With little formal education Mark’s gift with metal and creation is only surpassed by his tenacity and passion.

“I didn’t know what a lathe was when I first saw one at 15, but I said to my mother that I had to have one,” he said.

A lifetime of designing and building many weird and wonderful machines sees Mark now finishing his latest creation.

The character of Big Ned was inspired when Mark and his companion Lynne saw an art exhibition by Sidney Nolan in Canberra featuring portrayals of Ned Kelly.

Today, thousands of hours later, Ned is a ‘running, roaring reality.’ Built entirely by hand (and lathe), this 3000cc, rotary-valve head, nitro fuel injected V-twin is not only aesthetically engrossing but has engineering innovation that must be seen to be believed.

The magnificent motorbike will be unveiled by the mayor of Bellingen, Mark Troy, at ‘The World’s Smallest Motorcycle Museum’, at Juan’s Café del Fuego in Dorrigo, on July 4 at noon.

A ‘change-over’ tradition for three years now, motor bike riders and enthusiasts gather from all over the State, every three months to inspect and celebrate another special and rare machine, be they antique, international or the very latest in mechanical engineering.

* All are welcome. For any accommodation requirements and essential dinner bookings call Juan on 6657-2202.