PacemakerTHE

The Newsletter of the Lambretta Club of Australia (Editor Steve Bardsley)

Go betta’ ride Lambretta ! Edition – March 2014 LCoA’s 7th Year of Incorporation

In this issue we pay tribute to INSIDE: SEVEN YEARS OF INCORPORATION all the Committee Members From the President past and present via an Your Committee & Reps The LCoA was first honours board and we also established as a legally look to the future, as in less News from the States Incorporated Association in than three months it will be Ride safe with “The Prof” June 2008. Much has time for members to decide Victorian Anzac Weekender occurred since then & thanks who will manage the club in Oils ain’t Oils to our dedicated members its 7th year of Incorporation Thank You and the volunteers who have during the forthcoming 2014 - From Vietnam with Love served on the Committee & as 2015 financial year. State Reps, the Club has The Mille prospered. Many members Inside this issue the various VSRA Report have been with the Club since Committee roles are Committee Member Duties it was first incorporated & the explained, so that any Office Bearers 2008 - 2014 membership has grown each potential new Committee Club Plates and every year to reach 160 in Member can gain a better appreciation of each role and Tyres 2014, with Members in every State & Territory of Australia. which may be best suited to Bits and Pieces their skills & or aspirations. The Pacemaker - March 2014 2 As most members will know, outside of the Club I take a great FROM THE deal of interest in the issues PRESIDENT relating to riders of motorcycles and scooters, this in my roles as COMMITTEE & By the time Members receive this a Member of the VicRoads VicRoads MAG STATE REPS Motorcycle Advisory Group edition of the Pacemaker there will Motorcycle Advisory Group be only three months before it is (MAG) and as the Spokesperson President The VicRoads Motorcycle time to elect a new Committee. for the Victorian Scooter Riders Stephen Bardsley (VIC) Advisory Group (MAG) was Association (VSRA). It was established to provide In the Club tradition of LCoA Vice President therefore with great pleasure I VicRoads with strategic Presidents serving no more than Siobhan Ellis (NSW) two terms, I will not stand for re recently received the good news advice on issues relating to that after a successful trial in the Treasurer the management and election as President. It’s Pat Couch (NSW) therefore time for Members to Sydney CBD, Lane Filtering for development of motorcycles & scooters is to be Secretary motorcycling in Victoria, it consider who might be an Elizabeth Bardsley(VIC) appropriate candidate for allowed in NSW. The VSRA replaced the Victorian President and also the other five continues to work towards Committee Members Motorcycle Advisory Committee positions. securing a Filtering Trial in Jerry Gresham (SA) Council (VMAC). Victoria. Max Box (WA) With members from Perhaps some Members may be The VSRA has also been STATE REPS VicRoads, TAC, RACV, interested in joining the campaigning hard to see that Phil Robertson (VIC) VACC and Victoria Police, Committee in 2014 and so this European Certified Crash Phil Synnott (WA) the broad membership of issue of the Pacemaker contains Helmets become legal to wear in Nick Townsend (SA) MAG endeavours to ensure an explanation of each Committee Australia. I hope to shortly have Trish Daniels (QLD) advice given to VicRoads is position, hopefully assisting any some good news in this regard balanced & representative CLUB PERMIT OFFICERS potential new Committee Member ready for announcement in, or of Victorian motorcycling Steve Bardsley (VIC) to have a better appreciation of prior to the next issue of the and scootering Chris Johnson (ACT) each role and how it may suit their Pacemaker. communities. LCoA level of commitment, skills & Mark Carter (SA) President & VSRA aspirations to assist the Club. Signing off for this issue, I wish Nick Townsend (SA) Spokesperson, Stephen all our Members safe riding and Jerry Gresham (SA) Bardsley is a member of As usual the elections will be held good news relating to all things Trish Daniels (QLD) MAG, so if any Victorian at the AGM, which this year will be Lambretta. Siobhan Ellis (NSW) members have relevant held for the first time in WA. Regards See the following pages for issues to be raised within Steve Bardsley Committee Member profiles and MAG please advise. email addresses. 3 MEET THE CURRENT COMMITTEE The Pacemaker - March 2014

No club can exist without the volunteers who serve as Committee Members, the current LCoA Committee is as follows:

SECRETARY ORDINARY MEMBER 1 Elizabeth is a Founder Member There is nothing “ordinary” about PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT of the Club and is well known as Max, who first became interested in Steve is a Founder Member of Siobhan is a Founder Member, an active member helping to Scooters in 1983 after watching the the Club and has served 4 terms was the first President of the organise LCoA rides and events movie “Too young to ride”. His first as Club Secretary and 2 as Club and bought her first in Victoria. Elizabeth has been Scooter was a 1984 Serveta Lince President. He bought his first Lambretta in 1980. More involved with Lambretta’s for 150. Max currently rides a DL150 Lambretta with his pocket recently Siobhan has become over 30 years, ever since and this is his first term as a money in 1966 and today rides a known for the “Lammie Drives” marrying our current President. Committee Member, he is keen to 1966 SX 200. which raise money for prostate [email protected] develop the LCoA membership and [email protected] and breast cancer research. activities in WA. [email protected] [email protected] There is also nothing “ordinary” Pat is a Founder Member and long about Jerry, he is a Founder term Treasurer of the Club. He Member of the Club and has been bought his first Lambretta in 1961, involved with classic Scooters since followed shortly afterwards by a the 1980’s. when in SA a Lambretta brand new Series 3, TV175 in 1962, could be bought for a few hundred the same year he started the dollars and cut-downs were so Lambretta Club of NSW. Pat is also common a member of the Spectrum the Club Registrar and his ambition scooter club made an armchair from is to catalogue every Lambretta in a pair of side panels. Jerry’s is one Australia. of the SA LCoA Club Plate Officers. TREASURER [email protected] ORDINARY MEMBER 2 [email protected] 4 NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATES - SA The Pacemaker - March 2014

THE SA REPORT Representing the LCoA, ex- Many future LCoA By Jerry Gresham President Mark Carter had the events will be planned, best hand of cards and won so keep sending any The LCoA SA update for the prizes from various sponsors. suggestions to the Pacemaker saw plenty happening LCoA member Shane Elliott website or me your in ‘Mad March’ here in South won the best scooter award friendly LCoA SA Australia, the month is packed full with his S2 Lambretta. Special Committee Member of festivals, music and events, but mention must go to LCoA Jerry Gresham. LCoA members and scooterists member Bob McLelland who have still been able to fit in rides, travelled down from the Looking forward to touring and social events. Six SA Riverland on his immaculate LD seeing you all at the scooterists ventured over to Vic to attend the event. Australian National for the Mad Max run and reports SA has also been attracting new Rally to be held here in are it was a fantastic event, word members and registering more October 2014. is that a lot larger contingent will scooters on the historic rego Regards venture over the border next year. scheme, another great Jerry advantage of being part of the The LCoA also attended the LCoA. Midwest Trader Knees in the Breeze Poker Run. The run started For future events the LCoA is with us meeting at the Midwest providing insurance to the SA Trader alongside café racer Mille and Victor Harbor Triumphs, Royal Enfield’s, National Rally in October this choppers and other custom year. Both events have a lot of vintage motorcycles. Riders picked interest, with a 118 tickets sold up a card from various bike and so far for the National, so if you scooter related cafés along the want to be there get your route until we finished at the tickets ASAP. SA State Rep for Highway Inn for the Kustom the LCA, Nick Townsend assures Kulture weekend. Scooters were me he has sent most of the displayed alongside hot rods while rally packs out already, so get in we were given the chance to early. rehydrate at the bar. Scooters at the Breeze Poker Run 5 NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATES - VIC The Pacemaker - March 2014

THE VICTORIAN REPORT The LHMR was held over the By Steve Bardsley Labour Day long weekend and In March the Melbourne so provided plenty of time for Crusaders SC held the annual riding to, from and around Lisa Heathcote memorial Rally picturesque Queenscliff. The (LHMR), the annual tribute held route taken riding to Queenscliff in remembrance of Lisa was the longer way, riding via Heathcote, a Crusader who Geelong, the option taken on the way back was to put the tragically lost her life far too early when riding as a pillion Scooters on the Ferry and then passenger three years ago. The ride home via Rosebud. accident being no fault of the rider, who was hit by a four wheel The weather was kind during drive when turning right at an the whole weekend and there intersection. Yes another case of was some great riding to be had SMIDSY! out on the open roads, some which are coastal and so the The Crusaders is a Club that was blue waters of the sea were The late Lisa Heathcote with friend Walter originally founded on loyalty, for often in sight, making it a great never forgetting their own and for scooter riding weekend. helping others whenever they can, so the annual LHMR is an The social activities were as one important event on the Crusaders might expect good fun too and calendar. Eight Scooters made also interesting to say the least, the trip to Queenscliff, five with some of the boys meeting Lambrettas (four owned by LCoA up with a hens party on the members) and three . It Saturday evening. The was good to see the Lambrettas photographs of activities with a outnumbering the Vespas for a male plastic blow up doll not change, a rare site on many being suitable for publication in scooter rides and rallies the Pacemaker and any nowadays. There were no commentary on such activities breakdowns either, other than unable to be published due to your Editor being suitably falling under the Crusaders embarrassed when he ran out of “cone of silence”. You just had LHMR 2014, the Lambrettas outnumber the Vespas fuel during one of the rides to be there. 6 NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATES - WA The Pacemaker - March 2014

A couple of mates on Vespas THE WA REPORT turned up to the meet, but By Max Box politely left before the run. It The Australian National Scooter was a scorcher of a day at 37 Rally in Sydney has clearly been degrees, and a leisurely cruise the highlight since my last round the river turned into a contribution to the newsletter, dash to the pub for some, but a with 20 LCoA (WA) members and good turn out nevertheless. their scooters attending. I Proving that there is a fine line unfortunately was not amongst between genius and madness, them, as I had well and truly spent WA member Phil Kellow is my 2013 scooter budget on my dl organizing a 1200K tour around restoration. However we made the SW in April, with overnight our presence felt at the Show and stops in Yallingup, Denmark and Shine, with Mark Williamson’s Bridgetown, and is expecting stunning custom GP ‘Resurrection’ about 20 scooters to attend. taking out 1st prize in Best custom Lambretta, and 3rd place in Best in The 2014 calendar has been show, and Steve Newborough decided and one highlight will picking up 2nd place in both Best be the LCoA AGM, which will be Lambretta shaft driven, and Best held in WA this year, with Lambretta Series 1 categories, eastern states members with his two scoots. Since the last travelling to WA for the nd rd Newsletter a few new restorations weekend of 2 and 3 of have appeared, Mark Williamson’s August. I’m sure we will make aforementioned ‘Resurrection’, them welcome in our own Phil Kellow’s sporty GP225 inimitable way. The next WA ‘Sanjeed’, my own dl150, which is run is as follows: th finished… finally. In November we 6 April 2014 had a club run from Freo to Fremantle Roundhouse Car Clancy’s, Canning Bridge, with Park, meet 11:00 am or about 30 Lambrettas showing up. JB O'Reilly's Leederville, meet 12 noon. Great looking Lambrettas from WA 7 THE LCOA RIDE SAFE INITIATIVE The Pacemaker - March 2014

RIDE SAFE WITH THE PROF By Phil Robertson I am reliably informed this stopping distance is based on a Not that long ago the Victorian Morris 1000 stopping from Government were claiming 60mph with 50% breaking significant advancements in Road efficiency. That is twice the Safety, on the back of reduced distance than with perfect fatalities for 2013. As is normal brakes, so all the blurb you see such claims tend to put you on a and read about “wipe off pedestal ready to be knocked With this in mind your editor and I'm sure you get my drift. The 5” is nonsense. I could even say if down. Sadly and predictably the I are proposing a weekend of team allotted the task of reducing I was to be so irresponsible, if Victorian Government’s claims spirited riding and training in the incidents took the stance if they you had been travelling 5kph came back to haunt them with, Victorian High Country. See the could remove the idea of things faster you may have passed the some of the worst RTA figures details later in the Pacemaker. “suddenly happening during pedestrian who walked out into ever in January 2014. dangerous activities, many of the the road (without looking and Back in the late 1970s’ Margaret incidents would not occur. The There are always going to be listening to their Ipod). Therefore Thatcher was appalled & alarmed task was therefore to stop things accidents that's life. All we can having the same result. by the number of RTAs occurring happening “suddenly”. The to do is to reduce our risks. in the UK under Blues and Two's, answer is simple but harder in A pertinent point is whilst So where am I going with this. incident response, emergencies practice. Increase awareness & compiling their statistics You can't legislate safer roads, and pursuits. She gave the increase observation skills. Over VicRoads never take into account you can't keep installing Speed implicit time a method of systematic the many vast improvements Cameras with the hope that the instruction to reduce driving / riding was developed. that automotive manufacturers RTA statistics will prove them substantially the number of After implementation of this have made in vehicle technology. useful. There is only one way and accidents whilst undertaking training method the number of The Highway Code of 1969, that is to improve driver/rider these activities. Note She didn't RTA response incidents fell which was the first Highway Code standards. How do we do this? call for an end to pursuits! 10,000 fold. Yes you read ever issued in the UK, shows the Easy; Improve training standards Immediately after any incident all correctly 10,000. A dramatic stopping distance from 60 mph and the numbers participating in personnel were interviewed & reduction by any standard. as being exactly the same as is additional training. So my tip for there was one word which shown in the current Highway the quarter is "get yourself some repeatedly arose “suddenly”. Come and ride the High Country Code, with the same equivalent additional rider training & Suddenly the car stopped, with the LCoA in April & improve in Kph being used in the VicRoads become a better and safer suddenly the lights changed, your riding skills, it’s free, it’s fun Road Rules. rider". suddenly the child ran out. & what membership is all about. 8 VICTORIAN ANZAC LONG WEEKEND RIDE The Pacemaker - March 2014 Friday 25th April UPCOMING EVENT 8.00am - Ride from Melbourne The magnificent Victorian high to Mansfield. country roads around the 12.15pm - Lunch in Mansfield. Mansfield area will be the venue 2.00pm - Ride to William for the Victorian LcoA Anzac long Hoddle Lake. weekend ride. This will be a 4.00pm - Dash from Lake to weekend with a few differences, Mansfield for dinner at the in that it will be a back to basics Delatite Hotel. weekend, with free camping Saturday 26th April facilities in Tolmie or country 9.00am - Morning Muster at the style accommodation in nearby Ski Cafe for Breakfast. Mansfield. 10.00am - Ride to the top of Riding will take place on Victorian Mount Buller. high country roads, with an 11.00am - Coffee on Mount The magnificent Victorian High Country Roads Buller. emphasis on spirited riding, with The riding schedule will be Riders are welcome to join rides 1.30pm - Ride down Mount the aim of improving rider skills. relaxed and riders can do all, or at any stage of the weekend and Buller to the Jameson Pub. All rides will be rewarding and some of the weekend riding as are free to participate or observe 4.00pm - Ride the bends from enjoyable, the overall focus being they require. There will also be all, or any of the rides. This is a Jameson to Tolmie. on honing riding technique to some small group rider training, no stress fun weekend and non 7.00pm - BBQ Dinner in Tolmie. ensure riders are best able to set prepared to meet the individual riding partners are welcome. themselves for and negotiate Sunday 27th April skill levels of each rider. The winding roads, using gears, 9.00am - Rider training course rider training aims to improve Any members interested in clutch, front and rear brakes in around the Tolmie Roads. rider awareness & observation attending what is sure to be a the most appropriate and safest 11.45am - Ride home from skills, so as to develop a great event, or who wish to seek way. The rides will be led by the Mansfield to Melbourne. systematic, confident and further information about the LCoA Victorian State Rep, Phil enjoyable riding style. weekend may contact the This is the preliminary schedule, Robertson, who is a UK qualified Victorian LCoA State Rep, Phil it is a camping weekend, a free There will also be plenty of riding instructor and recipient of Robertson at the email address camp site is available in Tolmie social activities, a free BBQ the Royal Society for the below. Prevention of Accidents (RSPA) courtesy of Phil Robertson. dinner on the Saturday night Gold Award. The schedule will be There is also accommodation and plenty of laughs and good [email protected] as follows: available in nearby Mansfield. humoured banter all weekend. 9 OILS AIN’T OILS The Pacemaker - March 2014

A GUIDE TO Most Lambrettas require 2-STROKE OIL USE manual mixing of the 2-Stroke Oil and over the years I have The selection of the correct 2- tried many oils. It’s a personal stroke oil is important. When choice but I have found two oils choosing a two-stroke oil for your which I believe are extremely Lambretta it’s imperative to avoid good at a reasonable price. Both anything with a lawn mower, have provided good protection chain saw or boat on the for my Lambretta engines. container. These "Green Keeper" Neither oils are fully synthetic or oils are cheap compared to semi the most expensive. Never use oils with a picture of a lawn mower or boat on the container or fully synthetic oils, but are low Valvoline 2-Stroke Racing Oil is a They are Penrite Hi-Per Two There are some good mineral grade oils unable to provide synthetic fortified oil with based 2-stroke oils, but synthetic scooter engines with the Stroke and Valvoline Two Stroke Racing Oil. The Penrite is a high additives to prevent plug & semi synthetic oils lubricate & protection required. Marine oils fouling. It provides maximum performing semi synthetic oil at mix much better. For normal are totally unsuitable for scooter protection under the most about half the price of a fully around town scootering if you engines & should never be used. stressful conditions & is synthetic, this is still twice the must use green-keeper oils use a Also never use car engine oil in a recommended for road as well price of a 'green keeper' oil, but 4% (25:1) mix. With semi or fully two-stroke fuel mix, they have as racing engines. The container worth it. This oil exceeds the synthetic oils generally 3% (33:1) additives made from products has a graduated level stripe, so API TC rating and the container is OK. It is my opinion however like Teflon, which are not meant it’s easy to ensure you use the that even with synthetic oils 4% to be burnt in the engines has a handy level stripe down the side, which is not right amount of 2-Stroke oil in is best and is essential for tuned cylinder, so whereas OK in the your fuel mix. This oil offers graduated, so always have a and high performance engines. sump of a car, they are no good great value & can usually be measuring cup handy. burning on the tip of a scooters found at Super Cheap Auto spark plug. OIL TO PETROL RATIO CHART Stores for around $10 per litre.

To calculate how much oil, divide the amount of fuel (in ml) put in the tank by the required ratio. E.g., if five litres of fuel and 25:1 (4%) is required, the calculation is 5000 ÷ 25 = 200ml of oil. Valvoline and Penrite 2-Stroke Oils 10 THANK YOU VESPA The Pacemaker - March 2014

LAMBRETTA’S SUCCESS IN Claude McCormack saw Vespa as In August 1951 Enrico is THE UK WAS DUE TO VESPA an opportunity to drag Douglas very concerned about Douglas The old business adage you only out of receivership, as a last production levels, meant to be need to be as good as your throw of the dice to save the 6,000 per year. Enrico wrote: competition rings true where company, so he kept the dire “I gather production from April Lambretta sales in the UK are situation Douglas were in from till July remains unchanged at concerned. The reality is, if it Enrico Piaggio, who would too the monthly quantity of 300 Enrico Piaggio & Claude McCormick wasn’t for strategic mistakes by the late find out the wool had been scooters, if you will consider we (click photo for the link) Piaggio Company, Lambretta would firmly pulled over his eyes. In send a monthly consignment of The Westinghouse takeover didn’t never have enjoyed the success in December 1950 from his desk in 1000 Vespa’s to the Swiss market provide the cash necessary to the UK they did. It was Piaggio’s Enrico Piaggio wrote to alone, you can see why your UK increase production. The Douglas mistakes rather than ’s McCormack along the lines of: production is inadequate.” Scooters were inferior to the “I note with pleasure your line Italian Vespa's & the Italian strategy that allowed Lambretta to In September 1951 the Douglas will start shortly & the first Vespa Lambrettas were more advanced prosper at the expense of Vespa. production was still only in the is expected prior to the year end.” scooters. The low production of The story goes something like this: hundreds, Enrico wrote: scooters by Douglas & their By March 1951 Enrico smelt a rat, “I have been informed of the Way back in 1948 Claude inactivity in the Commonwealth not only as the promised manufacturing programme of McCormack the managing director markets meant for six years production had not started, but Douglas, which should be 12,000 of the UK motorcycle producer Innocenti had prospered, as they also McCormack had done little Vespa scooters for the year by Douglas, was on holiday in Italy exported tens of thousands of to open up the Commonwealth 1952….I cannot allow owing to and took fancy to a Vespa. The Italian made Lambretta’s to the markets for Vespa.Enrico wrote insufficient production of our smooth talking McCormack made UK & the Commonwealth. Enrico to McCormack along the lines: Licenses, the sales of the Vespa in contact with the owner of Vespa, Piaggio had to accept the UK “I have not received full co- important markets to be lost, to Enrico Piaggio, convincing him market for Vespa had been operation from you, considering the benefit of the competition”. Douglas could produce their irreversibly compromised by the our verbal understanding you Scooters in England, open up the In late 1955 Douglas was taken decision to work with Douglas. would start your programme of market for Vespa there as well as over by Westinghouse, Enrico Rather than export scooters to commercial introduction in the across the whole of the British enthusiastically wrote: “I trust the UK as had Lambretta, Piaggio Commonwealth countries with Commonwealth. McCormack the new ownership of Douglas were left with no choice but to machines of Italian manufacture, convinced Enrico Piaggio that will assure the necessary persevere with Douglas. Thanks to be continued later with those Vespa sales would be massive. The financial and productive means to Douglas, Vespa missed the of British production. This only problem was, unbeknown to to obtain the results that, up to boat in the UK & Commonwealth unfortunately has not been Enrico, the Douglas Company was today, failing promises, have not whilst Lambretta had become done.” in the hands of the receivers. been achieved.” firmly established as No 1. 11 FROM VIETNAM WITH LOVE The Pacemaker - March 2014

A VIETNAM RESTORATION I fell in love with the front WITH A DIFFERENCE mudguard of the Li150 Special & It might well be said that decided then I needed a partner Lambretta’s restored in Vietnam do in life. The challenges of sourcing not enjoy a good reputation. In a a Lambretta within Australia recent issue of the Pacemaker we seemed daunting & fraught with featured a bad one & promised to delays, with even further delays look at another which was soon to to restore it. So, eyes-wide-open I be imported by a Victorian member decided to research suppliers in It started like this! of the LCoA. The two scooters, Vietnam. Around this time I When purchasing a restored although both Italian Lambrettas joined the LCoA, which proved Lambretta from the Saigon restored in Vietnam, are like chalk very beneficial, with members Scooter Centre you get to see the and cheese. The Scooter featured in keen to provide advice regarding original project and also this article was restored by the my options & the processes photographs taken during the required to import a scooter. Saigon Scooter Centre, well known complete restoration process Saigon Scooter Centre, Nice ! to LCoA members for their I eventually settled on the Saigon sponsorship of the Australian Scooter Centre as the supplier. National Scooter Rally. The Even before I committed the commitment to the Scootering deposit, I was sent detailed scene is evident in this restoration. photos of the unrestored scooter, This article has been a pleasure to which appeared in remarkably write, mainly due to the owners good condition. In contrast, other passion for Lambretta’s, which is suppliers were unable or something that can’t be explained unwilling to provide specific in mere words. If you need to ask, details & photos of the candidate you don’t need to know. I will now scooter prior to a deposit being let Steve (not me) the owner of this made. Looking at the photos any beautiful Lambretta do the talking. rust or damage seemed minimal It’s always good to see a Lambretta & importantly the frame & brought back to life & made ready engine numbers were clear, un- for another 20 years service out on tampered & were verified by the the road. Many thanks to Pat at the LCoA as being correct for the advised year of manufacture. Saigon Scooter Centre. The finished product. There will be a full report on the restoration in the June Pacemaker. 12 THE MILLE VSRA REPORT The Pacemaker - March 2014

THE 2014 MILLE Modern GPS' are not allowed, FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF By Siobhan Ellis you should use a map. Fun The LCoA are proud to again points can be gained by such SCOOTER RIDERS things such as taking photo help organise the Australian The Victorian Scooter Riders Classic Mille for the 2nd year. with a smiling policeman, which happened in 2013. Association (VSRA) is comprised As many know, last year it was These points can then be used of members from four Victorian in NSW, this year it is in SA & to get you closer to your Scooter Clubs, the LCoA, The finishes the day the National finishing time. This year the Vespa Club of Melbourne, the starts. There have been some number of entrants was Melbourne Scooter Group and The aim of the workshops is to learnings from last year & they increased from 40 to 50. To the Melbourne Scooter promote consultation between have been incorporated into the show how much the event was Connection. The VSRA motorcycle & scooter riders & ride to enhance rider safety, enjoyed, 29 of the 50 places represents around 1000 scooter Victoria’s road safety agencies such as making Day 1 longer went to those who competed, riders with the purpose of including VicRoads, the Transport than Day 2. It is a difficult ride. or helped, last year. The lobbying for the rights of Accident Commission (TAC), You should not underestimate remainder are open to new Victorian Scooter Riders. how far 1000km in 2 days is on Victoria Police and the comers, with priority given to Members from the VSRA meet 10" wheels. Many people did Department of Justice. LCoA members. regularly with road safety not do the first ride of the The VSRA continues to lobby road This year the route leaves authorities, including the National in 2013 as they were safety authorities regarding Adelaide & goes North to Transport Accident Commission, so tired after the Mille. important issues, including the Burra, then heads East to VicRoads, the Motorcycle This is a fun event. It is introduction of Lane Filtering, the Waikerie to end Day 1 & a Advisory Group (MAG) and the competitive, but not a race. The sharing of Bus Lanes by Scooters total of 524km. Day 2 goes City of Melbourne Department idea is to encourage truly and Motorcycles in Victoria. We South to Wellington & then of Traffic Engineers. classic scooters to be entered are also fighting to see European West to Victor Harbor, for a to ride the 1000km. The In recent times the VSRA has Certified crash helmets are made total of 453km & the beginning challenge is not how quickly been invited to participate in legal to use in Australia. of the National. I've heard you ride, it is actually finishing! road safety workshops as part of some people are actually If any LCoA member has any The older your machine & the the Victorian Government’s riding from other cities just to issues they believe the VSRA can lower your cc's, the better your commitment to working more get to the Mille. Crazy! help with, please contact Stephen handicap. The handicap is collaboratively with the Bardsley at the following email designed in a way that it is motorcycling and scootering For more detailed information, address: likely an older machine will win. communities. http://scootermille.weebly.com [email protected] 13 WHAT OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS DO The Pacemaker - March 2014

THE DUTIES OF EACH SECRETARY ORDINARY MEMBERS 1 & 2 COMMITTEE MEMBER Perhaps the most demanding and Important roles in spite of the term time consuming position, requiring “ordinary” which just means the The Lambretta Club of Australia is a a great deal of commitment. The Committee members in these two legally Incorporated not-for-profit Secretary is responsible for all the positions do not hold a position of (NFP) Association with Consumer day-to-day administrative tasks, office, as do the President, Vice Affairs Victoria. We therefore must which include: As the contact President, Secretary and Treasurer. have an elected Committee of person for member Usually less time consuming than Management or “Board”, operate PRESIDENT communications, maintaining the the positions of President, in an ethical business like manner One of the most time consuming register of members, arranging & Secretary or Treasurer and and obey the law in doing so. The positions & requiring considerable forwarding notices for meetings frequently positions for first time good news is that most NFP commitment. The President is the (including the AGM), keeping Committee Members, so they can organisations don’t come across head of the Association (Club). minutes & records, attending to all gain experience in preparation to any legal problems and the legal Also referred to as the Chairman. external correspondences, take up a position of office in duties are easy to meet. It is Acts as the formal 'voice' of the ensuring all letters & other future years. The time and important to understand though association & is responsible for documents are properly filed; commitment required in these that Committee Member duties are the overall co-ordination of the maintaining custody of all books, positions will depend upon that legal requirements. There is a Club’s activities. Other duties documents, records and registers available to the appointed mistaken view that people who include: Chairing meetings, of the association. Processing new members. Duties are varied and ensuring relevant information is volunteer in NFP organisations do members & all membership can include, supporting the made available to committee not have to comply with legal renewals, printing, laminating and members, ensuring the Club is appointed officers, organising rides posting out membership cards. duties because they are run according to its rules, and events in the members State, ‘volunteers’, this is wrong. resolving disputes, overseeing all Preparing the annual report. promoting membership & generally Committee members are elected activities, representing the TREASURER any duties each Ordinary Member by the organisation’s members and association at external events. Requiring considerable time & is willing to take on. trusted to make decisions on behalf commitment, but not as much as ARE YOU READY FOR THE of the organisation. By becoming a VICE PRESIDENT the President or Secretary. Duties One of the less time consuming COMMITTEE ? Committee member they agree to include preparing & maintaining act in the best interests of the Club positions. Supports the President The Committee members keep the in his activities and remains financial statements (including for Club running, without them there and are accountable for the the AGM), monitoring income & decisions they make. The six available to cover for the would be no Club. Volunteers are President at any time during his expenditure, allocating funds, Committee positions, their duties encouraged, are you ready to absence. Can assist elsewhere as making payments & bank deposits, and requirements are as follows: accept nomination for the required if keen to do so. keeping financial records. Committee in 2014 ? 14 LCOA OFFICE BEARERS 2008 - 2104 The Pacemaker - March 2014

The above Honours Board shows the LCoA elected Office Bearers from 2008 to the present day 15 BITS & PIECES The Pacemaker - March 2014

CUB PLATES HOW OLD ARE YOUR (VICTORIA) SCOOTER TYRES? The Victorian Club Permit (Club This report is from my home Plate) scheme offers some great town of Manchester and relates advantages to LCoA Members. to a tyre on an MG sports car, These include savings of around but I thought it relevant to $400 per year compared to Scooters too. The reports states: normal registration, also if you only ride Scooters that have "The driver of an MGB lost his Club Plates then you also avoid The Club Plate scheme in Victoria life when a rear tyre burst on the having to pay the $68 per year is currently under review for 2014 M56, the driver was a skilled The markings on a Scooter tyre Victorian motorcycle safety levy, and some of the proposed mechanic and was not travelling indicating its age are which is payable on all amendments include: particularly fast. Subsequent motorcycles above 125cc. This positioned after the DOT The applicable vehicle age be investigation found the tyre markings on the tyre. The last is why currently the LCoA has in although hardly worn was 25 around 70 Scooters on the extended from 25 to 30 years. two digits specifying the year, years old.” Victorian Club Permit Scheme. The Import Permit (if applicable) e.g. 08 = 2008. The picture There are some important rules to be produced with the original The British Rubber below shows what most of the to be followed to enjoy the application for a Club Permit. Manufacturers Association markings on a modern Scooter privilege of having Club Plates. suggests if a tyre is 6 years old & tyre signify. Last but not least These include filling out the Log A Road Worthy Certificate be remains unused it should not be keep your tyres inflated, a tyre Book prior to each days riding & produced with the original put into service & that the life that is just 5psi underinflated ensuring your Scooter remains application for a Club Permit. expectancy of a tyre fitted to will wear out 30% sooner. in unmodified & roadworthy Clubs will need to report modified any vehicle is ten years, this no condition. vehicles to VicRoads matter how little worn the tyre. The penalty for not filling in your IMPORTANT NOTE: Be careful if offered cheap tyres, Log Book is harsh, you will be Although it is no longer a they are often cheap for a booked for riding a unregistered requirement for vehicles in reason, they may be “new” as in vehicle and receive a $722 fine, Victoria to display registration and lose 3 demerit points and labels, a Club Permit label must never used, but may be many have your Club Permit always be displayed, because a years old. Here in Victoria one cancelled. Which means your Club Permit is not registration, but LCoA Member recently Scooter can from then on only is a permit to use an unregistered purchased a “new” tyre & found ever be used on full registration. vehicle on Victorian Roads. it was manufactured in 2008. 16 BITS & PIECES The Pacemaker - March 2014 EURO LAMBRETTA 2014 LCoA AGM 2014 CLUB PATCH UPDATED WEBSITE Each year with their membership The update of the LCoA For a number of reasons the renewals, members receive the 2014 LCoA AGM will be held in Website and Forums has taken annual Club Patch. Traditionally it place. Whereas the LCoA Western Australia, the first being is the oblong patch shown below: we have never held an AGM in Facebook page was originally Western Australia before, the meant to be a stop gap until the second reason is that WA now Forums were updated, its has the second largest number popularity means it will be of Members in the LCoA and maintained. Therefore One of the greatest events on the last but not least, due to the members have the choice to World Scootering Calendar is enthusiasm of our Committee We need to order these patches communicate either via the EuroLambretta, which is held in a Member, Max Box, who resides soon. It has been suggested we Website Forum or Facebook. different country each year, in look at a new design, what do in WA and organises many of TOOL LIBRARIES 2014 it will be held in picturesque the LCoA events there. members think? Switzerland, which will make for Each State with 10 members or As usual the election of the new great Scootering for those able to REPCO DISCOUNTS more is provided with a Tool Committee will take place at the attend. As one of the 16 The LCoA Vendor Scheme sees Library. Queensland now have AGM, so now is the time to internationally recognised Scooter Dealers throughout the numbers and the consider if you or anyone you Australia offering Members Lambretta Clubs that makes up comprehensive Lambretta Tool know would like to be a discounts. The scheme includes the Lambretta International Kit will soon be sent their way Committee Member for the the REPCO Discount Card. organisation, LCoA members are for use by our QLD members. coming year. See page 3 for given priority to buy tickets. The details of each Committee Most members cards have now We take this opportunity to event is usually completely sold position. If any further expired, we have contacted thank Victorian member out with over 900 Lambretta information is required contact Repco re obtaining David Russell for donating a owners from around the World the Club secretary via email at: replacement cards and also TDC Tool to the Victorian expected to visit Switzerland in [email protected] Tool Library. 2014. cards for our newer members. The AGM date is scheduled for Any LCoA members interested in Saturday the 2nd August 2014 at PACEMAKER attending can contact the Club a venue to be confirmed. After CONTACT DETAILS: Secretary Elizabeth Bardsley via the AGM members can kick on PACEMAKER EDITOR email at: at the Irish Club in Subiaco at Steve Bardsley [email protected] one of the regular monthly [email protected] The Facebook page located at: Northern Soul nights, so put the https://www.facebook.com/25thEurola date in your diary. Full details mbretta2014DavosSwitzerland will be provided shortly.