Vintage Motorcycle Club Newsletter Kickstart 2016 10
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A monthly publication of The Vintage Motorcycle Club Johannesburg, South Africa. Volume 31. No 10. October 2016 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE: This being my first message as Chairman of our Club, I want to thank members for the support they have given to VMC over the years; may that support continue and enable the current committee to realise your expectation from the VMC. At our first committee meeting, we agreed to provide interesting motorcycling and social opportunities, over the coming year, which will strengthen our common love of motorcycles. I can’t believe we are already at the end of September, which implies there are only two major events left on our Club Calendar, the October “DJ Ride in Memory” and the Fairest Cape Tour. Regs for the 31st running of the Fairest Cape are available on the Cape VMC website, a link to them is on the Upcoming Events page on our website. That being said, I hope you realise that the 104th DJ Supplementary Regs are also accessible from this location, as a link to the VVC website. It is my fervent wish that our members make an effort to honour past competitors of the DJ in October, supporting the event organisers. I would be proud to also see VMC dominate the two big, upcoming Regularity events. As a final word, may the beginning of our South African summer bring the prospect of fantastic, safe riding exploits. I wish everyone favourable economic prospects that will allow for continued restoration and use of motorcycles of yesteryear. Regards and pleasant riding, Ken 1 Upcoming Events Please send any event info or comments to the Chairman, the Editor or any committee member. Contact details are available on the last page of Kickstart. Calendar for 2016 October 2016 November 2016 2 October CMC Club Meeting CMC Germiston 5 November Ford Heritage Day VVC Club 24 October VMC Club Meeting VVC Club 6 November CMC Club Meeting CMC Germiston Sports Cars & Bikes and 30 October Flea Market VVC Club 21 & 22 Nov Fairest Cape Tour Goudini Spa Annual VVC year-end Bash. Ride / Drive to Kenjara Lodge – Cradle of 27 November Humankind. VVC Club 28 November VMC Club Meeting VVC Club December 2016 Ride in Memory. Ride to Cullinan. The Lemon Tree?? 08:00 am Founders Hill. 10:00 am 4 December Bapsfontein. VVC Club VMC Chairman’s Christmas Party. Last VMC Club Night for the 12 December year. VVC Club A ruddy faced, aged, bearded delivery man sporting red and white motorcycle apparel. On an unidentified motorcycle, probably of Nordic origin? (Nimbus???) To deliver an assortment of elusive parts and complete, “much coveted” fully restored vintage Broughs, Vincents, Sunbeams etc. to deserving old boys. You better be good!!! Remember to send off your wish-lists and letters to Santa early. He knows exactly what you want……….cause he 25 December is Magic!!!!! 2 Cape Vintage Motorcycle Club 31st Fairest Cape Tour st nd 21 & 22 November 2016 The 31st Fairest Cape Tour will include both motorcycles and cars and will be based at the Goudini Spa, near Rawsonville and Worcester, in the Western Cape. Both cars and motorcycles will compete on an even footing, over the same course and, for the most part, for the same trophies and awards. Details of all the awards can be found in the Supplementary regulations which are enclosed with this invitation. The following is a brief timetable for the event: Sunday 20th Nov.: Competitor registration, Documentation and Scrutiny for entrants from 12h30 to 16h00. Competitors and Marshals meetings at times to be advised in the final instructions. Monday 21st Nov.: Start the Competitive event (Day 1) from Goudini Spa. Start times and numbers will be advised in the final instructions. First day results will be posted at a time / place to be advised in the final instructions. Tuesday 22nd Nov.: Start of the Competitive event (Day 2) from Goudini Spa. Start times to be advised in the final instructions. 3 The Prize Giving Dinner and posting of final overall results will be held at a time and venue to be advised. Wednesday 23rd Nov.: Departure of participants from Goudini Spa. Entries are now open and will close on the 30th September 2016. In order to ensure a smooth flow of documentation, we draw your attention to the following: ENTRY FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL AND BE PREFERABLY EMAILED, OR FAXED TO REACH US BY THE CLOSING DATE OF 30th SEPTEMBER 2016. 1. The original of all required documents such as Drivers Licenses, Vehicle Insurance, Indemnity and Club Membership cards must be produced at documentation. (NB : Proof of Vehicle Insurance is now required) 2. Confirmation of the dating of your vehicle by SAVVA must be available. If you are not in possession of a dating plaque or certificate, a letter from SAVVA confirming the date of manufacture is required. Letters from individual Clubs are not acceptable. 3. All monies due per the Financial/Accommodation form must reach the organizers by the closing date of 30th September, 2016. 4. Please note the request on the entry form for your medical aid and next-of-kin information. We do not wish to alarm entrants but this information will be of vital importance should it ever be required. The course will traverse some very beautiful and interesting areas of the Western Cape and will include several mountain passes which only the Western Cape can provide. As in the past, accommodation will be available in a few luxury Villas and in fully upgraded Rondawels. The Rondawels will all be in the same general area. These groups are in reasonable proximity to each other with the Slanghoek Villas being slightly further afield. The Rondawel units now have 2 x bedrooms and a lounge/dining area and can sleep 4 x persons. The 1 x room has a double bed, and the other 2 x single beds. The Slanghoek Villas can sleep a maximum of six persons in three separate rooms, one of which has a double bed, and includes a Lounge and Dining area as well as a built in braai facility. The extended list of available B&B accommodation is again included. This information is supplied by the Rawsonville Publicity Association but we cannot give any details of their suitability. They all, however, appear to be of a good standard. All of this accommodation is within about 10kms of the resort. Should you wish to make use thereof, all bookings and arrangements are your own responsibility. We look forward to welcoming you to the 31st Fairest Cape Tour, and hope you will enjoy the event. With kind regards, Gavin Allison Clerk of the Course. Tel. 021-782-4321 ( h ) Mobile: 082 335 4005 Fax: 086 719 1820 ( Gwyneth ) 4 BURT MUNRO Part 1: Burt Munro corresponded over many years with his friend John Andrews in England, an American V-Twin enthusiast. John found Burt’s letters had no equal for showing the determination, ingenuity and persistence in trying to make, both the Indian and the Velocette go faster. This article is compiled from a letter to John dated 21 March 1970 which has been edited slightly as it was a bit rambling! But it does express Burt’s style and tells of his trials, tribulations and success in the quest for more speed. First printed in Beaded Wheels issue 188 and 189. Well it is a bit hard to cram a brief history and spec of a bike I bought new in 1920 for £140 cash and have been developing since 1926. It has gone 3 ¼ mph faster each year for 44 years which is about average for some factory bikes over the same period. I have been riding since 1915 and owned a Clyno v-twin in 1919-20 which I sold to a blacksmith and then bought the 1920 Scout, engine No 508627. I have made five heads for it, countless pistons and conrods, carburetors, magneto parts, scores of cams, valves, flywheels, frame mods, fork changes, many wheels were built as tyres and rims changed. The last one was for the front wheel last July when I changed from 19” to 18” as I cannot get high speed 19x2.75 tyres anymore. Then I cut the tread off with a knife and smoothed it down to the bottom of the non-skid groove. For the first 22 years, after 1926, it was weekends and nights getting ready for hill climbs, trials and standing ¼ and flying ¼ mile events and 1 mile dirt sidecar races at Penrith Speedway in NSW. Between 1926 and 29, I had records in hill climb, standing ¼ and flying ¼ and petrol consumption runs, one of 116 mpg. This covers the start of my turning efforts which have continued up to the present time. I rode second to Les Weatherby in the World’s first mile TT at Chatswood in North Sydney. The track was cut out of the bush with stumps and roots left, and a high jump out of a deep creek. This is now known as scramble or motocross. Then in 1927 solo on Aspendale Speedway, Melbourne, I jumped off at 90 mph+ when in a bad speed wobble at the end of the straight with one hand on the oil pump. I hit a deep gutter and took off on the bend, landed with the bars pulled around a little and my heavy 29” oversize tyre on front just kept the wobble and was heading for the post and rail fence. The 10,000 spectators were told in the paper that I was unhurt but I was pretty sick in bed for a week or two with concussion and many bruises.