Tadgh looks forward to ‘a good run out’ on his Honda 50
“My little Honda 50 she’s rapid and she’s nifty / She’ll do a hundred and fifty on a windy day.”
Well, we’re not sure if any of the lads involved with the Fermoy Honda 50 Club have knocked 150 out of their bikes, but co-founder of the club Tadgh Linehan, told TheAvondhu how they are keenly awaiting the lifting of restrictions so they can get on the road again and enjoy their next vintage run.
The Fermoy Honda 50 Club was founded roughly two years ago by Peter Roche and Tadgh himself. Their activities have been put on hold during the lockdown as normally, the group would meet every Sunday for a drive and were often seen travelling together for vintage runs.
“We used to go away on a Sunday but we can’t go too far now, just our own local areas. We can’t go because we’re afraid to go. The weather’s getting good now and we would love to be back on the road for a good run out,” Tadgh said.
Despite the halt in activities, the love for vintage bikes has not left as Tadgh spoke to TheAvondhu about restoring his own Honda 50.
The 1964 bike was bought online from England by Tadgh about six years ago and almost immediately, plans and preparations were underway for a detailed and accurate restoration.
“I have it now about five or six years but when I bought it, I did her up straight away. It wasn’t lying there. It didn’t take too long. I did it in my spare time just doing bits and pieces,” Tadgh said.
With the help of his son Kevin who is an engineer, the bike’s engine saw a complete overhaul as part of the restoration.
According to Tadgh, sourcing parts for the engine meant many trips up and down to Dublin to LME Motorcycles.
“I would ring them the day before and tell them what I needed. I used to go up on the bus and get the parts and bring them back home again,” he added.
While Tadgh still has the original key for the bike, some new elements had to be added to the body including all new mirrors, a new seat cover sourced from Honda, and new indicators and tyres from LME Motorcycles.
“I welded pieces into the frame and I primed and painted it. She’s like new to look at her,” Tadgh added.
The Honda 50 original colour codes were also sourced as a part of the restoration project with the help of GC Motor Factors who also supplied the paint, and as Tadgh said: “Everything was done by the book”.
LOOKING AHEAD
Having brought an old bike back to life again, Tadgh’s Honda 50 has since made many a trip, prior to the lockdown, having featured in the Fermoy St Patrick’s Day parade.
It could also be spotted in vintage runs across the region, as well as the Haulie Murphy Memorial Run in Glanworth.
For now, however, the classic bike might be seen around Tadgh’s local area in Fermoy as he awaits the next big run with the Fermoy Honda 50 Club.
Once back up and running, Tadgh said he looks forward to meeting up again with other members, including co-founder Peter Roche and they would be ‘delighted’ to welcome new members in the future.
“The more the better,” Tadgh said.