Robert Hall, a winner & congrats to Owen and Linda

Robert Hall on his new bike 2007 Triumph Bonneville came second at the judging at the Christmas party on Sunday, Ken Hager won the raffle prize of a Indian carry bag donated by Polaris, it was “patchy rain” on Sunday and only small numbers resulted unfortunately, still those who went enjoyed watching Chris Knopp fall from his Scout demonstrating fine oval racing style at the time. The big excuse that Owen Jones was giving about “a prior appointment” on the Christmas Party weekend was in fact he was getting married to Linda, congratulations to you both and it’s a feeble excuse Owen, but better than the 12 other people who said they were coming but didn’t. We went all out this year with moving the event from December offered more food, and a different venue and entertainment  as well but had very little support, your committee will be reviewing whether it is cancelled next year like the Rain in the Face Rally because if you don’t turn up it means you don’t want to have these Events if they are supported then the few people who do things in the Association don’t mind continuing. A full report below by Pete Kime

IIRA Xmas Party 26 Nov 17

Fournales Report, its shocking

Guy Allan’s report in Motorcycle Trader (thanks for that) on the shocks on my Scout

So your not big enough?

You have just bought a new Thunderstroke 2017 Chief and your disappointed that you can not only blitz any standard Harley on the road as well as any cruiser under a Scout, V-Rod or a Rocket 3 then your  not only at the top of the totem pole but you want even more like Oliver Twist, your wish has just been granted this new kit must be fitted by your Indian dealer and should have Stage 1 exhaust system it will only fit current 2017-2018 Chiefs so for early 111 owners it wont work, this combined with the airfilter kit should have you at the top of your game 1901 cc is a iconic number for Indian as we all know

Vale Dick Grylls

Dick was one of our NT members, and I know Pete Kime and Daryl Colt visited him, Dick had old Chief’s, Gilroys and a Polaris Indian and lost his life on the 1947 Chief he loved as much as his 344, I believe he was a great bloke and always welcomed anyone from down South and last year a competitor in the Great Race, he had already booked the 2018 event already unfortunately he will not be there. I never met him personally but I have had many conversations on the phone as has Mark Barthelmie. A real genuine guy who will be sadly missed

 

Vale Ian and Jan Kennedy

Ian organised the Harold Parsons rally for the IIRA about 4 or 5 years ago at Stratford near Maffra, a great man and usually rode a Honda GoldWing outfit everywhere he was also a life member and a ex President of the Maffra-Sale motorcycle Club. Ian would do anything for motorcycling or motorcyclist in need and never once hesitated if asked for help, unfortunately Ian died in a accident on Sunday and his lovely wife Jan airlifted to the Alfred Hospital passed away a few hours later. This is devastating news and many people in our Association and other clubs and we will sadly miss them both, a tragedy for all, our sympathies to their close friends and relatives from us all

I’m off to NZ for prices like these

Fitting instructions for TLS brake conversion

I’ve been meaning to put this on the site since the article on “Beware of European brake conversions” appeared in your last Smoke Signals a more humourous photo of an over used front brake that has suffered with over-heating

Indian 1942/45 TLS brake fitting instructions 

An article that tells why Harley will fail

 

It’s good to read Indian sales are up and Harley sales are down  for the much of forseeable future while trading on heritage only for Harley, this could be only the start of things to come what with less sales and less production and as in the past a sell-off, who knows Polaris may buy them out! A number of years ago when Gilroy’s were starting out Dave Reidie of the famous Harley City shop told me he pleaded with Willy G Davidson to buy the Indian brand and moth-ball it forever, Willy laughed and told him “Indian would never be a threat to Harley” I remember going to the IFMA show in Cologne 1991 and seeing the honcho at BMW wishing Triumph all the best on reappearing and hoped they would survive into a profitable future now the biggest threat to them is Triumph with the Tiger outstripping GS sales and the Trophy marketing against there touring range not to mention the sport bike sales. Triumph and BMW are the largest selling European brands in the world and Triumph sells more than the whole of the Italian industry put together!

Millennial’s aren’t buying Hogs

Last day it’s the cut-off for the Gypsy Tour

Those who are going to the International Gypsy Tour 2018 had better pay by 20th of this month as all entries are closed from that date, you can come after that date but all meals accomodation, will have to be booked by yourself as with the carrying of your baggage

CRAZY HORSE 2017 rally review

 

Your President Pete has done another marvelous review on the recent Crazy Horse Rally held at Coroyong  held last month (click on link below) in which he mentions Steve’s Chief pictured above the original engine from infamous Chief as the Black Bastard its pictured beside of its frame which is now the Vindian, funny how wrecking a bike can produce two.

Crazy Horse Rally