Vikram's Vintage: amazing bikes and motorbikes

Vikram Pendse reminisces that even as a kid, his affinity for two wheelers was always in top gear. His interest in the roadsters had him hanging around his uncle's garage for long hours and he soon familiarised himself with the tricks of the trade and with all the components, motor-parts and accessories. Vroom â€¦ went his penchant, speeding ahead with time and by 1995 he had actually taken up his passion for vintage motorcycles and classic bicycles seriously. With his honed skills, he embarked onto his private mission of salvaging and restoring vintage motorcycles and bicycles. Lo and behold! One day he fortunately found, lying under a tree in the backyard of a nearby house, an abandoned Ariel that hadn't been put to use for about 30 years. The rebuilding and restoration of this classic motorcycle took Vikram three years. This 1947 model, Ariel-Red Hunter, 350 CC bike with a single cylinder and no rear shock absorbers has won 2-3 vintage rally prizes in the years 2000 and 2001. Thus accelerated the fascination for collecting, restoring and riding vintage bikes and he now owns several in varying degrees of restoration and repair. Vikram says, "One never knows how much time or money it may take for restoration. Parts required are usually rare, costly and very difficult to acquire." Vikram's Open Lambretta â€“ 'D' model of 1956 is a 150 CC, three geared, shaft driven bike and is a collector's pride as it is one of the only 10 now existing in India. Another prized possession is a 350 CC Matchless, 1956 model. One is sure to whoop at the sight of these magnificent motorcycles that stand ready to attend as many shows and rally as possible. His collection also includes interesting classic bicycles, some still maintained with their original elements. The banana framed, BSA paratrooper collapsible cycle, which dates back to the Second World War era, was gifted to him by his father's friend in 1992. He also has one Sunbeam and three Raleigh bicycles. While the bicycles are housed in a special loft-like area, he has filled up his family garage and the backyard of his home with the motorcycle collection.