A dimly lit workshop in the centre of Halifax is an unlikely backdrop for an art studio, twisting and manipulating aluminium, forming complex shapes to create a pure simplicity – the bike frame. Proper engineering is a dark art in a world of sterile outsourced manufacturing. A black box of production, it was about time someone gave an updated snapshot into the people and processes that bring an Orange bike to life. Cockney, Francis and Toddy bend and join aluminium using timeless skill and modern ingenuity, but getting them to explain what they do is no easy task. In steps TT legend and engineering ambassador to the people, Guy Martin.
A man of mechanical dexterity and dubbed the modern day Fred Dibnah, Guy phrases the questions nobody else would think to ask. Not afraid to state the obvious, he disseminates each step and shows exactly how a Five goes together. Banter in the workplace? Just a bit boy…
The usual factory video? Produced and innovatively shot by the legends at Cut Media, this is no ordinary tour. Finally available to watch in its entirety, settle down with a brew and hit play...
If you enjoyed the above and want to see Guy in action, TT3D is an inspirational watch...
Who is Guy Martin?
Guy Martin is a British motorcycle racer and truck mechanic. Primarily a man of the road, he’s become one of the most talented riders and a constant favourite at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. His debut and podium spot in 2005 brought instant acclaim, but continually risking his life, he refuses to become a corporate rider.
With wit, style and complete honesty, Guy has vexed an industry while he stays true to his roots. Charismatic and constantly enthusiastic, he’s become a star of the screens with TT3D documenting what it takes to become the people’s champion.
Mainstream recognition came in March 2011 when Guy, along with childhood pal Mark Davis, renovated a narrow boat. The Boat that Guy Built aired on BBC One and with his constant enthusiasm for the industrial processes involved, he’s been christened the modern day Fred Dibnah.
Still working as a truck mechanic and an avid Orange fan, Cut Media thought he was the perfect man for the job.
At first I taught he was foolin' around speaking like that... but after 3 minutes i realized that's the way he speaks. My brain's hurting after 20 min's with this guy! Later edit: I understood everything he said.
i thought i was doing something bad if i had to hit a bolt in with a hammer on my Orange. Seems thats how the bikes are built, long bars and big hammers hahaha.
Although for some he may be hard to understand, he is a great person. His background as some have already stated is Motorcycle Racing - TT to be exact. He is very approachable and down to earth and if anything its nice to see him mix it up with the crew at Orange. If you have a hard time understanding him, just enjoy the video, its pretty awesome in itself.
Guys accent is from Lincolnshire(very broad east midlands reet=right) not Yorkshire, the Factory workshop guys are yorkshire, But I loved it when he caught the southern softy with the "still drink lager shandy" line, sharp, witty LMAO. Guy = Top Bloke I love my 224 even more now, knowing what goes into it. Great British Engineering Excellence To think all those major brands, Spesh, Trek, Giant all come from a characterless production lines, after watching this I need to switch my pitch to a 5 Buy Orange. Peace
If the purpose of that vid was to make me want an Orange... it worked. Closer to the Edge was the best orange advert I'd seen for a while- Guy Martin spends more time on his MTB than on his motorbike during the film! - That's when he's not in the back on his van cracking one out the dirty bastard!
Yeah but that's the number of bikes they produce and doesn't include the ones they sell. I doubt there's enough extra profit there to invest in something like that when instead they could reinvest it into the company for hopes of future expansion. Then again this is all speculation.
I met guy the other day at a burger van. We were chatting for a while about this and that. Top bloke, still grounded which is well respectable. Alot of people in his position would of turned into real dicks by now.
Great video! Kinda sad in a few aspects though. Those guys are all artists, and it is an unfortunate dieing art. Not only in cycling but everything... That and it makes me wonder why the hell we pay so damn much for made in Taiwan stuff...
I love the video! That Orange Five looks fantastic. So simple, yet works like a charm, it looks so easy to ride. I would prefer a Five to the equivalent Specialized. Guy is a great man, made the video all that better.
The back stop on the press brake is actually called a 'back gauge'. I make them at my work and yes they would save lots of money on setup time agreed. The method they use probably works for them albeit it is more time consuming. Good on them for keeping it real with the handbuilt production!
Once I found out about the TT I record it every year. I watch the helmet cam footage as a training aid to look farther ahead and to stay relaxed on the bike at speed. Pretending to be Guy Martin on your next ride will make you a faster rider, but it may also cause you to make brrrrrrrap noises!
"Monocoque, what is monocoque? Look et thaaat... Well it is, well it is, what it is....... Riiiiiiiiight. Jeeeeeesus Wept!! Crackin Job, Cracking job!!" THAT's one Bad Larry right there! AND Bad Larry deserves his own cartoon show. I am just curiouis if Larry has actually ever ridden a bike before.....or SEEN a bike before ??
Amazing!!!! loved it. I wish all mini docs were like that. It was not just a big ad for some company. And Guy Martin seems like i would have a great time with a pint or 4. I will now check out his documentory. Like bondy86 said give this guy his own show!!!!
haha buncha northern buggers makin the best bikes ever! please note the realignment is done before heat treatment, 6000 series alloy has plenty of bend in it at that stage
You are not allowed to call them pikeys anymore. Its not politically correct. You have to call them Caravan Utilising Nomadic Travellers, or c*ntS for short..
Cool, thanks for the link. Boats appear to calm him down. He seems to be much less manic in that video. I guess the smell of welding and the clanging of a machine shop gets him a big skeezed out. Love watching this "Guy"!!
Seeing as though folding/bending metal is my profession and i use amada 170 ton 4 meter press brakes i know what i'm talking about,doing it by hand will allow some play of upto 2-3mm,back stops are fixxed once you program them and are more accurate.
Maybe making stuff for aston martin/mclaren f1 and bmw rolls royce ain't good enough then ?
Using the back stops would also save time and money.
