In search of inspiration

In between working for a living by fixing other people's bikes for them, Dave builds some of the most awesome powered two-wheelers you will ever see.

 

Whether it be a road model or a motocrosser, Dave's bikes are inevitably much better than when they left whichever factory in which they were first born. 

 

In the main he builds his bikes how, in an ideal world, their designers would like them to have been built. 

 

In reality, most bikes are built by accountants. If there's a cheap way of doing something then that is the way it happens. 

 

So you get lots of clunky great nuts and bolts – because they are cheap – and tinny brackets, plus some brackets you don't want, all because the frame doubles for several engines, or as an MXer and an enduro.

 

Dave starts from scratch, with a bare frame and removes the stuff that he doesn't want, then tidies up all the rest. 

 

This runs to making his own bolts, nuts, washers and fasteners that are exactly the right size, material, length, weight and LOOK exactly like they belong.

 

The bikes aren't radical (actually, his home built hillclimb specials are!) they just look Factory.

 

This obsession for perfection runs right through the model, he really understands bikes from front to back including cranks, pistons, cams, gearboxes, clutches, brakes, etc. No part, however small or seemingly insignificant, is left untouched.

 

Dave won't thank me for blowing his trumpet, he does what he does purely for his own satisfaction and the pleasure of a job done right. 

 

I like to think that I go there for inspiration. In truth I go there to marvel at what is possible, given the time, knowledge, skill and patience. 

 

Dave makes the time – and possesses the latter qualities in spades. 

 

Sadly, like many of us I suspect, I probably could find the time, but saying "I don't have the time,” is the easiest excuse in the world for not doing something. 

 

The latter qualities have always evaded me, especially skill and patience. I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous. Luckily I do realise this so I try to keep myself out of harm's way!  

 

And so my life's two-wheel projects – there are at least half-a-dozen of them skulking in various dark corners, lurking under cardboard boxes and old sheets – continue to gather dust as they await my unskilled attentions.

 

As I say, I call on Dave about once a year to seek inspiration, unfortunately I then skulk away fully realising my severe limitations

 

One day, though – one day...