Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

70s, 80s, 90s biking icons Staying in...

˃˃ …is the new ‘going out’. It’s gutting to be sat indoors typing when we all should be out there riding, but we all must play our part.

Right now, the sun is out, the skies are blue, but the bike is staying in the garage unless some work-derived journey calls or I need to shop (panniers) for essentials.

For Classic Motorcycle Mechanics’ side of the biking marketplace lots of what we do is done ‘on the inside’: and by that I mean on the inside of sheds, garages and workshops. Speaking to those in the trade, sales of tools and parts are going through the roof as classic bikers decide to fettle and fiddle rather than run/ride.

Our contributor Ralph Ferrand runs Biker’s Toolbox (www.bikerstoolbox.co.uk) and he says: “We have been uber-busy at Biker’s Toolbox because everyone is in lockdown and has nothing to do other than fettle their toys. We’ve been working stupid hours, seven days a week to complete orders!”

But to a man and woman, we all want to get out there and ride. I’ve been keeping busy by cleaning the bike and thinking about what I’m going to do when the dust settles and we can saddle up.

It’s made me realise what’s important in life: life. Yup, life itself, so I will be visiting relatives and seeing loved ones – and all on two wheels. I’ve even bought a copy of Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider’s Handbook to read during lockdown so I will be safer. Sure, it’s a bit of a dry, old read sometimes, but you WILL learn something and – almost as good – it reinforces all the good things that you already know. Try it. I for one will be booking up an advanced riding course when all of this is over!