The collector

Even to motorcycle aficionados, Gavin Williams’ collection would qualify as astonishing. First there’s the sheer number on display, accumulated over the course of a decade and a half. And the fact that these are racing machines, many with a lineage, 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 ridden (yet) still show the beard on their tyres. “I always just do it properly,” he says. “It’s a collection 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 impressive bike.”

Besides the bikes his collection 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.”