Teacher rides on passion for classic motorcycles
Posted on July 19, 2011, Tuesday
HIGH ROLLERS: Shaidi shows off his classic bikes collection at his resident at Kampung Jaya. The Sekolah Kebangsaan Sultan Ismail teacher spends around RM50,000 to own Honda bikes from the year 60s and 70s. — Bernama photo
KOTA BAHARU: To borrow the title of an iconic 1970’s Hollywood movie, starring Peter Fonda, teacher Shaidi Mohammad probably fits the bill as an ‘Easy Rider’.
The man rides on a roaring passion for classic motorcycle models.
Since his late father handed over a 1962 Honda Benly to Shaidi when the latter was in his 20s, his love for Honda models has not waned.
To date, the Sekolah Kebangsaan Sultan Ismail teacher has in his personal collection, 10 Honda motorcycles made in the 60s and 70s, which he affectionately refers to as “my babies”.
He intends to buy more!
Such is the extent of his love for the 10 vintage machines for which he paid about RM50,000.
Why collect only Honda models?
Shaidi, 49, said he chose to collect Honda motorcycles because he had a special liking for them since his father, Mohammad Mat, handed him the Honda Benly.
“I bought them since I was in my 20s and I have spent almost RM50,000 to get all these motorcycles … they are so special to me,” he told Bernama when met at his house here yesterday.
His collection comprised of Honda CB161, CB125, CB175, CB100, two C90, Charlie, 50 Supercub, C70 and C60.
When Bernama visited Shaidi at the family home in Kampung Jaya, his son, Amier Shami Haziq, 14, was cleaning one of the machines which were arranged neatly, side by side.
“It was not easy to get these types of motorcycles. I even bought one of them for more than RM4,000 and had it sent to a workshop for repairs first, before it could be used,” said Shaidi.
The teacher said the main problem in maintaining his “babies” was to scour for the spare parts.
Sometimes, he had to buy them from stores selling second-hand spare parts.
Shaidi said he would ride the motorcycles alternately to school daily, adding that the classic machines were a hit, not only on the road but also to fellow teachers and students.
“Whenever I ride any of the motorcycles, die-hard vintage motorcycle fans often show me the thumbs-up sign, with some even asking, for how much money I would part with them,” he chuckled.
However, he said, he did not plan to sell his classic collection as he hoped his son, Amier Shahmi Haziq, could continue to take care of the motorcycles.
In any case, Shaidi is not stopping at the 10 machines.
He intends to buy more.
“I am looking for a few more classic Honda motorcycles for my collection and I hope to find them before my retirement,” he said.
Amier Shahmi Haziq hopes to take up after his father, in collecting antique motorcyles.
“If the younger generation are proud to ride their new motorcycles, I am proud to own and ride the legendary classics,” he said.
As the age-old saying goes, ‘classics don’t die, they just fade away’. — Bernama
