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Leeds man's classic bike choice
Every day he is surrounded by scores of America's most famous motorbikes.
But when it comes to getting to work at Harley-Davidson in Leeds, Gary Moore prefers something a little more patriotic.
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The 53-year-old likes nothing more than firing up his classic Royal Enfield 350 Bullet, fastening his helmet and pulling down his goggles before setting off from his Pudsey home.
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At first his colleagues scoffed at his choice of transport.
But soon the British-designed classic drew admiring glances – even from
customers as they arrived on their own Harleys.
Gary, who works on the parts and accessories desk, said: "They all had a bit of a chuckle when I first turned up to work on it.
"They're pretty slow compared to modern bikes, but that's part of their appeal.
"WIth a bit of reasonable tuning you can make them useable in traffic.
"I've managed to see 80mph on a downward stretch but you're wringing it's neck at that speed.
"It's more comfortable cruising at 50.
"And because they're so simple they are very easy to repair."
Gary's two-wheeler love affair began when he was 16.
He said: "Starting off I was actually a Mod and rode Lambrettas. I had four. Unfortunately I didn't keep hold of them because they're worth a bomb now.
"I had a little bit of a break after that, then when I was about 25 I fancied another two-wheeler.
"I thought I was too old for a Lambretta so I got a motorbike, a Suzuki 250, from Eddie's Motorcyles in Kirkstall.
"Then I got a Kawasaki 440, which I've still got, before getting interested in Harleys, ending up with a Fatboy which I've also still got. I take my wife Sharon out on that. "
When his dad Dennis suffered a stroke in 2003, Gary spent more time in Leeds, giving up his old job to work at the now closed Eddie's.
There is a slight twist in the tale as the Royal Enfield isn't quite as British as it might seem.
Gary's – he has two – were actually built in 1992 and 2002 in India.
He said: "The rights to manufacture the original were sold to a company in India where they're still made to this day in Chennai.
"I go on holiday to India which is where I fell in love with them.
"They're the bikes the Indians aspire to getting in the same way
Harleys are over here.
"One of our customers Stuart, who had cancer, wanted a Harley before he died.
"When I went round to see him he was on about selling his Bullet and I mentioned that I wouldn't mind buying it.
"I see it as a nice tribute to him as the bike gets used day in, day out."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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