DECEMBER RUNS

 

Saturday       5            Gala Christmas Dinner.  Healesville Hotel.

                                    5-30pm for pre-dinner drinks.

Sunday         6           Murrindindi Falls. 9-30am KBCP.

                                    11.15am Healesville.  Picnic lunch.

Sunday         13          Mick Fagan’s Special Tour.  9am KBCP.

Sunday         20          Toorong Reservoir. B.B.Q. 10am KBCP.

Friday           25          Christmas Camp commences at Lake William Hovell.

Saturday       26          Golden Spurs Rodeo (Myrtleford)

                                    Plus Nariel Creek Folk Festival on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

 

JANUARY 1982

 

Sunday         10          Vice-President’s ride. 9.30am KBCP

Sunday         17          Turpins Falls. 9.30am KBCP. Picnic lunch.

Sunday         24          Lake Jubillee Regatta. (Daylsford) B.B.Q.  9.30am KBCP.

Weekend                    Willoughby’s Clubman Rally.

30, 31 and                   Camp at Club Flag.

Feb 1.

 

FEBRUARY

 

Friday           5            General Meeting.  Club Hall.  Slide night. 8.15pm SHARP

Sunday         7            Darren’s Dhurringle Dalliance 8am KBCP. Bring bathers.

Weekend                    Camping at Delatite Arm 9am Lilydale, SHARP

13 & 14

Saturday       20          Robyn’s Night Ride. 6.30pm KBCP.

Sunday         21          Buninyong Festival. 9.30am KBCP.

Sunday         28          Beauchamps Falls (Otways) 8.30am KBCP.

 

MARCH

 

Friday           5            General Meeting.  Club Hall.  8.15pm SHARP

 

____________________

 

EDITORIAL – DECEMBER 1981

 

Well just a few lines this month as it is the last one for the year.  As most will know there is no further mag until Feb.... We rather think that we have said enough for this year so we’ll keep it rather short and sweet by saying “Merry Christmas & Happy New Year” to all.  Of course, it goes without saying that we expect a deluge of articles about the Xmas camp and all runs from now to the Clubman Rally.

 

Once again, Season’s Greetings to all,

 

Cheers Faye & Geoff.

 

____________________

 

 

ARTICLES FOR FEBRUARY MAG MUST BE IN BY THE 22/1/1982

____________________

 

SPORTS DAY 1981

 

This day for me started about 8.30am at the Taylor’s residence in Ringwood.  It was supposed to be a return competition for a few clubs, especially the Ballarat Tourers who started the whole affair in a grand manner last year.

 

They supplied the main trophy which is supposed to be held by the winning club for a year.  The club sent out invitations to a number of clubs in the hope of making it a great and exciting event.  However when the crunch came only our own club turned up.

 

Meanwhile back at the Taylor’s residence I was greeted by the Taylor’s and their Ute, Les Leahy and his Ute and Keith Harris and his750 I think.  Up Canterbury road we went and arrived at the sports-day site.  Which had about 20 of the weirdest looking horses you could imagine grazing on it.  After setting up the tent, rounding up the horses with the help of the owner on horseback, setting out the trial course, setting out the slalom course and putting up the barbie, we were ready for the mob.

 

As it turned out it wasn’t exactly a mob that arrived but a reasonable group of M.T.C. members and a few of their families.  After moping around for a little time Clerk of the course for the day, Les Leahy called us together for a rider’s briefing.  In the briefing he warned us how tough he would be against anybody who didn’t abide by the rules exactly as he laid them down.

 

The first event was the slow race heats and one only had to ask Craig if the rules were being up-held to the letter, as he was disqualified on a technicality and he wasn’t the only one.  Then came the slalom events.  We started off with a normal type slalom and after a dead heat final which was re-run, we moved on to a slalom with a pillion, in which the pillion sat on the bike backwards and grabbed a drum at one end and placed it on the ground at the other.  This event proved to be good fun and had no hassles with the Clerk of the course.

 

Lunch was the order of the day at this stage with the club providing snags and bread for nix along with ample tomato sauce and cans of soft drink for 30c each.

 

Lunch over, it was time for the observed trial.  The trial consisted of 4 sections which got progressively harder.  At the end of the 4 sections there were about 9 clean entrants (I’m not referring to dirt either) left.  At this stage the trial was reversed, after doing two sections this way we ended up with a very proud Duffy family.  Mrs because her bike won it and Mr because he rode it.

 

Final results were

                               Slow race             P. Duffy       650 Honda

                               Slalom                 M. Fagan      R80 G/S

                               Slalom                 M. Fagan      R80 G/S

                               w/pillion

                               observed              P. Duffy       650 Honda

                               trial

 

Footnote: - As most people know wives have their husbands over a barrel.  Well after winning the Economy test, the slow race and Trial on sports day on Robyn’s bike, I’d say Phil had better tread carefully because if Robyn decided to have him over her bike it could be pretty painful.

 

Mick R80/GS.

 

 

____________________

 

TONY DALY’S SPECIAL TOUR (OR IT’S A LONG WAY TO BALLARAT) 8/11/81

 

Having heard some knowledgeable gentlemen say it was a 400km ride with 80km of dirt (which makes your correspondent nervous), I thought maybe it was the Grand Ridge Road – where else is there 80km of dirt?  Alright there are lots of places, smartie.  And there were!  Ballarat is only about 100km from Melbourne, but it is indeed possible to travel 400km to get there.

 

About 15 of us set out in ideal weather conditions – warm, sunny, no wind.  First, via Bulla and some obscure back roads to Bacchus Marsh, en route getting entangled with the traffic to a country music festival near Gisborne.  Couldn’t go – cowboy hats obligatory.

 

Tony must have had many spare hours to locate the dirt tracks – there may not have been 80km of them, but there were lots of short stretches.  A few farmers were dismayed to find these unexpected visitors in their territory.  On to the Brisbane Ranges and lunch at Ballan.  As usual, we descended en masse on an unsuspecting takeaway, which immediately goes into a panic.  However, we retired to the local picnic ground for lunch and there was only one group of family picnickers to outrage.

 

Resisting the temptation to go to sleep (real easy that day), we proceeded onward through the Wombat State Forest – or did we go in and out of it about fourteen times?  I’m not sure.  Anyway, we arrived at Daylesford, much to the relief of those with small petrol tanks, passing through a weird little place called Blakeville, where I’m sure they found all the extras for that film “Deliverance”.

 

Finally, back to sealed road, as the dirt was becoming a bit of a pain with dust and shadow hiding the holes.  Then to Ballarat to amuse ourselves and the good citizens at Lake Wendouree for an hour or so; no one took a tram ride round the Lake – maybe it’s safer on a bike!  A quick trip down the Western Highway completed the day.

 

Thanks to Tony for his efforts in per – arranging the route – just as well he lives in the area, or we might still be somewhere on those little tracks!

 

Peter Dwyer

Suzuki 1000G

 

 

____________________

SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER

 

Twelve stalwart (or slightly insane) riders set forth from Lilydale at 10.45.  The weather, apart from the grey skies and torrential downpours, alternated from bad to worse to patches of fine.  Vince Green was chosen to lead the merry dozen, while Jack on his Honda Six was our rear man.

 

The rain – soaken group wound its way through the Reefton Spur, pursued by a speedy BMW800 who gave our leader little peace.  We re-grouped at the end of the Spur to wring our gloves out and remove a piece of line 7 from a badly- placed BMW muffler.

 

Onward we went to Cumberland Junction with most riders taking the wet, windy roads with caution, except one speedy individual who thoroughly enjoyed himself.  Once again we re-grouped at the Junction and consulted our maps and looked to the sky in silent prayer.  Camberville was the next point of call where we destroyed the peace of a few picnickers.  Pictures were a must, and Vince and Mick tried to shoot each other.

 

It was decided that Maryville would be our lunch stop.  The road to Maryville, besides being muddy and slippery, was coated with fine gravel which managed to keep the adrenaline flowing.  Hamburgers appeared to be the main course and we soon spread ourselves out comfortably in front of the local shop to eat and converse.  I’m sure our three potential riders could have picked a better day, but everyone, considering the day, were in reasonable good spirits.  The rain continued to be unsympathetic and refused to go away and it was decided to cut the ride short and return to home and dry clothing.

 

Home was via the Black Spur with Lilydale being the dispersement point.  The day ended about 3pm and I am sure a friendly and wet day was had by all.

 

MOTTO GUZZI ENTHUSIASTST

(ALIAS PILLION)

Susan Jean

 

____________________

 

MY HOLIDAY

 

Now that sounds like an essay for kids to do after their holidays.  Now let me tell you here and now I have no intentions of telling you everything I did.  It would take too long and you are not interested in sex, so just a few things here and there.

 

I left 24th Sept.  It was cold, wet and windy emphasis on windy, not just that day but the following week except for two perfect days that sneaked in somehow.  These I spent at the beach.  I actually had about 30 miles of rain going over.  The Friday I went to the Worlds End Rally I really had variety.  It was drizzle light rain, heavy rain or storms until Pt Augusta where it stopped raining and the sun came out.  The road in from Quorn has been worked on.  I think in places at least it is worse when wet but when dry you can do 160km on it.  Places though when wet looked dry and you wondered why the tyres were sinking in two inches.  Mick flew past frightening hell out of me.  He wasn’t supposed to be there till next day.

 

The Morgan’s had arrived a few minutes before me and as there were ominous (nasty) clouds around it was a rush to put up tents.  I had the fly almost secure when the rain came down.  This was the last of the rain and I had perfect weather except for a couple of hours in Bundaberg and between Parkes and West Wyalong on the way home.

 

The official figures for bikes were just over 1100.  There were 700 entries; there was nothing unusual in bikes there.  A fairly mixed lot of varieties, not like the Centre Rally when it seems about 80% are B/M’s.  I only wish a rally would go on for a week, you hardly get there and no time to meet many people and you are off again.

 

I was persuaded to go into Quorn on Saturday and I am glad I did.  I took Tony Morgan in with me.  The sight of hundreds of bikes and overflowing pubs was something; you had to be there to get the feeling.  I didn’t see the police, though they did drive through the camp once.  There was no trouble in Quorn and they showed good sense by keeping out of sight, though they would have been there had there been trouble, not to make it as in N.S.W.

 

I had no plans and though I thought I might stay till Monday the empty feeling with everyone leaving made me decide to leave at 11.30 Sunday and though I was in no hurry and the wind was behind me I sat on 130km and was in Broken Hill at 3.55pm.  The rains of the previous week had gone as far as Tamworth and it was unusual to water puddles on the side of the road near broken Hill.

 

Monday I left 6.45 after the kangaroos had gone to bed and at 3.45 S.A. time I was at Tamworth 1000km in 9hurs or 68mph average including stops.  Tuesday took me via Glen Innes, Grafton to the Gold Coast and Miami Caravan Park.  I could tell some interesting stories about that park and a couple of others near there, but will restrict the stories to a select few. However apart from that you will always find a lot of young people on the dole living in tents along the Gold Coast and probably further north.  Fair enough.  A great life for a few years.  What gets my wild up is the number of camper vans at night, T.V. antennas up in the public car parks near caravan parks, power leads into the caravan park free electricity even though the sign prohibits camping there and penalties stated.  These same people probably run down and talk about dole bludgers.  At least they pay the $3.50 a night.

 

Sat to Brisbane.  Sunday with a friend to Bribie Island, nude sunbathing area.  Very busy, very interesting and truly a beautiful beach.  Far better than the Gold Coast beaches and only one hours drive.  Went there again Monday.  Tuesday I went to, and stayed at the sunshine coast and returned via Nambour and Maleny Range.  Following day to Bundaberg.  On the Monday to relatives farm between Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast.  At there were to be 3000 odd Army vehicles for some manoeuvres just north of Rockhampton, for days there were about 80 vehicles a day going north, you don’t know how much double line there is on the road till you strike convoys.  There seemed to be an average of 15 touring motorcyclists going Nth and Sth each day.  I did see dozens on the Friday I left Bundaberg for Brisbane.

 

Heading north I saw two signs with M.R.A. 30km this side of Maryborough I suspect there was a rally on.

 

I had been asked to go with a group of 26 for a camping weekend at Cabarita Lake which is 2km from the ocean, 25km Sth of the border.  It was $15 all food and grog supplied.  I went from Bundaberg to Brisbane, collected my tent, sleeping bag etc and headed there.  Tail wind from Bundaberg to Brisbane then a head wind.  The Gold Coast area is noted for strong south or south east winds every afternoon.  It was a very good weekend with a terrific group of people.  Went to Brisbane early and did the rounds of a few interesting bars till their closing time.  Qld may be backwards, not in pub hours however.  Tuesday and Wednesday I went to Bribie Island again.  At my age I am not interested in walking around Cities.  I would sooner get tired riding a bike or!.  On the Thursday before Melbourne Cup I left Brisbane and went to Dubbo via Goondiwindi.  This turned out to be the hottest day of my leave.  The only interesting part was the fact that as it had rained recently the country on the Newell Highway was a green as when I was up there in august which of course meant I collected more insects than anywhere else.

 

For the remainder of my leave I went camping on the Goulburn river near Shepparton with a group of 58.  $50 all food and booze supplied, bring your own sex.  Here I stayed till cup afternoon when I went back to work the following night.  The 850 Yammie ran perfectly, as it should, and is a much nicer bike to ride than the Honda 750, though only time will tell if it is as trouble free.  The 24 litre tank was appreciated between Wilcannia and Cobar 260km without petrol or anything.  On the Honda I would have had to carry extra fuel.  This stretch is about 80km more than the longest between Townsville and Alice or Darwin.  Running on Castrol R Synthetic oil meant no oil changes and for the first time since my 15 years of BM riding, no chains to oil.

 

For my next trip I hope to go to Alice for the Centre Rally via Adelaide then back to Adelaide and continue right around Australia.

 

Lloyd

 

 

____________________

 

NEW ADDRESS

 

Yes folks Kevin Robertson has moved again, he found out that two females was too hot to handle so he has moved in with just one.  Better luck this time Kev.  His new address is

 

Flat 2

519 Mt. Alexandra Rd,

FLEMINGTON.

Phone 370 6220

 

____________________

 

ROAD TEST: YAKIB 431cc

 

While the Spaniards and Japiards fight for the lucrative dual purpose off-road/on-road market, the incredible Burma Motorcycle Company strive to perfect their own split personality bike that is claimed to be good for both road and street.

 

Rippling with technical features from a revolutionary valve-in-head three stroke to a suspicious dry-tank lubrication system the BMC ALTMX-RRSF 431cc Yakib is sure to be a sell-out should the back yard Burmese distillery ever get around to producing it.

 

We picked up the bike after it had been gently run-in by 84 other testers.  The mileometer showed just 2.3 kilos demonstrating the legendary reliability of this make’s instrumentation.  Not that the speedo was of inferior design, for this unit features close ratio numbers, balanced needle and overhead glass.  What a pity it was on the optimistic side for when the ignition wires were connected it registered 64mph!

 

The quality is reasonable except for the cheap plastic badges on the instruction book.  But that marvel of “pidgin English” has a unique feature in that the pages can be torn out and cut for gaskets to save rebuilding costs.

 

We are pleased to report that since riding the mark one, the makers have improved on comfort by fitting a seat.  The actual riding position of the crankshaft would be adjusted to suit a rider’s personal preference.

 

While some bikes have flywheel magneto and others have coil, the ignition on this Yak is remarkably simple in using the sinusoidal constant discharge deplenerator that turboencabulates the nivelsheave.  (Devilish clever those Burmese).  So efficient is this system that a towing eye is fitted to the front mudguard to get the motor turning for cold morning starts.

 

Once underway the Yakib seems to lose at least 820 pounds and the intermittent coughing of the exhaust more than drowns the constant squealing of the belt drive to the oil filter.  As regards handling the inherent instability of the “both wheels steering” layout did cause many anxious moments but our testers soon got used to stopping on the bend and lifting the back end around before proceeding in the new direction.

 

Vibration is minimal except for a bad case of the shakes between 2,100 to 3,200, 3,400 to 4,500rpm, 4,900 to 5,800rpm and above 6,000rpm.  We were disappointed that a violent weaving could not be cured when riding in the top three gears.

 

Unfortunately neutral is hard to find and is best located down on the workbench.  But dismantling the power unit is no trouble as the makers are ever willing to point out that no special tools are required.  We found the boxing glove and shovel that came supplied as standard are perfectly adequate to reduce this remarkable machine to unrecognisable pulp in minutes (such was our patience).

 

With claimed dry weight of 15 pounds and a compression ratio reduced to 1:9 we are pleased to report the fuel usage has been slashed to only 1.9 gallons per overnight parking.  Sure proof that the new Yak-Vac fuel tap really does something.

 

Our only complaint with this marvel of the jet age which costs only 1,827,346 drakibs ex-Afghanistan is the method of adjusting the rear chain.  Necessary every 10 revolutions of the rear wheel it requires removing the seat, tool sack, lifting hook (oh, what a giveaway) air cleaner, mudguard, battery and by finally hack sawing through the lower part of the rear sub-frame the position of the back spindle can be altered with plastic shims.

 

Summing up such a multi-purpose bike is hard, other than stating it must surely be an investment since this kind of exhibit is bound to be of value in several centuries and as such is just the machine for the non-motorcycling minded.

 

Submitted by Les Leahy

“Courtesy of Track & Trial Magazine”

 

____________________

 

DON’T FORGET, THERE IS

 

NO JANUARY CLUB MEETING

 

 

____________________

 

 

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

TO ALL FROM

 

FAYE AND GEOFF

(MAG EDITORS)