Vol 1, No 9 Editor:

March, 1963 Len Shearer

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In December , 1958, the Vespa Club of Melbourne invaded the city on the Saturday before Christmas and parked their scooters on parking meter bays in the main shopping area. The object of this "stunt" was to call to the attention of the Melbourne City Council the need for scooter parking room. Scootering was at its peak at that time, and hundreds of scooters were parking daily upon plantations, nature strips, between cars parked on meters, and anywhere else that a two-wheeler could be placed. The Council eventually agreed to reserve a number of these scooter bays throughout the city, and were met with great approval by all scooterists and motor cyclists. Today, however, the scene has changed. Over the years the Council has been gradually reclaiming these bays as "keep clear" areas, taxi parking ranks, no-loading zones and other items. The scooter parking capacity of the city is now down to 220 machines. I recently took a survey of the city area bounded by Spring, Victoria, Chetwynd, King, Dudley, Spencer and Flinders Streets, over which time I counted the named 220 bays. There were dozens of machines parked illegally alongside plantations, on footpaths, in side streets and between cars, which could not fit on the limited number of parking bays. While scootering popularity has decreased considerably, it seems that in the scooter’s place the motor cycle has returned, along with the more economical moped. Almost half of the scooter bays counted were in Queen Street. Such streets as Spring Street, Victoria Street, Spencer and Flinders Streets have no scooter bays whatsoever. In fact, these bays are confined to the Exhibition, Lonsdale, Queen and Market Street vicinities. It strikes me that we need more of these parking areas, but more evenly distributed. There are over 150 plantations in the city area which could be utilised to take the strain off the metered areas. But as the time is moving on quickly, we are losing more parking space every month. Remember, it is you, the motor scooterist, who is benefiting or losing on these parking facilities. Do you agree with me or not?

Len

Overheard from Alex McL: "There were three polar bears sitting on a block of ice. Mumma Bear said ‘I have a tale to tell’. Dadda Bear also said, ‘I too have a tale to tell’. And Bubba Bear said, ‘My tail is told’.

We extend our best wishes to Veronica McKenna, a social committee member of the Vespa Club. Veronica met with an accident shortly before the combined get-together night at the Vespa Club rooms. Veronica sustained a broken leg and minor injuries, I believe, and is at present recovering at the Alfred Hospital.

What happened to all of our members? Various circumstances cut our numbers down to seven machines for our trip to Hastings and Balnarring on Sunday, February 3. The trip as far as Frankston was uneventful, and here we met Malcolm, still on his "Blue Horror". Several bags of doughnuts did a disappearing trick in a matter of minutes at our popular "haunt". We all arrived in good time at Hastings and proceeded immediately to Balnarring. Lunch at "The Log Cabin" was extremely pleasant, and we then went for a quiet walk through the camping ground and along the beach. We then met Ron and Sheila, who had been searching for us for an hour. They told us of a shark on the beach, and we all went to see it- an eight-footer, with razor-sharp teeth, and quite dead, I think! Left at 2.15 for Dromana, via Flinders. The wind and rain became very cold, and we went straight through to Dromana. From there it was down to our Frankston haunt once again for hot malteds. Most arrived home in good time, I believe.

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1. QUESTION: Which of your brakes should be applied first for safety’s sake?
   A. Front brake.
   B. Rear brake.
   C. Both at the same moment.
2. QUESTION: If you intend covering any long distances at high speeds, what is the correct tyre procedure?
   A. Lower pressure.
   B. Increase pressure.
   C. Leave as they are.
3. QUESTION: Perspex windscreens soon become dirty. How should they be cleaned?
   A. With a dry duster.
   B. With steel wool.
   C. Lots of soap and water.
4. QUESTION: To carry out a decoke on any cylinder you need a scraper to remove carbon. What is the best thing to use?
   A. Stick of solder.
   B. A screwdriver.
   C. A cold chisel.
5. QUESTION: Low acid levels can ruin batteries. How often should they be checked?
   A. Once a month.
   B. When you stop at a garage.
   C. Once a week.
6. QUESTION: If you find a gudgeon pin is hard to remove what can you do to make it easier?
   A. Use a heavy hammer.
   B. Warm piston.
   C. Oil bearings.
7. QUESTION: If you diagnose a blockage in any of your carburettor jets, how should they be cleaned?
   A. By hard blowing.
   B. With a piece of wire.
   C. With a matchstick.
8. QUESTION: If you reline your brake shoes, where should you begin to rivet on the linings?
   A. At the centre.
   B. Leading edge.
   C. At the back.

ANSWERS: 1-A; 2-A; 3-C; 4-A; 5-C; 6-B; 7-A; 8-A

8 out of 8. You are a genius. Come over and work on Len’s bike. Perhaps you can get it going properly.

4 out of 8. About average.

2 out of 8. Maybe you’ll get home one day without pushing your scooter home.

None right. Back to push bikes for you, my lad.

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Less than a dozen members arrived at the sports oval at Deer Park for the sports practice. Tom Brown (Vespa Club), Ken K. and Len quickly cleared the arena up with their motor mowers and the trials began. John G. had a great day, falling off occasionally and running over Peter’s helmet. Nice to meet John Dennison there (long time no see). All returned to Kilgour’s for barbecue, followed by slides and a peek at telly. Richard and Rae arrived 6pm.

The February club social was a quiet affair, with new members John Goodier and John Wilson making their first appearance at our hall. Also present were Tom and Jan from the Vespa Club, and Darryl Schupalious, from the T.M.S.C.A. Plans were discussed for the rally in Sydney at Easter, and arrangements also made for future items on the itinerary. A quiet and friendly discussion was held regarding the previous weekend camping trip. Supper as usual was "wow", and the evening concluded at approximately 11.30pm.

John G.: "Judy, would you like a drink?"

Judy S.:"Yes please, John, I’m thirsty."

John G.: "What would you like?"

Judy S.:"What is there?"

John G.: "Coke, Fanta, Tarax, Schweppes or Fresha."

Judy S.:"Well, get a little Fresha."

Once again the sports practice was very poor, with less than ten machines present. Highlight of the afternoon was Jerry taking a "header" during the practice for the relay, at which he gained one sprained ankle. Another highlight was the wrecking of Len’s crash helmet by a certain Vespa rider. Practice finished at approximately 5.30pm.

Twelve members of the M.S.A.V. were present at the get-together night with the Vespa Club of Melbourne at their rooms on Friday, February 8. Also present was Ken Shore, who met the club while travelling on their trip interstate at Christmas. Ken rides a Lambretta 125. The evening was slow to begin with but eventually got rolling very smoothly with partner-type games, including ball-under-the-chin and lifesaver-on-a-match. Len and Lorraine (Vespa Club) won the elimination dance, during which quite a few laughs were raised, what with people sitting on other people’s knees (the backs of them). Supper went down very quickly and the evening concluded at approximately midnight.

There are some who believe that speed is the cause of nearly all accidents. Clamp down on the speed-crazy, they say, and casualties will be reduced to a minute fraction of their present total. Reduce traffic speeds to a walking pace, and very few people would get hurt, let alone killed. Unfortunately one cannot step backwards into history just like that. I have always held the view that a lot of accidents, possibly far more than is generally realised, are caused by lack of concentration, inattention, call it what you like. What causes lack of concentration? BOREDOM! And what causes boredom? Almost always going too slow. People who ride or drive along at speeds much lower than they would like to employ or which the road conditions allow, tend to let their attention wander, even go to sleep, then bingo, someone comes out of a side turning or slows down suddenly and another statistic joins the lists. On the other hand, when you are driving fast you are concentrating. You are right on the beam. There is no time to get bored and your reactions all have their little eyes and ears wide open waiting to cope with eventualities. Do you agree or disagree?

Alex McL.

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HERE IS YOUR GREATEST OPPORTUNITY EVER TO MEET MOTOR SCOOTERISTS FROM OTHER PARTS OF AUSTRALIA. HERE TOO IS THE CHANCE TO MAKE NEW ACQUAINTANCES. YOU MAY MEET NEW FRIENDS FROM YOUR OWN STATE OR FROM ANY OTHER PART OF AUSTRALIA. ALL SCOOTERISTS, MALE OR FEMALE, OWNING ANY MAKE OF SCOOTER, ARE WELCOME TO JOIN IN THE FUN AT THIS FIRST-EVER ALL-AUSTRALIAN SCOOTER RALLY.

THIS INCLUDES ALL MEALS AND SLEEPING ACCOMMODATION (YOU SUPPLY SLEEPING BAG OR BLANKETS, ETC.). THERE WILL BE GOOD FACILITIES IN TWELVE LODGES, EACH CAPABLE OF CONTAINING OVER TWENTY PERSONS. SCOOTERS CAN BE PARKED SAFELY OUTSIDE THE LODGES AND FACILITIES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SERVICING YOUR MACHINE.

A COMPLETE ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN ARRANGED, INCLUDING SPORTS, FILMS, SING-SONGS, ETC. NOTHING WILL BE LACKING IN ENTERTAINMENT.

Mr Fred Carron, 38 Valentine Street, Ivanhoe. JX 2776

Mr Alex McLean, 524 Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy. JW 7184.

Mr Len Shearer, 216 Stewart Street, East Brunswick

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1: Presentation of trophies at T.M.S.C.A.’s club rooms, Essex Street, Footscray, 8.00pm

SATURDAY, MARCH 2: Afternoon on beach at Hampton. Alexandra Avenue, 1.00pm.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23: Dance lessons at Leggett’s Palladium (V.P.I. Books can be used). Something new in night entertainment. Alexandra Avenue, 7.45pm.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28: Yarra Glen and Rob Roy. Alexandra Avenue, 9.00am

THURSDAY, MAY 16: Night at pictures, somewhere in town. Alexandra Avenue, 7.15pm.

SUNDAY, MAY 26: Round trip to the You Yangs, Geelong and Bacchus Marsh. Something we haven’t done before. Alexandra Avenue, 9.00am.

Our Club Hall is situated in Siddeley Street, City (off Spencer Street, first street past the Flinders Street Extension). Plenty of safe parking space is available.

Enquiries may be made to the Secretary, Mr Alex McLean, 524 Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy, Phone JW 7184, or to the President, Mr Fred Carron, 38 Valentine Street, Ivanhoe, Phone JX 2776.

After quite a long absence from the ranks of our club, that little man with the bow-and-arrow has returned. We extend our congratulations to Jerry Seifert and Elaine Walters on announcing their engagement. Both have been members of the club for two years or more and have been two of our most regular members. We extend to them our best wishes for a bright future.

After a great start in which the M.S.A.V. hit the front, and were still there at lunch time, we collapsed completely. The Vespa Club once again took all the honours, with ourselves second and the T.M.S.C.A. third. Full results of all the events would be too lengthy to publish in full, so we give only the winners in the table below.

On the whole, everyone present enjoyed themselves, but I feel personally that changes could be made if the sports are to be held again next year. Full congratulations however, to the Vespa Club. - Len

Here is an article which I have prepared especially for the benefit of all motor scooterists. It involves my impressions of scootering since first buying a scooter four years ago. I have entitled it "What I Know About Scootering":

FOOTNOTE: The above article is also an ideal subject for people who cannot read.

Had a good look around town lately at the parking position for scooters? After noticing the number parked between cars, alongside tree plantations and stacked on top of one another in scooter bays, I have come to the conclusion that more space is required so that the scooterist can leave his machine in complete safety. Two bays have been pulled down in Queen Street, but no substitute has been provided, making a heavy demand on the other bays in the same street. How does the Council want things. Would they rather use 60 feet of space for 6 cars each usually carrying only a driver, or for 50 scooters carrying at least one person? I think they prefer the cars most times. This mean attitude will not help solve the traffic congestion problem, and the sooner they realise that there are hundreds of scooters in use in and around the city the better. Alex McL.

Last-minute best wishes are sent to ex-member Janet Boyhan and Tom Brown of the Vespa Club, who are taking the plunge on Saturday, March 23. Janet was a member of the Whitehorse for a number of years before joining the opposition. We sincerely hope that their future together is filled with happiness.

The sweet young thing on the scooter stopped at the intersection. The lights turned green. She stalled. They turned amber, then red. On green she stalled again. Red, amber, back to green, same thing. Eventually a policeman watching the proceedings approached her and said, "What’s the matter, Miss, haven’t we got any colours you like?"

"Get well" wishes are sent to Tom Garrett, who met with an accident in February. We are told that Tom’s new car was forced off the road, leaving Tom with a dislocated shoulder and head injuries. Full details of the mishap are not known as we go to press.

We extend a "bon voyage" to John Lambe, President of the T.M.S.C.A.., who leaves for Europe and Britain on March 24 aboard the "Fairsky". Taking his Vespa with him and intends to do quite a bit of running around, I am told.

Jerry S., describing something-or-other "…but, on the whole, the surface was in very good condition."

Len: "How can a hole have a surface?"

Fifteen members gathered in the city on Sunday, March 24 for the beginning of our first two-day trial with overnight camp. After waiting for our secretary, who had slept in, we finally got moving at 10.15, with Len going first. Most of us arrived at Lilydale in good time, but several had trouble, didn’t they, Marg? I felt awfully stoopid counting the names on the war monument at Lilydale, and also the pillars at Kew (how many missed the middle one?). From Lilydale it was a fairly clear stretch to Healesville and then on to Maroondah Dam. Counting the "stone" posts on top of the dam proved unsuccessful, and it was here that quite a few began to search for a live worm (one of the items required in the scavenger hunt section). John G. left us here and the rest continued in their own time. Margaret just couldn’t seem to manage to half-eat an apple, another item for the scavenger hunt. She forgot herself and went all the way. Finishing point was about four miles before Alexandra, with yours truly first in. Who did not have her licence? Ask Marg again. "You must have been doing sixty when you passed me", she reckons. Ever seen "Instant Rattles" doing that? After Danny had frightened the farmer’s cow by trying to milk it, we moved on to "The Red Gate Motel", in Alexandra, where we proceeded to pitch camp. Digging in Ken’s caravan was quite a job. Almost buried it, in fact. Had tea down-town and returned to camp for a quiet game of cards. All in bed by midnight. After a warm night, we all awoke at 7.30am and began tearing the camp down. Early breakfast (finished at 10.30am) was followed by a quick jaunt to Eildon Weir. Peter, Margaret, Ron and Sheila left us early to go home. Danny and Ray went to Marysville. Alex and Rich went on also. Cynthia, Rex, Len, Rae and Pam went back leisurely (averaged 12 mph as far as lunch). Most of us had trouble of some sort (Len and Rex plug, while Cynthia had gear change trouble). Dispersed at Box Hill, after a mighty weekend, thoroughly enjoyed by all. The winners of the trial were Rae and Pam, equal with Cynthia, who won it outright by calling "heads".

Len

"Gee, what a flash caravan. Hot and cold showers,…."

"Hot and cold sheilahs, where" came a brilliant reply from our mis-hearing secretary.

Speaking of Ken’s caravan, I was sitting inside it, thinking to myself: "Struth, it’s crook that no-one thought to bring a transistor radio". On turning round, I see Ken producing an old-fashioned shortwave set. I just had to ask: "Blimey, where’s the television?" To which came the reply, "In here", and Mr Brown opens a cupboard, and there in a recess in the wall was that wonderful "idiot box" we all know so well. It’s got everything, including the kitchen sink.

Len

"Now there’s a nice dam view", stated Rex, taking in the spectacle of the Eildon Weir.

"Please, Rex, if you don’t mind, watch your tongue", replied Cynthia.