Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 101 i Old Bike Australasia

Perhaps Australia’s only meeting concentrating solely on the early periods of Classic Racing, the All-Historic Weekend takes place at Pheasant Wood at Marulan, 30km north of Goulburn NSW on September 9-11. This is a combined motorcycle and car meeting that echoes the origins of Historic Racing at Sydney’s Amaroo Park from 1975. Motorcycle racing classes from Veterans up to Period 3 (December 31st 1962) in both solo and sidecar will be catered for. In addition, Regularity Trials for solos (timed events) but not races will be held. The existing 1.6 km circuit is ideal for Historic Racing, being wide and well surfaced, with several challenging corners. It is also kinder on old engines than the faster circuits. It also has excellent spectator viewing and parking areas, a dedicated trade display…

Home to the annual Burt Munro Challenge, Invercargill’s reknown is flourishing – due in large part to southern tourism hub Transport World, including Classic Motorcycle Mecca. The leading motorcycle museum in the Southern Hemisphere opened in 2016. It boasts about 350 classic motorcycles, sidecars, and race-cars. With a smorgasbord of vintage and veteran bikes dating back to 1902, a selection of machines crafted by Kiwi legend John Britten – including a Britten V1000 – and an eyewatering collection of eight Brough Superiors, its appeal has grown even more thanks to a recently-completed extension. The museum now spans two sensitively-restored buildings of three storeys each. With New Zealand’s borders now open to Australians, it’s a great time to plan a visit across the ditch. Transport World executive director Joc O’Donnell says…

The single-cylinder Norton prototype code-numbered P92 (Project 92) was conceived in 1974 but never reached production, consisting of a BSA motor carried in a Triumph/BSA frame using Norton’s Isolastic engine mounts. Yes, it was a parts bin special – but as Sammy Miller, owner today of one of the three such prototypes built which is on display in his eponymous Museum on England’s South Coast avers: “This was yet another missed opportunity by the numbskulls running what remained of the British motorcycle industry back then! Their engineers conceived and built this motorcycle four years before the SR500 Yamaha street bike appeared in 1978, which didn’t have a balance shaft, so shook like crazy, and Honda didn’t make the XR500 with a counter-balancer until 1979. Think of how many tens of…

Thousands of non-Italians were there too. There had never been a motorcycle meeting at Oran Park like this; packed stands, an electric atmosphere, the multi-world champion out on track – and his colours lowered for the only time on his Australian Tour, by Bryan Hindle. Gary Reid was there with his camera and recalls, “It was the darkest, dullest overcast day I could remember although I don’t think it rained at all. This made it technically challenging as the light was low and the action high so I was using settings not suited to the film of the day. I remember walking around the track and shooting in different places. I also remember it for a not so good reason. My sister was in a car crash on the Saturday…

The weather was kind in early April, with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures, for the running of the QEMSC 2022 Carnell Classic. For those not familiar with Stanthorpe, it’s the coldest town in Queensland, and snow is often recorded. I thoroughly recommend a visit. There is much to offer including numerous wineries and spectacular national parks as well as fantastic historic bike racing. An opportunity to enjoy it all will be on the weekend of July 2nd and 3rd when QEMSC hosts the 2022 “Big Chill” historic race meeting. Along with the large number of new riders at the Carnell Classic this year, there were many more experienced riders who rode with style and provided great entertainment. More than 100 bikes were entered in all classes from Period 2 to…

Covid forced the postponement of our 50th anniversary rally in March 2021 and again in November 2021. Finally, we were able to hold the rally at the historic and picturesque coastal town of Port Fairy in Victoria’s southwest. The CMCCV caters for all makes and models of motorcycles 25 years and older. Rally HQ was located at the Big 4 Tourist Park, Port Fairy which has a mix of cabins, motel style accommodation and caravan sites. Around 60 members and 40 bikes (the overwhelming majority being classics), attended. Our hosts allowed us exclusive use of the Shearwater Room, which was put to good use for our regular ‘happy hour’ and two fully-catered meals. Rides, varying in distance from 120km to 250km were conducted on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and a…

With Covid still out there we were pleased to have around 50 people who decided to get their bikes out for this year’s Mail Run from Taupo to Napier. Friday night saw a get together for a meal with high anticipation for the next day’s ride, starting at 10am. The morning dawned fine and clear and first off were the 100 year old bikes being the Triumph Model H owned by Robert Young of Whangarei, the Indian Power Plus owned by myself from Hawke’s Bay and the ABC owned by Mike Harris of Wellington. These were followed by everyone else riding Nortons, Ariels, Indian 741’s, BSA’s and the like. First stop for the day was at the Rangitaiki Hotel where we regrouped, motors were tinkered with and bodies where stretched.…

The first went to Ron Kivovitch, who was president of Motorcycling Australia for ten years. Ron’s entire life has been linked to motorcycling in one form or another, initially as a talented racer on Short Circuit dirt tracks and in Scrambles. Ron won the Australian 125cc Short Circuit Championship at Heit Park, Brisbane in 1959 and continued to race until the late ‘sixties. He was president of Willoughby District Motorcycle Club for many years and instrumental in the formation of the Castrol Six Hour Race in 1970. Ron was also an industry figure, working for Bennett Honda in Sydney, and later with Yamaha distributor McCulloch of Australia and finally Suzuki Australia. He also worked extensively with accessory distribution companies. Also awarded on the night was Ron Angel, who was a…

In his youth Dale raced as passenger on a speedway sidecar and made a decent enough impression in road racing to earn a ride on a Lyster G50 Matchless owned by Christchurch furniture store owner Bob Harris. His results earned him a ride on Suzukis provided by the then New Zealand importer Percy Coleman Wholesale through enthusiastic Christchurch dealer Tommy McCleary. In addition to racing a T500 Titan in Production events, Dale had TR500s prepared by famed Wellington tuner Dick Lawton. This saw him win the 1970-’71 New Zealand 500cc Road Racing Championship on an air-cooled TR500 before he was supplied water-cooled TR500s. He was also supplied an FIM Norton 750 Commando for Production races, and later a Triumph Bonneville T140V, alongside a young Dave Hiscock. There were more than…

The change of venue was in response to complaints about the notoriously bumpy and hazardous Clady circuit, which had been the venue for several years. The previous day, victory in the 350cc Grand Prix had gone to New Zealander Ken Mudford, his first and only GP win and also the first-ever for a New Zealander. Kavanagh’s win – Australia’s first Grand Prix victory in the 500cc class – came after almost two and a half hours of flat out racing, almost one minute ahead of Geoff Duke, whose Gilera’s clutch had failed around two-thirds distance. In the 350cc race, which was combined with the 250cc, Kavanagh led from the start, only to have his Norton run out of steam with seven of the 28 laps remaining. His team mate Mudford…

To go back to the beginnings, the model had its origins in the brand new 594cc engine (officially designated M268/1) that made its public debut as the R68 model at the 1951 IFMA Motorcycle Show in Frankfurt. With 35hp on tap, BMW stated the R68 would be good for a genuine 100mph, and it was. Virtually square at 72mm x 73mm bore and stroke, with a compression ratio of 6.3:1, the engine would rev to 7,000 rpm. A Norris magneto supplied the sparks, and the engine breathed through a Bing 24 carburettor. A gear oil pump was located in the engine sump, feeding oil along the crankshaft and to the top end, whence it drained back into the sump. A single plate clutch, spline-coupled to the gearbox input shaft, separated…

The concept of a 650/4 lay on the drawing boards in various conceptual stages for quite a few years until Kawasaki’s Chief Engineer Gyoichi (Ben) Inamura penned his own version, which had obvious similarities to the 900. Inamura said his brief was “to produce an enjoyable and interesting machine with a unique sports character.” And not too heavy either. To this end, every aspect of what was to become the z650 was targeted for size and mass in order to produce an ideal power-to-weight ratio. This translated as 64hp at 8,500rpm with a dry weight of 211kg. Inside the DOHC 2-valve engine sat a forged one-piece crankshaft, running on plain bearings with two-piece plain bearing connecting rods. Instead of the gear primary drive on the 900, a HyVo chain sitting…

After many cancellations due to Covid, Historic racing finally returned to Broadford for the State titles. Coming just one week after the Australian Historic Racing Championships at Mount Gambier meant the entry was down somewhat on previous events, but as always, the racing was top notch. Despite the close racing, clean sweeps of the four rounds for each class was the order of the day, perfect scores going to Peter Birthisel (Vintage), Brad Gorrie (125 Classic), Peter Large (250/350 Classic), Bob Rosenthal (500 Classic), Des Heaney (125 Post Classic), Bruce Cook (250 Post Classic), David Campbell (350 Post Classic), Brian Donovan (125 FE), Tony Sara (250 FE), Lachlan Hill (350 FE), Tim Large (500 FE), Mark Lithgow (600 FE), and Brad Phelan (Unlimited Forgotten Era). In the Sidecars, P. Large/P.…

For the 48th year, veteran, vintage and classic bikes descended upon Bathurst, the late Easter date seeing the district bathed in the beautiful colours of autumn. Despite the deluges that have caused such distress elsewhere in the state, the weather was nigh-on perfect throughout the eight days, with a healthy roll up of 125 there to enjoy perfect riding conditions, mindful of the potholes. Each day followed a different route from the base at Kelso, and those that rode the entire Tour would have clocked up just short of 1,000 km. As always, the Tour brought out a healthy line up of old stagers, which departed the rally HQ each day one hour ahead of the others, and there were some real beauties such as Ross Inman’s 1916 GCS and…

We were based at the Lake Anderson Caravan Park, a scenic spot with most of us staying in cabins around the lake. The usual, friendly crowd were there, minus a few who were on the Classic Tour of Tassie. The runs were organised by a Victorian member Russell Court, ably assisted by two travelling marshals and a back-up driver. The Rudges were displayed first thing Saturday morning for judging, before heading off to Rutherglen for morning tea at the ‘Caffeine ‘n’ machine’ Café and Motorcycle Museum. Lunch was followed by a ride to Wangaratta to the home of Ken and Brenda Lucas. Ken has a fantastic collection of racing bikes, including a 500cc Mk8 Veolcette KTT, rows of other fascinating motorcycles and interesting projects, even a corgi! Brenda uncovered all…

Great roads and weather all the Victorian Labour Day long weekend, with a shake down run to Talboton Friday afternoon. Saturday’s run saw us at Maldon for morning tea then onwards via Lockwood to the centre of Bendigo. There we lunched at Dr. Dugal James’ historic old hotel building where he had set up a fraction of his fantastic motorcycle collection which includes mainly Indians and BMWs and the odd BSA and Italian bikes. We returned to Maryborough via Eddington having motored 145km. Sunday had us leave from the Post Office and have morning tea at Guildford. We then went on a minor road that was very picturesque through Yapeen, Muckleford and Walmer for a Pizza lunch. We returned via Campbells Creek and Newstead to Maryborough for judging at the…

Sunday September 11th is the date, and the venue the picturesque Macquarie Park which over looks the Hawkesbury River and the historic town of Windsor in north western Sydney. Organiser Jason Stone says there will be a few innovations this year, “The Show day is primarily for our members to bring out their bikes and let people see them, but we welcome anyone to this day. Any bike made prior to 2012 is eligible, and we have added a Mini Bike Class as well as a class and a trophy for Visitors bikes. The only stipulation is that bikes must remain on display until 2.30pm, by which time the presentation of awards is usually concluded.” For more information contact Jason on 0452 528 766 or email stoney1only@gmail.com…

Keen photographer, successful motorcycle racer and salesman, general manager of a major car franchise, globe-trotting entrepreneurial businessman and devoted husband and father. These are just some of the accomplishments Iain Pero crammed into his 60 years on the planet, before cardiac arrest claimed him whilst trail riding on his mountain bike in rural Victoria on March 23. At the time he was holidaying with his wife Ruth and former motorcycle racing team-mates Rob Phillis and Geoff McNaughton after returning from an extended overseas business trip. Pero’s interest in racing motorcycles was piqued by older brother Mike. Too young to have a competition licence, Iain accompanied his brother to race tracks and viewed the action through the lens of his camera. Amateur photography was to be something he continued to pursue.…

To say that Mike Coates likes his Guzzis would be a gross understatement; his collection is mouth-watering and eclectic, with an emphasis on the 80/90s models. In reality, Mike’s stable starts from the very beginning – a 1921 Normale from the company’s very first year of production – up to comparatively recent examples of both road bikes and racers. One of the real standouts is another thoroughbred from Guzzi’s fledgling days, a beautiful example of the 500cc 4-valve competition machine from 1926. Here is a motorcycle that is every inch a racer, with not a gram of unnecessary material, built for one purpose – to go as fast as possible for very long distances. Because in the 1920s, Italy was home to some of the most famous – and most…

Various off-road Scrambles/Motocross/International Six Day Trial (ISDT) events grew throughout the 1950s spreading through Northern Europe, Britain and the US. Ducati entered their standard small capacity machines until the creation of the 250cc Italian off-road championship in 1956. The resultant Ducati 175 and 250 Motocross (released in 1959) was a unique hand-made and very expensive machine, solely for competition use and the subject for another story. Poor sales ended production in 1961 angering US Ducati dealers needing a machine for their huge off-road market. The US Importer (Berliner Motor Corporation) told Ducati to build them a more basic ‘fast and light’ off-road Ducati as US off-road racing was on smooth desert type tracks. The Scrambler is born The result was the 1962 Ducati “Scrambler”, which was really just a modified…

To make room for the new race, other races were trimmed of practice and race laps, most notably the Unlimited Grand Prix which came back to 20 laps after the 30-lap re-fuelling marathons of the previous three years. The push for the event came about due to the growing fascination with similar European races like the Bol d’Or and the Spa 24 Hours, plus the highly prestigious Eight Hour race at Suzuka, Japan. A major factor in getting the event onto the Easter program was the sponsorship from Jim Crombie, head of the Sydney-based London Trading company, through their Arai Helmets brand. That first event was known as the Arai 3 Hour, but thereafter was run over 81 laps or approximately 500 kilometres, and became the Arai 500. The rules…

After twice falling victim to Covid, the 2021 Australian Historic Road racing Championships finally happened in April of 2022. The event covers Historic eras from Period 1 (up to December 1919) right through to Period 6 (ending in December 1990) along with Sidecars, although the Period 1 & 2 classes are getting pretty thin with no Period 1 bikes competing and only 7 Period 2 entrants. No doubt this is due to the riders getting to an age where racing is just a bit beyond them. On the other hand the Period 5 & 6 bikes seem to be dominating the entries with a healthy number of Period 3 & 4 competitors. Riders ventured from most states and territories except Northern Territory. Thursday was practice, Friday entailed two qualifying sessions…

For a few years the Rotary Devonport Motor show mainly featured cars but this year under the guidance of the Vintage Japanese Motor Cycle Club led by Tony Mahoney the involvement for bikes was greatly increased. After reading the book “100 Clicks; The History of the Tasmanian Motor Cycle Club” Tony wanted to make a theme of bikes through the ages, the oldest being two beautifully restored Indians through to a 2500cc Triumph Rocket 3 and the Y2K MTM Jet bike. The expansive lawns were laid out mainly in Marque’s of British, American and the 4 Japanese in each corner. The main tent had a priceless collection of bikes starting with main sponsor Sea Road (Bass Straight freight shipping) owner Chas Kelly’s collection of some of his Ducatis and an…

The Cootamundra Antique Motor Club staged the inaugural “99 Not Out” motorcycle run in March 2022; a rescheduled event from November last year due to Covid. In 2022, it will be 100 years since the original Cootamundra Motorcycle Club ran a time trial on similar roads and areas around the district. Hopefully after the pre-cursor, the 100th year Anniversary which will be run in November this year, will be bigger and better. We restricted bikes to 1947 as the cut-off manufacture date and 25 eager entrants set sail from the Cootamundra Showground in perfect weather conditions, waved off by Club stalwart and former motorcycle Dealer, Eddie Collingridge. The earliest bike was a 1911 Norton Veteran that was surprisingly quick! A 1935 New Hudson followed close by. The later model bikes…