Vol 1, No 2 Editors:

August, 1962 Ian Carron

Len Shearer

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It was mentioned in the last copy of this newsletter that we are now known as the Motor Scooter Association of Victoria. Many of our older members will recall that we were originally called the M.S.A.V., until, about four years ago, a rift appeared between the officials and members. This caused us to break away from the M.S.A.V. and become the Whitehorse Motor Scooter Club. Eventually, the M.S.A.V. became non-existent as a scootering club. After negotiations with the last remaining committee members of the M.S.A.V., it was decided that the Whitehorse should resume the old name. We, the editors of Whitehorse Whispers, feel that this title is a name to be proud of and a name which holds respect in the scootering world. As was also stated in the last issue of Whitehorse Whispers, we are still keeping the White Horse as our club emblem. It is to be hoped that the club can carry on the traditions of the old organisation, an enthusiastic and happy one open to all motor scooterists, male and female.

We extend a cordial welcome to new members-to-be: John (Lambretta) nice to have you with us, John; and Rae (Vespa). Hope to see a lot more of friends Pamela and Anne too, Rae! Also welcome back to Margaret (Lambretta), who we haven’t seen for six months or so. Nice to have you back, Marg, and hope your stay is much longer this time.

On Thursday, July 26, over 30 of us attended a theatre night at the Metro, Bourke Street. We think, without a doubt, that we all enjoyed seeing the Walt Disney production of "The Parent Trap". It was very nice to see such a large gathering attend the show, and most encouraging to our committee, who are doing a very good job. Keep it up, all of you.

Just before I started to type out the "rough" for this issue of the "Whispers", all the lights of Ivanhoe went out, so I am sitting and typing by candlelight. Wonderful occupation. You should try it sometime. When the lights come back on, I can go back to my darkroom, and finish some prints I was doing. They all went out right in the middle of making an enlargement. Which reminds me, this will interest all our camera bugs. The magazine "Pix" is running a competition on pet photographs. (No, Maurie, a photo of Joyce would not be suitable). There is a weekly prize of £10/10/-, and the outright winner receives a new Austin Freeway. So dig out all those interesting pet shots. They could be worth something. Anyway, we hope so, both for your sake and ours.

The blanketty candle I am using is sitting just to the left of the type-writer, and every time the little bell rings, I have to pass my left hand twice through the flame to move the carriage back. So, I’m trying to fit asmanywordsintoonelineasIpossiblycan.

Wonder if Len hit a post on his way over and brought down a few power lines. Nope, I just heard him pull into the drive. — Ian.

Good thing Elaine W. hasn’t got a movie camera. We would have a real "Candid Camera" at each club social. Keep it up, Ginge, you must have millions to show us at the next club social, which is also to be a slide night, according to the itinerary. We would like to take this opportunity of reminding EVERYONE to bring along their recent club slides and photographs to show to club members.

A sparking plug is an amazing component. For, during its working life it must produce between 50 and 250 sparks at over 5,000 volts in every second. The temperature of the spark is about 15,000°C and it must be produced in a combustion chamber with a temperature of over 3,000°C and a pressure of over 1,000 lbs. p.s.i. Quite an achievement!

If you care to work it out you will find that the average plug has to fire over 1,000,000 times in every three hours. So you see the spark plug is a highly developed piece of equipment. The following tips will help you get the most out of your spark plug.

1. Use the plug recommended for your machine and only change it if it is not working properly.
   
2. If the existing plug is oiling-up, you will need a softer one. That is, one which will run hotter and therefore burn off the oil.
   
3. Never overtighten the plug in the head — you will only strip the thread. The best way is to screw it in with your fingers until it comes against the washer and then give it half a turn with the correct spanner.

We met the Vespa Club (long time no see) on our trip to Yan Yean. It was a quiet run, the major highlight being Irene’s late arrival. (Fancy getting out of bed at 10.30 a.m. on such a beautiful day. Perhaps it’s a good thing that she wasn’t with us at Easter). Wonder why the old bloke didn’t like us trying to climb his hill? It’s amazing how much help a girl can get when in trouble with flat tyres, isn’t it Rae?

Suggestions for the next itinerary will be accepted from all members. Get in touch with committee members if you have any ideas.

Isn’t it amazing the number of you girls who get caught with this one?

Congratulations are extended to Ian and Margaret upon the arrival of a bouncing baby daughter (Melanie Deborah).

Had a few lines from Richard Henry, who is on a working holiday in New Zealand. Rich has joined up with the Auckland Motor Scooter Club and has put over 1,500 miles on his Diana speedo at the time of writing. He and shipmate Lionel (on a Vespa) were both mentioned in the Auckland club’s magazine "Skidlids".

He has been on quite a few trips, both by scooter and by car, and has seen a lot of the hot springs and steaming geysers so famous over there. He didn’t mention any Maori dancing girls, though.

Editor Len lays claim to these three club "records":

14,700 miles from one spark plug (Lodge, Type H14);

16,500 miles from original clutch cable;

17,750 miles from one pair of batteries (2_ years).

Challengers please don’t rush.

Has anybody got any ideas for Christmas holidays and our annual birthday party? These will be discussed at the August Club Social.

Don’t forget — Sunday, September 2, the Day Trial. Riders and pillions required, with maps, compasses and good tempers. We are inviting other clubs to compete. So keep this date free if possible.

Memories go back a long way. At Yarrawonga, Easter, 1960, a little boy asked Veneta (on a Maico) how vast her VICTA would go!

Question: Why does Maurie M. call his car "baby"?

Answer: Because everywhere it goes it takes its rattles.
-Secretary.

Mount Egerton wasn’t there on the way up, but we did find it coming home. Wonder which was cracked, King’s Bridge or our leader? Our wonderful footballers can’t even stand up, is that not so, Alex? We really flew home with that tail wind, but lost a blue Holden panel van somewhere between Bacchus Marsh and Melbourne. Nice to see new member Rae and her friend Pam going all the way on that great little 125 c.c. Vessy. Showed a few of us "men" up, I think.

Congratulations to the Melbourne Sporting Scooter Club, who took all the prizes at a very successful Games Night held on the first Friday in July. Many things to Mrs Carron and her helpers for their wonderful supper. We didn’t know that so many people couldn’t tie aprons or ties. It was easy, wasn’t it, Pete? The Musical Jug of Water was a smashing success, too. Let’s take that certificate back next time.

Ron F. won the "championship" at the Table Tennis night, with Peter P. second. The small crowd present had a wonderful time, especially pushing Peter’s bike afterwards. He should have been fined, though, for not turning his petrol on. Bet Rae was surprised to learn that her friend Anne got home safely by car.

A couple of weeks back, co-editor Len S., while on a shooting expedition at our usual local "spot", was attacked by a great, large, ferocious wombat. With cool, quick thinking and skill, our brave hunter despatched said wombat with two blasts of a 12-gauge shotgun. We hail you, Bwana Len…….-Ian.

Speaking of shooting, we editors went spotlighting a few weeks ago. Our success could be described briefly thus:

Plenty rabbits — spotlight not working. Plenty rabbits, spotlight working — rifle not working. Plenty rabbits, spotlight working, rifle working — car not working. Plenty rabbits, spotlight working, rifle working, car working — car bogged in deep mud. Plenty rabbits, spotlight working, rifle working, car working, car clear of mud — Len bogged. Plenty rabbits — spotlight working, rifle working, car working, car clear of mud, Len clear of mud — Ian misses a "sitter" with SEVEN shots. We finally managed to get two bunnies, though.

No, we didn’t shoot them, they died of laughter.

At least Peter P. didn’t give out with his usual appreciation of a fine meal while at supper after the film night. Couldn’t have had enough to eat.

We would like to give members, in fact all owners and drivers of motor scooters and motor cycles, a little warning which we think needs mentioning. We mean the business of leaving crash helmets and gloves sitting on bikes while the owner/driver goes to do a bit of shopping. Leaving such items available to any passer-by who may need such things is a very stupid and ignorant practice. Perhaps we have all done this at times and been lucky. However, we can quote several cases in which riders have returned to their machines to find the lot gone. Recently another club in Melbourne was "raided" at a night at popular ten-pin bowling centre. Quite a number of helmets, gloves and coats were stolen, much to the disgust of the club members. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU. Be careful: the five minutes you save by just dumping equipment on your floor-boards may cost you five minutes to explain to the men in blue why you are not wearing a helmet. - Editors.