Forty-three degrees forecast. I didn’t expect anyone to be at Whittlesea but Rick Brabin was back with his rebuilt ZZR250. You may remember it expired returning from a Great Ocean Road ride, a big end bearing dropping onto the ground as he navigated the Lara roundabout. This motor had less power than the previous, but motors always seem to be going very well just before they blow up.

Paul Tallents, the nominated leader for the day, eventually arrived half an hour after the scheduled starting time. Rick and I were about to head off on our own little jaunt. Paul explained that he had been to KBCP, not realising that it was a Whittlesea only start. No harm done.

Rick was worried that he would hold us up, but with a hard charging attitude, it was never a problem. We skooted up to Kinglake and across to Healesville, over the Black Spur and on to Marysville, Buxton and Eildon. Traffic was surprisingly light, but given the recent hot weather and extreme forecast, most people had probably made sensible arrangements revolving around swimming or water sports. Not us! With the roads all to ourselves, and the top temperature only reaching 34 deg, the riding conditions were good — so long as you kept moving. The moment you stopped you became bathed in perspiration. The humidity was extreme. The local milk bar was doing a roaring trade in dispensing liquid refreshments. We each knocked back 500 ml of our preferred beverage.

Back on the road again we headed for Yea via the Molesworth Rd, then back to Kinglake West and Whittlesea. Fast, dry roads. All those trips up and down Mt Buffalo at the Chrismas Club Camp practising the tight right hand corners and throttle control were paying off. The precise on/off nature of the fuel injection, particularly at low speed, takes some getting used to. Good stuff. Rick was having a ball, but wishing for more power.

Home by 2.30 pm after travelling around 360 km for the day. It is not often that you a day ride with the Club using only one tank of fuel.

It was a short sharp ride worthy of more attendees. Maybe we’ll put it on the next itinerary and hope for a more user friendly weather report. Thanks Paul for leading, and Rick for making the effort in trying circumstances. Good luck with this motor, though it sounds like it should last longer with the self imposed restrictions you have placed on it.

Received via email earlier this week:

The National Motorcycle Museum is now open in Nabiac NSW. Nabiac is on the Pacific Highway 28 km South of Taree, or, if you like, an hour and a half north of Newcastle. It is housed in a purpose built building of just over 2,500 square metres, and currently has about 400 motorcycles on display. Bikes date from around 1910 until 1996. There is also a large collection of memorabilia and models.

The museum is funded by voluntary labour and entrance fees, with no government assistance whatsoever. This means it needs visitors to survive. We intend to run a rally or two each year and at least one

swap meet. If you would like to arrange a rally, please contact us.

Further information is available on our website at:- www.ozemail.com.au/~museum