Tucked away within the sleepy village of Cherukole, close to Mavelikara, is a storage not like every other, the place classic and fashionable bikes stand shoulder to shoulder. At its coronary heart is Kiran G.Ok., a passionate collector who has amassed an enviable fleet of 40 motorbikes. However none maintain as a lot historic significance because the Norman MK 9D, a wartime motorbike that was designed to navigate the battlefields of World Warfare II.
For the 42-year-old automation engineer, proudly owning a chunk of this uncommon motorcycle is greater than a ardour. It’s about preserving a chunk of historical past. Mr. Kiran purchased the 1945 mannequin (based mostly on engine particulars) British-made motorbike bearing outdated Madras registration (MDT) from an individual in Aluva a decade in the past.
“The Motor Biking journal in an article dated October 7, 1943, known as Norman Light-weight (Norman MK 9D) as ‘The Warfare Employee’s Selection’. It was used to provide meals, medicines, arms and journey to distant areas throughout World Warfare II. In keeping with Norman Relationship Membership in Kent, England, of which I’m a member, there are solely 13 identified MK 9Ds worldwide. So far as I do know, that is the one one in India in operating situation. Not a lot is thought about the way it arrived in India. The individual I purchased it from had acquired it from a Tirunelveli native,” says Mr. Kiran, including that little is thought about this explicit bike’s battlefield tales.
A view of bikes in Kiran G.Ok.’s assortment.
| Picture Credit score:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Weighing simply 56 kg, the motorbike is powered by a 125cc twin-port two-stroke Villiers engine. One in every of its distinctive options is a three-speed hand-operated gear. The motorcycle has a inflexible body with out suspension shocks and rests on a bicycle-like stand. It will possibly attain a high pace of 75 km/h and has a mileage of roughly 30 km/l. “After shopping for the bike, I restored it with the assistance of my good friend and mechanic Vijesh Kumar. Many of the components are unique, however the carburettor had to get replaced with one from a Bajaj M80,” says Mr. Kiran, who’s the president of Group Uncommon Engines, a registered non-profit membership of classic motorbike fanatics.
The motorcycle is especially showcased at expos and occasions. His assortment contains BSA 350 (1953-model), Jawa (1964), Royal Enfield B1 (1969), Kelvinator Avanti (1982), Enfield Mini Bullet (1986), Harley Davidson (2014), Yamaha R15 V4 (2023) and plenty of others. “My first and most cherished bike is a Yamaha RX135,” says Kiran, who works in Muscat.
Revealed – February 08, 2025 06:12 pm IST
