Editors:

August, 1964 Len Shearer

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Roaring winds and pouring rain cut our numbers down to about 15 for the July club social. Main business was discussed and concluded by 9.15pm and the social committee began to organise a variety of indoor games to amuse everyone. Most only lasted for a short time, and the evening finished at about 11 o’clock with supper as usual.

Obviously from a Maico owner: "I was burning along the main road with a sports car doing 85 in front of me. I misjudged his speed and ran into the back of him!"

Three scooters met at Alexandra Avenue for the maintenance day at Ken’s house at St Albans. Nice to see Ross on a Diana Sport (traded his Vessy in). Left at 9.20am and arrived at the Kilgour home at 9.50am. With usual greetings etc out of the way, we proceeded to do some work. Len de-coked the Maico; Darryl cleaned his spark plug; Ross polishing his chromework. Then Graeme arrived, to be followed shortly by Alan and Mary, David, Peter, Richard, Alex, then Cynthia, Ron and Sheila, and finally Lionel (after lunch). Rain began to fall and made things quite difficult. David replaced a chain on his Maico; Alan de-coked his Lambie; Cynthia did something to her Vespa; and the rest of us helped fix varying parts on both scooters and cars. Barbecue lunch was fab, with ashes-and-sauce and also charcoal-and-salt being the two main dishes. Following this we surprised Cynthia with a "party" for her 21^st birthday. Soon after this, most left for home, with rain still falling in occasional showers. Once again, many thanks to Ken and Jeanette, for the use of their home for the day.

Len: Gee, Cyn, you’re a gol.

Cyn: I’m a what?

Len: You’re a gol.

Cyn: Don’t you mean a doll?

Len: No, I mean a gol.

Cyn: Oh, you mean a gal?

Len: No, I mean a gol.

Cyn: What’s a gol?

Len: A backward log.

The proposed trip to Mount Donna Buang drew only a few members to our city meeting spot on Sunday, July 12. Heavy rain was falling and gale-force winds were not easing up at all. We were pleased to welcome prospective new member Graeme Wallis to our ranks — what a day to come on a first trip! Decided to head for Camberwell Junction, where it was hoped to meet a few more on the way. Arrived there soaked and frozen to find nobody there anyway. Then after a brief discussion and several telephone calls, we headed towards Glen Waverley, to Barbara’s house. Here we spent the rest of the day talking, playing cards, eating and drinking. Most left for home at 3.30 or so. Many thanks to Barbara and Mr Landers for once again showing their hospitality to the club.

Only three members turned up for the ice skating outing on Thursday, July 30, namely Richard, Peter and Darryl. Arrived at St. Moritz at 8.15pm and spent about an hour and a half on the frozen water. Pete stayed on his feet all night, while Darryl sat down on the job once. Alex arrived for a yarn at about 9 o’clock and then left, with the other three leaving at about 9.45pm. Met Len in the city at 10.00pm or so, and after a brief discussion on the happenings of the night, dispersed for home.

Why does an elephant paint its toe-nails red?

To act as camouflage when it is hiding up in a cherry tree.

Have you ever seen an elephant hiding up in a cherry tree?

No? Then that proves that it is good camouflage.

There is nothing quite like breaking down in the middle-of-nowhere on a scooter. Unlike a motor car, it is often not possible to get repairs or service done in country, or even suburban, service stations and garages. In the event of serious breakdowns on the road, the scooterist’s only hope is to get home by public transport and have the machine picked up later and taken to the respective agents for its repair. Such breakdowns can be very frustrating when you are on your own, particularly if you are miles from a town or telephone.

I would like to mention two incidents which have happened to me in the last six weeks and which I think most members don’t know about.

The first happened when going home from Sailor’s Falls. After dispersing at Brooklyn, Darryl, Philip and myself got "lost" after taking a wrong turn. My lights failed and shortly afterwards we were halted by the men in blue. After a long lecture by them, Phil took me home on his Vespa to get a spare battery with which I could drive home. Darryl stayed with the broken down machine as it was in a very desolate area. The night was very cold and windy, and not a thing was available to occupy one’s thoughts while waiting. We were back in about _ of an hour, by which time Darryl was almost frozen. I finally arrived home at about 8.30pm, with both Darryl and Phil following me to make sure I made it. They would not have arrived home until about 9.00pm, approximately 3 hours later than normal after a club run.

The second occurred on the return from Tooradin. My Prior cut out at Mordialloc and would not re-start — plenty of spark and petrol but no "go". After a long push to some lighted area, the carby was stripped and everything sworn at. Ross, Darryl and Ken Brown were with me. Ken went home and came back in his truck, the bike was loaded onto it and we went to Ken’s home, where a thorough test was made of the electrical components — result, one ignition coil had "gone". Got moving again at 11pm with Ross following me as far as St Kilda, although he was due to run out of petrol at any minute. Ken had tea well after 11pm, and I arrived home at midnight.

I cannot find enough words to thank these members for their help, indeed words are not enough. But so long as this type of thing does happen, there will always be a club, and I am proud to be a part of it.

-Len

The trip to Sawtell’s Inlet was planned for Sunday, July 26. It was nice to have a bright, sunny day for a change, and not wet and miserable like the previous two weeks. Four met in the city and after a push-start for Graeme’s Lambretta we left at 9.15am. Met Lionel at Glenferrie Road and then proceeded to Burke Road where we met Cynthia, Dave and Ross. Pushed on again to Warrigal Road and Peter and Ken B. joined us. A little further on, at Springvale Road, Trevor, Ron and Sheila were waiting for us. Len ran into a pot-hole just before Dandenong and 20 minutes were lost trying to straighten both wheels. Graeme got a flat tyre just past Dandenong. Then his Lambie started playing up. During a mad hack to catch the tail-enders, Dave fouled his plug. Got to Tooradin and then found that Sawtell’s Inlet was apparently the old name for Tooradin. Had a bite to eat and then push-started Trevor’s Vespa en-route to the park where some members indulged in a footy game, and later followed with a match of basketball, with Cynthia’s team beating Peter’s mob 4-2. Then came a sand-dune-running-up-backwards contest, with nobody being successful. This turned into a challenge for the bikes and everyone had a go at "a miniature hill-climb". Len’s Prior was first to make the summit, and Lionel on Peter’s Maico was first to go up-and-over. After a little perseverance most of us made it. Then Richard suggested we go to the salt flats for a bit of a lark, so off we went. Those who got in were pushed back out- it was all mud and water and made us all happy. Left for home at 3.30pm with Ross having trouble on his Diana. Went via Frankston and lost Ross, Darryl and Graeme. They finally returned, arriving via the camping ground, creek and footbridge. Dispersed here at Frankston and left for home at about 5.30pm. Len had troubles at Mordialloc, but that’s another story. In all, a terrific day and one which will be remembered for quite some time.

The program was being sponsored by a crowd who make two brands of soap — one personal and one general. The timing for the two was terrible. This is how it went roughly:

…..and that is why I use -! -!, with its 9-day wonder skin protection qualities. It really keeps my complexion clear, soft and lovely all the time. These suds are wonderful for all dish-washing and laundry chores — grease and grime dissolve instantly when you use -!-!, the miracle detergent……