Quarterly Club Mag www.vjmc.org.au
ISSUE 155
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 | President@vjmc.org.au Vice President Jeff Eeles | VicePresident@vjmc.org.au Secretary Tony Mahoney | Secretary@vjmc.org.au Treasurer John King | Treasurer@vjmc.org.au Public Officer David Bernardi | PublicOfficer@vjmc.org.au Area Rep Co-ordinator Wayne Lavers | AreaReps@vjmc.org.au Membership Secretary Mick Godfrey | Membership@vjmc.org.au Merchandise Officer Peter Donellan | Merchandise@vjmc.org.au General Member Paul Rowling | Tamworth@vjmc.org.au General Member Peter Douglas | Mackay@vjmc.org.au National Rally 2021 Phil Scorah | NationalRally@vjmc.org.au Librarian David Quinn | Library@vjmc.org.au Magazine Editor Tom Calderwood | Editor@vjmc.org.au
QUARTERLY VJMC MAGAZINE This is a forum for members to exchange ideas and restoration tips, seek advice, share opinions and experiences, or anything else relating to the club’s objectives. Contributions are very welcome.
155 CONTENTS
President’s Report
4
Rally Updates
6
Fred Howie Trophie
10
Lightweight Ride
12
British Bike Day
14
Honda XL250 Resto
18
Norwedian Style
24
Suzuki GT550
30
Contribute/Merch Ordering/Wanted
36
Members Directory
37
Club Info
38
Membership Renewal
42
Please Contribute
43
PRESIDENTS REPORT
President John McNair & Cher yl
4
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
PRESIDENTS REPORT
2021 HAS BEEN A BIG YEAR FOR ME WITH MY WEDDING IN APRIL WHEN MY LOVELY FIANCÉE CHERYL BECAME MY WIFE. WE FIRST MET WHEN WE TR AVELLED TO SCHOOL TOGETHER ON THE SAME SCHOOL BUS AND ATTENDED THE SAME SCHOOL IN COOTAMUNDR A NSW. After school our lives took different directions before meeting up again two and a half years ago. Cheryl is enjoying the VJMC and the activities it provides with enthusiasm and support. We have both been taking great enjoyment out of working together in organizing events for our local area and the club in general. Cheryl and I would like to say a big thank you to all those who have passed on their congratulations and well wishes following our wedding. Our first National Rally in two years was due to be held in Bendigo, Vic, in October. With last year’s rally in Toowoomba cancelled due to the Covid 19 threat, we had all hoped the situation would be much improved 12 months down the track. However it was not to be, with much of the country in lockdown and the situation not improving rapidly, our rally - like virtually all events - had to be cancelled once again. I can say it will be worth the wait. Bendigo is a beautiful city with many historical buildings and locations throughout the city and surrounding spectacular country. We have all the latest on the rally on the following pages. Over the years I have both ridden and driven to our rallies and I find that no matter how you do it the trip to and from the rally is a big part of the event. This is especially more so if you are riding in a group or even just a couple of bikes. I rode from Brisbane to the 2003 rally in Morpeth NSW and while the ride down was straight down the highway, the ride back took me on my first ride along the Thunderbolts Way from Gloucester up to Walcha and onto Uralla. This was a very enjoyable ride as was my ride with fellow Brisbane member
www.vjmc.org.au
Graeme Knight up the Oxley Hwy from Wauchope to Walcha and on to Tamworth in 2018. I hadn’t been on the Oxley for more than thirty years and had never stopped in to Gingers Creek Café on the way. The ride down to the 2017 rally took us down to Coffs Harbour and then up the amazing Waterfall Way with an overnight stop in the beautiful town of Dorrigo. We had about four or five bikes on that trip and the overnight stop provided lots of laughs and tales over and ale or two. In 2013 I drove and trailered my bike to the Victor Harbour south east of Adelaide for the rally. Fellow Brisbane member Ken Knight and I drove down with an overnight stop in Balranald on the western side of the Hay Plain in south west NSW. Upon driving into the motel we met up with other members from Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney. The following year we met up with Wayne Lavers from Grenfell at a roadhouse near West Wyalong on his Suzuki TS250 on his way to the rally in Victor Harbour again. That would have been a long way across the Hay Plain at 90kph. Well done Wayne. A group of about six members rode up to the 2019 Rally on the Gold Coast from Melbourne detouring through the Snowy Mountains on roads obviously made for motorcycles. This trip took a few days and I bet the overnight stops were a lot of fun. All going well, next year my trip home will include some riding through the Victorian Alps and the NSW Snowy Mountains areas. Ride safe. John McNair
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
5
R ALLY UPDATE
Photos by Ian Dobbs
THE INITIAL 2021 VJMC NATIONAL R ALLY PL ANNING WAS FOR MARCH 2021 BUT A NECESSARY CAUTIOUS APPROACH DUE TO COVID MOVED THE R ALLY DATES OF 15 TO 17 OCTOBER 2021 IN BENDIGO VICTORIA.
6
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
R ALLY UPDATE
Whilst other equally suitable locations were reviewed, Bendigo’s supportive group of VJMC members contributed to the decision, particularly in the current challenges brought about by restrictions to travel between Melbourne and regional centres. Unfortunately but probably of no surprise to you, the ongoing and seemingly worsening COVID-19 scenario in August 2021 and the immediate future meant it was impossible to be able to have attendees from NSW, ACT and potentially Queensland transit to Victoria in October 2021 with any certainty. The decision was to postpone the 2021 Suzuki VJMC National Rally until 25 – 27 March 2022. The rally is still called the 2021 Suzuki VJMC National Rally but will now be held in 2022.
www.vjmc.org.au
As it has turned out the timing of the postponement decision appears to been lucky as we have maintained continuing support from our existing sponsors and supporting partners: - Suzuki – named sponsor, Greater City of Bendigo, Mick Hone Motorcycles and others who are supporting the event. The date change has not presented any material impact on the arrangements with our providers
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
7
R ALLY UPDATE
all being able to accommodate the original requests for the rally: Park Lane Big4 Holiday Park – Rally Central All Seasons Hotel - hosting the Awards Dinner on the Saturday night; Mick Hone and Robbie Phillis have confirmed they will be available as guest speakers for the March 2022 date – don’t miss that! Dai Gum San precinct in the Bendigo CBD supported by the Greater City of Bendigo - the Show and Shine The Bendigo Visitors Centre assistance with finding accommodation
8
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
The Lions Club - catering for the Welcome BBQ on Friday night and breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you haven’t committed to attend the 2021 Suzuki VJMC National Rally yet, what are you waiting for? We are monitoring and making changes necessary to allow the rally to be a successful, enjoyable and fun event attracting the biggest attendance in recent times. As a bonus you have an additional 4 months to get that bike ready, the one you thought was going to be too hard, find your accommodation and register your attendance and bike. A final word from the President of VJMC Australia, John McNair, encourages everyone who is interested in motorcycles to attend and says “Victoria has an awesome array of motorcycles throughout the state and many of these will gather at the
www.vjmc.org.au
R ALLY UPDATE
2021 Rally. In the past rallies held in Victoria we have had many rare and unusual motorcycles attending and I am sure this one will be no exception. There will of course be many other wonderful machines coming from other places as well. On behalf of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club of Australia, I would like to welcome owners of older Japanese Motorcycles to attend this rally and enter their classic motorcycles in the show”. John McNair Running updates will follow in this publication, the VJMC website, 2021 National Rally Forum, and VJMC Australia Rally Facebook.
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
9
FRED HOWIE TROPHY
Article by John McNair
10
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
FRED HOWIE TROPHY
THE FRED HOWIE PERPETUAL TROPHY IS AWARDED EACH YEAR TO THE PERSON HAVING ENTERED THE OLDEST BIKE AT OUR ANNUAL NATIONAL R ALLY. FRED HOWIE R AN AN ENGINEERING BUSINESS IN THE INNER BRISBANE SUBURB OF WOLLONGABBA FOR M ANY YEARS PERFORMING ENGINE REBUILDS, BORING AND M ACHINING FOR ENTHUSIASTS BOTH IN THE T WO WHEEL WORLD AS WELL AS THE FOUR WHEEL WORLD.
During a discussion with Brisbane VJMC member Graeme Knight in the mid nineties about Fred’s visit to the historic Brooklands Race Track in the UK the idea came up for the trophy. The Brooklands circuit was a concrete track near Weybridge in Surrey, England. The circuit was a 2.75 mile or 4.43klm banked track made out of concrete. Brooklands opened in 1907 and was the world’s first purpose built motor racing circuit. The grounds also contained an airfield and by 1918 was Britian’s largest aircraft manufacturing complex, producing legendry aircraft such as Wellington, the Viscount and the VC10. The circuit hosted its last race in August 1939 and today part of it forms the Brookland Museum, a major aviation and motoring museum, as well as a venue for the vintage car, motorcycle and other transport related events. It was during a visit to the UK that Fred visited the historic track where he found that part of the track was still there, although in a state of decay. Fred found a loose piece of concrete that had been part of the track for many years and he brought it back home with him. Fred wanted to support the VJMC Rally with a trophy and thought, what better way to preserve this piece of Brooklands
www.vjmc.org.au
history. Fred cut out the timber for the trophy then machined the wheel into the timber. He then inserted the spokes and plaques to finish off this beautiful trophy, and it was his wish that the trophy be awarded to the Oldest Motorcycle at each VJMC National Rally in the years to come. Fred retired about 15 years ago and moved to the country village of Roadvale about one hour south west of Brisbane. The first winner of the trophy was Doug Beak in 1996 with a 1961 Suzuki TA250. This rally was the first to be held in Queensland and was held at Bribie Island just north of Brisbane. In the years since, the trophy has been won with a varied array of early Japanese motorcycles from Tony Sculpher’s 1956 Honda SA250 Dream in 2017, Frank Loveridge’s 1959 Merguro 250ST in 2018 and Mick Bulman’s 1959 Lilac in 2003. Others included Jim Loveridge’s 1958 Honda 250C71, Geoffrey Ellis’s 1959 Yamaha YDS1R in 2016, Paul Rowling’s 1965 Honda 250 CB72 in 2015, Ricky Grima’s 1958 Honda C71 in 2002, Alan Shire’s 1962 Honda CB72 Racer in 1999 and many others. The Fred Howie Trophy continues making history each year at the VJMC National Rally when yet another winner holds it for the next year.
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
11
LIGHTWEIGHT RIDE
Words & Photos by John McNair
TWELVE BIKES TOOK PART IN THE RECENT LIGHTWEIGHT RIDE JUST SOUTH OF BRISBANE FOR MOTORCYCLES UP TO 350CC. THE GROUP ALSO INCLUDED A COUPLE OF 500CC AND A 400CC BIKE AS THEIR LIGHTWEIGHT MACHINES WERE NOT QUITE READY. We all met at Eric & Merilyn’s house for a nice hot cuppa and BBQ breakfast before heading off. This was quite welcome with the temperature down around 4 degrees on the way to the start point, which is a bit cool for Queensland. The 140km ride took us on some amazing back roads on our way through Camira, Springfield and Spring Mountain down to Gleneagle just
north of Beaudesert for a coffee stop at the Gleneagle Store. From here we crossed the Mount Lindsey Highway and made our way back up the western side of the Logan River to Flagstone and on to Greenbank before arriving back at Eric’s for a cuppa and two wheeled eye candy. Bikes attending included a Honda CB350/4, Yamaha 200, Honda CL100, Honda H100 (2 stroke), Bridgestone 175, Suzuki GT250, Yamaha RD350, Kawasaki 350 S2, Honda GB400, Honda CX500, Yamaha 400 and a Suzuki T500. A big thank you to Eric & Merilyn for their hospitality and organising a great ride. Well done!
Kawasaki 350 Triple
12
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
LIGHTWEIGHT RIDE
Lightweight HONDA CL100 Honda & Yamaha
Yamaha RD350
2 stroke barbie
Lovely little Honda H100
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
13
BRITISH BIKE DAY
Words & Photos by Peter Douglas
Honda 750 f lat tracker
THE BRITISH MOTORCYCLE OWNERS HELD THEIR ALL BIKE SHOW IN MACKAY ON THE WEEKEND OF 17TH AND 18TH JULY.
14
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
Except for the usual hiccup in 2020, this show has been held annually for the last 37 years at various locations, but in more recent times has found a permanent home at the old Paxtons Wharehouse on the river bank. The upside of this is when you need a break from bikes you can just sit and admire Mackays beautiful blue Pioneer River.
www.vjmc.org.au
BRITISH BIKE DAY
1915 Royal Enfield
There were 105 bikes on display and with this year’s show commemorating135 years of Royal Enfield, there was a good line up of Enfields from the early days to the new 650 Interceptor. The showstopper in this lineup was a beautifully restored 1915 Royal Enfield outfit. The British Club had a lot of bikes on show ranging from 1912 and 1914 Triumphs, a Douglas, a good selection of BSAs, Nortons, Triumphs etc through to some of the newer Triumph offerings.
www.vjmc.org.au
Strong presence from the VJ brigade
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
15
BRITISH BIKE DAY
Yamaha 400 Enduro
Even though some of these bikes are well over 100 years old, they are not “Trailer Queens”, and are ridden at historic rallies regularly. The 1914 Triumph Junior recently covered 400 kilometres during a four day rally. Best British Bike Award was given to a very nice Triumph T160. VJMC Mackay Area has supported this show for a number of years and this year our members had 10 bikes on display; a 1967 KT120 Suzuki in original barn find condition that always draws a lot of attention, a Suzuki Katana, Yamaha XS 2 and SR500, Honda CBR1000 and VFR800, Kawasaki H2, Z1000, Z900, and Z1R. Ash Taylors 900 Kwakka picked up the Peoples Choice Award and Best Oriental Award, and Brian Sopeers Z1000 won Best Working Bike. We talked to many people over the weekend and are hopeful of picking up a couple of new members.
16
1912 Triumph Roadster
The Venue was Paxton’s Warehouse
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
BRITISH BIKE DAY
Bike of The Show went to Ronnie Stayts turbocharged Kawasaki ZX12 Land Speed bike. This missile has recorded a speed of 215mph, but his target speed is 250mph. Rather him than me!
CB750 in race trim
Other Japanese bikes of interest were a couple of CB750 Hondas, one in race trim and another as a flat track machine, both beautifully presented and sounded pretty spectacular. Paul from Emerald who owns these bikes even forges his own pistons for them. In all it was a good weekend and a chance to catch up with others who have been involved in the biking scene for years.
Neat CB360
6 cylinder CBX 1000
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
17
VHJOMNCD IAN X C LA2U5 S0 TRR EASLTI O A
Article & Photos by Ron Fawcett
I N 20 09 I BO U G H T A RU N N I N G W R ECK O F A H O N DA X L 250 M OTOSP O RT. I STA RTED SE A RCH I N G FO R TH E PA RT S I N EED ED TO R EB U I L D IT. I H A D V I SI O N S O F A PR I STI N E M ACH I N E, TH EN I C A L L ED “ B A R RY TH E B I K E W R ECK ER ” (N OT H I S R E A L N A M E ).
18
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
VHJOMNCD IAN XC L A2 U 50 S TRREASLTIOA
“Hello, my name is Ron and I’m looking for a range of parts for a 1972 XL250, what have you got?” Given that I was interested in pretty much anything he had. After a strange pause, he said “So ... you had one when you were a kid right?” The bike arrived as a running w reck.
“Yes, I did.” “Well let me tell you what is going to happen Ron. You are either never going to complete the project and your wife will sell what’s left back to me, or you are going to do such a good job that you won’t ride it, too afraid to get it dirty!”
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
19
HONDA XL250 RESTO
That conversation affected me profoundly, to this day obviously. Neither of those options was what I had in mind, I was going to finish it, ride it and then leave instructions for my wife never to sell anything to Barry!
“M AN THAT IS SO FREAKING HARD CORE, WAY TO GO!” While getting the road/trail tyres fitted, Mick the Tyre Fitter asked me what I was going to do with the old bike. “Go touring” I said. He studied me briefly and asked if I “had any idea how fast big trucks go these days? I wouldn’t do it.” he said. He got me worried again. After registering it, I briefly considered taking it over to show Barry but decided against it in case he made another prophesy. I found the Sunshine Coast VJMC guys online and did a couple of rides with them, and their support gave me confidence again and I realised that the bike was ready for work.
20
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
The bike under went a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration.
www.vjmc.org.au
HONDA XL250 RESTO
Cruising the Qld Coast
So one cold May night I studied the weather forecast. It was dry for the next week and I knew it was the time to go, now or never. So I packed a small bag and hit the road just after dawn the next morning. I headed up the Queensland coast cruising at the speed limit as I knew it could do, easily carrying my 70 kg and bag. The exception was the
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
21
HONDA XL250 RESTO
The bike attracted plent y of attention along the way
110 kph section from north of Brisbane to Gympie. I was worried about this freeway, but discovered that it felt safer sitting on 100kph in the middle of the left lane than it did on the normal undivided sections. Last time I rode a bike, ‘you wore what you had on’ and that’s what I did. Jeans, shirt, old floppy jacket, unlined gloves. At the first fuel stop, more than a bit ‘zoned-out’, numb bummed and frozen to the bone, a car load of mean looking facially-pierced, tattoo’d, black
22
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
T-shirt 120kg-ish guys got out of a pimped to the max Valiant and came over to ask, “where you from and where are you going on that old Motosport bro?”. I told them, they looked at each other and one said “Man that is so freaking hard core, way to go!” The final few miles into that stop I developed cramps in my right hand that I was still shaking out. Maybe they are right, this is a bit full-on, what am I doing!? But I continued on to Bororan that day, stayed at the pub. Mackay the day after that. It got easier by the
www.vjmc.org.au
HONDA XL250 RESTO
Ron is already planning his next long ride
time I was a 1000 kms from my place. I met some great people. You are never alone on an old bike and every second person had a paddock-basher XL250 “it was my first bike!” and wanted to tell me all about it. I nodded and listened. In the end, both Barry the Bike Wrecker and Mick the Tyre Fitter were wrong, but the guys in the Valiant were close, it was more hard core than I anticipated, but that’s what made it a great trip. It was so good that I am planning another one next year. The year 2022 will be 50 years after I bought my first XL250 K0 and did many thousands of miles (yes odometer in miles) up and down the Queensland coast, a couple of times non-stop from Mackay to the Gold Coast. I am getting slow though, it takes me two days now!
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
23
NORWEGIAN STYLE
A r ticle & Photos by Doug Taylor
IT ALL STARTED AROUND M ARCH 2014 OVER A BEER WITH JEFF EELES AT THE GR ANDVIEW HOTEL DURING A VJMC GET TOGETHER WITH THE USUAL BANTER OVER CL ASSIC M ACHINES.
Kawasaki Heaven – Vetle is checking out the K V75s is the background
24
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
NORWEGIAN STYLE
I had previously mentioned to him that I was looking forward to a trip over to the Isle of Man TT a few months later (that’s another story!) and planned to visit Norway while I was in that area of the planet. Jeff casually mentioned that he knew a classic Kawasaki lover in that country, so graciously organised contact between us – what happened next was truly amazing. I arrived in Norway and contacted Stale via email just to confirm if all was ok for meeting up, and a
confirming email meant that it was ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ – I couldn’t wait. Stale and his son Vetle picked me up and we made our way to a farm on the outskirts of Oslo, which had three large barns located not far from the main farm house. He explained that he and five other friends rented the first barn and kept their classic Kawasakis in it, and that one other barn was rented by other friends, and that the third barn was used by the farm owner.
BSA Rocket 3 in the neighbouring barn
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
25
NORWEGIAN STYLE
VJMC bliss
The second barn was rented by another group of guys and had various classics, ranging from Triumph Hurricanes, Norton Atlas, BSA Rocket 3 and many other Japanese bikes. The remaining barn was full of vintage Yamahas – DS6, AS3, R5, RD400 – the list went on. This barn also had huge industrial racks full of vintage Yamaha NOS parts – all labeled in massive boxes with various vintage Yamaha model identifications. I felt as if I was in Aladdin’s Cave!
26
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
NORWEGIAN STYLE
We then made our way outside and met up with some other riders – they all meet up every Tuesday evening to discuss classic bikes, their next projects and of course chasing parts. There were two outstanding machines – Steve had a gold Kawasaki H2, and obliged by starting it up and giving it a handful for me – music to the ears! The other guy had a purple and white Yamaha R5 that looked like new – when he ran the bike it sounded as tight as leaving the Yamaha factory. As Norway has the third highest economy in the world these guys
leave no expense spared in doing up their machines. After chatting with the guys Stale gave me a detailed tour of his barn. It was a shrine to Kawasaki, with several HI, H2 and smaller triples on the floor. There were also specials, which included a Z900, GPz750 turbo (with bigger turbo) Eddie Lawson Replica, KV75, Z1300 and the list went on. During this tour I also met Roger, who I quickly figured out to be the main man in organising the barn, as he owned a large proportion of the bikes on the
Steve’s H2 – what a sound!
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
27
NORWEGIAN STYLE
floor. He was amazed that I was from Australia, and immediately wanted to show me the difference between the sound of the expansion chambers on his H2 compared to Stale’s H2 – I was in heaven! Stale mentioned that the barn was their haven in winter, as in Norway it is not practical to ride bikes due to the snow and the salt put down on the roads to disperse the snow. He then went on to tell me that they travel throughout Europe to classic bike rallies, and that the UK triples rally in the Midlands every year is a must.
28
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
The v intage Yammie’s in the big barn
www.vjmc.org.au
NORWEGIAN STYLE
Lots of Yammie R 5 par ts!
We left the farm after a few hours and returned to Oslo, chatting about classic bikes for most of the journey. I must admit I was amazed at the commitment of the Norwegian classic motorcycling fraternity. They are very passionate about keeping the dream alive, being very brand loyal and above all making sure the restorations are second to none. I was blown away by the fantastic detail they go to, being of the highest standard (courtesy of the bins full of NOS parts!). The Norwegians are fantastic friendly people and I can recommend to all to put the country on your list to visit – they welcome you like one of their own!
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
29
SUZUKI GT550
By David Bice
30
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
SUZUKI GT550
T H E VJ M C O B J E C T I V E S A R E TO F O S T E R T H E P R E S E R VAT I O N , R E S TO R AT I O N , R I D I N G A N D E N J OY M E N T O F O L D E R J A PA N E S E M OTO R C YC L E S . I T H I N K I ’ V E T I C K E D A L L T H E B O X E S W I T H T H I S O N E.
It’s all there … except what’s missing!
Hello fellow VJMC members. I have been wanting to tell the story of my resurrected ’73 K model GT550 for awhile, but wasn’t sure where to start so here I go. As a Honda man most of my life and owning many different models over the years, I didn’t think I would ever be a 2 stroke smelly smoke blowing owner. But as a Central Vic. VJMC member I was impressed by a very nice candy gold ’72 GT550 that one of our members has,
www.vjmc.org.au
so one day in the course of my work as a freight driver I came across a bloke who said he had a Suzuki 550 waterbottle he would sell. Knowing this wasn’t a 750 bottle I asked how much and he replied about $500 and his description was that it was all there apart from pipes which he said were readily available on Ebay (all banged up ones are). I didn’t think long and said I would take it, but on the day
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
31
SUZUKI GT550
of pick up he was in Sydney working and his wife and brother helped me load all the bits and pieces in the car. It was then I noticed more than pipes missing so I ended up paying $400 for maybe half a bike and seeing it was Sunday morning headed straight to our VJMC coffee meet in Kangaroo Flat to ask the Suzuki experts what I
really had. Carl Schubert (aka Mr Suzuki) confirmed it was a K model and as cylinder head nuts were all loose suggested we take the head off to check the bores. I clearly remember his first words when I lifted it up, “Oh Oh, no-one’s home”, meaning no pistons! Not knowing where
A ll sorts of mechanical issues
Making progress
32
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
SUZUKI GT550
The triple goes back into the frame
to go now I took it all home and laid it out on the shed floor to see what I had … and It wasn’t good. Deciding to keep going I quickly found Ebay becoming my best friend, as I’m certain you all have with your projects. I needed lots of stuff and I cannot thank Carl enough for all his help in selling a complete front end with instruments and wheel guard as well as rear guard /taillight/indicators. Paul Furlong helping me out with a tank that didn’t resemble Swiss cheese like the one I had, and also putting me on to SA VJMC member Adrian Schilling, who remarkably had a NOS set of pipes for it (oooh
www.vjmc.org.au
lah lah thankyou Adrian for your help.) Not game enough to freight them home, I embarked on the journey over to pick them up myself, and some 1300km later they were safe in my shed ready to go on. Not sure if there’s enough room to list Ebay purchases but let’s try; oil pump and lines, pistons/ gudgeons / rings/ignition points plate/ points and condensers, which were in seriously rusted out. 1 x ram air cover/centre header pipe/ new engine mounts/ new seat from CMSnl.com / brake master cylinder/mirrors/ brakes/swing arm bushes and
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
33
SUZUKI GT550
Dav id’s v iew
many more parts along the way … but I’m sure the editor would like a couple of pages left in the magazine for other articles. I also had some help from Andrew Casley and Craig Jenkins (Aqua blasting specialist) both VJMC cv members to spruce up my cylinders/heads/carbs/ramair fins/brake drum and rear spokes. Nice work and makes a big difference to what was a basket case of a bike. About 13 months later I finished with what I had set out to do with it, which was nowhere
34
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
near a concourse bike but a reasonably clean neat looking machine, and that Honda man in me rather likes his smelly old two stroker now. It’s great to ride, with more torque and power than I would have imagined. Once again I can’t thank the VJMC members enough for their knowledge, expertise and help along the way and this is what the club is all about, so anyone thinking of heading down this road just get in there and give it a go.
www.vjmc.org.au
SUZUKI GT550
The f inished result
A nother payoff: enjoy ing VJMC rides
www.vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
35
VJMC 154
We would love to feature your bike in an upcoming issue. All you need to do is provide some written info and some photos. We can tidy up the words if that’s not your thing. Photos need to be at the larger size (around 1 meg or more ideally). Photos taken with an iPhone or similar are fine to use. Take a bit of time to get the lighting good, and have a decent background. The article could be about • An event or ride • A person • A bike • A Collection • A restoration project (complete or ongoing) Technical info • Anything that interests the members. Please email tom@pepperpublishing.com. au with stories or if you want any more info on putting something together for the mag. In subject line put: VJMC + (your name and two word description) Next Deadline: November 15th
MERCHANDISE ORDERING This can now be done online through the VJMC website, making it much easier to select items, fill in form details and with automatic totalling. Each item picture can be clicked on for a larger, more detailed preview. You will still need to make a separate payment through your bank account electronically. For members, go to our website at – vjmc. org.au, and on the homepage, second section down “VJMC Australia merchandise orders now online”, is the link to the merchandise
36
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
KAWASAKI Z900, Z1000 any year or ZIR MK2 I had to recently sell my 1973 Z1 900 due to a change in personal circumstances. It was a show bike and trophy winner but I am now after more of just a “rider” for club runs, get-togethers etc. I am not a great mechanic so I really am after one that runs well, is reliable and roadworthy with a good motor, electrics etc. and does not need to look brilliant. I am based in Townsville, but with freight today being not too expensive, I will consider a bike from anywhere. Contact me through the club forum or call direct 0467600857. Cheers Karl Roebuck Member A4561
online order form, Go directly to … You still have the option to download the merchandise order form for ordering by EMAIL or to print it out for POSTING. These links are in the same section. If new or existing financial members require login details for the VJMC website, you can find a Website Access Guide (for members only areas) on the homepage, second section down, last line, How to login - Website Access. Clicking on this link will present a PDF of steps to be taken to gain access to members only areas. Any merchandise queries please contact Merchandise Officer: Peter Donnellan on 0408 839 805. www.vjmc.org.au
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.
Eudlo Forest Retreat 23 Johnsons Road Eudlo, Queensland 4554 www.eudloforestretreat.com.au 0410 392 844 – Jules. Motorcycle friendly Bed & Breakfast in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Accommodation for up to four singles and two couples. Undercover bike parking provided and workshop facilities available. The local region offers some great riding and many points of interest. Please call Jules to confirm details & availability.
Tri-Spark Electronic Ignition Systems South Australia, export world wide sales@trispark.com.au | www.trispark.com.au 08 8371 1664 Specialises in ignition systems for classic bikes. Our reputation for supplying a top-quality product and technical support is unmatched. We also stock ignition coils, voltage regulators and accessories. We are happy to hear from members about their bike electrical requirements and answer their questions. Please visit our website and get in touch.
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.
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 Steve Gittings Printforme 03 5334 2605 | 0417 336 360 printforme@ncable.net.au Design. Print. Finish. Offset and digital printing.
www.vjmc.org.au
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 02 6766 1233 | info@abrahamlincoln.com.au 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. Bonnie Doon Hotel 1738 Maroondah Hwy, Bonnie Doon. Approx 150km from Melb, our editor Tom Calderwood is the publican at this famous pub. Great meals and accommodation available. There is a variety of enjoyable routes to take on the way, and also while up here in the Gateway to Victoria’s High Country.
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
37
CLUB INFO
REGIONAL MEETS
Please contact the VJMC Web Content Manager at WebContent@ vjmc.org.au to have information on this page added, corrected, deleted or updated.
ACT / SOUTHERN NSW QUEENSLAND DEAKIN: 7:30 PM - 4th Wednesday of each month Canberra Deakin Football Club Grose St, Deakin ACT. Bill Dobie – 0414 957 215 Meeting.ACT@vjmc.org.au
S.E. QUEENSLAND:7:00 PM - 2nd Tuesday of each month. Belmont Tavern. Cnr Burstall Ave & Belmont Rd, Belmont. Qld. John McNair - 0402 939 132 Meeting.Brisbane@vjmc.org.au
NEW SOUTH WALES
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
LOWERHUNTER: 7:00 PM - 2nd Thursday of each month. Club Macquarie. 458 Lake Road, Argenton. NSW. Bill Keevers – 0438 646117 Meeting.LowerHunter@vjmc. org.au
ADELAIDE: 6:30 PM - last Thursday of each month (except December) at the Walkers Arms Hotel, 36 North East Road, Walkerville. Upper Level, Room 1 from 6.30 pm. (Near the ABC Building). A la Carte menu. Graeme Cullingford Meeting.Adelaide@vjmc.org.au
MID HUNTER: 7:00 PM - 1st Tuesday of each even-numbered month. Greta Workers Club. Cnr New England Hwy & West St, Greta. NSW. Allan Kensitt – 0405 492700 Meeting.MidHunter@vjmc.org. au SYDNEY: 7:00 PM - 2nd Wednesday of each month. Prospect Hotel. Great Western Highway, Prospect. NSW. Paul Johnson - 0481 142 175 Meeting.Sydney@vjmc.org.au Paul Lenehan – 0408 825126 Meeting.Sydney1@vjmc.org.au TAMWORTH: 6.30 PM last Thursday of each month. Tamworth City Bowling Club. ANZAC Park. Brisbane St, Tamworth. NSW. Paul Rowling – 0411 696 852 Meeting.Tamworth@vjmc.org.au
38
VICTORIA CENTRAL VICTORIA: 10:00 AM - every Sunday morning. Garlands Bakehouse & Cafe. 124 High Street, Kangaroo Flat. Vic. Rodney Gilbert – 0439 327 283 or Meeting.CentralVictoria@vjmc. org.au
MORNINGTON PENINSULA: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday of each month. Balnarring Beach General Store. 181 Balnarring Beach Rd, Balnarring Beach. Vic. Dave Parker – 0416 154 056 Meeting.MorningtonPeninsula @vjmc.org.au WEST GIPPSLAND: 10:00 AM - last Sunday each Month. Prior to ride at 11:00 AM. East Bound Caltex Service & Station. Princess Hwy, Longwarry North. Vic. Mick Gunn – 0439 537 901 Meeting.WestGippsland@vjmc. org.au WESTERN VICTORIA: 9:30 AM the last Sunday of month for a ride (weather permitting) at 10:30 AM Krooze In Cafe, Boak Ave, Ballarat. Vic Vacant Meeting.WesternVictoria@vjmc. org.au
GOULBURN MURRAY: 10:00 AM - 1st Sunday of each month. Kyabram. 135 Allan St,Kyabram. Vic. Garry Lennie – 0459 233020 Meeting.GoulburnMurray@vjmc. org.au MELBOURNE: 7:00 PM last Tuesday of each month. Grandview Hotel. Cnr Station Street & Heidelberg Rd, Fairfield. Vic. No contact
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
www.vjmc.org.au
VJMC INC AUSTR ALIA
HISTORIC REGISTRATION VJMC Members may apply for historic registration, however, please note the club objective: To foster the preservation, restoration, riding and enjoyment of ownership of Japanese motorcycles. Historic registration is aimed at preserving historic vehicles, as a result modified or customised motorcycles may be ineligible for historic registration in your state. Please check the links to documentation for Club Permit/Registration in your state or territory to check your bike’s eligibility. The N.S.W. RMS is now trialling a 60 day log book scheme. The VJMC is registered as a participant in that trial. Provided below are the websites in each state that will be of assistance. You will need to enter “historic vehicle registration” or similar into the search bar. A number of VJMC email address are also provided for further enquiries.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au.
QUEENSLAND: www.qld.gov.au
Email: ClubRegistration.ACT@vjmc.org.au
Email: ClubRegistration.Qld@vjmc.org.au
NEW SOUTH WALES: www.councilofmotorclubs.org.au www.rms.nsw.gov.au vjmc.org.au Club Registration (Sydney) email: ClubRegistration.Sydney@vjmc.org.au Club Registration(other): ClubRegistration.NSW@vjmc.org.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY: nt.gov.au Email: ClubRegistration.NT@vjmc.org.au
www.vjmc.org.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: www.sa.gov.au ClubRegistration.SA@vjmc.org.au
TASMANIA: http://www.transport.tas.gov.au ClubRegistration.Tas@vjmc.org.au
VICTORIA: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au vjmc.org.au Email: ClubRegistration.Vic@vjmc.org.au
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
39
VJMC INC AUSTR ALIA
AREA REPRESENTATIVES VJMC Area Representatives are available to assist with
For more information on becoming a VJMC Area
any aspect of the VJMC they can but particularly club
Representative contact the Area Representative Co-
membership activities local to them. If they are unable to
ordinator at AreaReps@vjmc.org.au. Please put VJMC
assist you directly, they will do their best to direct your
AREA REPS in the subject line.
enquiry to the best available person or resource to resolve it.
ACT / SOUTHERN NSW Canberra Bill Dobie – 0414 957 215 Canberra@vjmc.org.au
Mid North Coast Stephen Wardle – 02 6551 5546 MidNorthCoast@vjmc.org.au
NEW SOUTH WALES
North West NSW Garry Hennessy – 0418 496 538 NWNSW@vjmc.org.au
Armidale Greg Inglis – 0408 669 986 Armidale@vjmc.org.au
Orange Peter Ezzy – 0427 663 246 Orange@vjmc.org.au
Broken Hill Samuel Muscat – 0412 208 898 BrokenHill@vjmc.org.au
Sydney David Bernardi – 0431 661 769 Sydney@vjmc.org.au
Central Coast Andrew Johnson – 0417 654 461 CentralCoast@vjmc.org.au
Sydney Inner Stephen O’Farrell – 0434 066 966 SydneyInner@vjmc.org.au
Far North Coast Rob Andrews FarNorthCoast@vjmc.org.au
Sydney South & West Allan Dykstra – 0418 866 917 SydneySW@vjmc.org.au
Illawarra Vacant Illawarra@vjmc.org.au
Tamworth: Paul Rowling – 0411 696 852 Tamworth@vjmc.org.au
LowerHunter Bill Keevers – 0438 646 117 LowerHunter@vjmc.org.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Mid Hunter Allan Kensitt – 0405 492 700 MidHunter@vjmc.org.au
40
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
Darwin: vacant Darwin@vjmc.org.au
www.vjmc.org.au
VJMC INC AUSTR ALIA
Queensland Gold Coast Dean Johnson - 0499 427 312 GoldCoast@vjmc.org.au Mackay Peter & Helen Douglas – 0408 186 439 Mackay@vjmc.org.au S.E. Queensland Vacant SEQueensland@vjmc.org.au Sunshine Coast Mark Clark - 0488 980 969 SunshineCoast@vjmc.org.au
East Gippsland Vacant EastGippsland@vjmc.org.au Geelong Vacant Geelong@vjmc.org.au Kyabram Garry Lennie – 0428 542 479 Kyabram@vjmc.org.au Melbourne Phil Scorah – 0412 162 863 Melbourne@vjmc.org.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Mornington Peninsula David Parker – 0416 154 056 MorningtonPeninsula@vjmc.org.au
Adelaide Graeme Cullingford – 0475 515 470 Adelaide@vjmc.org.au
N.E. Victoria Ian Brightmore – 0419 888 020 NEVictoria@vjmc.org.au
TASMANIA
N.W. Victoria Robert Traeger – 0418 145 393 NWVictoria@vjmc.org.au
North West Tony Mahoney – 0438 385 176 NWTasmania@vjmc.org.au Northern Malcolm Innes-Wayling – 0419 598 875 NorthTasmania@vjmc.org.au Southern Vacant SouthTasmania@vjmc.org.au
VICTORIA Central Victoria Rodney Gilbert – 0429 327 283 CentralVictoria@vjmc.org.au
www.vjmc.org.au
West Gippsland Michael Gunn – 0439 537 901 WestGippsland@vjmc.org.au Western Victoria Vacant WesternVictoria@vjmc.org.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Perth and W.A. David Williams – 0418 687 855 Perth@vjmc.org.au
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
42
VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
From ANNUAL FEES Australian Residents Family (member + 1 other) New Zealand Overseas
1/6/21 1/7/21 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: NOVEMBER 15 TH
