Innholdsfortegnelse for # 50 i Old Bike Australasia

Shadow boxing? There’s little doubt that the International Island Classic is Australia’s foremost Historic Racing event, with a massive 526 bikes entered for 2015. The feature event, the International Challenge, brings together a field of motorcycles from the Period 5 (Forgotten Era) group catering for Pre-December 31st 1982 machines; at least that has been the case until 2014. Last year, some of the British team bikes arrived with the popular Harris frames fitted with Yamaha FJ1100 engines – even the ‘Honda’ Harris raced by TT star John McGuinness. These air-cooled donks first appeared in late 1984, and were still in production (as 1200s) up to 1996. It was argued that they differed little from the four-valve Suzuki GSX1100s, or the CB1100-based Hondas, but there’s no doubt that the metal is…

OUT IN THE SHED Omodei Shield 1939 Recently a damaged but very worthy trophy arrived at the National Motorcycle Museum, Nabiac. The engraved plate reads “Omodei Shield Trial November, 1939. Won By AJS & Velocette A. D. Dixon, N. Loader, M., Tarrant, T. Redway.” It was well before my time and seeing as it had the make Velocette on it I thought that there is only one place to go to find the answers; Dennis Quinlan – who else? Within no time he had emailed me the details of the event. It was the fourth Annual Omodei Shield Inter-Club Reliability Trial. Other clubs participating were the Ariel, Hornsby, Mascot, Parramatta, Waverley, Western Suburbs, Arncliffe-Bexley, Bankstown, Bondi, Central and Fairfield Motor Cycle Clubs. Those 12 clubs had 72 competitors, 51 came…

The 2015 Australian Historic Road Racing Championships will be held at the Mallala circuit, 60km north of Adelaide from October 8th – 11th. The fast and flowing Mallala circuit, which has been in use since 1961, was a former RAAF Training Base, and the 2.6 kilometre circuit was originally created using the existing internal roads and air strips. Mallala has hosted motor sport in all forms, including rounds of the Australian Road Racing Championship. For more information contact Danny Ahern on 0407 826 951.…

The Amal Concentric Mk1 carburetter has been a massive part of many a Brit biker’s riding life. What started as an all-new carb back in the late 1960s is still going today. But now the present Amal business claims the latest version is better with a new premium version available. All this with competition from its Wassell copy which has a very attractive price. The Mk1 goes back nearly 50 years to the mid-1960s when Amal had to upgrade the 10-year run of the Monobloc which had the problem of being a single sided unit. The old Mono was coming under growing criticism from UK bike makers keen to fit twin and triple carbs that were appropriate handed. The Concentric’s design allowed inexpensive production switching between the two sides and…

Reader RICHARD CUNNINGHAM is seeking information about the history of his Model 90 Sunbeam (above). “It has previously been restored and converted for road use. It is now back to race specification,” Richard says. “Motor is an authentic 1931 Sunbeam 90, number NN5008. Front suspension is Webb (girder) however the frame is so far unidentifiable with pronounced curve in the front down tube. If the original rear tyre is anything to go by, it may have been fitted with a sidecar for grass track or short circuit work. If anyone has information on builders, riders, or performance history, it would be nice to keep this bike alive.” Contact Richard Cunningham, 2833 Wollombi Road, Wollombi NSW 2335, Phone (02) 4998 3350…

And while few of us will ever test the capabilities of this growing clutch of motorcycles, which, if called upon, could transport you to the end of the earth and back again in comfort and reliability, this design trend is the most practical thing to come off the drawing boards in recent times. The formula is straightforward; relaxed, comfortable riding position, long travel suspension, dual purpose tyres, plenty of luggage carrying capacity, a tourqey, responsive engine, top-notch brakes, weather protection, and reliability. Just like an Ariel Square Four café racer isn’t. When we tested the then-new Caponord 1200 back in 2013, we marvelled at the degree of sophistication in the electronics department; here we had semi-active suspension (Aprilia Dynamic Dampening) which automatically adjusts the rear suspension pre-load for such things…

READING AND WATCHING Leanings 3 By Peter Egan Published by Motorbooks ISBN: 13;978-0-7603-4642-6 Available from Autobook World and Pitstop Books Hard cover 304 pp RRP $39.99 If you’re a reader of the legendary US magazine Cycle World, you will know of Peter Egan and his monthly column of more than 35 years standing, Leanings. Egan has gained an enviable reputation for his writing, something that doesn’t come often in the small world of motorcycle press, and this book is the third in the series featuring reprints of his columns. There have been two previous editions, and this one covers the most recent period, from 2005 to 2013. They range from witty observations to virtual road tests, all presented with what has become Egan’s signature style. I must admit to not…

Central Club heyday We recently ordered a two year subscription to OBA and were pleased to read the article in OBA 47 on the 1954 Redex Trial with photos of Keith Stewart and Roy Dungate being the first and second place finishers. These two riders were long time members of Central Motorcycle Club which commenced in 1937. The photo (above) is of my husband Alan Batkin at his first race day in 1969 at Arcadia Short Circuit track in northern Sydney. It was a Central MCC club day and the bike is a 350cc AJS. He went on to become Club President and also was made a life member of the club. We had wonderful times through those competition years and are now enjoying involvement with vintage motorcycling and reading…

Mongrel strikes Just before Christmas, thieves struck in Tasmania, making off with a complete 1949 Francis Barnett, a dismantled James Cadet, and parts for a James Auto Cycle. Anyone who can assist with the recovery of these bikes should contact Peter Smith on (03) 6429 1250 or email rubyvern7@bigpond.com. In Ballarat, Victoria, on 10th January a 1925 Chater Lea (below) was stolen from a house belonging to an Antique Motor Cycle Club member. The bike could be without a petrol tank as the owner had it removed at the time of the theft. The engine is a 350cc OHV JAP, with a close-ratio Sturmey Archer gearbox and a ML magneto/dynamo. The bike has interchangeable wheels. The police officer in charge of the investigation is Matt Oldaker at Ballarat Police Station…

The Gala Dinner on Easter Saturday evening is always the social highlight of the Penrite Broadford Bonanza, and this year will be no exception. MC Alan Cathcart will interview the three stars of the 1979 Bathurst Unlimited Grand Prix; winner Ron Boulden, second place Graeme Crosby and third finisher John Woodley. The race is still talked about today and hailed as possibly the greatest contest ever witnessed on the famous circuit. Woodley’s performance was even more amazing considering he was aboard a 500cc Suzuki, giving away 50% capacity to the 750s ahead of him. Nevertheless he came within a whisker of causing a major upset. Boulden made the transition from his 350cc Yamaha to the new Warren Willing-tuned 750 with ease, and went on to score three straight Senior GP…

Stephen Lesley (Les) Bailey was already a star motorcyclist by the time he sailed for England in the early part of 1910. Originally from Newcastle, New South Wales, he moved to Tamworth in 1909 where he opened a cycle and motorcycle shop. But he was more interested in racing than selling, and as the only track in existence at the time was the Sydney Sports Ground (a banked concrete saucer originally constructed for cycle racing) he headed for the big smoke with his 3.5 hp Excelsior. Racing under electric lights, Bailey had to contend with established stars like Norman Saunders, George Cavey, Jack Yee from Newcastle, Cecil Crouch and Dick Reid, but soon established himself as the man to beat. Late in 1909 Les imported a 6 hp Twin cylinder…

After several years toing and froing with the people who issue the bits of paper that decide whether a motor vehicle can be registered in Australia or not, the new Norton Commando 961 – in three separate models – is finally on sale Down Under. Now the several hundred hopefuls who placed their orders with the Australian importers, Fraser Motorcycles, can start to clear a space in the garage. Some of these orders go back more than two years, so much patience has been required. Now the burning question; has the wait been worth it? In analysing the new Nortons, we need to go back a fair way to set the scene. The last vestige of the company Pa Norton founded in 1898 disappeared along with the ill-conceived and ill-fated…

I first encountered Ever Onward around 1980, when the then custodian gave a talk about it at a Club night. Ever Onward was built from all early 1920’s bits as a vehicle for a 500cc Barr and Stroud single sleeve valve engine. 30 plus years later and Ever Onward is in my care. With the machine came the usual sheaf of papers, and some original sales brochures, but not much else. Curious to know more about production, engine number codes etc, I went to the VMCC (UK) library, only to find not much at all, really. So I thought I would do something about it. These engines are so interesting that their history and record needs to be preserved in the public domain. Barr and Stroud were Glasgow-based precision optical…

DriRider Vortex 2 jacket If you’re an all-weather rider, here’s the all-weather jacket. DriRider’s Vortex 2 ticks all the boxes. Although it’s a heavy-duty item, the Vortex 2 works all year round thanks to the removable and breathable waterproof liner and the removable Thermal Quilted liner. The throat cover is removable and chest sections have panels that zip open to provide a flow of cooling air that vents through the rear of the jacket. There are also full-length arm vents, and stretch panels in the shoulders and elbows. For safety’s sake, CE armour is fitted with a hi-density foam back pad, plus reflective panels front and back for night riding visibility. There are pockets everywhere, all sealed against the elements, and matching pants are available which connect securely via a…

This is a free listing for all clubs and organisations, as well as a free directory of up-coming rallies and other events. Fax: 02 4572 2282 or e-mail: scaysbrook34@bigpond.com * Denotes new or modified listing. * Adler Owners Club Restoration advice & information freely available. Australian Rally held every two years. Contact Don Littleford, Toowoomba, Qld. Ph: 0746 141 207 Email: littleford@palmlake.net.au Web: www.adlermotorcycles.com AJS & Matchless Owners Club (Aust) Inc. Australian section of the AJS&MOC Ltd. Spares scheme, machine dating, library, technical advice, International monthly journal. Contact Dave Baker, 03 9786 4063. www.downunderjampot.com Albany Vintage & Classic Motorcycle Club Inc. Concessional licensed Club catering for older and newer bikes. All types of rides and events to enjoy. Ssecretary (08) 9845 1278 or PO Box 429, Albany, WA 6330. www.avcmc.iinet.net.au…

A FREE EVENT LISTING FOR CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS Send your event details to – Fax: 02 4572 2282 Em: scaysbrook34@bigpond.com MARCH Kawasaki Z Owners Club Qld Conondale Rally 13 -15 March 2015 – Green Park ,Conondale Qld. Come along for the ride and enjoy the Z Owners legendary hospitality. Show & Shine , Motorised Games Saturday. Licenced Bar Friday & Saturday afternoon/night. Live Band Saturday Night. Em: zownersqld@hotmail.com; www.zownersqueensland.com; Phone 0411269980 NZ Ariel Rally 13-15 March, 2015 – Snapper Pk Motor Camp, Bay View Napier, NZ. Contact Ross Newland newross@xtra.co.nz Vintage Japanese National Rally 13-15 March, 2015 – Canberra ACT. Range of rides suitable for various capacity bikes, show & shine, quality catering and accommodation, sightseeing. Details at www.vjmc.org.au or contact VJMC.Rally@gmail.com Red Scarf Rally 14-15 March 2015 – Kiama,…

Craven Panniers have been cropping up in recent editions of OBA which reminded me of a time when I had occasion to visit their London factory when I was an Australian working in London in the late ‘60s. I’d had bikes in the past and always had this idea that I’d buy one while in the UK and attempt the trip back home overland. There was one problem. My Queensland licence had expired while I was in UK and I had, optimistically, posted it back to Rockhampton police station, asking them to renew it. They never replied. That meant getting a British licence and then being restricted to a 250cc machine. 50 Pounds bought me a 250cc 1962 BSA C15, basically a commuting bike and not exactly ideal for a…

First seen in 1967, the Moto Guzzi V7 is still going strong and for 2015 features several worthwhile updates. While retaining the proven 90º v-twin engine, the 2015 V7 II has a new closeratio six speed transmission, ABS, traction control and redesigned clutch. The engine itself has been tilted forward by 4 degrees which gives an extra three centimetres of leg room. The V7 is available in three models; the V7 II Stone, with alloy wheels in either red or black at $14,000 ride way, the V7 II Special at $14,500 ride away, and the V7 II Racer, which will be available in the second half of the year with pricing to be announced. Also available in March will be a selection of accessory kits; Dark Rider, Scrambler, Dapper and…

One of the top-flight Newcastle Short Circuit riders, JACK DAVIES passed away in Sydney on January 2nd, just 2 days short of his 81st birthday. Jack was a double Australian Short Circuit Champion in 1960, winning the Senior title on a JAP-engined BSA and the 125cc title on a BSA Bantam at the very fast Hillview circuit at Muswellbrook. In a rare appearance on the tar, Jack won the Senior Non Expert Division A at Bathurst in 1959 from a field of nearly 100 riders. One of his first jobs was at P & R Williams motorcycles in Newcastle. Jack was one of the founding members of the Wallsend Motorcycle Club, with Scotty Sunderland. After moving to Sydney, he worked for many years as manager of Norm Fraser’s first Sydney…