How It's Made

The programme examines the construction of stagecoaches, road reflectors and bespoke motorcycle fuel tanks, detailing the techniques used to shape each item. It also traces how the manufacturing processes for these diverse products have evolved over the years, reflecting broader industrial changes.

The programme is an episode that turns its focus onto three seemingly unrelated objects – stagecoaches, road reflectors and custom‑made motorcycle tanks – and asks how each of them comes into being. It presents the viewer with a behind‑the‑scenes look at the making of these items, treating the manufacturing process itself as the central subject. In its core, the episode walks through the steps involved in producing each product and charts how the techniques have shifted over time. By juxtaposing older, labour‑intensive methods with the more streamlined approaches used today, it highlights the gradual evolution of the craft and the impact of new technology on traditional practices. When it comes to stagecoaches, the show outlines the transition from hand‑crafted wooden frames and leather fittings to the incorporation of modern materials and assembly lines. It demonstrates how the balance between durability and aesthetic appeal has been maintained even as production has become more efficient. The segment on road reflectors follows a similar pattern, tracing the move from simple glass‑based designs to contemporary reflective polymers and mass‑production methods. Likewise, the portion on custom motorcycle tanks showcases the shift from bespoke metalwork performed in small workshops to the use of advanced casting and finishing techniques that allow for greater precision while still catering to individual rider preferences.