Another Van Ride!

For those of us who have air cooled two strokes a bit of coolness in the air is always welcome. The previous nights rain signalled a passing front and a southerly change for the morning. Not to hot and not to cold! Upon fronting up to Manawatu Motorcycles in the morning on the mighty (thirsty!) KH250, it was pleasing to see a nice line up of not only two strokers, but a nice contingent of air heads as well. The decision was made to do the Apiti loop. For most motorcycling mortals this is an easy mornings ride, but for wrist happy middle aged KH250 with a tired top end owners, range becomes a critical concern. Naturally this terrain is mostly hilly with a wonderful twisty road. Not really conducive to getting the maximum range out of a tank.  The usual tactic is to make sure one leaves Ashhurst with a full tank, and then to fill up again in Feilding. One can stay within the 100km safe zone. For this run I made the decision to do try an 'economy run' and see what range I could get before the air to petrol ratio became close to 100 to 0, so my fill up at Main Street BP was going to have to be it. Kim our resident Kawasaki triple expert guesstimated Bunnythorpe would see her go on to reserve. So with his sound advice ringing in my ears we set off and Ian by default filled the role as our token four stroke for the morning on his GSX600F. The absence of smoke billowing out of his exhausts set him apart as we left the city limits for Ashhurst. Bruce had joined us from Levin on his RZ350, Sir Al had the Avenger out for a run, Dion was giving his NS400 its first run after the Hampton Downs ride, Rich on his T500, Kim on his H2a.
Road Captain Kim had set our first stop at the Camp Rangi Woods turnoff. It was a great run from the Raumai Bridge through to the turnoff with a few of us arriving ahead of the others. The reason for there tardiness became apparent with Kim informing us that Dions front valve stem had gone astray and he was lucky to stay upright. Ian and Dion joined us soon after with Dion on as a pillion and the NS parked up in a friendly farmers driveway ready for a pick up later. Our next port of call was Apiti and arrived there in no time at all. The road was in good nick and it looked as though the council had the road swept recently so we really enjoyed the run. We parked up at our usual spot at Gasoline Alley (That doesn't have any gasoline) and after a chat headed for our last stop at Hansens in Kimbolton. This is another good run with a mixture of open and tighter corners. Bruce and Sir Al had their 350s on song. After a snack and some refreshments it was downward run to home along the Kimbolton and Cheltenham straights. By this stage the KH hadn't gone onto reserve so I decided to miss the usual run into the North End BP in Feilding and headed off to Colyton with the rest of the troops. I managed to make it to within 1km of Bunnythorpe. Kims reputation is intact if not enhanced as the guru of all things triple! After punching a few numbers into the calculator it looked like just over 30 mpgs. It confirms the triples dual cooling method. Air and petrol.
It was a great ride and just the sort of thing Santa might do if he wasn't so busy at this time of the year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A Golden Summer Part 3. Out with Classics and Apiti Loop

With the shortest day a month away and the forecast showing snow in the mountains it is probably a nice time to cast ones mind back to the summer just gone. It was a cracker for us motorcyclists, but the same warm (hot really) conditions were not good for the farmers in the form of a drought. The photos above are from a couple of runs some of us did in February around the region. The first run was out with the Manawatu Classic Motorcycle Club where we went the 'back way' to Totara Reserve via Pohangina township. The short gravel section was very dusty as you would expect with the dry weather, but definitely a pleasant run with feeding and watering at the Ashhurst Inn topping off a great morning out. Our second run was one of our favourite loops through Apiti and Kimbolton. We were joined by Ross Charlton and his English friend (sorry, I have forgotten your name)from Wellington on their moderns. After a quick run over the Pahiatua track and Saddle Road had Bruce heading back home due to other commitments and the rest of us meeting the lads at Ashhurst for the run up to Apiti. As always, a great run with with the usual caution around loose gravel, and in no time we were ensconced at Hansens in Kimbolton enjoying coffee and cake.

An H2 Returns to the Fold

The forecast for the weekend looked rather grim, but as Sunday got closer it changed rather dramatically for the better. Summer was back! As we gathered at Manawatu Motorcycles our destination had already been determined. The Victoria Motorcycle Clubs first winter series meeting was on so a shortish ride finishing up at Manfield to enjoy the action. The roll call was Clint on the Katana, Dion on  his ever reliable NSR400, Alan on his faithful Kawasaki A7, Bruce on the very quick FZR 1000, myself on the progressively more rattly KH250 and last but not least Kim on his H2. Its been a wee while since Kim has been out on a bike due to a few bones in his hand misbehaving and breaking then not realigning properly. Its good to see him and the mighty H2 back together again on the road. Alan lead us out of town to Ashhurst where we then headed on down to Valley road and back into Feilding. Judging by the smokescreen from the others ahead of me the old right hands got a good workout and we very quickly got to our destination of Manfield. It really was a perfect day for racing with no wind and the temperature around 21 degrees. After having a look around the pits it was time to have the traditional hot dog (I am sure they are getting smaller). We had a chat to a chap who had a very tidy Honda XL500 set up for the road and alongside it an Alchemy Ducati. You don't see many of these around. The only other two stroke road bike in the park was a very tidy Suzuki RGV250. Not many two strokes out racing apart from the 150s. One that did get our attention was a very tidy Kawasaki KR1S. The lads struck up a conversation with the owner and he was having a few issues with disappearing water and no leaks. Dion professed knowledge of such things and so the spanners were out and the tank was off and it quickly became apparent that a KR250 was different to KR1S. It was good to have chat to a fellow two stroke enthusiast and it sounds like it is becoming easier to get parts to keep these wonderful bikes on the track and on the road. Can't wait to see Dion and Kims RG400 hit the track (not literally) to add to that fast disappearing variety of two stroke sounds at Manfield. Hard to beat that two stroke square four sound. The Blue Haze will be supporting them by donating our supermarket petrol vouchers. (They will need it). Those RG400s suck the juice. (Must be petrol and water cooled) After watching and listening to the KR1 circulating  for a while it was time to head home. Some of us headed over to Clints new pad on Stoney Creek Road for coffee and muffin and to view his rather wonderful man cave. Looking forward to a Blue Haze BBQ sometime there.

Golden Leaves and Green Fields. April Ride

The weather in the morning was looking a little bit dodgy with some light drizzle and damp roads on the way in to town. It was pleasing to see four others lined up outside Manawatu Motorcycles looking for a place to go for our end of month ride. Looking to the east, the Tararuas were looking very damp, but the north was looking a lot brighter with a lovely patch of blue settling our ride direction. Hunterville was going to be our destination. After filling up with BP 98 at Rangitikei St, Dave led the way out of town taking us out to Bunnythorpe and showing us a new way to get to Colyton through Dixons Rd with our first stop being Cheltenham. Our original plan was to head for Hunterville via Vinegar Hill, but we decided to head towards Kimbolton and up to Rangawahia and across to Ohingaiti via Mangamako and Otara Roads. As we climbed up towards Kimbolton the temperature became noticeably cooler which seemed to fit with the autumn red and gold colours in the now green landscape. It wasn't that long ago it was a brown hued drought landscape! Quite a transformation. The drive through Kimbolton signaled a road change as the corners north of the town were a stark contrast to the straights to the south. The puff of smoke (well, smoke trail really) from the rear of Alans A7 signaled that it was time to play! Pauls H1b and Richards T500 followed suit whilst Dave and I on our four stroke fours made our valves and pistons do some work as we made our way through some of the best riding roads you will find anywhere. We didn't push things to much as the road was damp in places and this combined with pine needles, sheep, animal pooh, and autumn leaves meant caution was an excellent strategy. After regrouping at Pemberton Corner it was more of the same through to Ohingaiti. The run down State Highway one to Hunterville was very "relaxing" with our usual watering hole very busy. Whilst eating and drinking a local Hunterville resident introduced himself and took a liking to our bikes. Such good taste means he is the latest member to the Blue Haze and henceforth his name is Red Haze! We concluded our run by taking the back roads out of Hunterville to avoid the boredom of State Highway One. They are a nice mixture tight sections and sweeper's with some nice scenery along the way as well. We ended up outside Mount Biggs School for our final stop and Dave headed back into Feilding to catch up with the local and Wellington Classic Bike Club lads whilst the rest of us headed home. It was between here and home we encountered our only precipitation of the day with a brief shower or two and it certainly didn't dampen what proved to be a great autumn ride. See you on the next one!

A Golden Summer Part 2: Wheels with Attitude Annual Show

It doesn't take to much to persuade some of us for a ride. Having heard positive comments about this show in Dannevirke over the last few years a group of us decided to go and check it. We assembled at our usual spot outside Manawatu Motorcycles and much interest was shown when Bruce Sagger turned up with his latest purchase, a Suzuki GSXR 750, the first of the slabbies. These bikes are becoming very collectible and if you are interested now is a good time to buy before they start appreciating in value. There comparative lack of chrome compared to earlier bikes can make them more of DIY proposition. However the acres of plastic on many of them has its own costs and challenges as well. Bruce was keen to see how it went as were the rest of us! Alan was on his trusty Kawasaki A7, with Dion bringing his RG400 out for a spin, Paul De Lautour on the mighty GT750, Richard on his trusty T500 and myself on the XJ750. Our trip over the Saddle road convinced us not to include this in any rides for a while with a lot roadworks underway. Once they get it sorted it will once again return to being one of our favourite stretches of road. After regrouping at the bottom of the saddle we continued on to Dannivegas along Top Grass road. A far more interesting route compared to State Highway two. The show was at the northern end of town and what we hadn't realised was it was a part of the annual A&P show. It was a very busy place and had a great carnival atmosphere to it. Well worth the $2.00 dollar entry fee. Once we managed to find a parking/display spot we quickly ditched our gear as the temperature was heading towards 30 degrees and headed out to view and soak up the surroundings. Right next door to the equestrian ring were not only the hotdog and Candy floss stands but a flea market full of vehicle related treasures. Most of the treasures were of the car variety, but the second hand book vendor had a great variety of ex public library motorcycle books. The Kawasaki book I purchased had a some excellent photos but some dubious text and Paul De Lautour managed to find some great Jag books to go with his latest heritage interest, a 1963 E type. (Might have to do a blog on it, Its a beauty!). One of the locals had an interesting selection of bikes on show that included a Honda CL175 and a CT90. As we were enjoying the sites and sounds a few other bikes joined our lineup of VJMC bikes including Roger who turned up on his Walter Wolf RG and a rather nice CBX1000. It was a great morning out and we headed into town for a drink and nibbles at an excellent cafe that had a much appreciated air conditioning unit going full bore. We then retraced our steps back along Top Grass road and home thinking that we will definitely add the show to our calender. Its on in the first weekend of February.
Another excellent reason to go for a ride!
All seems rather surreal looking back as we head towards winter and put another log on the fire!

Where are all the two strokes and where do you buy the biggest custard squares in NZ?

The second part of the question is easy to answer, Hunterville! The first part is requires some consideration. The Blue Hazes latest ride wasn't as hazey as it ususally is. Only one two stroke between the six of us! Even the plumber next door who was cleaning the mud off his stock car passed comment. The only thing that was blue were our fingers and other body parts as we turned up in summer riding gear on a very wintery day! Thank goodness Sir Al turned up on his trusty A7 to keep the flag flying. The rest of us wheeled out our 1980s+ four strokes to enjoy a wander around the countryside. Following behind Als wafting haze was a reminder of why the poor old two stroke has had a hard time of it. Here were the rest us following along behind with not a hint of smoke exiting our exhausts. Bruce Andrews and Bruce Sagger were on their Honda Vfours and John Loggie on his new Triumph Street Triple that he brought for a play with Clint on his Katana and myself  on the XJ  rounding out the four stroke line up. One can't but help appreciate and enjoy the unique sound of each engine configuration as we started our engines outside Manawatu Motorcycles.
 Our destination for the morning was decided using two criteria. An aversion to rain and Bruce Andrews craving for the world famous Hunterville custard square. Our route was to be out through Colyton and then on towards Kimbolton so we could tackle one of favourite bits of road, the Rangiwahia twisties. Rather than heading all the way through to Mangaweka we would take the side road at Pemberton Corner that brought us out on State Highway One at Ohingaiti. It was then just a short run down to Hunterville for refreshments.
Alan led the way on his A7 and he certainly had it singing from Kimbolton through to Ohingaiti. It is well sorted out with the Hagons looking after the backend and the front end responding well to 90 weight oil in the forks and a surprisingly effective front brake. He has recently been experimenting with handlbars and the flat ones he had on were working really well. Alongside all this you have that wonderfull disc valve motor that pulls remarkably well from down low through to strong top end. What a shame Kawasaki didn't continue on with the development of the 500 version that they were developing at the same time as the H1. Bruce Sagger was having a great time on his NC24 as he has specced the suspension recently. Great country for these little bikes and it does make you wonder about the point of having larger high horsepower bikes. The only incidents were the sheep on the road and my headlight falling out of its fairing. Als tool kit with its velcro and cable ties came to the rescue!
Our refreshment stop was up to its usual standard with Bruce, Bruce and John enjoying their custard squares. You wouldn't want to eat to many Hunterville custard squares if you were on a smaller bike as it would over time have a detrimental effect on your power to weight ratio. Maybe thats why Bruce Andrews sold his Rz350 and bought a VFR 750?
Bruce Andrews and John left us for quick ride home down State Highway One whilst the rest of us took the scenic route following the Rangitikei river south. Bruce Sagger and Al swapped bikes with Al really impressed with the Hondas handling and its very linear power band. After heading towards Halcombe and turning off to Mount Stewart we all headed home having had a great run around the Rangitikei but all of us digging out the the liners for our pants and jackets ready for our next ride.