Classic Motorcycle Club of Natal Committee Members

MAIN MEETING SATURDAY 6^TH MARCH

First Prize R500 No 57 John Grobbelaar

Second Prize R20 Bar Card No 71 Alan Baxter

Third Prize R10 bar Card No 31 Rob Wiles (again).

36 members have paid in full for the year

17 have not confirmed retention of their numbers

21 numbers available.

REGALIA – AUBREY CILLIERS

The following articles are for sale at the main Meetings:

Med. Large and X Large White T shirts @ R25 each.

Large, X Large and XX Large Grey Racing T shirts @ R60 each.

Blue Caps (fit any size) @ R30 each.

Cloth badges @ R15 each.

Lapel badges @ R25 each.

Beer mugs @ R25 each.

Club Licence Stickers @ 50c each.

Headlight covers @ R25 each

N.B. Free licence sticker to all who come to the club by car (i.e. wussies) and deposit R2 (or more) in the South Coast Hospice Box.

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FROM THE DESK OF STUART MILLER 21ST FEBRUARY 2004

Hi Jim,

I have just been privileged to have a look at a scrapbook of a friend named Ronny King which may be of interest.

Most of this book covers his trips with his pals each on their own 250cc BSA’ around Natal.

What is of particular interest is that there were five friends who all at about the same time each purchased a 250cc BSA. They made a trip to Cape Town via Bloemfontein and back the Garden route from the 4^th to 16^th January 1959.

Some trip details are as follows;

Miles covered 2292

Petrol 6 Pound 3 Shillings & 1 Penny

Accommodation 12 Pound 2 shillings

1st day 271 miles stayed @ Greens Hotel Bethlehem

One accelerator cable broke.

2nd day 124 miles stayed @ Grand National Brandfort

One puncture.

One chap came off.

3^rd day 267 miles stayed @ Richmond Hotel Richmond

4^th day 237 miles stayed @ Grand Hotel Laingsburg

5^th day 139 miles stayed @ Central Hotel Paarl

6^th day 67 miles stayed @ Blue Marlin Muizenberg

7^th day 122 miles stayed @ Park Hotel Caledon

8^th day 185 miles stayed @ Park Hotel Mossel Bay

9^th day 239 miles stayed @ Russell Hotel Port Elizabeth

10^th day 96 miles stayed @ Graham Hotel Grahamstown

11^th day 184 miles staved @ Masonic Hotel Butterworth

12^th day 185 miles stayed @ Royal Hotel Kokstad

13th day 152 miles arrived @ Pinetown

Pinetown to Durban

Well guys, you can see why I’m always chirping about BSA’.

Many thanks Stu.

Jim

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With the DJ being a current topic I am sure some members in the club will be interested in this information from the official 1936 DJ programme

Michael Smith

RACE RECORDS

As road conditions are made better and the improvement in the manufacture of motorcycles continues so does the speed at which the Durban-Johannesburg race is run now get faster. It is of interest to note that in l9l3, when the first race was held, there were 66 entries and three days s was allotted to the race. The time taken was 14 hours 40 mins. and the race was won by the late A W McKeag riding a Bradbury which at that time was a very popular motorcycle. It was not until 11 years later that the- course was covered under 10 hours, and in that year Alf long created a great surprise by knocking nearly an hour off the record, and bringing it down to 9 hours 2 mins 6 secs. The slowest time recorded was in 1920, when the event was run in a snowstorm, and some of the competitors thinking the race would be abandoned stopped at a hotel and went to bed. When they had got nicely down to rest, they heard a motorcycle pass.

The chance was lost and Fritz Zurcher went slowly on to win in 23 hours 18 mins. 20 secs. The first four races were run from Johannesburg to Durban, but in 1921 this was changed and the event was run from Durban to Johannesburg In 1921 a sidecar race was held in conjunction with the solo race, but this had to be abandoned owing to the increase of traffic on the roads. Each of these sidecar races were won by Alf Long, who has each year since then taken part in the race on a solo machine.

The following are the existing records for the various types of machines.

C.c.	Type	Hr, min. Sec.	Holder.
500	o.h.v.	6 31 29	W. R Harris.
300	o.h.v.	6 38 35	D. Hall.
250	o.h.v.	6 51 41	R. O. Hesketh
500	s.v.	6 56 50	W. D. B. Kinsey.
557	s.v.,	6 59 53	F. Schoenn.
350	s.v.	7 34 47	R, d. Wolfe.
250	t. s.	8 14 13	A. J. Hindry.
175	t.s.	8 18 39	B v. Moore.
196	t. s.	8 35 20	I4. J Lesar.

Thanks Michael. Jim

*********___Motorcycle_Lifestyle_Expo_AA_Kyalami_Grand_Prix_Circuit_24-25_April_2004'>*********

NEWS FROM THE PRAIRIES by Frozen Muffler!

The temp reached -36 degrees last week (yes that's Celsius!) and is the coldest recorded in Southern Manitoba for many years.  There have been very heavy snow-falls and the drifts are 2m deep in places with a general covering of about 750 mm.  They always report wind chill factor as well and that was over 50!  The icy roads are treacherous and it is quite common to do a "doughnut" or skid across at a stop street.  Driving in Canada can be likened to the old joke: --- "How do porcupines make love?"  The answer to both is - "Carefully!!"  Glad we have an all-wheel drive vehicle.

Very obviously all motorcycle activity has ceased apart from the monthly club meetings held in a heated community hall in Winnipeg and then all go for coffee and a snack at a coffee-house afterwards.  The lucky guys with insulated and heated outside workshops, continue with restorations and trot them out to the many "show-'n-shines" and feverish summer bike rides and runs.  I say feverish because that is how it is to get as much packed in to the short summer months, where ironically temps can go as high as + 40 degrees.  A land of huge extremes indeed.

The 1971 Bonneville purchased from Martin Watson in pieces just before I left SA, is progressing very well.  Only the wheels to do now.  Spokes and nipples to plate and then re-build with brand new rims.  My son, who has been living here for 6 years, is restoring a 1946 Willy's Jeep and he has bought a small sand-blaster, mig welder, engine hoist, press etc. which helps.  Chroming is prohibitively expensive here and it is far cheaper to buy new from the many British Bike shops in Canada and the USA where you can get any part you want as long as it is a Triumph, BSA or Norton (& Harley of course)  They have never heard of Ariel or Velocette.  There are a few parts for Matchless and Royal Enfield but only the later models.  Another unexpected bonus here is that all bolts and nuts are inch sizes with UNC and UNF threads and SAE "wrenches" (spanners).  By the time this Bonneville was made (1971) they had changed to Unified threads. SS bolts and nuts and washers with UNF and UNC thread are readily available and make a big difference to a restoration.  Things like shrink tube and cable armouring is sold by the foot and makes a re-wire easy and there are all sorts of terminals and electrical goodies available which one doesn't see in SA.

Well, I'd better put on my long johns, thermal jacket, snow boots, mitts and toque and take the garbage (rubbish) out.  (A toque is a woollen lined cap with ear muffs worn by most Canadians in winter.)

All the best for 2004 and may your exhausts continue to burn grey.

Now you know Tom, what Brass Monkey weather is all about! Many thanks for keeping in touch.

Jim.

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Motorcycle Lifestyle Expo AA Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit 24-25 April 2004

Its time for the exciting Citizen Motorcycle Lifestyle expo again. The show, now in its fourth year has established a strong following amongst the biking and outdoor lifestyle faithful. This year's show takes place over the weekend of the 24^t" - 25^th April 2004.

What makes the show so successful and unique is that the public get the opportunity to test all the latest motorcycle models on an international race circuit, a dream come true for the serious enthusiast.

The exhibition area will show off all the latest lifestyle trends and motorcycle accessories.

This year will be the biggest yet, with full entertainment for the whole family, including the Buell stunt team, Harley Davidson mass ride, motorcycle mechanic of the year, trick riding and extreme jumping.

Good news is that there has been no increase in the entrance fee, it will remain at an extremely affordable R20 per person, and U12yrs are free^. .

Gates are open from 09h00 to 18h00.

To test a bike you will need a license but don't despair if you don't have one, you can always ride on the back with one of our experienced instructors and enjoy the thrill of a lifetime.

If you would like anymore information please feel free to contact Clive on 01l 455 4060.

BRITISH BIKE SPARES – MIKE LANG.

The latest development about my vast stock of spares is that my one neighbour has been moaning about my outside hut at the bottom of my garden, where the spares are kept.

The Classic Club in Gauteng has bought these. This is mainly large things like frames, wheels, mudguards, toolboxes, and generally the cycle parts. This included engines, heads, barrels, side covers, crankshafts etc.

I have still got everything in my existing shop. These spares include pistons, gasket sets, electrical equipment, carbs, magnetos, generators and other treasures. Because my premises are quite a distance from the “Motorcycling Mecca” of the east rand, people don’t know what treasures are still available. They might even find that bit they have been hunting for. In fact very few members have actually visited my shop.

As I am a collector/restorer myself, I really enjoy having this source of spares at my fingertips at all hours.

The Gauteng Classic Club containers are open on the first Sunday of the month.

British Bike Spares is open most Saturdays 9a.m. – 12p.m.

I can be contacted during work hours at 082 821 1826 or Saturdays 011 787 7875.

P.S. Due to business and other commitments I am thinking very seriously of selling my spares business.

P.P.S. I am selling off all my reference Books plus spares and Workshop Manuals.

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SOUTHERN AFRICAN VETERAN and VINTAGE ASSOCIATION VETERAAN MOTORVERENIGING vir SUIDER AFRIKA

^{CHAIRMAN’S NEWSLETTER – February 2004}

I am very saddened to have to report that another stalwart and long time member of our movement, Gordon Strauss was shot by hijackers while waiting for the Old Car Shop to open the other morning, but did not survive the trauma and died a week later. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends.

The issues around the Competition Licences and Indemnities are now resolved with MSA. Clubs have been requested by Wynand Swanepoel to order supplies of the stationery and cards. Members should please note the following procedures.

• 
  Drivers, Riders and Navigators in every event sanctioned by MSA/SAVVA where a Permit is issued are required to be in possession of the new MSA Restricted Competition Licence (RCL). The RCL provides for the Driver’s Licence and the full MSA / SAVVA Indemnity. It is renewable annually at a cost of R25 from your club or R20 if purchased directly from MSA. In 2004 there will be a nominal charge of R1 per card to clubs.
  
• 
  The MSA RCL covers every single event organised by a SAVVA or SAMCA Club, nothing excluded, and holders do not need any other documentation other than their normal valid Driver’s Licence Card.
  
• 
  Only members who intend taking part in SAVVA / MSA Motorsport sanctioned events either as drivers, navigators or motorcyclists should apply for the new MSA Restricted Competition Licence (RCL).
  
• 
  RCL cards are only available to paid-up members of clubs. In the event that the Navigator does not hold a Driver’s Licence the same procedure is required but the card is endorsed “Navigator Only”. The same cost applies.
  
• 
  Members should be aware of the statement regarding the use of alcohol and drugs contained in the new documentation in terms of international sporting codes. Perhaps we all need to be more conscious of the law when it comes to drinking and driving so as not to bring the movement into disrepute. Did you know that if you have had a drink or few you are not allowed to drive your vehicle even in open section after lunch in terms of the regulations and you are precluded from lodging a protest?
  
• 
  Spouses and dependants of members who wish to hold a RCL must be members of a club in their own right. Many clubs have a category for such members at a reduced fee. It is suggested that clubs who do not have such a category, consider creating an “Associate Member” category at a reduced rate for family members. After all most of the club subscriptions are absorbed by the cost of issuing the club newsletter.
  
• 
  All passengers in vehicles or on motorcycles are required to be in possession of a new MSA numbered SAVVA Indemnity Card. Please note the new MSA Indemnity form is to be used. These are available from SAVVA Motorsport. The cost is R2 for life.
  
• 
  Members who participate in SAMCA and CRRASA events will be able to use the same MSA RCL.
  
• 
  All existing members of clubs should have completed the SAVVA Indemnity Form and be in possession of the yellow or blue cards. Those members who are in possession of the blue cards and who do not intend to compete in competitive events in the future should request their club to now issue a yellow Indemnity Card. All these cards have a number series of the individual clubs. These cards are required for non-competitive club events, fun runs, breakfast outings and the like if the member does not hold a MSA RCL.
  
• 
  All new members of clubs, passengers and existing members, who require new stand-alone indemnities, must complete the new MSA Indemnity Application Form. They will then be issued with an MSA/SAVVA yellow indemnity card for all activities other than driver/navigator in a MSA/SAVVA competitive event. SAVVA events are the only motorsport discipline where passengers are carried in competitive events and consequently the MSA/SAVVA Indemnity Card is unique to SAVVA.
  
• 
  In the case of a non-member or overseas member wishing to participate in a SAVVA event they need to be provided with Temporary Club Membership and a MSA RCL. These will be provided and limited for each event at an all in cost of R50. No Card will be issued and the form will be noted as applying to the specific event only. Should the individual wish to participate in another event that year, the same procedure applies. The way to reduce the cost is for the person to join a club and purchase an annual RCL.
  
• 
  The MSA RCL is the lowest level of MSA Competition Licence. A holder of a higher category Licence (e.g. Circuit Racing) can automatically be accepted into our events. SAMCA and CRRASA will be using the same RCL as SAVVA at the same terms and conditions.
  
• 
  In future original Applications, RCL and Indemnity, will be stored centrally by the SAVVA Motorsport Portfolio Holder.
  

Major events coming up of which you need to be aware are the Continental Milligan in June East London / Port Elizabeth – I am told it is now oversubscribed and there is a waiting list. The paperwork for the SAVVA National in Natal based in the Drakensburg is now available. The cost is incredibly competitive and I suggest that if you intend participating, don’t leave it too long as this event should full up pretty quickly. Contact Fred Rascher on 033 394 2502.

I apologise for the long delay in presenting these changes but we had to wait for MSA to confirm the procedures before going public. Please direct any queries to Wynand Swanepoel or myself.

SOUTHERN AFRICAN VETERAN and VINTAGE ASSOCIATION VETERAAN MOTORVERENIGING vir SUIDER AFRIKA

CHAIRMAN'S NEWSLETTER - March 2004

I am grateful to John Hassall for the report on the James Hall Museum celebration of 40 years on Sunday 8 February with an invited run of all manner of vehicles, a surprising number of them red, including two steamers and the penny farthings (really Halfpenny Half Farthings, the true name of which escapes me). The route went from the VVC clubhouse to the Museum via a circuitous route through the centre of Johannesburg taking in the new Nelson Mandela Bridge and on to the Turfontein Race Course were they were joined by the Museum's fire engines and the famous old steam engine Texas Jack. Here the vehicles were lined up in date order representing as many of the individual years of the early part of the century as could be mustered, the earliest being a 1904 De Dion. The vehicles, escorted by the local constabulary, were then driven in convoy to the James Hall Museum where the drivers and passengers were treated to an excellent lunch - with the compliments of Total.

A matter of some concern to me at the present time is the continued negativity and "SAVVA bashing" by clubs regarding the Rally Program and other issues that are not being resolved at a quick enough pace for some members. I should like to place on record for the benefit of members a few facts. SAVVA is an Association of Member Clubs. The National Council consists of the Elected Members plus Representatives of all clubs at the Annual General Meeting. The various business functions are handled on a day-to-day basis by the elected Portfolio Holders. The National Council directs the policies and activities based on direct input from all clubs and consensus by democratic vote. What we have today within SAVVA is a result of years of debate and input by all clubs. This is spelt out in the Constitution and Councillor's Handbook held by every club and available on the SAVVA website. In order to access the handbook a Password is required and this is available from your Club Secretary. SAVVA website can be found at - www.savva.org.za.

Returning to the Rally Program that is presently being rewritten it should be understood that this is not being done at the insistence of any single person, myself included but at the request of clubs. It is worth placing on record the background to this matter that can be summarised as follows;

About 15 to 17 years ago Harry Posniak developed the existing program on the then current computer operating system known as DOS. The mouse was not yet in use.

• This was provided free to clubs who wished to use it.

• The software and hardware on which the old program has operated is now obsolete and in many cases not repairable or compatible with present systems.

• The development of PC's, the operating systems and software has surpassed most people's wildest dreams so that we find ourselves using 4th or S^t" generation Windows

operating systems at the present time.

• For many years clubs have been requesting a Windows version of the Rally Program at Annual Meetings but no decision was taken as SAVVA was and continues to be unable to finance the development costs.

• The POMC for their own account implemented an initial piece of work to develop the new system. At the 2003 meeting they requested time to present this to the National Council with a view to progressing the work.

• This was the first item on the agenda and after the presentation and subsequent debate the Chairman gave all clubs a cooling off period to review their position. The last item of business for the day was a further discussion and the vote on whether to progress the matter further or otherwise.

• By a democratic vote, the majority of those present directed the National Council to proceed with the development of the Rally Program subject to certain conditions and recover the costs by way of an annual levy on members subscriptions of RS per annum over three years. Clubs have proportional votes depending the their membership numbers and Portfolio Holders can only vote on their own portfolio. The matter will be monitored on an ongoing basis and reviewed at future meetings.

• In a nutshell SAVVA does not need the Rally Program but the member clubs who organise competitive events do and have driven the process through the National Council in terms of their democratic right. All clubs are therefore bound by the decision of the National Council of which they are participating members.

On other issues like licensing and registration of vehicles and import duty on spares be assured that the Portfolio Holders are dedicated to their responsibilities and do everything they can to resolve matters as in most cases they are the very member who has a personal problem to resolve and so assist all others. Portfolio Holders are not paid officials and give of their time and effort freely in the interests of the movement. It must also be borne in mind that we are a very small number within the SA population and resolving our problems and issues are not a priority when dealing with government. If any member has a magic formula to getting quicker results, SAVVA would welcome your assistance as those who generally criticise the loudest offer the least input.

Clint Morris SAVVA Chairman

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SICK PARADE.

Many of us have been there at some time or other and, of course, it isn’t pleasant. All we can do is hope that those who are experiencing it will recover. In saying that, we have heard that some of our members who were on “Parade” in February/March Shoptorque are on the road to recovery. Well done Guys. But then we have also heard that some are still struggling. All we can say is hang on there, dear friends – while we keep holding thumbs and praying for you.

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CONDOLENCES.

Are extended to Jean Faulds, her two sons Darren and Dion, and to Jeans partner, Reg Venter, on the passing of Mary Cowan, Jeans Mom. Our deepest sympathy to you all.

We also extend condolences to the wives and families of Tommy Johns and Billy Kenny, both of whom passed away a short while ago. Incidentally, it was Billy who wised me up as to the motorcycle which had been buried long, long ago. The bike in question is the old Indian which resides above our bookcase. The full story is there with it. Read it if you don’t know it.

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