SEPTEMBER RUNS

Sunday 6                Maryborough Wattle Festival. (we think) 9am KBCP.

Sunday 13              Navigation & Reliability Trial.

                               (set by Marc & Tom). 9am KBCP.

Sunday 20              Paul Smith’s special tour. 9am KBCP.

Sunday 27              fuel Economy Ride. 10.15am SHARP, Lilydale only.

                               (bring empty petrol container). More details on page 3.

 

OCTOBER

Friday 2                 General Meeting. Club Hall 8.15pm SHARP.

 

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CLOSING DATE FOR ATICLES FOR NEXT MAG IS 18.9.81.

 

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FILM NIGHT

 

Saturday 19th September.  7.30pm.  At social secretaries place.

Unit 17/28-36 James St,

Box Hill.  Phone 88 6362

$1.50 per head.  Supper included.

 

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EDITORIAL – SEPTEMBER 1981

 

As usual when we sit down to scrawl out an Editorial we have to decide whether or not it will be positive or negative!  Which will be first?  Negative – lets razz the members.  Over the last month, each day we have eagerly awaited the arrival of the postie, to see what literary genius we would have to print in this mag.  Prior to the closing date, what did we get? – S.F.A.!  Now, we have no doubt that most of you walk in the door and expect to pick up a mag that will, at least, give you 10 or 15 minutes interesting reading.  Right? Right, who do you think writes this mag? – YOU BLOODY DO! So, if the current trend continues don’t be surprised if one night you walk in the door and can only find a single sheet of paper that says “this is the mag but there isn’t anything to read!”  We edit, not write, that’s up to you.  If you are asked to write up a run, please do it, and forward it to us as, A.S.A.P Mail it, bring it, you are always welcome here.  On the positive side, two members, upon hearing that we were lacking material for this mag, sat down and produced articles virtually on the spot!  Many thanks to Mick and Tony.  We also received a further write-up by mail, some 4 days after the closing date.  This would normally be held over to the next mag but due to lack of material for this one we included it in this mag.  Now we’ve got even less for next month!

 

On the subject of Mags, a couple of months ago we sent a copy of our mag along with a letter (suggesting a regular interchange of mags) to a Touring Club of each State.  So far, only 2 clubs have responded.  One with a letter agreeing to the interchange plus, of course a copy of their current mag, the other just with a mag.  To the S.A. Tourers and MTCQ, our thanks, now you, like us, can see what riders with similar interests in other States are doing.  To our own members, these mags will be available to you to read at meetings.

 

Whilst on the positive side, we feel a few comments on the demise of a British registered GL1100 during the O’Briens Crossing run worthy of comment.  Sure the damage to the machine is not positive but we feel the actions of the members afterwards is very positive.  The pillion rider was promptly ferried to Tony’s place (a couple of K’s), given coffee and generally settled down, hopefully reducing the effects of shock. The rider was given more than enough assistance to retrieve the remains (the major proportion of which was in the creek) and eventually the machine was ridden, albeit rather slowly, to Tony’s place by another rider.  The damaged machine was left at Tony’s, the owner and passenger being ferried home by others.  One can only compliment all present for their efforts.

 

Finally, if you think that this Editorial seems to go on and on, well, we did have to fill the mag up with something!

 

Cheers Faye & Geoff.

 

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INFORMATION FOR THE FUEL ECONOMY RIDE ON SEPT 27th.

 

For this year; something completely different.  An economy test starting with completely dry tanks.  After being given a measured amount of fuel, the bike furtherest up the road is the winner.

 

Here’s how it goes, step by step.

1)                                           Front up at Lilydale with an empty fuel tin, funnel, plastic hose or whatever to get juice out of your bike.

2)                                           Chuck the said tins in the back of my ute, and then treat the first half of the day like a normal run.

3)                                           We leave at 10.15am (exactly) and ride to Mansfield for the lunch stop.

4)                                           This is approximately 165 kilometres.  Try to arrive at Mansfield with about 5 litres or so of petrol left in the tank.

5)                                           Hopefully my ute will arrive, whereupon you grab your fuel tin and start draining whil lunch is on.

6)                                           This includes running the motor till all carbies are dry.

7)                                           3 litres of your fuel will then be officially measured and poured back into your tank.

8)                                           The remainder in the tin goes back into the Ute, and you’re on your way.

9)                                           From Mansfield, take the road to Jamieson.  Just before Jamieson turn right over the bridge at the top of Lake Eildon.  Follow this twisty road in the direction of the Eildon/Thornton road.

10)                                       This is where the motors start to die in a big way; whereupon I appear like an angel of mercy out of the blue, take down your distance travelled, whack the extra juice back in your bike and you’re on your way to refuel at the first petrol station down on the Eildon/Thornton road.

 

And GOOD LUCK!

 

Oh! And by the way.  The polished timber shield which Darren kindly donated to the club will be set up as a perpetual trophy for the annual fuel economy ride.  The winner’s name, bike etc will be engraved o small plaques and attached each year as a permanent record.

 

There will be no capacity divisions.  If you ride it on ordinary club runs, then that’s the machine you bring on the day.

 

Les XR 200

 

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QUESTIONAIRE

 

We would like to thank everyone who filled in and returned the questionnaire handed to them at the July meeting.  Watch for the next itinerary, as the questionnaires have been utilized.

 

Committee M.T.C.V.

 

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SOME ADVICE

 

Well folks another winter is just about finished and spring is virtually upon us.  It’s that time of the year when riding is at its most dangerous.  Quite often you can be travelling along in brilliant sunshine and unknown to you a shower has already passed the area you are heading into.  One minute you are lopping along beautifully and then halfway around a corner the wet road starts.  Going from dry to wet and then back to dry is one of the hardest changes you can encounter and one that requires a fair amount of skill so take care.

 

Along with the warmer weather come the different types of clothing that we throw over our bodies beautiful.  One should be fairly careful of what you throw over the body and great care should be taken to ensure that fashion does not take precedence over function.  As quite a few riders these days are wearing open face helmets they generally wear sunglasses and use them as both glare protector and insect and stone protector.  If you are going to use glasses of any kind you should ensure that the glass is toughened to industrial standard.  A far safer alternative is to use a visor that clips on the helmet.  If you don’t like a full visor get one that comes down to at least nose level.

 

Whilst in the area of the face a very handy little item that fits in the pocket and costs only about $1.00 is a chapstick for care of your lips and stops the cold sores and cracking of your lips which is not healthy at all as we in Australia have the highest incidence of lip cancer in the world and riding bikes with the wind drying our faces we must rate as good cancer risks if we continually get cracked and sore lips.

 

As the weather gets even warmer most of us change over to smaller lighter gloves a la moto-x.  These gloves are excellent except for one almost universal fault they are too short!  Who hasn’t had a strip of sunburn on our upper wrists between gloves and jacket?  Failing that carry some suntan oil or if you forget it buy some suntan cream.  You only get one skin so save it!

 

 

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LAKE MOUNTAIN 2/8/81

 

On rolling into Lilydale we were greeted with a surprise as there were quite a few bikes had decided to join us for the day.  Anyway we left Lilydale about 10.30, after the riders from town had come in about 25 bikes left Lilydale, Keith Finlay was in the lead, with Phil Duffy and Co in the rear.

 

A petrol stop was made at Narbethong Craig had to do a quick clutch repair.  Then the ride through to Marysville was rather slow due to the four wheeled machines.

 

On arriving at Lake Mountain snowballs began to fly.  Some people decided to play it safe (so they thought) and left their helmets on, which became full of snow anyway.  People seemed to take sides, club members on one side and the others on the other side.  The snow flew for a while then everybody seemed to disperse.

 

It had been decided to lunch at Marysville so we headed there I only heard of one rider and his pillion coming off!!  That was of all places outside the Marysville loo.  I wonder if he’ll ever live it down.

 

Chris and Deb took over the lead as we headed to Warburton along a dirt road; Les flew past us as if the dirt road was nothing.  While waiting for Phil Duffy and the others to roll in, a lone rider came in much to his surprise; he had managed to leave Mick and Tom behind.  Nice one DAWSO!!

 

Well anyway, back to Lilydale for a coffee where everybody went in their own direction.  I think a good day was had by everyone.

 

Chris

 Pillion Passenger.

 

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Have heard that a certain member has just obtained a new dishwasher – Sweedish too???

 

 

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O’BRIEN’S CROSSING AUG 23

 

There are quite a few bike mags – TWO WHEELS – CYCLE WORLD – MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS = BIKE and “OURS” the prices are getting like we were all on $500 a week, and bloody hell I get just as much enjoyment reading the mag we all get together as any.  When I say we all, I suppose most of the thanks must go to the EDITORS Geoff and Faye.  Bike riding is what the club is all about I suppose, and the amount of club rides I go on is bugger all (owing mainly to work commitments) so I look forward to reading about the ones I missed out on.

 

Has anybody noticed how thin the mag sometimes gets when club rides are not included, must be hard for Geoff and Faye to find something to fill those gamps, so come on gang lets keep those cards and letters rolling in.  Now down off the soap box and on with the show.

 

-STAGE LEFT – LIGHTS – ACTION – CAMERAS!

 

Leaving town in the company of approx 23 people heading towards home (B/Marsh) strange how different it feels when riding with others to riding alone, destination O’Brien’s Crossing with a little dirt.

 

To anybody riding up around the Lions Park along the old H/way be careful of all those meadow cakes (cow shit) on the road, can be a bit “DUNG-ER-OUS”!

 

Following the road up through Myrniong to the back of Pikes Weir we headed towards Greendale, and then to the Black Wood road, which goes past the Greendale pub.  Anybody that likes a glass of the brown stuff must call in there sometime. ) but not when on a club ride! Ed) Big open fire, ice cold beer, nice warm music, and plenty of hot air.  Great place.

 

Arriving at O’Brien’s Crossing with m gut rumbling (off song) and that horrible smell of sizzling snags and sumptuous steaks actually make me feel like heaving, must have had something the night before.

 

I will never know how you can feel so good with a few beers that night and feel so sick the next day.  O’Brien’s Crossing is a great place for a barby though, nobody even looked like ‘getting off’ or even sliding, yours truly stayed upright as well.  Amazing!

 

We left the picnic area refreshed and bloated and headed towards Gisborne.  The bush looks lush now with all the rain we had in the last few weeks, even saw a big wallaby hopping through the scrub, must be one that the shooters missed.

 

Had a chat at Gisborne and then headed for B/Marsh along “that” road, rounding the last bend I noticed a few of the bikes on the side of the road, apparently Peter (no not big-D) on a Goldwing had miss-judged the apex SLIGHTLY or sneezed or something.  Maybe he just wanted to see if his bike would make a good bull-dozer.  It does I kid you not!  No broken bones or blood though, which was good news.  Peter and pillion were quite O.K.

 

Having pushed – pulled – heaved the bike on the road again we all in  our extreme wisdom decided it was not quite roadworthy, so it was left at my place overnight and taken down town on the back of Bob-Jane-U-Beaut – Ute the following night.

 

Thanks to Faye and daughter we all had a cuppa and bickies.  My wife was out on the tear, likes to go for drives in our (Maltese Mercedes) with the (V.C.O.A) Valiant Club of Australia.  Just to spite me “sorry dear”.

 

Come five bells the troops all headed off down town, leaving – me, my dog, and a broken – wing.

 

See Ya!

Tony H-650

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MTCV INTERCLUB MOTORCYCLE GYMKHANA CHAMPIONSHIP

 

25th October 1981

 

MEETING PLACE:              Kings Bridge Car Park.

MEETING TIME: 10am (leave 10.30am SHARP)

VENUE:                Within 40km of G.P.O

EVENTS:              Three Novelties & One Trials.

 

This gymkhana is a Club effort in which the Perpetual Trophy goes to the Club not the individual with the highest points.  There will be individual trophies for each event, with points from these events accruing towards each Club’s total.

 

B.B.Q. facilities will be available with the M.T.C.V. providing sausages.

 

NO ALCOHOL will be permitted.

 

NO TRAIL BIKES will be permitted in events.

 

CLUB CAPTAIN

M.T.C.V.

 

 

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