Clive Higgie, whose passion for motorcycles began in high school, sits on a 1979 Benelli Sei. Photo / Bevan Conley
Clive Higgie, whose passion for motorcycles began in high school, sits on a 1979 Benelli Sei. Photo / Bevan Conley
Clive and Nicki Higgie have added an exotic new collection to their sprawling Paloma Gardens in Fordell.
In May this year they opened Moto 71, a collection of retro motorcycles from all over the world.
The collection has a wide range of motorcycles of various age, origin and focus. Thereare 34 bikes on display, including some from Italy, England, Japan, Germany, France and the United States. The oldest bike is from 1928, and the newest dating from 2001.
The name Moto 71 was derived from the Italian word moto, which translates to motorcycle, with the 71 being a nod to the first motorcycle Clive bought.
Growing up, he was pushed away from bikes, but it didn't take long for the passion to set in.
"I was brought up not allowed quite a few things. No smoking, drinking, marry a Catholic, have nothing to do with motorbikes. I did most of those things," Clive said.
Nicki said: "You didn't drink or smoke, but you did marry a Catholic."
His passion for motorcycles began when he was a boarder at Whanganui Boys' College.
"I was a fourth former and we went into Colemans. The salesman was a Scot and he was very nice to us.
"A lot of businesses would tell school kids to buzz off, but they knew in five years we would be customers and they were so nice to us. They made us a fan for life."
The first bike he rode for an extended period of time was his uncle's 1952 350 Matchless, which was his mode of transport to school from Fordell.
"It is only 20km. There was a bus, but it didn't make sense. I loved it. I never missed a day of school."
Thirty-four bikes, from various different countries and eras, are on display at Moto 71. Photo / Bevan Conley
The first bike he saved up for was a 1971 Norton Commando.
It wasn't until the 2000s that Clive began collecting bikes and started running out of room in his work shed.
The Higgies bought a designed kitset from Eastown Timber and during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown began assembling a building to house the motorcycles.
They wanted a minimalist, classic showroom style to house and display the bikes.
