The MTCV Home Page has taken 187 hits during May and 5640 since April 1996. Look to see more information such as magazine articles up on the web in the members-only section. No kidding, all last month’s magazine is in there! And I plan to put a whole heap of old stuff in there as well. The new itinerary is up on the web, and the new Committee and their details.

Road Conditions Reporting Line: 9854-2899 where motorcyclists can report road conditions and give suggestions for improvement on any road in Victoria.

Seen at the May Social Sip at the Blackburn Hotel: Ian Payne, Ron and Julie Johnston, Rob Langer and Kirsten Anderson, Danny Vits, Derek Atkinson, Rob Matricciani, Bruce Saville, Danny Kosinski, Ben Warden, and Dianne Welsford. Twelve people. Winter is taking its toll.

Jacinta Thomas sent the write up for the Easter Monday Ride. Thankyou. As for Danny K., he informs me that we will not see that article because it is too long ago and he can’t remember.

The new Committee is — listed over the page. Ray Walker is our new Club Captain and Kirsten Anderson has picked up the long-time-vacant Social Secretary position. Theo Kalkandis had to give up Committee work due a heavy education regime he is undertaking, combined with a wish to spend time with his growing family. We wish him well in his future endeavours and thank him for his time on the Committee. Maybe we will see him on a ride or two.

Speaking of Theo, the Superbike Legends of the 80’s held at Winton on May 7^th was a huge success. Theo took time out from his hectic family/social life to lead a large contingent of riders up to the track from Mick Hone’s shop in Box Hill. We thank him for his efforts.

President Ian Payne celebrated his 50^th Birthday in May. Later in the year he may have a fifty- and-a-half birthday, once all this house moving, garage filling, and pergola building is out of the way. Mind you, Ian still had time to clean up in the Club Participant of the Year award, so at least his priorities aren’t too skewed. Trophy to be presented this meeting.

Rumour has it that Bruce Saville is trading in this trusty FJ1100 on a VFR750.

Ray Walker had his GSXR750 blow-up! Bench racing the new flat slides at 7,000 rpm saw various exhaust valve heads break and jam themselves in places they shouldn’t resulting in conrods through pistons, broken rocker arms, and more untold nasties. Ray has since sourced, purchased and installed a "new", later model GSXR motor with a claimed dyno reading of 106 ps. With new engine, carbies, pipe, chain, sprockets, and tyres. Where will it all end?

Someone tried to steal Wayne Grant’s ZX9R while it was parked outside the footy. They managed to bypass the ignition switch by cutting and joining wires, but failed to beat the steering lock. Wayne’s electrician mate restored the wiring to original and Wayne rode away. A disk lock is the next likely investment.

In a recent court case the Magistrate ruled in favour of a motorcyclist who while lane splitting was struck by the car. The ruling stated that the driver had no right to change direction unsafely even though lane splitting is technically illegal.