Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 56 i Old Bike Australasia

Trial and errors? Currently, around the many and varied NSW clubs whose core interest is historic motorcycling, the hot topic is the Classic Vehicle Log Book Trail implemented by the NSW Roads & Maritme Services (RMS) from October 1st 2015. As explained in OBA 54, the CVLBT allows up to 60 days of personal use in each 12-month period, with an entry required in the log book prior to each day’s use. This use is additional to club organised events, and the RMS rolling 30-year cut-off date for eligible vehicles means that mid ‘80s bikes and cars are now part of this scheme. It is emerging however, that some clubs are receiving enquiries from people wishing to join the club for no other reason than to obtain cheap registration. One…

Rare overhead cam AJS The first weekend in November I attended the Jampot Rally at Kelso near Bathurst. There was the usual roll up of twin and single AJS Matchless motorcycles including some nice looking Competition Models. However one different machine caught my eye and appealed to me the moment I spotted it. It was a 1929 M10SR 500 OHC owned and built by Rob Smyth from South Australia. He was there with his son Michael who was riding another of Rob’s machines, a 1924 B1 350 which Rob purchased in 1958 for one pound. It transpires that Rob was an Electrical Technician working at the South Australian Institute of Technology which later became the University of South Australia. He explained to me that the letter M indicates that the…

Connoisseurs of Melbourne’s two and three wheeled Italian machinery gathered at Carlton, Melbourne’s little Italy where 320 of that country’s finest productions were on display. These machines gave an impressive panorama of Italy’s motorcycling history, from two 1949 utilitarian tiddlers, to the present era’s superbikes; all of course, showing that unique flair for design that Italy is famous for. Case in Point: Mick Woolley’s 65cc Moto Guzzi ‘Guzzino’, which won the award for the most original Moto Guzzi. The design of this 1949 machine incorporates a cantilever rear suspension. The cantilever members are stamped sheet steel, very light and rigid, cutting edge design on a budget! About 72,000 of these machines were built for the war stricken nation’s workers. Mick bought it off Gumtree about a year ago, the previous…

A pair of eights I have been scanning an old Speedway photo album; mainly S.A and Vic photos, and this (right) was amongst the pictures. I have no information as to who, what, where or when, but perhaps a reader may be able to shed some light? Brian Darby Sydney, NSW Brian Darby operates some very popular websites including www.vintagespeedway.com, speedwayroyale.homestead.com, justsolos.com and classicspeedway.com. Does anyone have any information on the shot of the two Nortons? – Ed A great read My son sent me a copy of ‘Being There’; four times world champion Hugh Anderson’s brilliant autobiography. When I received it I thought that I might save it till winter but after flicking through the photographs I thought that I might read a few pages. I finally stopped at number…

Twice Australian Superbike Champion (1997-1998) Marty Craggill will break an eight-year retirement to race in the Australian team at the 2016 Island Classic on January 22-24. 46-year-old Craggill will ride Phil Andrea’s Yamaha TZ750 in the team event, with Queensland veteran Johnny Allen on a similar four-cylinder two stroke. Alongside them in the Australian team will be Steve Martin, Shawn Giles, Cameron Donald, Scott Webster and Jed Metcher (all on Suzukis), Beau Beaton (Irving Vincent) and Paul Young (Harris Honda). The local side will be up against 8-man teams from New Zealand, Ireland, USA and the defending championship, UK. The UK squad again features TT hero John McGuinness, as well as Jeremy McWilliams, Ryan Farquhar, Conor Cummins, Glenn Richards, Keith Higgs, Michael Russell and James Hillier. As well as the…

Christchurch B.E.A.R.S. Racing Club is hoping to attract Australian racers to their 2016 Trans-Tasman Challenge by offering a container and all freight costs from Melbourne to Christchurch and return. The annual “Sound of Thunder” race meeting will be held at Ruapuna Mike Pero Park from February 27-28, 2016, with an open practice day on Friday 26th. The Melbourne shipment will depart Sunshine Freight Depot on Thursday January 28, and will be repacked for the return trip on the day after the event. Track garages will also be supplied at no charge to the visitors. There will be barbeques each night, and there is plenty of accommodation nearby. For more information, contact Eddy Garner at eddy.garner@hotmail.com. Ph 0416 046 901.…

BRYON FITZPATRICK recently passed away at his home on Bribie Island, Queensland, on Sunday, September 27, aged 84. Bryon received worldwide acclaim as a celebrated product designer with fantastic drawing skills. He passionately continued to practise these talents to the end. He loved all things automotive and to the old bike fraternity Bryon made a significant contribution. In the early 1960s well documented management turmoil saw the final design of the new BSA/Triumph three cylinder machines farmed out to a design consultancy – Ogle. Bryon worked there at the time and he was credited (although not individually acknowledged) with penning the resultant BSA Rocket 3 and sister Triumph Trident. The Rocket 3 was released in 1968. The largely square geometric overall design differed greatly from anything else in the market.…

ITALY’S ELITE TROOPS, the Bersaglieri (a word translating as “sharp shooter”) were modelled after similar French and Austrian elite forces. The Italian Bersaglieri light infantry formations were constituted in 1836 as adjunct of the professional army of Piedmontese (Sardinia), initially to fill the void of a lack of cavalry. These “shock” troops were highly trained (including snipers), motivated and well-equipped and able to operate with personal initiative rather than central leadership. The Bersaglieri elite troops served their country even before Italy was a country and helped shaped its nationhood, then went on to take part in conflicts across Europe and Africa as well as giving aid during floods, earthquakes and epidemics …and often aboard motorcycles. Bersaglieri Motorcycle troops were utilized in the First World War and then in 1933 Moto…

On 12th March, 2016 Bankstown Wiley Park Motorcycle Club will celebrate its 65th Anniversary with a reunion dinner to be held in the La Luna function centre in the grandstand at Bankstown Paceway, 176-178 Eldridge Road, Condell Park. The action will start around midday until 4pm with a senior and junior flat track demonstration. The reunion will commence in the function room at 5pm, with a 2-course meal being served from 6pm. There will be memorabilia on display as well as a photo slide show and static bike display. The cost will be $35 for adults and $25 for juniors under 14. Tickets are limited and must be prepaid before the event. No ticket sales will be done on the night. Tables can be arranged for groups. If you have…

The Beautiful Clare Valley would have to be one of the best locations on this entire planet to hold a National BSA Rally, and the Clare Caravan Park was just a superb choice for Rally HQ. This was a truly National event with 27 entries from Victoria, 7 from NSW, 4 each from Qld and the ACT and one that came all the way from the USA; does that make it an international rally? Friday evening saw the gathering of the troops for the first time at the dinner BBQ; a chance for all to meet new friends and for others to rekindle old friendships Déjà vu on Saturday morning when we gathered for breakfast. For some the conversation just continued where it had left off the night before, but…

For touring, there are several other models in the BMW line up that more than fill the bill. This model, then, with its rocket-like four cylinder engine that comes from the ferocious, Isle of Man TT-winning S 1000 RR, is about plugging a fairly small gap in the BMW range – to provide a ‘four’ that you don’t need an articulated joint in your neck to ride, and one that won’t leave you with aching wrists after more than a half hour in the saddle. That sort of stuff is OK for the youngsters, but us mature-age folk have different requirements. That said, the XR just might be the ticket for quite a few of us. It’s all about the riding position then; sitting up in the breeze, with a…

Southern 100 60 years of the Friendly races. DVD 120 minutes From Duke Marketing £29.99 www.dukevideo.com The ‘other’ Isle of Man track, the 4.25 mile Billown Course, has hardly changed since the first races in 1955, and since then famous names like Bob McIntyre, John Hartle, Joey Dunlop and many others have competed there. This DVD is packed with footage and photographs of some of the more memorable moments from 1955 to the present day, when current stars like Guy Martin and Michael Dunlop have engaged in some great battles. Two minutes…all riders! Bathurst Sports Ground Speedway 1928-1955. By Bob Newton Self Published 356 pages soft cover ISBN: 978-0-646-93995-7 Available from author bobandjude@y7mail.com or Ash’s Speedway Museum 2/10 Bradwardine Road, Bathurst 2795 (0439 978602) Price: $50 plus $15 postage Bathurst…

Octane ain’t the answer Another Velo Rally (the 2015 V.O.C.A. Good Companions in W.A.), another holed piston. These are not melted through, they are blasted through by pre-ignition. At every rally there is at least one. I have been told that a standard Velocette will “ping” (detonate) on high octane petrol. What they are hearing is not detonation but far worse; it is pre-ignition caused by running too high an octane fuel that is still burning long after the exhaust valve opens, and so overheats the exhaust valve. Detonation and pre-ignition are not the same thing although they can be connected. The calorific value of all petrol is about the same but the higher the octane, the slower it burns, and so it has to run in a high compression…

The 500 Classic class at the 2016 Barry Sheene Festival of Speed will be enliven with the addition of former World 500cc Champion Kevin Schwantz aboard Ken Macintosh’s Manx Norton which was raced in the Isle of Man Classic TT by Bruce Anstey. Joining him on the grid will be Kiwi veteran Dave Cole on Ross Graham’s McIntyre Matchless, Nick Cole on Peter Lodge’s ES2 Norton, and a full field of local stars including Ian Lovell (Norton ES2), Neil May (Manx Norton), Bob Rosenthal (Matchless G50) and Jack Wright (Manx Norton). As well as racing the Manx Norton, Schwantz will line up in the Barry Sheene Top 50 aboard a McIntosh Suzuki, while former Supersport World Champion and Moto GP winner Chris Vermeulen will return to the track to ride…

1957 350cc World Champion, Victorian Keith Campbell, was one of a select few to race Moto Guzzi’s 500cc V8, and Keith’s brother George and nephew Keith are looking forward to seeing and hearing the legendary machine at Broadford next Easter. The priceless racer, owned by Giuseppe Todero, the son of its designer Umberto Todero, will be demonstrated on track throughout the weekend, making its sole Australian appearance before being flown back to Italy. Giuseppe says, “I am so happy to be given this opportunity to come out to Australia with our friends and our special Moto Guzzis. I’ve heard a lot about this country, its people, its Grand Prix riders and the ‘hoppers’. I want to meet the family of Keith Campbell, one of the Aussie riders of my bike…

Royal Enfield Australia’s dealer network has expanded further into New South Wales to include a new dealership in the inner west suburb of Burwood. Royal Enfield Sydney will become New South Wales’ first Royal Enfield concept store. The dealership location – also known as Eagle Rider Sydney – is well known for hosting motorcycle tours across Australia with a fleet that includes Royal Enfield motorcycles. It was their experience with Royal Enfield tours that fueled the passion of owners Will & Santina Keith and Simon Gobran, and further inspired them to open their own dealership. Will and Santina have both been involved in the motorcycle industry in the US and Australia. As motorcycle tour operators they compliment one of Royal Enfield’s core values; to encourage more riding and exploration of…

Don’t expect the MV Agusta Museum to loom up on the horizon like the latest IKEA megawarehouse or Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World. This is understatement estremo; just a small collection of ochre-hued buildings in the tiny village of Cascina Costa di Verghera in the town of Samarate, itself near Varese in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, the main one being of two levels with a small courtyard that houses three Agusta helicopters under a fabric structure. Entrance is via a small door and once inside a kindly old gentleman who speaks no English will politely relieve you of six euros. Museo Agusta sits on the site of one of the former spare parts divisions of the company, occupying a total area of 700 square metres, with a further expansion…

Stars of screen and shed From Rob Lewis in Hahndorf; I thought this shot may interest readers, taken at the recent Australian Historic Racing Championships at Mallala. This is Craig Hemsworth, seen here explaining the finer points of racing Harleys to media lady Jackie Corner of Hahndorf. Craig has been a mate of mine since the 1970s. He is the father of Chris Hemsworth, star of the “Thor” movies and the movie Rush where he played 1976 F1 World Champion James Hunt. His youngest son, Liam is the co star of the 2015 movie ‘The Dressmaker’ and eldest son Luke is also an actor. The way we were FROM FORMER MOTOGP ENGINEER MIKE SINCLAIR COMES THIS INTERESTING SHOT: “Here’s a cool pic taken at Timaru Raceway (The 1.6km Levels circuit…

Gaven Dall’Osto attended the recent All British Day at St. Joseph’s College Sports Ground in Brisbane and spotted an interesting three-wheeler. “This Morgan had a rather amazing story. It was a 1929 Morgan Super Sports, powered by a water-cooled 996cc JAP engine. There was no gearbox, but it did have a 2-speed dog rear end. It was originally purchased on 29th August 1929 and went to Malaya. It was extensively raced in the 1920s and 1930s and was reported to be able to achieve 121 mph. During the war the owner reportedly covered it with engine oil and buried it, so it wouldn’t get into the hands of the invading Japanese. Resurfacing in 1945, it went on to be registered to Cyril Bunting from 1966 then changed hands in 1976…

Now in its 34th year the HMRAV Southern Classic is a remarkable race meeting. It carries no championship status yet it’s a “must do” event on the historic racing calendar. Run at the State Motorcycle Sports Complex at Broadford, this year’s event attracted sponsorship from Shannon’s Insurance. Shannon’s support for the meeting was outstanding and they even offered a 10% discount to anyone taking up a policy over the weekend. This year we had bumper entries of over two hundred competitors. Spectator numbers were up as well making the whole road race complex come alive with people enjoying a great weekend. With on-site camping and catering, merchandise stalls and a band for entertainment on Saturday night, many people took the opportunity to camp all weekend and soak it in. Special…

Get a grip Zorro’s Australia now have the 2 part handlebar grip to fit 1920 -1927 Indian Chief and Scout – part number 20B385 – which have been difficult to find and expensive. They are available from stock in Australia at $99.95 per pair (all 4 parts) plus postage. Wholesale trade enquiries are welcome. Zorro’s carry a full line of Vintage Indian handlebar grips. • 1920-1927 Indian Chief & Scout 2 piece handlebar grip Black 20B385 $99.95 pair • 1928-1934 Indian Chief & Scout handlebar grip Black 28B102 $74.95 pair • 1935-1937 Indian Chief 41290 White $75.00 pair • 1935-1937 Indian Scout 41290 Black $50.00 pair • 1938-1939 Indian Chief 41290 Grey $75.00 pair • 1938-1939 Indian Scout 41290 Black $50.00 pair • 1939-1941 Indian Chief 41290 Black $50.00 pair…

Send your event details to – Fax: 02 4572 2282 Em: scaysbrook34@bigpond.com JANUARY Classic Riders Club of Goulburn Great Southern Motorcycle Only Swap Meet 17 January, 2016 – Goulburn Showground NSW. Sites $15, setup from noon Saturday. Lookers $5 from 6am Sunday. Breakfast and drinks. Contact Keith 02 4821 6213, Wayne 0437 401 033, Mark 02 4821 7992 FEBRUARY 2016 3rd Annual Sun Country Motorcycle Show ‘N’ Shine & Swap Meet 3 February, 2016 – Yarrawonga Foreshore starting 7.30am. Hosted by the Sun Country Historic Vehicle and Machinery Club Inc. Open to Vintage to Modern Motorcycles. This year’s feature Trikes, 3 Wheelers, and Sidecars. Bike entry and public $2, children under 16 free. Info Barry ph (03) 58734267 Site bookings $10 ph Rosco 0409233360. Fassifern Bombers Swap Meet 7 February,…