A monthly publication of The Vintage Motorcycle Club
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Volume 25. No 1
January, 2012.
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Many of you will actually read this first 2012 issue before Christmas so I will
wish you all the very best for the Festive Season and a safe and pleasant
entry into the New Year.
This year really has flown. Looking back, I do see how busy I have been
with club/motorcycle activities and also feel that there has been quite a lot
of progress there. Nevertheless, my New Year Resolution is to quicken the
pace of restoration work and to get two more motorcycles into roadworthy
and event-ready condition. How about you?
Yours in good riding,
MICHAEL MS
Coming in January
January 22nd (Sun)
VVC Lunch Fun Run
Broadacres
(Motorcyclists are welcome. See notice on page 12.)
January 23rd (Mon) VMC Club Night
Morningside
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Things coming up
February 12th
February 17/18th
February 26th
March 9th-10th
May
June 10th
August 16th-18th
November 9th-10th
CMC Autumn Rally/PreDJ Run
British Motorcycle Gathering
DJ Riders invited to VVC
Commemorative DJ
Fragram Natal Classic
DJ Remembrance Run
Magnum/SAVVA National
Fairest Cape Tour
CMC
Knysna
VVC
VVC
CMCN
James Hall
POMC
CVMC
November Club Night
The Chairman opened the meeting by asking all present to stand in a few
moments silence in tribute to John Pitchford who had recently passed
away.
It was noted with regret that Ian Storer had resigned as Club Secretary due
to his move to Cape Town. Chairman expressed the Club’s appreciation for
Ian’s work over the last four years and asked called on members to
nominate someone who was interested in taking over this position.
The recent Fairest Cape Tour was reported to be most successful and
enjoyable. It was noted that six of the first ten places were taken by VMC
members and that the overall winner was Gavin Walton. The Motorcyclist
of the Month trophy was accordingly presented to Gavin.
The opportunity was also taken to present the “Splitpin” trophy for 2011 to
Kevin Robertson. This annual award goes to the rider who accumulates the
lowest number of penalties over three of the four national motorcycle rallies
in the calendar year. Kevin has been a consistent winner over several
years.
Mike then gave a presentation on the 1912 MAG-engined Royal Enfield
that was on display and he talked of the steps being taken to make the
machine mobile again. He spoke on the history of both Royal Enfield and
Motosacoche and told of how, under some early “badge engineering”,
identical machines were being built in England and Switzerland and sold
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under the two different names. In those days, Royal Enfield were also
punting their “clean handlebar” design with all four control cables operating
inside the ‘bars.
There were 60 members and guests present.
Kevin Robertson with the Splitpin Trophy he won for the 2011 rally
series.
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The DJ “TwentyFivers”
Most of you will be aware that Dave Sansom has, for many years, kept a
meticulous record of all participation in the Commemorative DJ. He has
given us a list of the 222 riders that have competed in 8 or more of the 41
DJs over the period 1970 to 2011. Top of his list are 14 riders who have
done 25 or more and we list them here as the “TwentyFivers”.
RIDER
Ian Brodie
Frank Hayward
Doug McLaren
Trevor Jones
Ric Lewis
Tony Lyons-Lewis
Ken Sink
Dick Thompson
Larry Collins
Tony Woodley
Gerald Hollis
Jim Mahaffey
Alan Crookes
Hew Hollard
STARTS FINISHES
34
31
30
23
30
26
29
19
29
26
29
26
29
24
29
28
28
23
28
27
27
23
26
20
25
20
25
25
Three of the above riders (Doug McLaren, Tony Lyons-Lewis and Larry
Collins) have each forsaken one DJ ride in order to carry out Clerk of the
Course/Organiser duties.
Kevin Robertson has organized no less than five DJs on top of his 22 starts
and 19 finishes.
We expect that the TwentyFiver list will increase by two riders in 2012
when John Allison and Peter Hall each achieve 25 DJ rides.
Restoration Notes
Steven Helm has acquired the remains of an Indian Powerplus. Its great to
have another Powerplus in the family but there is presently so much
missing. So if you know of any parts or components for this type of Indian,
please call Steve on 082 427 6990.
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The 2012 Commemorative D-J
A reminder that the 2012 DJ will take place over 9th to 10th March and the
Entry Documentation is still available on the usual Websites.
Riders should please note that the Closing Date for entries is Friday,
January 13th. Further details can be had from Pierre Cronje on 072 513
9432.
Henry Watermeyer writes..
After last year’s 1000 Bike Show I had the misfortune to have my '26
Sunbeam fall over on the trailer while unloading. The only damage was
that the petrol tap broke against the trailer mudguard. I tried all the normal
DIY solutions to fix it without any real success.
I eventually remembered an advert in Kick Start for ENOTS type petrol taps
and I phoned Trevor Fraser in Witbank.
Problem solved. Not only did he have/made one for me but he arranged
for Dane to bring it up to Johannesburg. I got the size wrong and he sent a
replacement part by the same route.
The tap is superbly made and fits like a dream. All I had to do was buy a
cheap Chinese tea strainer and make a gauze filter which I soldered into
the tank end.
The other great success story was my wife getting some quite complicated
embroidery done on some tee-shirts she needed for her business. Here
Jenny Dean, daughter of well known club member Des Burton, came up
absolutely tops. She had also done the embroidery on the DJ caps and
the quality of her work and her service, are phenomenal. I understand that
there will be an advert on the 2012 club calendar for Jenny and would
strongly recommend supporting her. (See the “Digi-Sew” details on the
January page of the new calendar.)
We need to support those who advertise in our publications. They support
us and we need to remember them when we need their services.
Henry
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Henry Paine writes..
Dear Brandon,
I have just moved to the Cape and now live in the George area. I have
enjoyed my membership of the VMC although I have, of late, not made as
much use of my membership as I could! I wish the club all the best in the
future but must unfortunately resign as a member.
Regards, Henry.
Larry and Margot Collins write..
Dear Mike,
Many thanks for the 2012 V.M.C. calendar received yesterday.
We hang it in a prominent position in our kitchen to enjoy, and use.
Kind Regards, Larry and Margot.
Ivor Carlson writes..
Dear Mike,
I was delighted to receive my 2012 VMC calendar which thankfully arrived
without any postal damage. The selection of bikes is really very good, the
photography by Les Sim is wonderful and the printing by Robbie Robson
top class – all in all a calendar which will find pride of place and enjoyed
throughout 2012. Thanks to our Committee for having produced this
collectable calendar.
My 1935 Sunbeam model 9 is ready for the 2012 DJ, but sans the bolt-on
rear section of the mudguard which I lost just after Estcourt on the 2011 DJ
and have not, as yet, been able to replace. I will probably have to join The
Marston Sunbeam Club and Register in order to advertise my “wanted”
requirements, and hopefully get the correct parts.
Kind regards, Ivor.
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Headlamp Labels for the Ride in Memory
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“RACE IT, SHAKE IT, BEND IT”
Or “Madness Rules”
By John Allison
Jonathan Malkin, my old friend and co-owner of the notorious S-BEND
Motor Cycle Shop were reminiscing recently on the old S-Bend days and it
prompted me to tell this little tale of two motorcycle nuts.
It was 1973 and I was trying to find myself after my return from England
and Europe after a sabbatical of 2 ½ years. It was difficult to settle down
to a work-a-day routine. For a while I worked for Viv and Roy Lyons,
restoring their car collection and that helped me to get used to a working
routine again, playing with those lovely old toys. Then there was a brief
foray into Real Estate sales which is when I met Jonathan Malkin.
We were young and keen to start some kind of venture something
attractive, something exciting, but what? I was keen to import the
ubiquitous (in France) VeloSolex (“help-my-trap”) motorized bicycle, but
how and where to market what I imagined could become a popular mode of
personal transport? (It never really caught on in SA). However, it was this
idea that spurred the purchase of struggling motorcycle shop in Orange
Grove at the bottom of the infamous “death bend hill” a well know spot for
serious prangs. It was named Jenny’s Motorcycles after the woman owner.
We needed to rename the business. We chose “S Bend Motorcycles” –
softened from “Death Bend Motorcycles”. We were fortunate to become
agents for the Kawasaki franchise as the VeloSolex thing was hardly a
roaring success. We were also agents for Suzuki and the famous
Husqvana.
We decided to promote our new business at the Rand Show as, at this
time, the new Kawasaki Z900 was about to dethrone the Honda 750 and
became the new King of Superbikes, they sold like cold Castles in a heat
wave. Suddenly we were riding the crest of the wave! Our brilliant, crazy
Oriental mechanic, Nikki Min, could tune, service or fix anything on two
wheels. Our apprentice was one Selwyn Lurner who, I’m sure, was
disappointing as a student, but just loved bikes. We also had “Fat Ernie”
Booth as our stores man, quite a character. He proved quite useful at kick
starting my high-compression Norton Commando. Jonathan and I did the
marketing and general running of the outfit.
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Nikki and his crazy friend, Kent, asked us if we would sponsor their racing
sidecar outfit. Sidecar racing was beginning to catch on in the South
African bike circuit. I looked at their outfit and, although it was largely
homemade, it looked quite professional. It had a highly tweaked motor, a
Honda 500 Four, with a Yoshimura kit making it a quite potent 650cc. Of
course, a racing sidecar outfit is a strange beast, totally different to a
normal sidecar with 3 wide wheels of small diameter, the rider/driver almost
lying flat with foot control near the back wheel. The “passenger” crouched
on a platform behind a small fairing.
It performed very well even against outfits imported from the UK. We
dressed up the body work with our blue and cream livery and No.10 S
BEND RACING signage. Nikki and Kent did quite a few races before
having a big fallout and parting company, leaving us holding the baby.
Jonathan and I looked at the beast and he said why don’t WE race the
thing?
What do we know about sidecar racing? Some argie-bargie, then … let’s
go for it, but as long as I’m the driver (organ grinder) and you Jonathan, the
‘monkey’. To my surprise, Jonathan agreed, so we procured special blue
and cream “S-BEND” racing leather and helmets - they were really smart!
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! Handling one of these oddball machines is
nothing like a bike or car. It has the unique distinction of being a beast that
can only be controlled by two people with some strange telepathic wiring
between minds and bodies! Without this, the beast is completely
untameable!
We practiced at the old Kyalami track. It was, and had to be, a real crash
course with the race events imminent. In fact it was a sharp learning curve!
Learning the curves is what it’s all about. The agility of the “passenger”
(can’t really call him that) is so vital as in the technique of drifting the outfit
to scrub off speed into the bends, rather just braking, is so effective. We
began to get the feel of it and our lap times improved to the extent that we
might appear slightly less green to the other crews on the circuit. They
were actually very supportive and encouraging.
We competed in several events, including Kyalami, Lydenburg, Welkom
etc., not winning any, but improving and dicing with those outfits in our
category. This was “high adrenalin stuff” for a couple of novices.
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The Welkom race was a bit hectic. We had a good start. The bike was
performing well but, on lap 3, in the middle of the esses, that telepathic
thread broke and Jonathan inexplicitly FROZE halfway across the outfit.
When this happens, control of the beast disappears, the sidecar wheel lifts
high in the air and the organ grinder must get that wheel down onto terra
firma, this it meant leaving the track for the grassy infield, bouncing and
bucking and, in the process, eliminating a sharp right hand bend and then
back onto the track to “carry on regardless”. I glance at Jonathan’s paled
face which registers a large variety of expressions, but we manage a grin
(or was it a grimace?) and finish way down the field with a battered
machine and a persistent misfire.
Back at S-Bend we decided to up our game and set about improving the
outfit in readiness for the upcoming Hesketh event. Much fettling, fine
tuning of machine and men. Late nights at the workshop and on one
occasion an excursion onto the side roads of Orange Grove. I guess it was
almost 10 pm when I turned sharply back into Louis Botha Avenue in the
process loosing Fat Ernie, who had volunteered to ride shotgun, he fell off
in the road, unfortunately in front of an AJS 500 single mounted by a
leather-legginged, old style, speed cop. The shop was less than 30 metres
away and the cop on his bike was a friend of our apprentice’s Dad, so were
tongue lashed “get that bloody contraption off the street” etc. He could
have thrown the book at us but he also loved his bikes so a blind eye was
turned.
Incidentally, we had many drags from the robot and up death bend, but
that’s another story!
Right – destination Hesketh – and this is our big moment! We don’t know
the track but we practice well, so well in fact, that we are No. 2 on the gridtype start and J & J are pumping. We take off like a scalded cat behind
number 1.
The front man misjudged that first left hander and got totally sideways. We
try to get round him but in the process – get clipped by the outfit behind,
Jonathan ending face down on the track. I cartwheel off the track into the
Natal countryside, crunching the outfit in some rough stuff. The outfit is
sort of broken, but I’m OK. I run back to the track, but Jonathan is still face
down with tyre tracks across his blue and cream S-Bend leathers. I think,
Jesus, is he still alive? Adrenalin flows. I pull him off the track (totally
wrong I know), turn him over on his back, and remove his helmet. His eyes
are open, his mouth opens and utters what the fook happened?? I am
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thankful that he seems normal or at least as normal as Malkin ever gets. A
sore thumb being the sum total of his injuries. The bike was certainly much
worse off.
We sold the poor damaged beast to some other maniacs with sidecar
racing aspirations and returned to more normal motorcycling!
The pictures herewith are courtesy of Bike SA (August 1976) and clearly
reveal our rather unconventional sidecar acrobatics!
SHOT 1 : Oops!
SHOT 2 : Ouch!
SHOT 3 : Flat out & farming
SHOT 4 (Dr. John)
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Handy Websites
Think Bike
www.thinkbike.co.za
Commemorative DJ Run
www.djrun.co.za
Vintage Motorcycle Club
www.vintagemotorcycleclub.co.za
Classic Motorcycle Club
www.classicmotorcycleclub.co.za
Classic Motorcycle Club of Natal www.ncmc.org za
Crankhandle Club
www.crankhandleclub.co.za
Pretoria Old Motor Club
www.pomc.co.za
Vintage & Veteran Club
www.vintageandveteranclub.co.za
SAVVA
www.savva.org.za
The Piston Ring
www.pistonring.org.za
VVC LUNCH FUN RUN - 22nd JANUARY 2012
CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE 55/2011 WC
The event, starting from the BROADACRES SHOPPING CENTRE runs for
about 40 km to the Lunch stop at Kenjara Lodge. A braai lunch at R70.00
per person will be available on arrival at Kenjara Lodge. Please pay for the
lunch directly on your arrival.
The event traverses pleasant countryside north of Johannesburg and the
route is relatively traffic free.
Eligibility for this event is for all vehicles built up to December 31st
1975.However, if you do own a pre-1940 vehicle PLEASE bring it. The
terrain and distance are suitable for the older vehicles.
ORGANISER: Brian Lawlor Tel: 011 883 2054
(Please make sure you have a valid SAVVA orange Indemnity Card.)
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DJ MACHINES:
WANTED: Frame for Triumph Model H and any other bits.
MITCH McALLISTER on 083 456 9119.
WANTED: Powerplus spares. Please help!
STEVEN HELM on 082 427 6990.
WANTED: Timing cover for 1927 Triumph Model H.
STEVEN HELM on 082 427 6990.
WANTED: Any bits for 1927 Douglas EW model.
Please call ALLISTER POHL on 082 554 5219.
WANTED: A DJ Bike, 500cc or more. Need not be DJ-ready, but must be licenced and
SAVVA Dated.
Please call PIERRE ROSSOUW on 083 653 7310.
WANTED: A DJ Bike, 500cc or more. Need not be DJ-ready.
Please call GERHARD VERMAAK on 082 552 7602.
FOR SALE: 1936 ZENITH 600cc s/v. Ideal DJ machine. Has done 6 DJs already. Bad
knee means I need something easier to kick start.
IAN POPPLEWELL on 082 445 0686.
FOR SALES:
AJS. 1952 500cc AJS Springtwin. Motor overhauled. All in excellent original condition.
Licenced. R 35 000 onco.
Contact DOUG CRUIKSHANK (in PMB) on 082 372 1459 for more details.
AJS. A handsome 1964 Model 18 500cc single in very good original condition but
gearbox requires new oil seals. As used on 2011 Natal Classic. SAVVA dated. Previous
owner Andy Stead. Come with new Matchless/AJS +40 thou piston which would
improve an already good performance. R 20 000 onco.
IVOR CARLSON (Howick) 033 239 4577 or 083 608 0741. icarlson@mweb.co.za
AJS. 1962 AJS “CSR” 650 SPORTS TWIN – Beautiful condition and on the road.
R50,000.00 onco. Contact MIKE LANG on 011 849 5859 or 082 821 1826.
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AJS. Late model HEADLAMP SHELL. R250 or exchange.
ROLY TILMAN on 082 377 4303.
BSA. A65 PARTS. 4 X motor, gearbox complete R2500 ea. 4 frames R300 ea.
4 wheels R250 ea. 4 forks/steering heads R250 ea. Some carbs, petrol tanks, exhausts,
saddles etc. ROLY TILMAN on 082 377 4303.
BMW: R90S 1974 model in silver. Restored by Peter Posniak. With spoke wheels and
original toolkit. For sale at R 50 000 or exchange with cash adjustment for a R69S or a
really good R60/2. SAVVA dated.
IVOR CARLSON (Howick) 033 239 4577 or 083 608 0741. icarlson@mweb.co.za
BMW: 1973 BMW 60/6. Licensed. Tidy but not concours. Ex Ginger Norquoy.
SAVVA dated. Ready to go. R15000.
Contact TONY BESWICK on 083-271-4337 or tands2@worldonline.co.za
BMW. 1962 BMW R60. Motor sound. Good condition. SAVVA dated and licenced.
R 30 000 onco. Call ROD THOMAS for more info. 031 762 1509 or 073 365 6494.
BSA 1957 BSA B33. Licenced. Restored. R 25 000 onco.
Contact DOUG CRUIKSHANK (in PMB) on 082 372 1459 for more details.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON: A VERY LARGE COLLECTION OF SHOVELHEAD SPARES,
Engine and cycle parts. R 9 500 onco. To view, call CHRIS on 011 465 1347.
MATCHLESS. 1952 Matchless G80CS 500cc Registered runner but needs some TLC
Also second rolling chassis as spares for above. Price lot R 20 000.
Contact ROY CRONJE on 082 565 5982
MOTO GUZZI 1982 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 111, colour red, R30 000.
Please phone KEVIN on 082 304 2240.
PETROL TAPS Enots flat-slide type, made in brass to your order. In sizes 1/8”, ½” and
3/8” BSP. TREVOR FRASER on 013 656 3063 or 076 591 5560.
RALLYBOXES 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.
SIDECAR: Period sidecar for sale.Came off a 1923 Zenith. Good chassis and
handmade wood/metal coachwork. Make an offer to ANDY STEAD on 082 553 4492.
TYRES: SPECIAL OFFER: Dunlop 19” X 350 K70 Rear Tyres @ R495 ea. Less 10%
for buying two and 19” X 325 Rib Front Tyres @ R395 ea.
Call MIKE LANG on 011 849 5859 or 082 821 1826.
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VELOCETTE 1952 MAC 350cc. This is a nearly finished project with very little left to
complete the rebuild. R25 000.00 or nearest offer. For more information and to view the
bike please call GUS GREGORY on 072 184 2189 or KEVIN SOLOMON 082 463 4183.
WANTEDS:
AJS FRONT MUDGUARD STAY wanted for 1965 Model 18 AJS.
Please contact RIKKI MAIZEY on 082 653 9946.
ARIEL TOP YOKE wanted for Ariel Girder Forks.
Please call PIERRE CRONJE on 072 513 9432.
BSA A65 Licenced Runner, If you have one sitting and would like to move it on to a
deserving Home, please contact JOHN BOOTH in Durban, on home: 031 762 2229 or
cell: 073 341 8211
HARLEY-DAVIDSON Wanted: SIDECAR or SIDECAR PARTS for a Harley 10/12.
Please call ADRIAN HOLLIS on 082 497 3420.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON Wan32.ted: GEARBOX or gearbox parts for 1916-1920 Harley
and
GEARBOX or gearbox parts for 1941-1942 5/7 Harley-Davidson.
Please contact Eugene van Dalen on 082 681 0859.
ROYAL ENFIELD. Loan or sale of a workshop manual. (Magneto fitting.)
RON HICKEY on 071234 4884.
TRIUMPH: INLET MANIFOLD wanted for TR120. Left, or both.
Please call PIERRE CRONJE on 072 513 94
RESTORATION SERVICES
PIERRE does WHEEL LACING and BUILDING. Call him on 072 513 9432.
LLOYD DU BOIS makes ornate period BRASS SPARK-PLUG NUTS and
CONNECTORS for HT leads. He also hand makes stainless steel/aluminium LICENCE
DISC HOLDERS, CORKS for the “Enots” push-pull type fuel taps, and light alloy TYRE
VALVE CAPS. Can deliver to you at the DJ in Hillcrest.
Call LLOYD on 033 396 6471.
For ULTRASONIC CLEANING call HENRY WATERMEYER on 084 800 8862.
15
THE VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
P O Box 782835 SANDTON 2146 South Africa
Michael Milner-Smyth Chairman, SAVVA Delegate,
Magazine Editor. (H&B) 011 802 7452.
milnersmyth@bigfoot.com .
Brandon Madgwick Vice Chairman
bmad_001@yahoo.com
H 011 793 5706 C 083 400 4955
Adrian Hollis
Treasurer
Adrian@theholidayfactory.co.za
B 011 258 5301
C 082 497 3420
Ian Holmes
Committee Member ianhol@iafrica.com
B 011 244 0351
H 011 793 7304 C 083 646 3089
Rob Pattison-Emms Committee Member avonrod@mweb/co.za
B 011 460 1901
H 011 460 1901 C 082 891 8399
Les Sim
Committee Member les@turnkeyhydraulics.co.za
B 011 827 8954
H 011 673 1865 C 082 552 4072
Roly Tilman
Committee Member
tilman@lasergroup.co.za
Librarian
H 011 803 1462 C 082 377 4303
Steve Trehair
Committee Member stevet@matrixmarketing.co.za
B 011 886 0494
H 011 469 5900 C 083 461 2751
Mike Lester
Club Dating Officer
H 011 453 4216
Ric Lewis
Magazine Distribution
C 082 746 2816 (Liz)
Club Bank Acc No. 1970259841 at Nedbank. Sandton Branch 197-005.
Club Meetings are held every fourth Monday of the month (except
December) at Morningside Country Club, De La Rey Rd, Rivonia, at
20h00.
The opinions expressed in KICKSTART are not necessarily those of the
Committee or the Editor.
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