When you have a post new millennium motorbike, it’s much easier to take it to a branded shop, even more so if it’s still in warranty. For those of you with a rare or vintage bike, such garages will not likely have the right knowledge and expertise to help you.

What makes a good mechanic? 

It goes beyond experience. You won’t very often find anyone advertising over 10 years’ experience with your specific make or model. They probably won’t have a certificate on the wall from your bike’s manufacturer, awarded for formal certification in your make and model. So, if it’s not always experience, what can you look for?

Being open and honest is a pretty good place to start. A respectable mechanic should have taken loads of photos of their projects, saved the old spare parts and have loads of evidence of previous work they’ve completed. They should be willing to answer every single question you throw at them. If you notice them dodging questions, being vague or unable to provide an estimate, then alarm bells should be ringing.

If a mechanic truly knows what they’re doing, there will be no need for dodging questions, hiding their work or being dismissive of any concerns you raise. You should be able to get a feel for whether you are just another job to get over and done with or whether there’s genuine interest and the beginnings of a long-term working partnership.

A mechanic who wants to complete a job to the very best of their ability will also be asking you lots of questions in return. If they are interested, they will want to know as much as possible about the bike and its history. Particularly with a vintage bike, there’s a lot of back story which could be influencing any current problems that are occurring and a good mechanic will recognise that fact.

Attention to detail is another important element to look out for. When you walk into the motorbike garage, how are the motorbikes laid out? Are there bikes collecting dust and abandoned or are they ordered and taken care of? If it looks like the place is full of half-finished projects, do you really want your bike to become the next in line?

It also says something about a mechanic’s attention to detail. A mechanical failure on a motorbike can be fatal – your mechanic literally has your life in his hands. If you don’t trust that they have your best interests at heart, then you should get on your bike and go elsewhere. A good mechanic will not be a barrier between you and your bike but should stand alongside you as you approach the problem together.

The Rockers were known for riding motorbikes, most commonly the Triumph that was popular during the late 1950s. If you own one of these vintage classics today, be sure to have it looked after by a motorbike mechanic. Their fashion choice was black leather jackets and they listened to rock music, mostly white American artists including Gene Vincent and Elvis Presley. However, their rivals, the Mods wanted to appear more ‘modern’ and favoured Italian scooters, R&B music and even jazz. The Mods thought of themselves as more stylish, more modern and definitely more in touch with the times than the Rockers. In contrast, the Rockers thought the Mods were ‘girly’ and stuck up.

Interestingly, the origins of both subcultures came from the Teddy Boy culture that grew in popularity after the Second World War. The music, cars, bikes and fashion influences of the U.S can be seen in the Rockers, while the feelings of hope, modernisation and internationalism can be viewed in the rise of the Mod movement.

There was a lot going on in the youth culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Even though their fashion sense was very different, there were still many similarities between the two gangs. Most members of either subculture were working-class and that included the musicians who developed their craft during this time. Rarely were members of either gang from the middle-class, despite some claiming that they were. Perhaps it was the next generation’s reaction to the heavy impact of war and continuing rationing that had turned them into disenfranchised and angry young men.

Regardless of any similarities, tensions had been simmering and this culminated in the outbreak of violence in 1964. The two groups represented the huge divide felt in society at the time. Chaos erupted on the beach near the Palace Pier in Brighton on 18th May 1964. Fights broke out, deckchairs were launched into the air, fires were lit and passing pedestrians were threatened with knives. projectiles were thrown at the arriving police and then a sit-in ensued on the beach of around 600 young people. Around 76 arrests were made in Brighton and other seaside resorts and the event was immortalised in the 1979 film, Quadrophenia.

Tabloid newspapers said the country was being ruined by degenerate youths, but it wasn’t quite as sensational as the papers made out. In fact, the hype from the press could be held partly responsible for what ensued on that bank holiday. A cold and miserable Easter weekend saw approximately 1,000 youths from London descend on Clacton and cause some minor disturbances and trouble. The press went to town with the story though, claiming a rampaging invasion by unruly, delinquent teens was underway. Whilst unpleasant for local residents, it hardly represented a terrifying teen invasion. However, the stage was set, and the youth of Britain made the following bank holiday the stage for a battle, which ultimately became split along gang lines.