Classic Motorcycle Racing @ Manfield

Just over a month ago some of the crew went out for a lovely wander around the region and we concluded our ride at Manfield to watch some Classic and Post Classic racing. Don turned up on his recently restored Honda XL250, Bruce on his immaculate Suzuki T350, Dion on his recently respoked Kawasaki KH400, Kim on the Suzuki RE5 and myself on the little Kawasaki KH250. We decided on a run out through Pohangina, back to Colyton and a return to Manfield via the back roads of Halcombe. The strong norwester was proving to be a bit of a challenge for the smaller bikes as we worked our way around the back roads behind Halcombe. Don was having some interesting moments fettling his XL as new parts fell off and small amounts of fluids made unwelcome appearances. We were all pleasantly surprised at how well the XL was doing keeping up with the road bikes. Very impressive.You can read more about Dons restoration here.  Dion was having a ball on his KH400 and I'm sure he thought it was going faster with shinier spokes! Kim on the RE5 was humming along making its very unique sound. It has a road presence unlike any other bike. The exposed rotary motor is definitely a part of it along with the long exhaust pipes and futuro styling but it was what it briefly promised as a future direction for motorcycling that seems to add to its 'aura'. It is pleasing to see these bikes becoming far more collectable as people begin to appreciate its unique place in motorcycling heritage. Bruce gave me a ride on his T350. The last time I was on one of these was in the 70s and the memories came flooding back reminding me that these were great bikes in there day. I was surprised at how well it pulled from lower revs and the willingness of the motor to rev. You can see how it sensationally won the Castrol Six Hour with Joe Eastmure on it. (Well just about, Shame about the horn!) It was great being out and about on the KH250 with its lovely triple wail as it worked hard up the hills and into the norwester, but all that work meant she was pulling more of that liquid gold through the carbs.
We arrived at Manfield just in time to catch Alan De Lautour out on his XR14 Suzuki RG500. Some great racing in the post classic class with the usual bike block four strokes in the front. It was neat wandering around the pits being reminded about motorcycling heritage and being able to see and hear them out on the track. A great way to spend a few hours.

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!

Alan on his Suzuki RG500 XR14 @ Hampton Downs

Alan sent me these great photos from an unnamed photographer of him racing at last months Classic bike meet at Hampton Downs. Looking forward to this weekends meeting at Manfield and will get some photos and video to share. Alans bringing down his RG for another outing so come on down and hear, smell and see these great old bikes in the flesh! Looks like the best day to go weather wise is Saturday, but Sunday could be good as well. See you there.

Three for Taihape / Gumboot Rally 2011

Saturday 29^th dawned overcast but without rain, so Don, Dion, and I decided to head to Tiahape for a flying visit of the VJMC Gumboot rally. This is an annual event that draws VJMC members from as far afield as Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington.

We met at Manawatu Motorcycles and then headed up to Apiti via Pohangina. We stopped for a break among the Day Breaker rally crews, ready and waiting for their cars to arrive. Then it was up to the main road and on to Rangiwahia. This is a one of our favourite roads with lots of great corners and little traffic.

Having recently fitted new Hagon shocks to the A7 I was very pleased with the improved handling, and thought we were setting quite a pace until Dion finally got bored and shot past me on the NS400R, disappearing into the distance!

After a short stop at Rangiwahia I was entrusted with this gorgeous machine for the ride through to Mangaweka. I found it deceptively fast with great brakes and handling. 72 HP from 400cc is quite something in a 160kg package.

We stopped at the DC3 café at Mangaweka (home of the world’s best toasties) and after coffee it was on to Tiahape. I new it might be tight for fuel on the A7, but had visions of a long push when switching to reserve coming down the Mangaweka deviation. Thankfully we just made it; the average fuel consumption for the morning being 32 MPG.

A number of attendees were already settled in with some having arrived on Friday. Barry Drummond rode his 1964 Yamaha 250 up from Paramata, Ross Charlton brought his Suzuki GS450 twin up, and Murray Smith an interesting looking RD350. The Hawke’s Bay crew arrived on Yamaha 2-strokes; 2 x RD-LCs, an RZ350, and an RD400 no less. Ian Beech rode his Kawasaki 750 outfit up from Palmerston North; great for carrying the odd bottle of beer. There was also quite a gathering of modern / relatively modern machinery, including Don’s Triumph T100.  

Dion and I headed off at 4.30 just as a few splashes of rain started. We rode out of it quickly and had a good trip back via Vinegar Hill. Don stayed on for the BBQ, but torrential rain meant staying the night was the best option.

Perhaps next year we should make the effort and stay the night.  


Thanks to Alan for the post and photos

Tool Kit in a Bottle

Whats with the lawn mower Dion?

Three generations of twostrokes

Just needs a Kenny Roberts signature 

Always a nice little stop

Time for a cuppa

Labour Day looked like a good opportunity to head out for a ride around the district. With many of the troops off doing other activities over the long weekend a hardy bunch of four of us lined up at Manawatu Motorcycles. And hardy we needed to be with a gathering wind strength and chill factor we headed out towards Pohongina for our first stop and then back through the flowing curves to Colyton. The T500 was in its element with its long and low profile sweeping through the corners and looking in the rear vision mirrors, the usual smokey accompanyment wasn't visible. Hopefully the addition of some Wynnes Engine Oil Stop Leak might delay replacement of the crank seals. Alan on his trusty A7 was giving his new Hagon shocks a workout whilst Bruce was seeing if his now completed paint job on the RZ made his bike go faster. Geoff on the KR150 was enjoying the sights and sounds of old two strokes as he continued to impress with the performance of 150ccs of recent two stroke technology.  After skirting around the back of Feilding to our next stop at Stanway the conversation was around "Where did Spring go?"and the cooling temperature had us looking for a hot cuppa. We made our way through Halcombe and back to Feilding a cafe. We had one unintended stop before we arrived with my side cover flapping around in the breeze and minus the knob. Nothing like the old T500 vibes for unscrewing things. Luckily I have a spare at home that I picked up from the local Suzuki dealer for a whole $12 (ex Japan!) Geoff carried on home and we joined a growing number of locals refueling after the previous nights rugby revelry. It was a great little ride and a nice reminder about all the great roads we have close by. The only downside to the ride is the tool kit in a bottle sort of worked, but not enough to avoid the motor coming out of the T500. Time to roll my sleeves up!

Caption Competition II

Popped into Manawatu Motorcycles the other day and Kim showed me a very interesting newspaper clipping from the not so distant past. This is Alan on his Kawasaki A7 at Manfield having not such a good day. I bet he was hoping that this was well behind him! To celebrate its discovery lets have a caption competition. Look forward to your contributions
 My caption would go something like.....
 "Mr De Lautour maintains that his fall was deliberate and his way of introducing a new form of personal expression to the world that he calls 'kinetic planking'".
Update: Upon good authority, the bike in question is a Yamaha TR2. That lovely front brake gives it away!

Spring has Sprung a Honda NSR 400

It has been a while since I last posted, but things happen in ones life that require all of ones time and attention. Paul and I would like to thank all those who have expressed there condolences with the passing of our mother. Like all mothers, she had always been concerned about her children's safety, but as my brother and I have ‘matured’ and continued our interest in motorcycles she was always interested in what the Blue Haze were up to. It was great to talk to her about the great roads and countryside we traversed but more importantly the company we shared it with. For me it is a timely reminder that life needs to be lived to the full and for me part of that is riding old Japanese motorcycles with like minded souls. So get out to the shed and get that bike on the road! 





The last month has seen some great weather during the weekends which has had some of members out and about. The month started out with a great afternoon run up the Pohangina Valley and return. Dion turned up with the latest addition to his stable, a Honda NSR400. He has had this on his wish list for some time and with the departure of his KRs and GT250 his shed now had room for such a machine. Also along for the run was Alan on his H2, Bruce on his RZ350, Kim on the RE5, Don on the GT500 and myself on my XJ750. The road was in its usual condition; that is watch out for loose gravel on certain sections and by keeping ones speed down the vistas with snow capped peaks could be enjoyed a little longer before they disappeared for summer. The first stop at Totara Park had Dion removing his helmet with a Cheshire cat grin. As we stood there admiring the lines of the NSR with its Rothmans crest (imagine paying money today to buy a brand new motorcycle that advertises cigarettes!) next to Alans H2 the jump in technology between them is amazing. Both put out just over 70 hp using two stroke triple motors, but one does it with 400cc versus 750. Imagine where things might be now if they had continued developing large capacity two strokes? We were soon back on the road and heading past Pilgrims Rest towards the ranges then headed in a westerly direction just past Umutoi.



Our arrival in Apiti had us making a decision about where to feed and water ourselves, and the Apiti Tavern was chosen for a change. We usually arrive in Apiti in the mornings before they open so this was a first, and what a great place. Next time we come we will bring our tennis rackets as it looks like the Apiti Tennis Club and local pub are one and the same. The locals were great with some appreciation shown for our ‘old jappas’ which was a nice change from those ‘potato potato bikes everyone has these days’. One of the locals turned up on his old Trumpy that looked like it was his daily transport but last registered in the sixties. A great place to enjoy some refreshments and local colour. Bruce and Alan departed early for the return home so those of us left retraced our tracks back down Pohangina Valley. Another great run and Dions smile was even bigger by the time we said our goodbyes and headed home.



Last sunday proved to be another perfect day for a ride so a group seven decided to forgo a sleep in and turned up at nine at Manawatu Motorcycles. A run up to Hunterville via Mangamako Road to Ohangaiti and down to Hunterville. This is a first for some and Mangamako Road proved to be a great choice with some great flowing corners and scenery. The return south via Vinegar Hill included meeting ‘Wayne/Brent’ going the other direction on his GSXR at a rate of knots that would have won Crosby a 500GP race. Check out his video to see what traveling from Stormy Point to the top of Vinegar Hill in 9 minutes and 27 seconds looks like. This included a compulsory stop near Rewa! See if you can spot the troops @ 48 seconds. Thanks for getting in touch and leting us know about your video.

Roll call
Kim De Lautour - Suzuki RE5
Paul De Lautour - Suzuki GT 750
Dion Tornquist - Honda NSR 400
Ross Charlton - Suzuki 1200 Bandit
Bruce Sagger - Suzuki T500
Paul King - Yamaha XJ550
Alan Clark - Kawasaki 350 A7b Avenger

 
Update: Dion has just popped in for a cuppa and has pointed out that his bike is an NS 400R, not NSR 400.