About Motorcycle HQ
Our Story
Motorcycle oil replaces blood in the Skilton and Windelborn family veins, making Motorcycle HQ in Pahiatua the ultimate location for motorcycle sales and repairs.
Simon and Carolyn Windelborn took over Tony Jury Motorcycles, returning it to the original family owners, with some fresh blood from Simon.
A genuine love and understanding of motorcycles and engines has been passed down genetically from Grandfather Bill Skilton to his son Gordy, to his daughter Carolyn, who added more motorcycle madness to the genes by marrying motorcycle fanatic Simon Windelborn.
A Bit of History on Carolyn's Grandfather 'Bill'
The motorcycle family tree took root way back in Mangatainoka in 1914, when Grandfather Bill Skilton began repairing motorcycles from his shed. Back in the early days, Bill built his own motorbikes from scratch, and repaired any motorcycle he got his hands on.
Bill's popularity necessitated a move to a bigger premises in Pahiatua in 1924. The building was a drafty old wooden building with dirt floors — it was quickly filled up with Bill's Treasures. It was then that Bill and his brother Charlie established Skilton Bros.
After a bit of a disagreement between the two brothers, Charlie left Bill with the business. In the early 1960s Bill demolished the old building and built a new workshop (as it stands today at 32 Main Street).
The force was strong in Bill's son, Gordon, who went away to Napier to do his motorcycle apprenticeship with Bill Plummer. Gordon returned to Pahiatua to add his knowledge to the family business, and in 1963 he went into partnership with his father, changing the name over the store door to W. Skilton & Son.
The Next Chapter
Along came Tony Jury, another motorbike enthusiast, who joined Bill and Gordon as an apprentice in 1976. Tony stayed on and eventually bought a half-share in the business in 1990.
Simon Windelborn turned up for work experience in 1990, and began his apprenticeship in 1991. Simon finished his apprenticeship at Co-op Honda in Palmerston North and went on to gain his "A" grade certificate.
Tony and his wife Janine fully took over in 1995, changing the business name to Tony Jury Motorcycles. Tony moved the business to where it stands today at 94–96 Main Street.
In 2000, Simon and Carolyn decided to branch out on their own, and set up what was known as Simon's Motorcycle Repairs from their shed — just like Bill Skilton did more than 80 years earlier in Mangatainoka.
As Bill Skilton found way back then, good mechanics grow great reputations, and it wasn't long before Simon had to search for bigger premises, moving from Tyndall Street to State Highway 2.
In 2011, Simon and Carolyn purchased Tony Jury Motorcycles. Initially they had some apprehension about taking on such a large-scale business, but Simon and Carolyn decided to give it their best shot.
"Grandpa Skilton would be so happy to know 'kid' as he called Carolyn, has returned." – Gordon Skilton
Simon and Carolyn's son Austin joined the team in September 2025. He is halfway through his motorcycle apprenticeship — now making the business span 4 generations and over 112 years.
The original shop at 32 Main Street
