Dilip Kumar of Someshwara has an astounding collection — A 1950 BSA Banter, 1954 Ambassador, 1958 Lambretta
You may have known many a mechanic in your life, repairing, tinkering, and painting and even tightening that odd bolt on your bike’s foot-peg. But none like young Dilip Kumar of Someshwara in Ullal has an astounding collection of 30 vintage two-wheelers from three continents.
“His collection is mind-boggling. I rode one of his bikes—a 1950 BSA Banter—and felt as if I was riding a brand new bike,” said the state minister for environment, ecology and inland water resources J Krishna Palemar.
Dilip repairs others’ bikes and scooters for a livelihood, but his home in Ullal is full of restored vintage two-wheelers and all of them in mint condition. And all of them have valid documents and insurance.
His impressive collection includes a 1950 BSA Banter which was a favourite of the British military postal service and a 1954 Ambassador with a 200 cc engine. “When I first saw the bike, it was rotting in a collector’s home in Hyderabad; it had been dumped for over 20 years in sun and rain. Though I bought it dirt cheap, restoring it to the present condition was a Herculean task. It took me 18 months to get it road worthy; I hunted for spare parts in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. Today it is one of the eight Ambassador motorcycles that are in running condition in the country,” a beaming Dilip told DNA on the sidelines of a vintage automobile show organised as a part of the Republic Day celebrations in Mangalore.
He also has a 1958 Lambretta, which has a headlight on the nose faring—in collector’s parlance it is called Cyclops. “This was the oldest scooter which was in running condition in Mangalore. I am trying to ascertain if there is any other Lambretta in the state,” Dilip said.
Dilip also has vehicles from Italy, France, Germany and Russia, “My dream is to acquire a heavier British motorcycle, preferably an army two-wheeler, in whatever condition. I shall be able to restore it to the original condition,” he said.
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