KICKSTART NOVEMBER 2018 - Vintage Motorcycle Club
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KICKSTART
Volume 33 No 11 NOVEMBER 2018
The Official Journal of Affiliated to
The Vintage Motorcycle Club. The Vintage Motorcycle Club
Member of S.A.V.V.A. Of the United Kingdom
1
Contents
VMC CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018 ................................................................................................... 3
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT ......................................................................................................................... 4
IN MEMORY .................................................................................................................................... 4
NEW MEMBERS .............................................................................................................................. 4
PAST EVENTS................................................................................................................................... 5
ARMISTICE RUN ........................................................................................................................... 5
FAIREST CAPE TOUR .................................................................................................................... 6
UPCOMING EVENTS ........................................................................................................................ 7
RIDE IN MEMORY ........................................................................................................................ 7
2019 DJ RALLY ............................................................................................................................. 7
CRAZY NOMAD MOTORIZED CYCLE TOUR THROUGH AFRICA AND EUROPE ................................. 9
BMA ANNUAL GATHERING IN KNYSNA ...................................................................................... 10
WHEEL BUILDING .......................................................................................................................... 11
LASTING GOLDWING MEMORIES MADE OVER 8 DAYS .................................................................. 15
BOOK REVIEW John Hassall ........................................................................................................... 17
CLUB NIGHT – 22nd October 2018.................................................................................................. 19
HUMOR......................................................................................................................................... 20
CLASSIFIEDS .................................................................................................................................. 21
FOR SALE: .................................................................................................................................. 21
WANTED:................................................................................................................................... 21
SERVICES: .................................................................................................................................. 21
CLUB and CONTACT DETAILS ......................................................................................................... 24
Cover Page: 1945 BSA M20 ready for the Armistice Run
2
VMC CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018
December
Saturday 1 CMC Kids Christmas Party CMC Germiston
2 CMC Club Sunday CMC Germiston
9 Ride in Memory VMC Cullinan
9 Kenjara Run VVC Kromdraai
10 Chairman’s Cocktail Party VMC Oaklands
15 Engine Bicycles Send-off VVC Melrose Arch
January 2019
5 Swart Brant Run CMC Germiston
6 CMC Club Sunday CMC Germiston
27 VVC Club Sunday VVC Oaklands
28 VMC Club Night VMC Oaklands
February 2019
3 CMC Club Sunday CMC Germiston
10 Pre D.J. Rally CMC Germiston
8 – 10 Brit. Motorcycle Gathering BMA Knysna
17 Piston Ring PR Modderfontein
24 VVC Club Sunday VVC Oaklands
25 VMC Club Night VMC Oaklands
Forthcoming Events 2019
14–16 Mar D.J. Rally 2019 VVC Hillcrest / JHB
14 April Century Run VMC Kromdraai area
14–18 Augt Magnum Rally POMC Mpumalanga
Dates, events and locations may change. If anyone has information on changes or additional
events that they would like included, please contact Rob Pattison-Emms at 082 891 8399 or
avonrod@mweb.co.za
3
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
Ralph Pitchford
I cannot believe that this year is almost over with less that a month to go when most businesses
close for their annual holiday.
The planning for next year’s DJ Run has been finalised. The regs are available on most vintage
car/bike websites including www.djrun.co.za. The March event will start at the Colony Centre in
Hillcrest & finish in Johannesburg.
I appeal to each one of us to try and make the time to attend rallies and to attract new entries.
The voluntary event organisers go out of their way to put these events together for us to enjoy.
There is probably no stronger marketing tool than word of mouth and I would appeal to everyone
to start planning now to attend the DJ Run and to encourage a fellow club member or friend to
enter as well.
The 2019 VMC calendar has been printed and available for paid-up members to collect at the next
Club meeting. A big thanks to Richard Hulsbos for making this happen.
In this edition you can read all about the Armistice Run, Fairest Cape Rally & much more.
Safe & fun riding
IN MEMORY
It is with sadness that we learnt of the passing of Erhard Langanke. Our thoughts and prayers go
out to Rosie and family. A memorial service was held for Erhard at the VVC clubhouse on 16
November which was well attended both by VMC and VVC members.
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following new members to VMC
Roque Hafner from Sandown, Johannesburg
Gregory Mills from Bushwillow Park, Edenvale
We look forward to seeing you at our club meetings.
4
PAST EVENTS
ARMISTICE RUN
Peter Vlietstra
It is a tradition in Commonwealth countries to remember the day when the armistice was signed
between the Allies and Germany in the Great War and which came into effect at 11 am on 11th
November 1918. This is done to show our respect and gratitude to the fallen, who shaped the
world we live in today. This year was a special remembrance day being 100 years since the signing
of the armistice.
This day also offered the opportunity to get out the really old vehicles and vehicles with any
military connection. The first assembly of vehicles met at 9am at the Engen garage on William
Nicoll, from where they made their way in loose formation to the VVC club house. Others travelled
directly to VVC, meeting at 10am where tea was served.
About 20 cars and 4 motorcycles left VVC to arrive at the War museum by 11am, in time for the
ceremony, ably led by Ian Holmes, wearing a period Tommy helmet.
Ian reiterated the significance of the occasion and gave a brief outline of events leading up to the
signing of the armistice 100 years ago. This was followed by recitation of the Ode of Remembrance
(below), a 2 minute silence and rendition of the Last Post, played via a mobile phone and the PA
system.
A procession of the vehicles older than 100 years then drove around the Anglo Boer War
Memorial. This marked the end of the ceremony after which everyone could relax, engage in
fellowship and get out their picnic baskets.
Although this was a VVC event, VMC was well represented. Thank you to those who attended.
They shall grow not old
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
5
FAIREST CAPE TOUR
Bill Lance
Done and dusted…..been there and will be there again.
It is such a scenic ride and a pleasure to rally on the extremely well kept roads of the Western
Cape – You better believe it - No Potholes!!! Most roads have a wide shoulder, which makes for a
safer rally.
Day 1 starts at Goudini Spa in the Slanghoek Valley, then onto the R43. Confusion set in early for
most competitors as the clue, 100km speed sign, appeared a whole kilometre further. I found out
later from the COC, Gavin Allison, that the first 100km sign (the one referenced) had mysteriously
disappeared.
From the R43 we went on to the R46 up and through the breathtakingly beautiful Mitchell’s pass,
where you at times almost forget about your rally sheet. We had our first fuel stop in Ceres.
Thereafter we continued along the R46 over Teronsberg Pass on to the N1, were we turned south.
After 7,5km on the N1, we turned on the very scenic R318 towards Montagu. A good lunch was
enjoyed at the restaurant at Cape Dry. After the lunch a quick refuel in sweltering heat of 37 °C,
the return trip started. We had 6,5km of stop and go activity over the Kogman’s kloof pass along
the R62 towards Ashton, Robertson and Worcester, back to Goudini Spa. We had travelled
312,1km for the day and were grateful for a fantastic Cheese and Wine, presented by the Cape
Tour Committee. The day’s events were discussed at length by all the competitors.
Day 2 starts at the Spa with a promise of a 10°C lower temperature for the day. Regularity started
on Tweeheuwels road and took us back onto the R43 up to the R46, where we turned left, away
from Ceres, over the ever so gentle Nuwemans kloof pass. This is where the unexpected happened
during regularity – a stop and go – just before our next right turn towards Hermon on the R46. We
had our fuel stop in Riebeeck Kasteel and returned back to the R46 and then left on to the R45
towards Wellington. Turning left into Wellington on the R44, which goes through town and then
will you believe it, we were back at the same stop and go arriving from a different direction,
turning left towards Hermon to our lunch stop at the Red Tin Roof restaurant (owned by Charl
Pauw – author of the controversial “The President’s Keepers) in the picturesque town
of Riebeeck Kasteel. After lunch and our re – fuel, the return trip to Goudini Spa started and low
and behold - the same stop and go again. All 3 in regularity! Thankfully all three those Marshall
points were cancelled, as this was an unexpected stop and go. Day 2 covered a distance of
268.12km, followed by the prize giving dinner.
I attach a result sheet and would like to thank the organisers on a sterling rally. The Fairest Cape
Tour is definitely a well worth rally to attend.
6
FCT Results
Comp
Pos Name(s) No Day 1 Day 2 Final
1 Lewis Catherin & Andrew 25 127 75 202
2 Fergusson Stuart 23 118 117 235
3 Murphy Andrew & Annelie 58 169 73 242
4 Walton Gavin 20 132 141 273
5 Lewis Jon 26 183 92 275
6 Lyons-Lewis Tony 24 141 140 281
7 Pullon Denis 21 165 124 289
8 Koch Neville 27 226 143 369
9 Copping Charles & Klein Hans 36 268 109 377
10 van Blerck Johann & Tweddle Neil 63 312 94 406
UPCOMING EVENTS
RIDE IN MEMORY
This in one of the VMC traditional rides, one of the VMC anchor events. The format is the same as
it has been for many years. Johannesburg members gather at the Founders Hill Engen Garage to
leave for Bapsfontein at 08:00am, where we meet riders from the East Rand and Pretoria. We
leave Bapsfontein Flight Inn (BP) garage at 9am and ride to Cullinan for breakfast.
It is a wonderful way to end the year and remember old friends. If you have never done the ride in
memory, now is your chance.
For further information, contact Roley Tilman on 082-377-4303
2019 DJ RALLY
7
Entries are open for the 2019 commemorative regularity rally which celebrates the 106th
anniversary of the staging of the motorcycle road race between Durban and Johannesburg that
was staged annually between 1913 and 1936. Motorcycles that are eligible to compete in this
commemorative event are therefore limited to those manufactured before the end of December
1936.
This is one of the longest running and most prestigious events on the local motorsport calendar
and is promoted by the Vintage and Veteran Club (VVC) with the organising team coming from the
VVC and a number of related motorcycle clubs. Larina MacGregor will be the clerk-of-the-course
for the second year, with Leon Stander again responsible for the scoring, using transponders
carried by the competitors.
This regularity rally is very popular and has attracted fields of as many as 130 competitors in the
past. It carries international status and has drawn entries from as far afield as the Europe and
Australia in the past.
The 2019 event will start from the Colony Shopping Centre in Hillcrest, outside Durban, on Friday,
March 15, and finish the following day at the Classic Motorcycle Club premises in Germiston the
following afternoon.
The original event started, initially, in Johannesburg and ended in Durban after three days of
racing. At first it was a scratch race but later a system of handicapping was introduced. The last
race was run in 1936 after which racing on public roads in South Africa was banned for safety
reasons. By then, as the organisers were based mainly in Johannesburg, it was more convenient to
start in Durban and finish at the Johannesburg Market.
The Commemorative Rally was held for the first time in 1970 taking the form of a time and
reliability run and no longer a race. As times and circumstances have changed, with the
introduction of freeways and increased traffic conditions, the start was moved from the centre of
Durban to Hillcrest.
The route still follows the old R103 Johannesburg to Durban route as closely as possible, taking
riders to Pietermaritzburg, via the scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills and on through Nottingham
Road to an overnight stop in Newcastle.
The second day offers a challenging ride over mountain passes to Vrede, and on to Heidelberg.
After Heidelberg, it is the home stretch. The event finishes at the CMC Clubhouse in Germiston.
Each rider is provided with a fully pre-calculated route schedule stipulating a distance and time at
each instruction.
The route is approximately 310 km on day one and 328 km on day two, making a total of 638km.
Fuel and refreshment stops are included in the route.
The event is open to entrants who are members of a SAVVA or MSA affiliated club and have access
to motorcycles manufactured on or before December 1936. Riders are offered three speed
groups 50km/h, 60km/h, and 70 km/h, thus enabling them to enter a speed group that matches
the age and capabilities of the motorcycle.
Entries will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis and entry fee is
8
R1 050.00. The closing date for entries is 1 February 2019 and the maximum number that will be
accepted for the 2019 event is 100 riders.
If you would like to be a part of this famous event next year, then you will find the regulations and
entry forms on the following websites:
www.classicmotorcycleclub.co.za
www.vintagemotorcycleclub.co.za
www.djrun.co.za
Clerk-of-the-Course Larina MacGregor can be contacted at larina.macgregor@gmail.com or on
084 949 0937
CRAZY NOMAD MOTORIZED CYCLE TOUR THROUGH AFRICA AND EUROPE
Visit the Crazy Nomad Motorized Cycle website for more information
https://crazynomad.net/wp/
9
BMA ANNUAL GATHERING IN KNYSNA
The 37th annual gathering for owners of British and other classic motorcycles is to be held in
Knysna over the weekend of 08-10 February 2019. The event is an informal gathering, totally
voluntary, non-competitive and you take part at your own risk.
The sequence of events/activities will be roughly as follows :
Friday 08 Feb 2019 – Arrive in Knysna, settle in & entertain yourself (There is a popular
pub/restaurant within walking distance - 300m).
Sat 09 Feb 2019 – 08:00 Breakfast run to Buffalo Bay
12:00 Display of Bikes & Lunch at Knysna Waterfront
19:00 Bring & Braai at Abalone Lodges. (Tables, chairs, fires & grids
will be provided).
Sun 10 Feb 2019 – Return home
Venue : Abalone Lodges, Heron’s Way, Knysna. You are required to make your own
reservations and payment for accommodation at Abalone Lodges before 31 December 2018.
Please make sure to tell them that you are part of the motorcycle contingent otherwise you will
be told that the resort is fully booked. Sharing accommodation will further reduce costs.
Contact Details : Tel 044 382 2934 Fax 044 382 3929 E-mail : info@abalonelodges.co.za
There is no entry fee or entry form – just let me know that you’re attending and how many
people will be in your party. You may be asked for a small contribution towards expenses
incurred in setting up the facilities for the bring & braai on Saturday night.
The usual caps, shirts and badges will be available but can only be ordered and paid for at the
event and they will be posted/delivered to you.
To RSVP and for all enquiries (except accommodation) please contact Thys@hermanus.co.za or
Thys van Rooyen at 072 714 0692:
10WHEEL BUILDING
Ralph Pitchford
Quote from Vintage Motocyclists Workshop by Radco :
“Very few people attempt re-spoking or truing of wheel rims, considering the task a mystical art
quite beyond the amateur. Rebuilding a wheel is surprising simple and requires very little in the
way of workshop equipment, so why not have a go? You may not be able to do the job as quickly as
a professional but there is no reason why you should not achieve a fair degree of accuracy. The
whole operation is well within the capabilities of the novice but requires some thought and a fair
degree of patience.”
Ralph provides much valuable information below for anyone who wants to give this a go. - Editor
Before starting off with the stripping of a wheel, it’s good practice to measure the hub/rim offset
while the wheel is still mounted on the motorcycle & to also make sure that the rim is in the
middle of the forks or rear section of the frame.
Make a note or take a photo of the spoke pattern as this will help during the assembly stage. A
good idea is to make some marks on the centre hub to indicate which direction the spokes are
pointing and whether it is an inner or outer spoke. These marks are made with the letter “I” for
inner and “O” for outer.
11Since half of the spokes are on the inside and the others on the outside, each spoke has a different
bend on the ends, so they must be compared and separated. Those spokes with the tighter/more
acute head angle are generally on the outside.
All the inner spokes are installed in the hub first and then the rim set in place. The holes in the rim
will pretty much point to the appropriate spoke.
With the inner spokes in place, the outer spokes are then inserted from underneath with the
wheel at the edge of the work bench. This prevents the assembly flopping around as the rim is
rotated a little each time.
The spokes are then tightened in stages, first until the amount of threads exposed are the same all
round. After that they should still be quite loose, so more tightening will be required until only one
or two threads remain visible above the nipples.
Once the wheel & spokes start to get snug, then it’s time to fit the wheel into the balancer for
truing.
Zeroing in on the final offset can be accomplished a couple of ways. First method is to cut wood
spacers the thickness of the opposite-side offset and position them under the rim. That way the
wheel is suspended the proper distance and the brake-side offset can easily be checked. This
works particularly well for large offset hubs.
12The second method is no spacers; just proceed uniformly around the wheel frequently checking
the brake side offset.
A third method may be to build a jig as described in “Vintage Motorcyclists Workshop”. This will
take extra time and is not the way it is done by the professionals. If however this is your first
attempt, the extra work may be well worth the effort.
Set up two guides on your balancer, one to indicate vertical run-out and the other horizontal run-
out. Copper wire held by a convenient clamp is useful.
To move the rim from bottom to top for vertical run-out, tighten spokes on top and loosen those
on the opposite side. Make small adjustments at a time using a good quality spoke wrench & not
an open-ended spanner.
Keep rotating the wheel slowly, watching the pointer and looking for a new high spot. Adjust as
you go until the wheel spins true in the vertical plane to no more than 1/16 inch variation.
13Now to adjust the axial run-out. While rotating the wheel & watching the pointer and rim, adjust
the spokes looking for a new high spot and less than 1/16 wobble.
Recheck the offset and if necessary make adjustments using the axial technique but this time,
evenly all around the wheel.
The object is to get the spokes tight with all having the same approximate tension. How tight is
enough? A tight spoke will make a ping sound while a loose spoke will sound dead with no
noticeable ping.
Recheck vertical and horizontal alignment and offset one last time. Don’t forget to cover the spoke
nipple tops with a rubber band or tape.
Remember, whenever tightening or loosening spokes, it affects both the lateral and axial run-out
so each needs to be checked repeatedly.
Re-spoking a motorcycle wheel is not a job for those without a lot of patience. You have to be
willing to take the time to calmly sit down and systematically approach the project, especially
during the truing stage.
As with anything, practice makes perfect.
14LASTING GOLDWING MEMORIES MADE OVER 8 DAYS
Gawie Nienaber
In September 2018, for the first time ever, a Goldwing tour was arranged for the international
GWRRA members to coincide with the annual convention in Knoxville, USA. GWRRA members
from Israel, Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the UK, the USA and Finland gathered in
Atlanta on Saturday 1 September 2018, for a meet-and-greet and to hire motorbikes before they
set off on an 8 day adventure which will never be forgotten. Dan & Rachel Sanderovich, chairs of
the GWRRA Overseas Chapter were responsible for organising the tour and were ably supported
by Bob Etheridge, who planned the route. Tom Etheridge drove the back-up vehicle and Jerry
Wells provided much needed technical support. From time to time, Goldwing friends from the USA
joined the group to ride on the amazing roads.
The 8 day tour started in Atlanta, to North Carolina for the
first overnight stop in Cleveland. On the first evening, Bob
arranged a customary Tennessee BBQ dinner with
interesting friends from his neighborhood – what a pleasure
to meet such lovely people! On the second day, we
travelled on the beautiful rural Tennessee roads to the
Cumberland Plateau and visited the remnants of a Swiss
colony that was established in the 1800s. The afternoon
included lunch in the beautiful town of Lynchburg and an
interesting tour of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. On Day 3, there was a morning stop at the Ocoee
River Gorge which was the site of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games whitewater events. A
tranquil and serene area with green foliage as far as the eye can see. One of the highlights
thereafter was the Field of the Woods in North Carolina, a beautiful exhibit of the Ten
Commandments maintained by the Church of God. After some shopping at a local craft shop at
the John C Campbell Folk School, there was time for a ‘must-have’ ice cream at one of the local
restaurants in the Highlands, a quaint town east of the Mississippi River, with an elevation of 4 118
feet. Riding next to the Nantahala river, on a beautiful curvy road, took us to Robbinsville where
we stayed for 2 nights.
Everyone woke up with huge excitement on day 4, which was
the BIG day – two famous roads were awaiting; the
Cherohala Skyway and the famous Tail of the Dragon. It was
clear why the area was called “The Great Smoky Mountains”
as low hanging clouds of fog formed a beautiful scenery as
we left the hotel at the crack of dawn. Riding the Dragon is
on the bucket list of all serious motorbike riders and is
guaranteed to be the ride of your life. The 11 mile ride is
famous for its 318 curves on the mountain pass along the
15North Carolina-Tenessee stateline. Lunch at the Gap Store was drowned out by the exciting
conversations about the amazing experience on this fabulous stretch of road. It certainly tested
the skills of the riders and the nerves of the pillion riders.
After covering the same route from the other side on Day 5, the Happy Valley Road and the
Foothills Parkway awaited on route to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg
provided an interesting stop at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum and plenty shops for souvenirs.
The Blue Ridge Parkway took us to Maggie Valley for the
overnight stop.
Day 6 started with a visit at the unique Wheels Through Time
motorcycle museum – an exquisite collection of rare American
motorcycles and memorabilia. We stopped at Mt Mitchell
State Park to the highest point in the eastern US (6684 feet
above sea level). Our second last day included some real
twisty roads from Little Switzerland through many beautiful
mountain roads between Tennessee and North Carolina crossing the Appalachian Trail. The
evening was closed off with the amazing Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner attraction – a must see if
you are ever in the area.
With heavy hearts we left for the long road back to Atlanta; it was the last day of riding after
having seen some beautiful scenery, and met amazing people. The ride took us through the best
roads of Tennessee into Georgia with a quick stop at Traxxion Dynamics, a manufacturer of the
world’s finest suspension components for Goldwings. After we handed back our bikes we had a
final farewell and dinner with a group of people who started off as strangers, but within 8 days,
became friends. The camaraderie of belonging in a community of people who all have at least one
thing in common – riding a Goldwing motoribike, is a bond that sets apart people from the rest of
the motoring world. Memories were made and friendships were formed that will always remain –
thank you to the organisers and the participants for a great journey and hope to see all of you
soon on a Goldwing somewhere in the world.
16BOOK REVIEW
John Hassall
HONDA, Mick Woollett Editor, First Published 1983 by TEMPLE PRESS, NEWNES BOOKS.
This is an excellent history of HONDA over the period that covers most of the classic models of
most interest to us, up to 1983.
I have to declare my interests here. My motorcycle preferences have been significantly influenced
by three events which occurred in the very late 1960s when I had an MG TC as daily transport, but
had never had a bike:
1. A climbing friend pulled up in front of my house in Cliftonwood, Bristol on his 50cc ohv C100,
which took both of us down to the Avon Gorge climbs complete with two climbing kits!
2. I saw what must have been one of the first 750 fours parked outside the Bristol Main Library on
College Green, which looked so exotic I assumed it must have been a race bike with lights
attached to make it road legal.
3. A road test article in a bike magazine of, I think, 1962 (which I will try to find) on the then new
CB72, which ended with the prophetical comment “This new Japanese ohc 250 performs better
than most British 500s, and as well as some 650s”. Sounded like the death knell of the British
Motorcycle Industry to me at the time, the decline of which was brilliantly described by Bert
Hopwood a few years later.
My first bike was an ohv C100, which was my daily commuter from Ealing to Westminster for
nearly three years. I rebuilt the motor in four hours on the kitchen table. It was like a swiss watch
compared to the BSA C11G my brother had at the time. I still have C100s in the UK and so does my
brother. Previous to the move to London, I often used it to travel from Bristol to Reading to see
my parents. The eighty miles took about 3 hours on half a gallon of petrol. I have a number of
other Hondas too, so I’ve supported the marque well over my motorcycling years.
The book itself appears to have had the backing of both the Honda company and The Man himself,
so gives revealing insights into both. It has the usual chapters you would expect in such a
comprehensive review of the marque, each written by a range of known writers such as Vic
Willoughby and edited by then editor-in-chief of The Classic Motor Cycle and Motor Cycle Weekly.
The comprehensive coverage of the marque includes Honda the man, Honda the company, the
engineering developments, the racing successes of local riders Hailwood and Redman, off road
bikes, road tests, and the stuff that was never marketed and we therefore never saw, which is of
course of particular interest.
The Honda company story that we bikers are most interested in, starts in 1946 in Soichiro Honda’s
40th year, in a shack of a building with prominent Japanese characters. The initial product was a
motorized bicycle using war surplus generator motors, a start-up product common in many
economically devastated countries post-war.
But before that, this multi-faceted genius did all sorts of diverse things, leaving home at 15,
without any formal education he took up an apprenticeship at a garage in Tokyo in 1922, starting a
car repair business in his home town in 1928, car racing, boat racing, and making piston rings for
Toyota with various degrees of success.
He raced a turbocharged Ford of all things in 1936, crashing and seriously injuring his left eye.
After that, he quit racing.
17In 1937, he founded Tōkai Seiki to produce piston rings for Toyota. After bombing damage during
the war, Honda sold the salvageable remains of the company to Toyota and used the proceeds to
found the Honda Technical Research Institute in October 1946. So the Toyota company helped to
launch one of its subsequent keenest competitors.
Soichiro Honda The 1946 Workshop The original 1952 Cub
In 1917, as an 11 year old, he cycled to a demonstration of an airplane by pilot Art Smith, which
cemented his love for machinery and invention. Honda now produces a very advanced and
efficient 4/6 seat Bizjet powered by Honda’s own jet engines, just put into production.
As you’d expect the start up was pretty quick helped by post war financial assistance and cheap
(low interest) money (like Germany, but not available to the allied countries), and early racing-
driven engineering and metallurgical developments, especially the 4/5/6 cylinder designs that bled
quickly and effectively into the production bikes of the 60s and 70s, such as the best selling
CB72/77, 400/4, 750/4, CBX, and the later range of V4s.
Not the least contributor to the early success of the company was the development of a new
image via the “Nicest People” adverts. It wasn’t tear-away, arrogant, or oily rag to ride two
wheels any more. Millions of these little step-throughs were sold everywhere, and were made to
my knowledge in Thailand, Taiwan, and at least 3 plants in China, one of which I have visited, and
in a number of other Asian countries. The effect of this penetration was brought home to me on
visits to Vietnam in the 80’s where swarms of these cubs dominated the roads, often carrying the
whole family.
Apart from the historical stuff described above there’s a host of interesting information on all
aspects of the pre 1983 activities covering everyone’s particular interests. For those interested in
the racing aspects there are three chapters describing the original 60’s bikes and their successes as
well as the return in 1976.For those interested in the off-road activities of the company, there are
two chapters on Moto Cross and Trials. It’s a great read for our period of interest
18CLUB NIGHT – 22nd October 2018
David Pitchford
Ralph Pitchford our newly elected chairman welcomed all 30 members that were present and 6
apologies were received.
“Motorcyclist of the Month” was awarded to Ian Holmes in his absence for his effort and hard
work in arranging and running a very successful Cradle Rally. Well done and thank you Ian.
Kevin Robertson gave feedback on the recent Velocette run which was held over a weekend in
Kestrell.
John Hassall gave a book review on Honda Motorcycles written by Mick Woollett. Soichiro Honda
was an Engineer for Honda in 1946 and he changed the image of motorcycling by stating that “You
meet the nicest people on a Honda”.
John himself has a number of Hondas to mention but a few :
• Original C100 cub with a 49cc OHV air cooled motor
• SS 50cc OHC
• CB72
• CA 95 and a recently purchased GL700 wing interstate V-twin.
Alan Bester gave a presentation and display on BMW Airhead tools. He has been a member of
VMC since 2010 and has a very equipped workshop at home. He is self-taught and has used his
machines to restore many BMW motorcycles, one being a 1969/2. The BMW boxer twin is known
as the “Air Head”. Alan displayed many of the special tools he has machined fit for purpose to
repair most BMW motorcycles. A very interesting and technical presentation. Thank you Alan.
Richard Hulsbos has received the new 2019 VMC calenders from the printers so all paid up
members please collect them from him at the next club meeting. Calenders for country members
will be sent by post.
See you there and stay on 2 wheels.
19Alan demonstrating his large range of BMW
Airhead Tools to some club enthusiasts
HUMOR
20CLASSIFIEDS
For Sale and Wanted advertisements will be placed in Kickstart for ONE edition only. These may be
renewed on request each month. Services advertisements will be placed for a maximum of SIX
editions and must be renewed every January and July. Email your advertisements to
editor@vintagemotorcycleclub.co.za. The cut-off for any month is the close of business, third
Monday of the month.
FOR SALE:
1957 BSA Bantam 150cc
Was in good running order when stored 15 years ago in Pretoria.
Lawrence 084-490-0200
Parts for a Velocette MSS MK2
• Header Pipe (New)
• Silencer (New)
• Front Tyre (Block Tread Trials) 300 X 21 (New)
Contact George Shield 011 975 4296 or 082 286 4223
Contact the editor to place your “wanted” requirements
WANTED:
Looking for a Hydraulic Motorcycle workbench.
Condition not critical but hydraulic jack reliable with no leaks.
Reasonably priced.
Ian Mckenzie @ 082 882 5895
SERVICES:
British Bike Spares, Restorations and other Services
Specialising in classic British bike spares supplying parts from Wassell, the biggest new classic bike
part wholesalers in the UK. Contact Gavin Walton
Home 011 818 4055, or Mobile 083 408 4296, Email britishbikespares@gmail.com
Full restorations. Wheel Lacing and Building.
21Contact Pierre Cronje. On Mobile 072 513 9432.
Ultrasonic cleaning call Henry Watermeyer on 084 800 8862.
Petrol taps Enots flat-slide type, made in brass to your order. Sizes 1/8”, 1/4” and 3/8” BSP
Rally boxes made to your order with handlebar mounting brackets plus mountings for the rally
plate and three watches. Trevor Fraser on 013 656 3063 or 076 591 5560.
Restoration and other services. Gravel Man Services offers full service of all BMW boxer twins (old
and new). Accident damage repairs and restorations. Contact Markus Watson on 083 602 3503.
Vapour Blasting Services.
We clean aluminium, brass, and copper parts using VAPOUR BLASTING method. It’s a gentle, water
based, non-destructive process for smooth satin finish. Suitable for aluminium cylinder heads,
engine blocks, gearbox casings, carburetors, etc. Call Janus Gruska from Classic Restorer on 081
065 8275 (Benoni) or email classic.restorer1@gmail.com
Magneto Rewinding. Also coils for stationery motors and BMW m/cycles on exchange basis.
Contact Rod Thomas for further info and courier details. 031-762-1509, 073-365-6494 or
email rodthomas@telkomsa.net
22Contact Gavin Walton
on
011-818-4055 or 083-408-4296
or email
britishbikespares@gmail.com
23CLUB and CONTACT DETAILS
THE VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
P O Box 782835
SANDTON
2146
South Africa
www.vintagemotorcycleclub.co.za
Committee Members
Chairman Ralph Pitchford ralph@connix.co.za
Vice Chairman Ian Holmes ianhol@iafrica.com 083 646 3089
Treasurer /Acting Peter Vlietstra
pvlietstra@gmail.com 082 650 9880
Editor
Secretary Dave Pitchford david@sftsafety.co.za 082 413 7586
Club Dating Officer Kevin Walton kevin.walton@norcrossa.com 082 891 2869
Committee Member Rob Pattison Emms
avonrod@mweb.co.za 082 891 8399
/ Events
Committee Member Brandon Jarvis brandon@ascotmews.co.za 082 410 8828
Committee Member Mark Broady ralph@connix.co.za 082 872 9363
Librarian John Hassall Jh29@mweb.co.za 082 886 7133
CLUB ACCOUNT DETAILS
Account Number Nedbank 1970259841
Sandton Branch 197-005
Please use your name and surname as your reference when making a payment
CLUB MEETINGS
Meetings are held every 4th Monday of the month (except December) at The Vintage and Veteran
Club (VVC), 3 Athol Oaklands Road, Oaklands Johannesburg, at 20:00.
The opinions expressed in KICKSTART are not necessarily those of the Committee or the Editor.
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