bought as a project to be used by Geraldine when complete. Due to the new found interest in scooters my service customers started to increase to the point where it was not just Honda and Bolwell scooters (both of which were sold at that dealership) but a whole range of different brands and models, along with of course the usual larger motorcycles and power equipment.
Why scooters? I get asked this question a lot. I noticed scooter customers in every motorcycle shop I visited did not seem to get the treatment that they rightfully deserved. Driving this was the perpetual boy’s club mentality of “bike shop” employees. Most customers only got to hear about the salesman’s exploits on their weekend ride instead of getting the information and product they need. From this ScootaCo was born. Taking on board what I had learnt as a mechanic, a spare parts interpreter, service manager and now scooter rider we have endeavoured to tailor a scooter specific store where we have made our shop motto as “in ScootaCo there are no stupid questions”. This is not because we believe we are the be all and end all of two wheeled transport but the opposite! As experienced riders it is easy to lose sight of where it all began but most scooter riders are 1st time riders and it is up to longer term riders to encourage these people brave enough to take on what can be a hugely rewarding skill without feeling scared to ask what to some has become almost second nature.
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published 3/06/2011 |