VJMC #141

Quarterly Club Mag www.vjmc.org.au

ISSUE 141

VJMC INC AUSTR ALIA

VJMC Inc Australia The Australian branch of the VJMC is a registered association incorporated in the state of New South Wales.

Objectives of the VJMC: To foster the preservation, restoration, riding and enjoyment of older Japanese motorcycles.

Club Postal Address PO Box 254 Modbury North SA 5092 Membership Applications & Renewals VJMC Inc, PO Box 254 Modbury North SA 5092 Website www.vjmc.org.au VJMC Australia Committee President John McNair johnfour750@hotmail.com Secretary Paul Johnson pj0067@bigpond.net.au / paul_joh85@hotmail.com Treasurer Steve Phelps steve.phelps@bigpond.com Vice president/Public Officer David Bernardi mrdbernardi@gmail.com Area Rep Coordinator Alan Stork storka.01@hotmail.com Membership Secretary Mick Godfrey mgo22098@bigpond.net.au Merchandising Officer Peter Donnellan peted@internode.on.net Committee Member Terry Foreman Committee Member Stephen O’Farrell stepheno2812@gmail.com Committee Member (Rally) Paul Rowling motopaulie@bigpond.com Librarian Lyndon Adams lyndarra@gmail.com Editor Tom Calderwood tom@pepperpublishing.com.au

QUARTERLY VJMC MAGAZINE This is a forum for members in which they may advertise bikes and/or parts for sale or wanted, exchange ideas and restoration tips, seek advice, share opinions and experiences, or anything else relating to the club’s objectives. Contributions are very welcome.v

Cover Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R Mark II on display at the National Rally Photo Ole Andersen

141 CONTENTS

President’s Report

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SA News

6

Sunshine Coast Reports

8

Melbourne Metro

10

SEQ News

12

Toogoolawah Ride

14

Vic Club Permit Report

16

Vale Alan Thompson

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My First Ride

19

Product Review

20

Track Day on a CX500

22

Pioneer Peggy

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Kawasaki H2 Restoration - Pt. Two

28

Honda RC166 Replica

34

Suzuka Tour Update

38

Members Directory

39

Club Info

40

Membership Renewal

42

Please Contribute

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PRESIDENTS REPORT

HELLO FOLKS. IT WAS TRULY GREAT TO RECEIVE MY LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARD AT THIS YEAR’S VJMC NATIONAL RALLY IN CANBERRA. I FIRST JOINED THE CLUB BACK IN THE LATE1970S AND ALONG WITH FELLOW MEMBER ROD FORRESTER BEGAN TO ORGANISE SOME SOCIAL EVENTS IN SYDNEY FOR THE CLUB. ONE OF THOSE WAS A BARBEQUE AT THE BEAUTIFUL PARRAMATTA LAKES TO WHICH WE HAD ABOUT TWELVE BIKES TURN UP. A change of job in later years and building a new house slowed up my club activities but not my interest. My first Rally was at Morpeth in the Hunter Valley NSW in 2003 and have since enjoyed them in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, NSW and Canberra and of course I look forward the upcoming ones in Tamworth. I must send a big thank you to those in the club who thought I was worthy of this honour.

It was great to see Jeff Eeles awarded a Life Membership Award too. Not only did Je do an amazing job with organising the 2015 Japan Tour (with a lot of help from Jane) but has been a driving force in the club on a national level as well as within the Melbourne group. Congratulations Jeff.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Alan Thompson who was one of our Illawarra NSW members. Aged only in his 60s he should have been riding his VJM’s for many more years. My condolences to his wife and family.

Well for those of you in the southern half of the country I guess you will be looking forward to the end of winter, however for myself and most of our Queensland members it’s the end of some our best riding weather and back to sweating under our jackets.

There are some good things through the summer though. With the Phillip Island GP over, it’s no time at all and Christmas is here and then one of the highlights of the year, the Island Classic, then our very own National Rally in Tamworth and Broadford. These events are great opportunities to promote our club and one of the best ways to do

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this is the wearing of our club regalia. The VJMC has an extensive range of regalia available for members and the prices are very reasonable. Here in Brisbane we have the Laverda Concours in mid July. I find that the fleecy lined windcheaters are very warm in those cold winter mornings and the vests are great on the not so cold days.

Our red and black club shirts stand out in the crowd with their smart design and it looks great to see a lot of members with their tee shirts on at public events. I have been a VJMC member for many years and I am proud to wear my club regalia to promote the club I love. The shirts also make it easier for members to find other members at these events. I was at the Suzuka 8 Hour Race in Japan last year with 60,000 others when a voice calls out “Hey John, what are you doing here”? I looked around and there was a friend from Brisbane with his wife. He probably would have missed us but he noticed the club shirts. When we go to the annual Inverell Restorers classic rally each year the club shirts make it easy to find our fellow members from Tamworth and other surrounding areas. The Tamworth group always have a lot of their members wearing club Tee shirts. Well done folks.

In issue 140 of the VJMC Magazine I noticed that the NSW Northern Rivers group had put a VJMC display in a large car and motorcycle show at Alstonville, a beautiful little town west of Ballina.

During the event there were some showers of rain which left the group scurrying to find something to cover their brochures and membership forms on their table. I put a motion forward at the July www.vjmc.org.au

PRESIDENTS REPORT

National Committee meeting for the National club to supply the Northern Rivers group with a 3m X 3m marquee and pull up banner. The motion was passed and it was also decided to supply the club reps in other area groups with a marquee and banner too. Area Rep Coordinator Alan Stork will contact Area Reps over the soon to see who will require these.

It’s pleasing to see several members logging onto the club website. The website is there for you so get on and enjoy it. It’s also a great to see members putting up photo’s of them and their 70’s and 80’s

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VJM’s on the “Show us photo’s of your VJM’s” thread in the Members Rides and Restorations section of the site. There really is some amazing photo’s there. Keep them coming. For those who don’t have a Log In pin number or user name check on the Home Page for instructions on how to get onto the website.

Well that’s it for me. Keep safe and enjoy those magnificent machines.

Regards John McNair

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SA REPORT

PICCADILLY MONDAY MORNING. On a cool but dry June public holiday morning a band of intrepid riders gathered at the Piccadilly café operated by our member Roy Pote and his wife Bev. A lot of chat took place standing around a roaring fire in a drum or sitting in the café with hot

drinks. Eventually Roy led a ride around the Adelaide Hills which ended up back at the café for lunch and more chat before the riders took their own ways home.

It was a very pleasant and relaxing event unless you were the one who dropped his Honda VFR (slowly)!

WINTER WARMER LUNCH Twenty members and family sat down for lunch at the Stanley Bridge Hotel, Verdun, in June for our winter social lunch. The weather this year was far better than the last time we were there as then it was wet, cold and foggy; this year we just had the cold bit. Everyone enjoyed a very good lunch and the last to leave was almost asked to sit back down

for tea! We did not set a ride so only a few hardy souls came by bike.

Our next event is early August and is a trail bike ride from Kersbrook to Williamstown by the loooong way. At the end of August we have about 30 gathering at Berri for the Tri-state Rally.

BY: MICK G ODF R E Y

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www.vjmc.org.au

NOW AVAILABLE FROM TRI-SPARK If you want to have instant, trouble-free start up, rock steady ignition timing and a smooth idle on your classic motorcycle, FireBox Pro is the answer.

With optional laptop adjustable settings, installation is simple and easy, often without needing to cut into the original wiring harness.

The FireBox Pro also does away with the mechanical advance and retard mechanism making it more versatile and reliable than other systems that retain this function.

With FireBox Pro the timing will be spot on leading to increased horsepower and a smoother ride.

It all adds up to a great result.

Suitable for Honda, MotoGuzzi, BMW, Ducati, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Vincent and Velocette.

Phone:

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SUNSHINE COAST

SUNSHINE COAST REPORT BY: A L A N ST E V E NS

THE SUNSHINE COAST OF QUEENSLAND IS A LARGE AREA WITH A HANDFUL OF VJMC MEMBERS INCLUDING SOME IN BUNDABERG, OVER 250KMS TO THE NORTH OF THE SUNSHINE COAST. We are very lucky in this area to have a good climate for riding, quiet back roads of generally outstanding quality, some very interesting destinations and exceptional scenery. There is a push to hold the Sunshine Coast Motorcycle TT in December 2017 starting in Maleny and taking in a 47 km loop out along the Stanley River Road, east to Peachester and back to Maleny. It would make a very scenic route combining very tight mountain bends and fast sweeping curves. The organisers appear to have the council onside and are now negotiating with locals and other officials.

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Over the last few months, we have increased the club rides and given the small membership and various commitments, we have a solid core of dedicated and enthusiastic members in attendance. Our regular runs are to Woodford and Kenilworth for both weekend and mid week coffee runs. We have had further great rides to Lakeside Park via the Mt Mee Tourist Drive for a vintage motorcycle track day, Pomona via Tuchekoi for lunch and we joined the Brisbane based riders to Toogoolawah Hotel for lunch after a coffee meet up at Woodford. We also seem to be well served

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SUNSHINE COAST

for motorcycle swap meets with recent events in Maleny (thanks to John McNair for running a VJMC stand), Samford and Lowood. There is so much more to explore eg. Conondale for a VMX Meeting, Mt Glorious Road and everywhere east of the Bruce Highway.

Several members have exceptional bikes on the road and others under restoration. The interest is high. We’d like those without bikes on the road or with small bikes to attend a coffee run either on a bike or in a car. Others in the club have smaller bikes and that might be an opportunity to share

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knowledge, parts, experiences or set up shorter local rides. For those further flung members, maybe we can ride to a halfway point around Gympie or perhaps you can time a trip to the big smoke via one of our coffee runs.

We post rides in the vjmc.org.au calendar and for the time being I am sending an email notification for each ride. It’s your club and I can help notify members of what you’d like to do. Please feel free to contact me at MrAlanStevens@gmail.com or 0400 751285. I really look forward to seeing you on the road (shiny side up of course).

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MELBOURNE METRO

MELBOURNE METRO REPORT WORDS BY PHIL SCOR AH AND JAMES SEPSAKOS

THE VJMC MELBOURNE METRO GROUP CONTINUE WITH THE REGULAR CALENDAR RIDES AND SOCIAL EVENTS TYPICALLY MID WEEK LUNCH IN THE MELBOURNE CBD AND THE FRIENDLY, INFORMAL SOCIAL EVENING MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE LAST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH (EXCEPT DECEMBER) FROM 7PM AT THE GRANDVIEW HOTEL FAIRFIELD. THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO INCREASE. A COMMON THEME WITH ALL EVENTS. SEE THE VJMC CALENDAR FOR THESE EVENT DETAILS. RIDES OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS INCLUDE: • Family Fun Day - Poowong Gippsland 24th April Hosted by the Lions Club in support of the local primary school and the ‘kids with cancer’ charity. The day was fun with a variety of things to do, rides, take selfies with the farm animals,

P O OWONG FA M I LY DAY VJMC DISPL AY

purchase fresh farm produce, food and coffee, view classic car, vintage tractor, stationary engines and horse powered transport. VJMC member motorcycle display and ride was led to the site by West Gippsland member Mick Gunn

P O OWONG FA M I LY DAY 2 HOR SEPOW ER R IDE

• Bayles (Gippsland town) - Link Run - 1st May Annual event run by the Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club to ‘link’ all local motorcycle clubs with ‘best’ bike people’s choice trophies including “Best Jap Bike’

BAY LES LINK R IDE ‘BEST JA P’ PEOPLES CHOICE WINNER

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www.vjmc.org.au

MELBOURNE METRO

• Greg Costello’s regular monthly mid week rides The popular theme continues with around 200 kilometre loops through West Gippsland, North Central Victoria and South West Gippsland areas. These events now consistently attract 20 plus riders participating in each ride – cafes and bakeries be warned

DRUID GR EG PR E ACHING TO THE CON V ERTED AT ‘STONEHENGE’ HIGHL A NDS NORTH CENTR AL VIC

CL ASSIC RIDER FINGER FREEZER RIDE K Y NETON

• The annual ‘Finger Freezer’ ride to Kyneton 26th June Occurs in the depths of winter where the Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo groups meet at Kyneton, a central location for each group to catch-up, look at motorcycles and eat the contents of the local bakery. A conservative ride by 45 riders plus several pillions on the main roads

FINGER FREEZER ROLL UP AT K Y NETON

this year due to rain, snow and black ice in the area the day before confirmed by a 3 degree late morning temperature on arrival at Kyneton.

Established local groups from Western Victoria, West Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula and new groups from Kyabram and North East Victoria for example are riding to support each other with their monthly get togethers and rides.

The use of the VJMC Calendar, respective Forums together with bulk e-mail and group mail lists and other social media is enhancing the club experience with aligning faces to names making new friends.

www.vjmc.org.au

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SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

SE QUEENSLAND NEWS

BY SCOTT ABBETT

IT’S BEEN A BITTER WINTER IN QUEENSLAND. IT LASTED AT LEAST TWO DAYS THIS YEAR. THANKFULLY, BEING MADE OF STERN STUFF , THE SE QUEENSLAND VJMC MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRAVE THE (AHEM) COLD DAYS AND VENTURE OUT TO ENJOY THE SUN AND GENERALLY ROAM THE STREETS LOOKING FOR CAKE AND COFFEE.

Since the last issue went to press, we’ve had some good adventures. The Inverell Rally was a great event once again in 2016. VJMC members have been attending this rally for many years, and it always seems to be a success. Some of us chose to stay at the Australian Hotel in town this year.

As it turned out, that included a rock concert for charity on the Friday night that lasted until 3am.

A good cause, but there’s not much insulation in these old pubs! We eventually joined the party at

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midnight, in part because we couldn’t beat them, and in part to welcome poor Tom McGrath who could only left Brisbane at about 6:30pm that evening to head down. He then got zero sleep to boot, as did the rest of us! All was forgiven the next day though as we enjoyed a great ride out through the back roads of Inverell, visiting a contact of the Inverell Classic Motorcycle Restorers Club who has a vast collection of vintage tractors. The show itself brought out www.vjmc.org.au

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

a large number of classic Japanese machines, including a very clean CB450 and an awardwinning Harris-framed GPz1100. Truly beautiful motorcycles.

Contrasting against all this polished metal, a brave local rode – I repeat, RODE – in his homemade bike. See the pictures below! Words are not enough, but here’s an attempt: Mo at Virtue stationary engine, Kawasaki Z400 frame, tractor seat, girder forks (made from actual girders), front rim made from old conrods, and a clutch made in part from a brake disc. Amazing! It ran really well too.

On to other events! We set up a club stand at the Ray Owen Concours at Canungra this year, with our club pull-up banner and some tasty bikes on display to attract the crowds. This proved quite

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popular, with many new faces coming to meet us for a chat. The weather held out this time and general consensus was that this was the largest Ray Owen Concours to date. Food and co ee were both good, and the swap meet held this time around yielded some interesting bits and pieces too. A good day out.

Special thanks to Tom McGrath for loading up our meeting minutes and ride calendar onto the VJMC website. Have a look at the SE Queensland section of the forum. I hope to see you on ride with us soon, or else come around to the Belmont Hotel on the second Tuesday night of each month for our meeting – good food, good people and a lot of chatting about bikes.

What else could you want?

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SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

TOOGOOLAWAH RIDE WORDS: JOHN MCNAIR PHOTO: ALAN STEVENS.

JUST A FEW MEMBERS BRAVED THE COLD WEATHER FOR A DAY RIDE TO TOOGOOLAWAH WHICH IS ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF NORTH WEST OF BRISBANE ON THE BRISBANE VALLEY HWY. OUR RIDE HOWEVER, WAS TO TAKE US ON A SCENIC ROUTE VIA THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNT MEE AND KILCOY.

I left home on the south side of Brisbane at 6.30am to get to the Caltex Garage at Castledine on Brisbane’s north side for the 7.30am meeting time. The temperature was struggling to get into double figures as we crested the 68 mtr high Gateway Bridge over the Brisbane River taking in the view over Brisbane Airport and the northern suburbs with no sun to be seen. It was overcast however they were fairly high clouds. My Honda CB750 K7 was running sweet in the colder air.

Arriving at Castledine we caught up with Ken who was also a little early. Pretty soon Bob turned up on his Suzuki Katana followed shortly after by Brian on his immaculate Yamaha XS750 triple. After co ee and mu ns we headed o to meet fellow members Len and Jan in the village of Dayboro. It was still bloody cold too. So much for Queensland heat. With Len and Jan joining us on their Kawasaki’s we set o up through Ocean Grove to Mount Mee. This road up the mountain has great views back over Dayboro and the North Pine River and several tight corners as it winds its way up from the valley floor. Soon we were passing the Pitstop Café, a popular stop over for motorcyclists however there wasn’t time to stop in on this ride. Passing over the summit the temperature dropped another five or so degrees and we got a few drops of rain on the visors.

Fortunately this was our only rain for the whole ride.

All too soon we were descending o the mountain down to the village of D’Aguilar on the highway of the same name making sure we were on the speed limit. The speed limit had recently been reduced from 80kph to 60kph and it had been reported the local police were getting writer’s cramp. The 5klm section to Woodford has also had the same attention with the 100 limit down to 80.

We arrived at CJ’s Bakery in Woodford where Sunshine

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Coast members Alan(Yamaha XS850) , Don (Honda CB750 K2, Raylene (Honda CB350 Four) and John ( recently acquired Honda CB1100F) were waiting. After introductions we checked out the bikes both parked and passing. Always lots of bikes here on a weekend. It was good to catch up with them all. Soon it was time to hit the road again with a few opting to head back home however Alan joined us for the ride to Toogoolawah.

Leaving Woodford it was a nice easy run up the D’Aguilar Hwy to Kilcoy. Just out of town we turned left onto the Somerset Dam Road continuing south a couple of kilometres then turned west onto Gregors Creek Road. After about ten kilometres the road climbs up a range with some good twisties with another temperature drop as we reached the crest. Passing through undulating farmland we soon crossed the new bridge over the Brisbane River, the old one having been washed away in the 2011 floods. Reaching the Brisbane Valley Hwy it was only a short ride into Toogoolawah and lunch at the Toogoolawah Hotel.

Last time we were here we opted for a table in the beer garden however this time an inside table was much more appealing. Checked the menu and the $10.00 lunch special seemed to be the go. Lunch soon arrived and wow, what a meal. The large plates were loaded.

An enjoyable time was had here and with very full tummies it was time to hit the road home.

Alan left us here and made his way back to the Sunshine Coast while the rest of us headed back south through Esk, over the wall of the huge Wivenhoe Dam and through Fernvale (definately no room for one of those legendry Fernvale Pies). Pretty soon we were coming into Ipswich and back into Brisbane after a fabulous day with great roads, great food and great people. www.vjmc.org.au

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

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VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

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CLUB PERMIT

VICTORIA CLUB PERMIT REGISTRARS REPORT WOR DS & PHOTO BY JOHN DOWA R D.

THE VJMC IS AUTHORISED BY VICROADS TO OPERATE UNDER THE VICTORIAN CLUB PERMIT SCHEME FOR CLASSIC AND HISTORIC VEHICLES.

This is operated by the club as a benefit to its active, participating Victorian members with eligible motorcycles and allows members to ride their club permitted motorcycles for up to either 45 or 90 days per year, recorded by log book. Note this is a special low cost limited use permit, not full registration.

There are currently 580 vehicles on the VJMC Victoria Club Permit Scheme including 85 added within the past 12 months.

VicRoads Club Permit Scheme requirements are available on their website ( see: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ registration/limited-use-permits/clubpermit-scheme ).

VJMC Victorian Club Permit Rules are listed on the club website on the bottom of the membership page ( see: http://vjmc.org.au/j30/index.php/ membership ).

These include: Motorcycles must be 25 years old or older, well presented, roadworthy and reflect that their owners support the objectives of the VJMC. Modifications are allowed, however these should be period correct and any major modifications will also require a VASS (Engineer’s certificate). Note that the 25 year rule applies to year and month of original

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manufacture.

Applicants must have been a member of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club for at least 3 months before submitting their application, attended at least one club meeting or event during that three month period and introduced themselves to the Club Area Representative and/or the Club Permit Registrar at the event.

All VJMC members with Victorian Club Permit Scheme vehicles will be required in each 12 months to attend a minimum of 4 VJMC events or, to have made equivalent contribution by other active participation in club activities such as contributing content to this VJMC Mag, organising a ‘shed day’, event planning, or any other contribution that adds value to the club. We will also consider reasonable explanations if members have not been able to contribute, however we do encourage members to be as active as they can.

The club website also lists the processes required for new applications and renewals.

These must be followed in full to enable approval by the club of members’ new or renewed club permits. Note that incomplete applications delay approvals and increase the workload of the clubs’ volunteer Scrutineers and Registrars.

Contact details of the Victorian Club Permit Registrars are listed in the back of this Mag. www.vjmc.org.au

CLUB PERMIT

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ALAN THOMPSON

VALE ALAN THOMPSON A LIMB HAS FALLEN FROM THE VJMC FAMILY TREE WITH THE PASSING OF ALAN THOMPSON (8/7/1949 TO 21/6/2016).

On the 21st of June this year the VJMC family lost Alan after a courageous battle with cancer with his beloved wife Jen by his side, he passed away peacefully at his favorite place, a farm on the NSW south coast.

Alan had a love for motor bikes that goes back to the 1970s, a train driver with State Rail for nearly 50yrs his passion for motor bikes, trains, soccer and a glass of Merlot knew no bounds. In his younger days he also managed to fit his over 6 foot frame into a 2 cylinder Honda Scamp and go rallying before moving onto a much more powerfull 2001 Yamaha FJR1300 as well as adding a 1974 TX750 and 1979 XS750 to his collection in the 2000’s. Alan met his wife Jen at a function 6yrs ago when both were at the bar, Jen turned around and promptly spilt her drink on Al, four years, many bunches of flowers and a couple of shouts later they married at their favourite headland in New Zealand. Unfortunately 2yrs ago and 4 days apart both were diagnosed with cancer. For Jen it was operable with the removal of a kidney, for Al this was tragically not the case, it was terminal. This meant some serious plans were put in place but also their marriage was one of them, love matters.

I first met Alan at the 2012 VJMC Rally at Warilla NSW when he brought his amazing 1979 XS750 triple along, we both shared a passion for early Yamaha’s.

In his early days he had owned a 1977 XS750 and

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1978 XS1100.

Al and I caught up when we could by phone, email and as the occasions allowed due to us both having busy work and private life schedules which included a meet up at the 2015 VJMC National Rally in Canberrra.

In March this year Alan rang me to say he would be in Wollongong for an appointment and could we catch up, I was a happy man and arranged for a dinner for us all to go out to with another mate (Tony and his wife) and VJMC member who Ive known and shared motor bike experiences with since we were 3rd year apprentices at BHP. Turns out Alan and Tony both knew of each other both being train drivers for state rail but had not met, there was plenty of mutual bike and train talk that night including a mans right to a mid life crisis that meant he could have more than one bike and it wasn’t his fault.

All those in favour say “I” .

On the June long weekend this year we received a call from Jen to say Al wasn’t travelling to well, it was to be the last time I would see Al alive, we packed the ute and took off to Dubbo on saturday morning to see my big strong mate before he passed away a week and a half later at the farm.

The VJMC has lost a good man but as with all things in life was also lucky to have each other.

RIP Al and when my time comes we’re going riding.

Your mate Stuart Innes

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FIRST RIDE

MY FIRST RIDE

BY ALLAN ELSNER

IT WAS ON A PROPERTY SOMEWHERE IN VICTORIA DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THE LATE 60S.

I was about 15 at the time and one day together with a few friends it was decided we would all head off to a friend’s property where he had an old Matchless 500 paddock bike.

My mates were all slightly older than I was, encouraging me to have a go at riding a motorbike - but not on theirs!

I can remember the owner of the Matchless was a very friendly guy and not too precious about his bike and more than willing to let anyone in the group take on the challenge and have a ride around the paddock. One by one my mates struggled to kick this single cylindered ‘monster’ into life and go for a blat up and over the grassy hill, around the dam and back along the fence-line. So after about an hour of anxiety, total excitement and anticipation it was finally my turn.

I had ridden bicycles all my life but never a motorbike, let alone one that was in those days considered to be quite a large machine. By this time the sun had begun to set and a heavy dew was settling on the grassy paddock.

My mate Paul held the big black beast of a bike with the winged gold ‘M’ proudly attached to both sides of the tank. I straddled the bike and was shown how to start it up. I foolishly tried several times but it was just no use. Before doing myself an injury it was decided that one of the older, bigger guys would do the honours.

I just wasn’t able to. In no time it was started and roared to life. I climbed back www.vjmc.org.au

on board, engaged first gear and slowly released the clutch lever.

At that moment I began to realise what all the fuss was about. All my senses had kicked in. The sound, the smell, the feeling of those thumping 500cc’s just below me and of course now being in control of a machine like this for the very first time. Off I went, revving it up slightly at first then tentatively selecting second gear and enjoying the thrill of twisting the throttle. Such power, such excitement. I was now an addict, an adrenaline junkie! I wanted more.

Over the hill and then into third, around behind the dam and then back up the length of the property alongside the fence and across to where all the others were standing around waiting to have another go. I came hurtling towards them, changing down into second gear and then to my horror the back wheel locked up. The compression of that huge single cylinder had stalled itself sending me sideways on the slippery wet grass.

Miraculously I was able to hold the bike upright like a speedway rider steering into the slide. After what seemed like an eternity the bike finally came to a stop just feet from the group who rushed over to hold the bike from falling.

What an experience. What an absolute thrill! The rest is history, I was hooked.

To this day adrenaline is still my drug of choice...

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PRODUCT REVIEW

PRODUCT REVIEW JACKETS

BY MARCUS BOADLE

THIS EDITION’S PRODUCT REVIEW COVERS MOTORCYCLE JACKETS. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE SEARCHED LONG AND HARD FOR THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE JACKET, LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED FOR SOMETHING WITH THE RIGHT FIT, COMFORT LEVEL, PROTECTION, STYLE AND PRACTICALITY. LUCKILY I HAVE MANAGED TO SETTLE ON TWO JACKETS THAT GET ME ON THE ROAD AND INTO THE TAVERN, STOP YOUR SEARCHING, HERE THEY ARE.

BMG MONTANA LEATHER JACKET The BMG Montana motorcycle jacket is tried and tested. It has been around since the 50's and is made of quality leather, feels heavy to wear (1.4mm drum dryed cowhide), safe and has the most impressive workmanship. Features I love are the long arms with zipped cu s, internal pockets for removable pads (back, shoulder and elbow), snap down collar and its rugged stylish look. The leather has worn incredibly well and along with a removable liner it keeps you very warm on the road when you need it. A very simple leather jacket that I could not recommend highly enough and at $399 USD from britishmotorcylegear. com plus postage it is good value. I use this jacket in the cooler months around Melbourne and o road.

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PRODUCT REVIEW

BELSTAFF ROADMASTER A classic that everyone should own, introduced in 1981 the Roadmaster is one of the most iconic Belstaff jackets ever, it oozes style but is also a very practical and functional motorcycle jacket. The waxed cotton finish, added length and ample pockets make this is a superb jacket for the road. My favorite features are the waist belt, length, versatility and top quality construction.

While a little more pricey than the BMG at $750 USD via shopstyle.com.au it is worth every penny as will last you for life.

I find this perfect for longer trips in the warmer months.

I find these two jackets have me covered in all circumstances whether it be rain, sun, dirt, touring or short trips. Next product review is jeans, until then, safe and stylish riding.

About Marcus A 33 year old lover of classic bikes in all shapes and sizes. I have a '74 Honda CB200, '85 Honda XR250, '78 Honda Trail 125 and a '72 BSA Lightning 650. I love my gear more than my bikes.

www.vjmc.org.au

VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

21

TR ACK DAY

TRACK DAY ON A CX500

BY GRAEME FEATHERSTON

HAVING RETURNED TO MOTORCYCLING ONLY 5 YEARS AGO AFTER A 30+ LAY OFF I HAVE REALISED JUST HOW MUCH I HAD MISSED THE PLEASURE OF RIDING. SLOWLY I’VE BEEN GETTING BACK INTO THE PURE BEAUTY OF THAT WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE ONLY MOTORCYCLING CAN GIVE TO THE SOUL.

I was thoroughly enjoying my newly acquired 1984 Honda CX500 Euro, a bike with a good history of reliability and endurance but hardly a bike with many track lap records.

So after a short ride with a few friends one Sunday morning the subject of a track day was introduced into the conversation.

Considering my riding partners steeds were a Ducati 996 and a Triumph Speed Triple they were more than enthusiastic. I on the other hand was slightly less gungho at the thought. However, I was persuaded to go into battle at Broadford, the date early November, the time, before dawn.

There was virtually no info available on how to prepare my bike for the track, so after weeks of deliberation I decided an oil change and a brand new set of tyres.

Arriving at the track we quickly found our buddies and were introduced to another couple of guys that had come for a spin too.

If feeling somewhat inadequate on arrival next to the Ducati 996 and

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the speed triple, these guys had a $20,000 Ducati that was only used on the track, a GSX1000 track bike and an MV Augusta.

After the track briefing we head out onto the track for the novice session.

Nerves jingling I’m positioned between what appears to be a couple of R1’s a GSXR ,a BMW and other specially built and highly modified for racing hardware as well as a smattering of road only bikes.

Lap one is a sighter, taking each corner a little faster and a little further lean angle. Something is happening inside my head, I’m starting to take this pretty seriously.

I’ve spotted a potential overtaking target ahead. Come on girl, we can have them. The braking at the end of the straight is quite late, the front is hard down and the back wheel is skipping, into the corner and my boots a rubbing on the Tarmac.

Really now wished I had sliders on my boots, by the end of the day the boots would be worn through and in the bin. The target is now mid corner and I’m passing him on the outside

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of turn one. Next target a Kawasaki ninja in glowing green “ok is only a 250 but it looks like a race bike”.

As I’m about to lean in to the right handler the snot green Kawasaki decides he’s not going to make it and decides to abort the corner, heading straight on and up the runoff road.

He shoots off down the runoff and I miss him by about 20 thou!

Circulating on what’s left of the lap I’m a little hesitant at pushing, I think I’ve have another shot of adrenalin and as such completely ignore the marshals waved yellow flags and cruise around the now empty track for another lap. I know I’m in trouble, as I pass each marshal the flags wave a little more vigorously accompanied with a distinct shake of the head in what I can only now assume was disbelief.

After eventually exiting the track and sitting in pit lane waiting to reenter the track I am subjected to the wrath of the senior female marshal, who in no uncertain terms threatens me with the black flag and expulsion from the track if I even contemplate ignoring the yellow flag again.

Back in the pits I de-mount my steed and find that the adrenalin seems to be in the blood stream again.

Time for another session and I’m eager to get back onto the track, circulating at a speed that I would never even attempt on the open road

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and I’m staring to find out really what the old girl can do. Finding the ultimate stopping distance is a interesting thing, it’s something you never really try during normal road riding, well I don’t, not sure about anyone else.

Approaching each corner a little later on the brakes and starting to trust the new rubber I’m getting as far over as this CX will ever get into the corners, foot pegs, centre stand and exhaust system steaming showers of sparks at every right and left turn, as well as the sides of my boots.

It’s the lunch break that we all need time to “chew the fat” recap on our exploits and head to the photo stall to purchase some of the action shots.

Upon inspection of the photos I’m reasonably happy with the images, however my knees always appear to be a very long way from the Tarmac, surely this must be an optical illusion, I’m sure I was but millimetres from getting the knee down.

A couple more sessions and it’s time to head home. We are all totally rooted but have had a wonderful time.

Driving back to Melbourne we are planning the next visit. Talks of Phillip Island circulate and everyone seems to be in for it. So stay tuned for more old bike track fun.

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23

PIONEER PEGGY

PIONEER PEGGY ARTICLE BY IAN ROYALL R ECEN T PHOTOS: A N NE K IER R EN/R ED GEORGE MEDI A

VETERAN MOTORCYCLE RACER PEGGY HYDE OFTEN REFERS TO HERSELF AS RIP VAN WINKLE – HER LONG PERIOD AWAY FROM BIKES WAS A BIT LIKE BEING ASLEEP.

But Peggy was away from track racing longer than old Rip who dozed off for 20 odd years.

Peggy, 73, returned to the racing at Broadford in Victoria in 2014 – a full 38 years away.

“I put my hands on the bars and it all started coming back,’’ she said.

The bike was no everyday machine either – a Ducati 750 ridden by Mike Hailwood and Jim Scaysbrook in the six-hour race in the late 1970s.

“When I turned up at Broadford, Jim said ‘I want you to ride that’.’’

After a few nervous moments negotiating the U-turns in the pits, Peggy was thrilled to be back on the track.

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“It was just so good to open up the throttle again.’’

The VJMC Melbourne club member is now working on a 1988 Suzuki GPX for the road but her heart is clearly on the race circuit.

Growing up in Melbourne, Peggy wasn’t even allowed a bicycle as a child so the decision to take up motorbike riding, first on a Matchless 350 in late 1962, was a surprise to her family.

“Then I bought a couple more Matchlesses and I was keen and I started to pull them apart.

“I took some Matchless 500 barrels and put them on the 350 and all sorts of things.’’

The man who was to be her husband got her involved in spectating at grass tracks, scrambles www.vjmc.org.au

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and hill climbs, with view to converting a Matchless for competition, but the arrival of more specialist bikes killed that idea.

“Rebuilding a Matchless wasn’t going to cut the mustard anymore. So I bought a Norton Atlas 750, intending to use it for road-racing’’.

But then she discovered the first Japanese twostroke narrow power-band bikes, namely the 1966 Suzuki T20 250.

“That was the one that I really eventually started racing on,’’ she said “but only after a long life on the road.”

In 1969, Yamaha delivered a factory made production racer.

“The TR series was absolutely marvellous, especially if you followed their instructions!”

“Then came the Kawasaki triples (500 and 750) and the high-revving big fours came along. www.vjmc.org.au

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PIONEER PEGGY

Remember, back in the 1960s men dominated motorcycle sport, and women were not eligible for an open motorcycle competition licence.

Peggy became a pioneer for women in motorcycling.

She was invited to ride in Melbourne’s annual Moomba Parade.

“I was astounded at the crowds calling out ‘Peggy, Peggy’ and the children hoisted on their fathers’ shoulders, waving and calling. I wasn’t comfortable with the adulation, but I realised it was important for women’s place in the world.’’

She worked as a bike courier around Melbourne and was the first woman to have a motorbike, rather than a scooter.

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Personal stresses led to a major change in life, and passions.

“Then I got rid of my bikes, the last one I raced was the Kawasaki Z1 900, and it this probably heralded the end of my marriage.’’

“I discovered sailing and I ended up falling in love with sailing in the same way I did as motorcycling.

“Wow, this is just so much fun.”

Fast forward to 1983, and as Peggy says, she just “sailed away from Sydney”.

She spent the following years, around the islands north of Gladstone, avoiding marinas and often just anchoring in a quiet spot.

By the early 1990s, Peggy was studying psychology

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in Townsville and still living on the boat and sailing among the islands north of Townsville.

“I’ve sent some of my university assignments in from some funny places, I can tell you.’’

She returned to Melbourne in recent years and her latest stop was prolonged by back surgery.

But from the operating table on February 10, she was back on the track at Broadford at Easter.

“Riding a bike is OK, it’s the other things in life that are the problem.’’ www.vjmc.org.au

Back on the bike has been an awakening of many sorts, Peggy says.

“I’d forgotten who I’d been, to be honest.

“But when I first walked along the pits, there’s so much that comes back that you can’t take it all in.’’

Peggy is not just making up the numbers, picking up a trophy for a second in the historic class at Mac Park track in Mt Gambier in May. “But I only do it for fun. I was never in it just for the winning.’’

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27

H2 RESTORATION

BY JEFF EELES

PART ONE OF THIS ARTICLE LEFT LEFT OFF WHERE JEFF HAD PUT THE MACH 4 AWAY IN STORAGE TILL HE HAD A CHANCE TO START RESTORING IT. THIS ISSUE WE JOIN HIM ON THE RESTORATION PROCESS AND COMPLETION. A few years back, I finally got to that stage. I’d finished my GA5-A 100 Kawasaki resto and was up for the next project.

So, up to Bendigo to retrieve the 750. I don’t remember exactly how I got it back, but I think I hired a ute and brought the 750 and my S2-A 350 back at the same time. Ahh, doesn’t matter ... it came home!

Of course, what you do next, if you’re doing a ‘ground up’ restoration, is pull it all apart, pretty much down to every last nut and bolt. And, if you’re like me, and know that this project is never going to get finished within the time you hope it might, you better take a bunch of photo’s while

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you’re doing that strip down.

Naturally, that’s just what I did. A folder of plastic sleeves was filled up with A4 colour pictures of a Mach IV slowly being stripped bare.

Items were set aside in tubs under various headings: 1) Good parts that may need just a clean and/or polish; 2) Parts that need a clean and re-paint; 3) Parts that need re-chroming; 4) Parts that need replacing ... and boy, weren’t there a few of those!; 5) A list of missing parts.

Somewhere along the line, I’d bought another H2-A frame from a Club member. You may recall from pt.1, that my bike had a number of brackets for the rear disc-brake modification, and bracing

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added to the frame. Rather than spend countless hours cleaning up all that, to bring it back to standard, I decided to build the bike into the replacement frame.

Also, because the swinging arm, brakes, rear wheel etc. were all Suzuki parts, I needed to find original Kawasaki replacements for those too.

A swinging arm came from the same member who supplied the frame (sorry, I can’t remember who that was), the brake backing plate from Western Australia, and the rear wheel from Phillip Island (thanks Wayne!). Various other bits and bobs were mainly picked up on eBay. The next part probably compresses years into a few paragraphs, as other domestic, Club, and bike things intervened from time to time. Not the least of those was two terms as National President, and overseeing the organising of the two Healesville National Rallies. There’s a timestamp for you.

Now, I have two bare, used frames and several tubs of parts, and I have to put this jigsaw back together again at some stage while making it look something like what rolled out of the Akashi factory in 1973.

A family trip to the UK in 2007 (another timestamp – scary how long ago this was!) saw me drop in to the original Z-Power in Leigh, Lancashire. I’d been a long-term customer of ZPower, and it was good to meet the lads face-toface.

Through Z-Power, I picked up a replica wiring harness, seat cover, plus a few other small items.

Then, after returning home, I contacted them again and bought a set of replica exhausts. The deal I was offered was far too good to resist and, with the original pipes quite heavily banged about, I think it made good economic sense in the end.

Before putting the bike into hibernation, I’d used it from time to time till the registration ran out.

Although the whole bike had a ‘well-used’ patina to it, including the engine, the bike ran like a rocket.

One episode I clearly remember was sitting at a set of lights in the Melbourne CBD and thinking, www.vjmc.org.au

“When I get the green, I’m gonna hammer this thing!”, and I did. The bike went from zero to an indicated 90 m.p.h. in the length of a city block, with enough time/space for me to brake to turn into the street at the next intersection!

I thought then, that this engine may not need much done to it, so I put it aside in the hope that I might just get away with a top-end rebuild ... maybe.

Things really moved very slowly from this point on, till a few short years ago when I decided I had to finish the bike before I was too old to enjoy it.

The frame and other ‘black work’ were sent off to the VJMC Melbourne resident paint guru, Trev Whitty, followed shortly after by the tank, side covers and duck tail. A decal kit had already been obtained from Reproduction Decals in Canada Not too soon afterward, they came back looking factory fresh and that really was the impetus I needed to get moving to complete the restoration.

The seat was knackered, the whole lot. The cover was a poor copy of an original – which was what you did back in the day – the foam was rapidly turning to dust, and the base was rusted to hell.

There was no saving any of it.

I had the cover from Z-Power, and the foam and base was picked up from repro suppliers in the US. At this stage, I began to refer to the bike as my H2-R ... a Replica H2, as I was buying so many aftermarket parts.

My position had always been to build the bike to be ridden – often – and never to be a factory nut and bolt restoration. I’ve got nothing against those who will only accept original factory parts, and are happy to watch and wait for those parts to become available, and to pay the premium for them. But I wanted to use my Mach IV, and I didn’t have a bottomless pit of cash either. I knew it would come up looking just like a factory effort ... at a glance.

Some say fresh wheels make a restoration. Well, they did on my GA5-A, but I think the saying comes from the professional wheel-builders!

I took my wheels to Moose Racing in Euroa, and decided on stainless rims and spokes. Months VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

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later, I get the word that there’s no stainless rims to be found anytime soon, anywhere in the world. At that point, I decide to go for chromed steel rims and stainless spokes.

Several months later again, I finally picked up my wheels. Lucky I hadn’t been hanging out for them to finish the resto.

I do my own alloy polishing, and had been getting stuck into the engine covers. First task is always to take out as many of the scratches, gravel rash and stone chips as you can. That is painstaking work, and patience is needed. The right-hand side clutch cover is a minefield of curves, angles and shapes, and I wasn’t looking forward to polishing that one but, it came up much better than I expected, so I was very happy in the end.

During this time, Trev Whitty had asked me if I’d be prepared to give him the opportunity to rebuild the engine. As Trev had been running a very reliable H1, I was happy to give him a shot.

While in his care, Trev did a compression test, and a leak-down test on the motor, and it came up with very good results. We decided that we’d leave the engine as is, give it a run in the bike, and maybe decide later if it really did need to be rebuilt.

The engine was prepared to be hydroblasted as one lump, and so it came back looking factory fresh too. With the polished engine cases bolted up, it really did look brilliant.

I had bought 0.5mm over pistons and rings (which it already was anyway) way back when, in anticipation of at least a top-end refresh. They were put away for later.

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Now, I’ve turned the corner. I have freshly painted and polished parts; nice, new-looking wheels, and an engine deemed to be worth firing up as is. All that’s left to do is bring all those parts together again.

I enlisted the help of good mate and VJMC member, Phil McMillan, to help me slip the motor into the frame without destroying any paint, a feat we achieved, and Phil celebrated with a cooling ale!

And so the rebuild goes on. Wiring installed, electrical components, air box, stands, and wheels. It’s starting to really take shape now.

However, it’s amazing how many ‘little’ bits and pieces can be overlooked. Things that weren’t immediately obvious or, you thought you had ordered but hadn’t ... or, you had ordered, but maybe misplaced!

The Mach 4 has been coming along nicely, and it’s amazing just how quickly all those tubs of parts start to marry-up together once you get really enthused.

I now have a 750 Kawasaki triple predominantly in one piece and, for the first time in years, more or less ready to fire up again.

I’d connected probably 90%+ of the electrical system, but there was a big question-mark for me over the wiring between the CDI units and the coils. The replica main harness I’d purchased had 3 red wires running through the sheathing and, at each end there was one wire with a small white loop on it. That one was a give-away, but what of the other two?

Not wanting to blow anything expensive at this point, I decided that it was a job for the professionals. I loaded her up and dropped in to my good mate Jack at City Auto Electrical Services (the Messiah of Wire). A week or so later, Jack called me to say that all the wiring had been done.

In addition to the engine electrics, Jack had also done some of the indicator wiring that had missing terminals, and one or two where the wiring was a bit short.

At this stage, the bike still hadn’t been fired-up, but I was told that there should be nothing from www.vjmc.org.au

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H2 RESTORATION

preventing it starting ... electrically anyway.

Next, was the first start-up. I’ve bled the oil injector systems on my 500 and 400 triples before, when I’d restored those. But, this time, I decided that I wanted another ‘expert’ to work their magic.

Here in Melbourne Metro, we’re blessed to have Alain Guinot, a qualified, very experienced motorcycle mechanic and two-stroke lover!

Despite Alain’s love of the Suzuki brand, he was more than enthusiastic to assist (read: do all the real work) to fire the 750 up.

So, one day at Alain’s, the oiling system was bled; the carbies, which had been apart for hydrablasting, were synched; fresh plugs were dropped in; and fuel supplied. A few kicks, and it burst into life. A few more tweaks with the carbs to fine-tune them and everything was ‘right with the world’.

A test ride wasn’t an option just yet, as I hadn’t put fluid in the front brake, so it was back on the trailer and home for that, and a few last tidy-up jobs.

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Confident that I’d finally covered-off everything, one fine day I wheeled the H2 out and set off to my mate Phil’s place. This was a ‘safe’ first ride.

Phil lives in the next suburb from me and, if worse came to worst; I was just a short bus ride ... or long walk ... back home to get car and trailer!

Thankfully, I didn’t need the bus, nor the car.

Despite a bit of surging, the ride to Phil’s and back went without any problems. Subsequently, the Mach IV has made the run to two Club social nights, where it has been well received by the members.

The few rides so far, have brought out the odd nut or bolt that’s needed tightening, and highlighted that the rear brake and gearshift linkages both need adjusting to get full, effective travel and, the sidestand needs fettling to have it sit correctly when retracted. I’m yet to have the tacho re-faced too, it’s quite faded. All in all, not too bad for the first effort.

I’ve parked her for winter while I work on those few jobs, and tidying up the workshop still littered with rejected parts, parts I thought I’d www.vjmc.org.au

H2 RESTORATION

need, but ultimately didn’t, benches with ‘stuff’ strewn all over etc. and, come summer, I expect to have her ready for a few good rides.

Just when you think it’s all done though, you realise that it’s not! I’ve been thinking about whether to install the Ivan’s Performance jet kit.

I’m still a bit undecided, slightly worried that it might ‘tame the beast’ a bit too much, and take the edge off the brilliant big bore, two stroke urge. The option’s there though, maybe it’s a case of getting the best out of the standard set-up before deciding whether I need to go down that track.

One modification that I have decided to do though is the twin disc upgrade. Those who know their ‘Kawasaki stuff’, know that genuine factoryoption twin disc kits are as rare as hen’s dentists.

When one does come up for sale, whole or in part, they command really, really big dollars!

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So it was that I went back to my good friends at Z-Power UK. Dave, Steve and Phil did me a good price on a complete after-market twin disc kit, minus the calipers, that are the later Z1 style.

Reproduction Decals/Diablo Cycles had instructions on their site for modifying a lefthand caliper to a right-hand, which I’d intended to do but, in the end, a message out on the VJMC Forum actually uncovered a genuine factory right-hand caliper and bracket ... I’d scored!

Thanks Ken Hughes. I just need to get it to Trev to paint now, and we’re set.

Early spring will see the brake upgrade, and the minor tweaks taken care of. Hopefully, I won’t be too distracted by the AE80 I have up on the bench already, nor the refitting of some of the motomobilia in the shed.

All that will be left will be to ride and enjoy!

Another one saved ...

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RC166 REPLICA

BUILDING A RC 166 REPLICA ARTICLE & BUILD BY IAN SMITH

IT ALL STARTED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHEN WATCHING JIM REDMAN RIDING A RC166 ON YOU TUBE AND THINKING WHAT A SOUND, PITY WE COULDN’T HEAR SOME THING LIKE THAT ON THE TRACK THESE DAYS. THAN NOT LONG AFTER THAT I CAME ACROSS A CBR250 PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (I DON’T KNOW WHAT MADE ME LOOK AT THE REV COUNTER) BUT AS SOON AS I SAW THE 18000RPM I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF THE RC166.

That’s when I really started to hatch a plan to build a RC166 replica using a CBR250 motor.

The first thing I looked for was a motor, there were a few on EBay but buying just a motor could end in tears when trying to get it going later so I decided to buy a whole bike so I could hear the motor running. After looking at a few I brought a Jap import without a VIN plate on it so got the bike really cheap and the motor would rev up to 18000rpm just what I wanted. The next thing on the shopping list was a frame so off to the wreckers with tape in hand but that got very frustrating as they were to big or to small then I got a phone call from a person who had a lot of

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1975 CB 400 four parts he didn’t want along with a couple of rolling frames so round I went got all the parts and when I measured the CB400 frame the rear engine mounts were the same as the CBR250 ones and the rear sprocket lined up with the CBR250 engine sprocket, also the CBR carbs would just miss the top of the frame, talk about the Gods were smiling on me moment.

Now I had to really think about how I was going to make the RC166 replica and plan out step by step how to build the bike as I wanted it to be able to go around a race track for the sound so I had to get the build right.

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RC166 REPLICA

in with that period. After looking around for a 4 leading shoe front brake I found the 1970 GT750 Suzuki’s drum brake was the way to go as there were plenty around on EBay in the USA and they really looked the part and they were cheap.

When I went to fit the GT750 drum brake in the forks to my horror the drum was nearly 40mm to wide so I had to get wider triple clamps which meant welding in a new stem to fit the CB400 frame. After I had the drum brake cleaned and polished and bits re chromed Ash’s Spoked Wheels laced the drum into a rim and put a tyre on it. Now the back wheel, the CB400 rear brake looked just too small so off to EBay in the states again and got a GT750 rear brake drum and got Ashes Spoked Wheels to lace it up with a tyre now it looked the part. The frame now was sitting on wheels.

Next was to fit the motor.

I cut the frame tubes off from the rear engine mounts forward, cut the front down tube off right up just under the head stock then just bolted the

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CBR engine in to the frame as the rear engine mounts lined up perfectly with the mounts in the frame, all I had to do then was fabricate the front engine mount. This was done by using the 2 mounting bolt holes on the head of the CBR250.

Once the engine was in the frame I then mounted the radiator and ran all the water hoses from the motor to the radiator, I couldn’t get the fan in so left it off.

The next step was to make up the rear sets and put the gear change on and rear brake on as these had to go on before the pipes were made to know where the pipes had to go.

The pipes, first I made the headers (I have a tube bender) but it still took a few attempts to get them right as they had to go into a 2 into 3 collector box.

The six rear cones took for ever to make and fit to the bike so from the rear they looked the same as the RC166 pipes in fact the headers started to get rust spots on them it took that long, I was very happy the way the whole system turned out in the end.

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RC166 REPLICA

I knew the petrol tank was going to be a problem and I didn’t realize what a problem it was going to be until I started looking for one, nobody in Australia had anything like what I wanted just tried to sell me what they had, found a guy in England that would make me one for telephone numbers cost and also a guy in the USA would make one and I’m sure also just picked a number out of the phone book as a price.

So what do you do when people obviously don’t want to do something “do it yourself.” To cut a long story short a sheet metal worker and myself took 8 hours to make one. The longest job was welding it together with no leaks. It is almost right but hey it was my first attempt. Now the tank was on the bike the seat was next. There were plenty of fibre glass race seats around so got one that was close and fitted it on the frame, just had to weld some extra brackets on to make it solid.

Next I did some easy jobs to give the brain a rest, put the CBR instruments on, had to use them as the ignition runs through the Speedo, will look into that later, and then put all the wiring on, put the battery behind the seat so it could not be seen.

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Moved the rear shocks to a more up right position and put the rods on the hold the pipes on.

Just couldn’t wait any longer so the motor was all connected up fuel in the tank pressed the starter, yes left it on makes life so much easier, and the motor fired up straight away big similes all round.

By this time nearly 2 years had passed but the bike was about 90% finished.

The last thing to get was the fairing same problem as the petrol tank all over again plenty of early TD3 Yamaha ones around which people tried to sell me but no Honda fairings found a couple overseas but once again the cost was out of this world. Then through the VJMC I meet Tony Gill who used to race early Honda twins and he knew where to get an early Honda one from, which was very similar to the RC166 one so this was as near as I was going to get. With in a month I had one at a very low cost un painted. Many thanks to Tony and the VJMC. One of the hardest jobs believe it or not was making the front guard, to get the shape and make the stays so they look the part and then fit it to the forks did take quite some time. www.vjmc.org.au

RC166 REPLICA

The next big problem was the bike would not rev past 10000rpm so a friend of mine had a dyno and was keen to help. I lost count of the times on the dyno and the amount of times the carbs where stripped down and changes made to them but in the end we got the motor to rev to 18000rpm.

The fairing was put on the bike with a few cuts and re fibre glassing but went on quite well. The only thing left to do was pull the whole bike apart and paint every thing, that took well over 6 months. Thanks to Quality bike Repairs who did all the painting and I must say did a fantastic job.

On the 12/02/16 the finished bike was taken out to Willow Bank race way on a bike track day to put it around the track and to my surprise it went really well, handled well and the brakes really

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pulled the bike up. By the end of the day I was pulling 17000rpm in top down the straight with no problems. The best thing about the track day was nothing went wrong with the bike, didn’t have to touch it all day.

I was surprised at the amount of people at the track thought it was the real RC166 bike which put a smile on my face, so all the head aches and days, months, years building it was worth it. What next for the bike? Well a few small improvements to make it a bit quicker around the track as this is not just a show bike but a fully functional track bike to have some fun on and put smiles on people’s faces when they hear six open megaphones it at 18000rpm on the race track.

VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

37

JA PA N & SU Z U K A 2017

JAPAN + SUZUKA 8-HOUR RACE TOUR 2017 YOUR LAST CHANCE! OVER 30 MEMBERS, PARTNERS AND FRIENDS HAVE NOW PUT THEIR NAMES DOWN FOR THE TOUR … THANK YOU, AND WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING IN TOUCH WITH YOU DIRECTLY AS THE YEAR CLOSES AND 2017 ROLLS AROUND.

There are still a few places available if you’ve had a change of heart, or missed our earlier communications.

If you’d like a copy of the draft itinerary, email the tour co-ordinator, Jeff Eeles, at jeeles@iprimus. com.au or call him on 0409 912 065, and he will set you up with all the information you need!

As our President said on the Club Forum recently: “In regard to the Suzuka 8 Hour Race I really enjoyed the other attractions there too, like the motor museum within the circuit grounds, the amazing trade displays, that massive ferris wheel

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VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

and the adjoining theme park. Each of the big four had displays with lots of bikes and regalia as well as NGK, Dunlop, Yoshimura etc. Just an awesome experience.”

It’s been great to see some of the 2015 tour group returning for next year. Jeff is tweaking the schedule slightly to allow some greater flexibility, including having the Saturday prior to the 8-Hour free for sightseeing, shopping (at some bike shops of course), or spending all Saturday at the track too.

It’s sure to be another brilliant tour.

www.vjmc.org.au

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

IF YOU ARE A VJMC MEMBER AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON THIS PAGE, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR DETAILS TO ADRIAN DIXON AT ADIXON@CONTECHENGINEERING.COM Allen Sutton The Hydroblast Shop 3/ 41-43 Sinclair Rd Dandenong, Vic 3175 0400 516 979 www.thehydroblastshop.com.au Superior restoration of automotive, motorcycle and industrial components. We can make those engine casings, barrels, heads, carbies and intricate parts look like new again. Let our experience be a part of your next restoration project. Visit our website for more detail.

Alvin Wong Doux Wedding Corp Wedding photography and Videography. Special discount for VJMC Members. www.doux.com.au 0433 142 522 Alan Jansen Pals Automotive Services 11/42 New St. Ringwood 3134.

Motorcycle & car RWC inspections in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs by ‘Vintage Friendly’ inspectors.

By appointment only. www.palsautos.com.au alan@palsautos.com.au 03 9879 6044 Frank Van Den Broek Garage Door & Gate Solutions 23 Cantebury Roar, Braeside Victoria 3195 9587 4000 www.garagedoorsolutions.com.au

www.vjmc.org.au

Steve Gittings Printforme 03 5334 2605 0417 336 360 printforme@ncable.net.au Design. Print. Finish. Offset and digital printing.

Ned Vernon Traditional trained metalsmith specialising in finely crafted motorcycle fabrication. Working in both aluminium and steel manufacture, specialist of tanks fairing and crafting one off custom designs. www.clavo-loco.com nedvernon@gmail.com 0403 805 301 Richard Scoular Classic Bikes Direct 41A Jarrah Drive, Braeside. Victoria 3195 0400 222 040 www.classicbikesdirect.com.au Let our world wide network be your advantage when buying a Classic to add to your collection, Nearly 40 years industry experience.

Tony and Catherine Fresh as Bread Cafe 76 Aberdeen Road, Macleod Victoria 3085 For VJMC members: your first coffee is complimentary, great quiet location off main roads, opposite park, with plenty of parking right in front of cafe. Good stop for group rides.

Alan Davis Abraham Lincoln Motel 343 Armidale Road. East Tamworth NSW 2340 Phone: 0267 661233 Email: info@abrahamlincoln.com.au Web: www.abrahamlincoln.com.au VJMC members can receive a 10% discount on their accommodation when they book direct with the motel, stating they are a current member of the VJMC. VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

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Regional

Meets

CLUB INFO

ACT + SNWS

Meet: Belconnen Soccer Club Belconnen Way, Hawker ACT 7:30pm - 3rd Wednesday night of each month.

Contact: Ian Stevens 0407 706 705 iansac50@tpg.com.au

NSW Lower Hunter

Meet on the second Thurs of each month at the Maquarie Club, Cockle Creek, starting around 7.20pm.

Contact Vince Foreman (02) 4973 1852 or yvonnevince@bigpond.com.au

Mid Hunter

Meet: 7pm on 1st Tues of every even-numbered month at Greta Workers Club. Cnr New England Hwy & West St Contact: Allan Kensitt (02)4938 7223 or 0405 492700

Tamworth

Meet: Tamworth City Bowling Club ANZAC Park, Brisbane St, Tamworth. 6.30pm last Thursday of every month. Contact: Ray Fox 0409 396 432 ray.fox@coateshire.com.au

HISTORIC REGO NSW CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION Sydney Roadworthy Inspections David Bernardi | 0431 661 769 mrdbernardi@gmail.com

All other NSW areas contact Lyndon Adams | (02) 4945 1780 lyndarra@gmail.com

ACT

Ian Stevens | 0407 706 705 iansac50@tpg.com.au

VICTORIAN CLUB PERMIT REGISTRARS John Doward

0467 280 425 jrha0747@tpg.com.au

Trevor Whitty

0419 807 212 lyn7trev@netspace.net.au

QLD CLUB REGISTRATION SCHEME Brisbane

Graeme Knight | 0411 034 938

QLD South East Qld

Meet: Belmont Tavern Cnr Burstall Ave & Belmont Rd, Belmont.

7pm second Tues of each month.

Contact: Scott Abbett 0466 561 008 scottabbett@hotmail.com

SA South Australia

Meet: Tonsley Hotel, South Road, Clovelly Park. 6:30pm on the last Thursday of each month Contact: Mick mgo22098@bigpond.com.au

The club has a sizeable library of magazines, workshop manuals and parts manuals for members to use.

Enquires: library@vjmc.org.au

VIC Melbourne Metro

Meet: Grandview Hotel Cnr Station Street & Heidelberg Road, Fairfield 7.00pm on the last Tuesday night of each month

Central Vic

Meet: Garlands Bakehouse & Cafe 124 High Street, Kangaroo Flat 10.00am every Sunday morning Contact: Andrew Casley 0438 583 264 cazza412@yahoo.com

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VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

www.vjmc.org.au

Regional

REPRESENTATIVES

VJMC INC AUSTR ALIA

ACT + SNSW

Sydney Inner Steve O’Farrell (02) 9517 3490 sofarrell@premecha.com

ACT David Quinn 0412 695 738 kwakka9@ozemail.com.au

Sydney South/West Allan Dykstra (02) 9824 7165 adykstra@tpg.com.au

NSW

Tamworth Paul Rowling motopaulie@bigpond.com

Armidale Greg Inglis 0408 669 986 greg@inglisplumbing.com Bathurst Vacant. Rep required.

Broken Hill Sam Muscat 0412 208 898 spmuscat@bigpond.com Central Coast Jeff Lockhart 0419 286 311 jefflock1400@bigpond.com Far North Coast Rob Andrews (02) 6621 4083 and32@bigpond.net.au Illawarra Barry Fitzgerald 0487 746 020 bmfitz@internode.on.net Lower Hunter Bill Keevers 0438 646 117 billkeevers@gmail.com Manning Steve Wardle (02) 6551 5546 canvasz1000@bigpond.com Mid Hunter Allan Kensit (02) 4938 7223 midhuntervjmc@yahoo.com.au Mid North Coast Vacant. Rep required.

Narrabri Ron Campy 0428 933 129 North West Garry Hennessey 0418 496 538 ghp2251@gmail.com Orange Region Peter Ezzy 0427 663 246 peterezzy3@bigpond.com Queanbeyan Rob Hogan (02) 6299 7579 robandcarolyn@bigpond.com Sydney David Bernardi 0431 661 769 mrdbernardi@gmail.com

www.vjmc.org.au

NORTHERN TERRITORY Darwin John Hefferan 0413 998 261 heffs@live.com.au

Mornington Peninsula/ Phillip Island Dave Parker 0416 154 056 dhparker@bigpond.net.au North East Victoria Bob & Jenny Kitchener (03)5775 1370 vjmcnortheastvic@hotmail.com North West Victoria Trevor Lawrence 0412 469 337 trev@gracehouse.com.au West Gippsland Mick Gunn 0439 537 901 mickjgunn@gmail.com Western Victoria Alan & Pam Stork 0401 995 061 storka.01@hotmail.com

QUEENSLAND Mackay Peter & Helen Douglas (07) 4954 3653

WA Perth & West Australia David Williams 0418 687 855 dave.williams@se1.bp.com

South East Queensland Scott Abbett 0466 561 008 scottabbett@hotmail.com Sunshine Coast Alan Stevens 0400751285 mralanstevens@gmail.com

SA South Australia Mick Godfrey 0401 196 922 mgo22098@bigpond.net.au

TAS

More Info on becoming a regional rep: Contact Alan Stork on 0401 995 061 if you are interested in getting VJMC happening in your area.

WORLD WIDE CLUB INFO VJMC INC

Tasmania Vacant. Rep Required.

VIC Central Victoria Andrew Casley 0438 583 264 cazza412@yahoo.com East Gippsland Steve Millikan (03) 5144 7535 Mobile 0429 187 195 Stephen.millikan@gmail.com Geelong Andrew Deans 0419 270 221 apdeans@hotmail.com Melbourne Phil Scorah 0412 162 863 vjmcmelbrep@gmail.com James Sepsakos 0409 381 681

The VJMC is a worldwide club.

There are independent branches in North America (USA/Canada), UK, New Zealand and Australia.

Some enthusiasts are members of more than one branch.

Direct enquiries for overseas branches of the VJMC to: North America President: Thomas Kolenko Website: www.vjmc.org Email: president@vjmc.org United Kingdom Chairman: Malcolm Linsley, VJMC PO Box 21671 Falkirk, FK1 9AL. Website: www.vjmc.com Email: chairman_vjmc@yahoo.co.uk New Zealand:

Ross & Trudy Charlton 2 Te Miti St, Paekakariki, Wellington.

Email: ross.judy@xtra.co.nz

VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

41

VJMC INC AUSTR ALIA

Annual subs VJMC Inc I f your fees are due, please complete and send this renewal slip with payment.

Direct Credit is now available. If paying by direct credit, please complete and send this renewal as confirmation.

OFFICIAL USE ONLY Received Renewal Date Received $

Member No Cash / Cheque / MO / Direct Debit Name Receipt No Due Date Reply Sent Cost: $40 single, $50 family.

Additional Info (address/contact change etc)

Email I give the VJMC Committe and Reps permission for my contact details to be provided to other members on request.

(Name, phone, email and locality only).

Signed Date Cheques / Money orders payable to VJMC Inc, or Direct Credit: VJMC Inc Australia BSB 062-801 ACC 10-240-688 (Commonwealth) Please include your member number as detail.

Send to: VJMC Inc PO Box 254 Modbury North SA 5092

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VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

From ANNUAL FEES Australian Residents Family (member + 1 other) New Zealand Overseas

1/6/16 1/7/16 NEW RENEW $45 $40 $55 $50 $50 $45 $55 $50 www.vjmc.org.au

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE Email contributions to: tom@pepperpublishing.com.au

NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE: OCTOBER 25TH