64 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 13, 2018
LEISURE
India is one of the largest
two-wheeler markets in the
world. Millions buy new
bikes every year. But no
buyer of a new bike matches
the passion of the collectors
who scour the internet and
junkyards for classic two-
wheelers from iconic brands
like the Czech-made Jawa—
which led to a Twitter frenzy
when Anand Mahindra an-
nounced he’s bringing it back
to India this year.
Who are these buyers
who cling on to the past?
What are some of the ma-
chines that attract top pric-
es? Let’s begin with brands
like Harley-Davidson and
Indian. Bikes like these com-
mand incredible sums, and
‘basket cases’ go for lakhs.
Naturally, collectors are
wealthy, and they spend huge
amounts to restore these mo-
tors, as authentic parts have
to be imported or handmade
here. The restored bikes are
works of art and frequently
win events like the Cartier
Concours, as industrialist
Arjun Oberoi’s Indian Chief
did last year. Found in a
dilapidated condition in a
barn, it took master restorer
Gurmukh Singh nearly two
years to restore.
British brands like BSA
and Triumph have a similar
cult following, and models
like the BSA Golden Flash
and Triumph Cub are collec-
tors’ items. While manu-
facturers like Triumph also
come forward to help owners
restore classic bikes, most
owners of these machines
remain dependent on master
craftsmen to get their bikes
going. This is where practical
classics come in.
A few weeks ago, Banga-
lore hosted the annual Jawa
Yezdi Day event. The event
was organised by the Banga-
lore Jawa Yezdi Motorcycle
Club (BJYMC). The club
is run by enthusiasts and
there is minimal intrusion
of money matters. If you
have a Jawa or Yezdi and it
has a PUC certificate, you
are welcome to participate.
This is what our countryneeds. Honest organisations
which are best referred to as
‘non-profit’. The owners of
these Jawa and Yezdi bikes
are real enthusiasts. They
go out hunting for parts and
spend hours at workshops to
get their bikes going. Bikes
like the Yezdi 350 Twin have
become collectors’ items and
owners are rather passion-
ate about their bikes. For
example, one of the founders
of BJYMC, Brian Amanna,
already owned a Jawa 250.
It belonged to his father,
and he always wanted to
own a Twin. After years of
searching, he found one and
restored it himself.
Royal Enfield has itsI
ROYAL ENFIELD
has a fair share of collectors,
too, and not only the
ubiquitous Bullet but also
models like the CrusaderBSA
has a cult
following,
and models
like the BSA
Golden Flash
are collectors’
itemsWhen it comes to
scooters, models
from VESPA
rule the market
todayIndustrialist Arjun
Oberoi’s INDIAN
CHIEF won the
Cartier Concours
last yearROYAL ENFIELD
has a fair share of collectors,
too, and not only the
ubiquitous Bullet but also
models like the CrusaderIndustrialist Arjun
Oberoi’s INDIAN
CHIEF won the
Cartier Concours
last year