Thieves Take Thousands Of Pounds Worth Of Classic Motorbikes

Thieves Take Thousands Of Pounds Worth Of Classic Motorbikes

A 91-year-old motorcycle was among the classic bikes stolen from a Manchester workshop.

The 76-year-old victim of the theft, Roy Dickman, is said to be “devastated” in his planned retirement year.

The bikes stolen from the Dot motorbike factory in Hulme include:

• Dot Mancunian 187cc (1955): This Manchester-made machine is incredibly rare. Only 14 others still survive today. Mr Dickman wanted to give this to his grandson

• Triumph Tiger 100A 500cc (1962): You may recognise the Tiger 100 as the one involved in Bob Dylan’s high-profile crash in New York in 1966. But that was a 100SS. The 100A is a slightly different version
• BSA 3¾ 350cc (1925): Little is known about this vintage bike, other than this version’s handlers over the years have done wonderfully well to preserve it for so long

Thieves also took

• £5,000-plus-valued wheels believed to have originally belonged to a Dot Peugeot (1908) which took the Isle of Man TT title that same year
• A toolbox and its contents. The specialist equipment is valued at around £1,000

What the family says

Gavin Pettigrew, Mr Dickman’s son-in-law, told the Manchester Evening News that the bikes have great sentimental value besides their high price tags.

He says the crime has left Mr Dickman feeling “devastated”.

Garages are in the Dickmans’ blood. Roy Dickman has been in the motorbike trade throughout his career. His father owned a Salford-based garage.

Mr Pettigrew believes that the thieves may come unstuck if they try to sell the classic bikes, tools and parts.

He says that Mr Dickson is very well connected in local classic bike circles.

Can you help?

Greater Manchester Police want the public to help them catch the thieves. They can quote the reference number 290316/549 if they know anything and phone 101.

The crime took place over Easter, but the police appeal has only gone public in the press last week.

The Dot factory - a potted history

1903: Harry Reed establishes the Dot Cycle and Motor Manufacturing Company

1906: The first Dot motorbike is built… with the help of an engine from Peugeot

1908: The Dot Peugeot wins the Isle of Man TT Twin Cylinder Class

1932-48: The Depression and the Second World War mean no bikes are built during this time

1949: Production resumes

1960s: Manufacturing ceases in the face of heavy competition. But the factory still goes on, selling post-war machine spares