Novice/Casual Ride – Alexandra Saturday 22^nd September, 2007

Breht Emmerson (Leader)	Suzuki GSXR600	Edward Stamp (1^st ride)	BMW K1100RT
Ben Warden (Rear #2)	Honda CBR954	Anthony Atapatta (1^st ride)	Hyosung 250
Dave Ward (Rear #1)	Ducati 1098	Jean Eldridge (1^st ride)	Honda CB250
Renzo Cunico	Ducati 916	Jean Yves	Honda 650 Scooter
Nic Jacka	Hyosung 250		9 bikes, 9 people

Five members and four non-members including two learners fronted for this ride, a big improvement, in terms of new riders, compared to the first Novice/Casual ride where only the Committee and one member participated. Even so, the overall numbers were low, possibly due to Paul Southwell and Ian Payne prepping their bikes for the Phillip Island ride day the next day.

When asked how the new riders found about us, the web and only the web is the discovery point with the standard Google search finding us. Incidentally, Rob Langer a Google search of “MSR” picks up some pretty good feedback on the NetRiders web site. I digress.

Jean Yves, a member from a few years ago last seen riding a VFR800, arrived on a Silver Wing Honda 650 (?) scooter, speed limited to 185 km/h! Obviously power not an issue but ground clearance was. It looks like Honda is recycling all their model designations as I remember a Silver Wing being a CX500 derived poor man’s Gold Wing. Not anymore. It is now the top-of-the-line scooter.

Edward Stamp, falling into the Casual rather than Novice category with 184,000 on the BM, also joined us, in observation mode. He has been watching the web site for a couple of years before getting up the gumption to ride, in the interim riding with the Ulysses – he didn’t look old enough! But former member Andrew Kennedy, leading a large contingent of Ulyssians the next day, also having morning tea at Drouin, queried whether he had come out with us. He directed him our way, thanks Andrew. Another old MSR member, Ray Thomas, also said hello.

Anthony Atapatta, a learner and friend of Nic, joined us on his fully faired yellow Hyosung 250, looking a picture. The fully faired model is only $1000 dearer than the standard model, Nic reported. The faired model loses the centre stand. Our second learner with only 800 km lifetime riding experience was the second Jean, Jean Eldridge, riding a chronically underpowered Honda CB250, as recommended by his mates. Some mates. He rode with the throttle to the stop all day, managed to burn up 2.5 litres in 80 km, and loved it.

Dave did the first stint as rear rider, running in his new tyres, ready for Phillip Island the next day. Renzo was also there on his 916, making for quite an eclectic mix of bikes: from Ducati performance exotica to Honda super scooter, from 1987 BMW to 2007, from 35 ps to 135 ps, from 130 kg to 260 kg, from full racing leathers to garden boots and jeans, and potential performance from 90 km/h to 290 km/h. We must have been a sight.

With the pre-ride discussion dispensed with we set off on this glorious day on a big adventure for some. Across to Healesville and up to Toolangi via Chum Creek Road. Right turn at the top and back down Myers Creek Road. Dave and I stopped for a while at the top, letting the group get ahead as much as possible – conjuring up a way to have a little fun without appearing to do so. I thanked Dave for making the effort again for attending this ride, as it can be onerous, and there wasn’t much support from the rest of the Club, for whatever reason. We set off.

It wasn’t long before we were rigorously flashed by an oncoming car. Just as the road started to descend steeply at the first right hand corner, Anthony was sitting dejectedly on the bank, alone, waiting, his bike a sorry mess. He had run wide, mentioning being scared by another bike. The bike was still on its side, petrol leaking. It started okay, but awkwardly, was missing the front brake lever. In the end Dave rode it down to Healesville on the back brake and I dinked Anthony, after discarding the black pillion bag containing all my valuables into the bushes. I figured thieves would probably take the 1098 before finding my stuff. Renzo had returned to see what the hold-up was, then chased up the rest of the ride to Marysville with the bad news. It was agreed Dave and I would make our own way.

The mower shop directly across from Don Road must also fix bikes as we were able to source a replacement brake lever for a cheap $20. Out with the tools and soon enough the bike was safely rideable. The brake light was continuously on as the brake light switch plunger was sticking, something to be sorted out later. Anthony was soon on his way. I dinked Dave back to his bike, still there, found and reseated the pillion seat bag, and got mobile again. Dave later reminded me of the time I dinked him the 200 km of so from Berridale to Corryong when his Ducati 998 (or was it the MV750?) stopped dead with electrical problems.

Dave and I made good time across the immaculate Black Spur. I got ahead of him when he didn’t notice I had squeezed past another group of bikes.

Our group was still basking in the sunshine at Marysville outside the bakery. It was decided to continue the ride, Dave now taking his leave to head home and pack the ute. Similarly, Jean on the scooter, left to meet up with friends. Alas, Renzo missed that communication and spent a while chasing him. After fuelling up we headed for Buxton, Taggerty and Alexandra before picking up the Molesworth Road to Yea where we stopped for a leisurely lunch and friendly conversation. I was now rear rider. Breht was keeping a tight rein on the speed – even on the “safe” roads, possibly trying to guard against further mishap.

Back to Kinglake West without further mishap, after 210 km or so. Thanks to Breht for leading and the other members who participated and shared the publicity/communication responsibilities. Jean (CB250) was most appreciative and sent me a long text message enquiring when the next Novice/Casual ride day was, as none were noted on the itinerary. Better fix that.

Another ride, another tyre. I set about swapping the rear wheel with one I had prepared earlier and noted that as I tightened the axle nut, it seemed to restrict the wheel spinning. Removing and checking the bearings, I found nothing untoward, but noted it was my “old” wheel with maybe 150,000 km on it, probably with original bearings. Put it back together and lead the next day without incident, the wheel still binding.

Speaking with my mechanic at the end of Sunday’s ride – finally decided to replace the cam-chain – he noted that the internal spacer between the wheel bearings has probably crushed after so many tightenings of the axle nut, which incidentally should only be tightened to 100 NM. Hence, yes, you are loading up the wheel bearings, impeding smooth turning of the wheel. The fix: replace the inner spacer by removing one bearing.

Ben Warden