Old Bike Australasia

Like many, many other events the Broadford Bike Bonanza was another 2021 victim of the COVID pandemic. But, COVID willing, it will return for 2022, to its traditional Easter date, which will be welcome news to the many thousands who have come to cher

I have attached photographs of my Dad (Ted Stock) with the bike he acquired in 1937, one of 2 brought into Australia by Frank Pratt in Geelong. The photos were taken in March 1941 just before he went to the Middle East – El Alamein – with the 9th Div

When in my teenage years in Cessnock, and wanting to toy around with Triumphs, it was Bill Blackadder, alias Deathy that you would eventually get acquainted with. He was racing a rigid Triumph on short circuit and later built up another machine with

The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club has been forced to defer their National Rally until 25-27 March, 2022, although it will still be called the 2021 National Rally. The continuing closures of state borders, along with COVID restrictions, forced the

There was a slight slip-up in the announcement of the 2022 OBA Classic Challenge in issue 95. The correct date is the weekend of 12-13 February, 2022. PCRA Club President Ken Lindsay says planning is well advanced and we should have much more informa

The Festival of Motorcycling 2021 is still proceeding with vigour and enthusiasm although the program has been modified due to the pandemic issues still prevailing in Australia (primarily in the Eastern States). Currently there is no lockdown in Sout

Four motorcycles from the estate of the late Allen Burt will feature in Shannons on-line Auction, running from 23rd – 30th November. Burt passed away in January 2009, having never recovered from the trauma of the theft of three of his prized racing s

Pheasant Wood has announced new dates for the All Historic Race meeting originally set down for 11-12 September. The meeting is now scheduled for November 20-21. In a statement issued on 4th August, Circuit Manager Scott Hill said, “There will be a r

The 2021 Australian Historic Road Racing Championships, set down for McNamara Park, Mount Gambier, has been postponed. With state borders currently closed, it became impossible to stage a national championship on the scheduled date. A statement issue

Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) has released a report on the recently-concluded exhibition, The Motorcycle. Design. Art. Desire, which is described as ‘a remarkable event’. The statistics make interesting reading: 112,367 Exhibi

Apologies for the incorrect caption in OBA that described Harold Tapscott’s wartime transport as a BSA when it is, in fact, an Ariel. This was vigorously pointed out by many outraged Ariel buffs, including James Farley who said, “Many an Ariel enthus

The auction originally scheduled for August 28 as part of the Bulli Motorcycle Weekend will now take place from 2pm EST Sunday 31st October 2021, subject to COVID restrictions at that time. Online bidders can view the catalogue, register and bid at w

100 years ago on 15th March, 1921, Moto Guzzi was born. Carlo Guzzi, an ingenious yet practical man, had worked out before he reached his 20th birthday, how to motorise his bicycle. During WW1, he was enrolled in the Air Force and met two pilots; Geo

In a surprise announcement, Triumph is to market an all-new range of motocross and enduro motorcycles. No details of specifications have yet been released, but the British company has signed up two of the biggest names in these fields, American Ricky

Cross Egypt Challenge was created back in 2011 as an initiative to promote Egyptian Tourism. The first event was a 9-day rally from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the north of Egypt to the temple of Abu Simbel, on the southern borders of Egyp

After two years of deliberation, organisers of the world famous ‘Race to the Clouds’, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, have announced that motorcycles will never return to the event. In a statement on August 12, Interim Chairman of the Board

Every now and then we meet one of those extraordinary larger than life characters, more often in motorcycle circles than other groups! MARJ GAFFEY was one of those people- a lively personality, full of life, always ready to help and who could make yo

Well known Sydney identity MARK FIRKIN passed away in July after suffering a stroke and heart attack. In the dirt bike world, Mark was everywhere, and was largely responsible for bringing about the Vintage Motocross revolution. In the 1970s Mark spen

The Australian Velocette community and many OBA readers will be saddened by the death of NORM TRIGG, Technical Officer, former spare parts officer and foundation member of the Melbourne Velocette OC which has for years become the Australian Velocette

In the immediate post WW2 years, hill climbing was big. All you needed was a hill, after all. In western Europe, there were plenty of these, the larger ones more accurately being mountains, and the runs could be up to 30 kilometres. In the Antipodes,

By the mid-sixties motorcycling in Italy had lost its appeal and numerous well established firms like Parilla, Mi-Val, Bianchi, Capriolo, MM and Rumi had been forced to close their doors and even big manufactures including Moto Guzzi, Ducati and Lave

Both peak power and mid range power have increased, by 3PS and 5% respectively. The engine spins freer thanks to a lighter crankshaft and a rare earth alternator, and higher compression, revised cam profile and a port job add to the increased respons

Alan Bartlett and Alan Barelli were in the same Army Regiment during WW2. Bartlett from Strathalbyn, South Australia and Barelli from Melbourne. They became firm friends with interests in common. This interest continued after the war with the Barelli

Back in 1973, a rather exotic racer arrived in Melbourne. The four-cylinder 350cc Benelli was initially thought to have been raced by Australian 250cc World Champion Kel Carruthers, but is now thought to be one of the 1969/70 team machines ridden by

The first rally attracted 350 faithful patrons, with attendance peaking to 5,000 in 1990 and levelling to 1,050 in 2018. I always thought one day to do the Monkey and 2021 would be the one to do it, for its swansong. I set off from the South Island’s

HCMCWA Interclub Championships Round 3 • 14-15 August, 2021 – Collie Motorplex, WA For once the weather gods looked favourably on the motorcycle racing community and we had two perfect weather days. The practice day got off to a slow start with sever

HMCCQ Pine River Swap Meet • 31 July, 2021 – Dayboro Showgrounds, Qld The day started with a brisk early morning ride to a new venue at the Dayboro Showgrounds. Considering that we couldn’t have the over the border sellers like Cob Smith we still wit

NZ’s BSA National Rally 2021 • 26-28 February, 2021 – Christchurch, NZ The Cracroft Guiding Centre in the Garden City of Christchurch in the South Island’s Canterbury Plains provided the venue for the 26th National Rally of New Zealand’s Canterbury B

There are some important things to know about fuel tank liners, but fuel tank lining from home is a simple process. If you follow the instruction in every Red White & Blue kit you will enjoy a seamless, positive result for your project. Here are answ

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE CURRENT HEALTH CRISIS INDIVIDUAL EVENT LISTING DATES AND DETAILS COULD CHANGE CLUB SECRETARIES: Because of our lead time for printing, please ensure your listing is received at least four months prior to the event. Email y

The hue of Sir Carruthers’ face exactly matched the magnificent Carmine leather settee that sat under the family portrait in his sumptuous office. He turned progressively redder as he shuffled the papers in his hand. Stabbing a finger at the buzzer o