Its the first Sunday of the month, and your Association has a run on right? Wrong it was vetoed last night by text to your phone (love modern tech) and for two reasons one its hot and two its the airshow weekend, we also cancel ride events if its below zero or pissing rain for obvious reasons safety first. The good thing is next months ride is to the same place for those wishing to attend unless nature has other things in mind

The good thing about this ride was our Club Captan was out on his C347 after 3 years of excuses. The ride report is in the Section News area

I remember years ago asking my father about Indian’s (he was a Triumph man) beside all the comments about heavy, agricultural, and cheap at $5 down the Army Disposals, he was adamant they were gutless as well! Fair enough the bike he was talking about was the Scout and he had never heard of Burt Munro or his famous Scout so he was probably right except the new modern Scouts now are the fastest Indian’s but the old one’s can be made to go quicker by boring and stroking, seriously the old 741 is probably the bike for the 21st Century being much lighter and easier to handle than a 1948 Chief and quite fixable and plenty of spares as well. I can hear Sports Scout owners raving about how quick their bike is (pre-1940) and they were but like a Vincent Comet they were never a Rapide or Shadow then the Scout is’nt a small Chief it should be taken on its on merits, around the city or a short ride they are quite charming but long distance high speed riding is not their forte probably the reason that Indian made them in the first place.

 Hope everyone had a great Xmas and have now recovered from the start of the New Year.
Plenty of rides planned this year as well as up to 4 rallies.By now you should have received your 2019 to 2020 Iron Indian Riders Calendar.Hang it on the back of toilet door you will then have plenty of time to check the dates relevant to the club, whether it is meeting dates ,ride dates or rallies they are all there. Circle the dates you can attend, that way it will be a constant reminder every time you sit quietly to contemplate.If you need an extra calendar to reinforce you reminders we still have some left over and you can purchase them through the club at $30.0 each including postage. If you want to pick it up at our meetings or when on a ride it will be $25.00.Let me know via SMS on 0409 798 641, there are not many left so get in quick.Rides to start the year of with –Chris Knoop and Sammy Vella organised an impromptu ride on the 6 January.Ride was attended by -Chris Knoop , Sammy Vella, Daryl Colt, Alistair Piercy, Peter Kime and new member Peter Ngawati.We all met at Chris Knoops in Newport and were greeted with toasted sandwiches and coffee. Great way to start a ride, thanks Chris and Christine.

Planned ride was to follow the coast from Williamstown to Wyndham Harbour. We all left at 11.00 and it was then I realized I should have ridden the Indian, the 61 Triumph Bonneville was on its first outing in 4 years after having electronic ignition fitted, it coughed and spluttered leaving Chris’s and refused to go any further when we got to the Strand – flat battery!

The others proceed on wards to while I made a call to the RACV. They stopped at the Hobsons Bay Mens Shed as they came out of Altona. They were having their monthly Car Show so it was worth it to pull in and show them what real motorbikes look like. After fighting off all the old blokes who wanted to reminisce or talk about an old Indian they still had in their shed the group pushed of and headed towards Pt Cook, past the Air Museum and down to Wyndham Harbour. After a snack at one of the pop up restaurants on the Harbour every one voted to continue to the You Yangs rather than go to the Air Museum. Wyndham is worth a visit if you want to go for a drive and admire the views from the new harbour and marina. There are some nice places to have a meal and some decent working tracks if you want to explore the area or just sit and wonder how they got the money for some of the boats moored there.On to the You Yangs was via back roads around Werribee and Anakie for a look at Melbourne from Flinders peak.Good turn up for a perfect day for riding. No rush, all day to do it and great company, another good ride.NEXT RIDE –Saturday 19 Jan 2019 The Midnight Express.Always a great ride on a balmy summers night.Starting from Caltex Mill Park, 377 Plenty Rd, Mill Park.7:00 for 7:30pm start.Ride will be Mill Park / Whittlesea / Lancefield / Carlsrhue / Riddels Creek / Sunbury and a stop at OZ Kebabs for a late night snack.For those nervous about Kangaroos we will supply a set of Shoo Roos to attach to your bike.Total ride should be about 150 km.
Saturday 10 Feb 2019Ride to Picnic at Hanging Rock (Held by the Macedon Ranges Car Club)Time and meeting place to be advised
Friday 15, Sat 16 & Sunday 17 February 2019Sitting Bull Rally – InverlochMotel has been booked, will be asking for expressions of interest next week.Check your calendar and book it in.
Peter Kime

People ask me what is required to register my motorcycle in Victoria, well here is the chart I use to check your vehicle