EOM September Ride (More Suzuki TS400 fettling!)

Off into the mist!

Cheltenham hill catch up 

Kims ever faithful RZ250

Ians award winning VX800

Bruces great VF750

Who needs to go to church when you can kneel before a TS400!

A caption competition!!

Stormy Point

"Will I have enough petrol to get to Hunterville?"

"Where did you go on to reserve?"

Just a quick dash to the petrol station

Waiting for Sir Al to return from the petrol station

Will Sir Al have enough petrol to get home?

Mt Biggs School stop

After a very pleasant Saturday the first day of daylight-savings was overcast and a bit cooler, and probably contributed to a turnout of only 5 riders for our end of month ride.

However it turned out to be an enjoyable run, heading over to Hunterville via Vinegar Hill. The wind was a bit gusty at times with intermittent drizzle, but not enough to get really wet. The road was damp and required some degree of caution. Good for the skills.

The crew were Gazza on his ever faithful XJ750, Kim on the RZ250 naked (the bike not Kim), Ian riding his 800cc V-twin Suzuki, Bruce A V4 mounted on his ’86 Honda VFR, and I rode the recently acquired ’77 TS400 – Ian very kindly transporting a spare 5 litres of petrol in light of that bike's first longer run a couple of weeks back.

We had the usual generous feed & coffee at Hunterville before taking Rangitira Rd and heading home. The less traveled roads are always the most fun, and this back road and Porewa Rd had their own set of challenges with a lot of mud and other brown stuff to catch the unsuspecting.  Down toward Marton we turned off onto Kakariki Rd and made our way via Halcome to Mt Biggs Rd and our last stop outside Mt Biggs School, then home.

It was surprising how dirty the bikes were and some cleaning will be required. We travelled at around the 100 kph mark and I’m pleased to say the TS400 not only made it to Hunterville on one tank, but after taking on 8.1 litres of BPs finest made it home as well. Consumption has been reduced thankfully to a miserly 25.8 mpg (10.9 km/l). I had forgotten how much fun old trail bikes are to ride and really enjoyed it. Saving up now to go to Pahiatua sometime before Christmas.

Fettling a Suzuki TS 400

Sunday a week ago the Manawatu Classic Motorcycle Club had their September club meeting and run. It couldn't have been a more perfect day with lots of sunshine and a great turnout with nineteen bikes on the run. After the meeting and following a cup of tea and biscuit we all headed out behind our leader for the run Clive on his trusty Honda CB400. Following behind him was a wide variety of bikes ranging in age from the fifties through to more contemporary times. At the back we had John on his BMW 6/600 as the sweeper making sure no one got left behind. In between were a wide variety of machines from the east and the west. Out for its first run with the club was Graham with his latest 'hybrid' machines. Still not sure what to call it. Is it a Horton or is it a Narley? Also out for its first spin was Sir Al on his recently acquired Suzuki TS400B and a friend of Graham T on his Yamaha Virago.
Clive led us out through Hiwinui and through to Colyton and out around the back of Feilding. This then took us onto Makino road and around to Pryces Line for our first stop and natter in the lovely sunshine. We then headed carried on along Mingaroa Road to Ngaio. It was here that we thought Sir Al was wanting to stop and have a look at the lovely daffodil display at Mt Lees Reserve. Little did we realise that the only reserve he was concerned about was the reserve on his fuel tap! Solutions were sought and John was sent off to acquire a petrol. In the meantime Dave found a coffee cup on the side of the road and filled it with petrol from his Tiger and the bets were on as to how far the TS would go? Would it make it to Feilding? The timing for Johns arrival with the petrol was perfect with the TS gasping for fuel on outskirts to Feilding just as John came into view.
With a thirsty bike quickly replenished we made our way to Murrays Bar in town to replenish the now thirsty people. A good feed washed down with a few ales and accompanied by yarn or two was a fitting end to a great ride.

PS.  A float in the carb with a hole in it was found to be the cause of the excessive fuel consumption with Sir Als TS. He reckons it is now the 'poster bike' for fuel economy! We shall see!