The best Eddy Lejeune Interview ever Page 3
Eric explained to me that the logo that the company displays now is different to the one displayed on the works Honda's. Eric had told me that he had just been refused an entry to ride the 2013 SSDT and didn’t really understand why. He said his bike had been adapted in such a way that everything was pre-65 and he had been happy to make more changes if needed. Anyway, he’d been refused and he was busy working on more parts for this special bike.
He took me down to the company workshops right down in the depths of the factory. This was a workshop that any man would dream of. It was kitted out with any machine you might reasonably need. Racks of metal and other materials lie in a busy fashion. Jean – Marie Lejeune was working away on a lathe and stopped for a chat and a photo. In the centre of the room was the Honda that Eric loves. This was the bike of Jean Marie and the bike that was created by his father. He told me about the parts he was fabricating for it, new brake levers, complete exhaust. Eric has such passion for his bike and trials. It’s very noticeable and a credit to him. Officially this is the workshop where they make the parts to set up and maintain the machines. This is also where the moulds are created for the plastic components that are produced here in their thousands.
In this photo you can see Jean Marie Lejeune behind his brother Eric. They were both successful in National and World trials. They now work together in the family business.
He took me down to the company workshops right down in the depths of the factory. This was a workshop that any man would dream of. It was kitted out with any machine you might reasonably need. Racks of metal and other materials lie in a busy fashion. Jean – Marie Lejeune was working away on a lathe and stopped for a chat and a photo. In the centre of the room was the Honda that Eric loves. This was the bike of Jean Marie and the bike that was created by his father. He told me about the parts he was fabricating for it, new brake levers, complete exhaust. Eric has such passion for his bike and trials. It’s very noticeable and a credit to him. Officially this is the workshop where they make the parts to set up and maintain the machines. This is also where the moulds are created for the plastic components that are produced here in their thousands.
In this photo you can see Jean Marie Lejeune behind his brother Eric. They were both successful in National and World trials. They now work together in the family business.
Eric told me that it was here that they experimented with different chemicals to soak the Michelin tyres in. The tyres didn’t operate very well at around 0 – 6 degrees and as Belgium isn’t a warm place this was a constant problem to them. They soaked the tyres in this special carbon activator which they discovered and it made the tyres a lot softer and improved grip greatly. He stated that it was a great improvement at this temperature and Eddy and Eric both used the tyres in trials. However if the temperature exceeded 6 degrees the tyre lost all shape and would flop around and prove useless.
Here is another picture from the Lejeune archives of Jean Marie at his first trial. His is on board a Honda 65cc and his father Pepe is fettling.
Eric and Jean Marie discuss making a new rear brake lever. Also note the copper mock up exhaust pipe. The bendable pipe beneath them also serves for mock up
He showed me the machine that made the plastic tank cover for the TLR 200 that Eddy used to ride as a very young man.
Plastiflac manufactures injection moulded and blow moulded parts including bottles for various industries. The clear covers on the machines allowed you to watch it at work. Although I’ve seen this on TV, it’s not until you see it close up that you appreciate the work that goes into setting up the machines. Eric employs 16 people with one female in a white coat on quality control.