Aprils end of month ride was tale of bikes from the sixties, seventies and eighties mixed in with moderns and one bike that wasn't able to make it home under its own steam. Along the way the Blue Hazers racing division were encountered out on the track busy fettling machinery as well and all this on a Sunday amongst some wonderful weather. I had better not forget Pipi the dog who came along for the ride as well!
Our usual meeting spot at Memorial Park saw 14 bikes, bods and dog front up for a run around the countryside. A run around the Makino loop and into Feilding for sustenance was agreed to with the wander over to Manfeild to watch some racing after that. We started out with three classic bikes on the run. Sir Al brought out his H2 for another workout and was very 'resplendent' in its chrome and gold shinning in the morning sun. Warren M was also out on his very original Yamaha XJ900 which has its origins back in 1983 where it appeared as a sports bike that slowly morphed into sports tourer by the time it reached the late eighties. Although a shaft drive it acquitted itself really well with the alternator piggybacking onto the back of the crankcase ensuring a more centralised mass and narrower width which made it easier for 'spirited' riding.
Warren T turned up for the run with his very original Suzuki T20. Dating back to the mid sixties it soon developed a reputation as performance bike with a lot of success on the racetrack but during the week it was more than up to the task of taking its rider to and from work. Its early exit from the ride with a 'no go' problem saw Warren ringing his wife for a trailer as we carried on. Warren took the opportunity to rejoin us later on his other sixties Suzuki, his T500 Cobra. It joined the Suzuki family a little later on in the sixties and like its younger sibling it initially did well on the racetrack in production racing and also formed the basis for a very successful line of TR racers as well. Also out on the run was Roger Hs had is lovely little Classic Moto Guzzi V35 Imola II along with Paul H on his Classic Moto Guzzi Le Mans III.
With Warren leaving us at Colyton we had a trouble free run around to Stanway Hall. After a bit of a natter we were on our way again and headed back into Feilding via Tokorangi and Halcombe. Well, most of us were. It was here Gary A on his Royal Enfeild Interceptor ran into an issue with it not starting. Bruce A volunteered to buddy up and assist. I headed off to catch up with the others and eventually did at the Rosebowl. Warren rejoined us at here on his Cobra whilst some of the other lads had decided on lunch and a beer at Murray's Irish Bar. Bruce A and Gary A eventually appeared with Gary A saying lots of not nice things about Royal Enfields. After being fed and watered we were on our way to Manfeild to catch up with the racing Blue Hazers. Except for Gary A and Bruce A. The Interceptor was still misbehaving and Bruce gave Gary a lift back to Palmy to get his trailer. I don't think the Interceptor will be spending much more time in Garys garage!
There were also some interesting bikes amongst the moderns. Graham's Kawasaki Z650RS does make one do a double take as you are transported back to seventies. The tank with its colour and shape certainly looks the part and Graham says he is really enjoying the bike. Its not often we see a Buell but Rays Lightening in bright yellow certainly looked striking.
The Racing Hazers were having a rather mixed day of racing. Tim was definitely doing the rounds on the track but seemed to be lacking a little at the top end. Mark was having to do some problem solving after a major rebuild on the RGV with cable routing the likely culprit. Dion and Darrin were helping out in the pits and soaking up 'ambience' with Dion looking forward to getting back on the track in the near future.
Roll on next months ride and lets see what appears out the garages near and not to far!
