• Zein has been working on motorbikes since he was 13.
    Zein has been working on motorbikes since he was 13.
  • He still has the original set of tools that his father used on the British army’s bikes during the colonial era.
    He still has the original set of tools that his father used on the British army’s bikes during the colonial era.
  • One of the smallest spanners can go for as much as US$40 (Dh147) online, Zein’s son says.
    One of the smallest spanners can go for as much as US$40 (Dh147) online, Zein’s son says.
  • Zein’s sons Khaled, 16, and Ali, 19, will take over the business from their father one day.
    Zein’s sons Khaled, 16, and Ali, 19, will take over the business from their father one day.
  • A 1964 BSA Road Rocket, under restoration at the shop.
    A 1964 BSA Road Rocket, under restoration at the shop.
  • Zein speaks about the bikes with a kind of mysticism. 'They are like obedient horses,' he says.
    Zein speaks about the bikes with a kind of mysticism. 'They are like obedient horses,' he says.
  • These days people do not ride as many British bikes as they used to, Zein laments. The wealthy prefer ostentatious Harley’s, and the working classes prefer cheaper east Asian imports.
    These days people do not ride as many British bikes as they used to, Zein laments. The wealthy prefer ostentatious Harley’s, and the working classes prefer cheaper east Asian imports.
  • Zein shows authentic parts used in the repair and maintenance of the classic bikes.
    Zein shows authentic parts used in the repair and maintenance of the classic bikes.
  • Inside Zein’s workshop in Sayida Zeinab.
    Inside Zein’s workshop in Sayida Zeinab.

World

Mechanic keeps classic bikes rumbling in Cairo’s streets - in pictures

Rob Gurdebeke

December 28, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Zein Hussein restores classic motorcycles in Egypt. Having worked on them since he was 13, he is certainly one of the most experienced mechanics of his kind in Cairo.

All photos by Dana Smillie for The National

Egypt