The exhibition explores a selection of unique local collections and the motivations for seeking and acquiring objects, precious or peculiar, that might otherwise never have survived.

One of the more popular objects in the exhibition is an Indian 1000cc Board Track Racer – 8/Valve motorcycle from 1913 belonging to collector Dugal James.

For Dugal, the passion for collecting was first sparked by listening to his father and the 'old timer chats' he was a silent witness to as a young boy.

Dugal was his shadow, completely fascinated as his dad spent hours talking about the good old days and the dawn of motorised vehicles.

Dugal bought his first couple of Indians, a trailer full of bits, as an 18- year-old.

It seems the tribe of bikes is still growing – the oldest is from 1901, the youngest a 1953 Chief 1340cc.

Dugal is unsure just how many bikes are in his collection but guesses there are over 100.

Some of Dugal’s favourite bikes in the collection are the early spindly Board Track Racers that run at 100mph.

The Board Track Racer on display at Post Office Gallery has attracted much attention, with many visitors eager to learn more about the bike.

The motorcycle is still fully operational; however it is not ridden anymore – which might be lucky given its many racing modifications.

The pedals are missing and were taken off as they were deemed too dangerous while racing. In the racing community, extreme modifications were accepted. No brakes, no throttle, no clutch and no gears exist on this motorbike!

There is an ignition switch to turn the bike on or off. To start the bike the ignition switch would be pressed and then the bike would be towed or pushed and it would go from 0mph to 100mph with not much in between.

If the bike was racing at 100mph and needed to be slowed, the ignition button would be pushed to kill the ignition and the bike would slow.

These types of modifications were normal for a racing bike of that period.

This Board Track Racer runs on alcohol fuel (methanol) and the engine is what is known as a ‘total oil loss engine’ – it consumes the oil as it is metred into the motor, one drop every three seconds.

The little pump, visible beside the oil container, gives an extra shot of oil to the engine on ignition.

The bike came from America, it has no Australian history. Unfortunately it has very little provenance (and not much significant racing history) but other bikes of this same model were very famous in the racing community.

You can view this amazing Board Track Racer and many other collectables at Post Office Gallery daily from 9am – 5pm.

Entry is by donation.