Spring is in the air

It started off with a bang now its back to winter the Fathers Day Ride did’nt happen this year the first in over 10 years we hav’nt had one and of course seeing there was’nt a ride on the weather was magnificent! Anyway I had domestic maintenance to do although and that did not help my mind frame, Dave Kimpton asked me about perhaps if anybody wants to list a ride that is not one of our quarterly events  what would you do, easy contact either your webmaster or put it up on our Facebook page that would work for anybody that wants a weekend ride away over a couple of nights as well. We are just over 6 weeks out from the annual Crazy Horse Rally Corryong  in October, time to pull your finger out and book the Mountain View Motel all the details on the calendar , also the Gypsy Tour of Tassie 2024 if your thinking of going book the Ferry NOW as some of the departure dates are booked OUT already, which means you will have to leave a day earlier. This has been listed over two months now so don’t complain, remember only association eligible bikes which is  Indian’s of any era and B.E.A (British,European,American) up to 1976 the Expression of Interest was in your last Smoke Signals and are also available if you ring me 0400922022. We now have a new Secretary Wayne Smith as Phil Pilgrim has at last found somebody to take up the position which he took over reluctantly 12 months ago, congratulations Wayne. Lastly if not least if you hav’nt renewed your subs by now after all the reminders and messages we can only expect your not going to & if you had a red plate bike with us it is now not registered and will need to have a RWC to transfer to  another club thanks for your time with us.

Goodbye old friend

In 2003 I bought my 1944 Army Chief from Adelaide it cost $25K and had lots of chrome with a Dusting Sidecar body on a Indian Chassis, my first job was finding a Indian sidecar body that took a fair time but eventually I got one in a nearly matching colour. Then I stripped all the chrome and spent years tracking down all the original air cleaner, blackout lights, bash plates, radio suppression equipment, exhaust system, windscreen etc. I then put 80 cu flywheels in with Bonnieville cams and followers while I was at it a 4 speed overdrive gearbox it literally went like the clappers and was doggedly reliable eventually I created the TLS  front brake conversion and this was the bike it was tested on to go on to sell around 30 of these leaf spring brake conversions. The reality of my ownership is I’m 71 now and after riding this bike to Sydney fully loaded with my 10 year old daughter in the sidecar and back in 2009 and many other long distance rides unfortunately its time to sell my old mate. The divorce of the sidecar being with the bike was hard as they spent 78 years together I had one mate that wanted the sidecar and another that wanted the bike so I parted them!  A fortnight ago I rode it as an outfit for the final time and on Saturday I rode it as a solo, a stark difference I was sad to see it leave my possession last night, farewell old friend.

Don’t forget the PSM THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday’s quarterly ride is forecast to be reasonably good weather, all meet at the St Andrew’s Pub at 11.00 am for refreshments and if you want to go on a small short ride it will be planned there otherwise leave when you wish. All details on the calendar for those of you that get lost after Eltham

The Trading Post is up and running

 

At last the Trading post is going so anything you have for sale, bikes, sidecars, parts or regalia send photo’s and prices to me and its all free to members. So conditions B.E.A ( British,European American ) and of course Indian motorcycle stuff are welcome, anybody else thats not in the IIRA are free to buy but not advertise

It all happens at the meetings

Last nights agenda was a monumental change in our Association two changes to our constitution happened and voted in un-apposed firstly no segregation of membership so associate members are now full members with full voting privileges this means now all members can hold committee positions not only Indian Owners as in the past. The other change was acceptance of B.E.A (British, European, American) till 1975  was voted on and it was unanimous that this will also ensure growth in our Association into the future, with the good roll-up of attendee’s at the meeting unlike late last year it seems that going to quarterly rides and meetings have given us a successful boost. That said the 2 major rallies a year instead of 4 will yet to see if that works as our next  Crazy Horse Rally at Coroyong in October will be yet to be proven.

Gypsy Tour and other things

 

 

The next years Gypsy Tour of Tassie 2024  in March next year 7 people have already made the commitment  and paid the $100 entry to come and we will be limiting it to 20 financial members on club eligible machinery (all Indians and BEA British,European & American till 1976) , the thing is you must book the ferry NOW as if you leave it go for another few months the ferry will be FULL. Recent reports are the ferry is full so you may have to book the day before to get on!

Lastly Membership Sec Andrew tells me 30 people need to renew now so unless you are a brand new member thats joined in the last 3 months start to put this down as a priority now. the end of next month un-financial members are riding un-permitted red plate machines the fine is 3 points off your licence and $800 + fine.

This is Becoming a reality

 

 

Timely reminder at this time of year

So whats involved in being on the committee click on the link below

Responsibilities-of-Committee-Roles