“A machine that doesn’t work is like it’s in a vegetative state!” says Sudhodhan Mishra, 63, as he coaxes a 1973 Czechoslovakian Jawa 250cc back to life.
Mishra, an automotive engineer, is a biker living in Bhubaneswar. He has been restoring antique bikes since the early 70s, when he took up the challenge to fix his uncle’s Triumph Tiger 100, a 500cc twin engine that no one in Cuttack was able to repair. This was just the beginning of what is now a nearly-2-lakh-km journey across the country. He would often ride a bike he’d just bought, restore it and swap it for another when he moved to a new location.
Over 40 years, he has restored British and German bikes that have included the Triumph Tiger 100 500cc, Triumph Tiger Cub 200cc, Triumph Terrier 125cc, Norton Dominator 500cc, Matchless 350cc, Sunbeam 750cc and smaller ones like the Bantam Major.
In another part of the country, in Thiruvananthapuram, Mangat Swaminathan, 70, is a passionate collector and restorer. He bought his first bike, a Jawa, as soon as he got his first job. For nearly 30 years, he has been restoring British classics, the likes of the Matchless G3LS 350cc, 1960 BSA CB33, 1956 AJS 16MS, 1966 AJS Spectre, 1953 AJS G3LS, 1954 BSA B31 350cc.
In the event that he does decide to sell, Swaminathan refers to the Miller’s Classic Motorcycles Price Guide, to establish the right price. In India, a bike in excellent condition with all its original parts can fetch a good sum: almost ₹5 lakh.
Both Sudhodhan and Swaminathan have learnt by doing, nurturing their passion patiently. So what advice do these unassuming seniors have for budding bike restorers?
* Read The World Encyclopedia of Motorcycles or even Wikipedia, to learn more about bikes and their histories, before you take anything apart.
* Start with a thorough understanding of the mechanics and its application, like the application of the four-stroke and two-stroke cycle or the lubricating oil flow from tank to engine, gear train and return. Then all you need to do is to assemble section by section, following the steps for a largely safe method of doing things.
* Keep your eyes open for anything that looks like a bike or a part of it, because you never know when you’ll spot it. Mishra managed to get his hands on a 1947 model Triumph skeleton which was submerged in the Hooghly river for many months before he found it!
* Invest in certain tools that can tackle unique nuts and bolts in some bikes. You can buy these from reputed tool manufacturers like Jadore, Taparia, Woodpecker, Stanley. Otherwise, standard tools are just fine: an air compressor for painting, ring and box spanners for tightening nuts and bolts, pullers for removing bearings.
* Remove each part carefully when dismantling and separate them into four categories: front suspension, rear suspension, engine and gearbox, tank toolbox and accessories. It makes working on the bike easier and more efficient than if you didn’t.
* Pay attention, to what seem like the most basic tasks. Washing parts properly, for instance, is as important as assembling the bike, but be gentle, so you don’t bend or break anything.
* Check with clubs and accredited dealers if parts are missing. Swaminathan is a member of the AJS and Matchless Owners Club, Norton Owners Club, and BSA Owners Club. If he is unable to procure any part, he refers to the readily available manuals and gets it made according to its specifications.
* Spray anti-rust solutions inside out if you are a collector, because once assembled, a bike has to be maintained and stored properly. “Ultimately, taking care of a vintage bike is about following your heart and listening to your gut,” says Mishra.