A Golden Summer Part 1

 It is interesting looking back over the past few months and realising what a golden summer we have had for those of us who enjoy getting out and about on our motorcycles. It was a busy time for me on the domestic front but I still manged to spend more than a few hours enjoying my older motorcycles with like minded people. I have put together a few photos and words from some of the rides and will post these as I find the time. This is to encourage you to get out there and ride when you can and with the long nights approaching making sure you have some quality shed time restoring an older motorcycle.

Gary

These photos are from one of our favourite loop rides that takes us up to Apiti via the Pohangina Valley and back through Kimbolton and home. Our usual watering hole at Kimbolton was closed so we headed down the rode to Feilding for a cuppa. I dragged out the mighty KH250 for its first time around the loop. I have always been abit apprehensive as it is a long way between petrol stations for the baby triple as it has to work hard in the for much of the run. A fill at Ashhurst was enough to get me around to Feilding where I filled it up again with a whole 2 litres to spare! 33mpg! Might be time to do the top end me thinks. Dions KH400 went like clockwork and the extra cubes definetly help. Alan brought along his trusty A7 and one has to wonder at why this motor was ditched in favour of these smaller triples. Bruce Sagger brought out his latest purchase for a spin, a Honda VF750. It is a very impressive bike. So much so, Bruce Andrews has traded his RZ350 for it and purchased it off Bruce. He absolutely loves it. These 1980s Honda V4s are very underatted bikes that are very good buying at the moment, so if you are wanting to get into the Classic Japanese bikes they are a budget way in at the moment. Check out Trademe. Kim came along on his RZ250 that always impresses with its power handling and economy.

Pilgrims Rest Return

The last Sunday of January saw the first Club ride of the year. The very blustery but precipitation free morning saw a group of seven meeting at Manawatu Motorcycles ready for a wander around the district. They were
John Rushton - BSA 500
Paul De Lautour - Kawasaki H2750
Dion Tornquist - Kawasaki KH400
Bruce Andrews - Yamaha RT350
Kim De Lautour - Yamaha RZ250
Gavin Foster - Suzuki RG250W (arrived later)
Gary Whiting - Yamaha XJ750
Alan Clark - Kawasaki A7350
 It was great to have John Rushton join us on his 1952 BSA 500 and we all enjoyed checking it out before the run. You can certainly see the lineage of our contemporary adventure bikes and motards let alone the Bobber custom movement! Also good to see Bruce giving his RT an outing after its latest recondition. With only 100kms on a new piston and rings he was very cautious but it seemed like a good day for this running in with a very moderate air temperature. Word came through that a very keen two stroke fan was making his way down from Hawkes Bay to join us on the ride so after a waiting for a while we decided to meet him on our way up to Pilgrims Rest. Gavin and Dion turned up at the Raumai turnoff with Gavin on his lovely Suzuki RG 250W. He trailered it down from Hawkes Bay and parked up at Ashhurst where Dion caught up with him so he could rendezvous with the group.  After watching a full on bicycle race go by we then made our way up the Pohangina valley to enjoy the company of John and Margaret at the Pilgrims Rest. Bruce had phoned through earlier to let them know we were coming and Margaret had the scones and cream ready to go with the coffee and tea. This is one of our favourite destinations and recommended if you want a morning tea with a difference. Where else in the world could you meet a a half blind deer that likes scones and answers to the name of Chicken? After a very pleasant cuppa and a few photos the bikes were pointed south and we made our way back down the valley. A brief stop at Raumai had us saying our farewells as we headed off home. Whilst many have been complaining about a lack of decent summer, those of us with old aircooled two strokes have certainly appreciated the cooler temperatures that these motors like. Lets hope we can get a few more such rides in before we start complaining that its to cold!

The Good Old Days?

Well here it is. The Kawasaki KH500. An ideal commuting and touring bike. While you are out touring and feeling a bit peckish, pop into KFC for a feed. Captain Delicious and the Torro burgers didn't last to long after this. Guarantee there are a whole lot of people who won't admit to knowing all the words in this ad! How young are you when you can remember lining up  half way around the block when the first KFC opened here in Palmerston North? Summers here. Time to find the stubbies! I don't think so. As for the Marina! Insert your comment here.............. The good old days? Motorcycles, yes. Other things. Yes, but in moderation, some things, never!