VJMC #153

Quarterly Club Mag www.vjmc.org.au

ISSUE 153

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 Vice President Jeff Eeles | jeeles@iprimus.com.au Secretary Tony Mahoney | ttmahoney@gmail.com Treasurer John King | pir8@internode.on.net Public Officer David Bernardi | mrdbernardi@gmail.com Area Rep Coordinator Wayne Lavers | twiggyl1955@icloud.com Membership Secretary Mick Godfrey | mgo22098@bigpond.net.au Merchandising Officer Peter Donnellan | peted@internode.on.net Committee Member Paul Rowling | motopaulie@bigpond.com Committee Member Peter Douglas | pdouglas15@bigpond.com Committee Member (Rally 2021) Phil Scorah | scorahphil@hotmail.com Librarian David Quinn | kwakka9@ozemail.com.au Editor Tom Calderwood | tom@pepperpublishing.com.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.

153 CONTENTS

President’s Report

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Toowoomba Weekend Ride

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Ricks Cafe Ride

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SA - Combo Ride

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SA - Northern Ride

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SA - Lake Albert Ride

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SA - Drive/Ride Day

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SA - Wardies B’Day Ride

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2005 Suzuki GSX 1400

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Bridgestone GTO

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Honda CB750 Sandcast

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Suzuki GS650

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Contribute/Merchandise Ordering

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Members Directory

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Club Info

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Membership Renewal

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Please Contribute

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PRESIDENTS REPORT

WITH THE END OF 2020 ONLY WEEKS AWAY A LOT OF US WILL BE HOPING FOR A MUCH BETTER YEAR IN 2021. WELL IT COULDN’T BE MUCH WORSE FOR MANY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY THE POOR FELLOW WHO WAS RECENTLY TR ANSFERRED TO REHAB AFTER 75 DAYS INTENSIVE CARE. THAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE WITH A TUBE STUCK DOWN YOUR THROAT FOR ALL THAT TIME. AT LEAST HE SURVIVED AND HOPEFULLY WITHOUT TOO MANY ONGOING ISSUES. SADLY A MANY HAVE NOT SURVIVED WHICH OF COURSE IS VERY SAD.

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PRESIDENTS REPORT

One of the other sad things to come from the pandemic is the division of our country between states. We are one big beautiful country and to hear it said that QLD hospitals are for QLD people and NSW hospitals are for NSW people is very sad. It makes me angry because hospitals are for sick people regardless of where they hail from.

Borders are just lines on a map to define the separation of two states of this great nation that our parents and grandparents fought for.

I have heard of instances where Victorian grey nomads were being told to go home and stop using their precious resources (toilet paper maybe) in various parts of the country, when for a lot of them their home is on the back of their vehicle. This is disgusting behaviour which I am sure would have been totally the opposite two years ago when they were loving the money being spent in their towns by the Grey Nomads.

I have a retired cousin from country NSW who used to be a plumber and they often get together with other caravaners who have trades, and they travel to towns that have been affected by drought or any other disaster to assist with rebuilding or repairing houses and farm buildings in Australia.

Not one particular state but anywhere with some of these so far being in Qld and north west NSW. This is the sort of comradeship we should be fostering.

Fortunately that comradeship exists in the VJMC with our spread of wonderful

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people right across this country. One of the big losses this year for me was the cancellation of our National Rally with the promise of it being a beauty too. Our annual rallies are a chance to meet up with our fellow members from all states of the country each year. I love this and I really enjoy reading what members are doing in these areas in our club magazine, website or Facebook pages. It would actually be good to see a bit more in the mag and on the website even if it’s only a few lines and a photo or two.

Our Area Rep Coordinator Wayne does a great job communicating with our area reps throughout the country and I would ask those area reps to send in a few lines with a photo maybe on some club events happening in your area.

It doesn’t have to be a novel, even a paragraph will do.

Our National Committee (Natcom) is a good way for me to see what’s happening with interstate members in our monthly phone hook up meetings from Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania. I look forward to our next National Rally whenever that maybe but it’s looking like Bendigo Victoria but delayed to September or October 2021.

In the meantime I hope all our members stay safe and healthy and get out and enjoy those bikes as soon as they can.

John McNair President

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TOOWOOMBA RIDE

TOOWOOMBA

WEEKEND RIDE Article by John McNair

WITH THE 2020 NATIONAL R ALLY CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19 RESTRICTIONS SOME OF OUR MEMBERS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HAVING A WEEKEND IN TOOWOOMBA STAYING AT THE TOOWOOMBA MOTOR VILLAGE (TMV), WHICH WAS TO BE R ALLY CENTR AL. Along with at least a dozen Brisbane members we also had two members from the Sunshine Coast and one from the Gold Coast. A really good effort.

The Saturday ride to Toowoomba from Bundamba west of Brisbane took place on August 29, up the Brisbane Valley Hwy, passing over the wall of the massive Wivenhoe Dam then on to

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Esk and Toogoolawah, where one of our riders sustained rapidly (make that instant) deflating rear tyre on his Honda 750, and as he was twoup this provided some heart stopping moments.

We waited at Collinton a few kilometers along the D’Aguliar Hwy but the bike had to be transported home with the RACQ. On the road again we climbed the Blackbutt Range to the town of Blackbutt about 460 metres ASL then dropping down a little to Yarraman, where we turned south on the New England Hwy towards Cooyar. This road is quite picturesque as it runs along the Cooyar Range at almost 500 www.vjmc.org.au

TOOWOOMBA RIDE

metres above sea level before dropping through lots of twisties down into Cooyar.

We had lunch here and also caught up with Mark Sweeney, one of our Toowoomba members on his immaculate Yamaha TRX850. Lunch was at ex Aussie MotoGP racer Gary McCoy’s Cafe. With good food and lots of memorabilia around the walls and several motorcycles throughout the

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cafe it is a great place to stop.

From here it was on to Toowoomba via Crows Nest and then a little detour down Spring Bluff to Murphy’s Creek and Helidon before heading south across Back Flagstone Creek Rd to Flagstone Creek Rd for the run up the mountain to the TMV.

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TOOWOOMBA RIDE

Meanwhile our flat tyre rider had arrived home changed bikes and arrived at the TMV not long after us on his Triumph Trident. Soon we were in the hotel next door having a beer and a relax before heading off to the Toowoomba City Golf Club for tea with Mark and wife Julie joining us to top off a great day.

Sunday morning we were joined by another Toowoomba member on his immaculate Suzuki 750 RE5 Rotary Peter Fisher along with Mark again. Great to see some of these local members taking part.

The Sunday ride was a rerun of the ride planned for the Rally Sunday, which took us back down Flagstone Creek Rd then onto Blanchview Rd for several kilometers, before turning onto Spa Water Rd through Back Flagstone Creek Rd. After a few kms we turned right onto The Tops Rd which twists and climbs sharply, including one first gear hairpin up to the amazing Silver Pinch Rd which runs along the saddle of a very high ridge, about two house blocks wide, with spectacular views down each side.

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Lunch was at The Barn/Scotties Garage which also had a large group of classic cars visiting too. This was very enjoyable here with good food including a massive hamburger and fantastic surroundings.

With lunch over it was goodbye to our Brisbane and Sunshine Coast members before Brian, myself and Cheryl and Mike and Sutini headed off to Jondaryn via the Toowoomba Bypass, where we turned off to Brymaroo and Quinalow on the way to the Bunya Mtns.

The ride over the Bunya’s was beautiful with afternoon tea at a beautiful cafe high on the mountains before making the run into Kingaroy for the night. Had tea at the RSL with a few ales before a pleasant walk back to the motel.

Monday’s ride home took us through Wondai, Murgon, Goomeri, Gympie to Imbul for lunch.

From there it was on to Kenilworth, Reesville Lookout near Maleny then Woodford and onto Wamuran and home. All up we covered just over 1,000 klms in perfect weather for the three days.

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RIDE TO RICKS CAFE

RIDE TO RICKS CAFE IT WAS A CRISP START ON THE MORNING ON JUNE 7 BY QUEENSL AND STANDARDS FOR OUR 9:00AM RENDEZ VOUS AT RICKS CAFÉ, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY GAR AGE IN BY GONE DAYS AND IS NOW A TRENDY LICENCED BAR & CAFÉ THAT CATERS FOR BIKE AND CAR GROUPS AS WELL AS THE GENER AL PUBLIC.

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RIDE TO RICKS CAFE

This was the first weekend that Ricks had reopened since the Covid-19 lockdown and they were allowed up to 20 people per area with 5 areas available.

Eighteen of us turned up and enjoyed a yarn, a coffee and some food for the hungry ones until we departed for a ride at about 10:30am. The original intention was to do a short 26 Kilometre route through the lovely windy roads in the hinterland

Kenilworth was also very busy and we decided it would take too long to get refreshments due to the amount of people allowed into the cafĂŠs, so we headed north again for another 31 Kilometres past Imbil and then east to a CafĂŠ in Carters Ridge that is in a rural area that few people know about.

After some food and refreshments we departed for home with most heading off in their relevant

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as some of us had already completed a run up to Kin Kin and the Cootharaba area on the previous Wednesday. However most wanted to do a longer ride so we rode up Razorback Road to Montville and then south along the Range to Maleny, a distance of 23 Kilometres. Maleny was very busy after the reduction of the travel restrictions and after a crawl through town we rode a further 40km north to Kenilworth, where we stopped to regroup and for a couple of us to refuel.

directions. In all I did about 170km, with some no doubt doing a fair few more.

It was a really pleasant sunny day of about 21 degrees, no rain and all of the bikes performing well with no breakdowns. I wish to thank all who attended for contributing to what was an excellent day.

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COMBO RIDE DAY

ON ROAD - OFF ROAD

COMBO RIDE DAY Article by Peter Donnellan

WHAT WAS TO BE A DEDICATED OFF-ROAD TR AIL BIKE DAY ORGANISED AND LED BY TOM OSBORNE WAS ALSO ENJOYED WITH COMBINING THE START AND FINISH POINTS WITH THE ON ROAD BIKES AS WELL.

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COMBO RIDE DAY

The Northern on-road ride led by me started from Prices Bakery at Golden Grove then out through Snake Gully to catch up with the Dirt Bike Ride starting point at Tom Osborne’s home at Kersbrook, where we spent about 20 minutes catching up as some of the other off-road bikes arrived.

After a bit of swapping of the day’s tales, Mick Walker, Wayne Marks and myself parted company and headed northward home, with me completing about 180km for the day.

Thanks to Mick Bulman for coming up from down south to join us for the day!

We then went our separate ways, with the road bikes continuing on the bitumen to Williamstown, through to Springton then a bakery stop at Mt. Pleasant.

After a feed we backtracked out of Mt. Pleasant to take the road to Walker Flat out through the granite boulders in the ranges and opening up with a great view of the descent to the plains on the eastern side of the Adelaide Hills.

Once down on the plains we turned right heading through Milendella, after this we connected up to the Mannum Road and headed into the ranges again through to Palmer, Tungkillo then arriving back at Lovells Bakery at Birdwood.

Enjoying the sunshine (yes there was some!) and company, we were later joined by Tom’s Trail Bike mob (about 10 of them) where all seemed to survive the mud trails and river crossings of their ride and thoroughly enjoyed it all looking at some of the pics.

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www.vjmc.org.au

COMBO RIDE DAY

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SOUTH AUSTR ALIA CLUB

Article by Peter Donnellan

THE EXCELLENT NORTHERN RIDE, HELD ON SUNDAY JULY 5, LEFT FROM GOLDEN GROVE, LED BY JON TREEN. It was a bit damp and overcast when we left, but cleared the further north we went.

The ride took us through Snake Gully, Humbug Scrub with the creek crossing flowing, Williamstown with a detour to the Whispering Wall for a quick leg stretch, then off through Mt Pleasant, Angaston, Nuriootpa for a petrol stop for some of the Southerners and smaller tanked bikes, then off again out to Kapunda for our lunch

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stop at the local Bakery where we feasted on the local fare.

After a chat and a walk around the main street we headed our separate ways home.

200km for Christine and I on the z1300, with a total of 10 members on the ride.

Thanks Jon Treen for organising another enjoyable VJMC ride!

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SOUTH AUSTR ALIA CLUB

Article by Allister Green

THANKS TO DEREK, WAYNE, KIER AN AND MY PAL R AY (CBX CLUB) FOR JOINING IN ON THE RIDE AROUND L AKE ALBERT. We met the Victoria Hotel and went the scenic route to Strathalbyn where we refuelled and then headed for Wellington were things got a bit windy! Too much for Wayne on the Goldwing and he decided to head home.

Four of us pushed on and caught the ferry over a choppy Murray River!

Turned for Meningie and the wind was behind us making it a good ride down to Lake Albert for a rest stop at a nice picnic stop by the lake.

We then pushed on around Lake Albert to Narrung with space to stretch the legs a bit! Onto another ferry over Lake Albert and looped back to Wellington and over ferry again to cross the Murray River and back into the wind tunnel.

Leaning hard into the wind, coming off of Lake Alexandrina, to keep it upright was hard work. Back to Strathalbyn and then off home our separate ways.

Over 300k’s for the day and a good time was had with some great guys!

Do it again one day - without the wind! www.vjmc.org.au

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y a D e d i R D r i v e/ Article by Peter Donnellan

WE WERE INVITED TO ATTEND THE “DRIVE/RIDE YOUR VEHICLE DAY” OUT AT BETHANY OVAL, BETHANY IN THE BAROSSA VALLEY ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1.

This was put on by The Gawler Veteran Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club.

We met at our northern meeting point at Prices Bakery Golden Grove, where we then headed out through Snake Gully, Humbug Scrub, Williamstown, Lyndoch and arriving at the Bethany Oval to a very large oval display of classic and vintage cars.

As we were ushered to our display area, there was a bit of excitement as to where all the noise was coming from as we arrived in our group of 10 bikes plus 1, as Roy had ridden his BSA Bantam up earlier.

There was a lot of interest and much discussion had between us bikers and the car fraternity just enjoying the plethora of excellent vehicles that had been bought out for this mid-week event.

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I was very surprised by the large turnout of vehicles for this display and was kept busy fielding questions about my Z1300/6, the other bikes with us, and trying to get a look at some of the stunning cars.

I just wish I had more time to take some photos of the cars!

We left here a few hours later in search of the Tanunda Bakery for lunch and ended up with a good feed there and enjoyed the unusually warm Spring day.

After this we all went our separate routes back home, with Wardie clocking up 270km for the day coming from down south at Morphett Vale.

Definitely put on the calendar for next year!

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SOUTH AUSTR ALIA CLUB

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HONDA S600 ROADSTER

e d i R y a D ’ B s e i d r a W A rticle by Dav id Ward

A FINE MORNING SHOWED PROMISE, BUT IT HAD BEEN CHUCKING IT DOWN THE PREVIOUS COUPLE OF DAYS, SO A TURNOUT OF TWELVE MEMBERS AT THE GLEN OSMOND SERVICE STATION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 21, WAS REALLY GOOD.

Three saw us off and nine of us headed up the freeway just as it began to rain. Unperturbed we peeled off at the first turn-off and headed through the twists and turns through Glen Osmond, past the golf course, with views overlooking the city if you’ve got time to look - out of the suburbs past Penfolds Winery, then up the Norton Summit Road, navigating its tricky hairpins, especially so in the conditions.

Out on the Montacute Road and then the dive down into Basket Range, down into the valley, with water flowing over the road, and avoiding the slippery

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green bits, then up the other side, alongside the flowing Sixth Creek, complete with waterfall for the attentive!

Up through Carey Gulley and across the valley to pick up the newly re-surfaced Deviation Road, a challenge on the best of days. All still together, in the intermittent weather, we headed along the Lobethal Road to Lenswood and then across Chapel Hill towards Cudlee Creek. A quick whizz up the end of Gorge Road following along the Torrens River and then picking up the AdelaideMannum Road past the over-flowing Torrens Weir,

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PRES-REPORT AGM

to all safely arrive at The Big Rocking Horse cafe at Gumeracha - (we didn’t think you were coming in the rain!).

Coffees and cakes enjoyed by all, with, socially distanced catch-up chats for about an hour, before heading off on our way home. Back towards Cudlee Creek where some headed westward, then along Gorge Road and up Corkscrew Hill, (just for fun) www.vjmc.org.au

along Montacute Road and back over Mount Lofty, and heading our separate ways homeward.

I enjoyed the ride, I trust everyone else did. Some really interesting roads, probably a challenge at the best of times and the conditions certainly added to that challenge, but there were smiles on people’s faces, and to me that’s what it’s all about.

Thank you for making my ride a pleasure!

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SUZUKI GSX1400

2005 SUZUKI GSX 1400 Article by Paul Johnson

MY GS X140 0 I S A R EL ATI V E YO U N GSTER I N V I N TAG E J A PA N ESE TER M S – A M ER E TEEN AG ER AT J UST 15 Y E A R S O L D. TH E A I R /O I L COO L ED, T W I N SH O CK ER W ITH CH ROM ED H E A D ER S, E X H AUST A N D I N STRU M EN T S I S A N O D TO TH E M U LTI C Y L I N D ER M USCL E B I K ES O F Y ESTER Y E A R .

The Big Four Japanese manufacturers all went down the retro path, with Suzuki’s GSX 1400 in production from 2001 to 2008. The engine is an evolution of the GSX1100. Electronic fuel injection, 6 pot front brake calipers and modern

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tyre technology makes the old style muscle bike a more user friendly machine.

The 1402cc engine is well short of the power of its contemporary sports bikes but this bike is

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SUZUKI GSX1400

all about the 126 Nm of torque produced at low revs. Stump pulling power from a smooth four cylinder engine with a six speed transmission makes the bike an ideal tourer with excellent range provided by the 22 litre tank.

I purchased the bike in 2015 with an unknown ownership and maintenance history. My advisor was another VJMC member and a long term owner of the model. After a close inspection and test ride he gave it the thumbs up and it has proved to be a reliable bike. The bullet proof sixteen valve engine requires little attention beyond regular oil and filter changes.

The GSX has all the reliability and performance of a modern machine in the format of an old school naked bike. Suzuki dealers and on line sites provide a wide range of spares and accessories.

The big bang for your buck factor has created a strong following in Japan, Australia, Great Britain and Europe. A dedicated internet site -

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SUZUKI GSX1400

opportunity to showcase their headline models on the race track. Many of the race bred models are now among the most collectable and vintage racing has maintained the nostalgia for the era.

Suzuki eventually introduced shaft drive to the eight valve GS range and in 1981 I traded up to my GS1000G shaft drive. I still have my original candy apple red GS1000G. The GSX1400 continued Suzuki’s line of multi cylinder road bikes and they remain a popular ride long after the model ceased manufacture in 2008.

gsx1400owners.org - has a strong international membership and provides a wealth of model specific information and expertise to assist with maintenance and ownership.

Everything about the 1400 is big – big naked motor, big tank, big instruments and big old style headlight The GSX1400 shares the garage with my 1981 GS1000G and the Suzuki lineage is clear in both models.

Suzukis move to large capacity four stroke motorcycles in 1976 saw the beginning of the GS and GSX lineage which continues today.

I bought my first Suzuki, a GS400, in 1977.

In 1978 the iconic GS1000 was released and I had to have one. The GS1000 threw down the gauntlet to the other manufacturers. Delivered with triple disc brakes and alloy wheels, it set new standards in power and handling.

The late 70s saw the popularity of production racing and the manufacturers saw the

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BRIDGESTONE GTO

T H E

F A B L E D

BRIDGESTONE GTO S A M EM B ER N E V I L L E G R AY TA K ES US TH RO U G H H I S ST U N N I N G A N D R A R E B R I D G ESTO N E GTO.

The Holy Grail amongst Bridgestone owners is the elusive GTO 350 model. They were never officially imported into Australia while the GTR 350 was, landing here in small numbers from around 1968 to 1971 when Bridgestone production ceased in Japan for ever. All GTO’s in Australia have been privately imported ensuring their rarity.

Being a proud owner of a 175 twin for many www.vjmc.org.au

years, I conducted a frustrating 11 year search for the rare GTR model to no avail. Some wrecks were inspected but spares for all Bridgestones are hard to come by and to restore a wreck will definitely lead to a frustrating unfinished project.

A casual ‘wanted’ plea on the VJMC National Website 18 months ago bought a reply from a member that was a fellow Bridgestone fanatic (as VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

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BRIDGESTONE GTO

all BS owners are) who knew of a GTR, possibly surplus to the current owners requirements.

Phone numbers were exchanged and yes, he had a GTR that he may sell to me. On consequent phone calls it became apparent that an elusive GTO was also lurking in the garage and it also could possibly be for sale. Many photos were exchanged over the months and a price was eventually agreed to.

Trailer in tow, I headed Interstate with a pocket full of cash to pick up my dream bike. It certainly was a stunner with just 3,000 miles on the clock and on return to Adelaide, a one day, light cosmetic restoration had it looking like new.

There were the usual refurbishment problems with a hard to find broken wire, cracked tyres and stuffed battery etc, but nothing too traumatic.

Now to get it on the road with the usual hassles with imported vehicles needing correct certification, but eventually all went well and it was on the road for the first time since 1971. Amazingly, it came with its original key fob that contained the name and phone number of its first owner from Elk River,

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Minnesota USA. (The original owner has been contacted but never continued the liaison.)

The first ride was a revelation. The power is very linear with a claimed 40hp on tap with no need to rev it to get forward momentum. The dry clutch issues a tortured scream when released and the

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BRIDGESTONE GTO

bike will leap forward with the front wheel in the air if the correct gentle release procedure is not adhered to. Often a little black patch on the pavement was left behind as evidence of that dry clutch.

The gearing is amazing with 5,000 revs on the tacho at 60 mph with two gears to go. 4,000 revs in top equates to 70 mph with an upper red line limit of just 7,500 revs. Most riding in the fabulous Adelaide Hills is done in 4th and 5th gear.

Consequently, petrol consumption is minimal with 22 kms per litre easily achieved helped no doubt by those efficient twin rotary disk valves.

This is very unlike any other period two stroke,

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especially my KH400 which barely makes it to 100 miles on a tank.

Special quality additions like a small instrument light that comes on when in 5th gear, front lever activated brake light, cables having inbuilt grease nipples, make this machine unique. The

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BRIDGESTONE GTO

cylinder bores are chromed ensuring a long life and making them virtually seize proof. Engine cases exhibit a highly polished finish and the small amount of chrome is deep and lustrous.

There are a few foibles that make ownership challenging. The seat height is a towering 830 cms making mounting when on the centre stand a real effort for old blokes. The muff lers stick well out on each side making riding a ‘wide leg’ affair and very uncomfortable after a while.

Most Japanese motorcycle manufactures had a Street Scrambler on their model range in the late 60s and 70s but the Bridgestone GTO was

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special and stood out from the crowd. It was never meant to go off road as such but portray the image of toughness and versatility to those seeing it going by.

The GTO certainly turns heads and has been quite successful at the various Bike Shows in and around South Australia. When I first got it, I was faced with a dilemma with what to do with it – ride it or place it on permanent display in the lounge room. My wife quickly solved that problem and it now gets out on sunny days and the mileage is happily racking up.

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HONDA CB750 SANDCAST

WE C AUGHT UP WITH QUE E NSL A ND M E M B E R CL AY TON DUNN TO FIND OUT A LIT TLE MOR E A BOUT HIS M E TICULOUSLY R ES TOR E D SA NDC AS T CB750.

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HONDA CB750 SANDCAST

The original and ground-breaking Honda CB750, released in 1969, are referred to as Sandcast, because in the first year or production sandcasting was still being used to cast the crankcases.

Honda quickly realised that the demand for their revolutionary new “big” motorcycle was so strong that sand-casting wouldn’t be viable, so die-casting became the method used for future models. Due to the huge historic significance of the CB750, these rare early sandcast models are now highly sought after and typically fetch a price premium over their metal-cast counterparts.

This model in any condition is difficult to get your hands on, and Clayton received a big stroke

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of luck, combined with a lot of hard work, to get the bike where it is today.

The lucky part came when Clayton realised the frame and matching engine were both up for sale.

“I knew the motor was for sale as it had been on a Facebook group for a while, but it’s not much use to anyone without the frame,” Clayton said.

“I saw in a FB group that some guys that build old school choppers had found some real early Honda CB750 bikes, so I sent them a message and they had the bike that matched the motor for sale.

“The rolling chassis was located in Virginia,

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HONDA CB750 SANDCAST

and the matching motor 300 miles away in a neighboring town in Kentucky.

“I discreetly bought both off each owner the same day.

Just 300 miles apart but on the other side of the world to me (and time zone). It took a great deal of logistics to bring it all together but was worth all the effort.”

After shipping the bike back home in late 2017 Clayton got straight into rebuilding it, with the goal to have it ready for the 50th anniversary of the CB750 in Broadford in April 2019. www.vjmc.org.au

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HONDA CB750 SANDCAST

“These early models have so many different parts as they went into mass production they changed/ upgraded many parts. It took a lot of study and help from others to note the parts required and a huge challenge and costly process to find them.”

“A well known father and son (restorers) in the CB750 world from western Sydney went to work on the motor, while I tracked down some rare missing parts to get the bike period correct,” Clayton said.

“We meticulously rebuilt the bike to a very high standard just in time to get it to Broadford, and it got its first test ride around the Broadford race track during the CB750 parade at the 50th anniversary.”

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www.vjmc.org.au

HONDA CB750 SANDCAST

This bike wears the distinctive blue/green candy. Since the restoration it’s had just 125 miles or so put on it, and it’s presented now in an amazing original overall condition.

Clayton says the bike is, not surprisingly, a lot of fun to ride.

“It rides fantastic for an old girl, the engine is smooth but powerful. They say the early cams are better than the later ones.”

“The early carbs are much harder to tune as they are 4 cables (1 to each carb). It takes some time to get them right, but when they finally synced up the bike was singing ... it’s a great old school riding experience.

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SUZUKI GS650

Article by Dean Johnson

IT WA S TH E SU M M ER O F 1982 I N A SM A L L M I DW ESTER N TOW N O N TH E B A N K S O F M I G H T Y M I S SI S SI PPI R I V ER . I H A D R ECEN TLY G R A D UATED FROM H I G H SCH OO L A N D WA S WO R K I N G PA RT TI M E AT TH E LO C A L SU PER M A R K E T A LO N G W ITH SE V ER A L O F MY M ATES.

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VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

www.vjmc.org.au

SUZUKI GS650

My uncle loading it up in N Y

By now we had all shed our quads, 3 wheelers and farm bikes and with our hourly wage money burning a hole in our pockets we all dreamt of new street bikes.

In the early 80’s we were spoiled for choice but in our town, there was only one dealer and that was Riverview Sports (they are still in business today) which sold Suzuki.

The dealer ran a catchy ad featuring the bike I had to have … along with the watch of course, which was given away with new purchases to fit in with the theme of “The GS650 gives you everything but the time of day …”.

So came the day that I was going to secure my first Saturday night cruiser. Unfortunately I virtually had no money. I had only managed to

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Tear down begins straight away

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SUZUKI GS650

save up a mere $20 bucks (HA!) and I needed a bank loan to cover the $2869, and back then, zero money down loans … forget about it!

In today’s dollars that would have been about $10k.

Fortunately for me I knew the dealer’s owner wasn’t afraid of showing some clever accounting on the sale paperwork that the bank needed to approve the loan.

A couple hours later I am riding the bike home on top of the world … hell, I didn’t even have money for a helmet. It’s 1982, who the hell needs one of those!

And then a few hours later the bike and I are sprawled across the front lawn of the local KFC. A casualty of too high of speed in a sandy curve.

Me carted of to the hospital in the back of an ambulance and the bike and its pieces carted back to the dealership.

The bike recovered faster than me thankful for the insurance cover. As soon as it was repaired my mates brought it by the house but I could only take looking at it for so long and with my leg half in a plaster cast I tossed the crutches and got back on the horse.

For 3 years I rode as much as possible and as late into the seasons as I could before the snow came at which time it would be put away until winters end which would/could last up to 6 months!

Then came the day that university, work, and adult life got in the way and I sold the bike to a mate.

Fast forward 35 years and I have been living in Australia for 16 plus years and over the years I thought of the bike and the great times and would like it back.

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VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

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SU TZ AU MKWI OGRST6H5 0

Obtaining one here in Australia was not an option, as Suzuki did not sell the model here. So, I set out to track down my original bike in the USA. Thanks to social media, friends, and relatives I did just that; unfortunately the bike was now in New York, 15 hours from my hometown and halfway across the US. My uncle accepted the job to drive out to NY with a trailer to inspect it and, if it was all there buy it back and haul in to North Carolina to put it in a container for its voyage to Brisbane.

That all went according to plan, and 38 years to the day that I bought it, I collected the bike for the importer in Brisbane.

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Tear down started straight away, but the process of restoring and sourcing parts from all corners of the earth - some of those parts were from the same dealer I bought the bike – took more than two years.

The exhaust system and mudguards were rusted beyond the point of saving so whilst back in the USA is 2019, I wrenched some replacements from a salvage yard in the US The bike 99% done as I write this, and by the time the mag is finished the bike will be registered and joining in on VJMC runs.

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VJMC 153

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

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

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VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

A bike A restoration project (complete or ongoing) A Collection Technical info … really 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: December 15

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.

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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.

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CLUB INFO

REGIONAL MEETS

Meetings are open to both VJMC members and the general public.

Meetings will qualify as a Club Plate ride in most states and territories.

Please direct further enquiries to your local meeting convener using an email address below. Please enter VJMC MEETING in the subject line.

ACT / SOUTHERN NSW QUEENSLAND BELCONNEN: 7:30 PM - 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Belconnen Soccer Club.

Belconnen Way, Hawker. ACT. David Quinn – 0412 695 738 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. Brian Meeting.Brisbane@vjmc.org.au

NEW SOUTH WALES

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

LOWERHUNTER: 7:20 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.

Peter Donnellan – 0408 839 805 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

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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 Lazy Moes, Sturt Street, Ballarat. Vic. Alan 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

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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

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VJMC INC AUSTR ALIA

AREA REPRESENTATIVES VJMC Area Representatives are available to assist with

Please enter VJMC ENQUIRY in the email subject line.

any aspect of the VJMC they can but particularly club

More Info on becoming a regional rep: Contact Alan Stork

membership activities local to them. If they are unable to

on 0401 995 061 if you are interested in getting VJMC

assist you directly, they will do their best to direct your

happening in your area.

enquiry to the best available person or resource to resolve it.

ACT / SOUTHERN NSW Canberra David Quinn – 0412 695 738 Canberra@vjmc.org.au

Mid Hunter Allan Kensitt – 0405 492 700 MidHunter@vjmc.org.au

NEW SOUTH WALES

Mid North Coast Stephen Wardle – 02 6551 5546 MidNorthCoast@vjmc.org.au

Armidale Greg Inglis – 0408 669 986 Armidale@vjmc.org.au

North West NSW Garry Hennessy – 0418 496 538 NWNSW@vjmc.org.au

Broken Hill Samuel Muscat – 0412 208 898 BrokenHill@vjmc.org.au

Orange Peter Ezzy – 0427 663 246 Orange@vjmc.org.au

Central Coast Andrew Johnson – 0417 654 461 CentralCoast@vjmc.org.au

Sydney David Bernardi – 0431 661 769 Sydney@vjmc.org.au

Far North Coast Rob Andrews FarNorthCoast@vjmc.org.au

Sydney Inner Stephen O’Farrell – 0434 066 966 SydneyInner@vjmc.org.au

Illawarra Tony Deliseo – 0434 344 733 Illawarra@vjmc.org.au

Sydney South & West Allan Dykstra – 0418 866 917 SydneySW@vjmc.org.au

LowerHunter Bill Keevers – 0438 646 117 LowerHunter@vjmc.org.au

Tamworth: Paul Rowling – 0411 696 852 Tamworth@vjmc.org.au

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VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

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VJMC INC AUSTR ALIA

NORTHERN TERRITORY Darwin: vacant Darwin@vjmc.org.au

East Gippsland Vacant EastGippsland@vjmc.org.au

Queensland

Geelong Vacant Geelong@vjmc.org.au

Gold Coast Dean Johnson - 0499 427 312 GoldCoast@vjmc.org.au

Kyabram Garry Lennie – 0428 542 479 Kyabram@vjmc.org.au

Mackay Peter & Helen Douglas – 0408 186 439 Mackay@vjmc.org.au

Melbourne Phil Scorah – 0412 162 863 Melbourne@vjmc.org.au

S.E. Queensland Brian Gainsford – 0413 904 270 SEQueensland@vjmc.org.au

Mornington Peninsula David Parker – 0416 154 056 MorningtonPeninsula@vjmc.org.au

Sunshine Coast Mark Clark - 0488 980 969 SunshineCoast@vjmc.org.au

N.E. Victoria Ian Brightmore – 0419 888 020 NEVictoria@vjmc.org.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

N.W. Victoria Robert Traeger – 0418 145 393 NWVictoria@vjmc.org.au

Adelaide Graeme Cullingford – 0475 515 470 Adelaide@vjmc.org.au

TASMANIA

West Gippsland Michael Gunn – 0439 537 901 WestGippsland@vjmc.org.au

Launceston John Murray – 0413 452 341 Tasmania@vjmc.org.au

Western Victoria Alan Stork – 0401 995 061 WesternVictoria@vjmc.org.au

VICTORIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Central Victoria Rodney Gilbert – 0429 327 283 CentralVictoria@vjmc.org.au

Perth and W.A. David Williams – 0418 687 855 Perth@vjmc.org.au

www.vjmc.org.au

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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

1/6/21 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: DECEMBER 15 TH