A vintage motorcycle displayed in a Ramsey shop window accompanied by a notice saying ‘Parts urgently required – can you help find parts for this beauty?’ drew an immediate response.
Within hours of the bike being there, a visiting motorcyclist fan – a mechanic from Lincolnshire – called in at Top 2 Toe, Bowring Road, to say he could help and left his telephone number.
The details were passed on to Tony East, owner of the bike, which is a Calthorpe K4, registration number CMN 68.
Mr East, who is secretary of the Isle of Man Vintage Motorcycle Club and owner of the A.R.E. Classic Bike Collection based at The Old Vicarage, Kirk Michael, is recovering from a hip operation, but has every intention of following up the offer.
He said the machine was a comparatively rare ivory Calthorpe, so-called because of its colour, dating back to around 1937.
Mr East explained: ‘They didn’t make many of them, although it was very well engineered and very advanced for what it was. There are very few of them about.
‘This particular model belonged to Fred Wyeth, of Laxey, a member of the Vintage Motorcycle Club.
‘Fred used to ride it around, although it was a heap of junk! I acquired it after he died and have been restoring it in his memory. I have got the bike to a stage where it needs some “fine fettling” but I’m unable to finish it. If only I can find the parts.’
‘When it’s complete, we will have a ritual starting-up with cream buns and coffee!’
