Author Archives: Charles Oliver
Malcolm Gray
It is my sad duty to report that COMCC member, Malcolm Gray, has passed away. Malcolm has been a member since 2005. Malcolm was an enthusiastic member and participant in many of our events, he will be sadly missed. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends.
Club Rides
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Weekend, mid-week and Mopeds Plus rides are NOW BACK ON – subject to the state’s COVID-19 regulations. Ride leaders should ensure that if more than 10 riders congregate at the start, then the ride will have to be split up into groups of no more than 10. See the calendar for the next event.
Although committee meetings have started back, we are unable to conduct General Meetings until the regulations change.
Membership renewal 2020/21
Shortly, members will be receiving an automated email from The Classic Owners, inviting them to renew their membership via a provided link. In that email will be instructions on how to renew your membership and how you can access your … Read More »
Andrew ‘Macca’ McDonald AKA: Hagrid
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Classic Owners member Andrew McDonald AKA Hagrid or Macca, has passed away. He attended Club meetings and a couple of weekend rides, but hasn’t been seen over the last few months.
He has been described as a gentle giant, anyone who met him or stood next to him can attest to this description. Over the past few years, he was active in the Sellicks Beach Races, riding his 1938 Harley Davidson W model at the event and at the Mill to Mill 2017. Many of the promotional posters for Sellicks featured a photo of him riding his Harley. I think this is what he’ll be remembered for, from those with a passing acquaintance with the man. Others may remember his Suzuki GT750, which he rode from his Yankalilla home to our club meetings.
Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends.
Two day Burra Classic, April 18/19th
I have been advised by Martin Blindell that the Two Day Burra Classic, scheduled for April 18/19th will indeed go ahead. Martin has assured me that there is still vacant accommodation available.
All details for the event can be provided my Martin on 0413 058 600 or by email: the2ofus@adam.com.au
Weekend ride to Cape Jervis, Sunday 1st March
Once again there was only a fairly modest turnout for our run to Cape Jervis on Sunday 1st March, the first day of Autumn. Due to Murphy’s Law, the early start once again ensured mild and pleasant conditions. Historic machines … Read More »
Servo stations – helmet ban
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I’m sure, like me, many of you have been apprehended at a service station and told to remove your helmet when you go to pay for your fuel. This ruling has mystified me and I’m wondering WHY?
I’ve had several instances of this ruling, my experiences have been as follows:
- I’ve been reminded countless times to remove my helmet before paying, usually I refuse.
- Ordered over the tannoy, as I’ve reached for the petrol pump and the pump has been disabled until I acquiesced to the demand.
- The shop doors have been locked, as I attempted to pay. Eventually, the night window was opened and I managed to pay.
- After 15 years at the local servo, the staff member, who has also been serving for those 15 years and knows me, told me to remove my helmet. When I refused, he told me ‘it’s the law’ and that he’d been instructed by the boss to order motorcyclists to remove their helmets.
- Told that it was ‘a security issue’ and when challenged, the staff informed me ‘it was for her safety’.
Each time, I have parked my bike on the forecourt, with my registration plate clearly visible to their cameras and have been brandishing a $20 note, fully intent on paying for my fuel.
What exactly is the problem that the service stations are afraid of? Why do they need to see my face, when I pay for my petrol? If I filled a car up with fuel and then went to pay wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, they wouldn’t bat an eyelid and they certainly wouldn’t ask me to take my hat and sunglasses off before I paid.
I can only assume that they think motorcyclists are a sub-human species who need to be kept in check before they inevitably commit an assault against the service station staff.
This is the kind of behaviour which I was frequently subjected to when I was living in the UK. Over there, I only had to walk into a pub with a leather jacket and helmet and then, told to leave, as motorcyclists were not welcome. These miserable people were unable to differentiate between chain wielding Hells Angels and normal blokes who rode motorbikes. Yes, I know, I wouldn’t wear my helmet into a bank either, that’s hardly a valid reason for service stations to impose a similar ruling.
I am heartily sick of this treatment and will continue to challenge service station staff concerning their ‘no helmets’ rule until I get told a sane and logical reason as to why this ruling is in effect.
Mopeds Plus, Targa Hindmarsh Run, Sunday 9th February
Participants: Alan Wallis 1995 Kawasaki 250cc M/C Warren Duncan 2002 Honda 250cc M/C Ian Voysey 1947 Malvern Star 98cc Autobyk Mick Hayes 2005 Suzuki 400cc M/C Roger O”Loughlin 1988 Suzuki 650cc M/C Paul David 1953 BSA 350cc M/C Tony Earnshaw … Read More »