Classic beauties on two wheels

The Agarwal household has always had a soft corner for everything that is old. Walk into their cosy little home in Jayanagar and you will be stunned by their line of classic bikes.

 It is Ashok Agarwal who first brought home an RD350, a two-stroke motorcycle produced by Yamaha from 1973 to 1975, for a sum of Rs 21,800 in 1984. Now, his son Vishal Agarwal has taken over. He not only keeps researching about vintage and classic bikes but also owns a fleet of 15 classic bikes himself. “As a child, I used to watch my father ride the RD350 and that was the beginning of my dream,” says Vishal. It’s not only the sight of the bikes but also the roar of these beasts that left him spellbound as a child. “I first started collecting them when I was in college. I researched a lot and social media also helped me find the bikes that I was looking for. It took some time but I finally found the exact model that I wanted to buy. You will also find replicas of the old classic bikes but I wanted the original and I was willing to go to any extent to get it,” he confesses.

The notable bikes in Vishal’s collection include a 1974 model of an Ideal Jawa with original bell bottom mudguards and guitar seat. He also has a 1984 Yamaha RD350 single-handed model. “This bike has been with the family for the last three decades. It’s a 350cc one with double engine and a six gear speed box. It is the fastest two-stroke bike ever made in the country. They started manufacturing it in 1983 but later discontinued it,” recalls Vishal. He also has a 1973 model of a Royal Enfield which has breaks on the left side and gears on the right. “We brought it in from Mysuru,” he adds.

Vishal’s brother Nishesh too is smitten by the bikes which he rides and helps maintain. His sisters prefer to stick to the scooters. “My father still rides the bikes whenever he gets a chance, usually over the weekends, when the roads are empty. I travel to work on them and choose which bike to ride on depending on what mood I am in. I’ve always noticed that these bikes not only trigger a happy vibe in me but in those around me as well,” he states.
 
Vishal spends the weekends cleaning and oiling the bikes. He also takes them on long rides to nearby places like Coorg, Ooty and Kerala. “I’ve never had a problem with these bikes. In fact, I feel a lot safer when I am riding them, thanks to the good make. I’ve also made provisions to park the bikes inside and outside the house compound,” he states. Anything vintage and classic grabs a lot of attention and Vishal says that riding these old beauties not only gives him a high but also delights him, thanks to the admiring looks that the bikes get from fellow passengers.

 “It feels good when total strangers compliment and appreciate me for owning and maintaining these bikes. Riding these classic bikes is fun and it is even
better when you get to ride a different one everyday,” he narrates.

(Vishal can be reached at [e-mail])