ALTHOUGH WE POSE SEPARATELY,OUR HEARTS BEAT AS ONE
There are very few families in India who have introduced and encouraged their children t0 motorcycles and the responsible way of riding these magnificent machines.
As they say,
“Teach your kid the art of motorcycling and he will never have money for drugs”.
Such was the case with one of the families residing in a hamlet called “BADRIPUR“, nestled in the lush greenery of Dehradun. The family belongs to the famous
“WALIA-CLAN” who had migrated from Kapurthala (Punjab) centuries ago. In fact there is no one alive in the village who can actually pinpoint a definite date it is always-
“A few grandfathers ago!! :) “
Chaudhary Surendra Singh was the Village Sarpanch and the undisputed leader of the clan. He was blessed with three sons and two daughters, out of which two sons fell under the charm of not only riding but possessing their own motorcycles. Those were the days when only a few affluent families could afford buying a Motorcycle. The youngsters chose to ride the then popular cult bikes by Royal Enfields which was perceived as a
macho-man’s bike.
Although the eldest member of the family has been riding since 1966,they currently own and maintain the prized possession of 4 Enfields and 1 Yezdi.
Ravi Kumar Ahluwalia (AKA-Ravi Chaudhary)- is my Tauji which means he is my father’s elder brother.
AGE:66
The actively respected Chaudhary Saab aged a young 66 years has been riding two wheelers all his adult life whether it has been a …
RIDES: LD,Lambretta,Vespa or Chetak Scooters
RIDES OWNED:
He has owned 3 Royal Enfields since 1962 but the one that he maintains till date is the
RE-DELUXE 1984 model.
PRICING-
COST PRICE: ₹17,000
QUOTED SELLING PRICE: ₹1,20,000
He had bought it for 17,000 INR from his own hard earned money through farming and agriculture.It is his pride and joy.He went to Delhi and bought it from Allied Agency Karol Bagh-where now the gigantic Hanuman Murti is erected near the Jhandewala Metro.
KMS CLOCKED: Over a Lakh
The meter has been changed many a times within the motorcycle’s life span ,the engine has run easily over a lakh kilometres but till date it still runs trouble free.
THE THEN PETROL PRICE:80 Paise Per Litre
THE THEN DIESEL PRICE:25 Paise Per Litre!!
Seems unbelievable with the present selling price of over seventy rupees per litre ♠
MECHANICS: 3-4 Mechanics have worked on it since the past 32 Years
The local mechanics were:
Yunus Bhai(next to Himalayan Arms)
Munna Bhai(next to Masjid at Innamullah Building) and
Ayub Bhai(behind the Mandakini Hotel Petrol Pump opposite Jail)
The bike was originally green in colour before it was revamped to silver Electra with chrome in the year 2012.
Arun Kumar Walia (AKA Lambardar)-My Father
AGE:63
The most loved man of the village is 63 years old yet as fit as a fiddle.
FIRST RIDE:Lambretta at the Tender age of 15
RE Standard 350cc “Bullet”
Yezdi is more than 45 years old
Bullet is a 1987 year model bought through Army Auction conducted by bank
The Then Cost Price-₹10-12,000
The Present Selling Price-₹1,47,000
The Then Cost Price-₹15,000
The Present Selling Price- ₹1,30,000
THE THEN PETROL PRICE: 2 Rupees and 70 Paise
THE THEN DIESEL PRICE: Don’t Remember
RIDE USE-
Optimum use of the bike was that being agriculturist,they needed to commute between Dehradun-Delhi so frequently that the brothers chose to ride their motorcycles to and fro supervising the trucks and tractor trolleys loaded with the sugarcane harvest.
They rarely went to town on their bikes and mostly rode them to the sugarcane,basmati and paddy fields.
Also,later he would use it for fulfilling his parental duty of dropping and picking up both his sons from Riverdale School at Balbir Road.
He was forced to hang up his riding boots from Regular riding after two Vertigo strokes,has been medically advised to ride a light non-gear vehicle; therefore riding an Access 125cc.He often gets nostalgic on hearing the growl of the engine and remanences about his biking days.
MECHANICS: 3-4 Mechanics have worked on it since the past 45 Years
The mechanics were:
Yezdi-Munna Bhai at Innamullah Building
Bullet-Yunus Bhai (Next to Himalyan Arms)
Ayub Bhai (Behind Mandakini Hotel Petrol Pump,Opposite Jail)
Bhura (Second Lane adjacent to Jail)
Shamshad (Bhurra’s Son)
Nitin Ahluwalia (AKA Buddy) is my Tauji’s Elder son
AGE: 39
He is a dashing smart 39 Year Old Young Man
FIRST RIDE: Tauji’s Deluxe
He began his love affair with his bike when he was rather young,in fact barely a teenager.Thanks to the fresh air ,the pure desi ghee and dairy products; all the Walia boys have a strong ,tall and broad physique.
He now rides his own Machismo[now converted into a Electra]and occasionally his father’s.
KMS CLOCKED: Over Lakh (Clocking almost 80kms daily doing Gedi:) )
RIDE USE-
Nitin was no exception and had the delectable damsels riding pillion especially when he went for tuitions and a ride round the city.
THEN COST PRICE: ₹54,000
The bike was bought For-54,000 INR in fact it was gifted by Tauji when he cleared his class 10th).
PRESENT QUOTED PRICE: ₹60,000
The engine Overhaul and Repaint- was done once in the year 2006
THE THEN PETROL PRICE: ₹5 Per Litre, The 16 Litre tank would fill up for 80 Rupees and now we barely get a litre for 70 ):
THE THEN DIESEL PRICE: Don’t Remember
MECHANICS: 2 Mechanics have been working on it for the past 20 Years
The mechanics were:
Ayub bhai (Workshop behind Mandakini Hotel Petrol Pump,opposite Jail)
Bhura (Second Lane adjacent to Jail)
Pranav Walia: (Yes That’s right, Me-Myself :) )
I am 23 years and my admirers [Yes! I do have a few] call me Dynamic,dedicated and hopelessly devoted to motorcycles.
FIRST RIDE: My Father’s 1987 Bullet at entering the Teen-Age
RIDES OWNED:
That I ,now the third Walia scion call my own a Classic 500 and 3 Bullets and a Yezdi that is a part of my inheritance.
HOW OLD?
The Classic turns 3 this December but the Machismo,Bullet,Lightning and Yezdi stay forever young and treasured.
KMS CLOCKED: 32,000 and Rolling
PRICING (C5)-
THE THEN COST PRICE: ₹1,67,000
The bike was presented to me by my parents in second year of my college i.e December 2013.
THE PRESENT QUOTED PRICE: ₹1,20,000
THE THEN PETROL PRICE: ₹43
THE THEN DIESEL PRICE: ₹38
Ever since I personally started getting the tanks fuelled,prices have ⇑⇑
RIDE USE:
Being widely exposed to motorcycling ever since childhood and having acquired enhanced skills by years of practice,I frequently venture out on,Long Rides which I call Expedition,to ride far and wide exploring the culture, food and heritage of the places visited and it’s inhabitants . Apart from the expeditions, I ride the rest-genre based for daily commute and occasion specific
MECHANICS: Mainly, two mechanics have been working on it since the beginning
Them Being-
Lokesh bhai (Jayanagar,Near Ashoka Pillar,Bangalore) while I was exploring Southern parts of India
Saleem bhai (Dharampur,opposite Masjid) ever since I’m back to North
GETTING THE NEXT GEN-READY
At times it seems to be that perhaps all the bike lovers in my Family could have traces of engine oil in our blood!! For us these machines are more than motorcycles,they are part of our heritage .They have safely transported us far and wide and have never let us down nor caused us any harm.We have received admiring looks when we ride them and this has just added to our appeal.I know that I will ensure that the bond between our thumpers and future generations will remain as strong and steady as when my grandfather bought his first bike.
My advise to all you readers begin your love affair with these magnificent machines and they will reciprocate by being your faithful companions and serving you through thick and thin.
Isn’t that what friends are supposed to do?
*THE FAMILY HAS TWO MORE PROGENIES-TALLEST AND STRONGEST AMONGST THE REST,NAMELY-
MOHIT AHLUWALIA
BHANU WALIA
Both of them are equally passionate about riding but somehow are unable to devote greater amount of time.
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY-TRIBHUVAN BARTHWAL
PHOTOGRAPHED BY-ADITYA JOSHI
AN ODE TO FOUR DECADES OF RIDING LEGACY IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY... There are very few families in India who have introduced and encouraged their children t0 motorcycles and the responsible way of riding these magnificent machines.
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