The MSTCV Home Page took 526 hits during November and has taken 26,722
since April 1996. Seventy-seven photos from Towong have been
added. I have also added a link to the
Club banking details, a membership form and more blurb
on the main page. I have added stuff in the Holiday Planner
for next year’s Melbourne Cup Weekend and modified bits and pieces to reflect
the tighter booking requirements. A
couple of links may not have worked for a period when I changed the itinerary
file name. Thanks to those who spotted the problem.
Don’t forget to check out
information
on Christmas
Camp at Porepunkah and the Australia Day
weekend. Bookings essential. Note: - full deposit of $135
required to secure a bed at Towong
for the Australia Day weekend. See elsewhere for more info.
Seen at Mark’s Place on the 6th of November: Ben and Julie Warden, Dave Ward and
Bronwyn Manifold, Jacinta Thomas, Paul Southwell, Tamzin Knight, Lyn Duncan,
Ron Johnston, Breht Emmerson and Libby O’Neil, Bill Wee, Darryn Webster, Ian
Payne, Martin Hastie, Paul Simmons, Bruce Saville and Trevor Harris. Ian was knocked off on his way but lived to tell the tale. 18 people
The Club Participant of the
Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra
point for leading or being rear rider, and 1 point per Magazine article
(maximum 2 per Magazine). Attending one or more days of a weekend event scores
3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating. After seven months the scores are: Ben Warden
(58.5), Lyn Duncan (45), Ian Payne (41), Paul Southwell (32), Ron Johnston (26),
Ern Reeders (25.5), Joel Haley (24.5), Martin Hastie
(21), Peter Feistl (20), and Breht Emmerson (18). No change to the top ten people, just the order.
Joel dropped a couple of places.
Front
Cover: Monday 31st October, Cabramurra,
For
Dave Moore has had his knee reconstruction and is already hobbling around. We
expect to see him fully mobile again sometime in February.
Danny Hawker has bought a new Suzuki GSXR750. Not sure about it yet. Compared to
the Kawasaki ZX10, the GSXR has a much higher seating position, is a bigger
bike all round and makes considerable less power. A “decent” set of tyres is the next step forward. He still has the ZX10 and
given the number of kilometers Cliff and Danny do – I estimate 6,000 km in
November – a second bike would be handy!
Renzo Cunico is still waiting on a starter
motor clutch for his VFR750. He has been on a number of Sunday rides where he
has had to push start it every time we leave. He also suffered with it on the 4
day Towong weekend, always looking to park it on a
rise to facilitate roll starting. He says he is used to it,
having push started 125 cc bikes since he was 15 back in
President Ian Payne was
knocked off his bike on the way to the Social Sip last month. The car driver took
out his back wheel he turned right heading for a centre lane parking spot. The
bike has been returned to pristine condition and Ian is back riding again
though the crash hasn’t done his neck any favours.
Nigel Hellyer is still having issues with his Buell.
The latest problem in a long line is a broken drive belt probably requiring new
pulleys, at $300 each! Now a Japanese
front sprocket costs $30 …
Tim Walker crashed his Kawasaki ZX7R on the Mirboo
North ride. He sustained minor injuries to his hands – summer gloves, shredded
his synthetic jacket and grazed his elbow and knee, but walked away all bones
intact. After a front wheel lockup in gravel over bitumen, the bike slid a long
way on its side, grinding away the rear axle nut, left hand side fairing,
blinker, mirror and handlebar. The bike will be repaired. Tim has just clocked over
100,000 km and this was his first crash on a Club ride, not a bad strike rate.
We wish him a speedy and full recovery and look forward to seeing him out
riding again.
Paul Southwell damaged his fairing with his knee after almost high-siding his
Honda CBR1000 on a Red Wing ride day at Broadford on
Friday the 18th of November. The bike is being repaired while he
spends some time in
Breht Emmerson has a new blue Honda CBR954. It looks magnificent but it will take
time to recognize him as it reminds one of a R1 paint scheme. He is riding
gingerly, admitting to only 70 km/h over the Reefton.
Mind you it was cold, wet and miserable and the black tar drizzles were super
slippery.
Ron Johnston is thinking about a new bike. We have been trying to convince him
that a faired bike is easier on your back than an unfaired
one – you don’t hang out in the wind like a parachute. Rather, the wind is your
friend, taking the weight off your wrists. His latest idea could be a GSXR600.
Given how well he rides his old, underpowered Honda CB400/4, the Suzuki could
be the perfect solution: same weight, extra 40-50 horsepower, far superior
handling and brakes, proper wheel sizes.
Check out Les Leahy’s
fantastic article recounting his latest trip into the outback, alone, on his
Suzuki DRZ400. No mishaps this time but plenty of mud and hard riding in difficult
conditions on poor roads.
Lyn Duncan and Bill Wee attended
another ride day at Broadford, this one sponsored by
Preston Motorcycle Club, on Saturday 19th of November. Bill was still
in raptures 4 days later when I spoke to him. He even managed to scrape his
pegs. Not bad for an old bloke. See Lyn’s article elsewhere.
Thanks to Simon from Raven Racing for
donating to the Club a ‘Rema tubeless tyre
puncture repair kit’ and a ‘Motorcycle Cover’, the door
prize at the next general meeting in February. This generous promotion was organised by Dave Ward. Look out for Raven racing products in your
local bike shop or at a soon to be opened retail outlet. Watch this space for
more details.
Flyer received in the Club PO Box from Porepunkah
Hotel advertising their wares may be useful for
people attending the Chrismas Camp. Phone number 03 5756 2391. Addr:
MRA Eureka Run commemorating the 151st
anniversary of the Eureka Stockade battle from
For sale: Honda CBR954 motor, frame, seats, etc In fact wrecking
complete bike less wheels, tank, fairings and forks. Motor only done 6,000 km and will slot straight
in to a CBR929 chassis. Full ad in Trading Post on line.
For more info ring Ben on 040 900 1618 or email [email protected].