A monthly publication of The Vintage Motorcycle ClubJohannesburg, South Africa.

Volume 24. No 3 March, 2011.

CHAIRMAN’S CHATTER

Gautengers were recently stunned to be informed that within a few months there will be 45 toll gantries operating on the national roads around Johannesburg and that we will be paying toll fees of up to 66 cents per kilometre. A small, very small, concession is that motorcycles are no longer stung as heavily as cars and will pay in the order of 40c/km. We believe that some downward adjustment to the tariffs will happen but it will nevertheless be very hard on our pockets.

We might now be envious of our toll-free friends in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban, but our dear Minister of Transport has said that “their turn will come”.

To the organizers and all who will be riding in the DJ, have a safe, successful and enjoyable rally.

Yours, in good riding

MICHAEL MS

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JANUARY CLUB NIGHTThe meeting started with the usual announcements by the Chairman and then Pierre Cronje, Clerk of the Course for the DJ, gave an interesting update on this year’s event.

The DJ would again start at Hillcrest in KZN and the important change was the start on Day 2. As a result of extensive road works and stop-go’s out of Newcastle the start would be at Ingogo station. Riders should allow sufficient time to react the start (about an hour) to avoid being late. The number of entries had reached 137. Anyone able to offer a lift to Durban for a motorcycle should contact Pierre.

Gavin Lumley then gave a talk on his latest acquisition, a Royal Enfield Meteor which he had recently acquired. The machine looked magnificent and started easily when it came to that time. We wish him many miles of happy riding.

The meeting was also reminded of the Century Run on the last Sunday in March.

The usual raffle draw followed and as there was a variety of nice prizes on offer, there were more winners than usual.

The attendance was 57.

IAN HOLMES.

Sunset CallFriends of Ron Ott were saddened to learn that he recently passed away in Cape Town, aged 85. A great BSA/Ariel enthusiast, we believe that Ron was also a founder member of both Cape CMC and the Cape VMC.

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Events Calendar

MARCH 11-12th COMMEMORATIVE DJ VVC MARCH 27th 2011 CENTURY RUN VMC

(Century Rules and Entry Forms are on the usual Websites)APRIL 10-13th SAVVA National Edwardian/Veteran VCCofSA JULY 2-3rd 1000 Bike Show CMC May 15 Cars in the Park, Pietermaritzburg VSCCMay 19-21st SAVVA National Motorcycle Tour CMC NatalAugust 7 Cars in the Park, Zwartkops POMCAugust 18 – 20 FIM AFRICA Magnum POMCSeptember 3 – 4 Wheels At the Vaal VOWCSeptember 17 SAVVA AGMSeptember 18 National Swap meet PROctober 3 – 6 SAVVA National QACNovember 12-13th Fairest Cape Motorcycle Tour CVMC

Roland Nancekivell, Gavin Walton and Kevin Robertson were winnersof the Team Award at the 2010 Fairest Cape Tour. They are pictured here with Melanie Botha who presented the prizes.

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Where are they now?\

Charlie Randall’s Cammy 250.On South African circuits, the name of Charlie Randall was well known as the Fifties dawned. But a bad smash on a 500 at the Alan Reeve track near Pretoria had sidelined him for a couple of seasons and, while his injuries healed, he felt his old strength lacking and decided to move into the smaller capacity classes.

Working with a small lathe, an electric drill, hand files and infinite patience, Charlie constructed his 250cc “AJR” racer. It would have netted him a win first time out, had not the handicapper at Alan Reeve known his capabilities of old and loaded the dice against him. In the event, second place was the reward for his super-human endeavour.

Charlie obtained a “cammy” AJS as his starting point, replacing the girder forks with a pair of AMC teles, removing every surplus lug and lightening the frame by hand. Original fins were painstakingly machined off the barrel and a square-finned light alloy muff, specially cast, was then shrunk on. A new head was fabricated, as was a new cambox, cast to accommodate hairpin valve springs; the lot being machined to Randall's design. Chain drive to the cam was retained, but modified to handle Charlie's double-knocker arrangement.

A large bore, steep downdraught carburetor, engine plates, oil tank, saddle cum pillion and dozens of little finishing touches were all down to the industrious Randall; so who could blame him for corrupting the famous initials to incorporate that of his own surname?

Running on methanol with a compression ratio around 15:1, Charlie Randall wasn't satisfied until his 250cc cammy racer was clocking well over 90mph; the minimum speed he thought necessary to win a local championship race.

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For those wondering how Charlie made a 250 out of a cammy Ajay without either reducing the bore or shortening the stroke, cast your minds back to 1930. The original Stevens brothers’ Wolverhampton firm (not the later Matchless-owned brand) did build a handful of 250s especially for the Lightweight TT races that year. They never catalogued them but, subsequently, at least one of these racers escaped from captivity and, in the late Thirties, found its way to the African continent.

Rumour had it that the escapee was the very machine on which Jimmy Guthrie won the 1930 Lightweight TT at the record speed of 64.71mph. If so, what we are looking at here is in fact an historic factory racer with a TT winning pedigree - and Charlie Randall chopped it!

(With acknowledgements to Ken Hallworth and his article in the March 2000 issue of The Classic Motorcycle.)

Does anyone know what eventually happened to this machine?

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Odds and EndsChris Cutler will again be Clerk of the Course for the Fairest Cape Tour which this year will take place on November 11th-12th. In similar fashion to the Natal Classic, Chris now plans to have a separate run of about 30kms for veteran machines on the day before the event.

Dave Essey is looking for a 1960s or 1970s British or German bike to restore. As it will be his first restoration, he needs a complete bike that has nothing missing. Dave can be contacted on 082 808 4668.

Ben Vandenberg has picked up a polished metal “Ambassador” badge, the curved one that fits on the back mudguard. If you need it, call Ben on 021 712 2661.

Ian Storer suggest that, if you think you knew the names of all the bikes ever produced, you will see some very interesting stuff if you check out the website www.ozebook.com And that also on DSTV Travel, Channel 181, they have the “World’s greatest motorcycle rides”.

Past MastersAutodealer recently published extracts from Nick Bates’ interesting interview with Kork Ballington, our 250 and 350 World Champion of 1978 and 1979. Now living in Brisbane, Kork still occasionally rides his H1 Triple on which he won the 1970 Natal Production Bike championship and says “It still tries to chuck me off!” The full interview can be viewed on www.autodealer.co.za in the “Opinion” section.

Jens Brehm writes that New Zealander Hugh Anderson turned 75 years of age in January. Hugh was four times World Champion with 50cc and 125cc machines. He began racing on AJS and Norton machines but was more successful when he switched to Suzuki.

In 1963 he became 125cc and 50cc World Champion and also won the 125cc Ultra Lightweight TT. The following year he was 50cc Champion, also winning the 50cc TT, again on Suzuki. In 1965 he was once more 125cc Champion and his TT results were 2nd (50cc) and 5th (125cc).

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Money MattersWe see that a Bonham’s auction last April recorded the sale of an 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmuller at £ 86 200 and that a 1938 SS100 Brough Superior went for £ 157 700.

Now, if you think the Brough was a bit expensive, at a recent Sotheby’s wine auction in Hong Kong, a Chinese buyer bought three bottles of 1869 Chateau Lafite Rothschild at a price of $ 232 000 EACH!

And if the new owner decided to open a bottle and drink the stuff, the cost would work out to R 442 347 per glass.

Edgar Bradley’s Puzzle No.2

We said last month that no correct answers were received for the second crossword. There were actually two more entries stuck among a pile of faxes and one, from Ric Lewis, was exactly right. The prize, some Autosol metal polish, has been sent on to Ric.

The answer to last month’s Competition.

No one phoned in identifying the rider in this picture as Tom Silver and the machine as a Quadrant. The caption said that they had prepared this machine for the International Cup Race to be held at Prescot, Lancashire, on 7th June 1906. Owing to injury, he wasn’t able to compete in the trials and the machine was taken over by another rider. Tom looks very smart in the picture with his waxed moustache, high collar, waistcoat and watch chain.

Tom Silver saw military service in South Africa during the Boer War. He was subsequently sales manager, and possibly a partner, in the Quadrant company. In 1903 Tom completed the Land’s End-John O’Groats Run in 64 hours 29 mins, beating the previous record by just 16 minutes.

There is a great story of Tom coming back to SA in 1903 and doing a countrywide tour on a Quadrant – can you imagine what sort of roads existed then? We will publish that story soon.

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Edgar Bradley’s Puzzle No 3.

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CLUES ACROSS

1 Milwaukee's finest, and we don't mean the beer (Two words - 6,8) (14)

5 Model name of a Hoffman motorcycle, configured like a BMW boxer, but of only 250 cc

The English word “governor” is a translation of the model name (10)

6 Model name of a defunct Japanese make, Marusho. Also the name of a flower (5)

7 Model name of a Triumph. Excellence is implied plus the young of a cat or bear

(Two words, 5, 3) (8)

9 A thread system on some old bikes, short for British Association (2)

10 The animal used as the Peugeot logo (4)

11 For many, BSA's best ever motorcycle, winner of innumerable clubman races. A highly prized classic today (Two words, 4, 4) (8)

12 Twins usually have two of these, some old singles also, but only for show? (8)

14 An Italian autocycle/moped, popular in South Africa in the 50's and 60's. Usually in red and white or blue and white for the Competizione version. (4)

16 An old English make that also means "alright" (2)

17 Famous English steel tube maker, maker of "531" tubing for racing frames (8)

19 A society for those of reasonably high IQ, many bikers included. Also the Latin name for “table” (5)

20 An obscure British two-stroke associated with the racer Kay Don, made from 1947 to 1964. Some were used in South Africa as delivery bikes, they had silver tanks and Villiers engines. The name is also a model name for a Nash car. Also a name often used in diplomatic circles (10)

22 A British make and model, part of the AMC group. The make was notable for its hooded headlight nacelle and there is an obscure connection with horses in the model name. A colour is also involved (Three words - 5, 3, 6) (14)

CLUES DOWN

1 This is more silent than the straight-cut type (Two words - 7,4) (11)

2 Model designation of a Velocette, also known as the Noddy Bike (2)

3 Name of a famous Vincent-based drag racer, or of a Roman emperor (4)

4 Some cruisers may have this as standard equipment, but not other bikes (5)

7 When your bike's chain wears and is not adjusted, it will do this (3)

8 Model name of a Victoria motorcycle, with cogs and sprockets instead of gears. The name has something to do with mountains and the mastery thereof. Configuration was that of a transverse V-twin (11)

13 International distress signal. Also an English marque from 1927 to 1939 (3)

15 Triumph model name, member of the cat family (5)

18 Czech marque, usually finished in dark red, popular in South Africa in the 50’s and 60’s (4)

21 Old Belgian marque, famous for inline fours and rifles (2)

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A nice prize will go to the first correct Crossword answer drawn on 15th March. Please send your entries to Henry Watermeyer by email to VMCJhb@gmail.com or Fax to 011 882 7251.

Handy Websites

A source of manuals for old bikes www.classiccycles.org/1801.html Commemorative DJ Run www.djrun.co.za Vintage Motorcycle Club www.vintagemotorcycleclub.co.zaClassic Motorcycle Club www.classicmotorcycleclub.co.za Crankhandle Club www.crankhandleclub.co.za Pretoria Old Motor Club www.pomc.co.za S A V V A www.savva.org.za The Piston Ring www.pistonring.org.za

For the Record

CMC Pre –DJ and Autumn Run, 13th March 2011.

DJ MOTORCYCLES 1 Gavin Walton* AJS 69pts 2= Trevor Jones* AJS 71 2= Kevin Walton* BSA 71 2= Gavin Lumley* BSA 71 5 Neville Smith* Ariel 79 6 David Pitchford* BSA 93 7 Graham Kendall Velocette 98

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8 Keith Kendall Triumph 98 9 Mike Ward* Velocette 12110 Tarryn Rice* BSA 12511 Wayne Bagley BSA 14112 Andy Stead* BSA 15613 Martin Davis* Sunbeam 16214= Stewart Cuninghame* Norton 16914= Ian Holmes* Triumph 16916 John Allison* Rudge 19117 George Shield* Velocette 24318 Des Burton* Norton 30419 Hamish Morrison* BSA 30520 Brian Johnson Panther 34121 Danny Mills Norton 54922 Greg Kendall Triumph 76423 Jacee van Rooyen Ariel 84924 Ralph Pitchford* Triumph 89525 Alan Hogg* AJS 106726 Maurice Bracken Panther 123527 Les Sim* Triumph 2468

POST DJ MOTORCYCLES

1 Fritz Kraehmer* Moto Guzzi 54 2 Mike Lester* BMW 72 3 Greg Lester* AJS 140 4 Peter Vlietstra Yamaha 148 5 Gary Lowson 166 6 Steven Helm* BMW 173 7 Charles Gardiner BMW 778

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FOR SALE:

All the following motorcycles are true classic collectors items (not your “run of the mill” classics). All are in superb condition and are good runners and licenced for the road.

1958 ARIEL 1000cc Square Four Mk II (four piper). A stunning example. SAVVA dated. R 110 000.

1962 AJS 650cc Sports Twin “CSR”. A really handsome bike. SAVVA dated R 50 000.

1956 ROYAL ENFIELD 700cc Super Meteor in “café racer” trim. Licenced and on the road and looks very purposeful. R 50 000.

1961 TRITON (pre-unit BONNEVILLE motor in slimline Norton featherbed frame).Probably the best Triton around. R 95 000.

For more details contact MIKE LANG on 011 849 5859 or 082 821 1826 who is looking for South African buyers rather than exporters.

AJS

FREE: Front part of AJS FRAME 1935 AJS OILTANKS Mid 1930s – 1950 1930s FRONT FORK (may be for OK Supreme)

Call COLIN ANDERTON on 076 914 3694.

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BMW BMW R80/7 1979. SAVVA dated, fully licenced. Includes rally brackets.R14500.00 GAVIN LUMLEY on 0795567615

WANTED Can anyone help me with the following parts for a BMW R50/21. toolbox lid2. a set of usable carb bodies3. rear mudguard 4. And a toolbox lid to fit a BMW R26 or 27 tank.

Please call CRAIG PATTERSON on 076703090.

B S A

Wanted: GEARCHANGE QUADRANT and LEVER for BSA A65 LIGHTNING (1969).Please call IAN STORER on 0727277382

FREE – one pair BSA WHEELS – -- REAR MUDGUARD for BSA plunger-- two BSA GEARBOX CASINGS 350?

Call COLIN ANDERTON on 076 914 3694.

For sale: BSA GEARS & SHAFTS Mid 30s, R20 ea, bring a sample or drawing.Please call COLIN ANDERTON on 076 914 3694.

DJ MACHINES

Wanted: A DJ motorcycle, 350cc or bigger, that is “DJ ready”.Please call MICHAEL MS on 011 802 7452.

Wanted: A 1930-1936 DJ motorcycle. 500cc preferred.Please call HOLGER on 083 629 2840.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON

For sale: 1934 Harley-Davidson and sidecar ex Derrick Kruger. R 100 000 takes this DJ Winner.Keith van Heerden 082 555 8789.

Wanted: GEARBOX or gearbox parts for 1916-1920 Harley-Davidsonand

GEARBOX or gearbox parts for 1941-1942 5/7 Harley-Davidson.Please contact Eugene van Dalen on 082 681 0859.

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For Sale: 1941 Harley-Davidson 5/7 750cc. Fully restored and in very good condition.Contact JOHN on 072 138 8261

Wanted: 1958 to 1964 Harley-Davidson FLH FRAME.Contact KELVIN ESTERHUIZEN on 074 120 0000.

HONDA

For sale: HONDA GOLDWING 1200cc COMBINATION, red, as new, 75 000 km.Being sold in aid of a charity. With two helmets, R 50 000 o.n.c.o. Jim Williamson on 033 239 2169 has more details.

Offers to ROZ on 033 330 3036 or 083 326 9947.

Wanted for 1979 HONDA CX 500: One crankshaft, two pistons complete with conrods. Please contact : "SPIDER WILBRAHAM” on 082 619 4242

MOTO GUZZI

For sale: MOTO GUZZI V50 MKII (1980). Is in excellent condition, with RWC, R15000 ono.

Please call IAN STORER on 072 727 7382.

NORTON

FOR SALE: Norton PRIMARY CHAINCASE (complete) R100.Please call COLIN ANDERTON on 076 914 3694.

SUZUKI

SUZUKI GS750 1976. Fully licenced. Very original, original exhausts. Owners handbook, Service manual and a few bits. Needs TLC. R9000.00.

Contact GAVIN LUMLEY on 0795567615

TRIUMPH

Wanted: PRIMARY CHAIN COVER for Triumph Model P.Please call LES SIM on 082 552 4072.

Wanted: FRONT MUDGUARD for Triumph T120 or T140.Please call ANDY STEAD on 082 553 4492.

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TYRES

SPECIAL OFFER FOR MARCH AND APRIL:Dunlop 19” X 350 K70 Rear Tyres @ R495 ea. Less 10% for buying two.And 19” X 325 Rib Front Tyres @ R395 ea.

Call MIKE LANG on 011 849 5859 or 082 821 1826.

VELOCETTE

For sale: 1952 VELOCETTE MAC 350cc. This is a nearly finished project with very little left to complete the rebuild. R25 000.00 or nearest offer.

For more information and to view the bike please call GUS GREGORY on 072 184 2189 or KEVIN SOLOMON 082 463 4183.

Wanted: VELOCETTE Pre-1936. Must be complete and ready to ride.Please phone DES on 083 229 8050.

OTHER THINGS

Wanted: WOODEN STEERING WHEEL for 1968 Alfa Romeo Spyder.Please call WILLEM BESTER at 011 973 4200 or 079 490 6804.

RESTORATION SERVICESLLOYD DU BOIS in Pietermaritzburg makes ornate period BRASS SPARK-PLUG NUTS and CONNECTORS for the high tension leads for veteran and vintage bikes.(Non suppressed). They have fine attention to detail, for any concours restoration. He also hand makes stainless steel/aluminium LICENCE DISC HOLDERS, CORKS for the “Enots” push-pull type fuel taps, and light alloy TYRE VALVE CAPS. He can deliver your order to you at the DJ Documentation in Hillcrest.

Call LLOYD on 033 396 6471.

For ULTRASONIC CLEANING call HENRY WATERMEYER on 084 800 8862.

RUBBER COMPONENTS Bill Speight bs29@telkomsa.net

We recommend you email Bill for a Price List of the big range of rubber components he has available.

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THE VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE CLUBP O Box 782835 SANDTON 2146 South Africa

Michael Milner-Smyth Chairman, SAVVA/FIM Delegate, Magazine Editor. (H&B) 011 802 7452. milnersmyth@bigfoot.com .Brandon Madgwick Vice Chairman Brandon.madgwick@xpertek.co.za B 011 519 3005 C 083 400 4955Ian Storer Secretary imagin@isat.co.za H 011 888 4680 C 072 727 7382Adrian Hollis Treasurer Adrian@theholidayfactory.co.za B 011 258 5301 C 082 497 3420Ian Holmes Committee Member ianhol@iafrica.com B 011 244 0351 H 011 793 7304 C 083 646 3089 Rob Pattison-Emms Committee Member avonrod@mweb/co.za B 011 460 1901 H 011 460 1901 C 082 891 8399Les Sim Committee Member les@turnkeyhydraulics.co.za B 011 827 8954 H 011 673 1865 C 082 552 4072Roly Tilman Committee Member tilman@lasergroup.co.za Librarian H 011 803 1462 C 082 377 4303Steve Trehair Committee Member stevet@matrixmarketing.co.za B 011 886 0494 H 011 469 5900 C 083 461 2751

Mike Lester Club Dating Officer H 011 453 4216

Elizabeth Addison Magazine Distribution C 082 746 2816

Club Bank Acc No. 1970259841 at Nedbank. Sandton Branch 197-005.

Club Meetings are held every fourth Monday of the month (except December) at Morningside Country Club, De La Rey Rd, Rivonia, at 20h00.

The opinions expressed in KICKSTART are not necessarily those of the Committee or the Editor.

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