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May 7, 2010
The historic bike scene is booming
Bustling Broadford
We’ve had a few rapid-fire major events in the southern end of the continent over the last month or so, which suggest the historic end of the bike market is absolutely thriving.
So, where do we start? Okay, let’s try April’s three-day Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza. For those not in the know, Broadford is a multi-discipline circuit an hour north of Melbourne. It’s unique in a couple of respects, in that it’s owned by Motorcycling Australia (the local competition governing body) and it has both road and off-road tracks, including a spectacular MX circuit.
The bonanza is essentially a festival of historic (mostly) race machinery and the turn-out for this year’s effort was absolutely stunning. The event was well-run and surprisingly laid back.
You had the option of just rolling up and ogling the spectacular array of machinery, or actually taking a bike out on the track yourself – so long as it had some form of historic interest. It didn’t have to be a race bike to meet the cut, and the general idea was to take it for a few demonstration laps – it was never intended to be a race meeting.
From a punter’s point of view it beats going to a museum, as you got to see all sorts of wild and woolly gear out there being used. Motorcycles are designed to be run and this is definitely the way to see them. Meanwhile, pit access was wide-open, so you could meet the owners and riders.
The list of rarities is far too long to delve in to, but some of the treats included a fleet of Kenny Blake’s former race bikes, including the rare and desirable Ecco BMWs. Lots of past dirt and road racers were in attendance, some big names among them.
MA’s website for the event is worth a look and, if you haven’t yet been, put it in the diary for next year.
MotorcycleTrader’s full report will be in next issue, number 231, on May 14.
Japanese jamboree
Ken Wootton reports: Collectable, rare and little-seen Japanese machinery invaded the hills east of Melbourne on the second-last weekend in March, with the likes of a Harris CB900, Seeley Suzuki TR750 and Kawasaki Z1R TC turbo rubbing handlebars with more common Japanese production bikes like Kawasaki Z1s and two-stroke triples, Honda CB750 Fours and RD Yamahas.
Held just five months after the 2009 event, the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club’s 2010 Rally, held at the same location at Healesville (Victoria), didn’t attract the same record entry or variety as last year’s event, but there was still plenty to ogle from the nation that introduced motorcycling to mainstream Australia in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
It was a chance for attendees to wander down memory lane and witness first-hand the impact the Japanese motorcycle industry has had across the four decades from the ’60s through to the early ’90s.
See Motorcycle Trader issue 230 (on sale now) for the full report.
British bash
Let’s not forget the annual All British Rally, run by the BSA club, in the goldfield region of Vic. This event continues to break records, with this year’s attendance hitting 950 registered entrants.
If you happen to be a fan of English iron, you’ll get to see all sorts of historic curiosities, rubbing paint with a smattering of current Triumph product from Hinckley.
For many it’s the annual excuse to dust off the old Norton/Triumph/Vincent/whatever and take it for a gallop.
Muggins took the Trevor 1975 T150V Triumph along, as I hadn’t enough courage to risk riding Winston the 1947 Sunbeam S7 up there. Spouse Ms M snr says we have to next year, so maybe we’ll take both machines along.
Our usual plan is to stay in nearby Maldon, about 15km from the Campbells Creek rally site, which means you get to enjoy a quiet ride or three through the countryside over the weekend – which is the ideal way to enjoy these old things.
Humming through the countryside in winter conditions, you could be forgiven for momentarily fantasising that you’re in the auld dart – if it weren’t for the gum trees and barbed wire fences…
See Motorcycle Trader issue 232, out around mid-June, for the report.
(Oh, and a feature on joys and traumas of owning the Sunbeam is in the current edition.)
What I like about all these events is they’re low stress and a great excuse to get out and about. Really, it doesn’t matter what you own or ride, you’ll find a welcoming smile at any of them.
Feel good story
On the rare occasions you read about motorcycling in the general media, it’s some sort of death and destruction story, so it’s nice to occasionally trip over a feel-good feature. Follow this link to a recent effort from the New York Times.
You’re always welcome to get in touch via email – guy.allen@traderclassifieds.com.au
Twitter: tradermag
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