What a blast, Gypsy Tour of Tassie 2024

How do you write a snapshot of the recent Gypsy Tour if you’re been following the Facebook page of the IIRA you will have seen Gary Hogg’s living maps with a day to day update of what happened. After 44 times going to Tassie since 1977 I’m looking forward to going again next year to the National Vincent rally and have already booked, what amazes me is after 2 years of advertising this event in the end only 5 came out of 12 that expressed interest all I can say is your not getting any younger and seize the day because these opportunities are meant to get your machine out on the road. Jason Douglas drove the back up Mercedes Vito of Dave Kimpton’s and it was a positive benefit to all as our bikes were not loaded down with luggage, no flat tyres if anyone got ill or we had a breakdown it was simple, nothing happened anyway. I decided to not take my  Vindian at the last moment as all the others were on pre 1976 machines I rode my Vincati instead same as Owen Jones, Gary Hogg was Triumph as was Dave Kimpton, we had a guest on a 1978  BMW R80 and also a mate of Dave’s and a ex member on a Hog. The weather was fine all the way  except for one morning at Eaglehawk Neck, the food was fantastic as usual and the roads superb the next trip might be on in March 2026 if you interested, if your not we don’t care we had a fantastic time and are all ready to go again.

Preparing for that trip?

The Gypsy Tour of Tassie 2024 is now less than 4 weeks away for those who have booked your preparation should be now done, but knowing some of those Gary Hogg prepares months in advance but Owen Jones and Dave Kimpton will be fixing on the day we leave, personally I’m one of the former and have started preparing when I booked 12 months ago! Owen compromises by bringing 40 kgs of tools and even a portable spark plug cleaner and Dave just relies on a last minute service and grand faith in the marque, but getting back to you how would your bike shape up to a good ride or a rally, theoretically nothing more than check the tyre pressures the oil level and the petrol should be all you need to do, if not fix it and as the scouts say “Be prepared”

Plenty to do this year

The 2024 year is off with a bang, the Midday Express Run to Thornton for a overnight stop this Saturday, then 11th Feb the Macedon Car Club Show & Shine at Hanging Rock, the 1st March is the 15 day Gypsy Tour of Tasmania 2024 with a General Meeting on at the Grandview Hotel on 27th Feb! So the winter Rally we used to have is now cancelled  this makes the Crazy Horse Rally (Spring) in October at Corryong one of the remaining events on this year beside the odd quarterly club ride, which is why I will reinforce why you need to book accomodation as soon as these events are announced an example of this is this weekend the Rubicon Hotel/Motel is virtually booked out. Similar thing with the Tassie trip this March the ferry is full because 140 classic British motorcycles are going to the British Motorcycle Rally at the same time as us, we booked accomodation in different places because some areas were completely full. Some members of our club are dismayed they cant go on the Tassie Tour because a month out there is no way to get there. Member Phillip White is straying to the dark side no not a Harley (as pictured above) but to another V-Twin Moto-Gutless, this guy is into weird things Sunbeam’s, Ariel Square 4, and that old conrod disemboweler BSA A10, times change.

 

Happy New Year 2024

Always a good time, out with the old in with the New as it is said, theoretically the weather is good for riding and the sun is out longer and your riding time should be more not less. The Midday Express is just over 2 weeks off and I would advise those who are thinking of attending to book your accomodation if the Rubicon Hotel/Motel is booked out there are other places to stay in Thornton and this is a complete overhaul of a much loved event on our calander to suit the conditions and riders attending, remember the only way we are holding all of these events is with your support no support means the event will be cancelled in the future. Last year we had one event at Corryong the year before in 2022 we had 4 rallies, 9 ride days and 9 meetings a year. We addressed this because of the downturn of support by completely altering not only events but also our membership type encompassing BEA pre 1976 which I’m pleased to say seems to have reversed the slow downward spiral, 8 new members last year compared to nil in the previous 2 years proved this point. Our new criteria will be to only give you events that are supported it takes as much to organise a rally with 6 people as 25 so its not worth setting up one to find 3 people are attending also its good manors to return a Expression of Interest as this helps for booking of meals or accomodation please.

Midday Express 2025

Meet at Ampol service station at 11-30 am for a ride to Thornton arriving at your pre-booked Rubicon Hotel/ Motel 1362 Taggerty-Thornton Rd Thornton 57 732251 please mention Iron Indian riders, then an evening meal at the Hotel. Sunday morning return home after breakfast. Please reply if your interested in attending and don’t forget to book your room.
This event has been “saved” by members at your last meeting, it was going to be scrapped so to  ensure it’s continued please support it, we have rejigged it to a more user friendly time and stretched it out, also located close to Melbourne 120 klms or under 2 hours.. all details on the calender all click on the sidebar listing this event

 

Amazing Accessory and are electric motorcycles new

New membership bonus

The committee has passed a new resolution that any brand new members from January on will only pay the annual membership fee of $60, the new member joining fee is now redundant. This means you can switch into our association without the penalty of an extra cost with the added advantage of B.E.A (British, European & American)  up to 1976 including Indian’s of any era, Christmas has come early!

IIRA and Club plate new permit changes

 

A new change in policy of red plate permit vehicles in your Association have been reviewed, being we are now under certain conditions letting either cars/Vans/Ute’s on our register. So the certain conditions  are :

1 You must have a red plate motorcycle already with our Association

2 You must have a current RWC for the vehicle at the time of presentation for your application

3 You must have been a continuous member for at least the last 5 years

4 You are only allowed ONE vehicle only, either a car/ute or van on this scheme 

 

2023 Christmas Party

All details on calendar 3rd December RSVP we need this for catering,  BBQ lunch and soft drinks provide by the association FOC. A short ride to the event or meet us at the venue

New Members

This year with our change to the constitution introducing B.E.A to 1976 has started to see a growth in new members averaging one a month so far unsurprisingly most are Triumph owners but also BSA and Norton as well. It’s kind of history repeating itself as the original importers of Indian Milledge Bros in the twenties started the Indian-Triumph club so a full circle there, it seems that both brands share a strong bunch of enthusiastic owners so thats good. Some things will alter such as the Smoke Signals magazine will not be solely based on only Indian subjects, Martyn Goodwyn your editor has already agreed to reproduce some of the articles he produced in international OVR magazine he edited for many years as one of the most professional e-mags around so that will help in keeping interesting subjects in the magazine. The picture above is a Harley Knuckle engine in a Triumph Trophy frame, weird.