If you type "Mr Royal Enfield" in google, you'll correctly get hits for Kevin Mahoney or Pete Snidal. But in earlier times in the UK the title went to another man.
Jack Gray was one of the founders of Gander and Gray, a parts supplier in the East End of London specializing in Royal Enfield. The shop opened in 1947 and closed in 1989. One of the parts from his shop can be seen on display in the Royal Enfield Bullet Big Head being auctioned on ebay this week.
Hi Jorge. I think Gander & Gray in this case may have supplied the entire motorcycle, perhaps as a dealership. The tag is too big and too prominent to refer just to a part, the tail light assembly or fender, which appear to be strictly factory in any case. Again, a tremendous find on you part. It never occurred to me to track down Gander & Gray although I wrote about this bike on my blog, www.royalenfields.com
ReplyDeleteI can confirm that this plate does indicate that the bike was supplied by Gander & Gray. I knew the shop very well for many years, I lived around a mile away from them until I was 22, and they were my "Local Bike Shop" and I grew up with a love of the Royal Enfields. The original U.K. Royal Enfield were still making Interceptors when I first visited the shop, and seeing this picture brought back many happy memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dan!
ReplyDeletehi does any one know the the first name of mr gander of gander and gray
ReplyDeleteJim Gander
DeleteThey put a Triumph twin engine ( originally a 350 but the 500 would also go in- into a 250 Enfield frame- they christened it the Trifield.
DeleteBelieve he was known as 'Bert.'
ReplyDeleteI've got Gander & Gray listed as 592-594 Romford Road Tel 01-478-6062 because thay advertised a wa nkel-powered bike in MCN in 1975. Really must delete that address book.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the famous rotary engined "Roto Gannet" as it was called. Bright yellow and proudly displayed in the window. About 300cc I think.
DeleteThe Gander was my grandfather's brother, heard they built bikes too.
ReplyDeleteI had the privilege of working for Gander and Gray for 4 years in the early 1970s. Didn’t know Mr Gander but Jack Gray was a pleasure to know and work for and I owe him lots for introducing me to the motorcycle industry where I remained for many years. Jack and I ride his yellow 300cc rotary project bike regularly as daily transport. Great days. Roger
DeleteHi there i spotted this blog im jack grays grandson
ReplyDeleteI would love any info or stories grandad died of old age 20 odd years ago
I remeber him building bikes in his garage right up untill he died
I have good memories of his war stories and i remeber a conversation about the gannet
What happened to the gannet
Are there any relatives out there i dont know about
Tom Gander and Jack Gray my dad worked there for years as a mechanic 1956 till 1970
ReplyDeleteMy father bought a Constellation (don’t think it was an Interceptor) from Gander and Gray in 1964 to go with his Busmar sidecar, needed for growing family. Although young, I remember often going to the shop, especially to get bits for his previous Bullet. New bike needed a few bits when it backfired through the carburettor and caught fire.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing a minimalist bike in their shop which I was told one of them had done 110 mph on. Discussion in shop on how no one else would have done that.
Yes, that is correct. My Great Uncle Jack did build bikes from his several workshops at his home in Gidea Park. He also manufactured parts and distributed them via mail order.
ReplyDeleteDamn, miss those days. G&G were a fairly regular stopoff for me in 1970s when I was riding my old Crusader. Always fancied - but couldn't afford - a Meteor.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Roto Gannet signage they had up on the wall of the place on the left hand side of the shop IIRC.
Anyone remember retired hooligan Dave Warren? He was a good guy and a Norton man but we didn't let that hurt our friendship.
lee@eddystone.org