Bike Collector Suraj Henry Aspires to have a Museum of His Own

Bike Collector Suraj Henry Aspires to have a Museum of His Own

Mangaluru: Collecting is a basic human drive, an incredibly various one and one which does much to enrich the lives of all. Collectors support the art world, and many others as well. And they are innumerable. They span those at the high end – the one’s who accumulate blue chip art, svelte motorcars, antique motorbikes, vintage wines – to those interesting folk who cram their lives floor-to-ceiling with, uh, stuff. Collecting something as a hobby is an age-old concept; be it stamps, coins, cigars or even coasters! In this article, we are looking at vintage scooters and motorcycles that are collected by a bike lover and bike collector, Suraj Henry, aged 30, hailing from Shediguri/Ashoknagar-Mangaluru, who had begun his journey of collecting scooters/mopeds/motorbikes since 2008. He is the member of Mangalore Jawa Yezdi Motorcycle Club.

Suraj’s enthusiasm for collecting vintage bikes and restoring them has now tempted him to start his own museum (probably by 2018) of all the collection he has got, thereby show it to the public, so that others also can show interests in bikes and scooters. Suraj’s uncontrollable love for vintage bikes seems to grow over the years, and as of now he has about 30 rare and antique two-wheelers, and he intends on buying more for his collection when opportunity strikes. His enthusiasm for collecting vintage bikes was just out of a common hobby, which started about nine years ago-and he is still working on expanding his collection.

Suraj not only buys these old bikes, some even rusted, but he himself gives them an Extreme Makeover by restoring them, painting them if needed, repairs etc, and he says, ” Working on a motorcycle, working well, caring, is part of a process to achieve an inner peace of mind. The motorcycle is primarily a mental phenomenon. I am not just a rider, but I know how to work on bikes, just like the bike mechanics do. It will take some time before I fix these bikes, due to lack of time since I manage two of my own businesses- a catering (Ashirvad Caterers), and the other event decorators/temporary sheet covering (Ashirvad Entrerprises).

Bike Collecting- It’s a tribe that is now becoming visible, especially in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, and while you may not often understand them, don’t underestimate their drive. And Suraj travels around the country when he comes to know that an old bike is available for sale, and grabs it before someone buys it. Already an owner of 30 bikes, Suraj who calls it an addiction says, “Once you are hooked, you just go on and on.” Hooked is putting it mildly. Collectors are prepared to scour the country in search of rare bikes, and Suraj is one of them. But clinching the deal is only the beginning. The bikes have then to be restored to original factory “specs”, or specifications. Repairs cost the earth, qualified mechanics are rare, and collectors have to depend on a few professional restorers. But in Suraj’s case, he doesn’t depend on anyone but works on his bikes independently.

Any collector, though, could be in for a bit of a surprise with his new “old bike” – it takes a lot of kick to start them and, sometimes, they catch fire because of backfiring. But mechanical or financial irritants are of little consequence to vintage-bike lovers. Classic bikes say, Suraj’s ‘ Ariel 1942, or 1979 Lamby 150 or Yezdi B Type with Trailer’, could well net a few lakhs if sold, but Suraj says that he won’t sell any bikes from his collection because he considers them as his treasures for life. He features many of his bikes in Bike shows, Road Shows and also uses them during talks held on bikes at Schools/colleges.

To this end, Suraj has been working on establishing an automotive history museum in his home compound, which he hopes to be launched sometime in 2018. “The goal is not so much to create a museum as it is to develop a bike history evolution centre. I want people to see the growth of two-wheeler industry to reach where we are today, and to make an experience that is not just of interest to bike lovers, but also historians,” he says. The whole idea is to collect a bike, restore it to its pristine glory and use it. If you see the old bikes you wouldn’t even touch with a ten-foot pole. Unlike me, Suraj doesn’t see it as a piece of junk but sees in it a spanking machine that will carry him soon. Soon, within months it starts getting put together/restored and you would hear the sound and probably would see him ride around on it. Every free moment of his you could see him in his workshop, day or night working on his bike. Like a master, no detail escapes his eye. The care he takes and the joy he gets as the bike gets restored has to be seen to be believed.

Among Suraj’s collections of bikes/scooters are : Lamby 150, Ariel 1942; Innocenti 48; Suvega; Luna TFR; Vespa; Raleigh Cycle; Lambretta; Vijay Super; Yezdi Colt; Yezdi 175; Yezdi B Type with Trailer; Jawa 250; Yezdi D 250 Classic; Yezdi Roadking; Enfield Explorer; Enfield Crusader; Yamaha RD 50, Rajdoot; among many others. Speaking to Team Mangalorean about his craze and love for bike collection, Suraj said, ” I have great passion towards motorcycling, and I love riding my bike across the country, thereby get a chance to meet people of different ethnicity, learn their traditions and culture, and also understanding their mindset. Participating already in two Motocross, I am also the part of the All-India Southern Raid for Yezdi and Jawa Motorcycles Clubs, the Malnad Diaries for all Karnataka Clubs; Classic Scooter Club; Kings Raid Club; are a few among many others.

Talking about his recent bike adventure Suraj said, ” Last month, I took part in a bike journey covering the Leh-Ladakh and Kargil-Khardung La circuits via Jammu and Kashmir to Manali. I use a couple of my bikes from my collection, and it was really an experience to participate in such a daring and adventurous trips. Khardung La was indeed the toughest challenge since it is one of the world’s highest motorable roads at 18,380 feet above sea level. It was a ride where we had to take risks regarding available of oxygen and also where we had to bear sub zero temperatures hovering around -10 degree Celsius. I rode my 1994 model of Yezdi Roadking 250cc bike for this venture”.

” I was also one of the participants in the Mangaluru Team who took part in the Limca National Record event that took place in Bengaluru in 2015, where a large gathering of out-of production of Jawa and Yezdi bikes featured, including 537 Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles in a 3.22 km ride. Also on 9 July 2017, I participated in an event attempting to set a Guinness World Record, in Bengaluru, where 409 Yezdi bikes rode together for nearly 7 km as part of the Largest Parade of Classic Motorcycles. It was a fun and in the same time a challenging venture. My main aim in establishing a museum is to educate youth on old two-wheelers, and since I have organized many exhibitions at colleges, the students enthusiasm has motivated me to have my own bike museum soon”.

Suraj Henry is indeed the proud owner of all these vintage bikes and scooters. The knowledge that he has is one of the few trying to keep a slice of history alive in a supremely chaotic modern world gives fodder to this vintage man’s passions. He strongly points out that his collection is not for sale. “I wouldn’t mind exchanging it with like-minded antique lovers, but never sell it,” he asserts. ” I am always willing to help people with tips on restoring a bike they may own, provided they are willing to learn and do it themselves. Readers of Mangalorean.com– be warned that Suraj does not suffer fools, so take tips from him if you are really passionate about vintage bikes and their restoration. For further details call him at: 9008892721; 9686699721; 9008892721

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