The Classic Bike Workshop: even more stories of an old motorcycle mechanic (The Old Mechanic) Paperback – October 3, 2020

I've read the entire series now and I highly recommend them to the Classic English Bike lover in your life. When I started reading the series I was enthralled with the bikes and fortuitous circumstances the main characters found themselves in. (Finding a Vincent in a barn for the taking?! Talk about a collectors wildest dreams!) I also initially thought that Uren's style of writing left much to be desired but more than made up for it with his obvious enthusiasm toward the sport/hobby of vintage motorcycles. Since reading the last two books in the series I've changed my mind.Uren's simple approach to the characters in this last installment isn't reflective of his inexperience in penning novels but rather a refreshing stroke of altruism shining a light on how genuine these characters are. He's direct and forward in his deliveries, just as George and Michael and Kieran (his characters) are with their approach to work and life. Uren points out in his forward to this novel that he's been honing his craft and this book largely features character development whereas early books leaned a bit more on technical aspects of maintaining, acquiring, and restoring old British bikes. (And honestly I learned a few things from those first two installments.)In previous novels we've already been shown the integrity of the main characters but here we begin to delve deeper into their lives. I viewed George (the "Old Mechanic") with a sort of mysticism and respect that you would offer an old sage or wise-man. Indeed his knowledge makes him formidable but Uren also makes him relatable by showing us more of his foibles in this tale. Further working his character development, Uren endears us to a cast member of the series and then snatches the character away from us at the end of this book. The effect is deeply sorrowful and a sobering reminder of the risk we take when we set out into the world on two wheels.The story is honest and poignant. The characters are heart-warming and charismatic. The bikes are British and classic. What's not to like? I deeply wish George Edward's bike shop had an equivalent here in the real world and in my home town. I'd gladly spend as much of my time there as I could.

While the first two books in this series really attracted my attention with its straightforward and simple mechanical approach, the author's desire to "develop the characters" turned this book into an unrealistic series of personal disasters for each of them... like a soap opera. Extremely disappointing.

I've really enjoyed the entire series of books with this one probably touching me the most. I look at these as fables with lots of old bikes involved. Easy and engaging reading. Please write some more. Thanks

this is the third of his books and I loved reading all of them. His style is much like Nevel Shute's books and have the same charm and whit .

Great read. I felt I was there in the story, knowing the roads and many of the bikes. It was easy to read, being sad and happy throughout

Best read I've had in some time...felt like I was right there in that small work shop..wish there was more!!

Finished all three of these little gems and really enjoyed them. I restore old bikes, too and could relate to the mechanical work and that kind of life.

The ongoing repetition of numerous statements is ridiculous. The reader knows he works on old British motorbikes but he repeats this at every opportunity. The reader knows he buys lunch from the same sandwich shop every day but the author feels it is necessary to tell the reader every time.The authors dislike of British people is obvious with the never ending comments regarding those of British origin but has no problem making his living repairing British Motorcycles.The author is a well balanced Australian; he has a chip on each shoulder.

Enjoyable easy to read with a smattering of references to motorcycles to keep the interest. Better than that though is the way the characters are developing. Started reading these books largely due to the classic bike thing but am now more concerned about the people which I guess is how it should be

Enjoyed the first one do bought the next two the third book is a bit predictable but still enjoyed them

This series of books just get better and better. Storyline has become more fluid and the details more accurate. As a motorcyclist and home mechanic, I sometimes find it hard to keep reading books on bikes, but these stories I can't put down.

This story draws many emotions and although it wraps up much of the events that make up every day life there is still scope for the author to continue with the old mechanics theme. Read the first two books in this series and enjoy this