Acheron Way Mk II

Another glorious day to be riding bikes. Upon my arrival at Yarra Glen there are the usual bunch of happy smiling faces ready to torture themselves and their bikes all in the name of fun on some of these fine Victorian roads. (Who am I trying kid?) Just before departure time, Martin gives us the usual run down on where we are going. So it is time to mount up and ride off into the sun rise.

The ride takes in the Old Healesville Road to Healesville, followed by a casual run up Chum Creek Road to Toolangi. Marty was being very conservative on the way up. When we got to Toolangi to go down Myers Creek Road, Joel, on the R6, couldn’t contain himself any longer and took off with me in tow. But I backed off about quarter of the way down because the road was a bit greasy for my liking and rode slowly until Marty and the others caught up.

By that time we were back at Healesville ready for the fang over that ever popular road, the Black Spur. When it comes to the Black Spur, it’s every man for himself. Who doesn’t like the road? The Black Spur is like the Reefton: its part of the bikers’ bible, a must-ride road if you have a motorcycle.

On to the Marysville turn off where we head into the Acheron Way. The road used to be okay once, but as usual the logging trucks have knocked the hell out of it in places. I was experiencing some terrible bumps in the road because the shocker in the back of my bike doesn’t work too well. (More of that later.)

We ride into where the seal stops, talk the talk, group up for a photo shoot, more talk and then it is time to go to Marysville where we have our first stop. On the way out I hit a nasty bump or hole in the road, and nearly lost the bike.

Marysville was a welcome sight. We park the bikes and head for the Bakery. After we finished at the Bakery it was off up the Reefton. It was Cliff’s first time over the Reefton Spur and when we got down the other side, he said he would like to go the other way.

On to Warburton where some got fuel, some left and some went up Mt Donna Buang. Joel led the charge up Mt Donna Buang, the road damp in a few places, but was in pretty good condition otherwise. I like the road. The group who made it to the top included Joel, Lyn, Graeme, Ben, Cliff and myself.

We stopped at the top for a while, and I mentioned that the rear shocker on my bike wasn’t working properly and it was like it was solid mounted: you could feel every bump in the road. I was getting to a point where I didn’t want to ride the thing because of it. After comparing his suspension to mine by pushing on the back seat and noting its reluctance to compress, Ben suggested I get it checked out by Rod Sharp in Ringwood, otherwise the 2500 km trip around Towong the next weekend would be very hard on my back and the tyres.

The ride finished at the summit and everyone made their own way home.

Thanks to Martin for leading the ride, for providing good weather, and the good company.

Ron Johnston (Suzuki Bandit 1200)

p.s.. The rear shocker has been rebuilt. It was destroked 8mm, revalved, reshimmed, compression and rebound fixed, works a treat. There were large washers with holes in them, 10mm in the centre and 4 holes around the centre to let the oil through. It had solid washers mixed in with them as well, so it was no wonder it didn’t work. There were 24 washers and shims taken out. Rod Sharp did the work, worth while having it fixed properly, it makes such a difference. I just have to do a bit of fine tuning.