About Findlaters Yamaha

Findlaters Yamaha has a long-established history in the South Otago area, having been an established business in Balclutha for over 50 years. Findlaters Yamaha supports the farming sector around Balclutha, including the Catlins, upper Southland and lower Dunedin area.

Findlaters Yamaha stocks and services a wide range of new and used Yamaha motorcycles including Yamaha ATVs, ROVs and Ag motorcycles, along with Yamaha dirt bikes and kids motorbikes. Findlaters Yamaha also sells chainsaws, lawnmowers and ride-on mowers as well as various garden power tools.

Findlaters Yamaha supports the industrious forestry industry in the Balclutha region; sharpening and servicing chainsaw chains and harvester bars, stocking oils and lubricants, safety gear, and forestry equipment.

The Findlaters Yamaha workshop team are experts at what they do, with decades spent as workshop mechanics. They regularly service and repair Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda motorcycles, as well as ride-on and push mowers. Findlaters also sell second-hand motorcycles and mowers that have been serviced and repaired by the team.

Findlaters Yamaha has a great parts and accessories department, stocking a wide range of helmets, oils and lubricants, safety gear, riding gear like goggles, clothing and boots and more. We also stock tyres for two-wheeler, quad bikes, side-by-sides and ride-on mowers.

From farm, to forest, to front lawn, Findlaters Yamaha has the right gear for the job, and our expert staff are more than happy to help. Call Findlaters Yamaha on (03) 418 0527 to talk to the team.

Alistair Chalmers – Owner

Alistair and Jordan became owners of Findlaters Yamaha in November 2018 and are loving the challenge. Alistair comes from a background as a qualified mechanic, having started his own mobile mechanic business in 2016. He completed his apprentice in 2004 at Gough Cat in Dunedin and Cromwell, after studying for a year at Otago Polytechnic. Since then, his career has been a mix of farming and contracting, working as a contract mechanic or operating machinery.

Motorbikes for Alistair have always been a hobby as - like a lot of kiwi kids - he grew up with them on the family farm and has fond memories of being on the four-wheeler from around age six. He’s driven to run his own business and enjoys the endeavour and satisfaction involved in trying to succeed. He believes that if you’re going to do something; you might as well do it properly.

When he’s not working, which is admittedly rare, you might find Alistair out trail bike riding, spending time on the family farm, or getting away for day trips to the Catlins.

Jordan Chalmers - Owner

Like Alistair, Jordan comes from a farming background and grew up around motorbikes. She brings a background in hospitality, event planning and administration to Findlaters Yamaha. Since starting a mobile mechanic business in 2016, Jordan has been heavily involved in the administration side of things.

In her day-to-day at Findlaters Yamaha, Jordan enjoys working with people - talking to customers and the friendly team. Good customer service is a big priority for Jordan, she finds it really rewarding helping people find their new motorbike, lawnmower or whatever it may be, and seeing them get a genuine and positive experience from it.

When she’s not at Findlaters Yamaha answering your calls or busy doing paperwork, you’ll probably find Jordan spending time with friends and family, playing netball, or taking the dog for a walk down at the beach.

Rex Anderson – Workshop Mechanic

Rex is a born and bred Balclutha local who has been with Findlaters Yamaha for over 16 years. He’s a qualified diesel mechanic and has been in the trade for over 40 years, starting at age 16 with Balclutha Farm Machinery, before working for Hewitt’s Tractor Services and then running his own business; Anderson Ag Repairs, before joining the team at Findlaters.

At Findlaters Yamaha he likes the variety of work and friendly environment. He’s always enjoyed working on engines and tinkering. He always wanted to be a mechanic and doesn’t really mind what he’s working on, as long as he gets it going.

On the weekends you’ll probably find Rex at home, maintaining the house, or visiting the grandchildren. From time to time he’ll do a bit of sea fishing.

Jock Peoples – Workshop Mechanic

Jock has been with Findlaters Yamaha since 2016 and brings an extensive background of over 40 years in the motor industry to the team. He finished is apprenticeship in 1979, and worked at Campbells for 20 years, as the Service Manager at the local Mazda Garage, he then worked for Balclutha Nissan as a mechanic before moving to Te Anau where he worked at the local garage. From there he was Maintenance Manager at McLellan Freight and then joined the local Suzuki dealership before joining Findlaters Yamaha.

Jock is a Balclutha local who likes the friendly personal service they offer at Findlaters Yamaha. He’s happy to be supporting the local farming community by working on side-by-sides and farm bikes. For him, it’s all about being able to provide a fast and friendly efficient service.

Outside of work, Jock is a passionate fly fisherman, so Balclutha is a great spot. Duck shooting and deer stalking also feature in the calendar, while on the weekends you’ll find him socialising and playing outdoor bowls.

Dave Leonard – Workshop Mechanic

Dave has a long background with Findlaters Yamaha as he’s been with the business for over 40 years. He enjoys the variety of work, spending a lot of time working on chainsaws, weed eaters and smaller motors. He also has an extensive parts knowledge specialising in Yamaha parts, Briggs & Stratton and Chainsaw parts.

With decades spent fixing small motors, Dave brings a lot of problem-solving knowledge to each and every repair. He’s got to know a lot of the regular customers and client base and works a lot supporting the local forestry industry with chainsaw chains and repairs.

Outside of work you’ll find Dave spending time with his wife on their farmlet, as there are always things to do. From time to time he’ll be out fishing and has enjoyed duck shooting and deer stalking.