Issue 109

Old Bike Australasia

For motorcycle enthusiasts, young and old.

Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Editor’s Letter
Accidents happen. Despite best-laid plans, things can go wrong. As they did in the recent Debenham Winter Tour in the NSW Southern Highlands. On the second of two legs scheduled for the Saturday, riders were heading to Bundanoon for the lunch stop; a
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 Gaven Dall’Osto, Bryan Fowler, Peter Laverty, Mick Metheson, Russ Murray, Rennie Scaysbrook, Peter Smith, Mark Turnbull, Pete
Old Bike Australasia6 min read
Letters To The Editor
Here is a small selection of the bikes (above & right) in the recent display at the Gippsland Vehicle Collection, in Maffra, Victoria. The collection is a rotating display which is open to the public Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, every day dur
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Jan Blizzard honoured
In the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List, Jan Blizzard was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (O.A.M.) for service to motor sport. Jan is well known to competitors and officials alike through her long service at race meetings, either as Race Secret
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Greenfield Collection For Auction
In the basement garage of his home in Eastern Sydney he amassed a vast amount of memorabilia that included books, magazines, photographs, signs and brochures, as well as a number of motorcycles and parts. The bikes include several Vincents, and the 5
Old Bike Australasia4 min read
Out In The Shed
I recently heard that the well-known wheel from Omodeis Motorcycle Shop was now with an elderly gentleman either in Brisbane or somewhere else in Queensland. If anyone knows who has this memorabilia from a past motorcycle business please let me know.
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Subscription Enquiries
For all enquiries regarding subscriptions, please DO NOT CONTACT THE EDITOR. Contact NextMedia Subscriptions Department by email subscribe@mymagazines.com.au or by phone on 1300 361146 or (02) 9901 6111 Website: www.mymagazines.com.au Postal address:
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Ride Tassie With A Legend
“The ride will be for 6 days in November with all activities including a number of interesting shed visits and other bike location visits, accommodation, fuel and breakfast all included in the ride cost. Not to mention the great Tassy roads that you
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Bathurst Circuit ‘On Hold’
This follows the withdrawal of two Federal Government grants totalling $12.5 million, for having not met the prerequisites to receive the funding. This occurred because BRC was not able to confirm that the grants would be spent and construction of th
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Changes at The Burt
The Burt Munro Challenge has announced that it will host a round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship on 10-11 February 2024 at Teretonga Park in Invercargill, along with established classes, within the event programme. However, the Challenge wi
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
FOMSA Gets Set To Go
The event officially kicks off on Sunday 1st October, when ride entrants can attend the Vintage Motorcycle Club Swap Meet, then head out to Collingrove for the Hill Climb where they can choose to either spectate or compete. Other rides will be hosted
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Baskerville Gears Up For Titles
Probably one of the most remarkable things about this year’s Australian Historic Road Racing Championships at Hobart’s Baskerville Raceway is that the event hasn’t been held at the historic Tasmanian circuit before. Located 23km north of Hobart, the
Old Bike Australasia8 min read
BUZZ BOX Under the Chequered Flag
A man who was associated with motorcycling in almost every form, ROBERT ‘PAUL’ REED, passed away in Stanthorpe in January, aged 93. Paul hailed from Victoria but moved to Queensland many years ago to seek a better climate for his respiratory conditio
Old Bike Australasia7 min read
A Well-sorted Motorcycle
Through the late 1950s and the whole of the 1960s, bike sales had fallen into a black hole and no one believed they would ever come out. BMW came within a whisker of going broke, almost following most of its competitors into oblivion, but a bank loan
Old Bike Australasia6 min read
A cellar Full Of history
Malcolm’s company Xanox Design is at the cutting edge of precision commercial engineering, encompassing everything from the usual milling and turning to 3D printing and the development of prototypes, and has been in operation since 1999. This busines
Old Bike Australasia4 min read
A Fast five Hundred
Yet such were the fortunes of New Hudson, which began when George Patterson made his first bicycle in a small room in Birmingham, marketing his product as the Gem. One of the first bicycles was sold to a commercial traveller who had been working for
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Buying a (new) New Hudson
The New Hudson Model 88 Plus Power was released in late 1927 following the firm’s success at the 1927 Tourist Trophy Senior race, where Jimmy Guthrie finished second riding the lead works New Hudson. Guthrie later joined the Norton racing team and we
Old Bike Australasia7 min read
Pigs That Fly
That mantra was basically unchanged for Jawa, but lookalike? Nah. Not Jawa. When the company first displayed its new 175cc scooter in 1955, a common comment was, “Oooh. It looks like a pig”. True, with that long protruding snout, it did have a certai
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Goulburn Gets Moving
On motor racing terms, the Goulburn district holds a distinctive place in history. In 1914 the first Australian Tourist Trophy took place here, and in 1924 the Australian Grand Prix was staged on a triangular circuit running between Goulburn, Windell
Old Bike Australasia6 min read
Suburban Stunt Show
When the Brisbane Wanderers Automobile Club approached Tom Payne with the concept of conducting an annual hill climb for motorcycles in his back paddock, they had little idea how popular the event would become. Folklore has it that, in order to demon
Old Bike Australasia6 min read
Father And son
The DT-1 simply changed forever people’s expectation of a multi-purpose motorcycle – we say multi-purpose rather than dual purpose, because the DT1 was an excellent trail bike, a very capable road bike, and a highly competitive race bike. Not only di
Old Bike Australasia10 min read
Significant Special
Ever since the 1935 debut of the telescopic fork with hydraulic damping on a production motorcycle with BMW’s R12 and R17 models, and its subsequent adoption as the go-to solution for front suspension on powered two-wheelers the world over, there hav
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
The Slow Lane
The old shed door creaked on its rusting hinges and I spied Li le Chook, the Bantam curled up to Big Bertha the B31. I gently wheeled Li le Chook away from her sibling and eased her nose out of the shed. She was already loaded up for the exciting jou
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST Heavy metal thunder
This is the sort of motorcycle that attracts admirers and aspirants like few others. In more restrictive environments, say inner-city Sydney, the Road Glide ST needs to be treated with respect and a touch of caution, because at 382kg with fuel and oi
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Old BIKE Out’n’about
The annual Show Day organised by the Macquarie Towns Club takes place from 10am-2pm on Sunday 10th September. The venue is the picturesque Macquarie Park on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. It’s a free day with lots of beautiful classics to feast y
Old Bike Australasia4 min read
An XR75 turns 50
It was 1973, and Mr. Field, my Grade 3-4 teacher, had assigned us a task. Being in Grade 4, I finished the task quickly and afterwards disrupted some mates. Mr. Field said, “Hartnett have you finished?” I replied, “yes”, and he called me to his desk
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Bulli Set To Go
This year’s Bulli Antique Motorcycle Weekend looks bigger and better than ever with the swap meet, bike and parts auctions, tech talks and a great display of bikes in the main arena. We are lucky enough to have some fabulous tech talks this year incl
Old Bike Australasia4 min read
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 A welcome addition
The new Super Meteor 650 is also significant because it is the first addition to the original two Royal Enfield 650s – the Interceptor and the Continental GT – since they made their debuts in 2018. That absence of additions to the line up has surpris
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
FLASH BACK Gary’s
By 1972 the Castrol Six Hour Race at Amaroo Park had established itself as the biggest race on the calendar. All the top riders were in it, and the manufacturers fell over themselves to prove their latest and greatest under race conditions. As did Ya
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
From Dry To Deluge
• 27-28 May, 2023 – Winton, Victoria Historic Winton is one of the few 4+2 (cars and bikes) that still exist in Australia. The event is conducted by the Austin 7 Club with the HMRAV running the bike side of the meet. Although fiercely cold, at least
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Another Highlands fling
• 17-18 June, 2023 – Moss Vale, NSW Unlike last year’s soggy affair, the 22nd running of the Debenham Winter Tour by the Classic & Enthusiasts MCC of NSW Illawarra Branch was blessed with perfect weather. A capacity field of 60 solos and sidecars tur
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Fun In The Sun
• 21 May, 2023 – Canungra Showgrounds, Qld & HMCCQ Tamborine Mountain Area The disappointment of having last year’s show washed out was a distant memory with the 2023 Show held in brilliant autumn weather. It’s a massive job to put this show together
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Small Wonders
• 6 May, 2023 – Gunning NSW The Coolalie Cruiser Motor Club (CCMC) held a one day ride for machines of less than 250cc and 30 years or older as well as Veteran, Edwardian or Vintage bikes up to 1930 (any capacity). The Telegraph Hotel in Gunning was
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Desmos’ Day Out
• 29 April, 2023 – Yatala, Qld Yes, new management and a slight name change (adding an ‘s’ to Bevel) but it’s still the pinnacle event for bevel Ducati owners on the mid-east coast of Australia. The Queensland contingent gathered at Yatala where Russ
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
The Biggest Show In Town
• 21-23 April, 2023 – Newstead, Victoria Three days of perfect motorcycling weather blessed the 45th All British Rally which is open to all makes of British motorcycle and is the biggest such event in the southern hemisphere. About 500 motorcyclists
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
Northern Tablelands action
• 21-23 April, 2023 – Inverell NSW Over 200 bikes arrived under superb autumn skies and checked in at Inverell’s Pioneer Village outdoor museum for Inverell Motorcycle Restorers Club (thrice deferred) 28th Annual Rally. Friday saw 112 entrants at Rob
Old Bike Australasia3 min read
Reading And Watching
By Philip Dalling ISBN 978-0-85704-361-0 Published by Hasgrove 144 pages hardback Available from The Pitstop Bookshop Ph: 1800 622 422 Email: pitstop@woodslane.com.au Web: www.pitstop.net.au Item Code: 61883 RRP: $37.46 (was $49.95) Author Philip Dal
Old Bike Australasia5 min read
Wasps invade Wangaratta
• 24-26 March 2023 – Wangaratta, Vic. People came from every state and territory in Australia with some travelling from as far as the UK and the Philippines, all to attend the 2023 Australian Vespa Days Rally. Held from 24th to the 26th of March in W
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
New Products For All Bikers
Disc brake calipers have a hard life. The combination of heat build up and moisture intrusion give seals and pistons a torrid time, and performance goes downhill quickly. WeMoto now stock TRK Braking piston/seal kits for many models from 1970. All TR
Old Bike Australasia1 min read
Next Issue Preview
Old Bike Australasia No.110 available on newsstands from 21st September, 2023 www.oldbikemag.com.au ■
Old Bike Australasia5 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 Bulli Antique Motorcycle Weekend 12-13 August, 2023 – Bulli
Old Bike Australasia2 min read
The Power Of One
The current hysteria surrounding the Australian tour of American starlet Taylor Swift is understandable, given her many attributes, which include singing. Her affect on young girls, who contemplate everything from tantrums to suicide should they be d

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