########################################################################## # Don't just read the news...discuss it. Learn more about Goa via Goanet # # Goanet was setup in 1994 and has spent the last decade building a # # lasting Goan non-profit, volunteer-driven network in cyberspace. # # Visit the archives http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # To join, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and ask to join Goanet. # ########################################################################## PROFILE: DR JOE, WHO BRINGS LIFE TO THE BULLETS OF GOA
By Rahul Alvares [EMAIL PROTECTED] He has ripped the rusty 350 cc Enfield down to nuts, bolts and bones. Every system -- digestive, circulatory, nervous and excretory -- has been separated and placed neatly in greasy bags in a corner of his garage. Now all that's left is the thick chassis of the bike and the headlight holder which, devoid of its bulb, is staring at me like the hollow eyes of a skeleton. The man whistling nonchalantly as he tussles with the heavy engine of the motorbike is Doctor Joe; the most famous Bullet mechanic in Goa. My blue Bullet which needs a new chain is being attended to by Joe's helper; an eleven year old boy who seems to understand more about the Enfield than many of the previous mechanics I've visited. I've known Joe for some time now. But I haven't a clue as to why the title 'Doctor'. My query draws a laugh from Joe. "I cure all diseases of bikes, Aids included!" replies Joe. I raise my eye brows at the smart answer and Joe hits me with another teaser. "Hey, I'm an M.B.B.S -- that's Macalister, Bullet, and B.S.A. Surgeon!" I give up. Joe may not have got through his eight standard in school but his English is impeccable and the sense of humour, sparkling. Joe started working on bikes at the age of fifteen on the footpath in Bombay. He worked for a garage and repaired British bikes (Nortons, Triumphs and B.S.As) which were plentiful at that time. Eight years later he moved to Goa and spent the next five years fixing bikes on Calangute beach. A three year stint at the Calangute petrol pump, and Joe had finally saved enough to build his own garage situated at Porba Vaddo in Calangute. At around the same time Joe joined hands with Clouse Brass; proprietor of Classic Bike Adventure Tours. The bikers toured the Himalayas and Rajasthan for a total of twenty two days. All the bikes were Enfields. Joe's job was to follow the twenty-odd bikes in a jeep loaded with spare tires, batteries, cables and tools to fix any problem that should arise on the journey. Joe recalls the tours nostalgically. They would cover 300-400 kilometers a day and then find a good spot to camp. Usually this would be a valley ensuring plentiful supply of water. Food, including live chickens, was carried in a truck that also followed the bikes. Following the death of Mr. Brass a few years ago, Joe quit Classic Tours. He now works full time at the garage. I became acquainted with Joe on recommendation from my neighbour who also owns a Bullet. I had at that time just purchased two Bullets and was searching for a good mechanic. The Bullet is an amazing bike to ride, but a little tricky to maintain. I took an instant liking to Joe. Joe is the type of a guy who will never force you to repair or replace a bike part unless it is absolutely necessary. Many of the spare parts now fitted to my bike are scrap pulled out from his massive collection. That saved me a lot of money! A few days back I thought of changing the piston rings of one of my bikes to get a little more power. Joe refused to get it done. "Why put a good man in hospital?" was his defense. It is this attitude of Joe's that I and all his clients love. Joe's clientele is fifty percent foreigners and fifty percent Goan. He opens up full engines and modifies bikes including B.S.As, Nortons, Triumphs, Harleys, and other foreign bikes as well. Spare parts for foreign bikes are also available with him. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rahul Alvares is a writer, author of two books, wildlife-enthusiast, musician ... and young man of many roles. He lives at Parra, Goa. Joe can be contacted at at 0091.832.2299278 (residence). GOANET READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the growing readership of Goanet and it's allied network of mailing lists. If you appreciate the above article, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. Goanet Reader too welcomes your feedback at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Goanet Reader is edited by Frederick Noronha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>