MAPUSA: Where there’s a will, there is a way and it is not necessary to have an engineering degree to fulfil one’s dream. And this was proved true by 15-year-old Reuben Gracias; currently studying in Class 10 at St Britto’s High School, Mapusa by building his own 80cc bike from scratch and has even commuted on it.
To own a motorbike is everyone’s dream and youth often wait to get their licence. Many youngsters save money collected for years on such innovation, but Reuben has done it with sheer talent and that too with minimum expenses.
First, he purchased a cycle from a scrap yard for Rs 200 and it took him just two months to convert it into a motorbike. His bike has a two-litre petrol tank which can travel around 65 kms.
“I saw several videos on YouTube on how to build a motorbike but the parts were not easily available. Some parts I bought online and some from scrap yards. This year in March, I managed to find all the parts and started converting the cycle bought for Rs 200 from a scrap yard into a bike. I put all new parts on the cycle. My parents provided me with all financial support to create this motorbike. The total cost to build this motorbike was around Rs 8,000,” Reuben informed.
Reuben had plenty of enthusiasm and interest in opening and repairing toys since childhood. He has already set his goals to pursue automobile engineering and has fulfilled his dream by building this 80cc two-stroke motorbike all by himself.
“During the summer vacations in April, I used to visit my house in Moira where I made this bike. Later, I painted it and brought it to Mapusa pedalling. The frame was not designed to cope with the motorcycle engine on it and hence I faced challenges but finally on May 28, my ride was complete. There were some issues such as oil leaks but slowly I got them fixed,” he added.
Reuben claims that he went ahead and built this motorbike because he wanted to seek attention.
“The plus point of this vehicle is that it allows you to move around freely. With the use of pedals one cannot travel too far on a cycle as it is tiring. I dreamt of a cycle, which could run as fast as other vehicles and move swiftly when caught up in a traffic jam,” he said.
Reuben says next he wants to convert his bike into an amphibious motorbike and it may draw even more attention.
