Portland 25^th - 27^th April, 2003

Ron Johnston, Suzuki Bandit 1200 Ray Walker, Suzuki GSXR 1000

Bruce Saville, Honda VFR 800 Danny Hawker, Kawasaki ZX9

Clifford Peters, Kawasaki ZX12R Mario Ibeas, Yamaha R1

Danny Kosinki, Honda VFR 750 Rob Langer BMW 1150 GS

Julie and Kirsten (in the car) Sven, Honda CBR 954 RR

Peter Philferan Yamaha 250 Majesty 12 people, 10 Bikes, 1 Car

Tuesday 22^nd April

I decided I would do a service on the Bandit (check tappets, balance carbs, clean air filter) but all I got done on Tuesday was take the tank and the fairing off, because my daughter, Kelly and her hubby, Marc, were over and I ended up helping Marc fix his car instead; so much for that idea.

Wednesday 23^rd

Back out in the shed hoping to get more work done. I got the rocker cover off only to find that the hardening had started to go on all the lobes on both camshafts, surprise, surprise. (I am excited: more bloody expense.) I just left everything and decided I would make some enquiries.

Thursday 24^th

I went to the engine reconditioner across the road from work. He put me on to Wade Cams and I spoke to one person there who reckons 90% of Japanese bike engines do that to the camshafts, but that I would have to ring back later to clarify a couple of things. At home, I just put the rocker cover back on the motor and left it. I would fix it later. Clifford and Danny decided to ride their bikes to Melbourne Thursday evening arriving at Ron and Julies house at approximately 10:30 pm.

Friday 25^th (Anzac Day)

Danny H had to put a new thermostat in the ZX9 this morning because the other one was supposedly faulty. With that done I finished putting some gear in the car and then we made our way to Shell Westgate, Cliff, Danny and myself on our bikes, Julie in the car. Mario was the first to turn up, followed by Dianne.

After paying for petrol, Dianne called for my assistance. I went over and found that her bike battery was a tad sad. I wheeled her bike over to where the rest of the bikes were parked and removed the side covers and seat to get to the battery. Danny Kosinski was there and had bought a spare battery with him because he had trouble with his own bike. It was fixed with some borrowed parts from Rob Langer the night before.

We took Dianne’s battery out and tried to put Danny K’s battery in, but it wouldn’t fit because it was too big. So we put old battery back in. Danny K ran his multimeter over it to see what was wrong and came to the conclusion that the little black box was faulty, and would need replacing. (I think it was the regulator in the end… Ed.) Seat and side covers were put back on. In the mean time Dianne had been making a few phone calls to try and locate another battery, but to no avail.

Dianne packed everything back up and made her way back home, but not before saying good bye to everybody. She was peed off about her bike carking it because she was looking forward to having a weekend away with the boys. A few of us gave her a push start to get her going and wished her well on her journey home. (Casualty No. 1).

I had a discussion with Ray about which way to go. Bruce said he would lead the ride to Lorne where I would take over. With that organised we were on our way. Mario wanted to go rear rider so he could settle into things. Julie went straight down the highway and we would meet her at the farm. Kirsten went with Julie in the car.

We headed off down the Princes Highway to Little River where we hit the back roads to Lara, Corio, Moorabool, then onto Dog Rocks Road, a good up-hill climb. Some of us went to pass a new Falcon just as the driver was turning right, but she stopped and waved us past. The paddocks on the side have large rock formations, hence the name. On to Stonehaven and Barrabool where we passed some other riders who were at the Shell Westgate.

When we crossed the Princes Highway at Pettavel, the main group of riders we saw at Shell Westgate were waiting for a lost comrade we saw about 10 kms back. We carried on to Moriac where there was a quick stop and a mad rush for the loo. I overheard Ray saying that he spoke to some of the group at the Shell Westgate and asked where they were going: same place as us, Lorne. He asked if they had a corner marking system and they told him no. Ray told them they would get lost and was told that they wouldn’t, and guess what, someone did, and he was on his mobile phone trying to find out where the rest of them were.

Off we go again, past the Wurdiboluc Reservoir, Bambra to Deans Marsh where Danny K stopped for fuel. The rest took off to Lorne. The road through here has had some work done on it and is a bit rough in places, right through to where it comes out on the G. O. R. Plus it was damp in places.

We arrived in Lorne, people everywhere, pulling into the usual servo and gassing up. Some more bikers turned up. While most of us had something to eat and drink, Ray got talking to Boy George, also was on a GSXR 1000, which had been tweaked by Balls Tuning. The owner, from memory, was wearing colourful leathers.

As we were getting ourselves ready to go, some old bloke backs up his Holden panel and knocks over a ZZR 250 resulting in cosmetic damage to the left side. The owners exchanged details and we carried on.

Boy George came along with us and all hell broke loose once we were out of Lorne, freight training it and low flying, was it good…yeh! Boy George in front, Ray and myself and the others behind. About 29 kms from Lorne Danny K had worked his way through the field to pass Ray and I and then took on Boy George, and passed him. Danny was in front for about 3 corners and then had to bail out on a right hander, putting it down into the bushes, carrying too much speed. The corner was a bit sharp, tightening up. Back in the pack I missed the runoff, but Cliff, who was in front of me, just ran off the road through the same car park and into the bushes as well, but didn’t fall off (bloody lucky) or do any damage other than scratch the bike’s screen on the bushes. Danny H also ran off through the car park and passed Ray who had parked at the bottom, on the road side. Similarly, I had come around too fast and didn’t have enough time to brake on the black stuff and careered through the car park at a great rate of knots, past Ray and managed to pull up on the road. I gave him and I a fright.

Danny K. was okay. We gathered round and gave him a hand to resurrect the VFR, picking up a few broken pieces and taping it back together. That bike is a testament to Honda engineering and Danny’s ability to keep it going. I asked Cliff what had happened to him. He said he panicked and that’s why he ran off. Danny H said Cliff cut him off and that’s why he ran off! A bit scary. Ray was a bit shocked at the speed I went past him, between him and the bush.

After everything was sorted out we went on our merry way. I think Boy George went back to Lorne. Back on the road again, the pace slackened off a bit, but not for long. At Apollo Bay, as usual there were lots of people, including more bikers. We were spread out a little bit, but caught up with the others at Marengo. Cliff was well ahead at this stage and I caught him going up the hill after passing Danny H. The others, still trailing, went hell-for-leather for a while but then slackened off the pace. Cliff and Danny H passed me and disappeared (they ride this road often, so they know it fairly well) and I just cruised along.

At Lavers Hill we stopped for lunch. It was most welcome after the distance we just travelled. There was the usual talk the talk, tyres, brakes, road surface etc, etc, Everyone was enjoying themselves so far, even Mario, who was doing rear rider duty. It was his first big outing after being back on the bike. The weather had been really good so far.

Time to leave. The road from here to Port Campbell is good and we cruised through at a reasonable pace. At Port Campbell there were lots of people as well. The weather was alright; it can be bloody freezing if the wind is blowing. On the way out someone was burning the scrub on both sides off the road making a bit of smoke. The road from Port Campbell to Allansford is a bit boring.

Next stop Warrnambool where we got fuel for the bikes. By the time we got there, everybody had had enough. There was still about an hour’s ride to the farm where we could have a break and get Julie to bring the gear into Portland in the car.

The road from here to Tyrendarra is a boring ride. On the other side of Warrnambool is Tower Hill. If you have the time, it’s worth a look. Next town Killarney, a nice Irish name, they have a pub there. Then Port Fairy: this is definitely a place worth having a look at especially when they have the annual music festival because people from all over the world come. Port Fairy has the oldest licensed pub in Victoria. The drive around to the waterfront (Moyne River) has lots of old historical buildings, lots of B&Bs and business’s to cater for the cafe latte set, very up market. There are even New Zealand Christmas trees (Pohutukawa). They bloom at Christmas and have a very pretty scarlet flower.

On the way out of Port Fairy there is a big bluestone church on your left. Around the corner, beside the caravan park, there is a nice, old, well preserved, two storey bluestone house with a slate roof from a bygone era for sale. At Codrington, they have the wind farm there. I think there are 12 or 13 wind generators; they even have guided tours.

About 15 minutes later we arrived at the farm tobe greeted by lots of barking dogs. Glad to be here, we can have a rest and a cuppa and a chat before we go on to Portland. Kirsten was in her element with all the dogs. She obviously loves animals big and small. She had even taken a liking to a nice looking dog. We were glad to get our gear off and relax and talk about the events of the day. Barbara offered everyone a cup of tea or coffee with biscuits. About an hour went by before I mustered the troops together for the final trek to Portland where some of us would be staying.

Julie and Kirsten followed in the car and we met up at the Gordon Hotel where Ray, Bruce, Mario, Danny K and myself stayed. Rob and Kirsten ended up staying where Dianne was going stay. We booked ourselves in, got keys to our rooms and went and changed into some thing a little more comfortable.

We decided to have a meal at Macs Hotel. There were a dozen of us: Cliff and Barb, Rob and Kirsten, Ron and Julie, Ray and Bruce, Mario and Danny K, Danny H and Carol (Cliff and Julie’s sister). We had been there about half an hour when we get a visit from Mick Hanlon, surprise, surprise, standing there with a pushbike helmet in his hand. His boat was docked at the wharf for three or four days while it was loaded with alumina. Mick had a bit of time on his hands and was on the ship’s pushbike (beats walking) doing the rounds. He wasn’t too sure if he would see us or not. He offered a tour of the boat, which in hindsight we should have done.

After a very relaxed evening meal at Macs Hotel, we left a bit after 10 pm. Rob went to look for Kirsten, while Cliff, Barb and Julie went back to the farm. Danny H went home to Condah and the rest of us wandered back to the Gordon, a couple of minutes walk. Then Danny K, Ray and Bruce went for a walk, Mario went upstairs and I went to see if the chiropractor was open in the morning, but he wasn’t open until Monday. I had had a migraine headache for 3 days that wasn’t letting up, so back to the Hotel. On the way I passed the other thre who were window shopping.

At the other end of the street to Macs Hotel was a shop on the corner that used to be a hairdresser. About eight years ago two women were shot. The gunman was never found, although they had a suspect, but nothing more became of it. The building is used for something else now.

Time for TV, coffee and more talk. The lounge room at the Gordon had a door opening onto a balcony which had harbour views: very spectacular, especially at night with all the lights around the harbour. We could see all the hoons driving around as well. There was even an early model Corolla with neon lights under it. About time to hit the sack. We would be having a good day’s ride tomorrow.

Saturday 26

Got up at 0800 hours and wandered out to the lounge to see if anybody was up. Danny K, Ray, Bruce, were there, Mario still in bed. I went back and had a shower and afterwards had breakfast. Mario followed soon after. Out on the balcony the views were even better in the daylight.

Soon it was time go. We set off down stairs to our bikes under the stairs where we parked them overnight. After a quick check of tyres, brakes and fluids, they were ready to be fired up, ready for action. Out to the farm we go, about a 15 minute ride. From memory, there was fog around on the way out. Rob and Kirsten didn’t arrive in time to travel with us.

We arrived at the farm to be greeted by a pack of barking dogs, as usual. Danny H and Sven were already there. Danny K had to do some repair work to the VFR overflow bottle. He removed it to find a large hole in it from the day before. Cliff had his selastic gun ready to fix it but the hole was too big, so Danny ended up using a 600 ml water bottle he had been carrying under his seat. It worked as good as a bought one, he should patent it. After the bike was fixed it was time to rock and roll.

I had spoken to Cliff and the others the day before about doing the Halls Gap ride instead of going to Mt Gambier, owing to the amount of highway work we would have to do, trying to keep away from the Bracks’ Tax machines. I felt that some of the back roads on the way to the Halls Gap were more interesting, even though they were narrow. Rob and Kirsten still hadn’t arrived so we decided we would have to leave. Phone calls had been made trying to get in touch, but to no avail. I told Barbara that if they turned up to just tell them to meet us at Halls Gap.

Eight of us set off. The weather was fine and looked like it was going to be a good day. Down the main street to Tyrendarra East where we hit the back roads. From here we go to Bessiebelle and onto Macarthur, but not before we stopped and had a look at Lake Surprise at Mt Eccles. It is the oldest recorded volcanic place of eruption in Victoria. We parked the bikes and went and had a look from the lookout. Quite a nice view. You could do a 45 minute walk around the lake. It was very quiet and tranquil. There was a camp ground on the way in and there seemed to be quite a lot of people there.

Some of us were low on fuel because I had forgot to tell the others to stop and fill up in Portland. But Macarthur was only 5 mins away where we purchased fuel, food and drink, talked the talk. Next stop Penshurst. The road from here to Dunkeld is very straight and boring but good if you wanted to see how fast your bike can go.

On the left hand side of the road, in the paddocks, you can see where the old railway line used to go to Dunkeld. We hit the Highway and took it quietly to Dunkeld. Some topped up with fuel. I had a quick discussion with Cliff about going along the Victoria Valley road to Halls Gap instead of going the main road, and the fact that I hadn’t been that way myself and that we could do a round trip.

We all rode off quietly from the servo because the Forces of the Law are usually sniffing around the place like flys to rotting meat. We passed the turn-off to Halls Gap and quietly crank the revs on. The road was okay to start with but got narrow and a bit bumpy further on. Lots of excitement. We were all going hell for leather, I don’t think Ray was too impressed. He thinks I am mad. We come to Mirranatwa which is the bottom of the hill and all hell breaks loose. I passed Danny K and then Cliff who was in front and went for it, up over the top (Mount Burchell) and down the other side and stopped at the T intersection at the bottom. I have a rest and a photo shoot. It’s an excellent piece of road.

Danny K had to stop at the for some reason while the rest of us were waiting at the bottom. Eventually we hear Danny coming. His VFR has the best sounding pipe around. (No offence Bruce, that’s my opinion, and I am sticking to it). After our leisurely stop we carried on to Halls Gap for lunch. There were quite a few people there, but not as many at Easter. We all pulled into the servo for fuel before getting something to eat. We park our bikes across the road from the shops and got out of our leathers and headed off to the bakery. The bakery is always flat out, standing room only. I wouldn’t mind having shares in the place.

Back to where we parked the bikes and watch all the girls go by, definitely some sights for sore eyes. While we were having lunch, three guys on bikes parked next to us, From memory there was an R1, a VTR and a ZX7R which was not painted in the Kawasaki green, but in pearl. It looked pretty awesome: the wheels were a red wine colour with pearl through as well. The ZX7R was air brushed on as well. It was done with a few different colours of pearl as well; it certainly stood out in the crowd. They lived in Stawell or Ararat but they liked to do the round trip. The guy explained which way they usually go and you could do it either way.

After lunch we mounted up for the epic journey across the top to Zumsteins and back. We tootled off quietly except me who tries to be the hero and do a bit of a mono down the road, to the turn off and that’s it. Off we go, like cut cats, up across the top. There are a few cars on the road which makes it more interesting. Up near the top I caught a glimpse of Cliff and Danny H in the mirror but still beat them down to the bottom.

At Zumsteins I pulled into the car park drive way instead of sitting on the roadside so everybody would see where to stop. Most did except Mario who was rear rider, and was going a bit too quick to notice us parked there. I had to hop on my bike and give chase. I had to give my bike a bit of a work out in order to catch Mario. It took me 17 kilometres to catch him. The road from here to Horsham is magic: smooth, nice flowing curves, grouse. I reckon he wasn’t wasting much time either, but on the other hand he must of thought the rest of us must have been going because he wasn’t catching us either. When I finally caught him I told him that we parked at Zumsteins and he had ridden past us. I assumed that he knew, but he didn’t. My fault for not saying back at the Gap.

Back to Zumsteins we go, but not quite as fast. It was good to get back, bail out for a loo stop; nothing worse than sitting cross legged busting for a leak. While there, an electrical storm started to develop and looked grey over the back. The others had enjoyed the ride across the top. I said to Ray, the last time he was across here was on the long weekend away with Ben and Rob to Adelaide. Time to go again and the usual mad sprint across the top.

In Halls Gap we all stop for fuel again. We were going to go back across the Victoria Valley road and hook up with some more back roads to keep us of the main roads. It was 4.30pm when we left Halls gap. Cliff was leading because he knows where to go on the back roads. I was last to leave, doing the rear rider thing.

Approximately 13 kilometres from Halls Gap, just before the Mount William turn off, Danny H hit a Wallaby, at speed. He stayed on the bike, luckyily. The wallaby decided it was going to cross the road regardless. (I wonder if its parents told it about the road rules and that it should look left, look right, and look left again, before crossing the road, and should give way to ALL motor vehicles.) I was a 150 meters behind and all I saw was a large puff of dust and everybody stopping. When I arrived, I saw bits of ZX9 fairing spread all over the road. I started gathering up all the pieces. I couldn’t understand why all the fairing was scattered all over the road. I couldn’t see any damaged bikes at this stage - maybe he had kissed the armco! (The others were parked about 150 meters up the road.) As I walked towards the others with an armful of fairing pieces I come across a dead wallaby. By this stage the others had walked back towards me and explained what had happened. Parts were spread over a wide area. The ZX9, from the screen down to where it joins on the side, was all gone It also had front guard and radiator damage. Danny had clipped the wallaby side on. Out came the 100 mph tape so temporary repairs could be done. Some of us had to chew chewing gum so a temporary repair could be done on the radiator. Danny just wanted all the screws and rubber bushes saved.

Back on the road again only to stop a kilometre or two down the road. The radiator was leaking. Further investigation revealed that there wasn’t much we could do. Danny cracked it and said he would ride it to Dunkeld. When we pulled into the servo the bike let out a sigh off relief. Three of us flattened our mobile phone batteries: stupid things dying when you need them the most.

It was now 5.30 pm and starting to get dark. Danny rung his brother and told him to get his car and the bike trailer and pick him up from Dunkeld. I had rung the farm and told Julie we would be late as there had been a mishap. She told me that tea was nearly ready. I said we would be a while (phone died and had to use someone else’s to finish the conversation.)

We said our good-byes to Danny and hit the two lane blacktop for the final leg of the ride. Down the Glenelg Highway to Moutajup and then took the Strathkellar to Ararat road to Hamilton where we got fuel. Just out of Hamilton we took the Hamilton Port Fairy road through Byaduk. Cliff missed the turn off to Myamyn (only because it was dark) by a 100 metres and we turned round and went back. In the mean time Danny K was having trouble with his headlight on the VFR. It would go and then it wouldn’t, more off than on. Very exciting riding when only able to follow the front person’s tail light.

The Condah / Ettrick / Tyrendarra road was the last leg before we arrived at the farm. We had fog to contend with, which made it difficult. The air temp was cool. When the weather is like this, it makes it a hard going and drawn out affair. We finally we arrived at 7.00pm. I think we all had had enough for one day, everyone tired and hungry and glad to get off the bikes and out of their leathers. Rob / Kirsten were there, Kirsten was having the time of her life with the dogs.

Cliff started cooking on the barby and there was food set out on the table inside, so it was help yourself or miss out. A great time was had by all: plenty of food and drink, lots to talk about. I would like to thank Barbara, Carol, Julie and Heidi for all the time and effort they spent preparing the food for us, and Cliff sweating it out over the barby cooking the meat. And a big thanks for your hospitality. Danny H turned up in one of his cars to say hello (LH Torana with a hot 308) and said that his wrists and shoulder were sore, but other than that, he was okay.

The evening rolled on, and around 11 to 11.30pm we decide it was time for us to go back to the Hotel in Portland. The weather was foggy and damp. Danny K fixed the light on his bike (the plug had come off the back of the globe.) Ray and I were having a race on the way in, the others following. Visibility was crap, my visor fogging up and the mist on the outside wasn’t going anywhere.

Back at Hotel, we parked the bikes and went to our rooms. Bruce, Ray and Danny went to the lounge. Mario hit the showers then came to the lounge and later the 4 of them went to bottle shop for some drinks. I went and had a shower and met them back in the lounge. Nothing like a hot shower and after a long days ride. We stayed up until 1.30 am, watching the idiot box, sitting out on the balcony, talking and watching all the girls go by. By 1.30 am Mario and I decided to crash. Bruce, Ray and Danny decided to go to the Richmond Henty for a bit of entertainment and ended up getting back at 4 am, which explained why they weren’t to excited about getting up in the morning.

Sunday 27^th

What a glorious morning, the sun was streaming in the front of the Hotel, magnificent. I got talking to a young man from Germany. He was going to hire a bike in Adelaide and ride it to Melbourne. The cost was exorbitant, about $2000. Back home he rode a Honda CBR600, noting that fuel cost $2.30 a litre, a rear tyre $350, and rego and insurance around the $1000 mark. He asked about going the G.O.R. to Melbourne. Was there anything worth looking at? I gave him the run down, and told him watch out for motorcyclists! The others rose around 9.30 am. Can’t imagine why they were so late.

A lady from downstairs says there was someone to see me. I rush down the stairs, out the back, and Peter Philferan is there. I apologised for not getting in touch on Friday and missed him on Saturday. He said not to worry because he had met up with some people from the Ulysses Club and they kept him occupied. He had had a bit of a look around as well. He said he was heading back the way he came. We said our farewells and went back upstairs to pack. I think we ended up leaving the Hotel at 10.30 am.

We stopped at the servo for fuel, and some checked their tyres. I don’t know what happened but we seemed to be there for a while. Bruce said “I will see you at the farm”. I followed, leaving Danny and Ray. When I got to the farm Julie cracked it with me, complaining that she should have been gone. Rob and Kirsten were ready to go, doing some sightseeing on the way back. The other two arrived. The boys put their gear in the back of the car and we decided we would ring Julie at a certain time to find out where she would be, and we would arrange to meet her and they could pick up their gear.

More farewells are said and we are back on the road again for the last leg of the ride. My back tyre is really thin on tread so I have decided to take it easy. Warrnambool to Allansford, then turn off to the G.O.R. at Nullawarre. We had to slow down for road works. There was a machine, like a bulldozer with a revolving bucket to one side, for digging trenches to lay a gas pipe line. From here to Port Campbell it was plain sailing.

We stopped for fuel at the first servo on the left. Ray struck up conversation with the owner of an Alfa Romeo car he had sitting there. The body was rusty and the motor had a leg out bed, and was a different model to what Ray’s got.

We rode into town and had lunch, sitting outside and watching all the people go by, observing the odd sight for sore eyes! Back on the road again, we just cruised along to about Princetown where we put the hammer down. Ray, Danny and Bruce up front, myself and Mario behind. I passed Bruce, then Danny and followed Ray for a while before I took the lead.

I corner marked at Lavers Hill and then the ride really started to heat up. Ray took the lead and I sat up his exhaust most of the way as we left the others behind. The only time that I slacked off was in the damp spots on some of the corners where Ray got ahead, but I caught up.

We stopped at Apollo Bay. Mario took a while to arrive and we were beginning to wonder what had happened to him. He appeared over the rise, pulled up and explained that a sheep had jumped off the embankment onto the road in front of him. But the sheep decided to run back towards the embankment.

From Appolo Bay to Lorne was the usual mad fang. When we stopped at Lorne for fuel, Ray reckoned I had got close to the side of a couple of bridges. I told him no. and that he was seeing things. Just before Wye River I got the jump on Ray and Danny and it took them 17 kms to catch up with me. A brief discussion was held as to whether we should go back through Deans Marsh or just go up the Ocean Road through Torquay. We suspected that Deans Marsh would be wet because they had had rain, so we went the Ocean Road, and partly because we haven’t been that way for a long time, the decision unanimous.

We left and quietly cruised our way along the Ocean Road, amongst the other people heading back to Melbourne. Once we got out of suburbia, it’s on for young and old, and don’t spare the horses. I was leading and going for it. Ray was behind me, and we hooked into the first hill climb, a left hander followed by another one. I remember seeing three cars and a bus in front. I dropped down a gear and gave the wrist a twist and went for it, flicked from left to right, still under full noise.

My first thought was, something’s not right! We just layed over and never got up, ending up about 40 foot up the road before coming to rest over a spoon drain on the high side of the road. I picked myself up, straightened my helmet, looked around and wondered what had happened. The others came to the rescue and helped pick up the bike. It didn’t look too bad at first, mainly cosmetic damage, until you saw the right hand engine cover had a hole in it and the oil had run out. The oil pressure switch had been pulled out of the crankcase when it slid over the drain. The drain was sticking up half inch and that’s what did the damage. I spoke to Ray about what happened. He said the front wheel went out from underneath.

There was much discussion about where to put the bike. Ray suggested put it behind the armco rail, but it would have been too difficult to get it out. I suggested we put it across the road in the car park where there was easy access. Done. We pushed it across the road and locked it up. The next thing was whose bike was I going to go pillion on. In the meantime, we had made a few phone calls to Julie and told her what had happened and not to worry and could she drop off the gear at Danny’s friend’s place in Geelong so the boys could pick it up. Danny K seemed to be the logical choice for pillion so he had to fit the rear grab rails.

After all that was done we made our way to Torquay. but in the meantime we had a bit of a hair raising ride. While hanging on the back with Danny, with Ray was in hot pursuit, the VFR stepped out on a couple of corners. It made a bloke want to hang on, pay back for me having ridden two up with someone else on my bike. Danny mentioned he had a friend who lived in Torquay, and, if he was at home, would see if he could pick up my bike and leave it at his place. This would be safer than leaving it where it was.

When we arrived at his friend’s house, Danny explained what had happened. His friend Allen said, “I will get the car, you get the trailer, and we will go and pick it up.” I got the tie downs and threw them in the car as well. We said our goodbyes to the others and wished them a safe ride home. Into the car and off we go, having to travel about 30 kms to where the bike was, nearly missing it. We loaded the bike onto the trailer and headed back to Torquay, leaving it under cover. By this stage it was getting late.

Danny and I put our leathers back on and rode off into the fog. From Torquay to Belmont the weather was shit. We couldn’t see bugger all, struggling to see the tail lights of the car in front. We had to call in at Danny’s friend’s place to pick up two back packs. We ended up carrying one each. The fog was with us most of the way down the Princes Highway. Poor old Danny had a hell of a job trying to keep his visor clean so he could see.

We got to Danny’s place about 9 pm and had a quick bite to eat and a drink before he took me home in the car. We got to my place about 10 pm and Danny went straight back home. It had been a long and arduous day and I was glad to be home.

I would like to thank all those that made time to come on the weekend and hope that they enjoyed themselves. Maybe we will do it again next year. I would like to forward a special thanks to Danny Kosinski’s friend Allen, who went to the trouble of picking up my bike. Also a special thanks to Danny for bringing me home. I took Monday off work and went and picked my bike up from Allen’s place in Torquay and let it sit in the shed for four weeks before I did anything to it.

Update (from the not happy Jan department))

I have since taken the engine out of the frame and completely stripped the engine and gear box. I seem to have opened a can of worms. The hardening has gone on the inlet and exhaust camshaft lobes and on all the rockers except two. I will do the timing chain and valves while the head is off, and replace the rings. The bottom end is okay. I need a CDI unit, rotor button, and oil pressure switch. I will weld the bottom cases where the oil pressure switch goes. I need a gasket set. When I bought the bike it had a whine in third gear and a couple of months ago it started whining in fourth. On inspection, the hardening has gone on 3^rd gear and 4 teeth on fourth gear. So I have to buy 3^rd driven and 3^rd drive gear, 4^th driven and 4^th drive gear. Sound expensive? It is! There is about $2000 in parts and I haven’t got to the plastics yet. The brake pedal is broken and the muffler was scraped a bit as well, so the bike will be off the road for a while as you can see. (Scream.)

Ron Johnston (Bandit 1200 (what’s left of it))