Author Archives: Charles Oliver

Mopeds Plus : The 29th Moped Marathon, 3rd April 2022

25 Apr

 Participants:   G Christie 1987 Ducati 750cc, David Saint 1978 Triumph 750cc, Mick Hayes 2016 Suzuki 400cc, Tony Earnshaw 1972 Yamaha 125cc, Ian Voysey 1948 Malvern Star 98cc, L Peno 2019  Honda 500cc, Mark Beyer 2010 Honda 105cc, Mika Beyer 2014 Honda 109cc, Roger O’Loughlin 1988 Suzuki 650cc, Robert Smyth … Read More »

British Motorcycle Day, Balhannah Oval, 27th February.

2 Mar

If you didn’t visit Balhannah Oval last Sunday for the inaugural British Motorcycle Day, you missed out. This hastily arranged event was put together by the Festival of Motorcycling committee, partially in response to the cancelled All British Day held at Euchunga. The difference was that this was for British motorcycles only.

2022 is the 120th anniversary of both Triumph and Norton motorcycles and both marques were recognised by a large display of Triumphs at the northern end of the oval and plethora of Nortons on the west side. Opposite was a long line of BSAs and, interspersed were the Levis Club with some interesting old bikes and many sporting bikes from road racing to speedway. 

Raleigh and Scott 

3 X Rocket 3s        
One of a few strokers
Hampshire, UK manufactured OEC with JAP engine     
Good variety of Nortons
Triumphs

Many of the bikes were started by their owners, much to the delight of onlookers. I saw the Levis Club’s JAP engined OEC running, Phil Baughan’s 650 TriBSA (which you may remember from a recent club meeting) and I even managed to cajole the owner of a trailered 1940 Triumph Tiger 100 to crank it up his engine too.

Tiger power
Competition bikes   
Norton racer
Nice looking Rocket

 

Where it all started…

   The caterers at the northern end had to replenish supplies twice and the ice cream salesman was doing a roaring trade. Apparently, close to a 1,000 paid up visitors were in attendance – an excellent result, considering the limited time frame and opportunity offered to the organising committee. 

At the northern end of the oval was the DJ who did a fine job MCing the day behind his turntable and an Ariel Square Four. Lew sold out all his British Motorcycle Regalia and the COMCC stand was busy registering all the Show ‘n’ Shine entrants along with guarding the trophies.

The DJ’s Ariel Square Four

Towards the end of the day’s proceedings, the judges had made up their minds which bikes deserved the  trophies and all the winners were lined up awaiting the presentations. I’m not sure who all the owners were, but there was an ES2 outfit, a BSA Firebird, a couple of Vincent V-twins, a Hurricane and Rob Elliott’s excellent Norton Model 18. It was a fitting end for Rob, as he was one of the main drivers and instigators for putting on the event in the limited time frame. Well done to all the organisers and the motorcycling public for helping make this event a success.

Winners are grinners
Rob Elliott and his winning Norton

 

Mopeds Plus run report – Targa Hindmarsh, Sunday 6th February 2022

11 Feb

The morning ride got underway at about 10.30 am in pleasant weather conditions and tracked the usual route down the residential area at the Northern shore of the island before turning inland to the main track to the observation point for the Murray Mouth. Some riders took on light refreshments, coffee etc. at the kiosk prior to departure for the return journey. On the way back to Goolwa we took a look at marina-property developments on the Southern side of the island where $1million + permanent homes border the streets that we travelled.  On then to Goolwa and a one hour lunch break.

 After lunch riders followed our Targa Hindmarsh tour of North Goolwa exiting on to Adelaide Road adjacent to the Steam-Ranger depot. Goolwa Airport was the next scheduled stop but when we arrived there were no activities to view.  After a quick discussion with the troops it was agreed that we should proceed without delay to the Goolwa Barrage where some of the riders had shown enthusiasm to walk out on the weir and view the seals waiting for a fish meal from the waters cascading from the gates.

 En- route to the barrage however there was a short pause at Middleton to farewell Sharon (V-Moto Scooter) and Graham Riley (Indian), who left the ride at this point.

 At the barrage, most of the riders took the long hot walk out to the lock on the barrage to see the seals. On their return the group decided that continuing to the No.19 Beacon beyond the barrage, part of our original itinerary, was not worthwhile at that stage. The well recalled “Goolwa Afternoon Northwind” and a temperature in the high thirties had arrived and it was time to return to the start and prepare for the journey home.

Thanks go to the support staff for their help throughout the day. All the followers were put to the test by the actions of the ride leader who, affected  by fatigue (and possibly early brain fade) took the wrong corner right at the end of day. A short period of mayhem occurred but was easily resolved.    

Riders                

  • Warren Duncan 2002 Honda 250cc          
  • Ian Voysey 1948 Malvern Star 98cc
  • Roger O’Loughlin 1988 Suzuki 650cc 
  • Tony Earnshaw 1972 Yamaha 125cc
  • Rob Smyth 1924 AJS 350cc
  • Peter Arriola 1957 James 147cc        
  • Graham Riley 1948 Indian 1200cc                 
  • Sharon Cooper 2013 V-Moto 50cc        
  • Mick Hayes 2005 Suzuki 400c         
  • Trevor Veitch 1969 Triumph 650cc        

Run Support Staff

  • Run Leader – Warren Duncan
  • Tail-End Charlie – Roger O’Loughlin
  • Corner Marshalls – Mick Hayes & Tony Earnshaw

Alan Wallis, our long time Tail End Charlie and Co- organiser, attended aided by Paul David, who kindly provided Alan an opportunity to observe the morning activities from the comfort of his car.

NEXT RUN:  29th Annual Moped Marathon – Sunday April 3rd 2022

MEET:           9.00 for 9.30am start. 

RUN: Due to a number of changes that have occurred since the last Marathon, it may be necessary to consider alternative locations for the start/finish this year. Enquiries will take place to resolve this issue and members should watch the club website or attend the next general meeting for the result of this research.  Alternatively, members can always seek details from the Moped information telephone numbers provided here.

REMEMBER: These runs cater for the slower rider, backup trailer always provided.

Enquiries; Warren 0417882625 -Alan 8295 5097

British Motorcycle Day

2 Feb

  The Festival of Motorcycling SA is proud to bring you “British Motorcycle Day” a fun display at Balhannah Oval in the Adelaide Hills 10am to 4pm Sunday 27th February. Club displays and motorcycle only regalia sales.British themed rock and … Read More »

Ride to Lyndoch, 28th November 2021

28 Nov

 Here are some more photos from today. We had a great ride through the Hills to Lyndoch for lunch dodging the Adelaide Rally; we did get held up by the Rally at one point but only momentarily. Seventeen bikes, including one outfit set out from our usual meeting place near the Burnside Pool at Hazelwood Park.

 

We had coffee at Birdwood before exploring some interesting back roads around the Little Para area including a bit of gravel road that got everyone’s attention. A few riders and passengers left the group at Lyndoch, while the remainder headed back via Tanunda, Angaston, Kyneton and Mt Pleasant.

            

 

Shelter opposite Lyndoch Bakery.

Another great ride on a beautiful day with great company and some particularly interesting machines.

Thanks Tony for another great ride and some quick footwork to dodge the Rally.

Words & photos by Peter Perry.