It's a little hard to put in words what it feels like to see a project come together. I really had no idea what I would end up with, when I decided to go on a drive to shoot the bikes. Thankfully, everything came together in perfect order. The morning light, the roads we chose, the spots we found - everything helped create these wonderful images of these two restored bikes. Punah concepts gave me a free hand, and thankfully I didn't have to let them down. Hope you guys like it. If so, appreciate and share it.
Think-Tank:
A lot goes into designing the Petrol tank. It is, of course, the largest canvas on the bike, and deservingly, gets a lot of attention from both the owner and people who see it on the road.
Like the original, the stripes on the tank are hand painted. Not unlike the other decals, which take a bit more controlled approach to it. Once done, a coat of lacquer goes over it and then goes the red paint. In reality, the stripes and the decals are below the paint, which makes it even more interesting as it cannot be just peeled away. This process give the entire paint a clean smooth finish, without a ebb on any part of the bike.
A lot goes into designing the Petrol tank. It is, of course, the largest canvas on the bike, and deservingly, gets a lot of attention from both the owner and people who see it on the road.
Like the original, the stripes on the tank are hand painted. Not unlike the other decals, which take a bit more controlled approach to it. Once done, a coat of lacquer goes over it and then goes the red paint. In reality, the stripes and the decals are below the paint, which makes it even more interesting as it cannot be just peeled away. This process give the entire paint a clean smooth finish, without a ebb on any part of the bike.
The red bike above is a 1969 model. Restored by a company called Punah Concepts, the bike looks so good, that it's often referred to by the owner as "Good enough to lick". Well, what more can I say?
More than skin-deep.
Restoring a bike is not a mechanical process. It's more than that. It takes into account the history of the bike, the relationship the owner has with it, and a whole lot of decisions - from the colour shade to the parts that needs to be chromed and the sound of the bike. All in all, when the bike is finished, it stands as a testament to the owner's commitment to the bike. And we're only glad we could be a part of it.
Restoring a bike is not a mechanical process. It's more than that. It takes into account the history of the bike, the relationship the owner has with it, and a whole lot of decisions - from the colour shade to the parts that needs to be chromed and the sound of the bike. All in all, when the bike is finished, it stands as a testament to the owner's commitment to the bike. And we're only glad we could be a part of it.
Ride it like the way you like it.
One of the crowning moments when we finish a bike, is when we take it out for its first ride. Just to check the chinks. Trying to capture what it feels like to ride a bullet, in words, is harder than it may seem. Thankfully, most of you already know what it feels like, so we're going to just shut up and enjoy the picture.
One of the crowning moments when we finish a bike, is when we take it out for its first ride. Just to check the chinks. Trying to capture what it feels like to ride a bullet, in words, is harder than it may seem. Thankfully, most of you already know what it feels like, so we're going to just shut up and enjoy the picture.
Worth a mention: Our "Model" here decided to throw all the stereotypes to the wind. Leather jacket, cool glasses, shoes, angry looking face..."Who cares what I look like when I'm sitting on a bullet.." he says. "The bullet to me is about not caring what the world thinks, that's why I ride it the way I like it."
We didn't put up a fight, after all we didn't have to pay him for it.
We didn't put up a fight, after all we didn't have to pay him for it.
Feeling blue.
In the year 1978, two good things happened. Argentina won their first FIFA World Cup and Vikram's dad bought this bike. Now, we're not saying one has anything to do with the other but after 36 years, we believe, it's about time both reclaimed their lost glory. We've done that with the bike, and now we're just waiting for Argentina to do the same.
In the year 1978, two good things happened. Argentina won their first FIFA World Cup and Vikram's dad bought this bike. Now, we're not saying one has anything to do with the other but after 36 years, we believe, it's about time both reclaimed their lost glory. We've done that with the bike, and now we're just waiting for Argentina to do the same.
