Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 85 i Old Bike Australasia

Four-times World Champion, Hugh Anderson M.B.E. will be inducted into the MotoGP Legends Hall of Fame later in the year. The New Zealander made his first Grand Prix appearances in the 500cc and 350cc classes in 1960, taking a podium with 3rd place in the Ulster GP on his AJS. But it would be in the smaller classes with the fledgling Suzuki factory that Anderson would claim four world titles, lifting both the 50cc and 125cc crowns in 1963, followed by a further 50cc title in 1964 and a final 125cc crown in 1965. Anderson retired in 1966 after taking 25 Grand Prix wins and four titles in just six years, including two victories in the Isle of Man TT. Anderson said he felt “A gratification that after all this…

After completing an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, Colin was barely out of his teens when he set up a motorcycle business with his father, soon gaining agencies for AJS, Matchless, Ariel and BMW. He had already dabbled in racing at Brands Hatch, but with the business growing racing aspirations were put on hold. There were scrambles on a variety of solos, but by 1960 he had taken up sidecar road racing on a well-worn Manx Norton outfit. Although the machines were in scarce supply, Colin managed to convince Matchless to sell him a brand new G50, to which he attached a sidecar. With passenger Wally Rawlings, they were soon racing, and winning. Seeley’s three-wheel career blossomed as the G50 was progressively modified, but moved up a gear when…

Amid all this, BSA ploughed on, flying the tattered Union Jack in the face of a remorseless barrage from Japan, which had recently dared to venture from their established field of lightweight motorcycles, into the realm so long dominated by the Brits – the big bike. True, BSA/Triumph had fought back with their new generation of triples, which broke clean away from the long-established parallel twin mould. But while the original triples – in Trident (Triumph) and Rocket 3 (BSA) guise – performed well enough and were volume sellers in many markets, including Australasia, they never quite grabbed the Stateside attention they coveted. The quirky, slab-sided styling failed to excite the Yankees, and if the sales storm created by the Honda CB750 wasn’t enough to combat, the Kawasaki Z1 was…

Termed the 60 Mile Trial, the event drew an excellent turnout of bikes, the oldest being Fred Bush’s Rover, Al Chate’s Zenith and Laurie Deller’s NSU – all from 1906. And yes, this is the same Laurie Deller who is still a regular starter in rallies to this day. After all, it was only 60 years or so since the invention of the motorcycle, yet fortunately many had been preserved. Fittingly, entrants lined up on what had been the main straight of the former Parramatta Park road racing circuit (which is also still in place today, albeit in the form of a one-way system with a 30km/h speed limit) that had been last used for motorcycle racing in 1955. Indeed, 1958 marked the City of Parramatta’s 150th Anniversary, and many…

One of Sydney’s longest-established dealerships, Procycles, has just put the finishing touches to its vastly increased showrooms at its St. Peters branch. As well as the enlarged and improved BMW section, Procycles St. Peters now boasts Sydney’s newest KTM showroom, with a complete range of new models as well as genuine parts and accessories. As Australian distributors for the Wunderlich range of accessories, the new showrooms will see a larger stock of this premium German brand for virtually all BMW models, old and new. Procycles is located at 140 Princes Hwy, St. Peters, phone (02) 9564 8000.…

Back in issue 79 we featured the very brief history of motorcycles at the Warwick Farm circuit, near Liverpool in Southern Sydney. That almost-forgotten day sparked interest from our photographer friend Gary Reid, who unearthed some more shots. Gary is not certain of the photographer as the photographs came his way recently as part of a larger collection. It’s certainly worth another look!…

Phillip Island Classic • 24-26 January, 2020 – Phillip Island GP Circuit, Vic The premier contest of a packed program for the 27th annual Island Classic, the International Challenge, saw the home side snatch a narrow win against a determined USA squad, 704 points to 691, with the UK team amassing 423. While Albury’s Alex Phillis and Melburnian Jed Metcher, both in their 20’s, starred for Australia, multi-US Champion, 43-year-old Josh Hayes rode brilliantly, having to overcome a poor grid position after engine troubles in qualifying. Hayes took the opening race as well as the last of the four encounters, while Phillis, son of Superbike legend Robbie, won the other two. TT star David Johnson was expected to star, but had a miserable weekend with gremlins in his Suzuki which…

HMCCQ Fort Lytton Open Day • 1 December, 2019 – Brisbane, Qld Thought of by some in the early days as dirty and smelly, motorcyclists were also considered an unruly mob. The Armed Forces conscripted all kinds from society, trained them to obey orders and regimented them to specific tasks in a specific way and without question. Given all that, there is certainly a synergy amongst the HMCCQ (Historic Motor Cycle Club of Qld) and the volunteers of the Fort Lytton Military Museum. Both come from the aforementioned diverse areas of society, but both are equally driven by passion. The passion of keeping history alive and the pride of maintaining their equipment, whether it be motorcycles or artillery was evident at the recent Fort Lytton Open Day. Ian Rennie invited…

Bridgestone Owners and Enthusiasts Get Together – Cooma Motorfest • 2 November, 2019 – Cooma, NSW A small gathering of Bridgestone motorcycle owners attended a gathering at Cooma Motorfest held in association with the VJMC Canberra and Southern NSW Branch. Five collectors presented their bikes at the biannual Motorfest held by the Cooma Car Club at Cooma Showground. As the venue was a checkpoint for the annual Snowy Ride, riders along with Motorfest visitors showed a keen interest in the rarely seen motorcycles produced by the Bridgestone Tyre Co. in Japan from 1964 – 1968. Brinton Preston-Smith travelled all the way from Brisbane and Garry Jeffrey travelled from Sydney. Andrew Cox brought his Australian-delivered 1967 GTR 350 from Young and Bob Edwards from Nowra brought his beautifully restored 1966 Homer…

Vintage Motorcycle Club of Australia 64th Annual Rally • November, 2019 – Morpeth, NSW The rally was first held in 1955 and we actually have a member who was there and he is still riding his 1911 Norton today; Laurie Deller has no plans to hang up the helmet for many years to come. The Club caters for all machines made up to 1948; what we consider to be the “Girder Fork” era. If we are to keep these bikes on the road, we need to have runs suitable for early machines and the philosophy is paying off with 80 girder fork bikes present over the weekend. Friday afternoon was a shorter run, a nice shakedown and for some of us to give the second machine a run. A couple…

Based at Castle Donington in the British Midlands, the company employed around 100 people. A spokesman for the administrators BDO said, “We are taking all necessary steps to ensure that customers, staff and suppliers are supported through the administration process. Our job is to determine and execute the most appropriate strategy as swiftly as possible to protect creditors’ interests, bearing in mind the need to minimise distress for all parties.” Norton Motorcycles owner Stuart Garner, a prominent property developer, told British media that the company owed £300,000 (approx. A$600,000) and could be liquidated if it was not given more time to pay. It was Garner who rescued the Norton brand in 2008, commencing production of a substantially redesigned version of the 961cc Commando model that had been built in small…

Confirmed guest riders include Robbie Phillis, Jeff Sayle, Murray Sayle, John Pace, Wayne Clarke, Shawn Giles, Russell Howard, Buster Saunders, Bob Rosenthal and Barry Ditchburn. These guests will compete in the Homegrown Relay Challenge, where they will ride identical Period 6 bikes – 1990 Honda CBR250RRs. They will team up and swap riding with the bike’s owner mid-way through each of the two 6 lap legs. There will be racing for Period 3 (up to 1962) to Period 6 (up to 1990) solos and sidecars, as well as Buckets, and Pre-Modern machines (up to 1997). Feature Races on Sunday afternoon will include the Unlimited Top 45 Challenge, Two Stroke Challenge, Period 3 500cc Barry Sheene Classic, European Challenge, Bucket and Sidecar Handicaps. As well as the always-exciting racing, spectators will…

Manufacturers supported both versions as they offered a very public demonstration of the true capabilities of what were essentially standard production motorcycles. In Britain, Observed ‘Feet-Up’ Trials were the winter sport, when road race and scrambles tracks were frozen over. It was a great way to keep fit too. All the big British makes – BSA, Norton, AJS/Matchless, Ariel and Royal Enfield – plus many of the lesser known names – placed big value on success. In the case of Royal Enfield, the famous Bullet model, launched in 1932, was a favoured mount, not just in Britain but in the annual ‘Olympics of Motorcycling’, the International Six Days Trial. When the completely redesigned Bullet became available post-war, it broke new ground by employing a full spring frame, with telescopic front…

Late in the production run, the CL72 was made available with the Type 2 engine, featuring a 360-degree crankshaft. Otherwise identical to the 180-degree model, the Type 2 version was said to rev a bit higher, at the expense of the mid-range torque. Many of these models were also fitted with turn indicators and the slip-on style muffler to mute the bark somewhat from the open twin pipes. Just such a machine was imported by Old Gold Motorcycles in Sydney in 2018 and is a highly original and unrestored example which retains the rare ‘shouldered’ DID steel rims and rocking-pedal gear lever.…

The company began back in 1922 primarily to produce beer crates for the brewing industry, which is not surprising given that founder Fritz Schuberth was a director of the National Jürgens Brewery. Seven years later the first helmets appeared, not for motorcyclists but for the military – a market still actively pursued by the company. Industrial safety helmets followed post-war, as well as safety headwear for police and security forces, fire fighters, and, in 1954, motorcyclists. By 1968 the company had developed a police helmet based around a thermoplastic shell, and in 1976, their first full-face motorcycle helmet. Schuberth pioneered the use of the in-house wind tunnel for research and construction of the motorcycle helmet range and made great strides, including the first flip-front helmet that was launched at Intermot…

PARKED IN BATHURST’S MAIN STREET at Easter 1980, this curious creation drew lots of quizzical glances. What would appear to be a Ford Cortina four-cylinder engine, turbocharged no less, has been shoe-horned into a Norton Featherbed frame, with possibly Triumph front forks, Yamaha wheels and a massive radiator of unknown provenance. And it made it all the way from Queensland, and, presumably, back!…

Consumer confidence has taken a pounding in recent times, first with the continuing drought situation and then the results of terrible fires. To this was added the predictions of difficult weather for Goulburn. Most calls prior to the event were to ask if the swap was going ahead, but for Classic Riders’ Club Goulburn who hosted the event, it was a chance to bring the motorcycle world together, an opportunity to see old friends, with the bonus of meeting new ones who share a common interest. Numbers were down on last year – as anticipated – but expenses were also less. Measuring success as we do on the overall outcome, this would have to be one of our best-ever swap meets. Happy faces, motorcycles and parts exchanging hands, great food,…

OBA readers have an obvious affinity with older motorcycles. Mike Blake, owner of Dragonfly Classics Motorcycle Hire is such a person. Mike is a geologist, and when not prowling the west coast of Tasmania for minerals, restores and hires out “classic” motorcycles. If you want to get away from the heat and humidity of the mainland, or are visiting Tasmania with the family and need a break, contact Mike for a very pleasant experience on board one of his iconic and well-maintained collection. His home base is only a few kilometres from Devonport where the Spirit of Tasmania lands and is very handy to some great riding roads and scenery of northern central Tasmania. Dragonfly Classics specializes in Hondas and BMW’s, such as the iconic Honda CB750 and BMW R80…

Derek and Don commenced their career in motorcycle racing in the 1940s, initially in observed trials, before moving onto scrambles and motocross. During the 1950s the brothers started building their own frames realising that if they were going to be successful at the international level, they would need lighter variants of the machines available from manufacturers. Having a sense of humour, Derek and Don named their frames “Metisse”, meaning mongrel in French, hence the beginning of the iconic brand. The Rickman motocross machines, utilising mainly Triumph twin or Matchless and BSA single engines, were 30 to 40 pounds lighter than manufacturers’ versions. Constructed from Reynolds 531 tubing incorporating the oil tank in the top frame member gave improved oil cooling and more space for larger airboxes. Later, the Rickmans diversified…

My first memory of Mac was when I visited my grandmother as a young lad. Mac was a little younger but lived just across the road from her. After moving to Brisbane for Uni, I had no knowledge of Mac’s take-up of a love for motorcycles which I’m pleased to say continues to this day. It all started with his Dad riding various Triumphs and BSAs. The late 60’s saw the beginning of a surge of the large capacity Japanese motorcycle with the Honda CB750 Honda Four released in 1969. Mac and a few mates were devotees and they witnessed and experienced the subsequent models and then the introduction of the Kawasaki 900 which at the time was celebrated by the movie ‘Stone’. Mac’s first motorcycle was a brand-new Yamaha…

Historic Motorcycle Racing Register of South Australia – South Australian Historic Road Racing Championships • 28-29 December, 2019 – McNamara Park, SA The forecast was looking scary a week out with possibly 38-39 degrees to contend with, but luckily for the riders the weather eased a bit, but was still trying on both days in the low 30s. Bushfires around the country saw a few scratchings and fully understood by the club running the championships. Now for 18 years the Historic Motor Cycle Racing Register of SA has conducted the State Historic Titles at Mac Park, primarily on the weekend after Christmas. Each year there are differences in field numbers and this year it was no different. Noticeably down were our hand shifter friends, and the 250 LC punters were…

Vintage Motorcycle Club of Vic. 55th Anniversary Rally • 4–9 November, 2019 – Hume Weir, Vic. Following another very successful Chiltern Rally, a group of keen Club Members proceeded across to Lake Hume Resort to begin another five days riding in this superb riding area. The Tuesday ride was to Dartmouth Dam and return with many of the riders at the end of the Rally commenting that this was the best of the rides for the week. Wednesday saw us head up to Jingellic, a perfect setting for lunch. We then proceeded to Walwa, to Shelley via a newly sealed road, then it was back to Lake Hume via Tallangatta; another superb day. Thursday we journeyed to Bethanga Hotel, where the ambience on the back deck was so good, we…

On Wednesday 11th December, a media day was held at the site of the new Townsville Motorsport Precinct at Calcium, with MotoGP star Jack Miller and local Supermoto rider Jarrod Koppe invited to cut a few very dusty laps on the layout, which at this stage is just a bulldozed track. When complete, the DriveIT facility will host driver training as well as an FIA and FIM standard tar circuit (and several shorter variations), drag strip, speedway and associated infrastructure. The Federal Government has contributed a total of $12 million for the motorsport precinct and driver training facility, and the Queensland State Government $5 million of the estimated $18.3 total cost. Tenders have been opened for the construction of a Skid Pan and access roadwork, and construction is scheduled to…

Established in 1945 at Cascina Costa in northern Italy, the brand would go on from humble beginnings with its 98cc model to take the first of its 37 world titles with British rider Cecil Sandford in the 125cc class in 1952. In 1992, MV Agusta’s motorcycle brands were acquired by Cagiva, owned by Claudio Castiglioni, who moved production to Schiranna on the shores of Lake Varese, where production continues to the present time with Timur Sardarov as the current CEO. The official celebrations to mark the company’s 75th anniversary will be held in Varese on June 20/21, 2020.…

Some of you may know that the Daytona circuit has some very specialized issues, one being the actual speed and another, the banking set at thirty-one degrees. Those A model 750s would hit around 300km/h so that wasn’t an issue, it was trying to get them through a 200 miler without grinding the exhaust chambers to pieces and/or frying rear tyres. You see, all four expansion chambers were under-neath the bike. One trick was to limit the rear suspension travel to about two and a half inches. Also, poke the front forks through the triple clamps as far as possible to get more ground clearance, but the pipes still fell apart because they were flat sided and vibrated themselves to bits. So, in 1974, I eventually managed to get one…

For this issue Gary Reid has dug deep into his treasure trove of negatives and discovered a folder marked ‘Bennett Honda”, photographer unknown. For those of us of the era, Bennett Honda was not only the NSW distributor in the ‘sixties and ‘seventies, but operated a retail showroom on Gardeners Road, Mascot, with the distribution warehouse (actually several war surplus Nissen Huts) behind on the large block. The retail shop was always a social centre and a hive of activity and was at various times staffed by people who went on to run their own dealerships, notably Ric Andrews, Gus Liu and Col Evans. This shot looks to be from the early ‘seventies, judging by the line up of models that include a CB350/4, an ATC 90 with its balloon…

36 years after its birth, the Tenere has justifiably achieved Cult Status. Both versions grew in engine size (to 660 and 1200 respectively) in 2009, but even though they continued to find happy owners worldwide, the question of an all-new replacement has gathered momentum. Then, more than one year ago, privileged journalists attended an international launch where that motorcycle – the long awaited ‘new’ Tenere – broke cover. OK, so let’s have it, went the clamour. Not so fast, was the response from Japan, but here we are, just before Christmas 2019, with the news that Australia’s first shipment is imminent – and completely sold out. In the interim, the pre-production versions have been comprehensively flogged by a crack team of development riders that includes Australia’s Rodney Faggotter, a veteran…

2019 Western Districts Trials Club Twinshock Masters Trial • 3-4 November, 2019 – Green Park, Conondale, Qld. Every year Western Districts Trials club of Brisbane host this event, which attracts riders and classic bikes from all around. This year was well represented by riders from small kids to experienced riders in their 70s, with bikes from Europe, UK and Japan. The 2 day event on the Sunshine Coast hinterland had challenges for everyone regardless of skill with a series of fun “Trialkhana” style events to test rider’s skills and a Show & Shine on the Saturday. On the Sunday, the main event with about 60 riders attempted the sections varying from steep dirt slopes to wet, slippery rocks in the creek bed. The oldest machine was a 1956 James Captain…

Lions Club Bike Show • 3 November, 2019 – Macclesfield Showground, SA The first Sunday in November is traditionally the Lions Club Show on the Macclesfield Oval, 40 minutes south east of Adelaide. Thousands flock to this show to see everything from oldies to new custom bikes. Many rare machines are ridden to the venue where top food and refreshments are served from the footy and cricket clubs. Awards are made to the chosen bikes from several countries of manufacture. Trades and services are well represented as are clubs. The $5 admission charge is cheap for the great band playing top music, and it is a feel-good donation to charity. This is the 3rd year of the show which just keeps getting bigger. The VJMC display quickly outgrew its allocated…

Vintage Motorcycle Club of Vic. Chiltern Rally • 1–4 November, 2019 – Chiltern, Vic. Sixty Five entrants enjoyed the annual Chiltern Rally in North Eastern Victoria. A shakedown run to the Barnawartha Hotel proved popular on the Friday afternoon. Saturday morning’s first leg took us to Yackandandah for morning tea and a leisurely stroll through the main street, then a picturesque ride through rolling hills and valleys to Tallangatta for lunch. The return journey to Chiltern was via Barnawartha. On Sunday morning everybody was up and keen to start the day’s run commencing at 9.30am with the first destination being Beechworth for morning tea. Heading out of Chiltern the skies looked somewhat ominous and the lovely riding conditions were about to disappear. About four kilometres from Beechworth the heavens opened…

So confident was Spagforth as to the public acceptance of the device, which, in prototype form required no cellular network in which to operate, instead relying upon what Spagforth termed ITYL (I talk, you listen) for short-range communication, that it converted the former Spagforth factory, which currently made special wooden clogs for Dutch motorcycle trials riding, for testing and production of the ITYL. The factory was situated at Blubberhouses, not far from the company Headquarters at Giggleswick – a storied facility that had at various times also been engaged in the production of such tragic endeavours as the Spagonaut amphibious vehicle (see OBA 27), the Spagforth Stoat mobile home (see OBA 10), and the Spagtrotter (see OBA 19), which used discarded shoes in place of scarce rubber tyres. The Spagochat…