A former British Superbike racer has opened a motorcycle repair shop in Burnley.

Motorcycle Stars Unlimited is the 'brainchild' of Michael Howarth, who has been a professional motorcycle racer in the British Championship since 2004, progressing to British Super Bikes within two years of beginning his racing career. 

He said: "I've been throwing the idea around for a few years about opening a bike shop and making it a hub for the local community and bikers where we can build and prep racing bikes for people, but also servicing and fixing everday motorbikes.

"We are also going into Compulsory Basic Training for motorcycles once we get up and running, where we teach people to ride a bike on the road."

The British Superbike Championship (BSB) is the leading road racing superbike championship in the United Kingdom, and is acknowledged to be the premier domestic superbike racing series in the world.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Michael moved to Burnley two years ago and now works as a commentator for the British Superbike demonstration laps and VIP laps.

Michael has been involved in motorcycle racing since the age of 24, something he took to after a premature end to his rugby league career due to injury, and has ridden for Honda, BMW and Kawasaki. 

He continued: "From the day you are 16, if you want to buy a scooter with us you can stay with us from first buy all the way through to racing if you like.

"We sell and fix bikes but we are also due to have an accessory shop to buy spares, accessories and clothing, and we will at some point have a little cafe so people can come and get a brew.

"We are also looking for a couple of apprentices, one who will fix and repair motorcycles and one who wants to work in the motorsport sector of mechanics when I go away and work in a racing team."

Motorcycle Stars Unlimited, Holgate Street, opened for business around two weeks ago, but will have a grand opening in a month's time.

Alongside his business partner and family friend Rob Davidson, there will also be an accident repair centre for insurance companies, where if you damage a bike in Burnley Motorcycle Stars Unlimited will be able to repair it.

Despite a number of serious crashes, Michael has never lost his love for racing or motorcycles. As well as racing, Michael was a hands-on, qualified mechanic and team owner.

Michael now wants to share the skills he has learnt on the British Super Bike circuit with the motorcycle community.