Steve Menneto Interview (click on link)
The new Indian Scout FTR750 was purpose built to revolutionize Flat Track racing. The 750cc engine pushes the limits of V-Twin technology and our clean sheet design philosophy ensures none of that power is wasted. A report on the weekends Hub Rally at the Southern Grampians town of Dunkeld is on the Victoria Section of the Members area and obviously the reason Phillip White’s new Springfield is now a write-off, he’s fine though which is the important thing
The Bendigo Club has been delving into the history of Panniers
The French and English moneyed classes adopted a fashion from the early 1700s called pan- niers, a basket like contraption worn on each hip.
The first panniers were simply large hoops bound together with tape. These were known as “panniers a? gue?ridon”. A second style resembled arches springing from the waist and were called “panniers a? coudes” because the wearer could rest her elbows upon them. (The first personal armrests?) Some panniers grew to enormous dimensions until they reached six feet from side to side.
The ridiculous width was inconvenient for the wearer as well as others. Two ladies could not sit together on a sofa, or pass through a door side by side. When passing through a doorway a lady had to walk sideways until some bright spark had the idea of collapsible panniers that could be lowered then raised again. Ladies walking the streets annoyed pedestrians who were forced to go around these wide loads.
What is the point of this? Well next time you see a panniers on a bike, keep in mind the ori- gins are women’s underwear.
Recently I set out what your 17 digit VIN number meant, but what about your old Indian, this will help
Steve McCulloch from Tamworth has started with the motor from the “Black Bastard” it was the engine from my 1948 till I ripped it out and turned that into the Vindian, well after about 2,1/2 years its been re-birthed into an Indian again and ready to rally hopefully at the Crazy Horse Rally at Corryong later this year. it takes a lot of time and dedication to start with bits so good work Steve. the other machine is Chris Horner’s Kiwi Indian Bobber with its new 8″ T.L.S front brake and hopefully ready for the Hub Rally in Dunkeld next week, George Fitzpatrick will have his 1944 Chief out for the first time at that event as well, so plenty of Midnight Oil being burned by various members at the moment.
After 50 years in the motorcycle trade this month I find now that all of this doesn’t amount to a hill of beans compared to the qualification below, these guys are completely trained within 10 minutes in some circumstances and are well capable of maintaining or servicing anything from a dishwasher to a airplane turbine and if necessary do surgery on your wife or even your pet!
Don’t forget the meeting tonight
Those 17 numbers on your post 1976 model mean quite a lot ever wondered why so many the reason is below
At last your new constitution is in place, now onto the association logo, these are not the final two above but are in the group we are considering, at the meeting next week we will be asking for final submissions if any, so get out your crayons and if you wish to bring out your work of art we need to see it, there is the current version and also the earlier version we first started with
This time next week the second event of the year will have “kicked off” down out Inverloch for the Sitting Bull Rally so hopefully like me you have had the “old Girl” kicked to life and ready for the action (no not the missus), to tell you the truth I’m looking forward to catching up with all the members that take advantage of our excellently organized rallies and this time “hats off” to Noel Thornby he always sets up a great week-end. Of course next month the 4 -5 day event is on at Dunkeld and Chris Horner never fails to provide a great time as his past Gypsy Tours have proved, which by the way is March 2018 will have us doing a Gypsy on the Old Hume Highway to Sydney and returning on the Princes Hwy don’t miss out on this one when eventually the expressions of interest come out it only caters for about 20 and fills up nearly overnight.
Our friends at the Bendigo Club seem to have the same problems as the IIRA, personally I think a very thought provoking article well worth a discussion at our next Association meeting. A few bikes above that were at the recent Las Vegas auction
The Editor:- Bendigo Historic Motorcycle Club
A proposal for the BHMC Committee and general club members to consider
The sheer number of individuals who want to join our Club, is testimony to the benefits the Club pro- vides especially those of us who ride and drive historic machines and vehicles.
The Club provides fantastic services for members boasting Club rooms that are the envy of many (if not similar Clubs in the region) but it doesn’t just happen. The Club has developed into what it is today, be- cause of the dedicated work put in by many members, especially Rex and Pam Jones. Their input has been stupendous!
However, in spite of record numbers of members joining over the last several years, the Club continues to be plagued by too few members offering to volunteer. The Club needs members to volunteer in the kitchen and out in the field as marshals as well as assisting at working bees etc. While many Club mem- bers will have valid reasons for not being able to put in a term on the Committee many will not.
Surely, any fair minded person will agree that being part of a really good Club at only $50 per year is a benefit we cannot take for granted. Not only does the Club enable us like minded individuals to get to- gether to enjoy one another’s company, it enables us to ride/drive our beloved old machines/vehicles legally and cheaply.
In addition to the requirement that members attend at least three official Club functions annually, I be- lieve members should be expected to contribute by submitting articles for publication in Good Oil, by being kitchen aids, marshalling at runs and assisting at working bees at least once a year. Remember, many hands make light work.
I believe that in order to ensure the Club will be able to fill all Committee positions into the future, new measures are warranted. All applications for membership to the Club must be willing to accept the new condition that (after twelve months experience in the Club) in the event a Committee position cannot be filled, a ballot of all those members affected be taken to fill it.
Failure of a member to accept the nomination to a suitable position without a valid reason could possi- bly lead to the termination of their membership of the Club. By the same token, I suggest that any mem- ber who has served on the Committee for at least one year would be exempt from any further such bal- lots.
As a sweetener, any member who has served on the Committee for at least twelve months should be able to request a, ‘Certificate of Service’ from the Club. A copy of such certificate (enclosed with one’s CV) would probably look good to any would be employer. For your consideration.
Sincerely,
Luke van Oosterwijck 15 January 2017