APRIL 2019 Classic Clatter The Journal of the Classic & Enthusiasts Motor Cycle Club of NSW Inc. WWW.CEMCC.ORG.AU Bob Vine & Mick Johnson overlooking the Marlborough Sounds after a most challenging ride on heavily corrugated windy shingle (dirt) road New Zealand National Motorcycle Rally February 2019 John Hughes, Mike Becker & Lester Hamilton with bikes on a barge before a beach landing. New Zealand National Motorcycle Rally February 2019. John Hughes and Mike Becker at the Rally assembly point, Marlborough Club Rooms. New Zealand National Motorcycle Rally February 2019. Noises from the big end. Have you ever wondered why it takes so long to complete a full ‘Nuts and Bolts’ restoration of a classic bike? I can remember the club once ran a survey and determined the average time to undertake a full restoration was approx. 18 months to 2 yrs. But that was back in the late 70’s when original parts for Classic bikes were still readily available from shops like: Allparts; Ryan and Honey; Burling and Simmons; A.P North; P&R Williams; London Trading co; Bennet and Woods; Fraser MC’s; Jim Eade’s; Ryans at Parramatta, as well as a host of local workshops supplying parts and services. Sadly we have seen most of these outlets disappear only to be left with a few outlets supplying just a selection of parts. I can remember how it used to be, heading out on a Saturday morning shopping spree and coming back with all the parts necessary for an engine overhaul or just a new set of handlebars, levers and cables or a basic tune up kit. Parts for Matchless, Norton, Triumph, BSA, Velocette and BMW were available over the counter and ready to be fitted. Now days, you’re lucky to find a cable that fits, as most are generic and need adjusting. The same with Pattern Parts, especially those, (enticingly cheap) parts from India, where the mounting holes are always half a hole out. Generally, your needs will require you placing an order and having to wait for parts to come in from overseas, so a six week delay is not uncommon. Meanwhile, your bike languished in the shed and you now attend club runs and outings in your car. Then there is the ‘Family Factor’ (FF). After waiting for 6 weeks for your parts to arrive, suddenly your daughter needs help with a new kitchen she has ordered. The old kitchen needs to be pulled out, tradesmen need organising and the whole project needs managing. Another 12 weeks go by and you find yourself back in the garage again, working on the 600 twin. Then your brother asks for help as his car has broken down and he needs it fixed for work. The (FF) list gets longer and longer (Not to mention the birthday / anniversary / Christmas and New Year events that need preparation and planning). Woe is me, will I ever get to finish my 600 twin? The latest setback relates to ordering new Siamesed exhaust pipes from the UK. The first set didn’t fit so I purchased a second set from an alternative supplier and they don’t fit either. With 40 pounds postage both ways, it’s not worth returning back to the UK, as all the cost will be absorbed in the postage. Now, I need to find a tube bender to make up a new set, or tweak the non-fitting ones into shape and then have them re-chromed. I am somewhat frustrated that it has taken 10 years since work started on the 600 twin and it is still not ready for inspection. The lack of available, original parts along with the Family Factor; Work; Household Maintenance and 3 x Club Committees, have all taken a piece out of each of my project(s) and commitment(s) time lines. It seems the older we get the more involved we become in other activities, juggling one against the other. As John Lennon once said, ‘Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans’. However, there is comfort in knowing that I am not alone and this is a continuing trend amongst fellow Enthusiasts. After all, if we were not Enthusiastic about our projects and commitments then we wouldn’t be members of any club and we would all end up being ‘Couch Potatoes’, which is not the case. I am pleased with the direction our club is heading and that members are willing to take on extra roles and that bikes are being preserved and restored in accordance with our club’s aims. Regardless of the many setbacks (as mentioned above) we still have a vibrant Classic bike scene with lots of opportunities for members to enjoy, restoring and riding bikes as well as attending many of the ‘Social Events’, Monthly Meetings, Rallies, Road Runs and Show Days (Etc.). So, keep on planning and working on your projects, no matter how long they take. In the event of a setback, (while waiting on a 6 week mail order) attend, or even host, a social event. Just remember, your restoration will be finished one day, so enjoy the times in between. Yours in Project Management David deLapp APRIL Quiz Questions: Q1. What manufacturer produced a 4 cylinder motorcycle from 1905 -1923? Q2. What year did Triumph build a prototype 200cc two stroke twin? Q3. Yamaguchi went under in 1963. What was the capacity of the last engine used by Yamaguchi? CLASSIC & ENTHUSIASTS MOTOR CYCLE CLUB OF NSW Inc. OFFICE BEARERS for 2019 OFFICE BEARERS ILLAWARRA BRANCH President David deLapp 0414 639 707 Patron Norm Aldridge Vice President David Lewis 9630 6304 President Jim Cummins 4261 5614 Secretary Alan Harper 9627-3290 Vice President Tim Seiber Treasurer Damien Olbourne 0448 388883 Treasurer Joanne Dickie Committee Members Ian Wood 0414 556 677 Secretary Ken Kermode 0425 322 432 Peter Wolfenden 4758 7177 [email protected] Konrad Dover Regalia Officer Bill & Marie Furney 4225-9281 Barry Newell Librarian Allan Graham 4632 7202 Peter Boros Sunday Rides Mick Johnson 0419 297 171 Editor Bruce McDonald 0402 566 945 First Wednesday Peter Van Linden [email protected] Tortoise Ride Wayne, Brian & Jim Regalia Ray Gosling 9665 5213 Dam Rides Wayne & Brian Martin Events Committee John Key 0408 650 815 Off- Road Rides Wayne & Brian Martin Alan Harper 9627 3290 Program Officer Lester Hamilton 4229 4003 Events Calendar Rally Committee Adrian Wallace 0415 422 167 Co-ordinator Greg Chaney Debenham Rally Merle Graham, Wayne & Brian Martin [email protected] August Rally Tim Seiber, Adrian Wallace Rally Secretary Vacant Show Day Organiser John Morris & Jim Rally Director Vacant Catering Officers Wayne Martin 0404 353 537 Librarian Kim Fleming 9652 2223 John Hughes 4297 5545 Permits Officer Peter Wolfenden 4758 7177 Welfare Officer Lester Hamilton Web Administrator Ian Richardson [email protected] Program Officer Lester Hamilton 4229-4003 Membership Officer Alan Harper 9627 3290 Historian Steve Ansell 0412 992 627 email: [email protected] Technical Officer Allan Graham 4632 7202 Welfare Officer Vacant Property Officer Adrian Wallace 0415 422 167 M NSW Liaison Officer Vacant Illawarra Committee members; Wayne Martin, Brian Martin, Program Officer Vacant John Morris & Ken Kermode Branch Meetings: Keiraville Public School, Gipps Rd Club Meetings: Dundas Sports & Recreation Club, 9 Elder Keiraville 7.30pm Second Monday of the month Road, Dundas. Fourth Wednesday of month 8.00pm Postal Address P’O Box 5340 Wollongong NSW 2500 Postal Address P.O Box 3033 Telopea NSW 2117 MACHINE EXAMINERS CENTRAL WEST BRANCH Albion Park Bob Vine 4256-6940 Patron Rick Kent 6361 7915 Baan Baa Warren Chapman 0428 422 708 President Rick Kent 6361 7915 Baulkham Hills Allan Smith 9639 7017 Vice President Mark Turnbull 6362 7953 Coledale Mark Clarke 0421 597 579 Secretary David Scott 0438 612 874 Coniston Michael Johnson 0419 297 171 Treasurer Michael Hall 6365 1233 Douglas Park Allan Graham 4632 7202 Librarian Don Wilson 6362 3584 Engadine Bob Moss 9520 4721 Publicity Officer Ron Mills 6360 0115 Ingleburn Mark Mansell 0406 043 953 Permits Officer Rick Kent 6361 7915 Kirrawee Richard Stock 0437 267 683 Events Committee Rick Kent 6361 7915 Lavington Tony Ryan 02 6040 6249 Mark Turnbull 6362 7953 Lake Illawarra South Jim Crocker 4296 5060 David Scott 0438 612 874 Maroubra Richard Ementon 9349 4160 D. Thorn Merrylands Ross Mc Dermott 9632 8406 Brian Corey 6361 4396 Molong John Packham 6366 8622 Michael Hall 6365 1233 Orange Bernie Schell 6360-0563 Charles Stammers 6365 1351 Orange Rick Kent 6362 9602 Publicity Officer Ron Mills 6360 0115 Revesby Ray Lutherborrow 9771 5672 Branch Meetings: Gladstone Hotel Function Room Corner Robertson Robert Tobler 4885 1881 of Hill and Bing Streets First Monday of the month 8.00pm Seven Hills Peter Scott 9624 1262 Postal Address P.O Box 431 Orange NSW 2800 Woodford Peter Wolfenden 4758 7177 LIFE MEMBERS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER Allan Graham, Merle Graham, John Harman, Alan Harper, Ken Haslett, Roger McGregor, Wayne Penny, Elsie Romey, Keith Sandell, Sue Simmonds and Allan Smith. CLASSIC CLATTER - April We would like to thank everyone for their contributions to this newsletter, and welcoming us into the editor’s role – bear with us while we settle into the task. Thanks also to Joanne Dickie for the handover. Deadline for the May edition is Monday 15 April 2019. Please note a couple of points about contributions: - Microsoft Word format wherever possible - For photos, include location, event or ride and full names of members if you want them included in the description. Please note we have created a dedicated email address for future contributions: [email protected] Bruce McDonald & Debbi Hasler THE FOLLOWING LISTED CLUBS HAVE INVITED C&EMCC MEMBERS TO ATTEND THEIR RUNS IN 2019.