Owner’s Club of Southern California Established 1978

A Monthly Journal

April 2015

My Frank Forster built B50MX previously owned by Joe Powers III….Ed. The Piled Arms is a publication of The BSA Owner’s Club of Southern California.

We are a member driven publication and rely solely on your participation. Technical articles, photos and “Member Experiences” and opinions are essential

Meet Our Directors

Burt Barrett (661) 742-5539 …..…….….…………....President

Steve Ortiz (951) 245-5287 ………….Membership/Secretary

Barry Sulkin (310) 569-1383 ………………………….Treasurer

Barbara Barrett (661) 832-6109 ……………..Events/Director

Clive Brooks (714) 771-2534 ……Piled Arms Editor/Webmaster

Randy Ressell (714) 502-4502 ……………. Regalia / Facebook

Jody Nicholas (714) 730-9257 ...….……………….…...Director

Piled Arms Production Staff

Clive Brooks (714) 771-2534…[email protected] ....Editor; Contributing Members and Named Sources

The Piled Arms, 820 South Esplanade St. Orange, Ca. 92869 Please submit your articles by E -Mail or direct mail. Deadline for submissions is the 10th of each month.

Members may place Non Commercial “4-Sale ” or “ Want ” Ads in the Piled Arms Free for 90 days, without renewal. Contact Editor for “Commercial Ad” rates and information.

Librarian….John Gardner…. 310-920-3393 BSAOCSC Regalia… Randy Ressell….714 -502-4502

BSA Owner’s Club Web Site www.bsaocsc.org

Front Cover Photo ; Sandra Bilewitch Rear cover; Randy Ressell

2 President’s Page by Burt Barrett

Friends and fellow Clubmen. I’m finally feeling better after my knee replacemen t on January 28. Right from the start, I could get around, but have had lots of trouble sleeping, which left me too tired to do much of anything. Now I’m getting 5 or 6 hours a night and am feeling like doing things. Barb and I are looking forward to the new riding season and the BSAOCSC Events. I woke up my old after not starting them since about November. The Bonney started on the first kick, just like she always does. The Comman- do was quite stubborn, and required quite a few kicks. However both motorcycles started and ran well, and I was able to ride them easily, no pain on my operated knee. I have nev- er had any problems with my carbs gumming up after sitting a long time. I run the gel cell batteries, and the Bonney and the Commando both have Boyer Ignitions. I have never had to charge any of the gel batteries. That said, I have had my troubles with gel batter- ies. When they first came out, they would last about a year, sometimes, and sometimes two weeks, one even failed right out of the box. When measured with a volt meter, I got a 12.5v reading. When I switched on the ignition, it went to zero. I guess the inside con- nections were faulty. I went through 7 of those things in a year’s time. My supplier made ‘em good though. Now I haven’t had a failure for quite a while. My G80CS is running again. Most of you remember it quit on me during the Wintergreen Ride last year, and had a loose intake seat which was not repairable. I searched high and low for a replacement cylinder head with no luck. Finally a fellow Clubman, David Hill, contacted me and offered to sell me a good cylinder head. To make a long story short, last week I picked it up at David’s residence near LAX. The cylin- der head proved to be just as good as he told me it would be. I stripped it, bead blasted it, and lapped in the valves and mating surface between the head and cylinder. Guides were in great shape, as were the valves. Thank You Much, David! I bolted on the head, torqued it down and tried to start it with no results. The Matchless has always been an easy starter unless you flood it. I wrestled with it quite a while and gave up in disgust, as it was dark thirty, and I was out of ideas. I returned the next morning, and removed the magneto cover, and saw the problem immediately: the points spring slipped its fastening, and was shorting out on the advance ring. I moved it with a small screwdriver to where it wasn’t touching anymore, and it fired right up, and ran just like it used to before the problem. Good ol’ Matchless! Barbs bike, Thunderbear, a 95 Thunderbird, needed a new battery, so I bought a replace- ment at A -1 and now it’s operational also. Now they all need to be washed. We have had quite a lot of rain (for Bako) and I have been hearing reports of lots of wildflowers in ar- ea. Maybe we can do a warm up ride this weekend, as temps are supposed to be in the 70's. The BSAOCNC Clubman’s Show is coming up at the end of the month, and we are plan- ning to attend. April brings the annual Mid -State ride, which starts in Monterey, and goes to Morro Bay. That’s always a good one, and we will attend that one too. Hope to see you there!

Burt Barrett 3 Editors Page: - Oilyleaks by Clive Brooks Remaining Issues Under My Stewardship 18

My Fellow Enthusiasts… A great turn -out again for the 3rd An- nual Ortega Highway ride, 37 riders signed in and I believe there were a few more who forgot to sign in. Many thanks to Dave Za- miska who worked so hard soliciting donations from local busi- nesses to sponsor the ride, working on the ride maps etc. Those sponsors were : Classic Cycles, Moores Cycles, Montgomery Company, Century Motorcycles, The Wheel Works, and Raber’s. Thank you all for your generous donations. We also had the Cinder Cone, dualsport ride, with 19 riders and I was one of them, for my 1st dualsport ride. Many thanks to Mike Haney for doing such a great job in laying out the route. By the time you receive this issue we would have had the “Inland Empire” ride scheduled for March 22nd, and, of course, March 28th there is the BSAOCNC 28th Annual Clubmans Show. April is a busy month with the Mid -State Ride , The “Al Baker” Dualsport , and of course our big event of the year the “Barry Smith Memorial” All British Run.

I urge you all to send me your British Bike stories, photos and “Tech Tips”, they don’t have to be about BSA’s, most of our club members own other makes and marques, so they will be of interest to our membership, for us all to share, after all this is your newsletter. Thanks again to those who have already contributed material to the Piled Arms, and I hope you continue to do so. I desperately need fresh articles to keep this going.

Members please be aware that sometime in the next few months we will be publishing our current Membership Roster, containing your name, address, phone # and email address. If there is any info that you DON’T want published please , call or email me . Editor

BSAOC / SC members, we are updating our e -mail list in order to contact you for any last minute changes in our calendar events, so please contact Steve Ortiz at ; [email protected].

CHECK YOUR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DATE (see front of envelope) MAIL CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $25.00 U.S. ($40.00 Overseas) Make Checks Payable To: BSAOC/SC Mail To: BSAOC/SC, 11125 Westwood Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 4 The “Ortega Highway” Ride by Larry Luce, Photos by Steve Ortiz and Randy Ressell

Ortega, It’s Not Just a Chili, It’s Also a Pretty Fun Ride

I spent most of my pre -adult years in Orange County California; fairly early on I be- came aware of Ortega Highway. It was spoken of not as a way to get somewhere but as a destination unto itself or a road to be avoided. The attraction was its long, uninterrupt- ed course of curving pavement and light traffic the threat was those individuals who would use said course to test their road racing prowess occasionally to tragic effect. Over the years I have traveled this road many times operating many different vehicles. Early on I learned I had no future as a serious road racer but it was always an enjoyable ride. I think the last time I made the trip was about ten years ago when I took a Velo- cette on one of the Norton club rides that used to start at British Marketing. Last year I finally got my CB Goldstar running (after only forty years of ownership) and was eager to make the run again on that machine.

Rider’s meeting

I live in Huntington Beach about forty miles north of Capistrano where the ride was set to start. The Goldstar had never been subjected to freeway travel prior to this (still less than 1000 miles on a fresh motor) but I elected to ride to the ride. The morning of the event dawned overcast and cool which seemed like ideal conditions. The trip south proved uneventful. The CB Goldstar is reasonably smooth at freeway speeds and proved easily up to the trip. I would estimate about fifty bikes were assem- bled at the starting venue. Maybe ten BSAs were among that crowd. I was surprised to note the volume of traffic heading up Ortega; it was obvious this would not be a good day to attempt to go fast. The good thing was the traffic seemed to be locals who knew this road and moved along at an acceptable pace. There were no motorhomes clogging things up. I elected to settle in with the crowd and enjoy the scenery. I saw a few bikes making passes but

Continued on Page 6 5 most people just went with the flow. The only vehicle I saw moving notably fast was a Ford GT40 in full race trim going the other way and being pursued by a modern Porsche. Annie’s Café Lunch Stop

Towards the top of the mountain the clouds dispersed and a sunny day took hold. That was reassuring as the forecast had included a chance of rain. I was amazed by the amount of development that has occurred along Ortega Highway. I was astounded to see the amount of suburban sprawl that has sprung up around Lake Elsi- nore and points south. I guess that explains the traffic. We twisted and turned down the steep east side of the mountain and at the bottom turned right. We then traveled South down a long straight road. Even- tually the route took us back into the hills and onto in- tensely twisting rollycoaster roads coursing through lush avocado groves. This was my favorite part of the ride. I was so caught up in the road I missed a turn. Craig Rich on a Norton Commando caught me at a stop sign and pointed out my mistake. We retraced out path to the appointed route. That was essentially the end of the ride. The rest was just a long slog through the sprawl to the lunch stop. The venue chosen for lunch was packed before our group arrived. Not surprising as the food was good and the waitresses performed entertaining dance routines at regular inter- vals. Seating was eventually secured for everyone who wanted to eat. After lunch a lottery was held to distribute donated prizes. This was an unexpected treat. Thanks to the event organizers and all the shops who donated prizes. The ride home was a little more harrowing. It was 15 to 91 to 57 to 22 to home. Signifi- cant slowdowns at Corona and the 91 vs 55 interchange. The bike did fine but that part of the trip was not much fun. Still, overall, I’m glad I went and would do it again.

Larry Luce

6

Ride Host Dave Zamiska hands out some of the donated items from the ride sponsors

Steve Ortiz tearing up the lawn to get to the ride start on time

7 The South African Motor Cyclist’s Corps, Reprinted by Kind Permission of Ashley Blair , President of the BSAOC of New Zealand… Part 2 of 2 Parts

An Extraordinary Saga of 400 BSA’s in German East Africa. Written and Researched by Ashley Blair

One member of the S.A.M.C.C. who was killed by enemy action was Colonel Fairweather who died on 18 February 1917 while moving up to what he believed were friendly forces at Rupira in what is now Tanzania. The S.A.M.C.C. War Diary record of the event stated that, “Col. Fairweather was attacked by Wintgens with 500 – 600 men and many machine guns. Col. Fairweather was killed early in the day. He had gone out to satisfy himself that scouts reports were correct and was picked off by snipers. Sgt Harris captured. Cyc Homan mor- tally wounded, died 3 a.m. on 21 st .” Fairweather was buried by the Germans who asked the sixteen members of the Motor Cyclist Corps they were holding prisoner to attend the service. A guard of honour was provided by as- karis, African soldiers, but the usual salute was not fired because British forces were close by. Among the prisoners who attended the funeral was Wally Clarkson who later became a Spring- bok rugby centre and toured New Zealand with the 1921 Springboks. Colonel H B Cuming, CB, who was the com- mander of the Kaffrarian Rifles during the Anglo Boer War, wrote: "He was without doubt the most gallant fellow I ever worked with in the field. His complete indifference to shell fire and bullets amazed me. He was an ex- A Page from the SAMCC war diary cellent officer in every way, and his death is an irreparable loss to the Active Union Defence Force. In every detail of his work he was thorough and full of useful ideas." (http://www.AngloBoerWar.com) A former Railway employee wrote that: "The men who served under him were unanimous in their praise and liking of their Com- mander, whose chief anxiety at all times, even at great personal sacrifice, lay in promoting the welfare and comfort of the rank and file ... Quick to commend and reward good services, he was equally spontaneous in his denunciation of the bad ... He was a man of the most honourable and lofty principles, and the country generally, still more the Railway Administration and the military service, can ill spare him." (http://www.AngloBoerWar.com)

8 Colonel Fairweather is buried in the Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania along with seven other members of the Motor Cyclist Corps.

3 mounted soldiers at a crossroads

The S.A.M.C.C. created an impressive sight and sound when on the move with their ma- chines. Captain Ashley wrote in a letter to The Motor Cycle (October 12 th 1916) that, “it was a grand sight to see the 400 B.S.A.s thundering along with their exhausts open. When the corps is on the move it covers seven miles of road, and the engines make a noise just like the breakers on the sea shore.” Colonel E. S. Thompson recorded in his diary that when the Motor Cyclist Corps left for Kilossa on 13 th August, 1916 they were making “a great noise.” It is hardly surprising then that he recorded five days later that No.4 platoon of the Motor Cyclists had been ambushed. Sergeant J.G. Maker of the 5th Mountain Battery, South African Mounted Riflemen described some of the work that the Motor Cyclists carried out. He and an officer had climbed up a ladder inside a church steeple and were looking for targets when a motor cyclist arrived with information about enemy machine guns. The Mountain Battery put the machine guns out of action. This gave Sergeant Maker considerable satisfaction as these particular machine guns had been treating him “without respect,” as he put it, for quite some time. When a South African force ran into an ambush the colonel sent a message back to headquarters by motorcycle saying that they were heavily engaged and needed urgent reinforcements. The men of the S.A.M.C.C. proved to be very resourceful. On the 24 th November 1916 two cyclists were ordered to travel 70 miles over rough roads to the hospital at Madibera where there were a large number of askaris and 18 German soldiers who wished to sur- Continued on Page 10 9 render. After a day and a half the two cyclists reported back and then returned to the hos- pital with a convoy of 18 including a doctor, medical orderly. They also carried food, medical supplies and petrol. In December 1916 a patrol of eight cyclists was sent out as escorts to a lineman who was to repair the telegraph line. The patrol was ambushed and had to leave their motorcycles and take to the bush on foot. One of the men walked 40 miles through the bush back to base with news of the event. Mechanics in the Corps con- verted a Maxim gun tripod with a spare back wheel and parts of a window frame so that it could be used with a Lewis gun. In May 1917 General Northey began transferring S.A.M.C.C. men to become officers and NCOs in The Kings African Rifles. Captain McMillan, who had taken over as Com- manding Officer of the S.A.M.C.C., protested vigorously but was told that it was “necessary to win the war.” The General visited the S.A.M.C.C. soon after and praised the men and officers for the work they were doing but said that he would continue to draw men to be used in other units. This was a back -handed compliment to the qualities of resilience, resourcefulness and leadership shown by men of the S.A.M.C.C.

SAMCC soldiers taking a break in the bush in German East Africa

In spite of all the hardships the B.S.A.s performed successfully and Birmingham Small Arms received letters from East African veterans “glowing with praise and enthusiasm for the service and reliability of B.S.A. Motor Bicycles.” The September 16 th 1916 copy of The Motor Cycle reported that, “It is a remarkable testimony that the machines with which the South African despatch riders are equipped have stood up so well under condi- tions exactly the opposite for which they were designed.” The writer went on to say that, “We are all mounted on 4½ h.p. B.S.A.’s and a stronger machine and more powerful engine would be hard to find.” Riders did say that they could have had a few more inches clearance as many of the machines lost their footboards. Over half of the carriers broke at some stage because of the massive loads they carried.

10 In 1918 Birmingham Small Arms published With the flag through German East Africa: a few experiences described by motor cyclist despatch riders, special reference being made to the wonderful achievements of the B.S.A. motor bicycles in the East African campaign . This was a 32 page advertising pamphlet containing letters and testimonials from B.S.A. motorcyclists who had served in East Africa. The forward was written by A map of Lieutenant Commander W. Whittall German East who commanded No.1 Squadron, Africa Royal Naval Armoured Car Division in East Africa. He wrote that he thought that the country that the B.S.A.s operated in “was utterly im- possible for motor -cycles at any time,” but that was before the riders managed to get through successfully. He went on to say that if a message was sent by any other means it might or might not get through but, “If you sent it by motor -cyclist you knew it would get there.” Commander Whit- tall finished with the stirring message that “there is no medium of locomo- tion that can beat that wonderful product of engineering genius, the British motor -cycle which, like its rider, can literally go anywhere and do almost anything.” B.S.A.s were not the only motorcy- cles used in German East Africa. The Royal Flying Corps had P & Ms, including some with side chairs, alt- hough they were never used any great distance from their home depots and did not have to endure the harsh conditions in the bush that the B.S.A.s encountered. The Light Ar- moured Brigade had a number of motorcycles for despatch work in support of their armoured cars. These had the front guards removed and the back guard cut off at the centre of the carrier to allow the motorcycles to move more easily in the mud during the rainy season and in the sand during the dry season. When P & M or Douglas riders met riders on B.S.A.s they were supposed to have cast “envious glances” at the B.S.A.s! One of the few humorous incidents of this campaign was related by General von Lettow - Vorbeck, the only German General never defeated in the war. Although his autobiog- raphy only mentioned “an English motor -cyclist” the rider was, without any doubt, a member of the S.A.M.C.C. riding a B.S.A. On the 13 th November, 1918 the hapless dis- patch rider was taking a message about the Armistice to a Kings African Rifles battalion on his motor cycle. He couldn’t find the unit and rode right past the British lines and on into German hands. This was how the Germans first learned that the war in Europe was finally over. The Germans were most surprised that he had managed to get through at all as they had laid mines along the road. Do any of the 400 B.S.A.s used in East Africa still exist? There are no known surviving records listing frame or engine numbers of the machines used in the campaign. All the Birmingham Small Arms records relating to this time were destroyed during the Novem- Continued on page 12 11 ber 1940 air raid on Armoury Road, which killed 53 B.S.A. workers. Very little has been published about the S.A.M.C.C. and their exploits in German East Africa except for the B.S.A publication and articles in The Motor Cycle . There are some records in South Africa, but as researcher Gordon Bickley said, “the WW1 Records are indexed in a completely ran- dom fashion and nothing is where one hopes it will be listed!! It takes literally HOURS to work one's way through the Index's!!” There may be a dusty file box containing a list of frame and engine numbers lying untouched. It is not known if all the machines returned to South Africa with the Corps or were left in East or Central Africa. It is entirely possible that ex S.A.M.C.C. B.S.A.s do exist that can be provenanced back to when first found in Burun- di, Rwanda, Tanganyika or as war surplus in South Africa. Captain F. J. Ashley of the S.A.M.C.C., in With the flag through German East Africa , has the last word when he wrote that, “if ever I wish to think of a combination of grit and relia- bility I need only think of a S.A. (Motor) Cyclist on a B.S.A. with fifty miles of G(erman) East Africa in front of him.” *Note: Documents and dispatches of the time referred to the men of the South African Mo- tor Cyclist Corps as ‘cyclists.’

S.A.M.C.C. shoulder badge

South African Motor Cyclist Corps casualties The following are the known officers and men of the South African Motor Cyclist Corps who died or were killed during the East African campaign. Anderson, Robert Buchanan, Sergeant, 450. Died of influenza on the 20 th December 1918 aged 37 and buried in the Beira Christian Cemetery, Mozambique. He was the son of Andrew and Eva Marion Anderson, of Hoylake, Cheshire, England. Armstrong, C. W. CM/795 Private. Died on the 13th December 1918 and was buried in Lumbo British Cemetery in Mozambique. Bell, F.C.E. Private, MT/6903. He was killed on 20 th November 1917 aged 21 and buried at Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania. Son of Mr. H. C. and Mrs. D. W. Bell of 74 Silverton Road, Durban, South Africa. Clulee, L.A. Private. CM/842. Died on 26 th October 1918 aged 30 and was buried at Thaba

12 Tshwane (Old No.1) Military Cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa. He was the husband of Maria Agnus Clulee, of Farm Bellevue, Mafeking, South Africa. Coetzee, Private, J. H., CM/658. Died on the 26th August 1918 and was buried in Lumbo British Cemetery in Mozambique. Cook, F.G. F. Corporal CM/541. Died on 26 th October 1918 and was buried at the Johan- nesburg (Brixton) Cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa. He was the son of Fred- erick J. and Mary I. Cook 14A, Goldreich Street, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South Africa. Fairweather, Lieutenant Colonel, J .McL., D.S.O., MiD. Frost, Philip Ivan Lowne, CM575 Died on 21 st December 1917 aged 17 and was buried at Zeerust Municipal Cemetery, South Africa. Son of Philip John Frost, P.O. Box 94, Zeerust, Transvaal, South Africa. Goodwin, W.C. Lance Corporal CM/81. He died on 10 th January 1917 and was buried in Dodoma Cemetery, Tanzania. Grahame, F.J.S. Lance Corporal 218. Died on the 9 th May1917 and was buried in Simon's Town (Dido Valley) Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa. Hailstone, H. Private. CM/777. Died on the 31 st October 1918 and is buried in Thaba Tshwane (Old No.1) Military Cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa. Hartley, Lance Corporal, Walter David, 810. He died of malaria on 25th July 1919 aged 27 and was buried at Kimberley (West End) Cemetery, South Africa. He was the son of Walter Harry and Ellen Hartley of 5 Milner Street, Kimberley, South Africa. Hollander, B.L. CM/24. On the 17 th December 1917 Corporal (Acting Sergeant) Hollander of S.A.M.C.C. was gazetted with the Military Medal. He died on the 16 th No- vember 1917 aged 29 and was buried at the Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and was the son of P. and M. J. Hollander. Homan, Charles Gravers, Private CM/346. Died on the 21st February 1917 aged 36 and was buried in Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania. He was born at Locheen Glebe, Of- faly and was the son of the Rev. Canon Homan and Mrs. Mary Ethel Homan of 6 Eglington Park, Kingstown, Ireland. He also served in German South - West Africa. Hughes, Private, A, CM/892. Died on the 4th January 1919 and was buried in Blantyre Church Of Central Africa Presbyterian Cemetery, Malawi. Judd, Private, Robert Charles. CM/455. He died on 22 nd December 1916 and was buried in Dodoma Cemetery, Tanzania. He was the son of Mrs. Judd 445, Jules Street, Johannesburg, South Africa. Lessing, Private, Nicolas Stephanes, 861. Died of sickness on the 27th June 1918 aged 20 and was buried in Zomba Town Cemetery. He was the son of Jacob and Hen- drina Lessing 210, Claremont, Daspoort, Pretoria, South Africa.

13 Continued on page 14 Martin, Cyclist, F., CM/370. He was wounded on the 16th and died on the 19th February 1917. He was buried in Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania.

th Miller, Harry Rudolph, Private, 384. Died on 25 July 1916 aged 24 and was buried at Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania. He was the son of Mr. J. H. K. and Mrs. E. W. Miller, of Beacon Hill, Estcourt, Natal, South Africa. Munro, Cyclist, Graham Alexander, CM51. He was wounded during a night fight with a German patrol in 16 th December and died on 18 th December 1916. He was buried at Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania. He was the son of A. W. and Ethel Munro, of Slaai Kraal, Grahamstown, Cape Province, South Africa. Murton, Private, Alfred Henry , CM/856. He died on the 8th January 1919 aged 16 and was buried at Zomba Town Cemetery. He was the son of Thomas George and Eleanor Frances Murton, 69 Long Street, Germiston West, Transvaal, South Africa. Musson, Private, F A, Private CM/872. He died on 2nd July 1918 and was buried at Lum- bo British Cemetery, Mozambique. Norris, A. Private CM/107. He died on 5 th September 1919 aged 31 and was buried at the Johannesburg (Brixton) Cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa. Paul, Private, Cyril William, MC/587. He died on the 18 th December 1916 and was buried at Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania. He was the son of William and Lily Lanyon Paul of 1 Clifton Place, Musgrave Road, Durban, South Africa. Although he is listed in the S.A.M.C.C. Roll of Honour in St Mary’s Cathedral, Johan- nesburg, the cemetery records show he was with the Army Cyclist Corps. Roberts, Thomas Henry Edward. Cyclist. CM/198. He died on 26 th March 1917 aged 43 and was buried in the Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania. He was born at Liverpool, England and was the son of Thomas and Grace Roberts. He was husband of A. M. Williams (formerly Roberts), of Mafeking, Cape Province, South Africa. Smith, Cyclist, A. H. Cyclist, CM/607. He died on 21 st May 1917 aged 32 and was buried at Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania. He was the son of Edward Alfred and Jessie Caroline Smith, of 15 Cypress Grove, Graaff Reinet, Cape Province, South Africa. Smith, S. McL. Cyclist CL/173. He died on 13 th October 1917 and was buried at Durban (Ordnance Road) Military Cemetery, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Staples, A. A. Lance Corporal CM/2. Mentioned in Despatches. Died on 19 th Febru- ary1917 and was buried at Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania. Thom, A. Private CM/751. He died on the 4 th November 1918 aged 21 and was buried at Thaba Tshwane (Old No.1) Military Cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa. He was the son of Eliza Mather Truscott (formerly Thom), of 1 Marlborough Grove, Rhyl, Wales, and the late Andrew Thom. Turbridge, C.B. Private CM/588. He died on 18 th March 1918 and was buried at Mafe- king Cemetery, South Africa.

14 Visser, Cyclist, Jochim Jacobus, Cyclist CM/376. He died on 17 th December 1916 aged 22 and was buried at Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania. He was born at Fauresmith, Orange Free State, South Africa and was the son of Joachim Jacobus and Aleta Elizabeth Visser. Wiseman, S. S. Cyclist, CM/237. Died on 21 st April 1917 was buried at Iringa Cemetery, Tanzania. He was born at Hobart, Tasmania and was the son of Stephen and Lucy Wiseman, of Garryowen, Clifton -on -Sea, Cape Town, South Africa. Acknowledgments Gordon Bickley, researcher, South Africa. The Ditsong National Museum of Military History, South Africa: Lt. Z. Mshuqwana, Department of Defence Documentation Centre: South Afri- ca. The National Archives, U.K.: National Ar- chives and Records Service of South Africa: Victory Medal Jeff Nutt, Vintage Motor Cycle Club Library, to John Edgar U.K.: Liz Palmer, Birmingham Archives and Heritage Service, U.K.: G. W. Prinsloo, South S.A.M.C.C. African Documentation Centre, South Africa: Lee Richards, researcher, U.K. References AngloBoerWar.com http:// www.angloboerwar.com ; Birmingham Small Arms Company Ltd, (1918) With the flag through German East Afri- ca: a few experiences described by motor cyclist despatch riders, special reference being made to the wonderful achievements of the B.S.A. motor bicycles in the East African cam- paign. BSA: Coventry. Brown, J.A. (1991). They fought for King and country: South Africans in German East Africa, 1916 . Johannesburg: Ashanti Publishing.; Curson, H.H. Unpublished manuscript. Dolbey, Robert Valentine, (1918). Sketches of the East Africa Campaign: Project Gutten- berg http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10362 Frost, G H. (1919). Munitions of War. A Record of the work of the BSA and Daimler Com- panies during the world war 1914 -1918 . Birmingham: B.S.A. Company, Limited & Daimler Company, Limited: Lettow -Vorbeck, General Paul von, (1920). My Reminis- cences of East Africa. London: Hurst and Blackett. Paice, Edward (2007). Tip and run: the untold tragedy of the Great War in Africa . Lon- don: Weidenfeld & Nicolson: Thompson, Colonel E. S., ED. (1988) A Machine Gun- ner's Odyssey Through German East Africa: The Diary of E S Thompson, Part 2 . 25 May - 17 September 1916 . Military History Journal Vol 7 No 5 - June 1988. The Motor Cycle September 7 th 1916; September 16 th 1916; October 12 th 1916; November 23 rd 1916. The Times May 23 rd , 1916; September 26 th , 1917.

Many thanks to Ashley Blair President of the BSAOCNZ who allowed me to reprint this article from their newsletter “Southern Star” July /October 2012…...Editor

15 “Dual Sport Debut”, The Cinder Cone Ride by Clive Brooks Photos by Sandra Bilewitch and Randy Ressell

The weather forecast had threat- ened heavy rainstorms in the Lu- cerne and Johnson Valley area for our March 1 st Cinder Cone dual - sport ride, and driving up the Cajon pass it seemed very likely ,so I did bring a change of clothes, just in case. I arrived at the Café 247 at about 9am, and unloaded my newly acquired B50MX and met up with the other 18 riders that would show up. At the “young” age of 61, this was to be my first ever dualsport Randy Ressell’s newest ride, a ride, and I was feeling rightly ap- Tririel, a Dick Mann built bike. prehensive about it. Would I be the guy everyone was rolling their eyes at, waiting for me and starting my bike for me? Those of you with B44’s and B50’s will know what I mean by that. I had practiced starting the bike a bit, but wasn’t confident of be- ing able to start it without the aid of a small step -stool and plenty of luck.

We set off at 10am sharp and as soon as we hit the dirt I almost immediately felt the clutch slipping. I had replaced the clutch friction plates, the plain steel plates and the clutch springs the week before, but in 3 rd and top gear I could overwhelm the clutch if I accelerated hard, so I took it gently the whole ride. As soon as we got into some soft sand I felt the bike become very Kirk Sloan’s B50 “squirrely” and I had to work hard to keep the bike from going down. On the first 90 degree bend That’s Eddie Crowell a rider on a KTM went down in the sand in front of me, he was OK, but I was beginning to question my judgment of doing this ride. My wife Denise had made it quite clear, she thought I was crazy trying this “new” sport at my age, and said she wouldn’t be visiting me in a hospital in Hesperia. 16 The next hour and a half was pretty much exclusively soft sand, and I’d be lying if I said I was having fun, I wrestled the bike through it, going down once at very slow speed, and both the bike and myself were OK. Miraculously I was able to start the bike up again 2 nd kick and continued on, averting one near disaster after another, almost hitting that huge rock, then almost crashing into that large bush, just a constant barrage of near misses. Be- ing slower than everyone else, I don’t think anyone saw my atrocious riding, but I met up with the rest of the riders who patiently waited for me. The weather was quite cool, but I was sweating so much my glasses kept steaming up, this was definitely the hardest riding I had ever done, although we were going through some beautiful desert areas with desert plants sprouting up all over, I couldn’t enjoy a moment of it, as I was concentrating so hard on staying upright.

Mike Haney aka “ride docent” at the petroglyph site

#47 Randy

The guys waiting for me

Continued on Page 18 17 I arrived last at the lunch stop and made the most of a cold beer and burger, be- fore we gassed up and continued on. We went through some more sandy areas and by now I was getting pretty tired and went Still waiting !!! down one more time, banged my knee a bit but I was OK. My clutch overheated and wouldn’t release for a while but Jim Wilson helped me get going again. Then I started to get strong cramps in my thighs, so bad that I had to get off and walk about for a bit. I was thinking to myself, “what the hell am I going to do”, I couldn’t just catch a lift back to my truck, and pick up the bike, effectively “bailing” on the ride so I gritted my teeth and pressed on. Mike Haney had said earlier that he didn’t remember this part being so sandy before, and in fact he steered us away from the really sandy area. My only consolation for this part of the ride was that I wasn’t the only one to fall off, there were a few others although not many.

Eventually we got into some different terrain with less sand and I began to see what it was I’d been missing all these years only riding on pavement. Apart from the sipping clutch, the bike performed flawlessly, which I was proud off and with the Yamaha, long travel suspension, I believe the bike got me out of more trouble than it got me into and the starting issue which had haunted me the night before, never arose, I was always able to restart it 1 st or 2 nd kick. Towards the end of the ride we took a single track trail that Mike Haney had recently discov- ered which had been rained on earlier and I found to be very enjoyable, I even got into top gear for a while. We were lucky with the weather, we didn’t really get rained on, we seemed to skirt the outside of the storm.

We finally pulled into the Café 247 parking lot at 5.05pm, definitely the longest riding I had ever done, it was almost dark and I was exhausted. I loaded up the bike into the back of my truck, grateful that Mike Haney, Jim Wilson, Sandy Bilewitch, Eddie Crowell, Randy Ressell, Kirk Sloan and all the others had given me so much encouragement and worthy advice. Thanks guys.

Would I do it again? Well I plan on going on the Al Baker ride and who knows, by next year perhaps I’ll be a bit more experienced to actually enjoy the Cinder Cone ride. Clive Brooks

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12/1/13

5/1/14

4/1/14

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4/1/14

Members Only….For Sale / Wanted

Wanted - 1966 Triumph Bonneville 650 T120TT Special. Bone stock preferred, how- ever, will accept one that needs a bit of work as long as it’s possible to make it stock i.e., no “bobbers” or Ceriani’s, please. In all cases frame and engine numbers must match and be between DU24875 and DU44393 i.e., no T120C’s. Please contact Jim at 408.605.2010 8/1/14

For Sale: 1955 BSA 500 c.c. Empire Star Century. Look for Show or to Ride

$10,000 Firm . Old Ed Meagor , San Rafael, Ca. Call 415 -457-5423

20 Calendar of Events 2015

Mar 29 () Long Beach Motorcycle Swap -meet. Info: http://www.socalcycleswapmeet.com/ Mar 28 (Sat) BSAOCNC 28 th ANNUAL CLUBMANS SHOW/SWAP San Jose Fairgrounds. March 29 (Sun) Ride. Info: www.BSAOCNC.org Mar 29 (Sun) 31st Annual Antique Motorcycle Show and Swap. El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium, 522 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ. Info: Mike 602 -841 -6064, Karen 623 -849 -3049 Apr 1 (Wed) Ventura Brit Bike Night. 7-9pm, Social Tap Bar & Grill, 1105 So Seaward Ave. Apr 11 -12 (Sat, Sun) ** BSAOCNC & SC MID -STATE RIDE starts Saturday from the parking lot of the Black Bear Diner in Carmel, Hwy 1 & Rio Road. Info: Frank Forster (831) 688 -2120 or Barbara Barrett (661)703 -9249 Apr 11 (Sat) Annual Trailblazer’s Banquet Info: 818 -896 -2200, www’trailblazersmc.com Apr 12 (Sun) * BSAOCSC “AL BAKER DUAL SPORT” RIDE Meet at 9 AM at the Al Baker Ranch, 16400 Wild Road, Helendale, Ca. Ride starts at 10 AM and is approximately 90 -100 miles. For British & other vintage motorcycles with street registration, and spark arresters. Info: John Gardner (310) 920 -3393 or Mike Haney (760) 365 -9191 Apr 12 (Sun) Vintage Bike O.C at Mr Pete’s Grill 19071, Brookhurst St.Huntington Beach. 2 – 4pm April 26 (Sun) * BSAOCSC “BARRY SMITH MEMORIAL ALL BRITISH RUN” Hansen Dam Recreation Area, AQUATICS CENTER PARKING LOT , 210 Fry at Osborne. Turn left go all the way to the “Aquatics Center” parking lot. Meet at 9 AM/Ride at 10 AM. Info: Steve Ortiz (951)440 -3521 or Barbara Barrett (661)703 -9249 Apr 26 (Sun) Long Beach Motorcycle Swap -meet. Info: http://www.socalcycleswapmeet.com/ May 1 -2 (Fri Sat) BSAOCNC Ron Halem Memorial Ride . Info: Gus Varetakis, 415 -488 -1519

May 6 (Wed) Ventura Brit Bike Night. 7-9pm, Social Tap Bar & Grill, 1105 So Seaward Ave. May 10 (Sun) Vintage Bike O.C at Mr Pete’s Grill 19071, Brookhurst St. Huntington Beach. 2 – 4pm May 16 (Sat) Hanford Vintage Motorcycle Rally. Info: at “classiccycleevents.com” May 17 (Sun) * “BSAOCSC SWAP MEET” & BI -MONTHLY MEETING Classic Mo- torcycles, Inc., 1425 N. Manzanita St, Orange, Ca. BRITISH MOTORCYCLES ON- LY! Begins @ 7AM to 11 AM. Seller fee $20.00 Pre -Registration Suggested as “First Call- ers Get Best Spots” -Steve Ortiz, (951)245 -5287 BSA Meeting Info: Barbara Barrett (661) 703 -9249 or Steve Ortiz (951) 245 -5287 or Barry Sulkin (310)398 -6406 May 22 -25 (Fri -Mon) 2015 “Cachuma Lake” Vintage Motorcycle Rally. Memorial Day Week -end, Eddie Mulder Hosts, $175 per person, Info: 661 -944 -1184, [email protected] 23 May (Sat) BSAOCNC “Moto Marin”, San Rafael, Info: Dave Giusti, 415 -269 -1841 May 24 (Sun) Long Beach Motorcycle Swap -meet. Info: http://www.socalcycleswapmeet.com/ 30 May (Sat) BSAOCNC “Mother Lode“ ride, El Dorado Hills, Info: Mike Crick, 916 -797 -0879 May 31 (Sun) 1st Annual "Bikes and Burgers" supporting High Hopes Head Injury Pro- gram, held at the Early Years Motocross Museum at Tom Whites private home in Villa Park. Info and tickets 949 -733 -0044 21

BSA Owners Club of Southern California

Email & Phone Directory

Specialists Gold Star/Winged Wheel: Dick Newby No Email (714) 839-7072 ********** Pre Unit Twin: Clive Brooks [email protected] (714) 771-2534 ********** C10, C11, C12, C15: “Position Open” To any willing volunteer, contact Editor ********** Unit Singles/B50: Jack Faria (805) 551-4982 ********** Rocket III/Trident: Burt Barrett (661) 742-5539 ********** Triumph/Sidehack: Russ Smith (818) 343-8045 ********** BSA Unit Twins: Bill Getty [email protected] ********** Specialty Tool Consultant: Craig Rich Questions: (562) 868-9389 **********

Please make calls between 9am and 9pm

22 BSA Owners Club Regalia

Sweatshirts $25 —$28 + $5 S & H

Official BSA Owners Club “T” Shirt. Comes in Blue, Red, Grey and Black. Large, XL and XXL. Price is $20 for short sleeve and long sleeve $25. BSA Club sweat shirts are available in limited colors and sizes. Price includes shipping and handling. Take delivery at a Club gathering and save $5. Sizes and colors are limited, so place your order quickly! Contact —Randy Ressell : Regalia Coordinator Hm. (714) 502-4502 , E-mail: [email protected] 23

85 Years Old Eddie Crowell With His Beautiful, Haney Built A.J.S. Twin…...Real Class