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KICKSTART

Volume 32 No 9 SEPTEMBER 2017

The Official Journal of

The Vintage Motorcycle Club.

Member of S.A.V.V.A.

Affliated to

The Vintage Motorcycle Club

Of the United Kingdom

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CONTENTS

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT ......................................................................................................................... 3

VMC Calendar 2018 ........................................................................................................................ 4

Special Appeal. ................................................................................................................................ 4

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS ........................................................................................................ 5

CALENDAR OF EVENTS .................................................................................................................... 5

UPCOMING EVENTS ........................................................................................................................ 5

DJ Remembrance Ride ................................................................................................................. 5

VVC Historic Tour ............................................................................................................................ 6

Fairest Cape Tour ........................................................................................................................ 6

Velocette Reunion ....................................................................................................................... 6

Sunday Run to Wild Cave Adventures 22 October 2017 ............................................................... 6

CLUB NIGHT -24 July 2017 ............................................................................................................... 6

LIBRARY CORNER ............................................................................................................................ 7

BIKE FEATURE – BMW R90s (Part 2) ............................................................................................... 7

INTERNET ...................................................................................................................................... 10

THE CLASSIC TT ............................................................................................................................. 10

CLASSIFIEDS .................................................................................................................................. 13

FOR SALE ................................................................................................................................... 13

WANTED: ................................................................................................................................... 13

SERVICES ................................................................................................................................... 13

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ................................................................................................................. 15

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CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

From the Acting Chairman

Our AGM has come and gone and we are in the new year of the clubs business, Ken has advised

that he is not available for the new year as chairman and is stepping down. We thank him for his

efforts during this tenure and we wish him well.

This of course leaves a gap in the committee and at the first committee meeting in the new period

I have been asked to stand in as Chairman. I am willing to hold the fort for now but with my other

commitments this is not a long term solution. We must find a new face to lead our club as this is a

very important role and requires energy and the ability to get things done and my appeal is to

each member to give this some thought and to let us know what you think.

I believe we have a great club with international links and that it has a significant contribution to

make to the movement as a whole so with this in mind we need to apply ourselves to setting up a

good and strong committee.

Volunteers make the best committee members so please don’t be shy and put your hand up if you

can make a difference and it doesn’t matter at all if you haven’t had any experience, you will soon

get some!

Lots to look forward to as we move to the end of the year. There are a number of events which

should be of interest and we also welcome new ideas in this regard.

The club’s finances are sound and we have a good and competent team addressing the issues that

need this but we also have plenty of opportunity for new blood in the group so step up to the

plate and take your place!

I look forward to the response to this and also thank the current people who are willing to serve

and do so well.

Until next month safe and happy motorcycling and good fellowship within our club.

Ian Holmes.

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VMC Calendar 2018

WANTED

Calendar Sponsors

There are still a few slots left.

Please contact Richard Hulsbos urgently at hulsbosr@yebo.co.za or cell 0828933922 to keep your

slot open.

Special Appeal.

Does anyone know the whereabouts of the old VMC PA system which lived in the little blue

suitcase??

If you know of its whereabouts please inform a committee member.

We have also lost the microphone of our new system.

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WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

Editor

At our last meeting, we welcomed Justin Jarvis, Brandon’s brother. It is always good to welcome

younger members and trust that we will see you on the rally circuit. Has Brandon sorted you out

with a DJ bike yet?

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

October

1 CMC Club Sunday CMC Germiston

6 – 8 Velocette Run VOC Fouriesberg

15 Piston Ring PR Modderfontein

22 VVC Historic Tour VVC Oaklands

23 VMC Club Night VMC Oaklands

November

5 CMC Club Sunday CMC Germiston

Tba Club ride to be arranged VMC tba

12 – 14 Fairest Cape Tour CVMC Cape Winelands

19 Piston Ring PR Modderfontein

27 Club Night VMC Oaklands

December

3 Ride in Memory VMC To be advised

4 Chairmans Cocktail VMC Oaklands

10 Kenjara Run VVC Kromdraai

Dates, events and locations may change. If anyone has information on changes or additional

events that they would like included, please contact Rob Pattison-Emms

UPCOMING EVENTS

DJ Remembrance Ride

This run takes place on 24th

September from the James Hall transport museum. Please arrive at

8h30 to leave by 9h00.

Neville Smith will lead the riders on a route suitable for old bikes. If you don’t have an old bike

going, then ride one of your modern bikes.

Rob Pattison-Emms will provide a sweep.

After the ride a short service will be held and then the usual tea, coffee and biscuits.

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A register will be kept of all participants and who they ride, for while the committee is getting the

records straightened out. Plaques will be made and added at a later date.

VVC Historic Tour

The tour will start from VVCC, cars setting off in their own time from the club after 0900. The

route will pass places of both modern interest and historical, where possible, enjoying the

Jacarandas which will be in full bloom. The tour will pass the Constitutional Court into the CBD

over the Nelson Mandela Bridge and then returning via the Parktown Ridge heritage homes, via

Westcliffe to the War Memorial. This can be a stopover point for photos under Memorial or even a

coffee and then proceeding via Saxonwold/ Melrose back to the club. Approximately 1.30 to 2

hours.

I believe it is intended to have fires burning etc for lunch there. I've not finalized that aspect. Entry

is R30(to be finalised) and entry prior to the event will help with planning.

There will possibly be a quiz at the end too.”

Fairest Cape Tour

If you do only one rally a year, this is the one to do. It is held in the winelands of the Western Cape

and will run from 12th

to 14th

November. See www.cvmc.co.za for more details.

Velocette Reunion

This is a social weekend at Fouriesberg and you don’t have to own a Velocette. If you are

interested, please speak to Kevin Robertson Phone 083-321-3234

Sunday Run to Wild Cave Adventures 22 October 2017

Robert Pattison-Emms

This event has been cancelled as we did not get the minimum number of participants necessary to

make it viable.

CLUB NIGHT -24 July 2017

Ian Storer

Ken Wiggins opened the night with the AGM. Ken distributed his report and financials and

continued by thank all his committee for their support during the year. He then resigned as all the

committees are required to do and asked for nominations for all positions to come forth.

Due to the poor response from those in attendance and no outside nominees coming in only a

basic committee was formed. Nominations of people not present will have to be accepted or

rejected. Results should be published elsewhere.

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Visitor and long lost members were Tony Baxter, Nick Sim, and new member Justin Jarvis

The night proceeded by the presentation of a 1978 4 Cylinder Suzuki GS 1000 by Trevor Jones.

He told us that this bike was ‘found’ while looking through property owned by his daughter’s

father in law. Apparently it took quite a lot of persuasion from Trevor for the father in law to part

with it. Eventually once acquired Trevor cleaned it up replaced tyres and de gunked the

carburetors. The carbs. took two or three attempts before the bike ran really well, eventually

reaching 200KPH on a good run.

Trevor has added 10000 + Kilometers in the last two years on to the 14000 already on the clock, by

riding to Cape Town and doing the Fairest Cape.

Raffle prizes were won by Eric McQuillan, Ian Storer, Eddie Germiquet and others

32 people attended the evening.

LIBRARY CORNER

Our Librarian, John Hassell still is away. We look forward to his report back on his adventures

while in the UK.

BIKE FEATURE – BMW R90s (Part 2)

By Eddie Germiquet

(This is the final series of Eddie’s adventures on his R90s, at least until we twist his arm to write

some more)

Taking a Past Moderator for a “ton”.

During the early sixties the country changed from miles to kilometres. However, with the older

generation certain jargon relating to miles lingered on for some time. One such standard term was

to refer to the then magic speed of 100 miles per hour as a “ton”. Any motorcycle which could

reach 100 mile per hour (160 km/h) was highly rated. In 1981, Lauren and I had travelled to a

church renewal conference on the BMW. From time to time little groups of interested ministers

would gather round the bike for some chats. One such minister was Rev Granville Morgan, a past

Moderator of the General Assembly and by then a respected senior minister. It was with an

enquiring look in his eyes that he asked me if the BMW could “hit a ton”. “Off course!” I answered:

“If you climb on I’ll show you.” When we reached 160 km/h I tapped him on the knee and pointed

to the speedometer. The look of satisfaction that came over his face made me realize that one of

his little dreams had just been realized.

Once the family arrived it was no longer realistic for Lauren and I to go on extended motorcycle

adventures together. As the children reached the age of about 8yrs, each had their individual

opportunity to spend a motorcycling and camping weekend away with Dad.

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1000 Bike Show

One of the yearly activities of interest in Jhb is the 1000 Bike Show organized by the Classic Bike

Club. All manner of bikes can be viewed, together with the interesting characters associated with

them. Lauren, observing the ladies with heavy makeup and hair dyed black; who sport denim

jackets festooned with badges and who wear tight jeans with boots, has concluded that she is

definitely not a “Biker Chick” I am nevertheless convinced that “Ballerina Lauren” who has covered

about 12,000 kms on the back of the BMW has clocked many thousands of kilometres more than

most “Biker Chicks”.

Bike Maintenance

The reward for owning a classic BMW’s is that its maintenance can be done with a smile. The air-

cooled motor requires no added complications of a radiator; the carburettors are accessible and

can be tuned with great ease; the cylinder heads and tappets can be accessed individually when

necessary and the cylinders themselves can be eased off the engine block and each piston then

inspected. The ignition mechanism is all housed behind the front cover and the air filter at the rear

of the housing. Despite these many parts being easily accessible, the quality of the machine

ensures that accessing them is not often required.

An interesting Problem

One morning when I attempted to start the bike, it behaved as if the battery was flat. The engine

would turn over once and then stop. After a few similar attempts I decided to check if the spark

plugs produced a spark. I removed both spark plugs and connected them to the high tension leads,

then pressed the start button. With my eyes intently focussed on catching sight of a spark, I was

suddenly caught totally by surprise when I was sprayed by a powerful jet of petrol which shot out

of the now vacant spark plug hole. “What on earth is going on?” I wondered. Slowly I pieced

together the chain of events. The petrol tap had become worn so that even when it was in the

“off” position, petrol was still able to trickle past. This ongoing trickle of fuel flooded the

carburettors and then worked its way down the inlet manifolds and into the cylinders. Thus slowly

but surely both cylinders were filling up with petrol. As petrol is not compressible, the attempts to

start the engine resulted in a total blockage of the starting process. As fuel had obviously flooded

the cylinders I decided to check if it had also trickled passed the piston rings and got mixed up with

the oil in the sump. A quick check on the dipstick confirmed that the sump had filled up with petrol

and now contained a mixture of oil and fuel. Yet another problem that became evident was that

the level in the sump had got so high that it reached the bearings that houses the shaft to the

clutch mechanism and had oozed past and contaminated the clutch plate with its oily mess. The

end result was that because of a poorly sealing petrol tap, not only did the oil in the sump need

changing but the gearbox needed to be removed and the entire clutch assembly dismantled and

thoroughly cleaned.

One of the things that I have experienced while riding along country roads is that the brain goes

into a slightly altered state of consciousness where images and ideas wander in and out of one’s

thoughts. Perhaps it is the regular transition of the white lines in the centre of the road that

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induces a hypnotic state. On my numerous trips between Fort Beaufort and Rhodes University in

Grahamstown I occasionally got an insight into some issue that was needed for my thesis. Such

insights were experienced as “eureka” moments. I would arrive home and immediately make a

note of it so as to not lose the value of the insight. The interesting thing is that the passage of time

has not erased the clarity of remembering not only the exact location along the route where the

particular insight occurred but also the insight itself.

The Clock

Since the bike’s manufacture it is amazing that for the past 40 years the clock has kept virtual

perfect time and has never required repairs. For how much longer it will last, only time will tell.

A Cherry on the top

In 1975 the book “Classic Motorcycles” by Vic Willoughby, was published. On the centre double

pages 90/91 is pictured four classic motorcycles. Although the R90S was still being produced the

author seems to have had an insight into the future for he had already given the R90S a place

amongst the classics. Unknown to me at the time of the purchase of this book, is that within a few

years not just one but two of the depicted models would be parked in my garage.

30th March 1992, leaving for Glen Eden with

Jean Luc 8th April 1994, off to Port Alfred with Lincoln

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An interesting Problem

1000 Bike Show

INTERNET

Read up on the Classic TT on the official website:

https://www.iomtt.com/Classic-TT.aspx

THE CLASSIC TT

(News from Ian Holmes)

An adventure to the Isle of Man TT races has always been on my Bucket List and this year I was

lucky enough to realise this. Planning for it started early this year in the Milk Bar at the VVC when

a group of interested players or should I say fans instead mooted the idea of going across to this

year’s Classic TT event scheduled for end August early September. Pierre Rousseau Hamish

Morrison and yours truly committed to the idea and our friend Brian Gush in the UK promptly

made the bookings. The die was cast and if you do not get in very early you may miss the

opportunity altogether is it is very popular and fans from all over the UK and Europe flock there

annually.

The fun starts with a ferry crossing from Liverpool to Douglas on the Island and we had a nice calm

crossing. It takes about two and a half hours and just seeing all the motorcyclists riding into the

bowels of the ferry was a wonderful site. For future reference it is key to have a bike on the island

although not having been there before we did well enough on Public Transport. Arrival at the Ferry

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harbour in Douglas was painless and we immediately purchased an Isle of Man GO Explore card at

the terminal. This entitles you to unlimited access to buses the Horse Drawn Tram and the Electric

Rail Tram on the Island. Rob Pattison Emms of the VMC had primed us on this and it was good

advice.

Our package included “Glamping” accommodation which is glamorous camping! We were given a

tent on a sports field near the Start line on the track and this was quite adequate as it had access

to ablution facilities at the soccer club. A bit Spartan for our age perhaps but we managed well and

we did what South Africans do when they are at motorsport- we Braaied twice! We had bought

some cheap disposable braais at a store in the UK (50P each) and they worked really well!

Our experience of the folk on the island was very positive in general. They welcome the

motorcyclists everywhere and were most helpful whenever we asked for directions or advice

although they were sometimes optimistic in their predictions as to how far something was. “Five

minutes walk” often proved to be a lot more. Perhaps we are not as quick or fit as we were!!

To the event itself. This is motorcycle racing like nothing else anywhere I believe. The racing takes

place on ordinary roads and streets on the island which are closed off for the periods required.

Upon closure the marshals ride the track at great pace I might add to check that all closures are

complete and then the racing starts.

The start is as traditional as it was in the beginning in 1907 I believe. The first bike off lines up on

the grid and the starter sets him or her off by the now famous “shoulder touch”. The bikes then

scream off at ten second intervals and the winner is the one who has completed the circuit in the

shortest time from start. No results flashed up on electronic screens here. The Boy Scouts write up

each lap time on a blackboard and it is expressed in the form of the average speed of the rider

around the 37 odd mile circuit. The normal length for a race was four laps and to cover the circuit

in under twenty five or so minutes is hauling indeed.

A feature of this year’s event was an attempt by Michael Dunlop to do the course at an average of

100mph on an exact replica of the bike that set the first 100mph lap in 1957! Bob McIntyre set this

magic lap on a Gilera with a “dustbin” fairing and Michael was able to do the same sixty years

later.

To average the ton around the circuit on a modern bike is no mean feat but on that early

equipment it was an outstanding performance. Geoff Duke had nearly done it (99.97mph) but it

fell to Bob to get the first official ton up lap.

Anyway back to the experience of the event. The nature of the track is that at best you can only

see a small section of the track. While we had tickets to the main Grandstand all that is visible

from there is the start, refuelling and bike passing flat out along the straight. There are many

favourite viewing spots all around the circuit and a good plan would be to research these

beforehand and then work out how to get to them. Some require payment and others are free so

hairpins bridges and other tricky spots are favoured.

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Mad Sunday occurs on the Sunday in the middle of the programme which runs for two weeks and

a key feature of this is that visitors can ride around the track if they have suitable wheels. The

Festival of Jurby also occurs on this day and what a spectacle that is. It takes place on an airfield on

the Northwest of the Island and is reached by bike or bus . There is a short track where I

understand you can pay to ride but the big attraction is the visitors bike park where everything

from modern superbike to DJ eligible mounts are parked and a walk through this takes hours!

There must be close to five or six thousand machines parked in the various parking areas. Food

outlets regalia and bits are on sale everywhere and there is also great music being played by a

band where the brave or foolish even get up and dance.

I tend to suffer from information overload at places like this as there is so much to see and do

each of which is interesting or exciting. If you love motorcycles there is nothing quite like it.

Racing is cancelled on days when it rains so the museum in Douglas is also a good stop on such an

occasion.

I understand that at this event the 250th

fatality occurred since the commencement of these races

and one wonders how long they will continue. The good news I think is that the Isle of Man is

pretty independent of any controlling bodies and while motorcyclists are driven to attend and

participate there full well knowing the dangers the good people of the Island will allow this to

continue. I saw a sign which read “When the flag drops the Bulls**T stops!” and I think that is so

true of this race in particular.

Bruce Anstey of New Zealand set a new lap record of over 120mph in the 250cc class and the

ladies were represented by Maria Costello who was right up there with the leaders. The pit area is

open to the public which adds to the informal and very involved spectating experience. Just to

wander through this area and see the machines is very special.

All in all a great and memorable experience and if you ever can, do it!

Ian Holmes

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CLASSIFIEDS

For Sale and Wanted advertisements will be placed in Kickstart for ONE edition only. These may be

renewed on request each month. Services advertisements will be placed for a maximum of SIX

editions and must be renewed every January and July.

Advertising in the classified section is free for members and R100 for non-members, with the

exception that For Sale of classic and vintage motorcycles is free for everyone.

Advertising elsewhere in Kickstart: Full page R500, Half page R250, Quarter page R125 per edition

If you order advertising space for 6 consecutive ads, you only pay for 5 ads, if you order 12

consecutive ads, you pay for 8 ads.

Email your advertisements to editor@vintagemotorcycleclub.co.za. The cut-off for any month is the

close of business, third Monday of the month.

FOR SALE:

Lazy Loader Trailer R8000

Abrasive cut off saw – offers?

Model Steam Loco – 5” gauge part built MAID OF KENT – offers?

Colin Anderton on 076-914-3694 or email colin.anderton40@gmail.com

2008 Royal Enfield 500cc 3000 km with COR R35 000

Ian Laight - laightian@gmail.com

WANTED:

SPONSORS for the VMC Calendar

R2500 per month and 12 sponsors are required to produce a Calendar.

Contact Richard Hulbos 082 893-3922 for further information.

SERVICES

British Bike Spares, Restorations and other Services

Specialising in classic British bike spares supplying parts from Wassell, the biggest new classic bike

part wholesalers in the UK. Contact Gavin Walton

Home 011 818 4055, or Mobile 083 408 4296, Email britishbikespares@gmail.com

Full restorations. Wheel Lacing and Building.

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Contact Pierre Cronje. On Mobile 072 513 9432.

Ultrasonic cleaning call Henry Watermeyer on 084 800 8862.

Petrol taps Enots flat-slide type, made in brass to your order. Sizes 1/8”, 1/4” and 3/8” BSP

Rally boxes made to your order with handlebar mounting brackets plus mountings for the rally

plate and three watches. Trevor Fraser on 013 656 3063 or 076 591 5560.

Restoration and other services. Gravel Man Services offers full service of all BMW boxer twins (old

and new). Accident damage repairs and restorations. Please contact Markus Watson on 083 602

3503.

Vapour Blasting Services.

We clean aluminium, brass, and copper parts using VAPOUR BLASTING method. It’s a gentle, water

based, non-destructive process for smooth satin finish. Suitable for aluminium cylinder heads,

engine blocks, gearbox casings, carburettors, etc. Call Janus Gruska from Classic Restorer on 081

065 8275 (Benoni) or email classic.restorer1@gmail.com

Magneto Rewinding. Also coils for stationery motors and BMW m/cycles on exchange basis.

Contact Rod Thomas for further info and courier details. 031-762-1509, 073-365-6494 or

email rodthomas@telkomsa.net

Over 60’s Recruitment

Specializing in the recruitment of the over 60’s and getting them back in action.

Businesses Please send us a brief description of who or what type of person you need.

Specialists Please send us your brief CV (one page only accepted) with contact details to:

brian@action60.co.za 082 601 3021 or ian@action60.co.za 072 727 7382

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CLUB and CONTACT DETAILS

THE VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

P O Box 782835

SANDTON

2146

South Africa

www.vintagemotorcycleclub.co.za

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman Vacant

Vice Chairman Ian Holmes ianhol@iafrica.com 083 646 3089

Treasurer / Acting

Editor

Peter Vlietstra pvlietstra@gmail.com 082 650 9880

Secretary Ian Storer hilian@isat.co.za 072 727 7382

Club Dating Officer Kevin Walton kevin.walton@norcrossa.com 082 891 8399

Committee Member

/ Events

Rob Pattison Emms avonrod@mweb.co.za 082 891 2869

Member Brandon Jarvis brandon@ascotmews.co.za 082 410 8828

Librarian John Hassall Jh29@mweb.co.za 082 886 7133

CLUB ACCOUNT DETAILS

Account Number 1970259841

Nedbank

Sandton Branch 197-005

Please use your name and surname as your reference when making a payment

CLUB MEETINGS

Meetings are held every 4th

Monday of the month (except December) at The Vintage and Veteran

Club (VVC), 3 Athol Oaklands Road, Oaklands Johannesburg, at 20:00.

The opinions expressed in KICKSTART are not necessarily those of the Committee or the Editor.

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The Vintage Motorcycle Club

PO Box 782835

Sandton 2146

www.vintagempotorcycleclub.co.za