Pic by: Murray Barnard
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS:
FROM ‘PAL & PANTHER’ TO ‘MOTORCYCLE PIT STOP’
1929
The business was established by Cyril Collins under the name ‘Pal & Panther Cycles and Motorcycles’, which later incorporated Lawnmowers.
1952
Jim Howe started working at Pal & Panther at the age of 14 years.
1968
Jim became Cyril’s business partner.
1980
Jim’s wife Patricia became a business partner too, with Cyril. Eventually the two bought the business from Cyril when he retired.
1982
At the age of 17years Craig joined the family business as an apprentice motorcycle mechanic
1983
Karen(Craigs girlfriend and later his wife) joined the business as a sales person. Karen still works till this day doing all different types of work in the shop.
1986
Craig finished his apprenticeship and stayed on at the business.
1988
Grand opening of the expanded new shop on the same location in Angove St.
1996
Cyril Collins sadly passes away – aged 89
2004
The beginning of Motorcycle Pit Stop (this is when Craig and Karen started the business inside Pal & Panther as motorbike sales only.)
2005
Craig and Karen’s son Jamie joined the business as an apprentice motorcycle mechanic.
2006
The passing of a loving mother/grandmother/great grandmother Patricia Howe. A sad time for the family.
Jim moved next door with his bicycles and lawnmowers and retains the name Pal & Panther Cycles and Lawnmowers. Craig and Karen bought the motorcycle business from Jim and incorporated ‘Motorcycle Pit Stop’ with ‘Pal & Panther Motorcycles’ as one business which is known today as Motorcycle Pit Stop.
2009
Jamie completed his Motorcycle Apprenticeship and is currently still working for the family business.
2011
Jim sold the Pal & Panther Cycles to another family member, then he joined us at Motorcycle Pit Stop, where we keep him busy to occupy his days, he does go missing occasionally for very long lunch breaks, where we will catch him talking to a lot of North Perth locals who have been around just as long as Jim.
2014
Pal & Panther Cycles was sold out of the family, but due to the economy & internet sales taking over they closed their doors late in 2015 which was a sad day for all.
2016
Craig, Karen, Jamie & Jim continue to work hard at Motorcycle Pit Stop and are always working at being 100% in Customer Service Dedication…
2020 November had the Angove St Shop being sold and moving the McPitStop Crew Family to a new location with a bigger workshop on Collingwood St, Osborne Park .. where our bright yellow flags will be flapping and flailing in the wind …
December 2020 we have the pleasure of our Nephew Jarrad joining the McPitStop Crew Family as our newly appointed mature aged apprentice, he has great knowledge in all different areas of motorcycle/scooter & quad repairs…
2021 Had Oldboy Jim settled into learning how to slow down & retire…
2022 McPitStop Crew welcome another motorcycle apprentice mechanic Matt in March who is adjusting well with the Crew & has a great knowledge already in servicing & repairing …
Thankyou for reading our short history…please enjoy the photos below of shop changes over the years…
Regards…
MCPitStop Crew – Its Not What You Ride… – As long as you ride… – Enjoy & Ride Safe… : )
Note: A short history of the business was published in 1990 by Murray Barnard – see the article here
DETAIL OF CHANGES TO SHOP…..
Established 1929
Expanded to the right
Yes we did push these bikes in and out everyday
Out Back Of Shop….Pathway to Outside Toilet (which was used till new shop)
Tight squeeze between bicycles/motorbikes/tyres/lawnmowers etc..
Also had to carry a bucket of water to flush toilet..
Too bad if first time wasn’t good enough..
Rubbish Area
1987 New Beginnings
Start of demolition for new building
Demolition Continues..
1987 Start of Rebuild
Nearly Finished
Final Cleanup
New Shop Opened January 13th 1988
2004 Start Of A New Era
NOVEMBER 2020 NEW LOCATION… 27 COLLINGWOOD ST, OSBORNE PARK
Thanking you again for taking the time to read our history
Regards…MCPitStop Crew Family