Paul O'Brien Motorcycle Clinic is now moving into its 12th year of trading at the Clinic's, Prospero Street, South Murwillumbah address. Paul opened the doors in Prospero Street at the beginning of March 1997 to provide the much-needed services of a specialist motorcycle mechanic.
Paul knows the motoring industry from the bottom up, starting as a weekend bowser attendant at one of the local garages. After completing his HSC at Murwillumbah High and a year full time at the servo he moved on to working full time with motorcycles at the local Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads motorcycle shop.
That's when his love of motorcycles and working on them was really discovered. Paul planned then that he would set up his own motorcycle workshop in the future.
Two years later with growing knowledge of motorcycle mechanics Paul briefly moved on. A change of employment in the Tweed sugarcane industry driving tractor harvesters. Paul also went out west harvesting cotton and wheat, broadening his mechanical knowledge. After two adventurous years Paul was back in Murwillumbah, employee of a vehicle exhaust business and doing occasional repairs to motorcycles.
In the back of his mind was the plan for the motorcycle business, so to further his motorcycle knowledge, he made a move to the Central Coast (Gosford) to a large BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha dealership. Here Paul worked on a very large range of bikes from late model sports bikes, tourers, Harley Davidsons, to agricultural machines.
Paul made sure he studied hard and passed examinations for his motorcycle mechanics tradesman certificate. Being at the big dealerships also gave him experience in the spare parts department where he learnt the spare parts systems of BMW and Japanese Motorcycles. He also gained good contacts in the trade with whom he still communicates.

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Paul is an avid motorcycle race follower, after attending numerous road races at Lakeside and around Australia, for the Australian Road Racing Championships. He biked with friends to the first Australian 500cc GP at Phillip Island and while living on the Central Coast went to several more at Eastern Creek.
But Paul was also helping a young motorcross/supercross rider who had been sponsored by Central Coast Motorcycles and Suzuki. They went to nearly all the outdoor motorcross events around Sydney and to all the indoor stadium crosses. Here he also made good contacts in the motorcross scene.
The highlight after 3 years on the Central Coast came when his rider and himself were picked to go to Indonesia to contest 2 races over 15 days in two different cities, gaining valuable international experience and information on other riders setups.

Moving back to Murwillumbah, Paul again worked at the local vehicle exhaust suppliers, with the help of his boss, advertised and started repairing motorcycles as well as cars, building up a customer base.
Having to start before sun-up and returning home in the dark, the demand for the motorcycle work was enough to start his own business. Since opening and building the shop, making benches, shelves and hoists, Paul decided it was time to put on an apprentice.

Luke Easton joined the clinic in May 1997. Luke achieved in his results, a top 10% position in the state. Quite an achievement!. Luke has moved on to other goals now, in the computer and entertainment industry.

Paul Nicholls, an apprentice at Pauls shop for the last four years, passing with 'credit' grade, is now a fully qualified motorcycle mechanic. Paul Nicholls is still riding around on the bush tracks, but now works in the catering industry.

We now have another apprentice mechanic. A local Murwillumbah lad, with a bit of motorcross racing skills, Luke Conroy began his apprenticeship at the end of 2006. Luke is doing well in his studies and is an asset to our workshop already. Now 2008, Luke is flying thru his studies and is a real asset to the Motorcycle Clinic with his mechanical skills. Luke can also help you at the counter with spareparts or accessories.

Paul, being a motorcycle rider himself and having worked with the public for over 10 years, knows how important it is to provide a good service. His aim at the Clinic is quality service and prompt part sourcing. Paul also likes to fully explain the workings of your bike in simpler terms so that the customer can understand how the machine works.
Paul has also been back at seminars, furthering his knowledge. In 1999, he spent a week in Sydney undergoing an intensive suspension and tuning seminar for motorcross bikes. After this course, Paul has added all the necessary tools for rear shock rebuilds and re-gasing, Paul has also mastered the black art of suspension tuning.
Paul stocks a full range of shims so he can revalve your forks or shock to suit each rider. Paul's up to date knowledge of the latest range of motorcross bikes, including TM, KTM, Husky, and Japanese models. For road riders he offers expert road bike servicing, tune-ups, and a 26-point service checklist. Also many tips on how to make your bike parts last longer.
For Trail and Enduro bike riders Paul has many tips to keepyou & your bike in top condition. Paul specialises in ANY repair needed on bikes from clutch to fork legs, gearbox, wheel repairs or electrical work.

Paul also repairs or services 4 wheeler agricultural machines, and has a pick-up delivery service available, feel free to call ANYTIME for information and advice, or for part prices. Paul can do RTA pink slips for rego, QBE green slips. In the workshop Paul uses the popular range of Silkolene motorcycle oils.

Paul is now planning some workshops for the younger motorcycle rider who wishes to learn more about their machine. A half day workshop is being planned to be held each month on a Saturday afternoon. Approx 10 people can attend for a small fee, to learn about the basics for a 2-stroke topend rebuild. Paul's website is constantly under construction. Here people can view information Paul has gathered on purchase evaluations, 2 stroke oil mix ratio and many other valuable ideas and things to come, as well as links to other popular sites. You can e-mail Paul for information and he is happy to reply with any info to keep your bike going.

Recently the Clinic relocated to larger premises around the corner, from where previously situated. We are now located behind the RTA next door to Hayes Toyota. Our larger premises feature a showroom with clothing, accessories & a larger open format workshop.

Thank you to Roger for his help with the website updates, Tip Top mate!