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Motorcycle Club Newsletter Summer '00 |
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RUN DETAILSWith big thanks to Robbie, it looks like our annual Ton-Up Rockers rally is on again this year. Also to Scruffy Pete to help organise booking the bands. This will be the first year where it's not actually held on the same day as the UK ACE CAFÉ Reunion - which is the main idea behind the day. This year the rally has been put forward one week so that we don't upset SOCOG's opening plans, also to coincide with Tassie Tony's visit. Anyway - with a simple morning cruise up the ol'road, topped off with a wild Rockabilly DJ & 3 Rockin' bands, I'm sure we'll all have a ball, either way. Hopefully this year we can get a few more bikes on display at night (at the pub) to show off our club and our classics. Please keep in mind that this is our annual show and all bands & DJ do this for free to help us out (& have no door charge), so thank them for the support. If you can only make one run a year - make it this one! See flyer for more details.
The week after is the second Made In England run. If it's anything like the first one it should be another fantastic day. Other meeting points include Canberra, at the Gateway Service Station at 9am & I'm sure Les will have meeting details for any Nowra/Sth Coast riders. Breakfast is around $10 for the full deal - at Sutton Forest Inn, which is well earnt after the pleasant Spring morning ride. Be wary of the Bulli Tops Ampol who last time refused a couple of 'busting' riders' access to the loo because they didn't buy petrol. Bit rude considering we had a group of about 40 bikes there filling up and were in the middle of nowhere - unbelievable! This Made In England run will also feature a prize for the best Bonnie by the Triumph Motorcycle Register to celebrate the birth of the Bonnie (I thought the Bonnie was born 58/59?)
After over 2 years since last seeing the Colo Moon, the Colo Campout is on again in October. The venue provides a river & toilet block including cold shower. We should be able to light a fire to cook on - but bring a gas cooker if you like. Last minute basic supplies including booze & fuel (Shell) can be purchased at the Colo Roadhouse 20 mins from the campsite. Day riders only are also welcome and for campers there will be a small parks fee. For more info call Jamie. Should be another fun weekend. Jamie's also trying more new things with the group for November, with a day trip to the Rodeo, which I hear is a real hoot, looking forward to it!
In December, the Worlds Longest International Rally will be arriving in Sydney after travelling 4,200 km from Perth - all on vintage & classic bikes, in 17 days! Their last night will be in Katoomba & volunteers are needed to escort the riders as they arrive into Sydney in the morning, through to Bondi - so they don't get lost in the traffic, in time for lunch.
Apparently there are up to 40-50 bikes, all classics and all from overseas - so most riders are non-English speaking (French, Italian, Spanish, German). Sounds like a fun morning. Unfortunately, the group will be arriving on a Thursday morning, which is a real shame as we are limited to what we can do, otherwise, if it was a weekend we could have helped a lot more. At night time will be the gala presentation evening for the rally at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Bondi. If you're interested or can help out call Maria Moryto, or have a chat with John for a possible visit to the evening event.The New Year starts off as usual with a visit to our friends at M&M's - Marge, Martin & Les, with Arbys annual Nowra Overnighter in January. This weekend has become a classic & highly recommended, especially if you're into spaghetti westerns. Don't forget your togs this time for the pool across the road, and don't forget to RSVP to the Arbuckle soon to reserve your bed. Party time.
February has the Team TUB Racing Benefit poker night, which is needed now more then ever. With over 4 major engine rebuilds just in the last 12 months - and not to mention all the other major general running costs - Raimondo still manages to be leading the Division 2 classics, how does he do it? Read on for more race news. But with so much determination and good looks, you've just got to support this soldier, so get down to Janalli. (Come on Devil Dolls, let's make it 3 years runnin' - Riz)
Another favourite of the group is the Cessnock overnighter finishing off this season in February. A great ride through Wollombi Country and ending up at the Royal Oak Hotel at Cessnock - where things start to get a bit blurry. With pool tables, Juke Box and a great Bistro, you're set! Also secure bike lock up. Make sure you RSVP to Jamie soon to reserve your limited room.
RUN REVIEWS
The past Autumn/Winter season kicked off last April with a small group of Ton-Ups braving the rain & heading South for the Annual CEMCC Show day at Engadine. With the expectation that the show would probably be cancelled because of the weather, we were surprised to find the small collection of classics, that gradually grew to quite a large display throughout the day as the sky cleared up. With years of loyalty to the Triumph Marque, it was Lizzy that took home the trophy for best modern with her brand spankin' new silver Ducati Monster. Onya Liz.
The week after was the first (of hopefully a regular) Made In England Breakfast rally organised by some local British bike enthusiasts. With a cool early start meeting of Loftus, the group made its way to Sutton Forest Inn via Bulli tops & Macquarie Pass meeting up with fellow riders along the way coming from as far as Newcastle, Nowra and Canberra. By breakfast time the huge line up of Classic Brits (& some Euro) was more than impressive with representatives of just about every British bike & club (including about 20 of us Ton-Ups) & all the regular & familiar faces of the devoted classic enthusiasts - that actually do ride their bikes. Big thanks to Chris for organising a truly top day, so don't miss the next one in September.
Afterwards it was off to the Rockabilly Rave for the few young at heart willing to 'Rock on'. With a classic line up of 2 of Australia's finest Rockabilly outfits - The Satellites (from SA) & local Boys 'Wes & The Sonic Aces' and legendary DJ Jimmy D pumpin out the tunes in between it was truly a cool night of Rockabilly heaven.
The weekend after had an unscheduled event with Barry 'Bazza the Spannerman's' surprise 50th birthday party down at Janalli. With a large group of Ton-Ups & friends appearing from all corners of the suburbs (including Bourke!) to help Baz celebrate this one, it goes to show the ol'fella must be doing something right to get friends. Congrats Baz, a truly excellent night - but - ah - the leopard skin G-string really doesn't do you justice. You're a very handsome man - don't think we haven't noticed.
To add to this fabulous month - the Bathurst 2000 Motorcycle festival was back after many years over the Easter break. Unfortunately, after lots of dreams, devotion, effort & finances by Ray & Barry to get the Team Ton-Up at Bathurst - the cruel mountain tragedly claimed another machine on day one of practice leaving the #100 NorBSA limping back home with a cracked crankpin. Bad luck fellas - you really did try, maybe next year! After realising there was nothing that could be done, the only option left was to thoroughly enjoy the truly brilliant weekend of Motorcycle racing at its best and party like it was 1999 with friends that came to support the team (despite some very cool nights). Kevin Curtin was a joy to watch spectacularly breaking the track record each lap on the unbelievable Yamaha R1, and with so much going on all over the place there was never a dull moment. Big congratulations to EMS for a fantastic, & very well organised weekend of pure fun. Can't wait til next year - if it's on again! (read on!)
June had the annual Wintersun 50's festival at Coolangatta - but this year with an extra alternative Greaze Fest 2000 festival. It seems for the first time since the conception of the weekend 15 years ago - rain finally came down in buckets, which dampened a lot of our usual biking activities, still it didn't stop us from having a ball and catching up with our Northern Ton-Up friends. Robbie's Café'd BSA still looks as hot as ever and we finally saw Fiona's recently restored classic BSA - a job extremely well done and full compliments to her attention of detail. Great to see Rocker Dave again & back on a bike (despite the injuries) and telling all his fascinating 'original Rocker' tales like no one else we know. Marty & Di spent most of the time cutting up the dance floor - wearing us out just watching them! With all the usual activities like bands, street parades & cruises & show'n'shine, some extras presented by Greaze Fest was the Blessing of the Bikes and national legend pin-striper Geoff Rea who was prepared to pinstripe anything, doing some very impressive work on our helmets, Pete's leather jacket, Fiona's BSA and even Rizzo's bargain 50's pink hairdryer. Big thanks to Daryl and the Sugar Shack - who presented the Ton-Ups with a trophy for our involvement in the weekend, but the encouragement award would have to go to Scruffy Pete & Nowra Lester and their adventurous overnight drive to Coolangatta in the hell van (borrowed from Fireball Chris) & their two bikes shoved in the back. Looking forward to next year already.
July had the annual 'Robbie's Winter Ride the Bells' run to Mt Victoria. The early morning meet at the ECA Bar saw an impressive line up of Euro, Brit & Jap bikes before heading off in the cool - but sunny winters morning for a pleasant ride along the Bells Line into the Blue Mountains. Another excellent mid-winter ride where again we fortunately just missed out on yet another cold front by under a week that brought sub-zero conditions that included snow, rain & wind & closed off sections of road. I guess there's always next year! So when we saw the darker clouds start to roll in after breakfast - we thought it was a good time to start heading back to sunny Sydney, and into the warmth of the Newington Inn.
TON-UP-NEWS
As you can see in this issues Race Report, Racing Raimondo & the team Ton-Up is doing us all very proud and making exceptional progress over the past two years since starting and is currently leading division 2. This is despite an extremely unfortunate string of mechanical problems going back to a severe seizure just before Bathurst then cracking the Crank at Bathurst, and again after the rebuild, recently dropping a valve head in the July meet and doing some enormous amounts of damage. Again it's currently being rebuilt to be in time for the August National Classics. Even the May NSW State titles in Goulburn was a disaster for the few that braved the freak winter conditions and some of the shivering stories they told, that included an icy track! So considering this - he's doing really well. Unfortunately, this also takes its toll - especially financially (as you could imagine), which is why once a year we organise a fund raising poker night for our race team, to at least just try to help out. So try & make it to the annual night next Feb. & support this team, if you can't make it - maybe a donation would be appreciated. It's obvious, with such a large group, if everyone chipped in a little it could help a lot. Meanwhile, look out in the calendar for race dates & get down to catch the man himself in action, there's always room in the Pits for more.
Ray also mentioned the organisers of the recent Bathurst festival ended up having some problems that meant the races probably would not be held again next year. More recent news sounds a lot more encouraging, but the organisers are requesting letters of support be written & sent to the powers that decide. Speak to Ray for more info - or to sign a petition. Especially if you truly enjoyed the weekend and would like to see it happen again.
Still on racing - it seems dark horse Craig, who not too long ago decided he might try out sidecar racing - is well and truly moving up in the ranks in the modern class and winning races all over the place. Not too sure where he's coming at the moment - but I hear nationally he's right up there, which is an unbelievable achievement. So next time you're at the track and you see a maniac monkey swinging off a screamin' Kawasaki, make sure you wave & sing out 'hi Craig'.
The Barrachos Cup Bowling tournament is still going strong with round 7 in August and still no signs of a champion. With so much stress, a couple of teams dropped out due to the fierce competition leaving only the true sportspeople to pursue the premiership. So far it's looking good for the Gutter Turkeys & Sector 7, only if the Ton-Up teams could put their beers down and stop the social story telling - but then again ... Don't forget the final presentation night and drinks in December - all welcome for a simple night out so come & support ya teams.
Don't forget that the Ton-Ups now have our very own website. It might not be much at the moment, that's because it's waiting on contribution & input from all you talented Cyber net heads. We are keen to get anything on there - photos, stories, pictures, drawings whatever! Just as long as you put it down on disc to make the transfer onto the site simple. Russell who maintains the site for us says we get lots & lots of hits - but we need more stuff on it. Big thanks to Su & her computer wiz skills hopefully this seasons newsletter will finally make it complete to the site, which is what we've always needed and wanted, thanks Rizzo you're a true champ! You can find the site & lots of other cool motorcycling links under: www.dropbears.com.
Sadly it's time to say goodbye to Mark & Valerie who are leaving Sydney for the Motorcycling green hills of South Australia. Mark (with the Guzzi) &Valerie have been riding with the group for around 4 years now. I can remember Mark on the first Colo Campout overnighter in early '97, putting in the effort & braving it as the new boy and not really knowing anyone. But it didn't take long at all before blending into the group quite well. It seems that's what makes these sort of clubs work & so worthwhile. Big thanks for your friendship & all the fun rides together, hope you enjoyed your time being a part of us. At least all us Sydney Ton-Ups now have somewhere to stay when we visit S.A! Hopefully, we can organise contacts for the few Ton-Ups in that area. Thanks also to the group who made it to the (short notice) night out for Mark & Valerie in July, at Ersko. We wish them all the best for the future & hope to keep in touch.
Looks like we won't be seeing Gav's classic Z900 around for a while after an unfortunate accident a few months ago where the usual maniac in a rolling cage decided he wanted to be in another lane than the one he was already in, & without looking ... At least the driver was kind enough to accept his follies and gave Gav a lift home - which was nice. Although Gav sustained some injuries, he seemed to be OK after a few days, which led him to thinking - what do I ride now?? Enter the Cessnock swap meet & a slightly rough but nice mid-60's Triumph on the back of a trailer. And with the prices of these classic machinery at the moment, how could he refuse a bargain. Last we heard, he just did a fair bit of work sorting it out and got it registered. Great to see another Brit bike in the group just when they're starting to fade, although I can't help thinking I'm gonna miss not seeing Gav riding his ol' Zed. It's currently a write off so maybe & hopefully with his skilled hands one day he will bring it back to life.
Another bargain of the year was Adrian, who picked up quite a nice '76 Bonnie a few months back from the Central Coast, to ride while his G12 Matchy undergoes its eternal revival. Again it's a good bike that needs a little work, although on a recent journey home from work at 4am, the Trumpy broke down and the culprit being a stuck open inlet valve, time to take the hat off.
Speaking of 70's Bonnies, recent Australian Film "Looking For Alibrandi" features a Bonnie that if you look close (very close) in some scenes you will notice is Lizzys ex-bike. Lizzy lent her bike in postproduction when it was being made to finish off some scenes. If you look even closer - is that her dressed in a tux with a pillion speeding all over Glebe Island Bridge??
Still on Bonnies, after all the new retro style models from the Hinckley overhead cam Triumphs and stolen names like Trophy, Thunderbird, Trident, etc, it seems they couldn't help themselves but to also take the Bonneville name. Apparently this model should be released in Australia sometime this year - isn't anything ever sacred??
As usual lots of Ton-Ups are travelling all over the place with Gav back to do some trekking & visit his brother in Vietnam & Laos. We also hear that Sharon's also in that part of the world having a look around (hey Shaz, why don't you drop a few lines for the news to let us know what you're doing?). Lucky Karl & Del are currently in the UK for a few months and should be making it to this years ACE Café reunion in September, as well as lots of other cool stuff, hope their getting some good photos. Beccy & Ian are gearing up for a Tassie invasion on motorbike in September, which sounds dreamy, so look out all you Tassie Ton-Ups. Unfortunately, it looks like they're going to miss out on our mega Sydney Olympics - oh well, maybe next time. With everyone else stuck here, don't feel so bad, check out this seasons calendar for our overnight adventures to Cessnock, Nowra & Colo.
If anyone is looking to get away and maybe do something a little different, check out Ferris Wheels Motorcycle Safaris (& Enfield M/C). Ferris just sent us his latest dates of classic motorcycle tours that include Nepal (Himalayan Heights), India (Royal Rajasthan) & Turkey. These run only certain times of the year, are very reasonably priced and average about 22 days long and about 2,500km each. Going by the itinerys that he sent, these truly sound like the dream adventure of a lifetime and definitely worth checking out. Contact Ferris Wheels M/C Safaris on 02 9904 7419. PO Box 743 Crows Nest NSW - tell him you're a Ton-Up!
We hear that Lisa's classic little '58 Tiger Cub is for sale if anyone is interested. This once belonged to Colin who did lots of work to it to get it in the current immaculate condition, these bikes are becoming great little collectors items, for info see John. Also, Arby's CX500 Honda is for sale for anyone after a real workhorse for a real nice price, these things go on forever!
Our ol' mate & paparazzi extraordinaire, Dave Morgan, has been travelling around the globe as usual doing lots of wonderful & interesting things. Amongst his usual goodies that he sends back to us, we recently received a French magazine called Café Racer that is packed with tons of bikes modified & Café'd - never seen a CBX 6 cyl turb look so good! If only we could read French. Looks like Dave unfortunately just recently missed out on trading his - quote "Nazi Washing Machine" (K100 BMW) for his ultimate dream Norton Commando, you just can't trust some of these M/C Dealers - maybe next time mate - thanks for the stuff.
Bob James wrote to let us know why we haven't seen him around for a while. Looks like he's still having lot's of problems with the Guzzi but fortunately he's finally found a workshop that seems to know what its doing and that he's happy with. So with new & sorted carbs, electricals, ignition & front end internals we hope to see him back riding again soon. He's already started planning the future mods, which include alloy tank, Harris Ducati - style 1/2 fairing, paint job, new wheels etc etc - (maybe you should wait until Maria starts talking to you again first mate). Hope little Nathan is well.
TON-UPS-AUSTRALIA
Glad to hear back from Mick from Dromana VIC, who sounds like a true Ton-Up to the bone! With passions in Rockabilly & the local current scene, his collection comprises of a restored '64 Bonnie which he rides regularly, a BSA Rocket Gold Star in Clubman's trim including Eddie Dow accessories that's just about finished and an original Triton waiting in line. This time he wrote to tell us about his buddy Leno, who just finished a Triton with '56 T110 motor in slimline frame, 9 stud top, 750 Morgo barrels & 5 speed in a slick shift box. Now isn't that the ultimate in Rockers heaven! But wait ... there's more ... he's even got a '59 bonnie under resto, '69 Bonnie on the road & is currently building a 56 short stroke Manx for the road. These guys are unbelievable!
Mick writes "Consequently, any other form of pleasure doesn't exist as every spare dollar is accounted for. British bikes are a consuming passion & have been for me since the late 60's and early 60's for Leno"
They're also planning a tour of Tassie soon, so look out Tassie boys. Welcome to our little club fellas, you're sure to find lots of friends amongst us. Looking forward to the promised photo of yourselves & bikes, we're saving the front page especially - you deserve it!Andrew B. (ex Tassie) wrote a few lines to let us know he's now moved to Frankston VIC and is keen to meet up with any Vic/Melb. Ton-Ups. Sounds like he's really missing the Tassie Boys & his Suzuki (which is on its way), but hopefully, the Melb/Vic Ton-Ups will be cool to show him around & make him feel at home. Contact Andrew.
Rod T from Tassie also wrote a few words saying hi to everyone and hopes to make it back to Sydney again soon. With his letter came another of his classic Ton-Up compilation tapes, complete with his usual custom & clever graphics cassette cover. This ones called 'rev it up' and has found a home right where it was originally designed to be, in my mighty old 1960 Holden! Especially love Joe Clays 'Sixteen Chicks', I've heard it a few times but never knew who it was! Also some great hits from Ronnie Pearson, Jesse James and Nervous Norvous. Thanks heaps for this one Rod, I really dig it. Looks like Rod also just sold his old CB 750 four which are becoming quite collectable these days, seems he's looking to upgrade & is considering Ducati, Laverda or Cagiva - hey - how about Ariel, Velocette, Royal Enfield? Also check out this issues' back page art for one of Rods many excellent & talented hand drawn pictures that we'll be using over future issues. Not sure who this guys supposed to be but it looks a lot like Scruffy Pete to me? (without the smoke).
We received our regular correspondence from Linda and the ACE Café including a current copy of the ACE CAFÉ Club magazine which as usual is jam packed with lots of cool Rocker / Ton-Up articles & photos. We have been promising these guys photos & stories on us Aussie Ton-Ups for ages but still haven't seemed to get around to it - (very slack), hopefully I'll make an extra effort in the next couple of months. Unfortunately, this year we're putting on our Rockers day a week early due to various reasons, which means our days will not coincide, but next year it will be all back to normal. We'll also try & get them a copy of our classic T.U.B. home video produced by our artist Lester von De Mille that's got us all hooning around. Just haven't got around to making the copies yet (still) - contact Les for your very own copy. Anyway ... for more info on the ACE Café, check out their cool website at www.ace-café-london.com or subscribe to their cool club & get their excellent club quarterly magazine. If you're ever in the UK (like Karl & Del), drop in & say G'day to Linda & Mark, tell 'em you're a Ton-Up.
Big Thanks for support, photocopy & contributions this issue:-
Rizzo, Adrian, Ian, Bec, Robbie (for organising the Rockers Day), Maxine, Nowra Lester, Raimondo #100, Gavin, Jamie, Novo, Tony (Tassie Ton-Ups), Mick C (Vic), Andrew B (Vic), Rod T (Tassie), Niki, ACE CAFÉ & Café Martini.
Big congratulations to Robbie & Chris on the birth of their little Gemma, born June Sunday 11th. She really didn't want to come out, but would you if you knew your daddy wanted to call you Buster?? WANTED TO BUY: "V50 Guzzi - must have training wheels" (just jokes Chris).
Next planned newsletter will be Autumn/Winter 2001 due in March. All contributions, photos, articles, runs, stories etc etc more than welcome, but must be received by February. Until then, have a great summer season, safe riding & see you on the road.
Cheers, John
If you wish to be reminded of any upcoming runs or advised of any adhoc events that may come up, the Ton-Up-Boys now run an email service. Please reply to arby@start.com.au with your email details so that you can be kept up to date"