Remember NOVEMBER, DECEMBER & JANUARY

AGM - 15th NOVEMBER 2008 NEWS LETTER 2008/2009

First Saturday of the Month - Regular Meeting

Third Saturday of the Month - Social Meeting NB:- AGM 15th November

DECEMBER Last Friday - Braai

2008 Affiliated to SAVVA

6th Regular Club Meeting Affiliated to The Vintage Motor Cycle Club - UK

Competition - American & Harley

7th Breakfast Run - Leave Kloof to Baynesfield - Breakfast & Eats

10th Committee Meeting

20th Social Meeting

Shoptoraqe Deadline

21st Childrens Christmas Tree 12 noon - phone number correction

PLEASE NOTE CONTACT NUMBER IS 031 7012776

26th Braai

DECEMBER

2008

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Schools CMC BREAKFAST

Close REGULAR RUN - Kloof -

MEETING Baynesfield

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 HAPPY CHRISTMAS

COMMTI- AND A

TEE PROSPEROUS

MEETING NEW YEAR

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Day CMC CHILDREN'S

of SOCIAL CHRISTMAS

Recon MEETING TREE

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Xmas BRAAI

Day

29 30 31 REMINDER (Contact person Maurain)

8th Nov - 1pm @ Harlequinns- fireworks display and

other fare activities - free entry to CMC bikers who

display - Meet @ clubhouse 12:15 - proceed as a unit.

WE ARE NOW INVITING ANYONE WHO WISHES TO ADVERTISE IN

THIS NEWS LETTER TO CONTACT THE EDITOR. ( Editors details on

page 2)

Banking Details

Standard Bank - Amanzimtoti

Acc name CMC of Natal

Acc No. 05-155-629-4

Classic Motorcycle Club of Natal WE ARE NOW INVITING ANYONE WHO WISHES TO ADVERTISE IN

Committee Members THIS NEWS LETTER TO CONTACT THE EDITOR. ( Editors details on

Phone No. Area Code is 031 Unless Otherwise Stated page 2)

PATRON Jim Cramer Remember

CHAIRMAN Alan Young H 4677294 First Saturday of the Month - Regular Meeting

Key Holder W 9023209 Third Saturday of the Month - Social Meeting

C 0824658273 Last Friday - Braai

VICE CHAIRMAN Mike Mathews H 4678648 JANUARY

Clubhouse Mgr. W 3016422 2009

Key Holder C 0823778580 3rd Regular Club Meeting

TREASURER Aubrey Cilliers H 7085934 Competition - Best of British

C 0839220133 4th Breakfast Run - To Be Announced

SECRETARY Salome van Niekerk salaub@telkomsa.net H 4655831 7th Committee Meeting

PO Box 41587 Rossburgh 17th Social Meeting

CLUB REGISTRAR Andrew Mather mather@durban.gov.za H 5637986 Shoptorque Dead line

W 3002281 23rd Braai

C 0833090233

Fax 3056952 JANUARY

OUTINGS Derek Pirie H 2056844 2009

C0-ORDINATOR W 9104636 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

C 0826731335 1 2 3 4

DATING OFFICER Rod Thomas PO Box 272 Linkhills H 7621509 CMC BREAKFAST

C 073356494 REGULAR RUN

SPARES MANAGER Edwin White H 2056786 MEETING

C 0722191925 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

AST. MANAGER Kevin Tebutt H 7023697 COMMIT-

RACING Geoff Isacks - Committee Chairman H 649121 TEE

W 3631629 MEETING

Bob West - Clerk of the Course H 9036007 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

W 4670382 CMC

REGALIA OFFICER SOCIAL

RALLY CLERK Richard Sawkins - Clerk of the Course MEETING

SHOW MANAGER Barbara Sink H 5632403 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

LIBRARIAN Dave Stone H 5645506 Schools

EDITOR Stuart Miller PO Box 39106 H 2053819 KZN

Queensburgh 4070 C 0837797446 Reopen

WEBSITE MANAGER Rob Haesloop 26 27 28 29 30 31

Opinions expressed are not nessesary those of the club or its members. BRAAI

BANKING DETAILS

Standard Bank Amanzimtoti

Acc Name - CMC of Natal; Acc Number 05-155-629-4

Remember CHAIRMANS CHUNTER

First Saturday of the Month - Regular Meeting

Third Saturday of the Month - Social Meeting Elsewhere in this edition you can read a report on our Hospice run and I would

Last Friday - Braai like to add my thanks to those members who braved the foul weather

FEBRUARY to participate; in particular those three on motorcycles who faced downpours

2009 the entire distance.

7th Regular Club Meeting It is my honour to hand over to the Hospice a cheque for R3000.00 being part

Competition - Golden Years proceeds from our show, together with a cash amount of R1550.00 which was

8th Breakfast Run - To Be Announced raised at our October main meeting thanks to your generosity and the

11th Committee Meeting persuasive efforts of Veronica who squeezed R1300.00 from members! Pip

21st Social Meeting Lorentz then generously topped this out with a donation of R250.00.

Shoptorque Dead Line Many thanks to all of you and to Derek for organizing the run and Edwin White

27th Braai for sweeping.

On behalf of all of us I thank Ken Sink for attending the SAVVA A.G.M.. as

FEBRUARY our representative. There were a number of changes to the committee and it

2009 seems that the new committee will make stronger representations to the

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun government on the question of special licenses. We will keep you informed

1 about developments in this regard.

Happy motorcycling and remember, if it won't fit use a club hammer and

cold chisel; it works every time!

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ILL and INFIRM

CMC BREAKFAST Jim Cramer has been in and out of hospital and his condition is cause for concern.

REGULAR RUN I appeal to members to try and visit Jim.

MEETING As far as I know things remain unchanged for Bill Mellor, Mike Butler and Roy Hill.

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 We look forward to the return of William Barrett to our club activities and it was

COMMIT- good to see the indestructible "Oom Piet" at the October meeting after his setback.

TEE Alan Young

MEETING

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 PLEASE REMEMBER OUR AGM on 15th NOVEMBER 2008

CMC

SOCIAL

MEETING Badges Cloth -CMC R 25 each

23 24 25 26 27 28 Lapel (Only two left) -CMC R 25 each

BRAAI Battery Boxes Out of Stock

Books Dynamo ( Soft Copied) R 15 each

Carbs (Soft Copied) R 15 each

Caps Blue - CMC R 30 each

Green - CMC R 55 each

Slow has four letters as has Life Engine Cleaner R 15 per litre

Speed has five letters as has Death R 60 per 5 litre

Golf Shirts - CMC R 60 each

Hand Cleaner R 35 per kg

Headlight Covers (Orange) R 25 each

Mugs CMC R 25 each

T-Shirts White - CMC R 30 each

Black (New Stock) - CMC R 50 each

Racing (New Stock) -CMC R 60 each

EDITORS COMMENTS TWO-STROKE MOTOR CYCLES

Seasons greetings. May each and everyone have a joyous

Christmas and a prosperous new year. Two stroke motor cycle engines date almost from the earliest periods of

Finally after 25 years and more of being a member of this club, motor cycle history, but the pioneer specimens created no great interest

I have been nailed to serve on the committee. (I thought I had and for 10 years or so the riding public as a whole had next to no

successfully dodged it.) Worst of all is that I know nothing about cognizance of any type of engine other than the four-stroke.

journalism. So until someone talented can take over you will Then came the somewhat startling introduction of the Scott. It was not

have to put up with me and endure my lack of know how. at that time (circa 1908) a particular tenacity in hill-climbing and its

I have been promised support. If you have bad comments, tell sustained buzzing exhaust pot created the greatest interest and

only me, if you have good to say, tell everyone. excitement. Hitherto motor cycle engines had been noisy with the clatter

This brings me to my next point, I need input from each one of of mechanism and the staccato bark of the escaping exhaust gases.

you. I am sure each member has had an experience and a (Staccato is a musical term which express the idea of a reiterated

story to tell related to motorcycling. I also need interesting sound with punctuating intervals of complete cessation.)

information, for example, why does a chap use SAE 40 in his bike? The two-stroke Scott quickly demonstrated two things. Firstly, that the

Even if you feel uncomfortable with putting it in written form, principal of engine operation made for great simplicity and elimination of

just jot down the facts and I will take it from there. working parts, with their attendant mechanical noises, and, secondly

You may well read an article which is not true or accurate, here exhaust that an emission of gases of higher periodicity, and with the

to, just drop me a line. I have a bad memory, so rather than punctuating silences much briefer, gave a more "silent" engine; the

telling me something, write it down and drop it in the fine box @ effect being still further accentuated by the fact the escaping gases

the sign-on .book at the clubhouse door. Incidentally this book is were released much less violently than the corresponding

there for a reason, so please enter your name when you attend four-stroke engines.

club meetings. It has been said of "silence" in connection with the exhaust of internal

Your articles should ideally relate to motor cycling, however we combustion engines, that the term is merely a euphemism for

are a family orientated club and I see no reason why we should "continuous noise". Continues noise, subdued or otherwise, cannot

not have articles of common interest. normally be obtained from any engine in which the firing intervals

If requested, no mention of names will be published. are widely or unevenly distributed. Intermittent noise is thus a

Any dirty or defamatory remarks will be totally ignored. characteristic of most four-stroke motor cycles; and the enthusiasm

I am as guilty as anyone else for not wearing my name badge with which the public greeted the first two-stroke machines proved that

to club meetings. You probably won't believe how often buyers had secretly been sighing for more silent engines, or a more

people don't remember names. I certainly don’t remember names. "continuous noise." To this feature the early interest in the pioneer

Every effort will be made to publish an article I am given in the two-strokes must be assigned. Behind the exhaust note of the

following publication, however it may not be possible and will four-stroke engine there may also be a continuous hum and clatter

only be in the one after. If you do not see your article in two of valve-operating gear, while two-stroke engine should in theory at any

issues after you have given it to me, please talk to me. rate, provide a background of mechanical silence because in its

Serving on the committee is a thankless job, so the next time most usual form all subsidiary operating mechanism is unnecessary.

you have something to say about a committee member, From the introduction of the Scott and those other pioneers, the Levis

remember lots has to be given up for our club to prosper. and Connaught two-strokes, the type became familiar, and it was soon

discovered that apart from the unusual and comparatively silent note

of the exhaust there was also a peculiar charm in the running of these

SAVVA news will be published as soon as the minutes & information engines. The familiar tug and jerk of the older four-stroke machines were

comes to hand. What can be said is that there has been a big change absent the motion-was more continuous - the engine appeared to exert a

in the committee. steady pull.

This article is extracted from a very early publication, the origins and

year are unknown

Opinions expressed are not nessasary those of the committee, To be continued in a later edition

the club or any club member.

DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008 DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008

POET'S CORNER BREAKFAST RUN - HOSPICE RUN

Alone upon the step I sit

behind the trees a full moon rises Definitely not two wheel weather yet three brave `Guys` and three even

Slowly surly rises braver `Dolle` left the club followed by six four wheelers on the start of

The scene it could be anywhere our annual run to the South Coast Hospice. As usual Derek and Wendy led

here there anywhere whilst Des Pistorious with Partner and dog on tank and an on/off road

Alone I sit and wonder BMW followed with the four wheelers slotting in behind. The run past the

Time that has gone it is not short airport was most unpleasant as one travelled through a combination of

Yet also is not long mist and rain. Added to the aforementioned was fairly heavy traffic.

Feelings I had then I carry now On arrival at the shopping mall the four wheelers alighted guiltily from

Bewildered confused but still the same their vehicles and dashed off to the toilets or viewed the large group

The moon it has risen as through time of motorcycles owned by the South Coast Clubs who joined us to create

The moon it has risen as usual a really worthwhile charity event. Following a loo and smoke break, a group

Right on time of about thirty-three motorcycles and a large number of mobile cages was

As the moon rises so perhaps do I lead away by a VW engine trike. The run from the mall to the venue was

Sometimes full sometimes small uneventful and the folks moved off into the warmth and shelter of

As is the moon so am I full and complete the raised building.

Lighting the sky a happy moon it is Considering the weather and low number of CMCN members present

And so am I (aprox.. 23) the venue was rather full and more than likely would have been

Through all weathers and stormy seas unable to accommodate too many more. It is pleasing to see Mally Doyle

I am here thinking of you as I have always done and friend Gloria joining us. As usual there was a rush of people to the food

For an age I have not written am I smitten and bar areas and soon the throng were all eating, drinking and chatting

Time will tell my friend I know not to friends and our South Coast members. The good part over brief

Perhaps do you speeches were made, monies donated, thanks given and as usual, people

If not now but maybe then will we follow began to disperse to their various homes.

Those great moonbeams in the sky Following the run, thanks goes to Derek for his organisation, the ladies of

Together Hospice for all of their good work, the folk who prepared the wonderful

breakfast, the smiling Edwin White who was sweep. Veronica Hinks who

"Out-going and In-coming" cajoled club members into parting with a rather large amount of cash at

the club on Saturday afternoon and last but not least to Barbra Hall and

Thank you "Sir Howard" for your hard work Jim Cramer as the originators of this great event.

You always smiled and would not shirk Till next time.

News letters on time If you can't do it on two, be a woosie and do it on four.

You toiled long hours without a dime

MADMAN

Stuart Miller we are sure

You'll be a splendid editor

So use the material that is good

And edit as you know you should Van der Merwe is invited to have lunch with the Queen. Whilst sitting

at her table he says to her :"Jis you know Queen, you have got such a

We'll keep newsworthy bits pouring in nice house and Queen you're clothes are so nice. Another thing Queen,

And try real hard not to be boring your food is so lekker!" The Queen gets hacked off with this entire

Sudokus must be easy to gauge "Queen" bit and says to Van; "Mr Van der Merwe, you should be not

With solutions shown on the back page be calling me Queen all the time. My correct title is "Your Highness." Van;

"…jis that is a coincidence, my bother's name is also Johannes."

It is heard tell; you're not a prude

Keep cartoons "clever", not too rude

We hope that you enjoy you're "spell"

And please know that you are wished well. DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WHO IS THIS?

Since this is my first attempt to get things going, I will give a short

account of how I came to join this club.

I used to go to Mayville Hotel on the appropriate days and admire the

classic bikes gathered there. At that time I lived in Warner Beach

on the upper South Coast. I had a Honda 750 Sport which I used to

travel into Durban. At the Mayville I would park well away from the

true blue collection of motorcycles and quietly admire those magnificent

machines.

One fine afternoon this chap approached me and asked if I had an

interest in old bikes. ( He possibly thought I was going to hijack one.)

I replied that to a degree I had and that I had R25 that I was trying to

get going properly but that I had very little time to spend on it and

worst of all, my knowledge was limited. He then introduced himself

as Mike Lang from the Classic Motorcycle Club and that he was a

motorcycle dealer and gave me his card with the invitation to visit him

if I needed help which was good news for me plus I needed to

register the bike which added to my troubles.

It was some while later after careful thought that I decided to get rid of

the BMW and pay Mike a visit. Without going into detail, we struck a deal.

I was to leave the bike with him for a month to see if he could find any During the Anglo Boer war a Young Frenchman, George Chapart, arrived

one interested in it. Well there was no developmentsand I arranged to in Durban following an unsuccessful business venture in Madagascar.

collect the bike. I took time off work with my trailer behind me on the He knew no English but possessed knowledge that was unique in South

arranged day. It was summer and plenty of light but heavy traffic, so Africa, having worked at the famous De Dion motor works in Paris.

when I was offered amber fluid, I accpted without any questions. Motor vehicles were then unknown in Durban so Chapart imported a few

Well we got to know each other a little better and before we knew it French automobiles and motorcycles which he demonstrated and sold to

time had passed quickly and we had not even loaded the bike. After would be Natal motorists. Within five years he had supplied Durban with most

further discussion I agreed to leave the bike for another week. of its 30-odd cars as well as motor cycles. He also made the trips down the

A few days later he phoned and asked me go and see him and that South Coast and as far as Pietermaritzburg and Zululand.

it was rather urgent. Suspecting that the bike had been stolen and not After many years in the Western Transvaal, Chapart moved to Krugersdorp

insured, my thoughts rapidly jumped to unfounded conclusions. I had where he was still running his own service station at the time of his death

little or no claim and wondered how things would turn out. in 1961. His career in the motor trade of his adopted country spanned

All my thoughts were put to rest when I saw my bike was still there more than 60 years.

when I walked into Mikes shop. He handed me some amber fluid (No

objection from Me) said he had to do something urgently and to look I think we can say he was the first motorcyclist in Durban.

around particularly the Matchless he had on the floor. I looked at it, sat I wonder if he started or was involved in any motor cycle clubs?

on it and fell in love with it but did not show it. When he had finished If anyone has any info please let me have it as I am sure it will be interesting.

he told me to start it. I was cautious and told him to do it.

Well the upshot of this lot is we struck a deal, he got the R25 and I got

the Matchless. The only condition he made which was suppose to have

been a joke was that I had to join the club. I gave him a long story also

with reasons why I would not but he could give me the forms needless A youngster being dressed down for a poor report, asked: "what do you

to say that they were signed by the time I left. I was voted in in due think the trouble is, Dad - heredity or environment?"

process and have never looked back.

Stuart Miller

DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008 DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008

WHY IS THE ISLE OF MAN SO IMPORTANT? What has happened to the true Blue park?

When one reads and watches Videos or DVD's, you realize the important

role this circuit has played not only as far as motor cycle racing, but

the development of motor cycles. For this reason it is not wrong, as far

as I am concerned, to refer to the "Isle of Man" as the Shrine of motor

cycling.

Motor cyclists from all over the world visit this tiny island from time to time

not only to race but to watch racing or just to get that "feeling" of what

it is like.

We in our own club have a few members who pilgrim there as often as

finance permits.

WHAT IS THIS?

This was at our regular meeting in September.

If this is all we can produce, then there is a need to examine why.

In the past you had to get here early to get a place.

Please let us have your comments.

At the same meeting their were more cars than bikes in total and it was

a beautiful sunny day.

IT'S TRUE

Why do you think folk in colder climates always have some sort of

headgear on their heads?

Well in case you did not know, your head and feet are like a thermostat.

Keep your head and feet warm or covered and see how much warmer

you feel.

If you don't believe me, just look at fishermen, they have always got

Can you identify this picture or rather the bike in the picture? some sort of headgear on. Take another look at the folk in colder climates,

Write it down here and wait for your next edition of Shoptorque. _________________ they also always have their heads covered. Old folk cover their heads

and sometimes feet when going to bed.

A Sunday school teacher asked her class "What was Jesus' mothers

name?" One child answered ,"Mary." The teacher then asked, "Who knows

what Jesus' fathers name was?" A little boy said, "Verge." Confused the

teacher asked, " Where did you get that?" The answer came straight back, A WORD OR TWO

"Well you know they are always talking about Verge n' Mary"

Reverse agteruit

If you burn your neighbour's house down, it doesn't make your house Happening very quickly - All of a skielik

look better.

DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008 DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008

ITEMS FOR SALE & WANTED WILL BE PLACED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE ISSUE THE HISTORY of the NATAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB (Briefly)

AND ONLY IN THE FOLLOWING ISSUES IF REQUESTED. TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN,

SIMPLY SMS THE EDITOR. The first meeting for the purpose of forming a club in the interests

of motorists was held on 26th January 1906, when it was decided

FOR SALE to call it the Natal Automobile Club.

At the clubs first meeting, Mr W. R. Poynton was elected to the

YAMAHA - XT500 Special (Picture on Notice board) - Excellent condition Chair and Mr J Ellis Brown as the vice chairman with Mr C.. Bradford

Licensed with COR - R23,000.00 Neg. Contact as Hon secretary. These were ratified at the first ordinary general

Kevin Nell - 031 4642646 or 0823214496 meeting on the 2nd March 1906.

SUZUKI - 850 GS Sharft drive - Needs base gaskit changed - Daily runner There was a total of 28 foundation members.

R15,000.00 Neg. as is. Contact Shiral 0833692702 Motoring at that time was very much a novelty and social events was

the order of the day. The clubs first run was made to the residence

CAPS - Summer is upon us, get your club Cap to keep the sun off our eyes. of the late Sir Marshall Campbell at Mount Edgecombe in August 1906

Only R30.00 for Blue ones ( While stocks last ) & R55.00 for Green ones. and later a gymkhana was held with great success.

Trouble with police traps early in the year caused the club to turn its

WANTED attention to motor car regulations for the borough of Durban.

A deputation was sent to the Town Council which resulted in by-laws

No requests received. being introduced for the betterment of motoring conditions in the

borough and a better understanding with the police

DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008 In 1911 following a few deaths of committee members and troublesome

time, all the committee resigned and bar a few ,were re-elected.

Many social events were held and improvements were made in the

The calendars have been designed for your use. Use them interests of motoring. An examination board was set up for the issue

for reminders making your own entries and keep handy for of drivers licences and the revision of motoring by-laws. They were also

quick and convenient reference. (Like a diary) concerned with speed limits within the borough boundaries.

In 1911, 140 drivers licences were issued.

There was some hesitation about admitting ladies., but in 1908

HAVE YOU GOT A RELATIVE DEAD OR ALIVE WHO IS FAMOUS? a resolution was passed to admit them. This it is said caused them

DO LET ME KNOW. (Editor) to smile in a superior way.

An active part was taken in the drafting of the motor ordinance with

My wife's grandfathers cousin, is the famous first woman surgeon in the provincial council which resulted in considerable improvements

the UK, Dr. Martindale. Contact the editor if you wish to know more. in clauses affecting motorists. An increase in the speed limit of

15mph to 20mph on main truck roads.

Also in 1911, an agreement was entered into with the RAC whereby

A visitor was ushered into the director's office of a model factory, ( I won't members visiting England would enjoy certain facilities and privileges.

say where,) was impressed by an imposing production chart on the wall. The years leading up to 1925, the club played an important part in

"Oh, yes," said the director. "During the first year we produced only five getting road repairs done and street lighting

thousand; during the second year fifty thousand; during the third year five In 1923, the club had a membership of 400.

hundred thousand. This year we'll probably manufacture a million." The club was also involved with the new Country Club, Durban.

"A million?" gasped the visitor. "A million what?" At this time a clubhouse was being built as well as garaging for 60 cars,

"These" said the director, handing him a neatly printed card which read: Tennis courts and accommodation.

"Out Of Order"

Editors Note:

Welcome back to the land of fun Marsh Page. They very nearly kept him If anyone has information of this club from 1925, please

on mud island. speak to me.

DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008 DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008

FORTHCOMING EVENTS (2008/2009)

7-9 Nov Speed Waves Motoring Weekend @ Killarney ( The Early Ford Times ) TRADE ADDS

15-Nov OUR Strawberry's Car boot sales @ AM - AGM @ PM - YOU ARE NEEDED

06-Dec OUR Regular monthly Meeting Have your two liner add listed here for only R20,00 per issue.

07-Dec OUR Breakfast Run - Leave Kloof for Baynesfield Contact the Editor.

10-Dec OUR Committee Meeting

13-Dec Midlands Meeting - VSCC Clubhouse Oribi PMB Also available, half or full page adds. First come first serve.

20-Dec OUR Social Meeting Contact the Editor.

21-Dec OUR Childrens Chrismas Tree

26-Dec OUR Braai Evening SHOPTORQUE Advertise and make sales.

03-Jan OUR Regular monthly Meeting It pays to advertise.

04-Jan OUR Breakfast Run

07-Jan OUR Committee Meeting

17-Jan OUR Social Meeting

30-Jan OUR Braai Evening

31 Jan-1 Feb George Motor Show ( The Early Ford Times )

07-Feb OUR Regular monthly Meeting

08-Feb OUR Breakfast Run

8-Feb British Motorcycle Gathering - Knysna ( Kickstart East London )

11-Feb OUR Committee Meeting

21-Feb OUR Social Meeting

27-Feb OUR Braai Evening

6 to 7-Mar D-J Run

May Our Midlands rally

2-May East London Historic Races ( Kickstart Port Elizabeth )

2-May Garden Route Motor Clubs Annual Knysna Car Show ( The Early Ford Times )

July Our bike show

START NOW

Saving for our midyear rally.

Getting your DJ bike ready.

Thinking about your contribution to our bike show.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

This is a punch which is used for making holes

in a motor cycle belt when it had to be shortened.

The screw was screwed out so that the belt could

be threaded through the hole, than lined up where

the hole is to be made. The srew is screwed in The boy scouts were out collecting recycling bottles for a fund

making a clean hole. Than screwed out again so raising activity. One ambitious young man knocked on a door and a

that the belt could be removed and reset on the sour-faced lady came to the door and asked;" What do you want, Sonny"

bike. "Do you have any beer bottles for the boy scouts, Ma'am," he asked.

As far as I know they came in three sizes. Look here, young man, do I look like the kind of lady who would drink

This made belt shortening repairs easy compared beer?" replied the lady. "Sorry, ma'am," was his reply.

to using a bell punch and hammer. "What about vinegar Bottles?"

THE LEANING CHAIR Having mentioned new members, it is important that we make new members

comfortable and at home. On one recent occasion I found a chap waiting

all on his own for some time for his proposer and seconder to arrive.

They eventualy did arrive but long after I invited him to join the chaps at

the table I happen to be stting at.

My request is if you think someone is new or feels uncomfortable, either

make him or her feel welcome or get someone to do something about it.

Durban ladies had theirown distinctive way of

going shopping in the

days of old.

LAWS

Gravity - Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible

crevice furthest away from you.

Variation - If you change queues or traffic lanes, the one you were in will

always move faster than the one you have changed to.

Bath - when the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

Mechanical Repair - When your hands become coated with grease, your nose

will itch and you will have to pee.

Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you

are talking about.

Commercial Marketing - As soon as you find a product that you really like,

they will stop making it.

Doctors - If you don't feel well and make an appointment to see a doctor,

by the time you get there you feel better.

THREE- WHEELERS CORNER THE HARLEY'S WAR YEARS ( Thanks to Jock for these contributions)

It is interesting to look at the applications of bike, motor and three wheels. South Africa's Harley-Davidsons in the Second World War

There is nothing new about this combination, so a page has been set aside

to bring to the fore old and new machines. During the Second World War, the motorcycle played its part in many fields and

In some cases they have been classed as cars and others given theatres of war, where it was used for reconnaissance work, to carry

different names, but whatever is said, they are still three wheelers. messages, to marshal convoys, to transport officers, to police and accompany

I have to admit that I have never ridden or driven any three wheeler so I mobile fighting units. In addition, there was an idea of using motorcycles in the

am the last person to comment on them, however I am sure that many of role of mounted riflemen, although it was subsequently show by the campaign

us have stories to tell. Please let me have them. in East Africa that the armoured car was sufficiently versatile to manage without

I remember our very own Gus Heinz giving it a try with disastrous results. this kind of support. For military purposes, a motorcycle that could withstand the

How about a story from you Gus? hardships of war as well as abuse by soldiers was required.

On the other side of the coin, if we look at the likes of Derek Pirie, I am Harley Davidsons filled this niche.

amazed how he handles his combination. I have ridden behind him on During the second world war, the Harley- Davidson factory supplied no less

several occasions and have come to the conclusion that it is a than 88,000 motorcycles (mainly 750cc [5/7] WLA's) for the major battlefields,

different riding culture. to be used by the United States and Allied forces, with enough spare parts to

Now Rob with his left hand combination is another story. Where he finds build another 30,000 machines! The larger 1200cc (10/12) motorcycles for army

all those beautiful chair balance weights amazes me. I wish I was his use were manufactured exclusively for the Union Defence Forces by the

age again. Does anyone realize the great PRO job he is doing. Harley-Davidson factory. All the other Allied forces used the 750cc (5/7)

I firmly believe each one of his passengers tell as many people as possible machines. The Harley-Davidsons, in addition to scouting and courier work, were

about our club and in that way the word spreads and hopefully we may also assigned to various regiments to control tank movements during the

attract younger members. Well done Rob. (Maybe I am jealous) campaigns in Africa. Despite suffering appalling abuse and at times minimal

servicing, these machines nevertheless soon earned a reputation for their

ruggedness and dependability.

After the outbreak of the second world war against Germany in September 1939,

two South African motorcycle companies, Nos 1 and 2, were formed by the

This is for the three-wheeler crew. then recognised and previously named 'Armoured Vehicle Battalion' of the

This photograph is of a three wheeler. Can you identify it? Union Defence Forces. Simultaneously, the Defence Force purchased

Clue; it is related to motor cycles as is most three wheelers. motorcycles (mainly BSA's) from existing dealers in the Union. These were

augmented by the acquisition of other machines of various makes commandeered

and bought from civilian owners. By the time 1940, when Italy declared war

against the Allies, a third motorcycle company, No3, had been formed and 93

motorcycle and 30 motorcycle combinations were then mobilized for each

company.

Two months later the Union Defence Forces placed a massive order for 156

drab olive-green 1200cc Harley-Davidsons with side-cars and 2350 750cc solo

machines, to be delivered by the factory in Milwaukee, USA. This followed in

April 1941 by another huge order of one thousand 1200cc Harleys with side-cars

and another thousand 750cc solo machines - making this a formidable total of

over 4500 Harley-Davidsons purchased by South Africa to help fight the war,

a very sizeable order by any standards. Apart from the 1156 1200cc Harleys

with side-cars supplied to the Union Defence Forces, only another 200 were ever

built during the second world war (and these were supplied to the US Navy

Shore Patrol). Another unique feature of those purchased by South Africa was

that they were built with side=cars fitted on the left-hand side.

Further articles will be published from time to time in future news letters.

ABC Continued -

FORGOTTEN NAMES

1920-1924 France - Made under licence from Sopwith by a branch

Factory of the Gnome & Rhone aero-engine and motorcycle company,

All too often we hear a name of a motor cycle which is new the French lasted longer than the original, Cpt. Bartlett, who headed

to us or have not heard it in ages. the production in France, used modified cylinder heads and for his

When some folk hear a name, they simply keep quite for fear of not wishing machines and supplied in addition to the 348cc ABC a 493cc machine.

to show their ignorance. Together with NAAS, he competed in races and other sporting

By publishing long forgotten names, someone may become a little wiser. events with great success

ABC Scootamota (England 1919-1922)

Another design by Granville Bradshaw, the Scootamota was

a quite popular scooter with 147cc and later 110cc ohv engines. It was

the most widely sold scooter in England after WW1, but after 1922 it

faded out.

ABC / England 1920-1924

Built by J. Barwell at Birmingham, this ABC had no connection

with Bradshaw's ABC designs. It was an assembled machine with

296cc and afterwards 247cc Villiers two-stroke proprietary engines.

ABC / Germany 1922-1925

This picture above is a 1921 ABC 398cc ohv flat twin. Another, but little known ABC built in Berlin. The engine was

The ABC stood for All British Company and its designer was a deflector-type 149cc two stroke of the company's own design and

Granville Bradshaw. manufacture.

Years of change;

1914-1919 The reorganised ABC Motors Ltd originally at

Brooklands Byfleet, moved to Walton-on Thames and

mainly produced war material and motorcycle

engines for the military.

1920-1922 Another reorganisation took place and

production centered around spare parts and development.

Bradshaw's policy was to sell his designs to a

manufacturing concern.

1919-1922 This was the real ABC built by The Sopwith

Aviation & Engineering Co. Ltd at Kingstone-on Thames, a Divorced Father

company which built aircraft during the war and which "When you go back to your Mom's tonight, give her this envelope and tell

afterwards took over Bradshaw's newest creation. her that since you are now 18, this is the last cheque she'll ever see

This was a transverse-mounted 398cc flat twin with ohv, from me for child support. Then stand back and watch the expression

4 speed gearbox, all chain drive, spring frame and forks, on her face."

automatic lubrication etc. Often regarded as the predecessor Daughter "O.K"."

of the first BMW. The Sopwith-ABC was advanced but Later………..

underdeveloped design when Sopwith put it on the Daughter,"Mom, Dad asked me to give you this envelope. He said to

market. The valve gear was unreliable, the lubrication bad tell you that since I'm 18, this is the last child support payment he'll ever

and although they could sell more than they could produce, have to make to you. Now I'm supposed to stand back and watch

the ABC failed and by 1921 Sopwith were in liquidation, the expression on your face."

mainly because failures of design led to many guarantee Divorced Mother:

claims. "Next time you visit your father, tell him that after 18 years I have

Continued overleaf decided to inform him that he's not your father. Then, stand back

and watch the expression on his face."

DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008 DON'T FORGET OUR AGM ON 15th NOVEMBER 2008