Wing Notes

Management Committee

President

Bevan Bradford (07) 3822 3512

E-mail: Bevan.L.Bradford@mainroads.qld.gov.au

Vice President

Lionel Jacobson (07) 3265 6000

E-mail: darling3@bigpond.com

Secretary

Val Thomas (07) 3848 0498

E-mail: ashgrovestationary@uqconnect.net

Treasurer

Eric Madjeric (07) 3886 9845

E-mail: magic@auswingriders.com

Meetings normally held 1st Monday of every month.

Next meeting:

6^th October 2003

7:30 pm

Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club

Main Avenue, Coorparoo

September 2003

WING NOTES is produced with the object of keeping members informed about matters of interest to AWRA

members. A copy of each issue is sent 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, i.e.: 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.

By the time you read this, Charleen and I should be well on our way around Highway 1. Lucky for us all, Bevan has volunteered to make sure the magazine gets done in our absence. Thanks.

We did a test pack the weekend before and just cannot fit the laptop in. Oh well. Four weeks without will do me good. Meanwhile I have set up cnc@auswingriders.com which we may check from time to time if we get time on the journey. My normal email receives way too much junk these days and the email box is only small.

On that note, I noticed that our website has been upgraded by our USA-based web hosting service to unlimited size. So we have plenty of room for anything we want to put there. I’ll bring up individual web space allocations on our return.

Contributions for this magazine can be emailed to info@auswingriders.com or posted to 47 Breslin St, Carina, Qld 4152. Photos and slides can be scanned and returned.

Hi everyone; another month has flown by, and my desk is in its usual case of chaos, or as I would rather call it "the creative area". My assistant's desk is always as neat as a pin, but the productivity output is not as prolific! Officially August was very quiet for me, but we did have one official excursion to check-out our Xmas Party venue, which entailed a very enjoyable ride with Bevan & Therese through scenic territory along Pine Mountain Road and Rosewood, and home through the hills behind Gatton. Our venue looks inviting, and all the amenities are comfortable. Please send any special requests for drinks to either Bevan or myself, so they can stock the bar up for us! I think that is the most important matter to finalise at the moment. Looking forward to our next ride, any tips on how to prevent our Helmet Hair?

I realise that there are a number of people in the group feeling that the emphasis put on briefings is unnecessary, overkill, boring, and so on but I believe it has the potential to be worthwhile. Why do I say this? Well, if you are an avid news watcher/listener as I am, you may already be aware of the following situation.

The thing I dread most on rides happened to a group near Canberra a few weeks ago. It was actually the Sunday of our last ride day and to have just arrived home to hear it on the news was a shock to Therese and me. Getting information has been difficult but from what I could glean from the short news report and the Canberra Times, it went something like this.

A group of riders and partners were out on their bikes for a good weekend. Just like we were. On the way home the group broke into two separate pods. The section of road involved is one enjoyed by motorcyclists; you know the drill, through the hills, sweeping curves, vehicles that get in the way of our enjoyment. What happened will no doubt be the subject of a Coroner's enquiry but from what I read, the second group came round a curve and pulled out to pass a slower vehicle, straight into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. Now it was unclear where they were on the curve or whether the oncoming rider was a separate rider or someone from the first pod but the end result was two riders dead. More importantly though, in the context of what we have been talking about, several other bikes were involved with varying serious injuries, some critical, and the road closed with bikes strewn over a distance of about 100 metres.

As I say, the cause will no doubt come out later but to have multiple bikes involved, it would seem obvious to me that there was no room for the following riders to maneuver or escape what was happening. This is what we have been talking about and is what we must avoid.

After a week of lovely fine weather, Saturday was wet and cold. We were hoping it would clear up for Sunday. It nearly did.

We arrived early at Caboolture North to find the Madjeric’s and Harriss’ already there. Whilst we had coffee, another seven bikes pulled in making ten in all. A great number for a day run. A couple of wives had piked due to the weather, preferring not to take the chance of contracting a cold. Welcome additions were Brian and Anne Thorley, on their first ride with the group

After the pre-ride briefing, reading the points from Bevan’s list (very helpful), we set off only 15 minutes late. North along the Highway until Beerwah turnoff we all stayed together well. Then it was up the fun twisty section to Peachester. The turns were a little wet so everyone took care.

Further up the mountains towards Maleny we went, but turned off towards Bellthorpe. As we turned off, the cold wind hit us and the fog closed in. Brrrrrr. So much for the views!

Across the bumpy road to Bellthorpe we went, but turned off again just before the small town and headed down Range Road, a narrow twisted mountainside track that even has restricted hours so the school bus doesn’t have to meet oncoming cars. It was all sealed road though so with a little care, we wound our way down the mountainside. Came out on the road to Woodford, but turned off before we got there to head towards Kilcoy.

Naturally, we turned off just before we got there and made our way through some back roads to our morning tea stop at Hunting Lodge Estate. We were the first there and the doors were opened for us and everyone ordered coffee, tea and scones. That got them working, but while we waited we could look at the lovely views from the hilltop café, or the strange vista of stuffed animal heads on the walls. Most of the exotic animals were fakes, but there were a few authentic ones.

While we were waiting, a light shower came across so most of us with furry seats went out to cover them. (Does that sound right?)

Morning tea over, we were off again and made our way to Kilcoy. This time we went through the town where we met up with some other riders who also had CBs and were heading down along the Somerset Dam road. We headed west hoping to outrun the fast approaching clouds.

Through Moore and up the range to Blackbutt where we made a quick pitstop before heading further out to Yarraman. Lovely roads out this way. They seem to be just made for Goldwings. Fast, with long sweeping curves and not too much traffic – though we did keep meeting a cattle truck.

At Yarraman we turned onto the New England Highway and made our way to the little town of Cooyar for lunch and refuel. Cooyar pub staff were waiting. They had put on an extra cook. They now had one.

Most people had fish and chips, but I had a T-bone from local beef. It sure wasn’t local fish. The T-bone – excellent!

The Spicks and the Jacobsons won the raffle. No Spicks were present so Lionel and Mary selected the ‘mystery’ prize and it was a pair of silk gloves to keep Mary’s (or Lionel’s) hands nice and warm. Spicky will be happy with the wine.

All fuelled up, we rode further along the New England to Crows Nest where we said goodbye to Peter Goodsir who headed home to Stanthorpe. The rest of us took the ‘shortcut’ past Perseverance and Crestbrook Dams coming out, eventually, on the Esk-Hampton road.

Down the mountain and the last few were held up by slow moving traffic so we waited in Esk. Reforming there, Bear noticed something strange with Thommo’s rear tyre. He got on the CB and we all pulled up beside the road. Thommo’s tyre was down to the canvas and looked like it was about to shred itself.

Bevan volunteered to take Val and stay with Thommo as he slowly rode home, staying below 80kph to keep the tyre cool.

The rest of us whizzed past and made our way to Blacksoil BP and the end of the run. While we were having a parting coffee, we all gave a cheer as we saw Thommo sail past, still going, with Bevan and Val close behind. A later phone call confirmed they made it OK. Thanks go to the eagle eye of the Bear for spotting the problem early.

There were no other problems all day with everyone looking after the bike behind and keeping the convoy flowing nicely. Even the rains, though all around at times, kept away from us.

RIDE REPORT

11 bikes and 21 people left BP Caboolture at about 6.30pm Saturday night, heading for a much longed for Chinese meal at Burpengary - North Garden Chinese Restaurant.

Surprise, surprise as we toured through Caboolture, and just happened to drive past Larry and Annette’s house they were sitting on their Wing in the driveway and just sort of joined on to the back of the pack.

So then there were 12 bikes and 23 of us, we all headed to Burpengary for dinner, and by all accounts a very enjoyable 4 course banquet was had by all.

After dinner most of us headed down to Redcliffe for coffee, one small problem though, we were all too full to actually want any coffee. From Redcliffe most went separate ways, happy and contented with a fine dinner and a short ride.

The Highlight of the night was Jayne being presented with a special trophy of the broken handle from Turbo's bike. After successfully completing all the requirements for her Open bike license she promptly dropped the bike and broke off one of the of the levers.

Okay this month emphasis is on the most important five-minute checks of all before a ride. Sometimes these things do not necessarily stay perfect between services.

To check oil - Place ‘Wing on centre stand. Dip Stick is located right front side cover. Unscrew dip stick, wipe dip stick, do not screw stick back into thread just dip it and see oil level. If OK then screw back in. If low, top up with suitable bike oil.

To check coolant - Coolant dipstick is located left side under ignition key panel (in coolant reservoir tank location). It is important to keep coolant between the two marks on the coolant reserve tank dipstick. Top up with coolant/water mix.

When replacing dip stick make sure the rubber part pushes right on hard to the reserve tank if you don’t you’ll be doing a ‘Uey” to pick it up off the road!

¨ Coolant should be drained & refilled every two years, using Glycol Anti-Freeze and distilled water (formulated for aluminium tanks).

We like to say ‘Wings don’t break down”, and with a few simple checks that become habit they won’t, and no major damage will occur.

"Yes, I know," said another. "My cataracts are so bad; I can't even see my coffee."

"I couldn't even mark an "X" at election time, my hands are so crippled," volunteered a third.

"I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said a fourth, to which several nodded weakly in agreement.

The others nodded in agreement."Well, count your Blessings," said a woman cheerfully, "and Thank God we can all still drive."

In a small parish a new young priest arrived. A few weeks later he was invited over by an older priest from a nearby village.

In the evening at dinner the young priest saw what a super girl the old man's maid was and started to think. The old priest recognised the suspicious smile on his face and started to convince him of the pure relationship between him and his maid.

The next day the maid said to the old priest "there is a silver spoon missing since that young priest visited us."

The old priest wrote a letter to the young one in which he explained the situation and ended with the words "I don't say you have stolen that spoon and I don't say you didn't but fact is that it's gone ever since you visited us."

About a week later the response came and the young priest wrote " I don't say you sleep with your maid and I don't say you don't but fact is, if you slept in your own bed you would have found the spoon."

Sunday 24^th August dawned as forecast, overcast with showers clearing during the afternoon. It isn't raining so that's good. With Therese not coming, Daniel decides to accompany Dad. Not many AWRA members were going so we have joined the Northern Gateway Ulysses Branch for the day. Dan and I head for Gailes on my usual tight time schedule. Shame I'm so considerate and allow the passenger the longest possible sleep-in.

The weather looks like it will hold so the wets stay in the trunk. I need fuel and it could be embarrassing if I get to Gailes, every one is waiting, and I still have to fill, so we decide to fill on the way. After telling the attendant that if we had any sense we would have wet gear on, I decide to take my own advice while we are undercover. No sooner do I pull the gear out, than the rain and wind hits with a wild downpour. Sometimes I make the right decisions.

After a hair raising trip through Mt Gravatt with every set of lights red, and constant sideways starts on the oily surface, we get close to Gailes, 5 minutes late, but can't raise anyone on the CB. Either the group is still coming or already gone. After waiting for a few minutes and starting to worry, I check the phone and sure enough, a message is waiting. I expect to hear that seeing I wasn't there they had gone on but no, for some unexplained reason, they are just leaving Carseldine. Turns out Lionel has slept in, the ride coordinator has turned up in his car and the rest of the group have decided to go home because it’s too wet. Goldwing ride after all. Lionel, Larry, Dave and visitors Mal and Tina, (Yellow 1800), headed out and pick Daniel and me up as they go past.

With light drizzle and a wet road, the trip is not too bad. Off the highway at Gatton and onto the Heifer Creek road. The run over the mountain is not too bad with caution being foremost in everyone's mind. Apart from a slippery turn to Clifton that had a couple of riders vocally expressing their concerns, the remainder of the ride to Leyburn is uneventful. At least the drizzling rain has stopped and the sky looks a bit clearer. We pull into Leyburn and as we hit the 60 zone, a roo goes bounding across the road just in front of our intrepid leader Lionel. Not the sort of thing we are used to in the town limits.

The bikes are parked, wets stripped off and replaced by jumpers. I immediately run into a friend I haven't seen in a while; nothing like riding bikes that stand out. As a bit of a sidecar freak, I am amazed to see a very special outfit arrive. This outfit was featured in Two Wheels magazine a few years ago due to its special construction that makes the handling of the outfit very little different to a solo. It is still owned by the builder and clocking up heaps of miles and he’s worth talking to. If only Therese would let me have him build me one!

With wet roads and mud on the tyres, the timed sprints over a one kilometre course are not very exciting, as everyone seems to taking the same caution that we took getting here. A couple of minor spins and hay bale shunts but nothing too dramatic. There are lots of interesting cars, both on display and taking part in the competition event. As the day continues, the wind picks up, patches of blue sky appear, and the road dries just as the serious competitors come out. This makes the day more exiting.

Peter has found us after coming down from Stanthorpe and Larry has found a couple of people from Fernvale on a Valkyrie. They saw our ride on the web site but unfortunately they were not aware of the late change and I did not think to check the BP at Blacksoil as we went past. Isn't that typical, the only time some one new turns up without warning, is the time when the ride has changed. Never mind, thanks to Larry, I'm sure we will see them again.

About 2 o'clock we decide to head back via Warwick and Cunningham's Gap, dropping Peter off as we go through Warwick. The trip home is far more pleasant with the weather fine but cold. The early start catches up with Daniel and he dozes off a couple of times before we stop at Amberley for a final coffee, snack and goodbyes.

Was it worth it? Certainly the sprints would have been more exciting if the roads had been dry but it was still good and to see cars that we don't see every day or in many cases have never seen before was worthwhile. And as we all know, it's not the destination, it's the ride that's important, and that's always good.

At the Wing Riders Christmas party, Eddie brought along a new girl none of us had met before. She was quite popular and got along with everyone. After a lovely evening, they went to their cabin which had separate beds.

Eddie, being the gentleman, climbed into one bed and turned his back so she could have some privacy to get into her bed.

During the night he woke to hear her calling his name. “What is it?” He asked sleepily.

Eddie was nice and warm in his bed so he said, “Lets pretend we are married like the other couples in the Wing Riders.

“Good,” said Eddie, rolling over, “now go and get your own damn blanket.”

The Madjeric’s were dressed and ready to go out for the evening. They turned on a night light, turned the answering machine on the phone line, covered their pet budgie and put the cat in the backyard.

They phoned the local cab company and requested a taxi. The taxi arrived and the couple opened the front door to leave their house. The cat they had put out into the yard scooted back into the house.

They didn't want the cat shut in the house because "she" always tries to eat the bird. Deb went out to the taxi while Eric went inside to get the cat. The cat ran upstairs, Eric in hot pursuit.

Deb didn't want the driver to know the house will be empty. She explained to the taxi driver that her husband would be out soon. "He's just going upstairs to say goodbye to my mother."

A few minutes later, Eric got into the cab. "Sorry I took so long," he said, as they drove away. "Stupid bitch was hiding under the bed. Had to poke her with a coat hanger to get her to come out! Then I had to wrap her in a blanket to keep her from scratching me. But it worked. I hauled her fat ass downstairs and threw her out into the back yard!"

Two termites walk into a bar. One asks the other "Is the bar tender here?"		Two drunk Hydrogen atoms walk into a bar" 1st.; "I think I lost my electron!" 2nd.; "Are you sure?" 1st.; "Yeah - I'm positive!"
A skeleton walks into a bar. The bartender says; " What'll it be?" the skeleton says; "I'll have a pitcher of beer - and a mop."		A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says; "Yeah, I guess I can serve you, but don't try to start anything!"
A giraffe walks into a bar and says; "The highballs are on me!"		A horse walks into a bar. The bartender looks at him and says.. "Why the long face?"
A blonde walks into a bar. What does she say? “Ouch!”

Thommo gets his money’s worth from a tyre.
Not really – methinks something went wrong.

RIDE REPORT

Bevan came to our place and escorted us to the Gold Coast. All pretty plain sailing from there on. The Pacific Highway is nothing special. Only problem was a failure to slow for an eighty zone quick enough to keep the nice policeman happy.

Took the Freeway into Sydney in the early morning. It was a Sunday so no peak hour. Under the Harbour and out the other side fairly easily. Stopped for a cuppa at Bulli Pass overlooking Wollongong. Lots of push bikies on the road. After there the roads improved a lot. Lots of sweeping bends that the 'wing loves. The rest of the day into Bateman's Bay was a great ride. Stopped at Our Uncle and Aunt's place there for the night and caught up with a cousin I had not seen for 40 years.

The mornings are getting colder. More good roads to the Border. A bit wet from overnight rains. Into Victoria and things straightened out a bit - but it kept getting colder!

Made it to Melbourne by 4pm to stay the night with No.2 Son, Adam. He lives very close to Hwy 1 so no navigating to do.

The weather was not kind to us with intermittent showers and a strong cross-wind all day. From the north in the morning and the south in the afternoon. The roads were uninspiring as well. We had done the Great Ocean Road before and decided to stay on Hwy 1 as per our plan. Next time I'll go GOR. Yesterday's weather would have made it treacherous though.

Kingston is a nice town and the Motel very good. Caught up on washing. Good pub and great seafood cafe.

Left Kingston to a reasonably fine morning with a few clouds. Still cool but bearable with our long johns on.

Mostly freeway driving into Adelaide. Strange entrance as the freeway just suddenly changes to a 60kph suburban road. Everyone hard on brakes. They probably police it as the locals stop hard as well.

Through Adelaide and a fuel and coffee stop and things warmed up a bit. Eventually found Internet access at Two Wells, a little north.

Rest of the day was quite warm and sunny. We travelled slowly, as we only had to go to Port Pirie to stay with a friend there, Coral. Hadn't seen her since 1976. Great to catch up and she took us of a tour of her town. Pt Pirie is a working town with all the ore from Broken Hill being taken there, then smelted and put on ships. Many sheep and wheat farms around as well as a viable fishing industry. Lots of new houses being built as well as charming older cottages.

A man in a hot air balloon realised he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."

"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist. "I am," replied the woman, "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information and the fact is, I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip."

The woman below responded, "You must be in Management." "I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"

"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems.

The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."

· On a hot day having to eat the ice cream that has melted in the refrigerator on the trailer hitch

Return to What's Inside

FOR SALE

Dri-Rider Jacket

Big thick one – Red/Black

Size XXL $160

Kuryakin Towbar for GL 1500

Originally $400 selling for $250

Contact Eddie on 3394 3687 or 04 0832 6636
edfergie@hotmail.com

Newsletter of the

September 2003

September 2003

What’s Inside

RIDE REPORT

RIDE REPORT

*The Bear’s Necessities*
	Tech Tips for the GoldWing from Rob Harriss

	Kay and Wendy	Brian and Anne
Treasurer counts the money