All that dhoom

There are few things guys love more passionately than their motor bikes. It's that one dream vehicle that resonates closest to their desire for unbridled freedom and exploration. So dear it is to most, and so tied it is with the rider's sense of individuality, that many also tend to remodel their bikes, making it stand apart and super special for themselves.Bike modification, as a trend is at its peak in Kochi,compared to other cities in Kerala. It means the riders make all kinds of changes to their bikes. It could be going in for different kind of wheels, having split seats, modifying the silencer, changing headlights, mirrors and colour and so forth.Jose or famously known as 'Chamber Jose' is a much sought-after mechanic and the 'go-to' man when it comes to bike modifications. Ask him about his unique name and he says proudly, "I am one of the best here when it comes to 'sound tuning' of a bike. I began as a mechanic when I was  12 and have been in this business for almost 25 years now. Since I make every bike sound different for each customer, people started calling me Chamber Jose" Bike modification has always come under the scanner of the Motorvehicle department, as modifications tend to compromise with the rules of the road."When a customer comes to me for modification, I always inform in advance that the Motorvehicle department could fine them. I tell them, 'If you are willing to face the trouble, I will do it for you." Modifications don't come cheap, however. "I take up  work starting from 30,000 and it goes up to 2,50,000 at times," he says.And if you thought only youngsters are primarily into bike modification, you're wrong. "There is no age factor for biking,everyone loves to ride and show off. People coming to me only have a small, general idea about what they want their bike to be like. But I do suggest certain things whereby they can drive their bikes without any issues."Jose is extremely proud of the way he's modified his own bike. "If Harley-Davidson, America's very own motorcycle, that has spawned a cult following, is an exclusive set of wheels, the one owned by me in Kochi is, indeed, one of its kind," he says."My motorcycle is not the latest Harley off the block. See closely and you'll find a Royal Enfield Bullet beneath the blue skin of my bike. I studied only up to Standard XI. I myself designed and developed the Harley look-alike by converting a Bullet, after being enamoured of a Harley-Davidson picture in a calendar. I have never seen a Harley in my life, though I know that there is one in Kochi," he says. The major bike companies are not much concerned about the trend of modification. "When we sell a bike to a customer we give the full authority of the bike to the buyer," says Manoj M Nayak,Sales manager,Muthoot Honda.On the issues of warranty and free service, Santosh, Service Manager, Yamaha says, "We have made it clear that if the bike is modified, even if it is a tire change,we wont provide the free service or the warranty which actually is two years. We have made this clear by adding this in our booklet."So why this clamour for bike modification?  Many admit it is basically to appear different from the rest. Ask a rider who has modified his bullet spending almost 2.5 lakh rupees, and he says, "I want my bike to look a certain way, it should have the features I want. I don't want what the company gives me. When I ride on it, people tend to give it a second look. Why would they, if it looked like any ordinary bike? It is more to do with the attitude and the lifestyle. Biking is my life and the bike my sweetheart," says Rajat,who belongs to Kaloor.[email protected]