Bike Shifting in Kolar Gold Fields

Kolar Gold Fields was built for mining families a long time ago. The packers page describes the houses: high ceilings, large rooms, walled compounds and furniture that hasn't moved in decades. Many of those compounds also hold an older motorcycle or scooter, sometimes bought new by a grandfather who worked the mines, and kept running ever since.

A bike like that is different from a modern commuter. Its parts are often original and no longer made: a chrome headlamp shell, a tank badge, a round mirror, a leather seat, a period tool box. If one is bent or lost in a move, a replacement may take months to find, or never turn up.

So the move focuses on two things: protecting the irreplaceable parts, and getting the bike out of the compound safely.

Identify the irreplaceable parts. Walk round the bike before booking and list the parts that would be hard to replace: chrome, badges, lamps, mirrors, the seat, any original accessories. Tell us at booking, and point them out to the crew on the day.

Remove what comes off easily. Round mirrors, a loose tool box or a saddlebag can be removed, wrapped and carried by the owner. Fewer protruding parts means fewer chances of a knock.

Pad the rest. Chrome and badges that stay on the bike get soft padding where they could touch a strap or the carrier. Straps go on the frame, with soft loops under any hook, never across the tank or chrome.

Record its condition carefully. Photograph the bike in good light from every side, with close ups of the badges and chrome. Note existing marks on the condition note together with the crew.

Think about where it will live next. An old bike that has stood in the same shed for decades needs a covered, dry spot at the new home, ideally away from a busy parking area where newer bikes are squeezed in around it. Ask about parking before delivery.

Plan the compound exit. Many KGF compounds have old gates, a step at the entrance, a gravel or uneven path, or a gate narrower than modern vehicles. The carrier usually waits outside, and the bike is wheeled out. If there's a step, a short ramp or boards and two people make it safe.

Look at the tyres, too. An old bike that rarely leaves the compound may have tyres years old, hardened even with plenty of tread. They'll hold for the move on a carrier, but should be replaced before it's ridden far at the new home.

And keep the bike's paper history together: old RC books, service records and receipts travel with the owner, not in the tool box.

Check whether it runs. Some old bikes start reliably; some haven't run in months. The crew will push a bike that doesn't start, but they need to know whether it rolls freely and whether the brakes work.

Show the crew in KGF which parts are original and they'll treat them accordingly. You get one figure in writing after the survey, and from the compound gate the bike is our responsibility.

The KGF packers page covers mining township houses and their old compounds; this page is about the motorcycle that has lived in one for decades.

Choose the day with care. A dry, bright day is best for an old bike: wet ground in the compound and a damp ramp make wheeling a heavy machine harder, and good light makes the condition photographs worth having.

If the bike is valuable as well as old, consider its declared value carefully and keep the photographs safe. A collector's bike may deserve a written valuation before it travels.

An electric scooter from a KGF compound travels like any other, upright and tied at the frame. Check the path from the compound to the gate if it has steps, since an EV is heavier to lift. Share the EV's make when booking.