Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 97 i Old Bike Australasia

There’s a video going around of a chap on a US internal flight to Minneapolis, choosing to light up a cigarette mid-flight, thereby infuriating other passengers, whose protests and complaints he ignored. Upon arrival at his destination, police chose to arrest him. More recently, in Melbourne, the big news was the transition out of lockdown and the ‘privileges’ that would be enjoyed by those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Several of those interviewed in the evening news broadcasts adopted robust stances of choosing not to be vaccinated, and railing against the lack of’ ‘freedom’ resulting from this choice. At least there’s an alternative, as demonstrated by those who choose to gulp down draughts of bleach or bovine wormer. It works on horses and cattle, so why not humans? However it’s…

The 2022 Burt Munro Challenge set for 9-13 February, has been cancelled. In a statement on 28th October, Craig Hyde, Chairman of the organising committee said, “This decision has been made in light of the (NZ) Government’s COVID-19 Protection Framework, and uncertainty around being able to hold large events over the summer. We know that you will be as disappointed as us the event has been cancelled and we wish to thank you for your continued support of the Burt Munro Challenge. We look forward to delivering you the event in 2023 when there is more clarity around hosting major events in New Zealand. Lock in 8-12 February, 2023 as we’ll be roaring back into full throttle then!” For more details visit… www.burtmunrochallenge.co.nz…

Shannons ‘40th Anniversary’ Timed Auction takes place from 23rd – 30th November, 2021 and features an excellent line up of motorcycles, from a tiny 1955 Lambretta Model F scooter to a Moto Retro, designed and constructed by Vaughan Ryan owner of Motor Retro. The bike started out as a 1978 Honda CBX1000, and has been fitted with a Ducati 1098 R Front end, Ducati 999 rear wheel, CNC machined top triple tree and many other small components, fully rebuilt engine and gearbox, custom wiring harness, all aluminium bodywork handmade, polished and painted, custom exhaust system by Pipe master and Vaughan. Other desirable machines include a 1974 Kawasaki Z1A, a 2003 Bimota YB1000, a Velocette Metisse and a 1941 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. For more details visit… www.shannons.com.au/auctions/2021-shan-nons-40th-anniversary-timed-online-auction/…

In our story on Harold Tapscott in OBA 95, it was stated that Tony Gray, president of the BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland, attended the special function to mark Harold’s 100th birthday. We have been advised that this is incorrect. “Tony Gray, is the President of the BMWMCQ, however did not attend the event on 18 July 2021 as previously reported. The event was planned and organised at short notice by Richard de Groot, a long term member of the BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland.” Apologies to all concerned.…

A very familiar face in the Sydney scene for many years, LINDA COWPER passed away suddenly on 25th September, aged 72. Although small in stature, Linda was a dynamo from the day she burst onto the Sydney motorcycling scene in the late 1960s. As a teenager, she learned to ride on a friend’s Triumph Thunderbird, and had a series of small Bridgestones as road transport. After quitting her office job she used her own 175 Bridgestone for courier work in Sydney. As a member of Annandale-Leichhardt Motorcycle Club, she became a keen racer in just about everything from Short Circuit (on a 250 Hagon) to drag racing, hill climbs and road racing, initially on a Triumph and soon after on a 600 Norton fettled by Sidecar racer Col Cheffins. On…

Sydney’s long-established Moto Guzzi hub Motociclo, in conjunction with the Moto Guzzi Owners Association of NSW, are planning a special 100th anniversary ride on Sunday 5th December, 2021. All Guzzi owners and enthusiasts are welcome. The day will kick off with an informal gathering and bike display at Harry’s Café de Wheels at 886 Princes Highway, Tempe from 8.30 am. Around 9.30am, a social group ride will depart, heading south through the Royal National Park to the Headlands Hotel at Austinmer for an early lunch and another bike display. All this is COVID pending at the time, but indications are that the Great Guzzi Day will be unaffected, so come along and help celebrate a milestone event.…

The Aprilia RS 660 has a longer stroke than the V4, up from 52.3mm to 63.93mm, with 13.5:1 compression ratio. Transferring this power/torque package to the road is achieved through a 6-speed gearbox with wet slipper clutch. Of course there’s much less weight – 195kg ready to ride – thanks to an allnew twin beam aluminium frame that uses the engine as a stressed member, with the alloy swing arm attached directly to the engine, and careful attention to detail on other components, such as the wheels and body panels. Suspension is fully adjustable at both ends; a 41mm KYB upside down front fork and rear mono shock. Stopping the show is a pair of 320 discs with 4-piston Brembo radially-mounted calipers up front and a twin-piston Brembo at the…

Laurie introduces Kev. “Now all my troubles started when I met this mate of mine: Kev. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great bloke, especially for a Pom, but he occasionally gets these hair-brained ideas. … Like the time in 1996 while in the grip-of-the-grape he suggested we ride our Ariels to Cowra for the annual A.A.R. (Australian Ariel Register) Rally. On that occasion my guardian angel, sitting on my shoulder said ‘Don’t do it’. Kev went alone but come 1998 Laurie explains, “Under another attack of the vapours, he suggested on riding to Cooma. Being a weak and gutless individual and with my guardian angel asleep under a bush or down at the local getting me a six pack, I said yes.” This was the first of many…

Let there be light Classic Fasteners has recently started stocking a range of Lucas Classic products, which are often reproduced from original tooling, re-manufactured and re-engineered by trained experts following original Lucas product manuals and technical drawings. Their latest offering is the 7” BPF Light Unit with pilot bulb hole. The lens accepts the stock BPF (British Pre-focus Bulb) and can be used for either 6V or 12V systems. A feature of this light is the centrally located Lucas “Torch” logo in addition to “700 Headlamp” and “England” markings on the lens. Lucas OEM part number 516812. Price $91AUD. See www.classicfasteners.com.au for details. Dry feet, smart styling The Dartwood, from TCX, combines fashionable good looks and practicality with top-level protection and water proofing. Features include a grain leather upper with…

Paperback; 144 pages, 90 pictures ISBN: 978-1-787115-49-1 Published by Veloce. Price: £19.99 UK. Available from … Renniks, Sydney (02) 9695 7055 www.renniks.com Bookreps NZ (64-9-828 2999) www.bookreps.co.nz Another title in the Veloce Classic Reprint Series, this one is a first-hand account of the author’s 20 years with Triumph – from 1954 until its dramatic closure. In his time there, Hughie worked in the Experimental, Service, Product Road Test, Toolroom, Final Production Assembly and Service Repair Shop departments, and later became a very well known restorer of Triumphs and an international concours judge. The book has many interesting photographs, particularly of the road testers at work in all weather, plus rarely-seen photos from the Meriden works and surrounding countryside. Written in a fairly avuncular style, the book throws back to a long-gone…

Backwards Yamahas too The two articles involving “Metrallas in Reverse”, stirred my memory. I once owned a Bultaco Pursang Mk7 and it never did anything so odd. However one bike that did was bought from Winston Stokes’ shop in Melbourne Street, East Maitland as a Yamaha YZ125C. Before it left the shop it had changed into a 175 with an imported USA barrel and a DT175 two-ringed piston. Winston had dreams of creating a pre-IT175. One day while riding the disused rail tracks to the west of West Maitland, my Yamaha spluttered to a halt in the middle of one of the two tunnels. In the dark I kicked the bike back into life, engaged first gear, revved and dropped the clutch. A cloud of dust and dirt shot past…

To the dismay of so many classic enthusiasts, both motorcycle and car, the All Historic race meeting at the Pheasant Wood circuit at Marulan, near Goulburn, has been postponed. Originally set down for September, the meeting was shifted to November 20/21, but in the end Covid restrictions forced the decision. Circuit manager Scott Hill said that the need to manage entry between vaccinated and unvaccinated patrons became unworkable under the current situation. However, the meeting has been rescheduled for 2022. “We plan to run on the weekend of 10th/11th September, 2022, exactly one year from our original date, so hopefully by then things will be back to normal”, Scott said. “There will also be a private practice day on Friday 9th September.” The meeting caters exclusively for the earlier Historic…

Royal Enfield Australia & NZ has released details of the new Euro V compliant 650 twins. Both the Continental GT and Interceptor have a new camshaft design with high power ignition coil, a new Continental ECU and other small changes. Visually, the new models have additional colours in the range; five for the Continental GT and seven for the Interceptor. The new models will be in dealerships in Australia and New Zealand by the time you read this, with prices starting from $10,990 and $11,990 respectively.…

Entries for the 2022 OBA Classic Challenge at Sydney Motor Sport Park, February 12-13 should open in the first week of January, says PCRA NSW president Ken Lindsay. Saturday’s program will commence with 10 minute qualifying sessions for all classes, followed by 5 lap races and handicap races. Sunday sees more rounds over 5 laps, followed by 4 lap Feature races. “Because our 2021 event was completely in place until it was washed out, there’s no need to change anything so we’re basically ready to go,” says Ken. For more information, call Ken on 0439 871 927. See the PCRA Facebook page, or the PCRA of NSW web site.…

The organisers of the 2021 Geelong Revival Motoring Festival have decided to move the date to 4-6 March, 2022, due to the ongoing COVID situation in Victoria. Event Director Nicholas Heath said “We have worked closely with the City of Greater Geelong and State Government to secure our March 2022 date. We are sure that the community will be ready to get out and enjoy Geelong’s spectacular waterfront again.” The Geelong Revival Motoring Festival is the rebirth of the Geelong Speed Trials, which was a fixture in the region since 1956. In 2012, the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival emerged as the spiritual successor to this iconic event, bringing the longstanding tradition of motorsport back to the Geelong Waterfront, alongside vintage fashion displays, family entertainment, a motor show and much more.…

Known universally as Johnny, JOHN ASTLEY passed away in a nursing home at Lennox Head, NSW on August 20, aged 97. Post war, Johnny was a seriously talented racer and a member of Willoughby District MCC. He competed in virtually all forms of the sport but excelled at road racing and Miniature TT (Short Circuit/Dirt Track). He really hit the headlights at Mount Panorama, Bathurst in 1949, riding his new Vincent HRD, when he won the Senior Clubmen’s GP and recorded 127 mph on Conrod Straight. In 1952 he purchased Jack Forrest’s 500cc Manx Norton which he rode to 5th place in the Unlimited TT at Bathurst. Later in the year he made the trip south for the Tasmanian TT at Quorn Hall, where he defeated local Ike Chenhall and…

40 years a Victorian and 50 years a Tasmanian, RAY STONE passed away on 29th August 2021 aged 90. Ray started racing a Norton in the early 1950s before making a name for himself on a friend’s Royal Enfield. He raced at long ago closed tracks line Bandiana, Tarrawingee, Fishermans Bend and Darley. He also rode more recently-closed tracks like Bathurst, Amaroo Park, Oran Park, Hume Weir and Calder as a strong member of the Sandringham Club before joining the Tasmanian Club when he moved to Launceston. On setting up a repair shop in Hampton (Melbourne) he started a long association with two-stroke racing bikes by racing an Ossa Wildfire 250 in the first Castrol 6 Hour (1000) in 1970. He switched to Yamaha the next year riding for Milledge…

There had been motor sport in the area from the mid-thirties, but post-war local enthusiasts were thrilled with the legacy of a paved airstrip running almost north-south and measuring about 1.3km. At around 55 metres, it was wide enough to permit race traffic heading in both directions, but in reality was little more than a drag strip, which is what it was initially used for. Much of the work to prepare the strip for motor racing was done by local garage owner Snow Sefton, who, as legend has it, would ‘borrow’ road building machinery owned by the Pine Rivers Council after hours and without permission. Post-war, the Strathpine Airstrip was owned by “eligible bachelor” and local farmer Walter Robson. A tongue-in-cheek piece in one of the early programs stated, “Walter…

In 1974, as mentioned in OBA 94, while riding a Honda XL250, a tradie in a ute who was doubleparked outside a pub did a U-turn right in front of me without looking or indicating, and ten years later while riding a new 1984 Yamaha XV1000 RH with my wife Annie as pillion. A Nurse whose breath smelt strongly of alcohol was exceeding the speed limit in a built-up area and by doing a righthand turn at an intersection without indicating, failed to give way to oncoming traffic with right of way. After giving me her personal details she left the scene of the accident before police and ambulance arrived. You will note that in both these incidents alcohol was involved. The 1974 incident was on a Friday afternoon and…

Motorcycling identity CHRIS ‘CHICKENMAN’ DAVY passed away at home on 18th August. Chris featured in OBA 76 in the article on the 1977 Ampol Around Australia Motorcycle Competition with sidecar passenger Wayne “the Brain” Keeping. He is survived by his two children Paul and Robyn and will be interred in Ipswich (or Ippy) as Chris fondly called it. Chickenman was a Fitter and Turner, father, philosopher, muse, a poet, home – grown engineer and just a great friend to many he came in contact with, either through work or socially. Last time I saw the Chickenman was when he passed through Townsville on his way back to Ippy from Darwin, driving a Hyundai Getz with left hand passenger seat removed and replaced with a slab of plywood as a base…

2021 Queensland Historic Road Racing Championships • 7-8 September, 2021 – Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick Qld The 2021 Championships went ahead despite border closures and the very real threat of a snap Covid-19 lockdown. The mid-week event was hosted by Queensland Early Motorcycle Sports Club Inc (QEMSC), and this year welcomed Wynnum Marine as first-time major sponsor. While no interstate competitors could attend because of travel restrictions, there was an enthusiastic contingent of riders from North Queensland and other regional areas. Motorcycling Queensland and its Road Race Sub-committee also supported the event in a bid to boost numbers, allowing additional classes to be added to the program (Period 6 sidecars and Premodern and Non-competitive solo bikes) and reducing the number of entrants required to constitute a class. Regardless of the…

Digital e-Book suitable for desktop computers, laptops and tablets. Over 380 pages. Published by Independent Observations Pty Ltd ISBN: 978 0 6453055 0 0 • Price: $25.00 (AU) Available for pre-order: www.bikesandbathurst.com.au Email: scaysbrook34@bigpond.com First published in 2003, Bikes & Bathurst by Jim Scaysbrook charts the history of motorcycle racing at Bathurst since 1931, beginning with the Vale Circuit and from 1938 at Mount Panorama. The original hardcover book has been long out of print and used copies get snapped up quickly when they appear, but very soon Bikes & Bathurst will be available in electronic form as an e-Book – optimised for reading on computers and tablets (not phones). Since its original publication as a book of 320 pages, many more photographs have been added, almost doubling the number…

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE CURRENT HEALTH CRISIS INDIVIDUAL EVENT LISTING DATES AND DETAILS COULD CHANGE CLUB SECRETARIES: Because of our lead time for printing, please ensure your listing is received at least four months prior to the event. Email your event details to… scaysbrook34@bigpond.com NOVEMBER 2021 Sunbeams in Oz Rally 12-14 November, 2021 – Grafton, NSW Info from Adrian Dawson, email: dawsonadrian@aapt.net.au. Ph: 0432 590 106 Gulgong Swap Meet, Market Day and Trash & Treasure 14 November, 2021 – Gulgong Showground, NSW Presented by the Gulgong Vintage and Classic MCC – Cars, bikes, trucks. Sellers $10, lookers $3. Children free. Food and drinks available. Unpowered overnight camping $12 per site. Contact Scotty 0434 085038 Tassie Girder Fork Rally & Ross Motorcycle Show 18-21 November, 2021 – Hadspen, Northern…

Restoring a James side-valve twin I recently had the opportunity to visit Kevin Barber at Boambee near Coffs Harbour. He has almost finished restoring a 1928 side valve 500cc B3 James with a 3 speed James gearbox, 64 x 77.5 mm bore and stroke, a Binks carburettor and sold for 52/10 GBP. Like so many other British makes of motorcycle The James Cycle Company was formally a manufacturer of bicycles, formed in Birmingham in 1897 by Harry James. As was the case with most manufacturers their first motorcycle was a cycle frame fitted with an engine which in 1902 was from Minerva. Production ceased in 1904 before recommencing in 1908 at a new factory built in Gough Road, Birmingham. In 1910/11 their machines were fitted with what was claimed to…

Kawasaki’s newest retro-styled model, the LAMS-approved Z650RS, will be in Australia before the end of the year. It’s the latest in the line up to utilise the twin cylinder engine that powers the Ninja, Z Supernaked, Versys and Vulcan S. Slotting right in alongside the popular Z1-style Z900RS, the new 650 has styling reminiscent of the original Z650 of 1976, including the green décor (there’s also a silver/black version). Other retro cues include the flat-spoked cast wheels that are designed to look like the wire wheels of old. We’ll bring you a full test as soon as we can get our hands on the Z650RS.…

KEN ‘ROBO’ ROBINSON passed away on the 5th of July, 2021 aged just under 75. He was a founding member of the Monarchs MCC in 1965 and both a founding member and life member of AMTRA. Ken participated in road racing from the mid 60s to the mid 70s and was ranked A grade. Until shortly before his passing, he was an active road and trail rider. Shortly after he started road racing, a highlight of Ken’s racing was winning the South Australian 250cc TT in 1974 on his self-tuned 1968 T20 Suzuki. Bill Horseman was second on his new 1974 Yamaha TZ250. In 1975 Ken, now A grade, bought a Suzuki TR500. In February 1976 Ken competed on the TR500 at the infamous Australian TT meeting held at Laverton,…

There can scarcely be a more idyllic setting than Moto Guzzi’s headquarters at Mandello del Lario, on the shores of the beautiful Lake Como, where the original 300 square metre workshop was specially built on the main road during 1920. Today that road is known as Via E. V. Parodi, a tribute to one of the original founders, Emanuele Vittorio Parodi. The historic Moto Guzzi factory buildings were designed by Giuseppe Guzzi (known as ‘Naco’), one of four siblings in the family. A civil engineer, Naco also designed the Moto Guzzi Rowing Club building and hydroelectric power stations. Like his brother Carlo, Naco was an enthusiastic motorcyclist, and is credited with the statement, “I will design a motorbike with standards that I believe are better than the existing ones.” Those…

Historic Competition Motorcycle Club of WA 2021 State Road Racing Championships • 25-27 September, 2021 – Collie Motorplex, WA The Queen’s Birthday long weekend in Western Australia saw some 110 riders with 160 entries take to the Collie Motorplex long track for the 2021 Historic State Road Racing Championships. The event was brilliantly run over the three days which in itself is no easy task and credit must go to Keith McCullough and Steve Scragg (the C of C and Steward respectively). The weather which was not forecast to be the best held off for the Saturday practice day and the first race day on Sunday and we almost got through the third round of races before the heavens opened with a steady downpour forcing an early lunch break. The…

Festival of Motorcycling 2021 • 2-9 October, 2022 – South Australia One of the most successful events of this year’s South Australian Festival of Motorcycling program was, perversely, triggered by the pandemic: the addition of the “Night of Champions” forum. Government constraints imposed because of Covid-19 made it doubtful that the Festival of Motorcycling (FoM) would get Port Adelaide Council’s approval for public displays, given the restrictions on the size of public gatherings. The planned displays were to be accessed by the public via a gold coin donation, but once it was uncertain whether they would be allowed, the FoM Committee decided to create an alternative fundraising event. The goal of the FoM was always to create a fun week for motorcyclists, improve public awareness of the positive aspects of…

Published by Laughing Gnome Books ISBN: 978-1-5272921-3-0 Paperback 72 pp. Price: UK £15 To order visit: www.ogri-book.co.uk or email: ogri@laughing-gnome.co.uk Press contact: Claire Leavey: Claire@claireleavey.com Commercial artist Paul Sample transferred his love of motorcycling into cartoon form for over forty years, via the comic strip OGRI – the motorcycling superhero. – OGRI regularly appeared in many magazines, notably the British monthly Bike. In OBA 84 we reviewed the compendium of 150 of his favourite strips, which was thought to be the last word on the subject, but recently a further trove of original work was unearthed. This has now been published with 102 strips including the last two Paul produced before retirement in 2013, neither of which was ever published in a magazine.…

Paperback; 160 pages, 45 pictures ISBN: 978-1-845847-50-0 Published by Veloce. Price: £14.99 UK. Available from … Renniks, Sydney (02) 9695 7055 www.renniks.com Bookreps NZ (64-9-828 2999) www.bookreps.co.nz Beginning in 2004 and stretching to 2012, Charlie Lambert took over as the lead commentator on Manx radio’s coverage of the world’s most famous motorcycle road races. It’s a role that has seen its share of controversy, tragedies as well as brilliant performances; what the author refers to as the TT’s most exciting era. That statement would certainly arouse discussion amongst seasoned veterans, but there’s no doubt that the racing has been as dramatic as ever. With a foreword by John McGuinness, the book contains inside stories from the TT paddock, year-by-year highlights and character assessments. It has particular detail on 2007, the year…