The streets of Jamshedpur get out of the morning slumber when 36-year-old Anand Sharma takes out his 1938 model of Matchless motorcycle for a ride every day. The ‘thudding’ noise of a Matchless bike, one of the oldest British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, fascinates the bike lovers of the city. The youths with throbbing hearts look forward to catching a glimpse of the bike.
Anand, a resident of Mango, has a passion to collect vintage bikes and has a wide collection of such machines. He owns around 30 such vintage bikes. From World War II model of Matchless motorcycle to moped Laxmi 48 cc, he has a rich collection of two-wheelers, which he is proud of.
His vintage collection of bikes include MOFA 22cc, Explorer 50cc, Silver Plus 50cc, Ensign 150cc, Crusader 175cc, Mini Bullet 200cc, STD 1984 350cc, AVL Machismo 500cc, Lightining 535cc, STD BULLET with Sidecar to name a few.
“My passion for vintage bikes and Bullet was born when my father sold his auto to buy a bullet. My father had a craze for the Royal Enfield and it passed on to me. The sound of the Bullet fascinated me the most and my passion for the bikes grew with the passage of time,” said Anand. He said that the best part of his collection is that all the bikes are well preserved and are in running condition. He toils every day to keep them going.
Another two-wheeler in his collection that he has restored is a Laxmi 48cc (earlier known as the Innocenti Lambretta). He bought the vintage moped from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. The bike comes with two hand gears, like a scooter. And the brakes are in the pedal. “You have to rotate the pedals in reverse to apply brakes,” he informed.
Anand informed that his love and knowledge of bikes grew when he joined Roadmelters, a club of Royal Enfield riders of Jamshedpur that was started in 2008.
He joined the club in 2013 and started taking part in nation-wide rides.
“The club provides a common platform to all Bullet riders who want to share their riding experiences. I am in touch with bike riders across the country and every time a vintage bike is available I am there to buy it. The members of the club also discuss the performance of their respective bikes and how to improve the standard of biking,” said Anand, who is an administrator of the club.
Another vintage vehicle he owns is Hitodi that used to be manufactured at India Automotives Ltd (IAL) in Adityapur, Jamshedpur. The name Hitodi came from Hindustan Tools and Dies. The company launched a 49.9 cc moped in the mid 1970's which sold in a few numbers. “ This vehicle is also close to my heart. It was manufactured in our city so I have kept it preserved,” he noted.
Ask him his future plans, the young rider said, he wants to promote collection vintage bikes in the city and want to organise its exhibition so that more youths can become part of this passion.