The collector
Even to motorcycle aficionados,
Gavin Williams’ collection would
qualify as astonishing. First
there’s the sheer number on dis-
play, accumulated over the
course of a decade and a half.
And the fact that these are rac-
ing machines, many with a line-
age, some ridden by world
champions. On the upper floor
of his warehouse is what he
describes as “maybe one of the
most comprehensive Honda
collections outside the USA and
Japan”. There must be three
dozen-plus in their distinctive
red colour, most of them lined
up in two impressive ranks.
That’s besides a few that are
currently out of the country.
There’s also a separate
Kawasaki room. And the main
floor downstairs.
Then there’s the pristine
appearance. These are no dusty
museum pieces. Some are as
they were raced, only in as-new
shape. Some are recreations.
The ones that haven’t been rid-
den (yet) still show the beard on
their tyres. “I always just do it
properly,” he says. “It’s a collec-
tion as opposed to a museum.
I get a kick out of getting these
bikes perfect, as you can see
it’s like a doctor’s surgery when
it’s normally clean.”
One otherwise immaculate
bike has some dirt on the tyres.
“That’s my race bike, a 1981
Maico.” He describes it as, the
most successful story about
vintage motocross. “It went out
of production in 1983. You can
get spares easier for Maico than
you can get for Honda in South
Africa. I pick up a phone, I make
a call and it’s here before the
weekend. They call it the German
Tractor, but this is a beautiful
bike.”
He points to a CR 500 that
will be raced by Tony Riddell.
“It’s my favourite race bike.
Ironically it’s the least expensive
of the lot, but it’s a very impres-
sive bike.”
Besides the bikes his collec-
tion includes memorabilia such
as world champions’ helmets,
team gear, flags, posters and
artwork.
To Williams, this ultimate
mancave is his sanctuary.
“When I come here, I fetch half
a litre of milk, I sit here, I listen
to opera, David Sanborn, I sit
and I think and I just... I love it.”
PMAUGUST 2017 _ http://www.popularmechanics.co.za 65