About City Coast Motorcycles
100 Years of Heritage – More Than a Century of Motorcycling in the Illawarra
For more than a century, the story of City Coast Motorcycles has been intertwined with the history of motorcycling in the Illawarra. It is a story shaped by pioneering dealers, champion racers, master mechanics and generations of passionate riders who helped establish one of Australia’s great motorcycling communities.
The journey began in 1923, when Jim Shipp founded Shipp Bros Motorcycles in Wollongong. As one of the region’s earliest motorcycle dealerships, the business quickly became synonymous with quality motorcycles, expert service and unwavering support for local riders. Under the leadership of Jim’s son, Noel Shipp, the business continued to thrive as Noel Shipp Motorcycles, becoming an institution within the Illawarra for decades.
Running alongside the Shipp family legacy, other legendary names emerged, including Gordon Spence Motorcycles, established in 1924 and renowned for developing many of the Illawarra’s finest riders and mechanics. Among them was Doug James, an outstanding pre-war Australian road racer who joined the business as an apprentice before becoming one of the country’s leading competitors. Following Gordon Spence’s retirement in 1977, Doug played a key role in establishing the BMW and Triumph franchises at Noel Shipp Motorcycles, creating a direct link between the region’s pioneering dealerships and what would eventually become City Coast Motorcycles.
Another towering figure in the region’s history was Clem Daniels—a gifted engineer, racer and motorcycle designer whose innovative 125cc racing machines achieved national success and influenced a generation of Australian motorcycle mechanics and racers. His engineering brilliance inspired Bill Morris and Kevin Cass, while riders including Geoff Sim campaigned his motorcycles with distinction, cementing Clem’s reputation as one of the founding fathers of Illawarra motorcycle engineering and racing.
These pioneers helped establish Wollongong as one of Australia’s true motorcycling heartlands. Gordon Spence developed some of the district’s finest riders and mechanics. Bill Morris earned a reputation as both a successful dealer and champion racer, while Kevin Cass achieved international recognition as a Grand Prix competitor, brilliant engineer and mentor to a generation of Australian champions.
The modern chapter of City Coast Motorcycles began in 1973—a landmark year for Illawarra motorcycling. Kevin Cass established the Yamaha dealership at 262 Keira Street (now City Coast Motorcycles), Australian road racing champion Geoff Sim founded Centrestand Motorcycles, and respected motorcycle technician Ron Sumskis opened his own business. Beginning as a specialist performance workshop, Ron’s business quickly earned a reputation for technical excellence, exceptional customer service and meticulous motorcycle preparation. As the business evolved into Steel City Motorcycles, it became the Illawarra’s home of Indian Motorcycle, Royal Enfield and Kymco, serving riders throughout the region for more than four decades.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Geoff Sim with Centre Stand Motorcycles brought together much of the region’s rich motorcycle heritage through the acquisition of Bill Morris Motorcycles, Noel Shipp Motorcycles and Kevin Cass Motorcycles. These iconic businesses were consolidated at Keira Street as City Coast Motorcycles, creating a dealership unlike any other—one built not simply through growth, but through preserving the legacy, expertise and relationships forged by those who came before.
The next chapter in this remarkable story came with City Coast Motorcycles’ acquisition of Steel City Motorcycles, bringing Ron Sumskis’ long-established business and loyal customer base into the City Coast family. More than the acquisition of another dealership, it reunited another important chapter of the Illawarra’s motorcycling history under one roof. The addition of Steel City Motorcycles further strengthened City Coast Motorcycles position as the region’s premier motorcycle destination while preserving the relationships, knowledge and traditions others had built over decades of dedicated service.
Racing has always been central to the City Coast story. Geoff Sim claimed back-to-back Australian 125cc Championships in 1975 and 1976, while Kevin Cass’s engineering brilliance produced championship-winning motorcycles and helped launch the career of future World Champion Wayne Gardner. Bill Morris, Kevin Cass, Geoff Sim and Ron Sumskis all shared the same philosophy—that success on the racetrack and technical excellence in the workshop produced better motorcycles, better service and stronger relationships with riders.
Today, City Coast Motorcycles proudly represents many of the world’s leading motorcycle brands, including Triumph, Yamaha, Indian Motorcycle, Royal Enfield, Kymco and SYM, while remaining true to the values established more than 100 years ago: expert knowledge, genuine customer service and an enduring passion for motorcycling.
Our heritage is more than a timeline of dealerships. It is the combined legacy of Shipp Bros Motorcycles, Gordon Spence Motorcycles, Bill Morris Motorcycles, Kevin Cass Motorcycles, Centrestand Motorcycles and Steel City Motorcycles—a century of knowledge, craftsmanship, innovation and community brought together as City Coast Motorcycles.
Today, we are proud custodians of that legacy. We honour the pioneers who laid the foundations of motorcycling in the Illawarra while continuing their commitment to riders, families and future generations.
For more than 100 years, this story has never been about motorcycles alone.
It has always been about the people who ride them.
Honouring the past. Riding into the future.
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