Classic Motorcycle Club of Natal Committee Members

I understand that there are a lot of outstanding subscriptions. Please be fair and pay up.

If you have lost interest why not drop us a line and say so. Most clubs don’t allow more than a couple of months grace whereas we are very soft and allow several months grace. In fact we have always been far too soft, so if you have not paid up don’t be surprised at having your membership curtailed. Once again you are reminded that if you have a genuine cash-flow problem please don’t be too shy to talk to me or Ron or Bob – or in fact to any Committee member. Without doing so we cannot help – so it’s up to you.

I gather that some noteworthy personage has remarked that insofar as “ownership” of collectable vehicles and articles is concerned we are actually mistaken to consider ourselves to be the owner of same. In actual fact we are just the custodians of same said he. For when we pass on someone else gets custody of the collectibles either by way of inheritance or by purchase. And when that someone sells or bequeaths the goods a new custodian takes over. And so on ….. and so on…..and so on…. Of course I’ve heard of deceased people being buried along with their favourite thing-a-magig but who knows, in years to come his bones and his favourite thing may well be exhumed as are all those mummies and their valuables exhumed in Egypt. In thinking about all this should we in our club not consider drawing up a list of future custodians of our motorcycles? If so may I add my name to Geoff Isacks custodian list for his Gold Star BSA? And may I please add Mugabe’s name to Michael Burden’s list for his Triumph? Oh well, dream on, dream on……..

Jim Cramer

Chairman/Editor

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VICE CHAIRMANS NATTER – BOB WEST

To all of you that missed the David Piper Day at Swartskop on 31 January, you missed a great day. The race attracted around 30 000 spectators and there were 38 bikes on the line. I raced my ES2 500 Norton and she held together and never missed a beat the whole day. Alan Young raced his newly acquired 250 Desmo Ducati and fell in love all over again. He says it’s the best little bike he has ever owned. Geoff Isacks got his 350cc Gold Star out of his garage rafters (it’s been there for 20 years) and put it on the track. He had problems with the carb float sinking but he managed to repair it. As I said the ES 2 ran like a dream and they didn't ban it, but then again it didn't win. But I did have a good race with a Francis Beard Manx Norton and managed to pip him to the post in both races. Geoff said the Goldie would have beaten me, had it not been for his back tyre. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH and pigs might fly if they had wings Geoff. I have now got my A65, which was under a canvas in a backyard in Pinetown for 25 years and I think 3 generations of poodles have peed on the wheels, and even a BSA can’t stand up to that abuse. It is now stripped and Dave Muller and Dave McCallum have helped me out with wheels. Thanks guys! The nice thing about the BSA is that the licence was kept up to date.

Our first race this year was at Idube and there was a fantastic turn out of bikes and people. The Classics let the side down with only Geoff Isacks on his BSA, Neil Gray on his Yamaha, Willem on a Yamaha and mad Mike on a Honda. But we had some good racing. Geoff on his BSA even held off a 500 Honda super single. So BSA's can beat Honda's but not Norton’s Geoff. I just hope we get a better turn out of Classics for Gateway on 3 April 2004.Maybe Classic racing has outlived itself and its time we dropped it from our portfolio of club events. I don’t know, but I am open to any ideas that you may have, otherwise I must stop wasting my time and effort on Gateway. Every other class of bikes has grown, apart from Classic, which has gone backwards. Maybe the sport needs someone else at the helm, but I don't seem to be getting pushed in the rush. I am starting to feel like Robert Mugabe. And to finish off. Did you know that Mugabe was a Yorkshire man? Spell his name upside down and you get 

E-BA-GUM

 Baffled Muffler 

What a shame it would be to see Classic racing fading out. May I suggest that all our past competing members, plus of course all current competitors and in fact anyone (even non-members) who have an interest in racing, whether as a competitor or as a spectator, or is keen to assist/get involved, make a point of attending the forthcoming Race Meeting for a full and open discussion on Wednesday 28^th April at 19h30.

Jim

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NEW MEMBERS

We welcome Gerry Frencken and Hector Pollard, who were successful at ballot at our March Main Meeting and Dr Marius Spies, who we voted for at our February Main Meeting.

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UP FOR BALLOT – SATURDAY 3^rd APRIL 2004

Les Petersen who was introduced at our March Main meeting. Best of luck to you, Les.

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PAST EVENTS.

MAIN MEETING SATURDAY 7^th FEBRUARY 2004. GOLDEN YEARS TROPHY

Congratulations to the winner, Wayne Bagley, with his terrific 1930 AJS500 S10. The trophy will be awarded at the end of the year. Many thanks to the other competitors for their efforts.

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PRE D.J. RUN 2004 – SUNDAY 8^th FEBRUARY.

Following a rather damp Saturday, Sunday dawned drier. Hitch the trailer and follow Howie Sink riding Ken’s AJS to the club, where we were greeted by Derek Pirie with Harley and Sidecar, and a friend of his on a modern on/off road BMW. After waiting for others to arrive, (no-one- not even Mally Doyle or Alan Young arrived) we left, and rode our usual route to Kloof. At the Engen Garage just past Southway Mall our friend Ray Nell joined us on his beautiful BSA Twin. Unfortunately for Howie he believed me when I told him that he had enough fuel to get to Kloof, and not long after we crested Queensburgh Hill he puttered to a halt (Sorry Howie, trust a friend?.) Onto the trailer and off we go again. Engen Kloof saw three other machines and the Eye of the Fish Eagle awaiting us.

Onward the seven went via Kloof Gorge to the Micro light club at Cato Ridge, where we enjoyed egg rolls and coffee at the nominal cost of R10.00. At Cato Ridge we had been joined by Malcolm Ball who was muttering and mumbling about the faulty fuel tap on his Matchless (more later.) Please forgive me for forgetting names, but another of our number had driven from Pietermaritzburg to join us. Having satisfied the inner man and inspected the micro-lights, including one powered by a BMW motorcycle engine we retraced our route towards Durban. Along the way we encountered some drizzle which was actually a warning of what was to come on the D.J.

The return run was basically uneventful apart from the said Mr. Ball running out of fuel after descending Botha’s Hill – faulty fuel tap we were told. Some of us stopped off in Kloof for yours truly to purchase a tyre from Raymond Meyer. Thanks for the tyre and hospitality Raymond. Thanks also to Derek Pirie for organizing the run and to the brave few who rode.

Madman

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JOCK LEYDEN MEMORIAL TRIAL – 22^ND FEBRUARY – ROBIN INGSS.

I arrived at the OVAL, Alexander Park, PMB to ride the rally back to the Car club on 22.2.2004; starting at 9a.m. Cars started arriving at 8a.m. with about 13 motorcycles and side cars. I had my 1937 Norton OHC and Michael Smith was riding my 1928 350cc AJS. Aubrey Cilliers and Salome van Niekerk arrived on a 1936 Triumph and sidecar with oil dripping out of the side valve cover gasket. This was tightened up and then Raymond Meyer arrived on his BMW with Brian Elam and Bruce as navigator in Raymond’s Vintage car. Alan Crookes and John le Fevre riding two Excelsior Manxmen. A 1928 BMW in good looking condition gleaming in the sunshine. Stuart Anderson and Hans Coertse arrived from PMB central with two beautiful Harleys. Rod Thomas rode an Ariel and Derek MacLean was on a Panther. Gary Brown on a Sunbeam. Nigel Atherstone displayed all the starting times on the back window of a car so everybody could see their starting times and numbers. At 9a.m. the first car left, a 1912 Little. Michael and I left after a couple of cars. My Norton would not start at first but a few kicks and it was away. I followed the route with my schedule taped to my petrol tank. When I got to Alexander Drive I could not see Michael who was one minute in front of me. I think he took a wrong turn off Alexander Drive. I arrived at the turnoff to Umlaas Road along the Richmond Road and turned left at the corner. My Norton started spluttering and stopped on the side of the road. I checked for spark, that was O.K. The plug had oiled up. Just then Hank Raatgever and his wife came along riding a modern bike. He stopped to help get my Norton going and gave me a push. My Norton started and I was off again. 1 km on I passed the 1912 Little which had put the No 1 Conrod through the side of the block and would spend the rest of the rally on a trailer. Just then I saw Michael checking his chart and doing well. Everything was well until I went down Inchanga Hill when my magneto started to jerk again. At the bottom of the hill the motor was dead. I stopped outside the Valley of 1000 Hills Hotel and checked points and plug again. Crista, my wife, stopped and brought the toolbox from the car. With another push I was mobile again. At the Rob Roy Hotel the cars were parked in an oval and looked spectacular. The bikes were parked next to the tearoom and everybody helped themselves to tea and scones. Alan Crookes lent me a Lodge R49 sparkplug, which would not start my bike, so I rolled down the hill to an Indian Spares shop and bought a brand new plug for R16.95. At the Rob Roy Brian Elam ran out of petrol and Crista saw them stranded so she said she had a 5 liter can in the car and went for petrol. She had just had an operation on her feet to remove bunions so she was in a lot of pain, but that did not stop her from helping Brian to complete the rally, which he did. After replacing the plug in my bike it started first kick and I was mobile again. I missed the stop at Hillcrest Heritage stage, and carried on to the finish with my Norton’s magneto starting to jerk again. I made it to the car club to see that Michael had made it. He handed me the gear gate off the tank of the 1928 AJS which had broken off near the start of the Rally. We were then given a braai fork and salads. The rally was well organised for the second one and Nigel Atherstone did a good job. Everybody enjoyed the rally and very few breakdowns occurred. Next year our members should ride this rally as it will be a test for all D.J. entrants to get their bikes running well.

DJ 2004 -----www.co za (wild wet weather --- cold--- a11 over South Africa)

For years I have wondered about the front mudguard on my brothers 1931 AJS which I rode in this year’s event. This mudguard is indeed a thing of singular ugliness, starting with a clenched fist mounted on the front and finishing off in a flared out sort of fishtail at the bottom end. Well, I discovered that whatever it lacks in aesthetics it certainly is compensated for in the ingenuity department. This is a cunningly designed piece of hi-tech equipment which by some mysterious process collects every last drop of water from the road beneath and transforms it into two fire hose like jets which pour directly onto and into your boots. Talk about water cooled feet!

This was my third attempt at the DJ, the first two not being successful. However with hope renewed I set out on the trusty little AJ. All went well until just before Estcourt where I experienced problems with the points closing. After resetting them I was joined by Dave Stone who had a few of his own problems so we decided we would journey on together. At the next petrol stop we encountered Aubrey and Salome who had lost two rats from their rat cage. I think Aubrey’s words were something like --nommer twee en nommer drie rat is uit die ratkas uit. This caused them to retire not long after. Hard luck guys but you will ride a Triumph. Shortly after leaving Ladysmith the heavens opened and I experienced the dreaded mudguard effect. After what seemed to be a hell of a long time we finally arrived at Newcastle looking like two drowned rats. After a good nights rest assisted by Captain Morgan and friends I set out in the drizzling rain once again. About three kilometers later the points repeated their earlier act. For those of you thinking I am a bum mechanic, you are absolutely right. Taking my rain-suit jacket off I made a little tent like structure over the bike and myself in an effort to keep the rain out of the electrics. It was rather dark in there and then I discovered I did not have my glasses either. Now, I was in a jam. However I managed to re set everything again after about an hour or so. This procedure consisted of alternately fiddling with the points, dismantling my tent, kicking the bike, praying for some spark, reconstructing my tent and speaking softly to myself in strange voices .I must have done something right as I got going again although somewhat slowly. My progress up Majuba Pass must have sounded like the battlefields were alive with the sound of gunfire once again, as the AJ coughed spluttered and backfired. Just before the top of the pass the AJ coughed once more and finally died. Whilst I was muttering to myself again a sweep vehicle loomed out of the mist, and stopped, and sat there idling. It was a strangely surreal experience like a scene out of a Steven Spielberg movie. Nobody leapt out brandishing tie downs as most of these guys do. They seem to take great delight in wanting to load you up as if it were one less rider to worry about. After about five minutes the driver appeared through the mist and rain and it turned out to be Alan Pirie. After watching me struggle for a few minutes he also started mumbling and moaning, something about cold wet and bloody insanity. At this point I decided I had come this far and I was going to finish no matter what! This time I removed everything dried it all as best I could and then discovered the whole mounting thingymajig was also loose. On replacing everything it fired up and once again I was on my way. Talk about good luck! Onwards once again but about two hours late. A couple of times I was not sure if this was a motorcycle or a power boat event. Ask Roly Hill who now has a new perspective on drowning.

Slowly but surely now I progressed on and finally arrived at Heidelberg, where the rain thankfully stopped. There I found Dave once again, and together we completed the final leg of the journey, thanks Dave

To the guys like my brother and Rob Wiles who didn't make it, hard luck but there's always next year. To all who gave me encouragement, thanks guys. And to the organisers and sponsors thanks a lot, you did us proud.

Howard (bos be vark) Sink.

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Our first DJ: - Aubrey and Salome

Having done six Natal Classic’s, four Fairest Cape Tours and one Magnum, on our trusted and comfortable Honda Gold Wing we decided it was time to do the much spoken about DJ

When Gus Heinze phoned me about six months ago with the news that his 1936 Triumph 550 single side-valve combination was for sale, we rushed off to secure the transaction. That was the start of our preparations for the 2004 DJ

To our knowledge the combo was fit to do the trip to Johannesburg but it was the driver and passenger who had to get used to kick starting, hand controlled ignition timing, vice versa brake pedal and gear lever and a definite slower speed.

Any way, fit or not, we decided to do a bit of restoration work on the outfit. Many thanks to Brian Hinks, who is a master mechanic, for his highly skilled assistance with the mechanicals and to John Barlow for his assistance with the paint and body work, John, of course, is an expert in that field – you only have to see his magnificent home built street rods to know that he is indeed a maestro.

We entered the DJ, and before long came Friday morning 06:07 – time for us to depart. The weather was fine and the single pulled up Fields Hill and Town Hill like a steam engine

It was near Rosetta, and a slow moving, heavily smoking lorry in front of us, that our patience and endurance was really tested. It was then that selecting 2nd and 3rd gear became impossible. We realised that this could be the end of our first DJ

We carried on in 1st and 4th gear to Mooi River and after consulting with Dave Stone we decided to rather call it a day.

We enjoyed the rest of the trip in the comfort of John Grobbelaar’s car and missed the heavy rain. Many thanks for your assistance John and for being a very necessary part of the team.

First thing home we opened the gear box to discover the lay shaft had broken.

It will be ready for the next DJ. Congrats to those who completed the event trusting we will be amongst them next time.

A very special thanks to our club member Gavin Richmond of Estcourt who stored the combo for the weekend.

Perhaps a BSA gearbox, Aubrey?

Jim

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2004 TRILOGY D.J. 5^th-6^th MARCH 2004.

72 finishers. Our best competitor – Bill Speight 3^rd overall. Clive Stead 15th. Derek Pirie 16^th. Raymond Meyer 19^th. Sheila Stead 32^nd. Grant Vacy-Lyle 34^th.Keith Crawford 48^th. Gary Brown 56^th. Clive Beveridge 68^th. Howard Sink 70^th. Dave Stone 71^st. Brian Elam 72^nd.

Congratulations to all you finishers and to all who carried off Trophies. Especially to Bill Speight – we will be holding thumbs for you next year Bill, hoping you will be No1.And to Clive Stead who was the youngest competitor and as a first timer came 15^th. Barry would have been proud of you, Clive. Then there was his Mom, Sheila, who carried off three trophies, one of which was for “Best Performance by a Lady Rider.” Derek Pirie with two Trophies and Clive Beveridge with 1. The Nominated team Trophy was carried off by Grant Vacy-Lyle, Raymond Meyer and Bill Speight. We also congratulate Mike Ward of the VMC who was the overall winner, the host organizing club and the Sponsors, Trilogy.

Finally we sympathise with those of you who never made it to the start, and with those who never made it to the finish. Try again next year guys (and dolls “Salome”) but don’t forget that our Natal Classic is coming up, and that is a terrific event. Get your entry form from Haverley.

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DAY OF ‘THE RISING SUN.’ SATURDAY 6^TH MARCH.

Only five Japanese bikes on display. Each owner presented with a bottle of wine. I thought Rice Burners were popular and plentiful? Anyway, many thanks to you five.

Many thanks Aubrey, Salome, Madman, Robin and Howard (Bos be Vark) Sink for your reports on past events – much appreciated indeed. Thanks also to Mike Milner-Smythe who faxed me the D.J. results.

Jim.

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FUTURE EVENTS.

PLUMS IN MAY AUTO/JUMBLE SALE. SATURDAY 15^TH MAY 2004.

Commences9a.m. Bring your own tables or sell from your bakkie or car boot. The whole idea is to sell or swop bike bits – ancient, classic and modern. Plus complete bikes, cars, car bits, knick-knacks, ornaments, pickles, cookies, tools – in fact anything at all is welcome. Please try not to just come and buy only, try to bring goods to sell as well. Both the Paddyfield and the PigPen will be used by sellers so if you come by bike- ancient, classic or modern – please park in the Troo Bloo Park and behind the clubhouse. Bike for sale may be parked anywhere. No charge to sellers but please make a donation to the S.P.C.A.

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CARS IN THE PARK – PIETERMARITZBUERG – SUNDAY 16^th May 2004.

This is not an organised run from Durban. However members wishing to ride together should gather at the club and leave there at 7a.m. Suggest the usual route via Edwin Swales, Fields Hill,Engen Service Station at Kloof (adjacent to V.C.C.) to Hillcrest turnoff where the group (if there is a group) can decide whether to travel via the freeway or via the Old Main Road to Pietermaritzburg.

Colin Tromp is the co-ordinator (Phone [phone]) and I’m sure all those of our members who reside inland will support the event as usual.

Thank you Colin, and Thank you Sheila – I’m sure Colin will co-opt you as “Chief Assistant.”

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THE NATAL CLASSIC REGULARITY TRIAL 10^th – 13^th JUNE 2004.

Here follows a repeat of what Clerk of the Course, Ken Sink, had to say in our February/March Shoptorque.

The Natal Classic is in June again and we hope to see all the old faces and would love to welcome some new ones. Its great riding and it’s a good weekend to bring your wife with you.

All meals are available from Thursday evening until Sunday breakfast. You can have as many or as few of these meals as you like. Accommodation has self catering facilities.

If you are not competing you can still have a Route schedule and follow those who are.

Hope to see you at Drakensville.

Entry forms have been posted out. More entry forms are available from Haverley (Phone [phone].)Or email [e-mail]

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2004 WHEELS EXPO .SATURDAY 3rd/SUNDAY 4th JULY 2004.

And here is what Barbara Sink had to say in our Feb/Mar Shoptorque – all of which is still absolutely relevant (Barbara is in Oz at present.)

We would love you to make this event even better than last year. Please try to get businesses to take Trade stands as that is where we have always made our profit. This year our share of the money is coming to us to decide what to do with it. Please see Pip Lorentz if you can help us in any way.

The effort you all put into the club stand last year was fantastic. Let’s see if we can do that again this year. Other clubs are already saying they will win this year; let’s show them that they don’t have a chance. Let me know if you will organise a stand after you have had time to think about it. Get together with members who have the same bikes as you. This year we are going to have a small club prize for the Best stand within our club stand. (All the bikes together are the club stand). Can you organise a Bike Run by other clubs, or breakfast runs or even a Birthday Toy Run? Anything that will bring people to the Show.

Cycle clubs have wheels. Ask them. If you have any response please let Pip know. His phone numbers are: 031 5022647 (h). 031 5662010 (b). 082 4438114 (Cell).

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N.B. REFER TO THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR ALL THE OTHER FORTHCOMING CLUB ACTIVITIES

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LIBRARY – ALAN YOUNG.

Many thanks to Alan Baxter for his donation of a stack of Classic Motorcycle magazines and a number of books on Classic Bikes which will go into our “Browser” shelf.

The magazines will be sorted and put on sale on our “Plums in May” day.

The fee for borrowing a book from the library has been increased to R20.00 with R10.00 returned to the member when the publication is returned. In effect you pay R10 to borrow a book from the Library – cheap at the price and your payment swells the clubs coffers.

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100 CLUB – SALOME VAN NIEKERK

MAIN MEETING SATURDAY 7^th FEBRUARY

First Prize R500 No 27 Tom Warren

Second Prize R20 Bar Card No 47 Don Swithenbank

Third Prize R10 Bar Card No 55 Rob Wiles

35 members have paid in full for the year

53 members have renewed their numbers

17 have not confirmed retention of their numbers

30 numbers available.