Norfolk mechanic plunges life savings into kickstarting his dream motorcycle workshop

A Norfolk based motorcycle mechanic has realised his lifelong dream of opening his own bike detailing, service and repair centre. 

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Lewis Bartle, 32, turned his passion for bikes into a business, with the recent opening of Quickshift Motorcycles. 

The mechanic poured £10,000 of his life savings into the project, transforming a former carpentry unit into a full-fledged motorcycle workshop. 

Operating as a one man band, Bartle has big plans for the business and hopes to become accredited for MOT testing in the near future. 

Since opening, Quickshift Motorcycles have hosted a welcoming bike night, with plans in place to make these a regular fixture next year. 

“I had a moped to get me to college which broke down most days. Having to fix that was where my career as a mechanic really started,” said Bartle. 

“I dropped out of college training as a brick layer and pursued my career as a mechanic. I worked in cars for four years, then went into agriculture for seven years. 

“I went self-employed five years ago doing cars and bikes, but really wanted to solely do bikes.  

“This premises came up three months ago and I decided to go for it. I got the keys just as I got back from the TT then I got straight to the process of converting it, putting most of my life savings into it.” 

With the website still under construction, search Quickshift Motorcycles on Facebook for more information.