EDITORIAL JULY 1980

It is time to start thinking about the future of the club.

Nominations are due at the august meeting for the committee for the next year. As most people realize, three of the existing committee must stand down, so are YOU prepared to stand and do your bit for the club. Remember the club is a direct reflection of you, the member. So instead of sitting in the back and criticizing, how about getting up and having a go.

The club has really come ahead in the past two years, and it would be very painful for those involved to have to sit and watch apathy destroy their work.

Are you an active member, the kind that would be missed,

Or are you just contented if your mane is on the list?

Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the flock,

Or do you sit around and criticize and mock?

Do you take an active part to help the work along,

Or are you satisfied to be the kind that just belongs?

Do you push the cause along and make things really tick,

Or leave the work to just a few and talk about the clique?

Think this over members, you know the right form wrong.

Are YOU an active member, or do you just belong???

JUDE AND SMITHY

P.S. we think we have found a volunteer (sucker?) to take over the mag from September. Hooray. Hooray.

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JULY RIDES

Saturday 5^th SERVICE DAY Tome and Jude’s place. After lunch.

Sunday 6^th EILDON counter lunch. KBCP 9.30am.

Sunday 13^th JOSS HOUSE Bendigo. KBCP 9.30am.

Sunday 20^th DAY TRIAL. KBCP 9.00am.

Sunday 27^th UPPER YARRA DAM. BBQ, jaffle irons. KBCP. 9.30am

AUGUST

Friday 1^st GENERAL MEETING. AUCTION NIGHT AND NOMINATIONS.

Sunday 3^rd LAKE MOUNTAIN. SNOW? KBCP 8.30am, Lilydale 9.45am

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SERVICE DAY

Tomorrow is a Service Day at Tom & Jude’s place, 6 Elizabeth St, East Doncaster. Anytime from noon onwards and at five o’clock we will be leaving to go to a Pancake Parlour for pancakes.

So come along and enjoy yourselves.

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AUCTION NIGHT

The August G.M is not only the night for nominations but it is Auction Night as well. This is a real fun night. Bring along anything that you don’t use. What you consider junk someone else might think a great find. Bike bits, bike gear, books, mags, household or camping gear, anything. You can donate your offering or alternatively when it is auctioned you get 90% the club 10%. Last year the club made quite a bit of money.

So bring along your junk and bring along our wallet.

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PROGRESSIVE TALLY FOR CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR AS OF 22.6.80.

Fagan 73 Keith 61 Les 53 ½

Craig 71 Ian t. 58 Dave S 51

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CONGRATULATIONS

The club would like to offer their congratulations to Christine and John McKenna on their recent marriage, on 21^st. June 1980. We wish them both happiness.

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THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

IS ON

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5^TH, 1980.

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SPORTS DAY RESULTS

EVENT 1 PICK UP DRUM

1^st. Tom & Chris

2^nd. Fagan & Joy

EVENT 2 GO SLOW

1^st. Fagan

2^nd. Les.

EVENT 3 BACKWARDS

Non member Neil Behren

1^st. Fagan.

EVENT 4 SOLO SLALOM

1^st. Fagan

2^nd. Tom

EVENT 5 PILLION SLALON

1^ST. Keithy & Les.

2^nd. Lindsay & Kevin.

EVENT 6 TRIALS SECTION

1^st. Tom 35.37

2^nd Fagan 35.69

3^rd Les 36.76

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SPORTS DAY 4.5.80

We arrived at Tom & Jude’s place at 8am as pre-arranged to load the necessary gear to take to Sports day. Throughout the week Tom kept asking whether there would be enough room in the U-beaut-ute. My reply was “Plenty”. During the loading I found out why he was SO concerned. We loaded tyres, cans, poles, footys, buckets, kids and bikes. She was full to the brim. “All set to go”, Tome said. “Start out and we’ll catch up with you before the turnoff.

We waited at the turnoff, and waited. After several cups of coffee and three Havanna cigars they arrived. It was only a short drive to the property. Tom, Dave, Chris and myself started to prepare for the arrival of the club. It was obvious to me that Tom had spent a great deal of time planning the events for the unsuspecting competitors.

Looking form an official side of Sports Day, there was great competition between the riders. The comment from one seasoned rally goer was the standard was as good as any he had attended. Mick also said that in many events he really had to give his all, as did many of the older riders. The younger riders definitely gave them a run for their money.

Of the six events the most spectacular by far was the trials section. Competition was extremely fierce as there was only 4.02 seconds separating 1^st place and 4^th.

I would like to thank Big D in assisting me in starting the events, and I think we would all agree that Tom did an excellent job in preparation for Sports Day as I believe everybody present had an enjoyable day.

Craig

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YOU HAD BETTER BELIEVE IT

Research into stroboscopic emissions has shown that intermittent light flashes can precipitate feelings of nausea, drowsiness or even muscular seizure akin to epilepsy. This can result even if the victim has no previous history of such phenomena. In fact, the same instrument is used at certain frequencies as a means of inducing hypnosis.

It is believed that the similar intermittent flicker of sunlight through tress of similar objects bordering roads, maybe a contributory factor in inexplicable road accidents. A form of drowsiness or even hypnosis having been induced in the driver.

Possibly the flash frequency concurrent with the idling revs of an engine do not fall with in the critical range which might produce these symptoms, but it is surely an important enough point to be brought to the attention of the private motorist.

Taken from “Practical Motorist” August 1965.

Dave 869 GTS & BM

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THE PROGRESSIVE REAST, ERRR DINNER 10.5.80

Upon arriving at the Upper Ferntree Gully station I was met by half a dozen or so people, but more arrived as our departure time neared. This was unfortunate as with only a few people to eat all the food it would mean more for us; (that should read) it would be unfortunate to have too much food prepared and lots left over uneaten.

The first course being soup was catered for by the Sally and Brendan household, everybody scoffed will here as I could safely say we were all hungry (BURP), but remembering the main dish was next on the list a little room had to be left’ I man to say!

Main course was served at Micks place by the combined effort of several people and washing up was done by Mick with the aid of a glad bag. There was no talking for at least fifteen minutes as we all gorged ourselves (BURP). The highlight of the main course being the “good move” of one of the sons of one of our members in that he successfully fooled everybody and chiselled Mick out of his favourite comfy chair.

Onto the Haywards residence for dessert but wait a minute, we seem to be missing people. Dessert I would describe as a dieticians nightmare, or to put it another way all the good food was there, yummy, yummy! (BURP)

Keith made up for lost calories, sorry; should read “time” and Marcus didn’t need any excuse to have a good feed. And the dirty ditties out o the front porch; well I never.....heard those before.

It seemed that the further the dinner progressed the more people turned up at the next course. So by now there was a lot of very full people, with food not drink.

Our final assault on the menu was at the Moregan country home, I mean to say; to finish a progressive dinner out at Sunbury is like putting icing on the cake. After all we are a touring club. Anyway, the tea and coffee went down extremely well after the cool fresh night ride.

Well a good time was had by all and many words of wisdom was spoken by all and great volumes of tucker consume, thanks must go to all those who put their time and effort into a superb night. (BURP)

One final word about the weather conditions on the night, it seemed that the further we progressed into the meal the worse the conditions got, with near torrential rain by the time we made Sunbury. Well, I suppose the farmers need the rain.

BURP HMMM Pardon Me.

Chinese for appreciation.

DAVE 860 GTS & BM

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APOLLO BAY 11.5.80

After three months absence from club rides, not of my choice, Sunday’s ride was a must, rain, hail or breakdown. Rain it did, but only once. On arrival at KBCP there were just 6 bikes, hardly a fanfare. 9.30 clicked by on the 90S clock courtesy of Dave Sheath, was no-body else coming? Must have all slept in after the progressive dinner. (weren’t the sweets great?)

ZOOM, around the corner came Fagan. OOPS nearly into the bridge. OFF we started, Mick leading, Lindsay rear rider. The weather stayed fine until we were about half way to Apollo Bay, down she came in bucket fulls. I pulled up to don the wet weathers, funny, no electrics. A quick look at the battery revealed the terminal had broken off – typical Japo battery, out with a spare cover lacquer, wrap it around the battery and off I rolled again.

On arriving at Apollo Bay, Fagan was stuffing his mouth with fish and chips. After lunch we took over the mini gold course for the annual play off, more to the dislike of two ten year olds. There were some keen drivers, concentrated putts and a few 10’s. Scares were as follows;

Peter (750 Honda) 25 Steve 43

Mick 31 NT rider 750 Duc46 46

Craig 38 Lindsay 68

Dave 42

By this time the sun had been shining for some time. It was time to leave.

For those heading down that way in the near future beware of resurfacing and road works.

The ride back was fast and furious for the front runners. Up until Sunday I was quite horrified at riding at speed in the wet. Not any more. Thanks to Fagan and a Duke visitor from NT.

The weather overall was fine and all who attended had an enjoyable day.

Craig 90S (DAWSO)

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CLUB RUN TO FIRTH PARK IN WOMBAT STATE FOREST

When starting off from home on a rather cool morning we could see clouds to the west, but by the time we got to Kings Bridge car park the weather had improved. Coming into the car park we nearly fell off the bike in surprise at seeing a motorcycle patrolman standing there waiting for us all to arrive.

It turned out he was an old friend of most of the club people, by the name of Garry. It appears Garry joined the club run to test his new Parisianne Fairing. At last all arrived, 22 bikes – 2 outfits and 2 cars. We then set off thru Sunshine to Baccus Marsh. (what a beaut ride thru those hills on the Melbourne side of Baccus Marsh) Fast and curved really stirs the adrenalin.

After Baccus Marsh we turned towards Gisborne. Nice and undulating country, not much traffic. A wonderful sight to see all the bikes lined up in the main street of Gisborne, for a rest and refreshment stop.

Finally we arrived at Firth Park. While the steak was cooking we had an impromptu cricket match, then after eating lunch a nice walk along the roadway thru the forest, a very nice place to picnic, also by now the weather was perfect.

After 3pm we packed up to go home and a few kms along the road found us on an enduro ride with locked gates, rough gravel and curves. Thanks to a few bright lads we were able to open the gates and continue on regardless. We think Mick has us all bent on entering an enduro any time now as this was very good training.

Jokes aside, the scenery was wonderful when you could take your eyes off the road. Coming into Baccus Marsh again on the way home we were going along nicely when, all at once Brendon’s exhaust pipe of his bike came adrift and let out a loud deafening bellow, Brendon spent the next ten minutes picking up the pieces. There was a small rest at Baccus Marsh and then onward to break off at Deer Park. So ended another terrific day with the Motorcycle Touring Club of Vic.

Thelma & Alf Casley CX 500

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SERVICE DAY AND POLLY MCQUINNS

Gary and myself arrived at the service day at Kevin’s early in the afternoon and had quite an enjoyable day, being this the first service day we had been on. We stayed overnight and the next day we left King Lake West to meet the rest of the club on the way to Polly McQuinns. We stopped at Merton for petrol and eats for those who didn’t bring any BBQ gear, arriving at the picnic area around 1pm.

Mick and Les built a roaring fire whilst a few members rummaged through the rubbish bin. There were all sorts of goodies in there.

After everyone had finished eating we had a friendly game of cricket. During the game the spectators all decided to be umpires. Once the game was finished we headed off to Merton for drinks and to top up the tanks for the trip home.

The dispersal point being Yea??, we think as everybody seemed to go a different way home. A very enjoyable weekend.

Cricket scores were as follows....Tom’s team all out for 26. Micks team all out for 19.

Gary XT Yam. & Ian PE Suz.

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HIGH PRESSURE CLEANING

I recently had occasion to replace the front wheel bearings on someone’s K model 750 Honda. With nearly ¾ movement at the tyre obviously something was very wrong in the State of Denmark, or to be accurate the bearings.

When removed the inside spacer axel bolt as well as bearings were covered in heavy rust. One bearing would hardly turn, while in the other the ball cage had disintegrated. Says me, “What have you done. Don’t tell me you clean your bike at a garage with one of the high pressure water and detergent cleaners?”

Answer, “Yes, but it gets the bike clean”. Me, “well if you want a bike to use and keep in good order, don’t us these cleaners. Or if you must, keep the nozzle away from hubs, swinging arm bushes and head race bearings on the front forks.”

Now just in case there is anyone who doesn’t know better, I can tell you that you can ruin bearing in less than 20,000K if you do clean bikes this way and get water in the bearings. The seals are only good enough to keep out rain and hose at garden pressure. I found out the hard way myself when I had to replace four tapered roller bearings on the awing arm suspension on my BM may years ago after I steam cleaned it.

Lloyd. F1, 400/4, Yam 500.

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THESE ARE GENUINE EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL WELFARE WHICH DEALS WITH PUBLIC WELFARE. (ORIGINAL SPELLING)

(1) In accordance with your instructions I gave birth to twins in the enclosed envelope

(2) I want money bad as quich as you can send it. I have been in bed with the doctor for a week, and he doesn’t seem to be doing any good. If things don’t improve I will have to get another doctor.

(3) Milk is need for baby. Father is unable to supply it.

(4) Please send me a form for cheap milk. I have a baby two months old and I will not knmow anything about it until a man told me.

(5) Please send me a form for cheap milk as I am stagnant.

(6) Please send me a form for cheap milk for having babies at reduced rates.

(7) My son has been unable to attend school. He has had diarrhoea through a hole in his shoe.

(8) I have nothing coming into the house but two sons on the dol, I am visited regularly by the clergy. Will you writ to the pensions minister for me as I don’t know what church he is in charge of? I can do with a pension as I have no clothes on for a year..

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Did you hear about the lady that swallowed a razor blade?

She gave herself a tonsillectomy, and appendectomy and a hysterectomy.

Circumcised her husband, cut two fingers off the next door neighbour.

Castrated the butcher and gave the baker a hair lip.

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Did you hear the one about the pregnant nurse whose theme was “Witch Doctor”.

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INSURANCE QUOTES

“ Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I didn’t have.”

“The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intentions.”

“I thought my window was down, but I found it was up when I put my head through it.”

“A truck backed through my windshield into my wife’s face.”

“A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.”

“The guy was all over the road, I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.”

“I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed for the embankment.”

“As I approached the intersection a stop sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before. I was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident.”

“To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, I struck the pedestrian.”

“My car was legally parked as it backed into the other vehicle.”

“I told the police that I was not injured, but on removing my hat, I found that I had fractured skull.”

“The pedestrian had no idea which direction to run, so I ran him over.”

“The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.”

“An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle and vanished.”

“I was slow moving, sad faced old gentleman as he bounced off the hood of my car.”

“I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the road when I struck him.”

“I was thrown from my car as it left the road – I was later found by some stray cows.”

“The telephone pole was approaching. I was attempting to swerve out of its way when it struck my front end.”

“I had been driving for forty years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.”

“I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way, causing me to have an accident.”

“In my attempt to hit a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.”

Source withheld

DAVE 860 GTS & BM

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FOR SALE****FOR SALE****FOR SALE****FOR SALE

Amcal exercise bike, very little use. RWC supplied.

Done only 130 kms. Driven to church only on Sundays. Genuine reason for sale.

I need the money.

$85 ONO (new $100)

See Smithy or ring 531-4608

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NEW AUSTRALIANS GO TO THE FOOTY.

Now that me and Giuseppe we is nationalized, we should see the football which is the sport all Australians watches.

So we goes to the football ground.

When we is all made into sardines, two mobs wearing ski jumpers come running onto the ground and run around picking up grass, also comes onto the ground is the fellow that owns the ball. He is called many things by the sardines, but most he is called “YA MUG”.

Two guys called Captains they go off together and have a game of two-up and when one yells Ya Mug the result he get and throw away the ball. The crowd she roars and yells “Kill the Mug”, so which one big bloke tells me shut my face or he’ll kill me.

The bloke with straight hair they call him curly, kicks Ya Mugs the ball at two flag poles and then the crowd roars again, a poor fellow he frightened so he wave two white flags to surrender. But they keeps attacking him till there goes the air raid siren and they all goes home. As we leave I say to Giuseppe, “We better not bring money next time, I hear men leaving and they say, WE WAS ROBBED.

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ECONOMY RUN. 1/6/80

The morning of “the big one” dawned rather overcast and several of the riders from the Eastern suburbs already had droplets of the water variety on their waterproofs when they arrived at the car park.

“The big one”?

That special day every year or so when all makes and models lock handle-bars to see which machine is the most miserly in consumption of the precious liquid. Last years run was on a wet and miserable day in Melbourne, and a particularly small turnout resulted in Johnno winning the event on his trusty Z1R 1000. Which only goes to show how ratshit the opposition was, or how good the big silver beastie was. The honour of setting the course falls to the previous year’s winner, and so it was that Johnno led us on a merry dance from Tullamarine to Bendigo. The MTCV is not renowned for its completion spirit, and a rather mediocre turnout gathered at KBCP. If there was a shortage in numbers, there was certainly no lacking in capacity, with 650’s, 750’s, 850’s, 900’s and 1000’s (quite a lot with fairings) and Gary Clapham leading the big guns on a Kawasaki 1300.

Phil Duffy arrived on a 125 Honda twin borrowed from his brother who was piloting the Duffy sidecar special. This machine now sports probably one of the best front and rear ends in the sidecar ranks in the country. Take a look at it some time. Phil announced that the 1300 didn’t have a chance in hell against his 125, and he was told that his chances were similar seeing he wasn’t on regular machinery.

So, with full tanks and zeroed trip meters we were off at a breath taking 70 – 90 KPH.

Writing about an economy run is about as exciting as watching a game of croquet, but you do get to see the countryside at less than a blur. Some of the riding styles were interesting. Gary Clapham was riding with one hand to reduce wind drag. Keithy was completely down under the new RS fairing on the 1000 and even turned his aerodynamically shaped mirrors right in to gain an advantage. Wouldn’t be surprised if he hadn’t eaten a pavlova for 2 or 3 days just to improve the power to weight ratio.

Mick & Johnno (both two – up) were battling along together at a reasonable rate just to gauge one 1000 against the other.

Greg Free must have been really down under the paintwork on the Duke s he completely missed the turnoff outside Ramsey even though Ian Taylor was only a little way in front. He was dead lucky to find us again in Bendigo.

After following the Sutton Grange road we arrived one by one at the pre-determined garage, where everyone flocked around the machines as they pulled in to watch the petrol pump numbers flash past to show who had used what.

Keithy had the event shot to pieces with a figure in the low 70’s until “you know who” arrived on the R65 and registered low 80’s.

Some of the notable results were:-

Ian Taylor’s and Mick’s Bee-emms recorded better than either had expected for such hard travelled machinery.

The big K1300 performed quite well at around 56mpg but ripped through the best part of 5 gals on the way back under heavy throttle.

Mark’s 250 X7 Suz, put in a dismal performance beating only one other machine. (the sidecar).

Phil on 125 and brother and family with outfit arrived after the petrol station had shut (would you believe) and mathematical calculations had to be done at a garage further on. Then it was off to buy greasies and eat in Bendigo’s rather lovely park amidst falling Autumn leaves.

Of course, after much feathering of throttles on the way up, it was absolutely necessary to turn up the wick on the way back for purely mechanical engineering reasons you’ll understand.

So that was it for 1980. Guess I’ll have to start thinking where to map out the Economy run ’81.

That’s if there is any petrol left by then.

Les R65.

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RESULTS OF THE ECONOMY RUN. 1980

1^st Les R65 83.2 mpg

2^nd Keith H. BM 1000 71.3

=3^rd Ian T. BM 900S 65.5

=3^rd Kevin Kaw 1000 65.5

4^th Ian B. Suz 860 62.4

5^th Frank B. BM 750 61.5

=6^th John & Christine ZIR 59.7

=6^th Keith F. Kaw 1000 59.7

7^th Mick & Joy BM 1000 58.7

8^th Big D. H 750 57.9

9^th Greg F. Duk. 900 56.5

10^th Craig BM 900S 54.7

Mini Bike Winner

Phil Duffy H. 125 126.2

Visitors.

Tony H. 650 70.1

Gary K 1300 56.3

Mark Suz 250 54.2

Duffy’s brother

And family G/W & chair 44.8

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ECONOMY RIDE OBSERVATIONS

The following observations were made either on the way to, or at Bendigo, some were even noted on the way home.

1. Gary’s Kwaka 1300 is ridden fast.

2. Gary's Kwaka 1300 uses lots of petrol.

3. Mark’s Suzi 250 uses more petrol.

4. Les’ tankbag had a dent the shape of his chin.

5. Keith H. didn’t win despite his streamlined mirrors and over inflated tyres.

6. Craig looks bloody silly trying to fit his bulk behind his 90S fairing.

7. Ian T has learned to ride one handed.

8. Mick F couldn’t read the directions, so he followed Johnno.

9. Freeby couldn’t read the directions, so he got lost.

10. Duffy’s outfit is getting more like a car every week. It now has a VW rear wheel.

11. Kevin’s Kwaka used 20c worth of petrol less than mine running 20km/h slower.

12. My right wrist has never been as still as it was on the way to Bendigo.

13. my right wrist gets cramp if it moved very often.

14. Consumption figures had to be calculated in M.P.G before participants understood their relevance.

The Pipe.

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SNAKE VALLEY. 8/6/80

There were about 16 bikes at the car park, the weather was cold but sunny. Keith Harris led the ride with big Daddy at the rear. We headed off via Ballarat Rd, the closer we got to Ballarat the colder it got (as usual). We stopped at Ballarat for brunch and some thawing out. Then it was off to Snake Valley. When we got there we had a petrol stop and a bit of a break, then headed off to the mine. We met the Ballarat Touring Club at the mine who fortunately had a fire going so we all warmed up and talked for a while.

There were only a couple of us who didn’t go down the mine, which was enjoyable, well, different anyway. It was warm inside the mine which made everybody happy. John Lelean went for a bush bash on his Goldwing and demonstrated how versatile Goldwings are at climbing embankments, also how hard they are to move from sloping mine entrances whilst on their side and covered with branches, fortunately he or his bike were not hurt.

After the mine we headed for Creswick with a stop at Carngham United Church Snake Valley on the way. At Creswick we had a coffee break or an ice-cream break if your name is Craig Dawson.

From Creswick we headed for home via Daylesford and Trentham along a great winding road which everyone seemed to enjoy, a change from the straight ones that we had all day. The fun was over when we reached Ballarat road. It was the usual haul to Melton where we dispersed ending a nice but cold day with no rain.

Philip Andrews 400/4

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TARRA GALLOWAY RAND Camping Weekend (QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY)

I arrived in Hallam at 7.15am, I wasn’t cold just frozen. By 8am we had a massive turn-up (3 bikes) which consisted of Christine and Craig, Big D and myself on my trusty but temperamental X7. Leaving Hallam at 8.45am with the air temperature at 1.5C, we headed for Traralgon where lunch was consumed. By the way, the four owners passed us here on their way to the Buchan Caves. Don’t laugh, they actually had a better turn up than us. (approx 10 bikes)

We set up camp then Craig took us for a guided tour around the property, it took us a whole 15 mins. Sunday, we spent of the day in our saddles, (no we didn’t ride the horses, no-one was game enough). After breakfast we headed for the 90 mile beach via Yarram. Boredom struck that afternoon for Craig and Christine. After making up excuses about how they had a lot of work to do at home we parted company. The rest of the club (Big D and I) visited Bulga National Park. From there I returned to Traralgon along a muddy Grand Ridge road for supplies, (it’s called fun). On returning back to camp Peter hadn’t arrived yet, he presumably lost his way, (it’s only a 5 min ride from the park to the camp).

As Craig mentioned at the previous General Meeting the local store is well disciplined, the sign on the door says;- “in the interests of health and safety please do not smoke’, as you pay your bill you’re confronted with another sign which reads;- “Thank you for not smoking”. Apparently the store is concerned for your health, that’s why they only sell lollies, chocolates, pies, mystery bags etc.

We left about 10am Monday morning via the Grand Ridge road down to Welshpool. We stopped a Foster for lunch and arrived in Melbourne just before dark, only to be greeted with traffic jams. Many thanks to Craig’s parents for their hospitality and putting u with us for a few days.

Marc X7 Suz.

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FRENCH ISLAND 22.6.80

The weather on the day wasn’t the best, you know; cold, overcast but at least there was no rain. About a dozen or so brave souls turned out for the ride which proceeded down Beach Road to Frankston, across to Cranbourne and straight to Philip Island.

Just out of Tooradin I passed a forlorn Ducati, the 750 SS variety which it seemed had cracked, chipped or whatever, one of its rings. As a matter of interest this breakdown was on the same stretch of road that my own Ducati had thrown a chain the previous month, could this point to a vendetta on Ducatis; who knows.

Anyway, the 750 Duke was ridden to Ryde where we were to have lunch and pick up the ferry to the island. While most of us had our munchies Peter pulled the head and barrel off his Duke to see if repairs could be made. But alas the bike was not to go anywhere except into a grage shed where it would be picked up later.

Whilst the Duke was being dissected one of the piston circlips went “ping” off into the fresh air and all that was heard was tinkle, tinkle somewhere on the bitumen when it came back to earth. But the question was where did it land, so all the members were assembled to search for the missing circlip. It was a funny sight seeing these heavily clad bikers rummaging and shuffling around a car park, a very strange sight.

Out of all the people who rode down to the ferry only five of us took advantage of the calm seas and actually went to French Island. Once there we had a guided tour of H.M. Prison Farm; that used to be, before it was closed in 1975. It was an interesting visit but the tour guide got most of our attention, she wasn’t bad at all, a bit cheeky but definitely all there, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

The others, eg all those who didn’t go to the island, had a bit of a look on Philip Island itself but I’m unable to report on their activities as I wasn’t there, strange about that. They did however meet us tourists when we returned to land, very thoughtful of them.

On the way home nothing out of the ordinary happened. Cars, traffic cops and more cars, the same old thing. I can only say it was an enjoyable day but a bit of sunshine would have gone down well.

Dave 860 GTS & BM.

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