Putting together a motorbike, let alone bikes built in the Second World War, should be ranked as one of the manliest skills to have along with fixing jet engines, climbing mountains with your bare hands, wrestling a grizzly bear and shaving Chuck Norris’ beard.
Women may disagree, citing the ability to wash dishes and put the toilet seat down on their list of must-haves for a man. I might fall into the latter category, but while I’ll make an acceptable house-trained man with an ability to bake dark chocolate chunk cookies, I’d be a considered a failure to the brotherhood of men. And that despite me reading Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance.
So I joined a group of classic British motorcycle enthusiasts from Malaysia and Singapore to find out why I find their obsession with a classic British motorcycle is so man, and why reviving World War II Royal Enfields, Triumph T100s, Nortons and BSA M20s is the epitome of cool.
“No, no. No one’s going to make fun of you if you don’t know anything about bikes,” said S.V. Nathan, president of the Johor Vintage Car and Classic Bike Enthusiasts Club (JVCCEC) in Malaysia, as he tried to assure me about my inability to understand bikes.
“If you’re interested in learning about bikes, just ask the bikers. Mingle with them and observe and ask questions. There are a lot of books out there but with bikes, every dedicated rider is a book. They can tell you what you need to know and go as deep as you want to go,” he added as a group gathered to look at his 1943 BSA M20.
“We love the shape, the look and the stories behind these bikes. They were used in the Second World War, and if we can’t maintain and keep these bikes for the next generation, what are we as men?” S.V Nathan, president of the Johor Vintage Car and Classic Bike Enthusiasts Club
Mr Nathan, an affable man who beams each time he talks about British bikes, was visiting Singapore with a group of 12 riders from Malaysia to invite classic British bike enthusiasts to join a gathering of like-minded riders in Kota Raya in the state of Johor. The JVCCEC is attempting to set another Malaysian record for classic British bike gatherings, and the group has been riding more than 2,000km around Malaysia and Singapore looking to personally invite riders from classic British bike clubs to the event on May 30 through to June 1.
Their last event in 2012 got them into Malaysia’s record books when 324 riders turned up with their classic rides.
“This year, we’re aiming for 400 or 500 bikes,” said Nathan, who is expecting invitees from Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore to make it down.
Their obsession with the mechanics of old bikes was virtuous, one which was driven by their dedication to preserve for posterity.
“I’ve had this obsession for putting together vintage cars and classic bikes for 40 years,” said Mr Nathan, a marine man whose true passion is for the road. “It’s an attempt to preserve history.”
He added: “We love the shape, the look and the stories behind these bikes. They were used in the Second World War, and if we can’t maintain and keep these bikes for the next generation, what are we as men?”
Some bikes are bought by the riders in various conditions, and some are missing more than 50 per cent of their crucial parts, bolts and bits. Mr Nathan said it can take up to four years to build a bike back to its original state and by that, it means no duplicates or non-authentic parts to replace missing pieces.
And that’s where the uphill task begins: finding the parts.
Some parts, like carburettors, magnetos, headlamps, trimmings and even pedals, may be extremely difficult to locate from around the world, let alone the tiniest of bolts and nuts. Only original parts can pass muster for these bikes, and only then do you have a pure British classic bike that won’t embarrass you in public meet-ups, exhibitions and showcases. But putting together this mechanical puzzle is hardly ever about the monetisation of the bike, but rather, as a test of patience, learning, focus and imbalanced marriage priorities.
Said Mr Nathan: “These bikes are not about the money. It’s about the time. It’s about the patience. We never give a bath to our wives, but we’ll wash the bikes even in the rain. Sometimes, we really love our bikes more than the wife.
“I never think of value. I just wanted to know what technology they used to manufacture these cars and these amazing bikes.”
Before Mr Nathan, his crew and other members from Singapore’s Royal Enfield Club rode off in the mid-day sun for their ride around Singapore, Mr Nathan had another parting reason for this coming together of men and machine: brotherhood.
“See that bag slung onto that bike?” Mr Nathan asked as he pointed to his BSA. “The bag is filled with tools and parts and pipes. If the bike breaks down, there are not many mechanics out there who would dare touch these bikes. That bag will not just help my bike – it’ll help anyone in the group.
“And with us when we ride, we are all each other’s support.
“One day if you need a spare part or help with your bike, I’ll lend you that part and help you. One day, if I’m in trouble, I know that you’ve got my back.”
The 16th Malaysian International Classic Bike Festival 2014 will be held from May 30 to June 1 at Galleria@Kotaraya in Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
