Issue 87

Old Bike Australasia

For motorcycle enthusiasts, young and old.

Old Bike Australasia9 min read
Letters To The Editor
I’m just going crazy here in Bathurst; stuck at home (over Easter) when in other years we would all be riding in the Bathurst Rally. So I went to the rally ‘start line’ at 10am on Easter Sunday morning to take a photo. Maybe you can compare it to oth
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Old Bike Australasia
Jim Scaysbrook Alan Cathcart, Gaven Dall’Osto, Stuart Francis, Peter Laverty, Beth Oliver, Peter Smith. Michael Andrews, Rick Benson, Robin Lewis, Russ Murray, Sue Scaysbrook, Keith Ward. Mat Clancy Emsee Publishing Design Sue Scaysbrook Email: suesc
Old Bike Australasia2 min readAutomotive
TVS buys Norton
In a statement, TVS Motor’s joint managing director Sudarshan Venu said, “This is a momentous time for us. Norton is an iconic British brand celebrated across the world, and presents us with an immense opportunity to scale globally. We will extend ou
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Ignorance Is Bliss? Hardly.
Further to your editorial in OBA 86, John Connolly’s items in the Weekend Australian can at times be amusing and informative as he projects the persona of a sporting car wonk, mainly concerned with classic auction prices. His style tends to be jocula
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Vincent Rally Shifts To 2021
Organiser Judy Bayer says, “The rally will be at the same place (McLaren Vale Motel & Apartments) and the new dates are Monday 20th September to Friday 24th September, 2021. We are not sure what is happening with the 40th Anniversary of the Bay to Bi
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Mac Park Titles Forging Ahead
The Australian Historic Road Racing Championships set down for 20-22 November at McNamara Park, Mount Gambier, are still on schedule. With restrictions gradually easing, the organising club is optimistic that the event will take place as scheduled, a
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Classic TT off
Isle of Man Minister for Enterprise Laurence Skelly said in a statement, “This is obviously a conclusion that we didn’t want to reach but unfortunately when all factors and advice are considered, we felt it was important to make an early decision to
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Editor’s Letter
I wasn’t going to mention the C-19 word, but it’s hard to avoid at present, even though we’re led to believe the corner has been turned. But what has really impressed me during this unprecedented crisis is the resilience of the public at large, and s
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Out In The Shed
In the last issue I had a photo of a recently acquired wheel which I had not been able to identify. Brian Langton of the Gulgong Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Club contacted me. He tells me that it is for a BSA B40 specifically made for the Australi
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Good Companions Rally cancelled
Velocette Owners Club of Australia Keith Canning issued a statement to VOCA members on 30th April which said, in part, “Those members who have attended these rallies would realise the amount of work and planning that goes in to making a successful we
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
VJMC Virtual Show and Shine
Via the club’s web site, a ‘Virtual’ Show and Shine was organised, featuring many motorcycles that would otherwise have taken part in the rally. Members were able to vote for their choices, and the results make interesting viewing. Three Overall Winn
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
A Worthwhile Website
The monthly e-mag naturally focuses on Vincent issues, but also contains lots of useful workshop tips and general classic bike news. Subscription is free as is access to the complete OVR archive. Edition #75 has just been published so for more detail
Old Bike Australasia8 min read
A Consummate Achiever
One of the several self-made men from humble backgrounds who in the 1960s-70s powered Italy’s post-WW2 resurgence from derelict battleground to thriving economy, Morbidelli’s life story was a rags-to-riches saga worthy of Hollywood. He was born in 19
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Bulli Goes On-line
Whilst the COVID-19 restrictions are loosening up, our advice has been that large gatherings are some way off, so the organisers have become millennials and are having the meeting live and online. We will be having tech talks, bike talks, interviews,
Old Bike Australasia9 min readAutomotive
A Flexi-Flyer Flies Again
Genuine ex-works racers are thin on the ground, especially Suzukis, which were usually consigned to the crusher on completion of their racing life. The factory triple cylinder water cooled TR750 (officially code named the XR11), as opposed to the var
Old Bike Australasia4 min readAutomotive
Under the Chequered Flag
Long-time sidecar campaigner ROBERT ‘ORRIE’ SALTER passed away in March at his home in Queensland. He had recently suffered a broken hip in a fall and failed to recover from surgery. Salter, who owned a motorcycle shop at Bexley in Sydney’s south, ra
Old Bike Australasia9 min readAutomotive
Gentleman Tuner
Neville Joseph Doyle was born at Bairnsdale, in the East Gippsland district of Victoria, in 1937. He attended a local state school and after completing High School undertook a Motor Mechanics Apprenticeship with Marshal’s Garage. In those days it was
Old Bike Australasia4 min read
A Journey Of Discovery
Motorbikes have been a part of both their lives from the moment they could reach the pedals or double up with dads and brothers. One went down the path of racing, the other just enjoyed the speed and freedom a bike gave him. They knew each other from
Old Bike Australasia8 min readAutomotive
Typhoon Warning!
As far back as 1926, Ulrich Maisch began producing accessories and parts for bicycles under the Maico name (formed from the words Maisch Company) at a small factory at Poltringen near Stuttgart. He also operated a 24-hour car servicing centre. By 193
Old Bike Australasia6 min readAutomotive
Londonderry Short Circuit NSW
The standards were applied across the board, meaning that everything from championship car race tracks to paddock-based scrambles were assessed the same in regards to their provisions for spectator safety. Held on the last weekend in March, the annua
Old Bike Australasia5 min readAutomotive
Pretty And Practical
The SS125 sprang from the Japan-only CS125, which, with a power output of 13hp at 10,000 rpm, was a less powerful 125 twin than the 15hp CB92 Benly Super Sport, to give it its full title. The word Benly means ‘convenient’ in Japanese, and that’s a fa
Old Bike Australasia10 min readAutomotive
The Birth Of The Breed
Everything has to start somewhere, and in the case of Meccanica Verghera Agusta, it began with the humble 98cc model, christened simply MV98. The path that would lead the world famous company to 37 Motorcycle World Championships for Manufacturers, 38
Old Bike Australasia3 min readAutomotive
Just like Johnny’s
As we detailed in our preview ‘The Rock Hopper Returns ‘ (OBA 85 Buzz Box), the model is a tilt to the legendary exploits of the models ridden in the International Six Days Trial, Scottish Six Day, and numerous national events that crammed the calend
Old Bike Australasia3 min readAutomotive
Breezin’ Along With The Breeze
The main visible differences are the seat, handlebars, the lack of a bikini fairing, and er, that’s about it. Engine, frame and suspension are identical with the Café, so performance wise, what we said last year stands. The W800 in this guise is the
Old Bike Australasia1 min readAutomotive
The Hub ‘66
Ray Goulter has unearthed these evocative photos from December 1966, taken in Goulburn Street, looking across to Pitt Street. As Ray observes, the signage in Amalgamated Scooters’ front window still shows prices in pounds, even though the switch to d
Old Bike Australasia5 min read
Fender Benders In WA
Michael Rock, one of the two business partners of Vintage Steel, senses my bewilderment. “They’re rejects,” he says, as he pulls out a couple of samples. “See here, if you hold this up to the light you can see it has a couple of scallops.” I look clo
Old Bike Australasia6 min readTechnology & Engineering
Cutting-edge Technology Boosts Vintage Bikes
The technologies of ultrasonic cleaning, corrosion reversal, media and hydra blasting are the cornerstones of turning around this deterioration. Sometimes however it becomes obvious that the parts on the old ‘rattler’ have reached their expiry date.
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Remembering A Kiwi Legend
The Transport World Trust, in conjunction with the Southland Sports Car Club, have created the George Begg Classic Speedfest to honour the memory of one of Southland’s most famous sons, George Begg. George played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s Golde
Old Bike Australasia2 min readAutomotive
Old BIKE Out ’n’ about
RYAN MCNAUGHT, aka The Brickman, is one of only 14 LEGO Certified Professionals in the world, and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. Based in Melbourne, Ryan and his team have built some of the largest and most detailed LEGO brick models, and h
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Quality Over Quantity
With both riders and bikes getting older, the numbers were slightly down from previous years but everyone who attended had a great time. This year’s Mail Run started off at the Marina in Taupo with about 40 bikes; the oldest bikes being a 1929 Triump
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Goldfields Gallop
For all the weekend the weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold with the sun shining each day. Friday’s shake down run to Talbot left the caravan park at 5pm; a nice little run to the hotel there and straight back on the main road with 40km co
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Cruising The South West
American bikes were out in force for this year’s Indian Harley Club Two-day Rally, with a great range of bikes on the road and drawing lots of interest from spectators and participants. Considered one of the state’s premier events for old bikes, the
Old Bike Australasia2 min readAutomotive
Just In Time
Saturday the 14th March was an overcast day with a little sprinkle on and off. If anything, the weather was much better than the last couple of Maleny Swap meets although what’s on the horizon for any future HMCCQ events bares darker clouds as the co
Old Bike Australasia15 min read
CLUB DIRECTORY & MARKETPLACE
⋆ Denotes new or modified listing. Restoration advice & information freely available. Australian Rally held every two years. Contact Don Littleford, Toowoomba, Qld. Ph: 0746 141 207 Email: littleford@palmlake.net.au Web: www.adlermotorcycles.com Aust
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
The Voice Of Wisdom
“Yes, sir. Very good, sir”, the Spagforth personnel would mutter, tugging their forelocks with due punctilio. Yet, the guvnor was undeterred, and strove incessantly for fresh ideas and production innovation. He had long admired the work of Antonio Me
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Talk To Me!
One of the highlights of modern motorcycling is the ability to be able to talk with friends while riding. Not everyone wants the solitude of solo motorcycling. Quite a few of us use GPS systems, or there are those who like to listen to music. There a
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Epic Gold Rush Run
The annual gathering of Ténéré Tragics celebrated its tenth anniversary with a fun-packed five-day adventure ride in the picturesque Victorian countryside. The 2020 Gold Rush Run welcomed the appearance of the all-new Ténéré 700 adventure twin (see O
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
What’s On
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE CURRENT HEALTH CRISIS INDIVIDUAL EVENT LISTING DATES AND DETAILS COULD CHANGE. Please check with the listed contact info for each event or stay up-to-date via our website at www.oldbikemag.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Eyes Right
By Barbara Batistich Self published ISBN: 978-0-646-55200-2 92 pages paperback Price $25 including postage To order: Contact the author: Barbara@batistich.com Author Barbara Batistich says in her Preface, “This is the story of my father Colin Stewart
Old Bike Australasia2 min readFashion
Hit The Road In Some Great Winter Wear!
A traditional lace-up all-leather short boot, the TCX X-Blend is waterproof, so you can wear them anywhere, anytime, city or country. The full grain leather gives a great look and feel, and comes in either brush-finished black or natural-finish brown

Old Bike Australasia

More Issues From Old Bike Australasia