THE TRUMPY TIMES
Winter/Spring 2013

Exhaust notes from the President
Hi All
Good times were had by all at the Trathra weeken. Thanks go to Toby, Bob and Judith
Russell and co for organising lunch and a good ride.
A good roll up again for the Bundanoon weekend with a great ride organised by
Lorraine. Popular consent has us booking the pub again for next year.
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As a side a few members attended the Southern triples and Ballina triples rally, both
events were great.
With Bathurst around the corner don’t forget to get your entries back if you are thinking
of attending.
Look forward to catching up with everyone there.
TMRA Ride reports
Red Scarf Rally 9-10 March 2013
It was under a perfect southern sky, that the entrants gathered on the break-wall of
Kiama Harbour for the Saturday ‘main run ‘ this year’s Red Scarf Rally hosted by the
Illawarra Classic MCC.
It was a surprise to see that the entries appeared to be down on previous years, another
surprise was amount of 70’s and 80’s Japanese machines. The Jappo’s made up I
would say around 90-95% of the machines participating in the main run on the
Saturday. As to British and European Machines, I counted 4 Triumphs, 3 BSA’s and 5
other ‘non-jap’ machines!
The run took the entrants from Kiama to Bomaderry via Seven Mile Beach, over
Cambewarra Mountain to Kangaroo Valley. Then across to Robertson and down the
escarpment to Warrilla for lunch and judging.
As far as results of the judging go, I had to return home early due to work commitments,
however I suspect that the ‘land of the Rising Sun’ featured well.
Bundanoon Weekend
The TMRA Autumn Rally in Bundanoon 15-17 March 2013.
The Report
This was a return to Bundanoon by popular request after a very successful rally here in
2012. The popularity of this event was evident when well over 30 riders and their wives
turned up at Bundanoon. Last year I had trailered up my T150 Trident but this year I
decided to ride it up there. It was going so well that I had no qualms about doing so. At
least that was the case until 13 March when I came off my BMW avoiding an erratic old
man in a big boxy Volvo. I had not broken anything, except the bike, but was badly
bruised. Never mind, I thought, once in the saddle I could ride OK.
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Two days later on Friday 15 Mar I rode over to Evan Kemp's place to meet Attilio and
later Tony Merz. We rode to Murrumbateman where Steve Keough joined us and then
on to Yass for lunch, where 'Paki' joined us having ridden from his home near Albury.
After lunch sitting in the warm sunshine, our group rode NE over the old Hume Hwy
from Gunning to Goulburn, the once infamous Culerin Range. Then a short stretch of
the modern highway again before we turned onto the Tallong Bundanoon road.
Several riders were already there when we arrived in mid afternoon and a very social
afternoon turned into the evening meal at the hotel. All the other riders rode in during
the next hour or two and it was a delight to meet up with all our TMRA friends again as it
had been a long time since our last full gathering at Bathurst in September. In truth we
had met twice before Christmas but in very sad circumstances, first for the funeral of
Rick Lord in Balkham Hills, and very soon afterwards in Nowra for the funeral of Jimmy
Anderson.
Saturday morning was the ride day, a different route this time to last year, as this year
we were not to descend from the highlands to the coastal plain. Last year, you may
remember, Denis Ainsworth came off his bike as we ascended the narrow and steep
Jambaroo Pass. This year gladly there were no falls or mechanical failures to report.
Our Saturday ride this time took us first to Robinson via the Fitzroy Falls, where most
stopped to take look at the wonderful view. In Robinson we regrouped for fuel and for a
coffee. This became a little protracted as one rider at least ran out of petrol. This was
not entirely their fault as both the Bundanoon petrol stations are closed on a Saturday,
of which I was unaware! The road from Bundanoon to Robinson took us across some of
the loveliest countryside in the Southern Highlands and even in Australia.
With everybody rescued and refuelled we headed off on the Kangaloon road. This is a
tourist route along a ridge, avoiding the three major Highlands towns of Moss Vale,
Bowral and Mittagong. However it is difficult to follow and impossible to marshal due to
the number of turns required. Therefore we tried the follow the leader method, which
broke down when the rally split into two groups. The 2nd group, following Evan, missed
a roundabout turn and ended up in Mittagong. Of course then they missed the fuel stop
at the BP in Bargo too! They later met us at the railway museum in Thirlemere after
coming down the Hilltop road.
Whilst our half of the rally was refuelling at Bargo a police cruiser pulled into the garage
and parked, with the PC giving us a very evil look, evidently convinced we were outlaws
of some description. He drove off later toward Tahmoor and I thought he had
reconsidered his position. However as we rode towards Tahmoor he passed us heading
south again but shortly afterwards I was told he had turned around again and was
preparing to follow us. Consequently I took the riders up a side street and he missed us.
That was the last we saw of him thankfully.
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We arrived at the railway museum to find some of the missing riders, but that there were
still some missing. We later found them in the Thirlemere pub so all was well. The
railway museum has had a lot of money spent on it in recent years and it is really worth
a visit if you find yourself in the area. Most of us ordered snacks in the museum caf and
later the others joined us.
The afternoon section of the ride took us, via The Oaks to the Burragorang lookout. The
Burragorang Valley had been a favourite holiday destination for Sydney people before
the Warragamba Dam was built and flooded the entire valley. Now the lookout stands
over a quiet and uninhabited lake filled valley with wild mountains beyond. It is a
magnificent sight though and worth riding up to see.
We returned to Thirlemere and climbed up the Hilltop road stopping briefly to look at the
impressive convict built cutting, where 19th century colonial engineers had cut the first
railway through to Mittagong and hence to Melbourne. This railway has long since been
bypassed by a new mainline further to the east. and the tracks lie rusty and abandoned.
Most of us then rode on to the Surveyor General Hotel in Berrima for an afternoon beer,
some others who were rather fatigued by the day rode straight back to Bundanoon. The
Saturday evening was intended as the Rally dinner get-together and nearly everybody
ate together in the dining room, which was a lovely experience. Unfortunately, after my
spill from my blessed BMW I was very sore after the two days riding and I was fading a
little as the evening progressed. Note: I nicknamed the K75 BMW the Bulldozer due to
its heavy Teutonic look compared to the light and lovely British machines parked beside
it in my shed.
On Sunday morning I found that the Canberra riders has left without me; perhaps they
considered that my T150 would not be fast enough for them. When I was ready to leave
I found that I was so sore that I was unable to start the T150 and I had to call upon Rick
Moss to start it for me, which he did in a very accomplished and easy fashion.
So I rode off alone, however I had to stop for fuel in Marulan as I calculated that my US
spec tank would be all but empty on the outskirts of Canberra if I did not refuel. I
stopped in Marulan at the BP and was able to start the now hot machine without
difficulty. My ride home was uneventful but increasingly painful. I concluded when I
collapsed in a chair back at home that it had not been wise to ride that weekend, but it
had been a splendid weekend and my memory of the pain has now faded leaving just
the happy memories.
Lorraine Lister
29 April 2013
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TMRA Tathra Weekend Gathering: 12-14 April 2013
The Report
Three Canberra riders set off at 2pm on Friday 12 Apr from Kambah ACT, Lorraine
Evan & Attilio. We rode south in lovely sunny warm weather to Cooma where we
stopped for fuel & a feed. There were thunderstorms brewing to the south & east but by
the time we left 'Polo Flat' nearly an hour later after a very extended stop, they seemed
to have petered out. It was now 3pm & the day was fading. We rode to Nimmitabel on
wet roads & into chilly air onto a very wet Brown Mountain, which we descended
carefully. In Bemboka the evening was fast approaching. The gathering gloom was
peppered with mist & showers which produced an eerie feeling.
In Bega we refuelled with only 15 minutes of daylight left as it was 5:30pm, we had had
a slow trip. The three of us rode into the Tathra pub as the last light was fading to be
greeted by Toby, Steve Lord & Trevor who had arrived earlier.
It was only after we caught our breath that Toby told us that Cheryl, riding alone had hit
a car in South Nowra earlier in the day & was in hospital. She had been riding Rick
Lords old bike & had damaged the front end severely. The hospital stay was because of
suspected internal injuries, as there was nothing broken. Poor Cheryl has had a bad run
of spills in recent years. Sophie Mick, Vince & Townsend had remained in Nowra
overnight to support her & to rescue the damaged machine. As a result of this depletion
in our numbers, we had only a small group for dinner, joined by Bega Bob & Judy who
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came over from Bega. The evening in the pub was very pleasant however & with our
small group very chatty.
Saturday morning dawned a perfect day, indeed it was a last gasp of the dying
Summer. Several of us walked down to a beachside café for breakfast, where we
watched bathers in the calm ocean.
I am told that Autumn is the choice time for the far south coast as the strong winds
which pick up during Summer days do not mar the Autumn.
Bob rode over again from Bega with two of his friends, Johno & Rex on Harleys. Bob
led the ride to Merimbula & hence to Wyndham where we stopped for a tea break. We
had intended to return to Bega via Candelo & Bemboka, which are lovely riding roads,
however time was getting late so we rode from Candelo back to Bega directly in order to
arrive at Bob's house in time for lunch, which was being prepared by Judy & Jenny. The
ride had been splendid despite being slightly abbreviated. We thank Bega Bob for
leading the ride for us.
I should mention the two 'Meriden' machines on the run: Toby Bateman was riding a
T150 Trident which had been modified to take the T160 electric start. Toby had
contracted this complex modification to an expert, whose name I do not recall. The
T160 you may remember had forward canted cylinders, to make room for the electric
start. With the vertical cylinders of the T150, there is virtually no space for the
carburettors however it all fitted & it worked. However should you be interested in this
modification I suggest you contact Toby. Steve Lord was riding a well used Tiger 650,
which he has owned for a long while. It ran perfectly & kept up with the 'Hinckley'
machines with no problem.
Whilst we were having lunch the missing riders arrived: Sophie & Mike, Vince & Bob
Townsend, with tales of poor Cheryl's fall & very bent bike. In seems that Cheryl had
been riding alone when she ran into the car in South Nowra. Mike had gone to find the
bike to discover it impounded by the police at a smash repairer's yard. Cheryl was in
Nowra Hospital for observation for suspected internal injuries, as the bike had fallen on
her. Otherwise her injuries did not appear serious, thank goodness.
After a leisurely lunch the proceedings were interrupted when Vince received news that
his Son had been involved in a car crash up in Sydney, driving a 4WD. Unable to get
further information Vince left for Sydney immediately for a long & fraught ride home. We
heard in the evening that he had arrived home safely & his Son was not seriously
injured.
With lunch over we made our way back to Tathra in time for relaxation & some local
exploring. Tathra is certainly a lovely location for an event. We again had dinner in the
pub & a pleasant evening resulted.
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On Sunday Toby & his wife provided breakfast in their unit, just tea & toast but it
sufficed. Before we departed the pub staff approached us & offered under cover parking
in their basement garages for next year and also a cooked breakfast if we wanted it.
This was all good news so Toby booked the rooms for a repeat of this event next year.
This will be 11-13 April 2014, the weekend before Easter to put this in your forward
calendar.
Lorraine Lister
29 April 2013
This inaugural event for Triumph and BSA Triples was held on the NSW South Coast
and hosted by the Triumph Motorcycle Register of Australia. Rally ‘HQ’ was at the Glen
Mack Caravan Park in beautiful Kangaroo Valley, with entrants from as far afield as
Queensland.
The week preceding the rally had been ‘wet’, as was Friday the 24th the first day of the
rally. That night however an intrepid group of entrants and the somewhat concerned
organisers, gathered around a roaring open fire in the Parks camp kitchen dining on hot
roast beef rolls.
Saturday morning arrived and the Valley was consumed by fog, then as we were
tucking in to a hot cooked breakfast, suddenly the ‘sound of triples’ could be heard, as
more entrants began to arrive. Bringing news of the fantastic weather beyond the fog .
At 10am sharp our ‘mountains to the sea’ ride took us out of the Valley down
Cambewarra Mountain, to follow the Shoalhaven and Crookhaven Rivers to the
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Crookhaven Rivers mouth at Greenwell Point. Then after a short stop it was back in the
saddle and off again through lush farmland and forests to the shores of magnificent
Jervis Bay at Huskisson. There was a short stop here on the beach front to allow the
Tripler’s to take in the vista looking across the ‘bay’ with Bowen Island to the South and
the towering cliffs of Point Perpendicular to the north.
We then headed off to the village of Sanctuary Point for our lunch stop at the Greville
Corner Cafe on the shore of St Georges Basin. The Cafe owned by TMRA member and
Chef Ian, provided us with exceptional food and hospitality and Ian went so far as to
allocate reserved parking for the rally entrants.
Lunch was soon over and the ‘sound of triples’ could be heard leaving the Bay and
Basin area for a short run along the Princes Hwy to the BTU Road (named after the
British Torpedo Unit that was based there in WW2).
Then it was over Nowra Hill to the RAN Air Station, then after a short stop, we made our
way back up Cambewarra Mountain to Rally HQ.
Saturday night saw us again gathering in front of the open fire in the camp kitchen,
where we enjoyed a barbecue dinner cooked by award winning Chef Ricardo and his
assistants. After dinner TMRA President Brian Eldred and I presented the trophies
generously donated by Jeff Skillen of Re-Engineered Amal Carburettors:
Best Drum Braked Triple - Chris Parlet (Goulburn Classic Riders Club) 1969 T150
Best Disc Braked Triple - Rick ‘Ricardo” Moss (TMRA) 1974 T150
Best Rocket Three - Unfortunately none entered so the trophy remains unclaimed,
perhaps some R3’s will ‘blast’ in next year.
Sunday morning dawned foggy, but fine, so after an offer from a friendly Russian who
was also staying at the park of Vodka Schnapps to go with our morning coffee’s was
gently declined. We tucked into another sumptuous breakfast. Some entrants then
headed home, while others had a short ride to the Cambewarra Mountain Lookout to
take in the view and say our goodbyes until our 2014 Rally.
Toby Bateman
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TMRA Sutton Forest Lunch Gathering 19 May
2013
Report by Lorraine
This event was intended for the Canberra, Sydney
& South Coast (Shoalhaven) members to get
together for lunch before the Winter locks down
upon us. The venue was the Sutton Forest Hotel,
a popular weekend lunch spot for Southern
Highland’s people. This meant a quite long ride for
Canberra riders of over 200Km but much shorter
distances for Sydney & Shoalhaven riders.
We had run this event before but I think it was two
years ago, so everybody was happy to get a day’s
ride in & lunch in a nice familiar pub.
There were between eight & ten riders set off from
Canberra, which was a remarkable turnout
considering that it had been -4C the night before &
at 9:00 when we met at the ‘Red Rooster’ in
Queanbeyan the grass was still white with frost.
Lorraine had planned a back roads route to Sutton
Forest then a dash home along the highway after
lunch to get us back in Canberra before the sun
set.
We rode first to Bungendore where Attilio joined
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us making up the full crew. We then continued
almost to Tarago before turning west onto what we
call the ‘Woodlawn Road’ This is a narrow &
windey road which heads towards Goulburn
separated from the railway line & the Lake
Bathurst Road by a range of hills. It rejoins the
other road just past the Wakefield Park motor
racing circuit. I had to stop on every major junction
as many of the riders were unfamiliar with this
back woods route.
On the outskirts of Goulburn we took the Bungonia
Road which took us to Marulan via a loop to the
east of the Hume Highway. Tony Merz has a little
misfortune & toppled off his Thunderbird after
missing a turning with a few minor breakages. In
Marulan it was fuel time at the BP & hence off the
highway again on the Tallong/Bundanoon road.
Here Lorraine’s Son James crashed his BMW
near the railway underbridge several years ago &
what would you know, a fellow on a Ducati had
thrown his bike into the same ditch. PC Plod was
there and all his riding mates & a sad end to their
day was unfolding.
This is a pretty road through Bundanoon & we all
arrived at 1230 to be greeted by the others who
were just drinking their first beer. There were a
similar number of Sydney & South Coast riders to
match the Canberra crew & joyful reunions were
the order of the day. Vince had even brought his
Son along. Evidently it had been a warm &
pleasant morning in Sydney as those riders were
very lightly dressed in leather jackets & jeans. This
was quite a contrast to the Canberra riders in their
full Winter suits. Sutton Forest was rather chilly for
the Sydney riders in their light gear.
We all were hungry now & ordered meals in
anticipation of a good feed. However the Pub had
other ideas & the food came very slowly, indeed
so slow were the meals that tempers began to
fray: but all was forgiven, (or mostly) when we had
filled our bellies. However this meant that a rapid
exit was required just before 1430 to allow time for
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the Canberra riders to get home in time. Our
highway ride back to Canberra was boring &
increasingly chilly as the sun dipped towards the
horizon. A stiff wind had also begun, which caused
discomfort for those on naked bikes. We all knew
that Winter had arrived in Canberra & the next 3-4
months promised more of the same.. I rode into
Canberra’s northern outskirts at 1600 & drew into
my driveway by 1630 with daylight to spare.
This was a most successful ride, however we have
decided that unless we hear that the Sutton Forest
pub has revved itself up we will look for another
venue for next time.
Lorraine Litster
27 May 2013
TECH TIPS
Triumph Engine and Frame Serial Number Guide for years 1950 through 1983.
Note: * From 1969, frame and engine numbers used a 2 letter prefix. The first letter denoted the month
of manufacture, and the second letter denoted the year. BSA used this number sequence, too.
500 and 650
Pre-Unit
Month *
Year *
January
A
1969
C
February
B
1970
D
March
C
1971
E
April
D
1972
G
May
E
1973
H
44135-
June
G
1974
J
1955
56700-
July
H
1975
K
1956
70930-
August
J
1976
N
September
K
1977
P
October
N
1978
X
November
P
1979
A
December
X
1980
B
1981
DA
1983
EA
1950
1001N-
1951
101NA-
1952
15809NA-
1953
32303-
1954
500 UNIT
1957
H101-
0945-
1958
H761-
011116-
1959
H5485-
020076-
1960
H11512-
029364-
1961
H18612-
D101-
1962
H25252-
D15789650 UNIT
11
1963
H29733-
DU101-
1964
H32465-
DU5825-
1965
H35987-
DU13375-
1966
H40528-
DU24875-
1967
H49833-
DU44394-
1968
H57083-
DU66246-
1969
H65573-
DU85904-
Conical Brake Adjustment
1.)The drum must be round and concentric with spindle
2.) The shoes have same radius as the drum
3.) A low friction cable
4.) Free running pivots and cams
5.) Cable run. Most conical hubs I look at seem to have movement on the front cam
only. This causes a number of undesirable things, one of which is the rear shoe never
really releases resulting in an inability to adjust the brake to gain maximum mechanical
advantage. In my experience, it is imperative the cable runs in a large radius back to
the lower portion of the mudguard. If the cable has a tight radius the rear cam has little
chance of movement.
6.) Adjustment. Slacken off the cable at the handlebars. Adjust each snail cam until the
wheel binds, and then back off by one click. Remove slack from cable at handlebar
adjuster. If 1 to 6 have not been done correctly, two or more clicks will be necessary.
This will reduce the mechanical advantage of the cable and cams being at 90 deg to
each other.
Also there should be washers on both sides of the cable bushers, theses are often lost
and cause the cable to bind.
News to hand
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By Scoop Newsworthy
Cheryl spent a few days in Shoalhaven Hospital ( famous for its vistas of the river and
our healing hands on Surgical Ward) under the care of my colleges and myself and was
subsequently discharged home. Her machine should be back on the road by the time
you read this.
EVENTS CALENDARS 2013
The Triumph Motorcycle Register of Australia
has reciprocal riding invitations with the following clubs:
• Shoalhaven Historic Vehicle Club Motorcycle Register
• Port Macquarie Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
• Veteran, Vintage and Classic MCC of ACT
TMRA SHOALHAVEN
TMRA ACT & SOUTHERN NSW
Where possible the ACT mob will try and get together on a more formal
arrangement where possible (to coincide with the VVCMCC).
We will plan the ride the week leading up to the nominated weekends get
together.
TMRA Sydney Area Group
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Ride Calendar 2013
Sydney Regional rides are usually held on the first Sunday of each month.
For details ring Red and Marie on (02) 4647 1103
or Red's mobile 0412 562 841
TMRA NSW North Coast Group
Ride Calendar
The Port Macquarie Classic Motorcycle Club is a new club just formed in Port
Macquarie.
They have runs on the first Sunday of every month.
Thanking you
Brian Weelands
0418 691 643
Don’t forget to print or tear off your ride calendar and ‘stick it on the fridge’.
Triumph Register Committee for 2012-2013
Email: committee@tmra.org.au
President: Brian Eldred
Secretary: Trevor Fowler
Treasurer: Attilio Sciannimanica
Events Officer: Lorraine Litster
Machine Registrar: Lorraine Litster
Regalia Officer: Greg Carmody
Membership Director: Rob Carmody
Committee Member: Tony Merz
Website Manager: Steve Keough
Floor Members:
Billy Johnson
Greg McFawn
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Geoff Dodds
Regional Representatives:
NSW South Coast: "Bega Bob" Russell / Bega
Sydney Area: Greg "Red" Swords / Narellan
Albury-Wodonga: Peter "Paki" Wishart/ Albury
NSW North Coast: "Uncle Roy" Bull / Wauchope
Shoalhaven NSW: Toby Bateman / Nowra
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