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ECM Is On A Roll

ECM Is On A Roll

Author: Gavin Foster
Date: 2013-10-04
East Coast Motorcycles in Umhlanga Rocks has upped its game by hiring technical wizard Darren Colman to run its workshop. When he's not busy taking names and kicking butts to get the work done properly he'll occupy his time rebuilding shocks and forks, welding exotic metals and machining whatever needs machining to get your bike back on the road. East Coast has taken on board not just Darren, but his entire business, DC Suspension, that specialised in, amongst other things, rebuilding motorcycle suspensions for the last decade or so. "We rebuild any forks or shocks, even if they weren't meant to be rebuilt. My philosophy is that anything the factory builds, we can rebuild," says the 45-year old craftsman.

Darren cut his teeth as an automotive machinist and fitter with Alex McDonald of Alpha McDelta Engineering in Pinetown, working exclusively on motorcycle engineering projects before moving to Yamaha Distributors where he handled warranty claims and carried out dealer technical training for ten years. He was a top regional motocross racer in the '80s and won a couple of 125cc GP KwaZulu-Natal road-racing championships in the '90s, so he understands bikes and bikers. East Coast Motorcycles, occupying over 1200m2 in Umhlanga, is the biggest motorcycle dealership and the flagship Kawasaki, Triumph, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi outlet in KZN so he's going to be kept very busy. "I'm looking forward to the challenge and proud to be part of the team," he says. Dealer Principal Tracey Milledge feels good about the change. "Darren comes with a great reputation and he'll add value to our dealership," she says. "We're moving closer to being a one-stop facility with all the work being done in house, and that'll enhance what's already happened in the sales and spares departments. We're on a roll."

Contact East Coast Motorcycles on 031-5663024 or pop in for a cup of coffee to meet the team.