“Because,” says Fred, “If you want to do this yourself, you’ll need bucketloads of the latter. It is not for sissies. Of course, if you have a bag full of money, it can be done on your behalf and it is always an option. But even then, you have to start with a clear understanding of your own intention about what you will do with the finished product. Is it for collecting, reselling, riding or show purposes; or perhaps even a little bit of all the aforementioned?”
School money can be seriously expensive and if you don’t do extensive research, it is easy to overcapitalise and then lose the total value of your original and ultimately expected, investment. Fortunately the Lowveld has a small group of active experts and they are all keen and willing to welcome and support like-minded people.
It started with his grandfather and dad riding and constantly working on bikes – BMWs in particular. “I have three brothers and all of us love, collect and restore classic bikes. My first bike was a DKW which, although it was running, had to be restored properly.”
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It took two years for Fred to complete the DKW project. This DKW has also become a family heirloom. Can you imagine all those vroom-vroom family gatherings, dear reader? But seriously, such a collective interest must be considered a blessing, I think? His dad had bikes dating from the 1930’s and also participated, not unlike Fred, in the DJ Rally.
He is currently working on a 1930 three-wheeler BSA. This is a complete bolt-and-nut restoration, with the body to be hand-built from wood by a local artisan. Also, it is one of only two in South Africa and therefore truly valuable.
Fred’s second personal project was a 1982 Ducati 600cc Pantah, which took
18 months to complete in 1992. This must have been quite a step-up from the DKW project, I suggested. “Yes, it was, but I had a lot of support,” says Fred. “I prefer to work on twin- or single-cylinder bikes, but when commissioned I can accommodate all types of bikes.”
Fred, it would seem, has a soft spot for Indians. He is currently also working on a 1928 Indian which, he suggests, “will be my companion on my bucket list Cannonball Run in America. This is a
13-day 6 000km coast-to-coast and the Indian is robust enough for the challenges of such an event.” Also on the stand in his workshop is a 1961 Norton 650 SS and 1954 Triumph T110.
So where does the drive, considering the immense input it requires, come from for these projects? “It is always a difficult question to answer. It’s very much the personal satisfaction and if I do it for a client, their first reaction as the project progresses. It is deeply satisfying.”
So, if you have any ideas of doing this, ensure that your project bike comes with papers or proof thereof. Be clear about your intention and do a detailed cost-analysis to determine the cost versus value of the project before you start.
The local circle of friends will be most happy to help you with this. And, on another note. If you have any parts and other things (metal or plastic only) which require a professional clean, Fred uses a blasting technique referred to as vapour blasting – water and glass beads – under 7 bar of pressure, to make it look like new. Here’s the best part, this process does not damage or result in any wear and tear on the original metal/plastic.
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Sounds too good to be true, but Fred ensures me that it is quite amazing and seriously handy of course in the restoration process. But it offers many applications, and, it is eco-friendly.
Fred’s bucket list bike? The 1975 750cc Ducati SS. “It’s the bike that started Ducati’s V-twin racing history and there are two in SA.” Its value? “Probably around 50 000 US dollars.”
“I would like to, not unlike Ian, become the inspiration for the younger generation. We need to keep both the art of restoration and classic bikes alive.”
So should you be interested, you are most welcome to contact Fred on 072-114-3770.
Please diarise the Mpumalanga Show in August where there will be an exquisite collection of classic bikes on show to drool over. “Certainly not to be missed,” encouraged Fred.
