V for Vardenchi
The brand name is reminiscent of something obscenely expensive hanging off a socialite's shoulder. But Vardenchi ain't Italian, and it bloody well ain't a bag. Vardenchi Choppers are what you would kill for, after this article is done with you. Or else I'll change my name. It's Ashish Shakya for the moment though... Akshai Varde, 26, has always been a bike fanatic. He started riding at the age of 12 - an RD350, no less - and grew up "fooling around with bikes", as he puts it. He customised his own bike, followed by a friend's and a lot of research (and one irrelevant Hotel Management degree) later, went on to create the brand Vardenchi. This was two years ago, when it was just Akshai and his helper Hassan. Akshai did everything from welding, grinding and assembling on his own then. Now, of course, there are 6 guys with him - production designers, creative designers, machinists, engine technicians - all working to satisfy the demand that ranges from Mumbai to Bangalore, Mysore, Delhi and even Shimla. So what exactly happens at Vardenchi? "Well ", Akshai replies amidst the sweet sound of grinding metal, " We build choppers. We take in customers' Bullets, and design them according to specific needs." The entire process is quite a systematic one - it begins with talking to the customer to figure out what he wants. Once the design is approved, the team starts building the bike i.e the body and suspension are put into place, followed by accessories like indicators and lamps. The bike is then assembled for a dummy fit, wherein the customer rides the stripped down bike to get the feel of it. Changes, if any, are made at this stage, and some paint and chrome later, she's roaring to go! And now for the bikes. The godawesome bikes. Excuse me while I lech, lust and fall in love, all the same time. Take Akshai's machine, for instance - blood red, with sharp radical lines and a fantastilicious rear end. (Ok that is *not* as gay as it sounds) Since the keyword here is customisation, Akshai does expect weird requests and manages to fulfil them all - everything from cigar holders, to beer bottle holders have been created as per demand. The mod costs anything from 75k - 3 lakhs, depending on design and complexity. And yes, Akshai doesn't take on jobs for people he doesn't deem as safe riders. Only those who can handle these monsters get their satisfaction at Vardenchi. In case you still haven't got it, the name is plain and simple Marathi for 'Made By Varde' or 'Varde's'. Vardenchi. Simple, innit? Contact Akshai at www.vardenchi.com (A lot of his deals - from start to finish - have been coordinated online)