Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Coburn & Hughes
Hello
I have bought a Honda Superdream, W reg could be 1980. The licence plate says 'Coburn & Hughes 449 Green Lanes Harringay' I thought I recognised the name so had a look on Google Maps. 449 Green Lanes is there but no sign of Coburn & Hughes (sounds a bit like a Dickensian undertakers).
I'd be grateful if anyone could give me some background to C&H. Was C&H a main dealer or just a high street bike sales and repair outfit? I'm only curious because although the licence plate says C&H etc the reg seems to relate to the Leeds area.....?
I thought people local to Harringay might remember Coburn & Hughes and fill in a few blanks?
Many Thanks for any help
Peter
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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No personal memories, but here are a few posted on the site by others on the site over the years. This picture just added.
Just up the road was J K Sports Cars.
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Permalink Reply by Peter on
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Many thanks for your help Hugh.
As you age you get more nostalgic, I sort of miss the ‘high street’ with all the variety of shops.
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Permalink Reply by Peter John Morris on
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I bought a 1964 Honda 305 ‘Superdream’ from them in 1967; it was an absolute heap of ****, but I wouldn’t take my experience as a guide to their business. Prior to that it was a secondhand car dealership when most of them were in High Streets and ‘Arthur Daly’ type locations.
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Thanks Peter
I'm now getting a clearer picture of Messrs Coburn & Hughes. Dealt with afew in my time. Some were great, some dodgy 'Daly' types. Can't say my Honda is a 'super' anything, but I can't blame C&H for that. Perhaps your bike was the forerunner of the Superdream called? the Dream!
Honda UK sold a lot of Superdream 250s when a learner could ride anything up to 250cc. Regardless of a top speed of about 80mph.
Best Regards
Peter
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Permalink Reply by Roy aka Smiffy on
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I bought a Super Dream 250N in the late 70s.
Not very super performance but a nice size bike to ride. Couriers loved them.
I have one, a W reg in my collection. Simple engineering and good electrics.
It's a comfy ride for an old geezer.
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Roy
Was the 250N from C&H as well?
Was there a Mr Coburn and/or a Mr Hughes (not Ms)?
Peter
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No, the 250N came from Bol D'or Motorcycles when they were in Portland Road.
My present 250N came from a well-known online auction site!
Roy
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I bought a 'used' 125cc Honda CB125S from them in 1972. A great little bike, wish I had it today. Would be a nice addition to my other old Japanese bikes.
They were a typical motorcycle dealer of the time. A mixture of British, Eastern Bloc and Japanese bikes.
I think they were part of a large group with branches outside London.
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They also had branch in Luton 5-7 Moor St.
A 'Coburn & Hughes' Google search brings up many entries, adverts and comments.
They were also outlets for magnificent Italian Ducati and MotoGuzzi bikes.
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Permalink Reply by Robert Johnson on
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I bought a Honda CB250 from C&H in 1978, I think. Looked good in blue, and was reliable, if bland. Chopped it in for a Ducati 350 Mk 3 after becoming influenced by the brother of a friend who had a Ducati 250 24 Horas.
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Thanks for this.
My CB400N is red although I suspect the frame is from a 250. If it is bland then that suits me well, being of advanced years. Perhaps the rear licence plate was originally attached to a 250? Did C&H always have their name on the licence plate for both old and new bikes they sold?
Many Thanks
Peter
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