Classic Courier : March – May 2022
17
Mar
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
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.
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.
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.
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 »
Mopeds Plus – Williamstown Wander, Sun 5th December
27
Dec
Participants:- Roger O’Loughlin 1988 Suzuki 650cc Joe Betschart 1986 MZ 50cc Rob Smyth 1924 AJS 350cc Graham Riley 1960 Vespa 150cc Mick Hayes 2016 Suzuki 650cc Grant Christie 1987 Ducati 750cc Tony Earnshaw 1972 Yamaha 250cc Adrian How 2004 BMW … 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.
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.
Historic race bikes at tonight’s General Meeting
23
Nov
Who said general meetings were boring?
At our final General Meeting of 2021, club member Phil Baughan gave us a chat about his two historic racing bikes: A 650cc Triumph 6T engine in a BSA A10 frame sporting a Suzuki GT750 4-leading shoe front brake and a Honda CB350 twin with Amal concentric carbs. Both bikes have been modified considerably over several years of racing with parts designed and made by Phil himself.
It was a very interesting night, the two bikes are a credit to Phil’s mechanical and fabricating skills, and both nicely turned out with matching paint jobs too!
The next General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 25th January 2022 at 7:45pm at the West Croydon & Kilkenny RSL.
Lions Bike Show, Sunday November 7th
8
Nov
On a glorious Adelaide spring morning we attracted possibly a dozen riders for the trip to the Lions Bike Show at Macclesfield Oval departing from the usual spot ie. Hazelwood Park at 9 am. One of the more noticeable bikes was a Suzuki GS750 cafe racer, which sported some fairly chunky Hayabusa forks and a nice paint job, including the lovely retro ‘S’ Suzuki tank badge.
We took the most direct route – Mt Lofty , down to the Freeway, turned off at Stirling, through Echunga to Macclesfield. After an incident free journey we arrived at the oval, found Wayne Williams (gazebo transporter) and erected said gazebo along with a couple of club flags just behind the bikes. Quite a few of our members, who weren’t part of the ride, added their bikes to our display and there would have been possibly 15-20 bikes there at one point.
This years Lions Show attracted many more bikes than in previous years. It was a perfect day to get out on the bike and mix with fellow enthusiasts in a spacious outdoor setting in the Adelaide Hills. A handful of local bands entertained the punters with a good mix of rock favourites. The coffee stand and the BBQ were very popular throughout the morning. Even the swap meet stall holders managed to attract my custom, for a change.
The Norton Owners won the Best Club Display with a fine row of mainly Commandos. The British Triple enthusiasts had a good selection of Tridents, Rocket 3s and a couple of Hurricanes. Other displays from : Ulysses, VJMC, Harley, Choppers, V&V, Adventure Riders, Triumph Riders and COMCC lined the oval.
I stuck around for the prize giving: V&V President Brian Forth won the Best American bike award with his Harley Davidson outfit for the second year running and a splendidly restored 1927 Rex Acme TT took out Best Bike. The Lions Bike Show is going from strength to strength and the organisers would be delighted by this year’s turnout, which was reportedly just under 3,000 – a great effort!