Royal Enfield mechanic in Shrivardhan

Shrivardhan is popular with Indian tourists as there are lovely beaches close by. Hence there were a lot of nice places to stay. We chose a small resort called the Lambe Holiday Inn . We really wanted somewhere quite nice as we suspected we would be staying there for several nights - you don't have to be in India long before you realise that nothing is ever straight forward.

 One of the staff new a mechanic and he called him for us. Later the mechanic came and informed us that he wasn't a mechanic but liked enfields. With no other choice we said he could see what he could do. The first thing was to get the bike to his 'garage'. There was no way the bike would start again so he said he would tow Colin. It was towing, Indian style. Colin got on our bike and the 'mechanic' got on his bike which was behind ours. Next thing he revved up his bike, put his foot flat against the back of our bike and drove to the garage. He was effectively pushing Colin down the street in front of him rather than towing him behind and no rope required.

The 'garage' was a higgledy piggledy tin shack on the beach and the idea of actually reaching Goa on the bike was diminishing. The thought of having to courier the bike from Shrivardhan to Goa, after having made it this far, was disappointing. However when the mechanic opened the shack door the optimism returned.

He had a 1962 English built enfied, which had been his grandfather's, and which the mechanic had restored. It was in mint condition. He explained that he only ever worked on enfields and we knew that the bike was in very good hands. Anyone who could restore a bike to this condition certainly knows what he is doing.

The engine was gleaming.

He quickly dismantled our bike and told us that, among other things, the manifold had cracked. We had the manifold replaced in Pushkar and were assured it was an original part but we were duped.