WING NOTES
Newsletter of the
August
2002
Australian Wing Riders Association (Qld) Inc.
P O Box 652, Ipswich
Queensland 4305
Meetings held 1st Monday
of every month:
Next Meeting
2nd September
2002
at
Coorparoo RSL Club
45 Holdsworth Street, Coorparoo
7:30pm
Wing Notes
August
2002
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION (QLD) INC.
EDITOR:.............Clint
Lovell
Phone/Fax:
(07) 3398 3437
E-Mail:
clint@lovell.com.au
WING NOTES
is produced with the object of keeping members
informed about matters of interest to AWRA
members.
A copy of each issue is posted to every financial member of the AWRA.
Copies are also distributed to selected motorcycle dealers in the greater Brisbane area.
Submissions for inclusion in WING NOTES
should be with the Editor no later than the Friday following the monthly meeting, ie: Friday after the 1st Monday of
the month.
DISCLAIMER:
Although WING NOTES
will endeavour to reproduce submissions in their original form it reserves the right to edit submissions as it
sees fit. Views expressed in contributed articles in WING NOTES
are not necessarily those of the AWRA or the Editor.
WING NOTES is produced with care, in good faith and from sources
believed to be accurate at the time of writing.
What’s Inside
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The Editor’s View
Hi All
Not too many piccies this month –
Charleen and I have missed a couple of rides recently. It’s a shame when work
interferes with riding time. Especially when one is semi-retired.
A couple of good stories this month,
with contributions from Larry, Bevan and Bill. Lionel gets a whole page from
a moment’s forgetfulness.
The two pictures in the back aren’t
from AWRA rides, but I’m vain. I sure wouldn’t like to be the pillion on the
other.
Keep the articles coming.
Contributions can be emailed to
clint@lovell.com.au
or posted
to
47 Breslin St, Carina, Qld 4152.
Photos and slides can be scanned and returned.
Clint
From
the Secretary’s Desk
Did my usual Warrego
Highway hop on Monday night and sped (?) off to meet everyone at Shell-Gailes,
to lead them back to the remote and mysterious Ipswich and this month’s
meeting venue.
Arrived at Gailes at the
appointed hour of 6:00pm and proceeded to wait. Bevan arrived first,
(slightly flustered, as he had misread the leaving time for Gailes), followed
by Bill & Mary, Clint & Charlene, and finally Ray & Val (sans slippers).
Having the full compliment of adventurous souls we departed at 6:30pm for
Ipswich.
Turbo & Wendy were already
at Jets when we arrived about 7:00pm, so it was into the first order of the
day – something to eat! Regretfully the kitchen had run out of steak prior
to our arrival so the menu was limited somewhat. (Not happy Jan!)
With little business to discuss the
meeting turned out to be a relatively short one, albeit productive, and we had
everything wrapped up by 8:15pm.
Coffee was the next order
of the day, so the big question was, where was the nearest McDonalds.
Bundamba, I said, so off we go. Unfortunately, when we arrived the place
was lit up like a Xmas tree but no-one was home, it had been closed for
renovations (that day as I eventually found out). A quick phone call and
everyone headed of into Mt Gravatt to meet Lionel & Mary whilst I headed for
home and a reasonably early night.
Brent
Return to What's Inside
From the President
I sit here without a thought in my head,
distracted by the TV on which Eddie McGuire is performing his IQ test. How am I
going you wonder? I don’t know yet but I missed the second set of six questions
because I was too far from the TV and couldn’t read the answer options. And I
ask you, does it really matter how many bananas were on the scale? I’d prefer
to see them in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.
Distractions may be OK while writing
this, but distractions and riding certainly don’t go together. This past couple
of weeks I’ve been noticing how difficult it is to maintain my concentration
while riding to and from work. Long hours, early starts, late finishes, all day
in meetings, workshops, leading, participating, sorting and analysing data and
information etc. By the end of the day I am mentally exhausted. The mind
continues to regurgitate every thing at night so the sleep level drops and the
exhausted cycle starts again in the morning.
What does that mean? Well, for me it
means that the first car that gives me a hard time becomes a point of focus,
left behind but long remembered, invading my concentration for the rest of the
trip. It means that the red mist descends, blurring the vision, not allowing
other dangers to be comprehended and worst of all, it increases the level of
risk taking. It’s also not helped by the young blonde girl in the Hyundai that
cut me off, then as I came along side was greeted politely by a one fingered
salute. Nice girl, not, but Eddie’s test has just put up the blonde IQ result.
That probably explains it.
We’ve all seen it before, we know how
difficult it is to do u-turns when the mind is elsewhere. The incoming data is
corrupted and processing is slow. Riding in a tired or distracted state is no
good for us, our pillions or other road users. Don’t be distracted by the
idiots, especially if the concentration levels are already low. Sit back,
ignore the fools, increase your bubble of safety and enjoy the ride; that’s why
we do it.
How did I go? Well, I blame it on the
questions I couldn’t read and didn’t answer and the fact that I am no good with
visualisation issues. I’m better than the kiwis and blondes, I’m up there with
the builders and students, I’m obviously too short for my weight and too tall
for my brains and worst of all, Therese and two of the boys rolled me.
Admittedly, the boys are pretty smart, that came from their old man, and Therese
is obviously pretty smart ‘cause she married me.
Besides that, I’d still prefer to eat
the bananas.
Keep the
shiny side up
Bevan
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Dinner at Nando's
Saturday 28 August saw the group head
for Lindsay’s Stapylton Nando’s for dinner. The evening was quite brisk and
held the promise of a clear but cold night later. On the way, my bike chucked
a hissy fit when asked to sit on 110 kph. Hopefully it just a needs a new
fuel filter. Speaking of cool weather, it looks like a few members may be
looking to trade their ‘wings in on BMWs to get a set of heated grips and a
heated seat. Yes, they came in cars!
Having dropped at the end of the
previous weekend’s ride to see Lindsay only to find he was in holidays in New
Zealand, there were some concerns about whether we were expected. No need to
worry, Lindsay had come back from holidays just to join us. During dinner we
were regaled with tales of skiing accidents, injuries and what not to do with
ice packs.
For those of you who have not yet
enjoyed Nando’s chicken, you are really missing something. Lindsay turned on
a delicious dinner of chicken pieces cooked in a variety of marinades, each
giving the chicken a distinctive different flavour. The “piece de resistance”
was a serving of kebabs done in a BBQ marinade. Absolutely delicious but for
some reason no longer available. Lindsay had chased high and low to obtain
them for us and finally managed to track some down in Melbourne. Well done
Lindsay, we appreciated them.
After dinner, those who braved the
cold decided to take a ride to Surfer’s Paradise. A pleasant run down the
motorway, except that Therese froze. Just out of town my bike’s hissy fit
returned, causing a momentary stumble. We found a parking spot and went for a
bit of a walk around and then onto the beach for some photos in the dark. I
have spent little time in or around Surfer’s over the past 20 years but I
found the place looked like an industrial area, not the supposed Mecca of
Australian tourism. Beats me what the tourists are looking for but I found
nothing that impressed me. Maybe it was a bad night or we were in the wrong
area.
The trip home was cold in the low flat
areas of the motorway and even though Therese had the wet weather gear on to
keep the wind out she was still cold. Still, she came and enjoyed it, that’s
what its about. The ride was a bit boring due to my need to stay at 100kph,
but what the heck, any ride is a good ride, especially at night.
See you on the next ride when I’ll
have the new fuel filter in.
Keep the black round things on the
bitumen.
Bevan
Maintenance Day
For a while now Lionel and I have been
discussing a maintenance day. The suggestion came up again at the meeting
this month and it was decided that, with the changes to the ride calendar next
month to accommodate Turbo’s ride to Texas we would hold it in conjunction
with the next social event.
The maintenance/social day will be
Saturday 14 September. Lionel has offered his services for the day and Ray
and Val have kindly offered their under house area to work on a number of
bikes and then to finish the day off with a BYO BBQ.
There will be more info on the exact
arrangements next month but now is the time to start thinking about what you
might like to do so any necessary parts, e.g. oil, oil filters, brake pads etc
can be purchased.
Return to What's Inside
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Goovigen Duck
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Northern Splinter Group Road Report
Sadly, no report this month as
Dale’s hand is still out of action, this email came from Jackee:
Not this month we have not been
able to do anything in the way of rides or such. Dales hand is healing
very well and he had his first ride on Sunday, and is not planning any big
trips right away but is planning to ride to work on Saturday. While he has
been unable to ride he has stripped down Hayleigh 1982 Z50R and Minnie
looks wonderful now, He really did a great job..
Hope
it’s better really soon – we want more stories
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1. Bongaree is on which Qld island?
2. Who played the title role in the 1951 film The Great Caruso
?
3. Actor Richard Burton was Welsh. True or False?
4. Who wrote the novel Out of Africa?
5. Catherine Zeta Jones is married to whom?.
6. What, approximately, is the mean distance from the earth to the
sun?
7. In which magical story does a Scottish village awaken every 100
years ?
8. What acronym defines an optical maser?
9. Name the most powerful chess piece ?
10. What is the earth’s hardest naturally occurring substance?
Answers
Return to What's Inside
Odyssey Mackay 2002
(Our View)
First of all let me thank everybody
for their help, care & support the night we had my beloved Commodore stolen.
Especially Ray & Val for getting their car & taking us home all the way to
Caboolture. And also Clinton & Charleen for the use of their mobile phone.
(ours went with the car)
Now for the exciting stuff, our trip
to Mackay for the 7th Qld Odyssey.
We were all set to leave by ourselves
on Thursday lunch time but heard some others were leaving on the Friday. So we
decided to travel with them. Glad we did.
Roundabout 1pm Ray, Val, our good
friend Noel Ashton (Asho), Annette & I left the BP Burpengary. (spent a whole
day cleaning my bike, got a shower of rain & caught behind a truck even before
we got to the garage.) A bit of a mess it was in. Anyway took off at a nice
gentle pace with no rain or mishap until the range just before Miriamvale.
I'm leading & Ray & Asho are lagging
behind a bit. Next thing Ray is right up behind me babbling about a Killer
Truck or something, so get a move on. We made it to Miriamvale without
getting run over, filled up and headed up the road to Bororen where we booked
into a motel, parked the steeds for the night had a good feed, some drinks and
waited for Lionel and Mary to catch up. They had to leave later in the day.
Work does that to you.
Next morning up bright and early and
headed to Rocky for Breakfast where Asho departed for a wedding. The three
wings led by Ray heading off to Mackay. (much of which is in a 110klm + zone.)
Good Stuff.
Arrived in Mackay, about lunch, booked
into our motel (which we chose because it was 50 metres from the Odyssey
venue). Sorry we're not using that gate we're using the one r-i-g-h-t
a-r-o-u-n-d the other side. We checked in at the Odyssey & then decided to
go to a pub for lunch. Living up to our reputation we had to do the
roundabouts, U turns thing to get to the pub we could see just down the road.
After a lovely lunch back to the showgrounds to partake of refreshments and
chatter.
Saturday Night we again returned to
the grounds for the night’s entertainment, meeting up with people we had met
at other AGM's and Odysseys and even people from down the road and Brisbane. A
very good night. Mackay Ulysses Catered and presented very well.
Congratulations to them.
Sunday we had breakfast compliments of
Mackay lions (for a fee)
Back to the motel and pack up to come
home. OOPS a bit of a bubble appeared in Ray and Val’s rear tyre. Just to
upset them I told them. Back to the showgrounds to find a new tyre. After
much help and frantic phone calls all over Mackay, it was decided Ray would
stay in Mackay. Val would return to Rocky with Peter Goodsir and then ride
back with Asho who was meeting us for the return ride. After rearranging Val
and her gear it was decided to go to the airport to see if she could get a
flight home. Lucky Val.(school holidays and all)
Peter, Lionel and Mary, Annette and I
headed off into the sunlight checking out Sarina Beach on the way. (Nice
quiet place for a quiet holiday). “Let’s stop at the Carmilla Pub for lunch.”
was the call, never been there though. After pies and coke we headed off only
to have some confusion of direction at the intersection of the highway. Off
they went, my bike decided to fall over. I don't know why, just did. I made
Annette help me pick it up and away we go again.
Stopping for coffee about an hour or
so down the track Annette's purse is missing. Left under the chair at the
Carmilla Pub. After frantic phone calls and name calling we arranged to have
it sent down to Caboolture via snail mail. If you’re ever in Carmilla drop in
and say Hi to Carol and the gang.
Not to worry Larry’s got his plastic.
The only problem is His cards only work on certain accounts (the ones with not
much money in them.) Frantic calls to daughter in Brisbane. All fixed.
We park at Rocky for the night. Called
a cab and headed off to Lonestar steakhouse for tea, then back to the motel,
dropping Peter off on the way.
Monday morning woke everybody up at
motel and headed off to Brisbane. Asho decides to wait till Tuesday and ride
home with Ray.
We get to Miriamvale, have breakfast,
fuel up and head off again. A couple of ks down the road my alternator light
comes on. No worries the battery is charged, should get us home. WRONG! We
get to Apple Tree Creek where the motor cuts out with just enough slope to
reach the garage. WRONG again. 30 metres from the garage Annette has to get
off and push. One hand pushing and one hand over her eyes in case a Harley
rider comes past and recognises her. Turning into the garage driveway, slight
slope, tired bike and Annette, bike lays down again. With her help we get it
up again and into the car park. By this time Lionel and Mary realize we are
not behind them, come back and swap batteries.
Off we go again, only to get 50 or 60
ks down the road and it stopped again. Change batteries again. Lionel’s
won't start this time. We were on an uphill slope with the 4 of us pushing,
not enough speed. Traffic everywhere. We managed to get to the other side of
the road and push down hill, that worked.
Decided to pull out all lights fuses.
Stopped for coffee at Gympie. Still
going. Lionel and Mary followed us right to our door. Many thanks to Lionel
and Mary.
I just hope WE can help somebody out
one of these days.
All told a very enjoyable but eventful
ride.
Larry and
Annette
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New location - 1 Jalomy St.
Boondall Qld
4034
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As this is a private residence
- NO cold calls at premises please.
July Ride Report
Another excellent winter’s day for a ride.
Meeting at the Caltex at Loganholme,
four Wings and one Kawasaki Tourer left at 8.30 sharp.(due to the length of
the ride).
Off we went along the Freeway to the
City-along Coronation Drive, up Hale Street to Waterworks Road and out through
the Gap, over Mt Nebo and on to Mt Glorious and down the other side to Cedar
Park. This is where we had morning tea whilst waiting for John & Anne Spick.
(Sorry about the mix up guys).
Just as we were leaving Cedar Park
Bill & Mary arrived. They decided to stop and have a cuppa and would catch up
at lunch.
From here we rode around Wivenhoe Dam
to Esk turning off to go towards Gatton.
After crossing Toowoomba Highway we
veered off towards Laidley, Rosewood where we stopped for fuel.
From Rosewood we traveled out through
Grandchester along which we were told was the scenic route to Rosevale for
lunch. Unfortunately we had to share the usually quiet and friendly pub with
a very large group from the FORD CLUB. (Some very nice cars) thus detracting
from the character of the place and the quality of the meals which we were
lucky enough to experience the day we checked out the ride.
This is where we caught up with Bill &
Mary again. Also very happy to have Paul & Robyn (on a very nice Black Wing)
join us for lunch & the ride home.
The raffle was drawn and won by our
guest on the Kawasaki (Chris) Second Prize was won by Mary Carter.
All fed and watered we headed out now
with seven bikes back through Warrell View through Boona and back through
Beaudesert, Tamborine Village and towards Beenleigh turning off at Stanmore
Road to Stapylton for a cup of coffee and last hurrahs. Everybody being the
great people they are told us what a good day they. I know we did and I hope
everybody else did. For most a very nice 400km. By the time we got home it
was a mere 600km
Hope to see all on next months ride.
Larry
p.s. from
me ( it was a better ride over Mt Glorious on the bike than in the car)
Return to What's Inside
|
Answers to this month’s Quiz
| 1 |
Bribie
Island |
2 |
Mario
Lanza |
| 3 |
True |
4 |
Karen
Blixen |
| 5 |
Michael
Douglas |
6 |
About
150 million kilometres |
| 7 |
Brigadoon |
8 |
Laser |
| 9 |
The
Queen |
10 |
Diamond |
|
|
Return to questions
Return to What's Inside |
R.I.P. TYRES
I have some sad news, (especially for
my wallet). We all know what a personal issue motorcycle tyres are. Everyone
has an opinion on what is the best or worst. I wish I knew what was the best
so that I could buy them, and the worst so that I can avoid them.
Our President Bevan devoted a whole
editorial on the tyres that he doesn’t like, and as Bevan is a very
experienced rider I am sure that he speaks with authority on the subject.
Steve
Brouggy has had some interesting articles in the Motorcycle Trader magazine,
and I have learned a lot from reading Steve’s articles. It still didn’t help
me out as a lot of the time the styles of riding that he spoke of didn’t
relate to me.
There was
another comparo with tyres in a recent magazine, that did not give a great
report to the tyres that I have been using, but once again from the article,
the style of riding did not really relate to me. From the article I deduced
that what they were trying to do on a Valkyrie, they should have been on a
Yamaha R1.
I guess it
just comes down to personal choice. I can remember many years ago I got very
interested in wine. I bought books on the subject, listened to experienced
wine buffs and tried different brands and types of wine. All I got was
confused. I forgot what I liked because I was influenced by the so-called
experts. In the end I went back to the cheapies that I know I liked, and
completely forgot the technicalities of the subject.
What has
that got to do with tyres? It does not matter squat what this person or that
person says, or what article is written about the subject. In the end it is
your end that is on the bike, not theirs. If you like the black rings that are
on your bike – keep them. If you don’t, and it is affecting safety, do as
Chris Pusey did and get rid of them.
Unfortunately this can be an expensive exercise, but it is cheap in comparison
to hospital bills. I have been running Bridgestones for a while now. I bought
them because they were cheaper than Dunlops, but I found that I liked them.
They suit my riding style. I just replaced the front tyre that I had put
52,000 klms on, and the back tyre that I had put 28,000 klms on. Guess what I
put back on – that’s right – Bridgestones.
The sad
news is that if your bike is wearing rubber that you don’t like and you are
waiting for them to wear out to replace them, you could be waiting a long
time.
The other
interesting comparison I can make is with restaurants. You may like a
particular restaurant and always go there. Then you might be missing out on a
better meal at another one. The trouble with tyres is by the time you get
around to testing a few different tyres, the ones you liked best two sets ago
are obsolete and not available any more.
Confused?
Yeah, me too.
Safe
Riding.
Bill Carter
Ride
Coordinator
Is it a bird?
In
Kentucky you don’t see too many people hang-gliding. Ol’ Zeek decided to
save up and get a hang-glider. He takes it to the highest mountain, and
after struggling to the top, he gets ready to take flight. He takes off
running and reaches the edge, and into the wind he goes!
Meanwhile,
Maw and Paw Hicks were sittin’ on the porch swing, talking ‘bout the good ol’
days when Maw spots the biggest bird she has ever seen! “Look at the size of
that bird Paw!” she exclaims. Paw raises up, “Git my gun, Maw.” Maw runs
into the house, brings out his pump action shotgun. Paw takes careful aim.
BANG…BANG…BANG…BANG! The monster size bird continues to sail silently over
the treetops.
“I think ya
missed him, Paw.” she says. “Yeah,” he replies, “but at least he let go of
ol’ Zeek!”
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