Lowflying and Retrofest

The balmy autumn continues on with yet more opportunities to get out and about on the bikes. Sprinkled in with this was the retro festival at Easter in Palmerston North with a small line up of bikes contributing to    a show at The Arena. The mighty Titan had the pre 70s specification along with Paul De Lautours Honda 125, Bruces Yamaha RT1and Alan Clarks A7. We were set up alongside a number of Vespas and Lambretta scooters and surrounded by hoards of British, American, Japanese and Australian cars. It was a good show, but we were wondering where all Classic British and American bikes were?  We would be keen to support it again as the marketing and most of the organisation of the event was very good. It could become one of the big events for the area as more heritage groups could organise their National Rallies around it. That same weekend we organised a ride around the Apiti loop on a magnificent 'chocolate box' morning. It was great to have a 'first timer' along for the ride with Luke Hiscock riding pillion with Shorty (Alan Rowell) on his SV1000, Paul De Lautour on his Suzuki GT750, Alan on his Kawasaki H2A, Kim on his H2a, Paul W on his Kawasaki GPz750R, Alan De Lautour on his brothers Kawasaki H2 and myself on my Yamaha XJ 750. A coffee stop at Hansens in Kimbolton had us watching the proprietors rushing around getting food ready for a visiting group who turned out to be the Rolls Royce and Bently Club out for a run during their national rally. Definetly not an everyday sight in Kimbolton! For the ride home we split up with my brother and I making the return trip back down the valley with a stop at Taonui. Whilst we were enjoying the sun and soaking up the aviation ambiance, Ross Anderson and his lady turned up on his Kawasaki 750 turbo. What a lovely machine and an excellent way to go to the Waterford for a drink and meal!

This past weekend saw Terry on his Suzuki GT550, Kim on his recently restored H2, Paul De Lautour on his H1, Paul Whiting on his 'Top Gun' and myself on the XJ meet up at Manawatu Motorcycles for a ride out. We decided on a round about route towards Rongotea and back through Mount Stewart, Stanway and a stop at Manfeild to watch some racing. It was yet another great day and the the roads provided a nice mixture of open country riding mixed in with some nice twistys through the many gullies as streams made ther way towards the Rangitikei River. It was good to park up outside the hall at Stanway and listen to the country sounds and sites as the magpies ooudle wardle woodled and a not so young boy rode his Yamaha Pee Wee up and down in front of us. Magic. The racing at Manfeild was great with many of the spectators talking about the fun they had at the $60 track day on Saturday. Not to many people fell off with one Aprilia rider doing 1:23s on his road bike. We finished our ride at the Mao Bar for a coffee and luckily we were able to park up outside. Unluckily (or luckily?) for all the patrons on the sidewalk our departure meant those downwind got a puff of two stroke smoke in their lattes. A unique taste experience I hear that could become all the rage! As the month of April comes to a close lets hope the wonderful weather continues (at least in the weekends) and we have some more opportunities to get out there.

An Autumn Wander and Swap Meet

It was another one of those chocolate box autumn days that got a group of us out and about on our trusty old Japa bikes. It had been two weeks since the national rally so the posteriors were ready for another session in the saddle. The two De Lautours arrived on there Kawasaki H2s, 'Top Gun' Paul Whiting was  on Kawasaki the mighty GPz 750r, Alan had the Avenger out for a spin, Dion had his dazzling KH400 out of his garage, Bruce turned up on his lovely sounding FZR 1000 and myself on the ever faithful XJ750. An easterly direction was decided on with a run through one of our favourite back roads chosen. After a surprisingly lightly trafficed run over the Pahiatua track we made our way through Mangamaire and after a brief run down Highway two it was on to Rongomai and then a loop back to Pahiatua. These roads are ideal for our style of riding which involves lots of twisty bits that don't require a great deal of horsepower but do need plenty of technique to keep up good corner speed on challenging suspension, chassis's and skinny tyres. The bonus is Mr Plod the revenue collector doesn't do very well out of us so we get to spend more on restoring and riding our bikes. We then made our way back over the track to the Rendezvous cafe for a coffee and cake. What a great way spend an autumn day!
The pevious weekends weather wasn't as nice, but at least it wasn't raining for the Manawatu Classic Motorcycle clubs swap meet. Some interesting buys amongst the vendors with some good conversation washed down with a breakfast sausage, bread and cup of tea.

VJMC 2012 National Rally Okoroire

Here is Alans report from last weekends 2012 VJMC rally at Okoroire. 
The Palmerston North Blue Haze contingent and friends departed Palmerston North at 12.30 on Friday 16^th March heading via Kimbolton and Rangiwahia en-route to Okoroire. Our crew included Paul DeLatour (H2), Kim DeLatour (H2A), Dion Tornquist (Honda NS400R), Paul Whiting (GPZ750), Don Mardle (GT500), Bruce Andrews (Yamaha RT1), and myself on the H2. We were joined by Barry Drummond and Bruce Currie from Wellington on an H2C and GT750 respectively. First stop was Taihape to fuel bikes and riders, then to Waiouru and off SH1 and round the mountain to Ohakune, and then onto National Park. Temperatures had dropped up on the plateau and extra layers of clothing were required. All of the bikes were running well and the H2s were sipping fuel at a very modest rate returning 50+ mpg! Bruce was leading on the Yamaha RT1 and maintained a steady 100km/h as we headed off toward Tokaanu. The RT1 was a little slower over the saddle and many disappeared into the distance enjoying the corners. Next stop was Whakamaru to top up the bikes, then  Putaruru and Okoroire in time for an evening meal in the pub. Okoroire Hotel was built during the 1890s and was an overnight stop for stage coaches of the day. Beautifully restored in a park like setting, the spacious grounds have an additional accommodation block at the rear and offered loads of parking space for the bikes. Judy Charlton did a very well to find such a great location and to negotiate a price that really was value for money. Saturday dawned clear and sunny and the day was started with breakfast in the dinning room – a very generous mixed grill, or eggs bene, or pancakes etc. It was then time for judging the bikes. An interesting feature of this rally was the attendance of five Kawasaki H2s. There were three '72 H2s, a '73 H2A, and '75 H2C. These were lined up for photos (not a sight often seen) and then all of the other Kawasaki machines added to the line. There were more Kawasaki at this rally than the other marques combined. Around mid day we all headed off to the Tirau Museum for a look around and a BBQ lunch organised by Judy. The Museum displays ranged from tractors to telephones, and even some old bikes.After lunch our group, which now included Alan DeLatour on his recently restored RD350, decided on a ride over the Kaimai-Mamaku range to Tauranga (outskirts), and then through Pyes Pa road to Ngongotaha (Rotarua), and back to Okoroaire on SH5. Pyes Pa Road with its two gorges is great fun as is the Kamai Road. We were back in time for a cold beer and another good meal. Prize giving was a laugh-a-minute affair, and Blue Haze scored another couple of gongs with Paul DeLatour taking Best Kawasaki for his H2 and Bruce Andrews winning Best Yamaha for his newly restored RT1 trail-bike. Ross Charlton very deservedly won the Peoples Choice award for his superbly restored blue Kawasaki H2. Sunday morning started with a cooked breakfast, and then the pack-up and mustering of the team to leave for home. We headed back on a slightly different route incorporating Old Taupo Road to take us through to  Whakamaru and our first fuel stop. This is an excellent back road and joins Whakamaru Road which runs through the forest and is smooth and wide with long straights and flowing open corners – eventually most of us caved in to the temptation (I can resist anything except temptation) and  opened the taps!  The needle reached the dusty end of the H2 speedo for several minutes. A good thing plod wasn't about as his quota would have been met very quickly. Rumor has it that a large blue cloud was seen hovering over the forest ...We retraced our steps from Whakamaru to national Park and then went through to Raetahi for lunch, and then down the Parapara Road to Whanganui. A final fuel stop and out through Fordell and onto the main road toward home. Barry and Bruce turned off at Sanson, and the rest of us straggled into Palmerston North. We covered more than a 1000 km over the weekend without any real issues with the bikes. Bruce has a little more fettling to do on the RT1, and Paul has work to do on the H2 clutch. Barry has some electrical problems to sort on the H2C. Kim's recently rebuilt gearbox and top-end ran without fault. I would like to pass on a very big thank you from the Blue Haze crew to Judy, Ross, and Angela for all of their work in making the rally the success it was. I think this years rally will be very hard to beat!
 Alan
Heres a link to some more of Alans photos 

A Busy month!

The local newspaper photographer took this!

Its been a while since one of these has been on the tracks

Outside the Ashhurst Inn

Some great old heritage vehicles

Having a nice cool one with the lads

February has been a busy month! The weather has certainly cooperated enough for people to get out and about and enjoy the great outdoors. For those of us on two wheels and into motorcycles of the Vintage Japanese persuasion we did this in a number of ways over February. The month began with Alan and I joining the Manawatu Classic Motorcycle Club for a ride on the 12th. After the monthly meeting at the Bridge Club in Linton street we made our way over to the Railcar Society open day in Pahiatua. They were running rides up the track to Woodville return in their recently restored rail car. A gold coin entry saw us line up with a range of vintage and veteran machinery. The carnival atmosphere was a nice backdrop for the Tokomaru as it made its way up and down the track. After sampling a few bangers off the BBQ and a good wander around the place we made our way to the Ashhurst via the Saddle Road for some light refreshments and a nibble. The Saddle road was diabolical. It was a very very slow ride over a very trashed surface with Alans H2 carbs struggling to provide the small amount of fuel needed to ride so slowly. The Classic guys are very welcoming and they do a wonderful job promoting our Motorcycle heritage around the region.

Where is Bruce?

Just before the rain came down!

For a bit of a change to our social get together on the second Tuesday of the month we had a short ride before retiring to the Rose and Crown. Apart from some confusion about where and when we were to meet and others running low on petrol and the rain it went really well! Paul De Lautour had the RE5 out for a run and Dion had his X7, his latest bargain, Alan on his Pegaso, Bruce on the RD/RZ 350 and myself on the XJ. I was somewhat surprised at how much I had to twist the throttle to keep up with Bruce on his RD/RZ down Maindrain road. The ride certainly made us feel more deserving of our meals!

From the Guardian Newspaper

Richards Suzuki T200

VJMC corner

The public enjoying the bikes

Some great conversations were had over the day

To finish off we had a display as part of the City Council Esplanade Day. We were hoping for a few more bikes but as often happens with these things 'shit happens' John Logies S3 throttle cable broke that morning and Bruce lost an important part to the carb on his RT1 in his lawn. His cunning plan to invite people around to his place for a coffee on said lawn actually worked with the lost part being very quickly found. The public really enjoyed the bikes with a big thank you to Paul, Alan and Richard for spending the day with the bikes and for their efforts they managed to get themselves into the Guardian newspaper. Also a big thanks to Ross Charlton for sending up the VJMC banner and Barry Drummond from Wellington who popped in to see us after his Ferrari Club get together in Shannon.
The little kids were really attracted to the 'pretty pink bike' and many conversations around the H2 'widow maker' Richards T200 got some attention with its very sixties styling. The Rotary also got attention with people trying to work out what it is. Dions KH screamed out 70s bling with its brand new set of nos pipes and recently re chromed and respoked wheels. Bruces RD350 represented the eighties in all its plastic's glory! We rounded off the day with

Hunterville loop via Mangamako road

Waitangi weekend. What to do? Why not celebrate the day by enjoying this wonderful country of ours by getting out in it. Those who were of a similar mind and had the time and inclination turned up at Manawatu Motorcycles at 9:00am and a quick (for us!) decision was made to head towards Hunterville via Apiti and Ohingaiti and a return around the back roads that parallel SH1, through Halcombe and homeward via Mt Stewart.  The run through to Hunterville was going to be interesting as it was certainly testing the fuel range of the Kawasakis. A small container of petrol was carried along ; just in case! The roll call was:
Alan Rowell and Richard - Suzuki SV1000
Alan Clark - Kawasaki A7
Paul De Lautour - Kawasaki H1b500
Gary Whiting - Yamaha XJ750
Dion Tornquest - Honda NSR400
The run up through Pohangina Valley was its usual curvey and visual feast with the usual caution around unsigned gravel on bends being needed. A brief stop at Umutoi had us heading for Rangiwahia and 15 km of some of the nicest motorcycling road around. With a quick stop at Pembroke corner we then headed west towards Ohingaiti via Mangomaku road. Yet more curves with a great suspension bridge near the end to complete the picture. Definetly a recommened ride! The lads on the Kawasakis were now cautiously optimistic that they would make it to Hunterville on a tank, and with some cautious use of the throttle they did. I know that if I had been on my KH250 I would have probabaly used up all the fumes in my tank by this stage! Our arrival was greeted by a large number of bikes parked around the cafe. Others had obviously had a similar idea to get out and about and we had some great chats with a variety of motorcyclists. I must say that we are a little concerned about Dion as he spent a lot of time looking at the Boulevard Cruisers. He has always liked his bling and he would probabaly enjoy polishing up the acres of chrome and paint on one. Better keep a close eye on his garage!
Another great ride around this great countryside of ours on some old Japanese road bikes. Come on, get out there and make the most of the rest of summer!

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!