Whilst driving along Mahatma Gandhi Road in Secunderabad, there’s a place you’ll most definitely miss if you don’t keep your eyes peeled for sparks or your ears unveiled for the sound of heavy-duty metal work. Down a specific side-street will instantly transport you to a paradise for bike-a-holics.
- Where Off M G Road
- Est 1970s
Each of the shops house about six to ten employees, all of whom are experts in anything motorbike-related — from fork throughing to fixing dents to beyond.
Having been established in 1976, M A Saleem and Sons specialises in vintage bikes which many in and out of Hyderabad frequent. Run by the same automotive-loving family for three generations, it’s a site of pride and heritage.
“My grandfather, M A Saleem, started this place and it’s coming to about 40 years. It’s very much a family business here,” says Hakeem, who is on site all day and everyday, supervising his team, “We get people from all over Hyderabad and from Bengaluru too.”
Hakeem points to a recent project he and his team have just finished; a Norton Roadholder which glimmers from pristine finishing. “This came to us as a frame,” he starts, “and the whole thing took six months to finish off. The bike price stands at ₹15 lakh because of everything we’ve used; chrome, stainless steel and so on.” Hakeem adds that the cost of such a makeover starts at two lakh.
Another set-up, Tawakal Electro-plating, specialises in buffing and the creation of decorative articles to snazz up your ride, whether it’s stainless steel, brass or copper. The four employees each have their own duties for the process of buffing and polishing, making use of powders and sawdust and heavier equipment. The cost for electro-plating a whole bike costs around ₹6,000.
Other places include hole-in-the-wall Syed Yousuf which is a long-standing go-to for all things wheel throughing and a small store for old helmets, proving you can really get a whole top-to-bottom bike experience in this alcove.
In spite of the continual popping up of newer and flashier places all over the city, this galli continues to attract generations of Hyderabadis, not just for the cost-effective experience but also for the age-old charm that comes with visiting this place.
