Issue 105

Old Bike Australasia

For motorcycle enthusiasts, young and old.

Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Tiddlers Are Tops
If there’s an unlikely but palpable growth area in the world of classic rallying, it’s not big road burners, but at the opposite end of the scale – what has become known as Tiddlers. In southern New South Wales alone, there are six such rallies alrea
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Old Bike Australasia
Jim Scaysbrook OAM Email: scaysbrook34@bigpond.com Tel: (02) 9672 6899 (bh) Mbl: 0411 443 444 PO Box 95, Kellyville NSW 2155 Alan Cathcart, Gaven Dall’Osto, Michael Esdaile, Peter Laverty, Brenton Matters, Russ Murray, Rennie Scaysbrook, Peter Smith,
Old Bike Australasia5 min read
Blow Your Own
In reply to Melvin Woodhouse’s letter “Sertums in Somaliland” in OBA 104, the bike shown with the young lady is a 1933 500cc Triumph Silent Scout model B, not a Sertum. I have a model A side-valve 550cc Triumph. I have included a picture taken from A
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
RARITEE Best Letter
The attached photo is of yours truly taken about 1952 in Germany with my father’s new Tornax* and the attached trailer he built and in which we toured Germany. The trailer was unusual in that it only had the one centre wheel with my legs either side
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Wakefield Appeal
Despite gathering 28,950 signatures, the petition “Save Wakefield Park” will not be debated in the NSW Legislative Assembly, as previously stated by the government. A previous announcement on 11th November said “As the ePetition received more than 20
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
End Of The Road For Avon?
Avon, which has operated from its factory in Melksham, near Bath since 1885, is to close the operation by the end of 2023. Avon was acquired by the US firm Cooper Tire & Rubber in 1997 and Cooper itself was swallowed up by Goodyear in 2021 in a sale
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
New RE Super Meteor 650
A surprise announcement at the recent EICMA Show in Milan was the new Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 which it believes will become a major player in the Cruiser market. Created in conjunction with Harris Performance, the model features an all-new cha
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
2023 Suzuki VJMC National Rally
Bendigo will be the place to be from 17-19 March when the VJMC rally hits town for the second time. The Big 4 Park Lane will again be Rally Central and host the Welcome BBQ on Friday night, breakfasts, and the AGM on Sunday morning. The Show & Shine
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Pukekohe Set For Last Hurrah
The annual NZ Classic Festival enjoys a massive following from people of all ages and walks of life. Many enthusiasts make it an annual pilgrimage, some travel to watch the racing or catch up with old racers and mechanics, while others simply want to
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
More Munro Machinery At Invercargill
Fans of Kiwi legend of speed, Burt Munro, now have even more of a reason to pay Classic Motorcycle Mecca in the deep south New Zealand city of Invercargill a visit when the 2023 Burt Munro Challenge roars back into town in February. Dubbed the leadin
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Roger Klobe
Roger was a stalwart with the local classic bike scene being a dedicated Norton enthusiast and owning a large number of classic and collectable Nortons including a Tonkin Manx. Roger had attended every All British Rallies along with many other classi
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Ken Phelps
Just prior to the event he posted the following message on Facebook. “G’day all, I’m Ken Phelps, entrant number 50 and I’ll be riding my 1948 Vincent HRD. I have ridden my Norvin and Vincents as my daily transport for 44 years. I have ridden the east
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Norman (Ken) Wilson
In several major and minor motorcycle shops, including Pratts, Stanco, and Freedom Wheels, Ken worked in various capacities, but usually in spare parts where he was very knowledgeable. Beginning with a Vespa scooter and followed soon after by a Jawa,
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Stan ‘Spraza’ Smith
Spraz passed away aged 90 years on September 19th last. Stan spent some early years residing in Whyalla before moving to Adelaide. Mostly interested in speedway sidecar racing, Stan began racing in the age where most other things didn’t much matter o
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Longford Expo looms
There’s something of a Longford boom happening right now. In this issue is the review of Neil Kearney’s new book that details the history of the famous circuit, and next March, from 11th to 12th, is the Longford Grand Prix Expo set in the town itself
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Moreparts Ducati at Bathurst
The latest motorcycle on display at the National Motor Racing Museum at Bathurst is the 1977 Ducati 750SS ridden in the 1977 and 1978 Castrol Six Hour races by 9 times World Champion Mike Hailwood, and OBA editor Jim Scaysbrook. The Ducati, originall
Old Bike Australasia9 min read
Marathon Man
Throughout his high school years, a steady diet of British motorcycle magazines only intensified Joe’s desire to own a motorcycle, so in an effort to keep Joe’s mind on his final year studies, his parents stumped up the wherewithal to buy a BSA Banta
Old Bike Australasia6 min read
A Class Of Its Own
The CS5-E of 1972 (officially the YCS) was Yamaha’s last roll of the dice before the RD series took over with its radical and angular new styling. The CS5 had its origins in the 181cc twin that began with the YCS1 back in 1968, with styling reminisce
Old Bike Australasia6 min read
Boasting rights
The result was the ZX-10, released in 1988, and that was faster (and 16kg lighter) again. Road testers of the day had no trouble in winding the new model out to 257 km/h or 160mph in the old money. That’s quick. And with a bit of fiddling with emissi
Old Bike Australasia7 min read
Coming And Going
When Richard Woodhead and his French mate Paul Angois set up business in Sherwood Forest, Nottingham in 1885, they planned to dive into the new but already thriving bicycle business, which they did with great success. And today, nearly 140 years late
Old Bike Australasia9 min read
King Of Thump (for A While)
Honda single-handedly reversed the trend to 2-stroke trail bikes with the release of the XL250 in 1971. The four-valve engine was a gem, the chassis a marked improvement of anything else offered by the Big H up to that point. It was comfortable and r
Old Bike Australasia7 min read
Back To The Beach
Tasmania, with its vast coastline had places like Seven Mile Beach, Bakers Beach and Greens Beach, New South Wales had a brief flirtation with Bellambi and Gerringong, and Queensland had (and still has) Grasstree Beach near Mackay which has operated
Old Bike Australasia9 min read
Lost Legend
The Excelsior Supply Company was formed in Chicago in 1876 by George T. Robie, initially distributing sewing-machine parts before, in the early 1890s, it branched into the booming bicycle business. Chicago had become the centre of the American cycle
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Guzzi’s inspiration?
As well as their quite successful, if unorthodox 125cc racing scooters (see OBA 15), Lambretta also built a fully streamlined 125cc machine that shattered World Records when it achieved 201km/h at Montlhery in France in 1951 with Romolo Ferri in the
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Surprise Packet
Benelli is currently performing extremely well, with over 40,000 bikes sold in Europe in the past twelve months. I must admit, standing back looking at the 800 as it arrived at OBA HQ, that it didn’t exactly blow me away, styling wise with those curr
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
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Old Bike Australasia5 min read
Hit 100, Then Reset
The view is like something from a Sean Connery Bond film. Crystal clear, glass-smooth waters drift by as the road snakes its way along the base of the cliffs overlooking Mandello del Lario, the million dollar houses dotted on the hillsides matched to
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Images of Arcadia
Following up on the story of Trials riding at Arcadia, NW Sydney, Bob McGlinchy has unearthed some more shots of the feet-up sport at that sadly lost venue. Some feature Peter Paice who was the top man in the ‘70s and who helped put Yamaha on the Tri
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
The Imperial Cup
The Goulburn Motorcycle Club held its first club run in November 1911. During the early years of motorcycling in Australia, many reliability runs were made to nearby towns in the district, hill climbing and speed trials being popular. In January 1914
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Rush Hour At Brabham Loop
13 bikes in the one shot. Gary Reid is quite proud of this photo taken at Amaroo Park in 1973, during the heyday of the push and shove 250 Production Class. “This was shot from the dirt mound on the outside of the track, scene of mayhem for many phot
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Jampot Rally Heads For Hadspen
The AJS and Matchless Owners Club of Australia Inc. welcomes all motorcyclists to the coming 40th Ruby Anniversary Down Under Jampot Rally on March 24 – 27, 2023 at Hadspen just north of Launceston, Tasmania. Organised by Martin Heatley, this promise
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Classic Bike Spares Changes Hands
After starting from scratch six years ago, Ross and Adele Mitchell built Classic Bike Spares into a thriving business, but now it is time to move on. The new owner is Ryan Murray, a trained fitter and machinist and experienced engine reconditioner, w
Old Bike Australasia4 min read
Resurrecting a Big 4
Norton Historian in England Richard Payne confirms this Big 4 was built in 1941 under contract No.C11297 and the Inspectors stamp of M223 fits. There were approximately 1000 Big 4s built and Richard goes on to say there was an extra charge to crate 1
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Open Day At Amaroo Park
On a sunny Sunday on November 27th, Stay Upright founder Warwick Schuberg opened the doors of his wonderful museum to the public, and a bumper crowd turned out for a look. As well as Warwick’s vast collection inside the warehouse, which has been high
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
A Bumper Weekend
HMRAV 39th Southern Classic • 5-6 November, 2022 – Broadford Motorcycle Complex, Broadford, Victoria Covid curtailed many events in the past two years and historic racing, after restrictions were lifted, saw relatively small numbers of competitors, n
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Talent Rises At Collie
HCMC Inter Club Championships Rd 5 • 22-23 October, 2022 – Collie Motorplex, WA A good entry turned out with strong fields across all of the classes; the Sidecars and Junior Road Racers had strong fields with all of the front runners in attendance wi
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Coast To Coast In 14 Days
2022 Indian Pacific Cannonball Classic • 14-27 October, 2022 – Busselton, WA to Merimbula, NSW The Indian Pacific Cannonball Classic, a cross country journey for pre 1948 motorcycles, started at the Busselton wharf in WA with a finish some 4,692 km a
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Scaling The Heights
Barossa Vintage Collingrove Hillclimb • 2 October, 2022 – Collingrove, SA For the third running of this event which included motorcycles, we had 13 bikes entered, four in Period 2 (Prewar) and the rest in Period 3 (Classic), as we prepared to tackle
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Titles Decided In The West
WA State Championships • 24-26 September, 2022 – Collie Motorplex, Collie, WA With perfect weather and a large entry the action on track was hard and fast over the two race days. As well as all of the Historic classes the meeting also staged a round
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Fortune Favours The Brave
Goulburn Classic Riders Annual Ride • 22-23 October 2022 – Goulburn NSW First it was Covid, now it’s the weather, and there was plenty of weather to deal with on this weekend. I’ve not seen so much water pour out of people as the riders arrived back
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Bultacos And Other Beauties
Orange Classic and Café Racer Bike Show • 16 October, 2022 – Milthorpe NSW The second OCCR bike show in historic Millthorpe, between Bathurst and Orange, went off without too much of an issue and I believe everyone who attended had an enjoyable time.
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Ariels On The Rampage
Mostly Ariel Rally • 9 October, 2022 – Pine Rivers, Qld With the daylight hours getting longer this rally was scheduled for an 8.30am departure and a midday return to the clubhouse. 17 Ariels arrived, ranging from 1929 through to 1958, and another 26
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Mud, Muck And Laverdas
2022 Laverda Australia Rally • 30 September – 2 October, 2022 – Bellingen, NSW And so it was that the Laverda Australia Rally, unshackled after enforced delays could proceed with gay abandon. Well not really, factor in La Nina #3 and things were abou
Old Bike Australasia4 min read
Celebrating Motorcycling In Many Forms
Festival of Motorcycling (FOMSA) • 3-9 October, 2022 – Adelaide and environs, SA The week-long Festival of Motorcycling started with a new event – The Painted Silos ‘Enduro’ and ‘Tour’. This event was divided into two simultaneous, but separate, whol
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
A Capital Rally
Velocette owners Club ACT Rally • 23-25th September, 2022 – Garden City Hotel, Narrabundah ACT A dedicated group of 11 Velo riders, some with willing partners, attended a ‘Capital Rally’ in Canberra in September, based at the Garden City Hotel at Nar
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Smoke Screen
HMCCQ Pine Rivers Twoies and Tiddlers Ride • 10 August, 2022 – Brisbane, Qld The Brisbane RNA “show holiday” has in recent years become awkward for many people to synchronise their public holiday with family and friends, as the holiday started to be
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Good Gear
From the long-established German company Held comes the Desert II Gloves (article No. 21954). The outer shell is made from abrasion-resistant kangaroo leather palm, mesh fabric/leather detailed back, and is colourfast and sweat-proof. Other features
Old Bike Australasia4 min read
Eyes Right
By Alan Cathcart Limited edition available by mail order only. See the FBA Moto Italiane website for details… https://www.motoitaliane.it/en/prodotto/ducatisuperbike-1988-2001/ Alan Cathcart’s latest book covers the history of the factory Ducati Supe
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
What’s On
CLUB SECRETARIES: Because of our lead time for printing, please ensure your listing is received at least four months prior to the event. Email your event details to… scaysbrook34@bigpond.com Brisbane Motorcycle Club Swap Meet 19 February 2023 – Mick
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Next Issue Preview
BMW R66 Bavarian rarity Kawasaki 100R Just like Eddie’s The Downing Special A Velo like no other Old Bike Australasia No.106 available on newsstands from 2nd March, 2023 www.oldbikemag.com.au ■
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Caught On Film
He had long espoused that motorists should pay for the privilege of having local roads maintained for their use – in effect a form of local road tax – and that any excess revenue be utilised for civic duties such as attending conferences and “study t

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