Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 96 i Old Bike Australasia

In a surprise announcement, Triumph is to market an all-new range of motocross and enduro motorcycles. No details of specifications have yet been released, but the British company has signed up two of the biggest names in these fields, American Ricky Carmichael, statistically the greatest motocross rider of all time, and Spanish legend Ivan Cervantes, winner of five World Enduro Championships. Managing Director of Triumph Motorcycles Australia, Paul Chiodo said, “Triumph has a rich heritage in off-road motorcycling that harks right back to its roots. The confirmation that this beloved British brand is entering the off-road market is hugely exciting for Triumph enthusiasts across Australia and, through our network of passionate dealers we look forward to welcoming them. This is going to be huge.”…

Every now and then we meet one of those extraordinary larger than life characters, more often in motorcycle circles than other groups! MARJ GAFFEY was one of those people- a lively personality, full of life, always ready to help and who could make you laugh with her light-hearted comments. Sadly, Marj passed away on the 30th March this year at the age of 88 years. Marj was well-known in motorcycle circles and joined the Orange Branch of the CEMCC in 1985 and held the position of Secretary for a number of years. Marj was an enthusiastic motorcyclist and in later years rode her 1949 Matchless everywhere. When club members trailered bikes from Orange to Griffith, Marj chose to ride there and back – she was no “trailer queen”! Marj bought…

Dad passed away on 21st April 2021, he was 82. Born in Singleton and moved to Miller’s Forest with his family, before the farm was sold they eventually settled in East Maitland. Dad was a hard working, hands-on man, who loved his motorcycles but in particular anything he could operate. He started riding at the back of East Maitland on the site now known as Greenhills, he then raced short circuit solos until a work accident left him with no ACL in his left knee, an easy decision was to then race sidecars. Starting on Short Circuit and then onto speedway chairs. In his later years more than anything else, he loved restoring his old motorcycles and he loved riding them. Dementia took hold of him and all his memory…

All this had come about as a result of a visit to the island in 1954 by Soichiro Honda himself, who had earlier in the year announced his intention to one day field a team on his own products in the world’s most famous and important motorcycle event. It took five years for that notion to become a reality, but in January 1959 Honda sent a delegation to UK for meetings with the TT promoters, the Auto Cycle Union of Great Britain, and to visit the island to inspect the TT course. This delegation consisted of Honda engineer Ichiro Niitsuma, and American William J. ‘Bill” Hunt, who was officially described as a Honda Staff Adviser. Later in 1959, Honda took the bold step of opening its own sales/administration office on…

BINDERS back in stock… Protect your prized issues of OBA with these rugged binders, now back in stock. Priced at $35.00. To order, call 1300 361 146, or visit www.mymagazines.com.au SOLD-OUT ISSUES: Please note that issues 1-11, 13-15, 22-26, 28-32, 34-36, 41-43, 45, 47, 61 64 and 66 have sold-out and are unavailable for back-order. suscribe online anytime Visit mymagazines.com.au or call 1300 361 146 for full issue details and pricing. Copies available as indicated at the time of going to print.…

By the early 1950s I had owned a number of motorbikes and been around most of Victoria. But my mate Gerry, and I decided to do a longer trip – perhaps as far as Cairns in Queensland. To do so, we felt we needed a more powerful bike, preferably with a side car to carry our luggage, tools and the spares we might need. So we decided I would buy a bigger bike while Gerry, with my limited help, would actually make the sidecar. He had a good knowledge of working with metal and could borrow a welder. So that is what we did. I bought an Ariel Square Four (1000cc) cheaply at a police auction while Gerry started on the sidecar. My maiden trip to Ballarat on the bike…

Gary Reid is a dyed-in-the-wool speedway enthusiast and is constantly trawling for historical images of the sport. He recently purchased a 70-year-old parcel of glass plate negatives, and is currently working through them – a very delicate operation due to the fragility of the material. Here we present some of the shots he has managed to recover. These photos were taken around 1952 at British tracks Wolverhampton, Norwich and Yarmouth.…

QEMSC Big Chill 2021 • 10-11 July, 2021 – Carnell Raceway, Stanthorpe Qld. Despite earlier predictions of freezing temps and possible snow, the Queensland Early Motorcycle Sports Club’s 2021 “Big Chill” meeting at Stanthorpe was conducted under very comfortable conditions. Whilst a little chilly each morning, the days were warm and sunny – typical, perfect Queensland winter weather. With the slogan ‘Big Chill - Big Thrills’ and a full card of historic events for both solos and sidecars, an exciting weekend of entertainment for both riders and spectators was enjoyed. In the pits, beautifully prepared race bikes added to the spectacle. These included John Wormald’s 1941 Indian Scout, two Manx Nortons (owned by Wayne Kenman and Jenni Larsen), a Laverda Mountjuic (ridden by Ian Morrison) and the gorgeous Greg Brillus…

British Motorcycle Owners Association 37th All Bike Show • 17-18 July, 2021 – Mackay, Queensland The 37th running of the show should have been held in 2020 but with the pandemic controlling most of our lives we were forced to postpone it until this year. It was a brilliant show with the quality and variety of motorcycles on display being outstanding. The Z1 900 Kawasaki was in better condition than you could buy them new off the floor in 1973 and the Chopper displayed by Damien Muscat was fresh from the GOMA Bike display at Brisbane. Arty Scott’s 1915 Model 180 Sidecar was absolutely beautiful and the Panda Trials Bike with the Morini engine was just another bike that was better than you could have purchased brand new. One of…

Preparations for the NZCMRR Festival at Pukekohe Park on 4-6 February 2022 are in full swing. Club president Ken McGeady says, “Our key themes for this coming festival event are the celebration of Roger Freeth’s racing history. Four of his bikes will be on show and paraded. We will also have an onsite celebration of New Zealand car racing legend Kenny Smith, with his Lola F5000 race car on site and displayed by him on track in the lunch time parade. Our big supporters, NZ Warbirds, will also be overhead with the Spitfire and P40 during lunch time on Sunday. With the big contingent of bikes and riders from Australia it should be super good!…

The auction originally scheduled for August 28 as part of the Bulli Motorcycle Weekend will now take place from 2pm EST Sunday 31st October 2021, subject to COVID restrictions at that time. Online bidders can view the catalogue, register and bid at www.manshedauctions.com.au. Viewing of lots (subject to COVID restrictions at the time) will be available from 10am to 5pm Saturday 30th October at 14/36 Leighton Place Hornsby NSW. Telephone and Absent bidding options are also available for this auction. Buyers’ premium is 5.50% including GST on all motorcycles. Amongst the lots are seven Harley-Davidsons (including a rare 1960 Topper scooter), a pair of Indians (one 1928 Scout and a 1934 Chief), plus British and Japanese bikes of various vintages.…

Cross Egypt Challenge was created back in 2011 as an initiative to promote Egyptian Tourism. The first event was a 9-day rally from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the north of Egypt to the temple of Abu Simbel, on the southern borders of Egypt with a total distance of over 1,700 km. It has evolved into a series of motorcycle and scooter rallies conducted throughout off-the-beaten track destinations and the most challenging roads and tracks of Egypt, a breathtaking experience that is equally fascinating for spectators and riders alike. After last year’s cancellation of “Cross Egypt Challenge” due to COVID-19 concerns the 2021 season of Cross Egypt Challenge will run between October 7 and 16, 2021, and will mark CEC’s 10th anniversary. The new season will witness the…

In OBA 26 I recounted the remarkable life of DOUG VOSS, who passed away at his Adelaide home on 9th August, aged 95. The interview that I conducted for that story was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had since starting OBA in 2006. Doug was the epitome of the gentle giant, quietly spoken, thoughtful and considerate. Doug’s story of his overland trip to England in 1953 on the Royal Enfield that is still in the family fascinated me. Riding alone through Iraq and Jordan was risky business in those days, but Doug wasn’t worried. “I carried a four-gallon drum of petrol and a four gallon drum of water. I had no weapon, just a knife and fork, plus I was six foot four. I honestly think I…

Yamaha saw a niche market here, given the swell of interest in the ‘sixties style Café Racers. However rather than opt for a big single a la BSA Gold Star or Velocette Thruxton, or a twin of the parallel variety (think Triumph Bonneville or Norton Atlas) or even a big V-twin (Vincent, naturally), they chose the lower end of the displacement scale – a 250. In their range, Yamaha already had a donor motor that could be plucked straight from the rather naff but undeniably popular XV250 Virago – a sort of mini Harley cruiser. The XV250 was in a fairly mild state of tune, so this is the first aspect that was addressed back in Iwata. More power was called for, so the XV engine underwent some tweaking. With…

Heart of the matter is the proven 798cc DOHC 12 valve engine, distinctly over-square at 79mm x 54.3mm bore and stroke, which is identical for both models. Transmission is via a 6-speed gearbox with what is termed MV EAS 3.0 – an electronically-assisted shifting system that works up and down. This is coupled to MV’s Smart Clutch System, hydraulically operated with automatic function, which means there’s no need to use the clutch lever for starts and stops. Suspension is Semi-active; 43mm forks in front and a gas-charged rear single shock, both managed by MV’s Chassis Stability Control computer system. Software also looks after many other functions, such as the Cornering ABS, Cruise Control, and GPS. The new 14cm display module includes the speedo and tacho, plus navigation and Bluetooth connectivity…

To kick off the 2022 March Long weekend (12-14 March), the organisers have hired Symmons Plains so owners of bikes and cars of the era can demonstrate their vehicles with a little speed on to give the spectators the chance to not only see but to hear vehicles of the era. How many people have heard a British single or twin stretching its legs a little or the sound of a two-stroke twin under acceleration? The bike side will not only be for race bikes of the era but will also be a chance for road bikes of the 1950s to 1960s to do some laps. Motorcycle man on the committee, Tony Oliver, is hoping to even have a few sidecars doing laps. From the car side there should be…

Back in 1973, a rather exotic racer arrived in Melbourne. The four-cylinder 350cc Benelli was initially thought to have been raced by Australian 250cc World Champion Kel Carruthers, but is now thought to be one of the 1969/70 team machines ridden by Renzo Pasolini. The Benelli was exhibited at the September 1973 International Motorcycle Show in Melbourne. Following the show, nothing was heard of the Benelli until it turned up at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, South Australia. Museum curator Matthew Lombard says there are plans to refurbish the Benelli, and that discussions are underway with a well-known motorcycle engineer to carry out work. “We need to establish just what condition the engine is in before we go any further” says Matthew. “We would be happy to put some…

I took the time to visit the recent B-Mad Twilight Bike Show on 15th May not knowing what to expect. It was huge with scores of amazing machines, a live band, apparel vendors, food, a live charity auction and 17 trophy classes for the display bikes. B-MAD is short for Bikers Making A Difference. It is a small group of kind-hearted motorcyclists who see the need to support the less fortunate in society. They raise money and gather donations to distribute food, sanitary items and clothing through the community. This bike show was their yearly event to raise funds and to celebrate the motorcycle and motorcyclists. The trophy classes and display leaned towards heavy-weight American machines but I found it pleasing to see older classic machines which were welcomed into…

The hue of Sir Carruthers’ face exactly matched the magnificent Carmine leather settee that sat under the family portrait in his sumptuous office. He turned progressively redder as he shuffled the papers in his hand. Stabbing a finger at the buzzer on his desk, his secretary’s quivering voice was immediately on the line. “Please have Mr Jessop step in here,” ordered the guvnor. Shortly after, with his star rider seated nonchalantly on the settee, Sir Carruthers paced up and down, brandishing the papers. “This budget of yours for shipment to the TT races. It is outrageous. Why, I could fly an aircraft there and back for less than this!” “Then why don’t you sir? That would be fine with me,” was Edgar’s taciturn reply as he glanced slyly at his…

The 2021 Australian Historic Road Racing Championships, set down for McNamara Park, Mount Gambier, has been postponed. With state borders currently closed, it became impossible to stage a national championship on the scheduled date. A statement issued by the track owners and promoters said; “The Mount Gambier Motor Cycle Club regret to announce that due to the Covid 19 situation and associated restrictions, the Australian Historic Road Race Championships are unable to go ahead on Oct 29th-31st 2021. The club is working with Motorcycling Australia to find a suitable date to re-schedule the event.” We will bring you an update in issue 97.…

After two years of deliberation, organisers of the world famous ‘Race to the Clouds’, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, have announced that motorcycles will never return to the event. In a statement on August 12, Interim Chairman of the Board Fred Veitch said, “This has been a long process and a difficult decision, but we believe it is the right decision and one that is in the best interests of the organisation at this time.” The death of former winner Carlin Dunne in 2019 led to the initial removal of motorcycles from the event, pending investigation. It’s not the first time that motorcycles have been barred from competing, but it appears to be the last. Of the 99 runnings of the event since 1916, bikes have participated in just…

The Australian Velocette community and many OBA readers will be saddened by the death of NORM TRIGG, Technical Officer, former spare parts officer and foundation member of the Melbourne Velocette OC which has for years become the Australian Velocette OC. Norm was 92 when he passed away. A person always prepared to assist in solving members machine problems both Velocette and other makes, he will be remembered by many with late wife Dot aboard their special Velocette outfit, bristling with special items at local rides and National Velo OC rallies thoughout Australia. Worldwide, his publication “Norm’s Technicalities” ensures his ongoing assistance to Velocette riders wherever they are. RIP Norm.…

As a teenager, I used to ride my pushbike far and wide from our home in Hurstville in Sydney’s southern suburbs. One day I was peddling down Rocky Point Road in Kogarah when I happened to glance into the service bay of the Scarborough BP Service Station. Lining the walls, actually on the floor, stood rows of Manx Norton engines, perched upright like garden statues. These, plus a Vincent twin or two, were the power plants for the endless string of outfits raced by Stan Bayliss, who even by then in the early ‘sixties had acquired legendary status, especially in the St. George district. Stan’s fascination for motorcycling, and particularly racing, began in 1948 when he was just 17 years of age. Acquiring a 500cc MSS Velocette, he joined the…

“Dad was in the British army in WW2, was demobbed about 1946. In the early ‘fifties he moved up to Chapel-en-le Frith in Derbyshire, which is where the Ferodo factory was and was near where my mother came from. He was employed as test driver for all the Ferodo components, brakes, clutches etc, and they used to test under all conditions. In this area of Britain it got very cold in winter and was often snowed in with very treacherous roads. He soon moved to the Competition Department at Ferodo, and this department had fully equipped mobile workshops which supplied brake materials and other products. They did all the World Championship GPs and the TT of course, Formula 1 as we know it, and the international rally series. They travelled…

During the seven years they worked together, the arrangement was that for anything that Rex McCandless – he was the creative genius of the duo, leaving Cromie to run the company – suggested to Norton which worked, he’d be entitled to charge the company £1 per hour on conceiving it, and developing it. But if the idea didn't work, there’d be no payment, so – heads I win, tails you lose. Norton MD Gilbert Smith must have been a masterful negotiator! Despite having left school in Belfast in 1928 aged 13 with no formal education, by 1939 and the outbreak of WW2 Rex McCandless was assembling Bristol Bombay transporter aircraft at Short Brothers and Harland, nowadays Bombardier. This was a reserved occupation which prevented him being called up, but which…

The original track was established following discovery of gold near Coolgardie in 1892. This spawned the state’s gold rush and fortune seekers would disembark in Albany, before heading for the goldfields via Northam, a very indirect route. Several attempts to cut a shortcut between Albany and Coolgardie were thwarted by the harsh and waterless landscape. In April 1893, John Holland took up the challenge. With the assistance of brothers Rudolf and David Krackouer and John Carmody, they set out from Broomehill and, in just over two months, successfully cleared a direct route, albeit 500km, to Coolgardie. Use of the track was short-lived though. Within three years, the railway line from Fremantle to Northam was extended to Coolgardie and it was abandoned until around 1992, when a section from Hyden to…

Welcome to Old Bike Australasia Out’n’about – a forum of people, places, history and happenings. The Ferrari Club often has get-togethers which are sometimes social as well as drive days and recently arranged a meet at the local Segafreddo Zanetti for coffee and dolci. Gino extended the invitation to me so (not having a Ferrari) I decided to take my only red bike (Sophia the MV). I was a little apprehensive but pleasantly surprised at the genuine interest Sophia got from what turned out to be a very welcoming group of people. Mixing with the big boys could have fallen flat but this ended up a highlight. I took the opportunity to line up beside Gino’s 488 Pista for a few photos. The red on both is pretty much a…

The first rally attracted 350 faithful patrons, with attendance peaking to 5,000 in 1990 and levelling to 1,050 in 2018. I always thought one day to do the Monkey and 2021 would be the one to do it, for its swansong. I set off from the South Island’s city of Christchurch on Friday, 4th June for the first 300km, heading South. The sun was shining for about the first 10km, but then a cold and overcast, but dry ride set in. Just days before the journey, the predominantly flat province of Canterbury, flanked by the Southern Alps to the West and the Pacific Ocean to the East endured over several days the worst rainfall in living memory. As an effect, several of the large rivers flowing from the mountains to…

HMCCQ Phil Irving Concours 2021 • 25 July, 2021 – Mt Gravatt Show, Holland Park, Qld. In these strange times we are exceptionally lucky to have any events actually realised. Many thanks to people like Fraser McMillan and his team who put in the hours knowing full well that their efforts could be wasted if another lockdown was enforced and the event cancelled. I noticed also the changing face of the public, with everyone sporting face masks. Will we ever return to normality? I would also like to acknowledge inclusion of the special display from the Vincent Owners Club. Phil Irving’s contribution to the Vincent motorcycle and the new category for the Best Vincent was very appropriate to the Concours bearing Phil’s name. Dave Dettmar authored an article in the…

National Norton Club Rally • 12-14 March, 2021 – Geraldine, New Zealand The NZ Norton motorcycle club was founded in 1983 and from its 264 members, a decent 70 odd made it to this year’s rally, which was held at the remote Raincliff Youth Camp, nestled between the townships of Geraldine and Fairlie, in the South Island’s South Canterbury province. The rally arrival took place on Friday, with two ride options on Saturday (short: 106km, long: 160km) in perfect weather, including a visit to two transport museums in Geraldine. It was rather glorious, seeing and hearing a cavalcade of Nortons in various iterations thundering down some picturesque country roads in unison. The Saturday evening encompassed the AGM, a presentation by Kevin Clark about his travels to Europe and the Middle…