(Image: Newsquest)
A racing legend and well-known figure in the motorcycle trade has retired after more than 50 years in the industry.
Nick Jefferies, 74, who lives in Bradford, has called time on a 56-year career, marking 30 years since he launched his own motorcycle trading business after leaving Allan Jefferies Motorcycles.
Mr Jefferies, who won the Isle of Man TT in 1993, announced his retirement on social media.
He said: "30 years ago today I started my own business, having resigned my position as sales director at Allan Jefferies Motor Cycles.
"The thirty years have flown by.
"It's been an incredible journey, and I've experienced the best of times."
Nick Jeffries during his winning ride in the 1993 Formula 1 TT in the Isle of Man. (Image: Nick Jeffries)
'In the bike trade since 1959'
Motorcycles have been a lifelong passion for Mr Jefferies, rooted in a family legacy dating back generations.
He said: "I've been in the bike trade since I first started cleaning bikes in 1959, age seven, for sixpence a bike.
"I've been working 56 years.
"The Jeffries family going back to my father who competed in events from 1923.
"My brother won the TT, his son, my nephew, won nine TTs, and I won the TT.
"So we've all won the TT.
"We're very proud of that."
Mr Jefferies secured his own Isle of Man TT victory in the 1993 Formula One race and achieved 16 podium finishes on the Mountain Course.
Building a business from scratch
After leaving the family business in 1996, he launched his own motorcycle trading company with determination and little else.
He said: "I look back and, you know, when I started that day, Monday morning, I had absolutely no customers.
"I had a phone book and I didn't even got a mobile phone.
"God knows how I got going, but I did."
His business focused on buying and redistributing motorcycle stock across the UK at a time when dealers often had more inventory than they could sell.
Nick Jeffries after 1993 win (Image: Nick Jeffries)
Mr Jefferies said: "When I first started that, the dealers wanted to trade their bikes.
"So they had more bikes coming in than going out daily.
"I could go and buy the bikes, bring them back and then redistribute them to dealers who wanted bikes."
His work created a nationwide network of customers and friends, with contacts stretching from the Highlands of Scotland to Europe, Australia and Japan.
When asked about a standout moment from his career, Mr Jefferies said he was particularly proud of working with world speedway champion Barry Briggs and importing motorcycles from overseas.
He said: "It has been extremely successful.
"We turned over seven-figure sums at one stage."
'I was doing 22 hour days'
Mr Jefferies said he was proud of what he achieved, especially as he started from scratch.
He said: "I started with nothing. I never got into debt.
"I just worked super hard, made money and made a lot of friends and business."
He paid tribute to colleagues and dealers across the country, especially David Butcher, who worked with him for more than 20 years.
Mr Jefferies said: "We used to drive back through the night. We worked during the day.
"I was doing 22-hour days. Leaving at four in the morning and getting back at two in the morning."
'The inspiration they gave me to keep going'
He also credited his daughters, Bex and Charlotte, for their support.
He said: "It's immeasurable how much support they gave me.
"The inspiration they gave me to keep going."
Mr Jefferies said he was touched by the response to his retirement announcement.
Tributes pour in from across the UK
Messages came from across the UK, with hundreds of comments and more than 1,200 likes on his social media post.
He said: "I thought there'd be about 50 people liking the post and about 20 comments. I'm humbled by that."
While he feels some sadness about stepping away, Mr Jefferies said it was the right time.
He said: "It's rather sad that it comes to an end, but, you know, nothing lasts forever."
Though retired from the trade, Mr Jefferies remains active in the motorcycling community and still competes in classic off-road trials.
He is also involved with the TT Riders Association, Bradford Motorcycle Club, and Shipley Golf Club.
He said: "So, now it's grand parenting, gardening, trials bikes, and golf for me until… well nobody knows do they?"