January 2005 Who’s News  2004

 

The MTCV Home Page took 329 hits during January and has taken 22,865 since April 1996.  Look for the new itinerary – February is up, March to May to follow shortly.

Our Social Sip venue, The Whitehorse Inn, is to close for demolition and redevelopment on March 9th. Although the Committee were aware of its fate, we thought it would be at least twelve months before all the permits etc would be finalized. The management of the hotel has offered an alternative venue in the same area which the Committee will investigate prior to April and all members will be notified. Therefore, due to this sad news, don’t miss our last social get-together at this great pub on the 3rd  March.

 

January Social Sip. Spotted at the Whitehorse Inn were: Ben and Julie Warden, Pete Weyermayr and Liz Oliver, Renzo and Jenni Cunico, Paul and Jo Southwell, Wayne Pope and Annette Lawrence, Ron and Julie Johnston, Ian Payne, Tim Walker, Nigel Hellyer, Trevor Harris, Peter Feistl, Martin Hastie and Dave Moore. 19 people, up 6 from the last couple of months.

 

Kate Pondeljak is selling her bike. For Sale: Honda CBR 600F4i 2002 model. Yellow and black, 15,000 kms, rear hugger, oggy knobs, Reg to April/05. Excellent condition. 1 female owner. $9,500 Warrandyte. Ring 0409 292 354 or email [email protected]  With a known history, it will make a good bike for someone. Be quick.

 

Nigel Hellyer came to a grinding halt when his Harley Buell stopped not far from Strath Creek on the Highlands Ride. The bike is with the mechanics now and it looks like main bearings on the output shaft to the final drive sprocket have collapsed. The sprocket wobbles. It may be releatively cheap to fix as the motor does not have to be removed from the frame to access the gearbox. We look forward to seeing Nigel mobile again.

 

From Darryn Webster: ANZAC Ride Day Long Weekend to Eastern Creek, Fri 22nd till Mon. 25th. Initial thoughts at this stage are to travel to Sydney and Eastern Creek on Friday, do the ride day on Saturday, and then drive south to the Snowys late afetrnoon, ride around the Snowys on Sunday, then head home on Monday. This is all very formative at this stage. Expressions of interest should be directed to Darryn on mobile 0408-402-588 or email him at [email protected].

 

Ex-member, Martin Bastock, emailed me this useful web site to download  motorcycle workshop manuals -
 http://www.themotorhead.com/downloads/manual/
 
Email from the Motorcycle Riders Association: The Melbourne branch of the MRA is pleased to announce the reformation of the 4B Club. This stands for Bent and Buckled Bikers Bureau.  Members visit  injured motorcyclists in hospital or at home, to assist in their recovery by way of delivering a 4B pack, which includes a get well card and some motorcycle magazines. They also provide injured riders with someone like minded to talk to. The MRA are currently seeking volunteers to help this great cause, and promote a presence within the motorcycling community. If you are interested, please call Austin Webb on 0417 780731, or email him at [email protected]


From the RACV, February edition of Royal Auto: The Great Ocean Road between Torquay and Apollo Bay may be reduced to one lane between now and the end of June as VicRoads implement guardrail installations, asphalt resurfacing, signage and delineation improvements. Although the roadworks will be confined to weekdays, there may be loose stones and rough road surfaces at weekends. This is designed “to make the road safer for all users, particularly motorcyclists”

 

Email from Ian Paye: The President’s CBR929 was running a bit rough coming back from the Night Ride but I knew it was due for the 24,000klm service and wasn’t unduly worried. So I was surprised to get a call saying the throttle position sensor (TPS) was playing up! Investigations showed it to be full of water and, although cleaned and resealed, it proved unreliable and was eventually replaced. The jury is still out whether the cause of the problem was a faulty unit or over zealous cleaning on my part!

 

A belated congratulations to Danny Kosinski on his recent (November 2004) marriage to Monica Hasnat. We heard some of the fascinating details on the recent Towong weekend. He has taken on her surname and is now known as Daniel (Danny) Hasnat.


Email from Bill Wee: I have been to New Zealand over the Christmas holidays. I did a few extreme things like almost bungee jumping off a cable car at 143 metres (the highest jump in the southern hemisphere) but chickened out at the last minute. My 15 yr old son Elliott did it . Instead, I jumped out of a plane at 12,000 feet over the Remarkable Mountains. It was so much fun I am looking forward to doing it again. Great motorcycling roads. I even got a ride of an old 750 Commander for a few kilometres. I love NZ but got sick of the calendar perfect sights at every corner. Just joking. It is a heavenly place…makes it so boringly dull colour-wise once we landed in Tullamarine.

 

The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, and 1 point per Magazine article (maximum 2 per Magazine). Attending 1 or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating. After 9 months, the top 10 scorers are: Ben Warden (71), Ian Payne (47.5), Ron Johnston (46), Paul Southwell (43), Robert Langer (33), Trevor Harris (30), Martin Hastie (28), Peter Weyermayr (27), Nigel Hellyer (20), and Renzo Cunico and Paul Grosser (19). No movement amongst the top 10 other than for Trevor to jump a couple of places.

 

Seen at The Motorcycle Diaries at The Nova on Monday 17th January at 7.30 pm were Ben and Fiona Warden, Peter Feistl and Ron and Julie Johnston. The film was preceded by stir-fry in Lygon court. Following the film,  we analysed it over a coffee at Brunettis.

 

Bill Wee sent me this email on the 7th of October, 2004. Would any Club members be interested in attending the MotoGP in Malaysia next year? A three-day grandstand pass only costs approximately $18 Aus. and the return airfare is about $750 Aus. Accommodation in a three star, air-conditioned hotel in the middle of China Town would cost about $35Aus per night, twin share. Food would be about $2.50 per meal. Sounds like a fantastic deal. For more information contact Bill via email at [email protected]  So far Paul Southwell and Paul Grosser have indicated their intention to join Bill – 1 week’s duration is the plan. Another 4 people have come on board. It could be big!

 

Front Cover: Mirboo North, 16th January 2005. Back Row: Jacinta Thomas, Annette Lawrence, Wayne Pope, Tim Walker, Orlando Iluffi, Ron Johnston. Front row: Steve Cowburn, Joel Haley, Peter Feist, Paul Southwell. Behind the camera: Ben Warden.

 

A company called Aussie Discs sent a flier advertising their products.  They manufacture replacement disc brake rotors for motorcycles for most makes and models. Quote this letter and you will receive 10% discount. But 4 discs and receive a 20% discount.  The discs are made of the highest quality Stainless steel, the same Stainless steel that other brake manufacturers such as “Breaking” and “Galfer” use. Discs are available in normal or wave styles, or van be personally styled. Prices start from $140, depending on size, thickness and style. Contact: David Burrows on 03 9317 7358 or mobile 0409 952 681 or email [email protected]

 

Joke: A mechanic was removing the cylinder heads from the motor of a car when he spotted a famous heart surgeon in his shop, who was standing off to the side, waiting for the service manager to come to take a look at his car. The mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hello Doctor! Please come over here for a minute." The famous surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to the mechanic. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked argumentatively, "So doctor, look at this. I also open hearts, take valves out, grind 'em, put in new parts, and when I finish, this will work like a new one. So why do you get the big money, when you and I are doing basically the same work? "The doctor leaned over and whispered to the mechanic ..."Try to do it when the engine is running".