August 2006 - BMW Club Journal Archives - bmw

Transcription

The BMW Club
JOURNAL
£2.50
December 2006
2
BMW Club Journal • December 2006
The Journal
December 2006
The Official BMW Club
within the UK and
Republic of Ireland
Affiliated to BMW Club Europa e.V
www.bmwclub.org.uk
General Enquiries: 0800 0854045
FREEPOST THE BMW CLUB
The BMW Club is the Trading name of The B.M.W. Motorcycle
Club Ltd Registered in England, Registration number 4261129
whose Registered Office: Charter Court, Midland Road, Hemel
Hempstead, Herts, HP2 5GE
CONTENTS
Editorial : ..................................
4
National and Section Officers............. 8
President’s Platform ........................ 9
Torque Reaction.................................. 10
Diary Of Events .................................. 39
German Jottings ............................
45
Where We Meet.................................. 62
Section News...................................... 63
Social and Register Secretaries.......... 63
Mutual Aid........................................... 75
Small Business Adverts....................... 80
All Rights Reserved
HONORARY EDITORIAL TEAM
Please send all letters to Paul Nadin, Mutual Aid to
Owen Vaughan, features Dave Bertram. All other
correspondence or queries should be sent to the
Editor.
EDITOR: CHRIS FLEMING, 58 Janes Lane, Burgess
Hill, West Sussex. RH15 0QR. Tel/Fax: 01444
245367. e-mail: [email protected]
SECTION NEWS & ‘COMPASS’: Please send to the
Editor at present.
FEATURES EDITOR: DAVE BERTRAM “Kimberley”,
4 Southcrest, West Hunsbury, Northampton, NN4
9UD. Tel/fax 01604 479749.
e-mail: [email protected]
TORQUE REACTION: PAUL NADIN, 49, Berkshire
Drive, Congleton, Cheshire. CW12 1SB. Tel. 01260
279443 e-mail: [email protected]
MARKETING MANAGER: ROB PEARCE, 16
Forestfield, Horsham, RH13 6DZ. Tel/fax 01403
754912 e-mail [email protected]
MUTUAL AID: OWEN VAUGHAN, 16 South
Meadows, Pembroke, Pembs. SA71 4EW. Tel 01646
SMALL BUSINESS ADS: CHARLES KNIGHT, La
Petite Fosse, St, Ouen, Jersey JE3 2GU Tel: 01534
485474 eMail: [email protected]
DIARY OF EVENTS: GORDON CATCHPOLE,
Avenida de las Especias 58, Pinar de Campoverde,
03190 Pilar de la Horadada, Alicante, Spain. Tel/fax:
(0034) 966762893. e-mail: [email protected]
DISPLAY ADS: JIM BRUCE, 6 Lime Park Terrace.
Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9AF Tel/fax : 01471
TECHNICAL OFFICER: MIKE FISHWICK, Sirgon,
24250 Daglan, France.
100,000 MILE AWARDS: BOB HARRISON, 251
Preston Road, Coppull. PR7 5DS. Tel: 01257 793209
e-mail:[email protected]
And grateful thanks to: Tony Wood for assistance with
proof reading and sub-editing.
Features
Happy Christmas - parts 1,2 and 3 ....
Intermot 2006 ..................................
BMW’s Da Vinci Code(s) ................
Replacing the infamous spring .........
The Rugby Cup Final 2006 ..............
Sam Manicom in India .....................
The Somme : 90 years on ...............
24
28
30
31
47
50
57
and Season’s Greetings to everyone
from all of us here on the Journal Team!
For problems regarding distribution of the
Journal please first contact your Section
Secretary. Should there still be a problem then
contact the membership secretary. Their details
are listed on page 8.
DISCLAIMER
The BMW Club Journal accepts for publication articles and letters written in
good faith; however, the views expressed in articles and letters which are
published are not necessarily those of the editor of the Journal or those of
the BMW Club or its officers or members.
The information, including advice and suggested modifications published in
the The BMW Club Journal has not been approved, tested or otherwise
checked by The BMW Club Journal or the BMW Club. Before acting on
information, advice or suggested modifications published in The BMW Club
Journal you should always obtain technical advice, and if appropriate have
a professional motor-cycle engineer carry out the work for you.
The BMW Club Journal and the BMW Club cannot accept liability for any
loss, damage or claims occurring as a result of any modifications or work or
other action carried out on the advice or based on the suggestions given in
any article or letter published in The BMW Club Journal and (save for death
or personal injury arising from The BMW Club Journal’s negligence) all such
liability is hereby excluded.
The BMW Club Journal is published for and on behalf of the B.M.W. Motorcycle Club Ltd.
The BMW Motorcycle Club Ltd, the BMW Club Journal, It’s Editor and Officers
accept no liability in respect of loss or damage occasioned directly or indirectly
as a result of the publication of any advertisement in The BMW Club Journal
or Web site
The cover : Alan Taylor ’s 1200GS in
Morocco. Remember what sunshine is ?
3
Editorial
Freewheeling
The 2006 NEC Show
It took 25 hard working volunteers to man
the Club stand at the NEC this year and they worked
with lashings of enthusiasm to promote our club to
the general public. The stand was modelled on last
years design with only the three bikes being
different. BMW Motorrad loaned us the HP2
Enduro—K1200R Powercup and a R1200S, three
models different as chalk and cheese, but all
attracted a lot of attention. Many thanks to BMW
Motorrad for their support.
The show was not as busy as last year but
the membership enquiries were more in what the
club does and offers to new members, I got the
feeling that the 200 folk who did join were more
likely to stay with us long term. To the new members,
welcome to The BMW Club and I hope you take
part in our activities.
Our new Club Merchandise (posh or what)
got it’s first viewing at the show and interest was
very good with sales around £2500 being achieved.
Karen Thompson is working hard to introduce new
and brighter clothing into the club so get to it and
order your new shirt or shirts from her. Don’t forget
she has a good selection of “Lady” stuff including
Huggy ‘T’s in different colours and shaped polo
shirts.
I can’t thank the helpers enough for the way
they joined in the spirit of the job they were doing
we are very lucky to have members who will give
their time to enable the stand to function. Every
one who volunteers is an important link during the
week and not one person let us down. There are
however two who attended nearly every day who
should have a special thanks and they were Peter
(I collect Poly bags) Mapes and Colin (I make a
good cup of Tea) Wilkinson. Thanks to Phil and
Lorraine Williams for putting a roof over my head
and feeding me for the duration, to my wife Peta
for putting up with all the show dross around the
house and for organising the volunteers rota for me.
Mike Warrilow
I had to publish this.
He insisted....
4
Some of our volunteers
Another new member ?
5
Annual General Meeting
I hereby give notice that the Annual
General Meeting of The B.M.W.
Motorcycle Club Limited will be held at
Abington Hall Conference Centre, Granta
Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB1
6AL on Saturday 31 March 2007,
commencing promptly at 12 noon with
buffet/reception and registration from
10:30 to 11:30 am.
Nominations are invited for the
posts of President, General Secretary,
Treasurer, Membership Secretary,
National Social Secretary and Editor. Vice
President Tony Cartmell is due to retire and
a nomination is invited for his post.
All nominations and items for the agenda
must be signed by the Proposer, Seconder
and nominee otherwise they will be invalid.
All nominations and agenda items
must be in my possession by noon on
Wednesday 31 January 2007. (Please
note if sending a nomination or agenda
item by e-mail it will not be considered to
be in my possession until you receive an
acknowledgement, the time and date of
that acknowledgement will be considered
to be the time and date of receipt.)
Steve Shepley
General Secretary
The BMW Club Trophies 2007
for presentation at the Annual General Meeting
Max Deubel Trophy
The Fred Secker Trophy
Presented by The BMW Club to the nonNational Committee member who is judged by
the National Committee to have worked
hardest in the name of The BMW Club in the
past year.
Presented to a section or male member or male
Associate Member of The BMW Club who is
judged by the National Committee to have done
the most towards benefitting motorcycling and
The BMW Club as a whole in the year for which
the trophy is presented.
BMW Sporting Spirit Trophy
Presented to the member of The BMW Club
who, in the opinion of the National Committee,
has best displayed the sporting spirit by riding
a BMW motorcycle in a competetive event in
the previous year.
Eric Rosenthal Memorial Trophy
Presented to the youngest BMW Club member
to ride a motorcycle to the FIM Rally in the
previous year.
6
Mary Dudgeon Trophy
Presented to the Lady member, or wife or
girlfriend of a member of The BMW Club who
is judged by the National Committee to have
done the most towards benefitting motorcycling
and The BMW Club as a whole in the year for
which the trophy is presented.
Nominations for these trophies should be
given in writing to your Section Secretary or
MCM representative and then sent to the
General Secretary no later than Wednesday
31 January 2007
Club Equipment Inventory
Following October’s National Committee
Meeting I am hoping to initially form an
Inventory of National Club Equipment, so if
you are storing any equipment at present
could you please send me a list of what you’ve
got?
Please can you also estimate the condition of
the equipment - good, useable, or beyond will
do for now.
If you know of anyone else who is storing this
equipment please will you let me know and
pass on this message to them.
Thanks in advance !
Tony Cartmell
can’t download them they will not get printed
or displayed!
Alternatively, photos can be sent as prints
approx size 10"x8" with the members name
written on the back to: Tony Cartmell, 28
Houseman Place, Blackpool, FY4 5AE.
The competition rules:Photos should relate to BMW bikes or
The BMW Club.
You may make up to 2 entries per
member.
You must be a member or associate
member at the time of the 2007 AGM.
Photos must have been taken by yourself
or your partner.
Tel: 01253 768421. Email: [email protected]
The BMW Club Annual Photo
Competition
After the success of the Club Photo
Competition in 2006 (almost 100 entries) we
have decided to do it again for 2007 and to
make it an annual event. As before, the
entries will be displayed & judged at the
National AGM on 31st March 2007.
The photos will be displayed and judged
at the AGM, with the winners being
announced at the end of the meeting.
All entries must be received by the end of
February 2007.
Please also remember that if you are not
attending the AGM we are happy to receive
your entries but we will be unable to send
out prizes without your physical address!
Please note the ‘small print’:-
There will be prizes to at least the value
of £200
It’s really simple to enter and need not cost
you a penny:Photos should be sent by email to
[email protected]. They should
be sent as .jpg files and the file name
must contain the member’s name. They
will then be put onto disc and printed. This
will be done at the Club’s expense. Please
keep email files to a reasonable size - if I
By entering this competition you accept
that any photos may be used in The BMW
Club Journal, or for any publicity or other
use by The BMW Club. The BMW Club
cannot be held responsible for the loss
of any entries, and the judges decision
will be final. Photos will not be returned
to the sender.
So get those entries in – and it could be you
that receives one of these super prizes!
7
National Officers & Section Secretaries
HONORARY NATIONAL OFFICERS
PRESIDENT: TONY MOORES, 54 Lingmoor Drive
Manor Park, Burnley, BB12 8UY. Tel/Fax: 01282 421628.
SECRETARY:STEVE SHEPLEY, Tulloch Mor Tullynessle
Aberdeenshire AB33 8DD Tel 01975 564199 e-mail:
[email protected]
TREASURER: DEREK JOHNSON, 32 Eason Drive,
Radley Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 3YD Tel: 01235
532622. Fax: 01235 539689 [email protected]
ASSISTANT TREASURER: GEOFF CLOUGH, 46 Laurel Drive, Southmoor, ABINGDON. OX13 5DJ Tel:
SOCIAL SECRETARY: GEOFF THOMPSON, 44
Bamford Road,Heywood, Lancashire OL10 4TA Tel
01706 629206 e-mail: [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: DICK BOYD, Stewart
Place, Garmouth IV32 7LX. Tel: 01343 870389, Fax:
01343 870591. e-mail: [email protected]
POST/5 TOOL HIRE SECRETARY: MIKE DELACOE, 4
Charwelton Road, Preston Capes, Daventry. NN11 3TA.
01327 360945.e-mail [email protected]
PRE/5 TOOL HIRE SEC: PETER DUNN, 101Station
Road, Thatcham, Berks.RG19 4QH Tel: 07941 075165.
REGALIA SECRETARY: KAREN THOMPSON, 44
Bamford Road,Heywood, Lancashire OL10 4TA Tel
01706 629206 e-mail [email protected]
VINTAGE & CLASSIC REGISTER SECRETARY:
MALCOLM McNAIR, 27 Syon Gardens, Newport Pagnell,
Bucks, MK16 0JU Tel: 01908 216623 e-mail:
[email protected]
SPORTING REGISTER SECRETARY: ROBERT
BENSLEY, Oak Tree Farm, Heath Road, Banham NR16
2HS. Tel: 01953 888415 (+fax)
e-mail:
[email protected]
SIDECAR REGISTER SECRETARY: PAUL POTTER, 56
Hollywell Road, Lincoln. LN5 DA Tel 01522 723760 eMail
[email protected]
HONORARY SECTION SECRETARIES
East Anglia: CLIFF BATLEY, 46 Nemans Rd., Sudbury,
Suffolk, CO10 1UA. Tel: 01787 378064 e-mail:
[email protected]
Irish: JAMES CONNOLLY, Landenstown, Sallins, Kildare,
Ireland. Tel:
0035345868638.
e-mail:
[email protected]
London: NICK FRY, 4 Newbury Close, Chancellors Road,
Stevenage, Herts. SG1 4TE. Tel: 01438 749 913. e-mail:
[email protected]
Mercia: RAY SMITH, 1,Parsons Close, Church Gresley,
Derbyshire. DE11 9NQ. Tel: 01283 551915.
e-mail:
[email protected]
Midland: LISA PARKER, 7 Harter Avenue, Wood End,
Cranfield, Beds. MK43 0EE [email protected]
(01234) 750999
North East: ANN WRAY, Hoge Veluwe, 19 Greenhills
Byers Green, Spennymoor, Co. Durham. DL16 7QJ. Tel:
01388 605764 e-mail: [email protected]
Northern: BERNARD J. TAGG, 349 Tag Lane, Ingol,
Preston. PR2.3XA. Tel: 01772.466205 Email:
[email protected]
Oxford: TIM READ, 15 The Limes, South Cerney,
Cirencester, Glos. GL7 5RF. Tel. 01285 869 320. e-mail
[email protected]
Scottish: JASON GOODWILL, 3 Upper Burnside Court,
Thurso, Caithness. KW14 7XT. Tel: 01847893935.
South East: BRIAN SHEARS, 100 Park Avenue,
Northfleet DA11 8DL. Tel. & Fax: 01474 566142. e-mail:
[email protected]
Southern: GREG SMITH, 2 Claudius Gardens, Chandlers
Ford, Hants. SO53 2NY. 02380 251146. e-mail:
[email protected]
South West: DAVID COOPER Greensleeves, Exmouth
Rd, Exton, Exeter, Devon EX3 0PQ Tel no: 01392 877886
eMail: [email protected]
Ulster: BOB BARKER, 88 Browns Bay Rd., Islandmagee,
Larne, Co., Antrim. BT40 3RX. Tel: 028 9338 2558. email: [email protected]
Western: RON ELMSLIE, 8 Cleeve Lawns, Downend,
Bristol. BS16 6HJ. Tel no: 0117 9569209 e-mail:
[email protected]
Yorkshire: DAVID MILNE 132 Sandgate Drive, Kippax,
Leeds LS25 7QR Tel: 0113 2860604
HQ Register: TONY PAINTER, 101 Gillards, Bishops Hull,
Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5HJ. Tel: 01823253897. Fax:
ASS. SEC. FOR AMERICA: BRUCE PRESTON
WEBMASTER:
GREG
[email protected]
SMITH,
e-mail:
VICE-PRESIDENTS: BRUCE PRESTON, 0208 979 1555
e-mail: [email protected].
TONY CARTMELL, 28 Houseman Place, Blackpool. FY4
5AE
Tel:
01253
768421.
Email:
[email protected]
DELEGATES to other ORGANISATIONS
BMF: BRUCE PRESTON, TONY CARTMELL, DEREK
JOHNSON, JEFF DYMOND, RICHARD POWELL and
PETER MAPES
FBHVC: M McNAIR
DVLA : BRIAN PRICE 01792 862152. e-mail:
[email protected]
PETER DUNN ( as above ! )
Please restrict any calls or enquiries to these Club officials to between the hours of 10 am
and 10 pm, and let the Editor know if any of these details need amendment
8
President’s
Platform
The latter months of the year seem to bring with
them the busier ‘official’ side of running
organisations to the fore. Our club has now held its
15 section AGMs and has managed to elect
committees to ensure the continued geographical
representation of the club. The BMF, to which all
our members are affiliated, held their AGM during
October and our full complement of club delegates
were in attendance. The results aren’t for me to
dwell on here but the BMF has a mountain to climb
to achieve stability and move forward. I have
previously alluded to the challenges involved in
running / administering our large
organisation and communication
problems are usually the cause of
any
misunderstandings.
On October 28th we held a national
committee meeting with some new
faces around the table but
unfortunately two sections were
not represented. The meeting,
starting at 10.30 and finishing at 5
pm indicates the amount of
business needing covering and we
just about managed it. I was
pleased to see a few members
attending as observers; it all helps towards a greater
understanding of the issues we have to deal with at
these meetings. Travelling home along the M1
during the evening I was once again reminded of
the time of year as firework displays illuminated the
evening sky as I headed north. (No meeting
reference intended!)
Prior to the meeting, the NEC bike show fired up
and as usual the manic set up day saw last minute
efforts to finish displays, produce materials and
locate bikes. Mike Warrilow managed to appear
calm on the outside as he once again organised
the club stand and volunteers whilst on a far larger
display, BMW marketing man Tony Jakeman found
himself on site into the early hours as tradesmen
clambered over and under displays in an effort to
complete on time. As usual the finished product
was visually great with the five new X650 models
displayed in large wheels above the floor space. I
felt fewer exhibitors were at the show this year and
mid show figures suggested an 18% downturn in
attendances.
At the time of writing the club stand had attracted
150 new members and the new clothing items were
creating interest. Mike and the show team were of
course sporting the new club shirts and we hope
the merchandise promotion in the centre of the
journal will tempt you to consider an item as a
Christmas presi.
Perhaps you have noticed the bike awareness
campaign on TV and the collision shown certainly
makes me cringe. I certainly became bike aware
recently when driving the car along the M66 in the
outside lane. In my rear view mirror a rapidly
approaching Suzuki came up behind me and braked
hard, then the impatient rider began to pull wheelies
feet from my tail until traffic allowed me to pull over
and him to scream past with the front wheel pawing
the air! If I had braked !!
With the boot on the other foot
I can recall riding the bike
south along the M1earlier this
year in the outside lane
following a car at traffic speed.
On my inside, white van man
slowly appeared alongside
and slightly in front of me, he
then swerved into the outside
lane forcing me towards the
centre barrier with the brakes
on. A spit second before I
became a metal sandwich
statistic he glanced into his
mirror, which was inches from my shoulder, and
swerved back into the centre lane. The traffic behind
had braked hard to avoid the expected carnage and
allowed me to compose myself before I inched
along side a shaken white van man to express a
few opinions! The remaining miles to the next
service area and a coffee seemed endless!
However, it’s almost the festive season once more
and thoughts of the usual, which include charitable
thoughts, come to mind. For some years now the
midland section have supported the air ambulance
and through their efforts have raised £2.500 in the
past twelve months and in excess of £12.000 during
recent years. A remarkable achievement from a
bunch of tireless club enthusiasts.
I hope you and yours have a great Christmas
season.
Tony Moores
9
Torque
Reaction
STAR LETTER
(£10 MotoBins Voucher Winner)
The Old Codger again with a timely warning
Hi Chris, In my last disconnected jottings to you I
was singing the praises of my K75’s reliability etc.
Why does it always happen to me when I do this.
The day after my email to you I got the bike out to
go for a spin, got all my clobber on, got astride,
pressed the button, just a faint wirring noise, sounds
like a flat battery.
Back into the garage, connect battery
charger, leave for 4 hours & try again, this time,
still in the garage, still dead. I rang my local
motorcycle garage & he ordered a new battery. It
arrived 4 days later & he fitted it for me. This battery
was flat so we started it up with jump leads to
another battery, with the proviso I would put it on
my trickle charger at home, overnight. Next day it
was still flat, same whirring noise.
I rang the garage & was told it must a dud,
“this sometimes happens”. New battery ordered,
on arrival placed on charge over night at garage. I
took the bike along to have the new battery
fitted,(jumped started off car battery) to get it there.
New battery fitted, press the button, same whirring
noise. When a jump lead was connected to the
bike frame & negative side of battery it started on
the button. Solution? remove the bike’s negative
cable connection from the engine lug, clean up the
mating surfaces, reconnect it again and it started
first time. The bike is 19 years old, never given a
moments trouble, always started on the button , all
weathers.
I could have saved myself 30-odd quid had
I known or given it a bit of thought. I once had similar
trouble with a well know French car, in garage
parlance “a bad earth mate”. Just my bad luck
Dec. 1st is the deadline for
the Jan. Journal. Please
send letters or e-mails to
Paul Nadin, his details are
on page 3.
Trade in values
Firstly, may I congratulate Steve Wright
(A Day in the LIfe - November 2006 issue) on
his lottery win. It must have been substantial
if he can afford to buy "on average one or two
new bikes a year". I buy one or two new bikes
a decade (if I'm lucky and get permission from
my Domestic Manager)
I bought a new R1200RT last year and like
everybody else paid top list price. A few simple
questions to my dealer established that BMW
dealers won't and can't haggle - indeed I had
to pick up the salesman from the floor after
asking for a discount for cash! In truth, I
thought that it was quite well known that BMW
dealers do not offer discounts, haggle etc. I
had a Honda Deauville at the time and was
offered (not surprisingly really) a rock bottom
trade-in, so instead I sold the bike on ebay for
a couple of hundred pounds over the trade-in
offer.
It is surely well known that if you take any car
or bike back so soon after buying it, the effect
is equivalent to being mugged!
I suggest that BMW residuals show up better
after a couple of years and can be readily
checked by perusing the classified ads in
MCN. For example, I could probably sell my
2005 RT for no more than about £9000.00, a
fair drop from its purchase price indeed, but
the percentage lost will (I hope!) reduce after
a few more years. I concur with the editor that
if I wanted a succession of bikes, I might be
better off by looking for used, but under 12
months old machines.
Safe riding,
Gordy (old codger)
10
In conclusion, Steve, carry on buying, you'll
leave lots of barely used second - hand
machines for the rest of us to enjoy at
affordable prices!!
Secondly, following the discussions about the
merits (or otherwise) of the R1200RTs, I agree
more with Tom Stoate's view than D. Middleton
(Nov 06) and Neville Dalton (Oct 06). I too
am happy with the tank bag and the fairing. I
am also happy with the instrument screen and
the sight glass below the engine bars. Maybe
the instrument screen is a height thing - I am
6' 1" or thereabouts. and have no problem
reading the screen, even wearing glasses,
behind a visor and sometimes with the dark
visor lowered as well.
Conversely, and again due to my height, I do
notice some noise and buffeting when "making
good progress" even though the windscreen
could be fully extended, and I am wearing a
Schuberth C2 flip-up helmet (supposed to be
very quiet). At the same speeds, the radio
behaves erratically with some interference,
although at speeds nearer 60mph than 70/80,
the radio improves considerably.
I have no issue with the pannier bags, but am
slightly disappointed with the oil consumption
which seems to need between 0.5 and 1 litre
every thousand miles. That will hopefully
improve with time. (I don't worry what I put in,
so long as it is 10-40. The more important thing
is that there should always be some in there
at all !)
However, like all new vehicles, nothing is
perfect and the advantages vastly outweigh
the disadvantages. To me, the RT is the best
thing I've bought in many a year, and I aim to
go on enjoying it for a while.
Terry Peel, Bedford
Post /5 Tool Hire Not Available
Can you please put a note in the December
Journal to the effect that there will be no Post
/5 Tools available for hire from 24th November
until 30th December as I will be on holiday in
sunny New Zealand!
Regards
Mike Delacoe
STAFFORD CLASSIC SHOW 2007
Malcolm McNair has asked me to organize our
Club’s presence at next year’s Stafford Classic
Motorcycle Show. The theme for this will be
the evolution of the post-war twins, from 1950
to 1976, and we will need some good examples
of the following models:
R51/2
R75/6
R51/3
R75/7
R50 (Earles forks)
R100RS
R75/5
Naturally, these machines must be in really
good condition, and available at the Stafford
Showground from noon on Friday 27 April
until 6 pm on Sunday 29 April.
As usual, the owners will receive free entry to
the show, and a pittance, but the bikes will have
everlasting glory! Good examples of the R50/
5, R60/5, R60/6, and R60/7 would also be
suitable.
If you have a suitable BMW, please get in touch
with me (details in the front of Journal) ideally
with a picture, and I will provide more detailed
information.
Mike Fishwick
Daglan, France
11
French Auto-card Fuel Dilemma Solved
Disappearing BMW Dealers
Many thanks to the members who offered
solutions to the problem of obtaining fuel from
automatic pumps in France on Sundays, Bank
Holidays etc. With the exception of Auto route
stations, this seems to be the only access to
fuel on days when retail outlets are not staffed
and, I noted this year, at some fully automatic
fuel stations on the Auto routes also.
Quietly pleased (not quite the right word) to
see the letter from Eddie Barnes in the
November Journal, probably picking up on my
point that BMW are apparently shooting
themselves in the foot with their dealings with
franchised agents. This appears to be
particularly true in the London/South East
England areas.
Ultimately it appears that the only actual
solution is to have a French bank account,
and then one may obtain the magic “Carte
Bleue”, which seems to be the only card that
the pumps will accept. A correspondent to
‘Motorcycle Sport & Leisure’ magazine
supplied the answer to my enquiry as to how
one might obtain a French bank account - go
to www.britline.com and that will put you in
touch with the branch of Credit Agricole in
Caen, with English speaking services
specifically for “existing or future French
property owners, or regular visitors to France”.
What is the problem? My son just bought a
Suzuki from a 20 year old dealership that
operates from a lock-up shop with cramped
workshop facilities behind. Suzuki are
apparently happy with this arrangement as the
dealer is on top of the work, provides a good
service and has a loyal customer base. They
also sell Suzuki bikes in fair numbers. A bit
like many of the past (or is that “passed”) small
BMW dealers. A friend has just
bought his latest Honda from the company that
his Dad bought his first Honda from 30+ years
ago
I knew there had to be an answer out there
somewhere.
Neville Dalton. Oxford Section
I bought my first BMW from Ongar
Motorcycles, I’ve still got that one, had it
serviced by Elmstead Motorcycles, bought the
RS fairing from Slocombes, had work done
by Benrea, bought spare from Oxford,
Reading, Guildford, Tunbridge Wells and
Clapham. All of those dealers have now gone.
The original R80/7RS and independent mail
order spares dealers seem to be the only
constants in my BMW owning life.
S.P.C. at Lower Farringdon
All points bulletin - Tues. 10/10/06: I have just
been to SPC at Lower Farringdon and the
place was shut. There is a notice in the window
announcing a change of management and that
the business will be closed during the
transition period. Some of the mechanics were
loading their tool boxes into a van and taking
them away.
Neville Dalton. Oxford Section
Ed’s note : I’ve been trying to find out
what’s happened and when/if we can
expect a re-opening. Rumours are flying
around about the situation but none of
them are confirmed or printable, I’m afraid
12
I can understand that BMW want to move their
motorcycle sales base up market to match
their car arm with all the trappings that the
publicly perceived prestige marque has spent
years and pounds engineering, but they are
missing the point about English motorcycle
ownership.
We don’t care if the workshops have the
correct white tiling on the walls, whether there
is six feet between each of the motorcycles
displayed in the showrooms or whether the
lighting accentuates the curves of the latest
fairing. I suspect that we are not too keen on
£85+ per hour labour rates the London BMW
car owner is charged either. The dealers are
not that keen on spending the thick end of a
million pounds either.
We want, and used to get, exemplary service
from these small dealers, commonly with good
coffee. All this is why this year I have chosen
to join the gently anarchic world of the other
German motorcycle manufacturer, MZ. I would
like to add that I have tried to contact BMW
customer services for comments but it appears
that they prefer to remain both ex-directory
and off-net. I think I’ll be sticking with Phil at
the MZ importers for the moment, thanks.
Derek Nash.
Midland New Year’s Day Rideout
It’s becoming a bit of a tradition now for
Midland section to have a New Year’s Day
rideout to a place of interest, and 2007 will be
no different. My last two excursions have been
to the steam pumping stations at Papplewick
in Notts, and Claymills in Staffs.
I gather from the large turnouts so far, that
this kind of ‘Heritage’ establishment is suitable
for such a ride. 2007’s destination therefore,
will be the wonderful “Arkwright’s Masson
Mill” in Derbyshire. This is a working textile
museum and is a fascinating place. http://
www.massonmills.co.uk/ It’s situated in the
lovely spa town of Matlock Bath, itself a
fantastic place to visit and a Mecca for
thousands of bikes during the summer
months. There’s also a restaurant and
shopping village, so all tastes should be
catered for.
Masson Mill is only about 30 miles as the crow
files from Donington, so you won’t be too far
away from home when the time comes to
leave. We will of course not be going there
directly, and our circuitous route will be a
steady run of about 60 miles, comprising A, B
and C roads (nothing gravelly or grassy so
suitable for all).
My start point as usual, is Donington Services
(J24 M1) at 10.00. Please be there by no later
than 9.30 to top up the bike and visit the loo
(if needed) as I like to have a few minutes chat
before we leave. Some of us will be there from
about 8.30 for breakfast – why not join us?
For any of you new members joining at the
NEC, give it a go. It doesn’t matter which
section you’re in…everyone’s welcome. Come
and see what a club run is all about.
I
can
be
contacted
at
[email protected] or on (07970)
682972 (even on the bike). See you there.
Martin Ellis. Midland Section
Bikers Collect for Air Ambulance
The Midland Section have worked as a team
to collect monies for the Local Air Ambulance
over a number of years and managed a total
of £12,353.97.
The team, a committee of the BMW
Motorcycle Club (Midland Section), will be
standing down this October to make way for a
new team whom will continue with the raising
of monies for the local Air Ambulance. Most
of this team have been together between eight
to ten years and have organised international
motorcycle rallies in different venues
throughout the country, using these and local
regular meetings to raise monies for the
charity.
The last event that the team organised was a
rally at Moreton Morrell based in the
Cotswold’s attracting hundreds of members,
allowing the Midland section to raise over
£2,500.00 for this year alone, but I must stress
that without the local support that we get we
would not be able to raise this cash.
Thanks must go to AC Sport, Two Wheels
Motorcycles, Pleasley Motorcycles, Roy
Pidcock Motorcycles, Rainbow Motorcycles.
Pellacraft, Moto-Works, Balderstone
Motorcycles, Starcom, Moto Bins, B.M.I. Baby,
Sawbridgeworth Motorrad, Buff, private
members of the BMW club and the public for
donation of prizes for raffles over the years.
Raffles have been the main way of generating
the monies along with donations for free
13
services at events, such as free tea & coffee
food etc at camping events.
having donated £12,500.00 over the past eight
years.
We have the chance to pick a charity each
year but the club members vote for the Air
Ambulance each time and this has my full
support. I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank all those persons who
have been involved with the Midland Section
for the help and the time that has been put
into keeping the section alive and able to raise
the monies for charity. Well done BMW Club
(Midland Section), you are all part of a team
that has a big heart and the work is invaluable
to our local Air Ambulance.
Graham. L. Parker. Treasurer
B.M.W. Club Midland Section
Without support from local organisations and
members of the community we could not
continue to fly every day of the week all year
round providing a first class service to those
in need of our help and there is no doubt that
the donations received have helped give a
better quality of life to many people touched
by our service.
John Field. Nottinghamshire Fundraiser
To : The BMW Club of Great Britain Midland Region.
The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air
Ambulance is very grateful to the Midland
region of “The BMW Club of Great Britain” for
14
Western Welsh Activities
I have decided to try and get some more
activities going on the Welsh side of the
Western Section of the club. To this end I have
decided to lead a number of runs next year
that will be in the section calendar of events.
Also I have decided to offer my garage as a
mid-week or evening meeting place. After
discussion with Janet our social secretary we
have decided on the fourth Wednesday of the
month. There is no real fixed time but any time
after 6:00 is ok by me. As I work from home I
have no real objection to anyone who wants
to come over earlier.
I have no real plan for what people would like
to do in my garage but at the very least any
one who turns up will get tea, coffee and
biscuits. If you want bacon butties then you’d
better bring your own!
Just to give you some idea of what my garage
is like, I would describe it as warm, dry, has
power and lighting and has a double story
office and workshop stuck on the end of it. I
mostly use it for working on my bikes. My 1981
R80 which I have had for about 12 years now
and it has been a rolling restoration that is
still not complete. I am also just starting the
restoration of a 1958 R26 which is going to
be a complete strip down job as it was bought
in kit form. The workshop is pretty well
equipped, with a small lathe, small milling
machine, drill press and I am hoping to get
some welding kit set up shortly.
In front of my garage I have a nice flat concrete
driveway with room for parking a number of
bikes.
The plan is to start the meetings in the New
Year as this will give me some time to finish
off some of the fitting out inside the garage.
For example I am planning to put in a toilet
and wash hand basin but if anybody thinks it
might be worth while starting it earlier then by
all means give me a bell.
I am not sure how this will progress and I won’t
be too disappointed if nobody shows up but if
anybody fancies a cuppa and some biscuits
then please feel free to contact me.
And of course if anybody from any other
section of the club fancies calling in then they
are most welcome.
Brian Price. 99 Neath Road, Rhos,
Pontardawe, Swansea, SA8 3EH.
Tel 01792 862152 [email protected]
Update on ‘My Front Wheel’
Sept 06 Journal.
After finally getting the new tyre, tube etc. from
Motorworks (Parcel force lost the first delivery)
I fitted the new tyre and after much huffing
and puffing, bouncing the wheel etc I got it to
seat all the way around the rim. Having been
for a test ride the bounce has now gone.
I have always used Continentals and the new
tyre is the same. I found the run out in the tyre
by physically measuring the tyre but it could
also be seen by looking at the witness line
that should appear just above the edge of the
rim.
Below is an extract of what I posted on the
forum regarding the tyres.
http://forum.bmw-club.org.uk/
viewtopic.php?t=949&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
I have just spoken to Owen at Cambrian Tyres
who are the sole distributor for Continental
motorcycle tyres and seemed very
knowledgeable and I asked him about yellow
and red dots. Although he says some
manufacturers do mark their tyres the marking
system in inconsistent and most
manufacturers, with improved manufacturing
processes, have no significant variability in
their tyres and certainly not on the tyres on
my R80 and has confirmed that my tyre can
go on in any position but advises a good
quality tube be fitted as well.
With regard to the problems with my tyre he
has suggested that the tyre could well have
been damaged during the incident and this
could be causing it not to sit on the rim
correctly and has advised me to change the
tyre.
By the way Cambrian Tyres can be contacted
on 01970 624004 and ask for either Mathew
or Owen; they are in Aberystwyth. Some useful
links from Continental http://www.contityres.co.uk/contibike/tyreinfo.php or http://
w w w. c o n t i - t y r e s . c o . u k / c o n t i b i k e /
tyresafety.php
15
Thanks to all for your input – all very helpful
stuff.
Brian Price. Swansea
Congratulations to Reg and John
I have just read the funny article in Torque
Reaction in the October edition of the Journal
regarding the criticism of Stan Wallnets to the
driving behaviour of Reg and John and their
‘fly by’ antics. I can appreciate what Stan was
saying as many’s the time I have been out on
my bike when sports bikes shoot past at
suicidal speeds and you wonder if they will
end up killing themselves – or worse, you
might get tangled up with them. On saying this,
being sacked was a bit strong. I personally
enjoyed the article and would like to
congratulate them on this extraordinary feat
and think they need commending. Well done,
lads.
The intriguing thing about this trip was the fast
speeds that they were able to maintain.
Everywhere I go lately I find I am being chased
by speed cameras. I got a speeding ticket last
year doing 37 mph a mile from home, and I
must admit it has unnerved me. In my job it’s
not unusual to have done over 200 miles
before 9am, and many’s the time I’ve
wondered whether I have picked up a handful
of tickets by the time I got there. Did Reg and
John have special knowledge to enable them
to drive fast, or as police officers do they have
immunity from speeding constraints – or were
they just lucky? I’ve driven for 45 years and
enjoy driving and like to get on with it, but the
speed cameras are spoiling it for me, and with
technology advancing all the time it’s not going
to get any easier – quite the reverse in fact.
I retire at the end of the year and was hoping
to ride for pleasure at last as I will have the
time, but pottering about is not my idea of
driving fun. I feel that the speed limit on
motorways is much too low and should be
higher. When the speed limit was introduced
most cars wouldn’t do 80 -now they can do 70
on tickover. 50mph at times is too quick, but I
drive down the motorways early on Saturday
and Sunday mornings, clear blue skies, good
16
visibility, hardly anyone on the road... 85-90
mph and more can easily be achieved, not
that I drive at these speeds, of course. Surely
we are all in the same boat, and with modern
technology any speed limit can be enforced. I
think that most of the public would welcome
anything that was reasonable.
If things stay as they are I shall still drive to
work as I will still do bits when I retire, but
regarding driving for pleasure I don’t see any
fun in running the gauntlet with speed cameras
– I remember the good old days before Big
Brother. I suppose the time has come when I
might qualify for the armchair trophy (or maybe
the passenger seat challenge) as I find my
wife Joan doing most of the driving these days.
I might take her advice and book a few coach
trips!
Ernest Chafer. Sheffield
Head Bowed
Paul Ashby was right to admonish me; he did
so kindly and gently, for my rather silly
submission published in the October Journal.
I was not seriously suggesting Stan Walnets
should resign, neither am I an advocate for
riding at any other than one’s own pace. I take
riding carefully and safely seriously. I hope I
have not offended any of my fellow members,
assuming of course they do not own
Goldwings, with my banal flippancy of which I
am a little ashamed.
Consider me back in my box, a contrite and
sorry Rob.
Rob Spindler
Old Farmer’s Advice
Just thought this might be of some use for the
December Journal, to possibly give the
readers a chance at boring the encumberant
Christmas day relatives completely stupid, and
with a bit of luck they will all go home and
thus leave us to have a free boxing day for a
bit ‘o bikin’!
Your fences need to be horse high, pig tight,
and bull strong.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to
do is to stop digging.
Life is easier when you plough around the
stump.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get
got.
Keep Skunks, Bankers and Lawyers at a safe
distance.
The biggest trouble maker you will probably
ever have to deal with is the one looking at
you in the bathroom mirror.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a
John Dee Tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered
not shouted.
Meanness doesn’t just happen over night.
Forgive your enemies as this messes their
heads up.
It doesn’t take a big person to carry a grudge.
Do not corner something you know is meaner
than you.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about isn’t going
to happen any way.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is some times the best
answer
Don’t interfere with something that isn’t
bothering you.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a
rain dance.
Good judgment comes from experience, and
a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Letting the cat out of the bag is whole lot easier
that trying to put it back in again.
If you get to thinking you are a person of some
influence, try ordering someone else’s dog
around.
Live life to the full but remember your God is
watching you.
Merry Christmas!
Andy S. Bradford
Spanish Transport Problems
I gather several Club members live in Spain
or have contacts there. I wonder if anyone can
help with a problem my son out there has?
Justin lives in Spain (he’s a professional
performer on the open-air fiesta circuit - worth
seeing, if he’s down your way!). He has an
R65 but it’s a bit over-powered for his limited
biking experience and after a minor spill he’s
decided he wants to send it back to me - where
my wife can make better use of it! Problem is,
it’s a non-runner at present.
So, does anyone know of a small logistics
company, or of anyone who might be willing
to bring the bike back over on a trailer? Justin
could get it in his small van to any pick-up
point in Spain convenient to the member; and
17
I could borrow a trailer to collect it this side of
the Channel.
Any help or suggestions from anyone will be
much appreciated.
Stan Walinets. North East Section
Quality problems
I just recently bought a 3 year old R1150RT
twin spark with 40,000miles and FBMWSH.
As it needs a clutch and was not in mint
condition the agreed price was fair.
On stripping the fairing I was appalled by the
poor build quality, in particular the paintwork
(or lack of it) to the sub frames. Rust is
apparent at every weld, bolt and cable tie
point. Now you might say that had the fairing
been stripped off every winter, the frame
washed and coated with duck oil or similar that
this would not have happened. Maybe not, but
it begs the question that in order to service
the bike the BMW garage would have the
fairing off so must have been aware of the
corrosion going on.
My wife’s 7 year old Renault Megane has
never been washed under the bonnet and it
certainly has not corroded like this despite
using it every winter when our roads are
constantly salted. In future I suggest BMW use
boot polish as this might save them an extra
£10 on each machine and be just as effective.
Before anybody suggests this is an isolated
case my father has bought a 2002 model and
it has a similar poor finish, amazing for a
machine that was £10,000 when new. BMW
would do good to look up the history books
under Lancia to see what happens next.
My other bike is a 1990 R100RT which has a
far superior finish. However I’m impressed with
the handling, comfort and performance of the
R1150RT, so it looks like a strip down, and
then some sand blasting and powder coating
is in order this winter.
George Morrison. Aberdeen
18
Greetings from Cornwall
Why ever can’t BMW produce an all-weather
medium range tourer which would suit other
BMW enthusiasts who, like myself, are getting
on in years?
My 12 year enthusiasm has been for the K
models, firstly a K1000RT and then on to a
K1100LT, both marvellously designed
machines. Over this time, extensive tours have
been carried out throughout France and Spain,
even getting as far south as Gibraltar. Going
2-up with Krauser panniers and top box with
a total capacity of 130 ltrs enabled us to stow
all our gear away neatly. Any bad weather
encountered was never a problem with so
much well designed weather protective
panelling and high screening. The ride quality
was such that there were never any reports of
any numbness in certain quarters! From time
to time, different Police riders have been
encountered and they have said that these
particular K models from yesteryear had
served as a useful tool for their job.
Routine servicing has been easily carried out
at home and work such as replacing clutches
has proved to be quite straightforward
although much time consuming, having to shift
so much out of the way to get into the actual
housing. One fault that took some time to
diagnose was uneven tick-over which was
eventually traced to a split in the rubber tube
supplying air to the No 3 injection
compartment.
Now the K is no longer mine. It was part
exchanged last week and now dear Members,
take a deep breath because I have bought a
brand new Honda Deauville. TRAITOR you
may exclaim, but please have a look at a
brochure. It is a well turned out tourer at just
under 700cc. Compact and lighter that my 73
year old frame -work will not find objectionable.
It is a darned shame that this has come about
but what choice was there from BMW?
If the F800 was supposed to persuade me, it
has failed miserably. With the Deauville, there
is attractive weather protecting panelling and
a screen that will prevent the bugs-in-face
menace. It has ABS, dual braking, shaft drive,
fuel injection, integral panniers, etc., etc. All
standard and just for £6,500. Also included is
a ‘main stand ‘ and the foot pegs are rubber
covered which is a welcome safety aspect. On
the down side, it only has 2 cylinders and
having been so used to the smooth output of
4 for so long, it just doesn’t sound right. Also,
white paintwork doesn’t figure in the
specifications which is a pity. For selfpreservation purposes, being seen is all
important and wearing a bright yellow jacket
and white helmet certainly draws attention!
So, I’ve been and gone and done it. Not an
easy decision but it is all down to those men
in Munich for not having had the foresight to
produce a scaled down tourer. I shall maintain
my contacts with the club and still look forward
every month to the arrival of the Journal. Go
well.
Keith Robinson, Cornwall
Really Cheap Ferry Crossings
This year I’ve travelled quite a few times with
Speed Ferries and I cannot recommend them
enough. It’s fast (55minutes but only travels
from Dover to Boulogne) and it’s cheap, VERY
cheap, £30 return on the bike “yes £30” not
the £100s I normally pay on P&O & Sea
France
I have no links with Speed Ferries. I am only
writing to express my delight with their prices.
Steve Lynn.Yorkshire
Hub Help Please
I recently purchased a 1999 1100 GS which
is mechanically sound but looks tatty. I took
the wheels to Hagon in Essex to get the wheels
re-spoked and cleaned up.
They were unable to either shot blast or
chemically strip the paint off the hubs, so does
anyone know please what type of paint it is?
And how to get it off?
Hagon is not at fault in any way and they have
given their usual excellent service.
John Morning. Kent. 07841 430866.
The Oekomobil
With reference to Roger Richard’s picture on
page 82 of the November 2006 issue of the
Journal, there is a 5 page article on the
Oekomobil in Motorcycle International Issue
32 / January 1988.
EBay item 150048653221 may still be
available by the time you read this?
Julian Webb. Surrey
Security?
Earlier this year I raised my concern about
bike security, both personal and that negated
by the home delivery of the Journal in its see
through envelope. My suggestion of reverting
to conventional envelopes didn’t appear to
raise any discussions in the Journal, although
the editorial footnote indicated it may be given
some future consideration. To that end, has
this happened? If so, what’s the outcome?
A further annoyance is the full personal
membership information and its personal
costs printed on the latest see through
envelope. There is absolutely no need for
anything other than the delivery name and
address on a conventional envelope. If costs
are the problem this could be overcome by
reducing the outrageous costs of the AGM.
Ken Macdonald. Scottish Section
More Diverse Membership?
In his letter (November Journal) ‘TM’ asks the
question “what are we doing as a club to
promote a more diverse membership?”
19
In the eighteen years that I have been a Club
member I am very aware that the Club has
always been totally inclusive in respect of a
Member’s race, religion or sexual orientation.
However, we are a motorcycle club first and
foremost, and I would question the assumption
that as a club we have a responsibility or
requirement to actively fulfill Government
targets or initiatives in respect of
multiculturalism. So to promote a more diverse
membership would be to try and find the
solution to a problem that doesn’t actually
exist.
I feel that TM may be letting his day job
(“Diversity Trainer”) affect other aspects of his
life.
Roger Newark. London Section
More on the Subject of Diversity
I was surprised by T.M’s question in the
November Journal concerning the club’s
apparent lack of effort to promote a more
diverse membership. Surely it is not part of
the club’s remit to do anything of the sort.
Membership of the BMW Club is open to
anyone who owns a BMW motorcycle,
irrespective of race, religion, colour of skin,
sex or any other characteristic. All that’s
needed is to fill in a form and pay the fee.
If anyone of an ethnic minority has ever been
denied membership on these grounds I would
be extremely surprised and disappointed.
And Again ...
Without wanting to sound like Victor Meldrew
or one of the Grumpy Old Men from the
“Muppets” (!! Ed) I feel that I must respond to
the penultimate paragraph of TM’s letter in the
November magazine.
It goes without saying the The BMW Club
welcomes anyone, no matter what race, colour
- oops!, “visible ethnic minority” - creed or
sexuality. People will join whatever club or
society that they want to, we do not force
people to join nor bar them from doing so. The
Club is open to all, we don’t have quotas to fill
unlike, as I suspect, the overly-PC
departments in our various major corporate
concerns.
If I were a member of any of our “visible ethnic
minorities” - what a phrase! - I would feel quite
offended and regard TM’s comment as
condescending.
I served as a front-line police officer for 23
years doing what the public wanted me to do
- i.e. locking up bad ‘uns, protecting our public
and dealing fairly with all manner of people,
high-viz or otherwise, not ticking PC boxes.
Oh dear, oh dear where are we going with this
PC nonsense ?
Bring back the countersteering, Ultraseal and
GPS debates - all is forgiven !
Steve Saunders. Southern
TM describes himself as a ‘Diversity Trainer’
with the Bedfordshire Police, an occupation
which may be of vital importance to the
politically correct modern police force –sorry
– ‘service’ but which does seem irrelevant in
the context of a non-political focal group like
a motor-cycle club.
A ‘Whingers’ Club?
Do we now have a p.c.P.C. in our midst? Now
that would be really diverse.
Don Rolling. Plymouth
Reading case 90409 it seems to me that
anyone spending £12k on a new bike, keeping
it a year and only doing 4000 miles needs his
‘ead testin’ to use a phrase from these parts.
20
Having been a member of various (mainly
cars) one make clubs, the BMW club seems
to have more than its fair share of “whingers”.
( I don’t know what you mean ... Ed. )
Wouldn’t it be better to find a one year old
model in perfect condition with only 4000 miles
on the clock? I too lost 50% of the value of my
R850R - after nearly four years. Bought from
a BMW dealer for £3k part exchanged at
another BMW dealer for £1.5k. In that time it
never failed or missed a beat and did
considerably more than 4000 miles per year
in all weathers.
I exchanged it for an F650GS which is a
superb little bike that doesn’t seem to feature
much in the magazine but has a large internet
following both here and in America. These
sites are open to anyone and provide a wealth
of information and experience from mainly
enthusiastic owners. As my new bike was one
year old, low mileage and considerably
cheaper than new, I suppose I should by
grateful to the riders who buy new, only do a
few miles then swap it for another new one
after a year.
Alan Tennison
Sinking Feeling
The R1200S is being promoted as a track day
tool and for solo riding, so owners could be
tempted to remove the rear footrest mounts
as unnecessary. This may sound like a fine
idea, but beware the mounts also act as
strengthening for the rear sub frame with
potentially expensive and dangerous results
if removed. Be patient it’s only a matter of time
before one of the after-market providers will
come up with a solution.
Nick Fry. Stevenage
Rider Power
The editor went to town on the Rider Power
survey last month, highlighting four BMW
models featuring in the top ten and mentioning
the fact that there were nine others in the
countdown.
Although I was happy to accept as valid the
placing of my R1150 RS when it came to the
top a few years ago, I have entertained
considerable doubts lately as to the reliability
of this survey. However the figures are juggled,
let’s face it, it is totally subjective; and without
knowing how many riders report on each bike
we cannot know how much weight to attach
to the ratings.
Whilst I am quite prepared to accept that the
1200 RT is the bee’s knees and I want one,
there can’t be all that many out there after two
years, compared to the Pan 1100, in
production from 1990 to 2002. And as for
number three in the survey, the Rocket, there
must be all of five of those on the road!
And look at the 1200 GS. Lusted after as a
dream bike by many respondents, but
presumably only until they read the survey and
find it languishing down in 61st place behind
such scintillating machinery as the Honda
Deauville, Transalp and Varadero. Explain that
if you can!
So, a nice thought, but to be taken with a pinch
of salt.
Peter Taylor. Ilminster
The Rockies Tour
Sometime last year or early this year there
was a ‘flyer’ in the Journal advertising motor
cycling tours of the Canadian and American
Rockies.
Did anyone go on one of these tours, and if
so what was their reaction to the experience?
I’d be very interested to know as I have just
retired and my wife and I would like to visit the
Rockies.
I would be grateful for any information, and
my telephone number is 01623 625454.
Geoff Edwardson. Mansfield
A Value Tip - and an Over-tip
Regarding the letter in the November Journal
about bikes holding their value, or otherwise.
21
I have purchased fifteen from dealers over the
past twenty years or so, some new but several
used. And to be fair to BMW I have to say that
their bikes do hold their value, SOMETIMES.
Without exception those I buy have held their
value very well. It’s only the ones I trade in
that haven’t!
Secondly, and I don’t know if this is relevant
in a bike magazine, but reference to a 1936
BSA three wheeler brought back some
memories of one I owned in the fifties.
Thumping great vee-twin under a normal
looking bonnet, front wheel drive through
fabric u/j’s, and a big boot in the boat tail. A
challenging drive with the gear lever between
the driver’s legs and a central throttle.
Showing off in front of friends in a farmyard I
reversed rapidly down a slope and applied full
left lock, whereupon the vehicle rose gently
up to sit on its flat side, supported by my
outstretched arm. The ‘friends’ took some time
laughing before pushing me back down!
Peter Taylor. Ilminster
I still can’t really understand how it happened
though, because as was mentioned last month
we made a big thing of advertising that the
events were on Saturday and Sunday, and the
editorial copy which accompanied the advert
stated that day visitors would be welcome on
‘either day’.
Apparently there were around 20
people who did the same thing, which leads
me to wonder whether this has happened at
any other national rallies, which have all taken
place (in recent years) on the same dates, and
if not why was it just this year’s rally? Whether
I agree or not with the fact that we didn’t cover
this aspect correctly, I know that I will be
making a point of mentioning in our section
calendar when we have bank holiday weekend
which spreads over onto a Monday, that
Monday will be a ‘go home’ day (except for
our Red Marley hill climb weekend over Easter
which has a ride to the event on the Monday
– all sections welcome).
I’m sorry that Jon was inconvenienced but I
don’t know what else to say (there’s a first!).
Martin Ellis – Midland section
National Rally Aftermath
When I initially read Jon Spencer’s letter about
having turned up at Moreton Morrell on the
Monday and found that everything had
finished, my response was going to be “What
do you expect?”
As far as I’m aware this is how it almost always
is – rally over the weekend – go home on the
last day. Sunday is normally the last day of a
typical weekend, but bank holiday weekends
mean that ralliers can stay overnight on
Sunday without having to ride home long
distances on the Sunday afternoon/evening.
Since then however, I have spoken to other
club members who did exactly the same thing
– turned up on Monday to find nothing! One
of these men is a long time club member who’s
opinion I value, and this means that if he can
be ‘misled’ in this way, so could anyone.
22
Joyce Brown
On behalf of our family, I should like to thank
all our friends in the Club for their expressions
of sympathy and support, following the loss
of Joyce.
Club members were not only generous in their
sympathy, but expressed their support in a
very practical way by so many appearing at
Joyce’s funeral on their bikes, and contributing
so generously to her chosen charities - St.
John Ambulance Brigade (of which Joyce was
a member for over 30 years), and the Disabled
Motorcyclists’ Association which received
almost £400 and £300 respectively.
If such an occasion can be described as
inspiring and memorable, then we shall carry
it in our memories for ever.
Arthur Brown (Mercia section)
(Please, please, note that it is St. John
Ambulance Brigade and not St. John’s
Ambulance Brigade; the ‘s is redundant. Get
it wrong and Joyce will haunt you! Thanks for
your help)
23
Happy Christmas 01
For the Motorcyclist who has everything ...
Books Reviewed by Dave Bertram
Motorcycle Journeys through the
Rocky Mountains
by Toby Ballentine
nearer home. If you are going there it is
definitely worth buying.
BMW MOTORCYCLES.
The Evolution of Excellence
By Kevin Ash
Published by Whitehorse Press,
ISBN 13-978-1-884313-57-8
price $29
Published by Whitehorse Press,
ISBN-13: 978-1-88413`3-58-5
price $24.99
Another of the excellent series covering
areas of the USA for touring this time the
Rockies. It is split into 8 areas with a ninth
rolling them all into one grand trip taking about
a month or so. Good pictures, looks like good
instructions and maybe half of the roads are
not tarmac, looks really good for the GS guys
to go and investigate. I just wish it was a bit
24
A history of BMW motorcycles in a smaller
format than usual covering everything from the
beginnings right up to present , even having
the F800’s covered. A bonus is the interview
with David Ross covered at the back of the
book. It is well written with good pictures,
mostly from BMW archives.
This is not a heavyweight detailed manual but
more a brief commentary, which is very well
illustrated with many good pictures. However
despite being being reviewed by Fred Jakobs
of Mobile Tradition I spotted an odd curiosity,
such as the title of a 51/3 with the statement
of an ‘unprecedented 160 watt dynamo’
hmmm the ones I know have a 60 watt one.
However that aside a good book with plenty
of high quality pictures, which does cover the
complete spectrum of models over the years.
Happy Christmas 02
Haynes Manuals Translated (*)
For all those of us who sometimes have trouble
understanding the descriptions and text that are set
out in the Haynes Manuals and others, here are some
explanatory notes which you may find helpful. (*)
These and similar articles periodically appear on the
Internet - maybe you will find one or two here that
ring a bell ?
Haynes: Rotate anticlockwise.
Translation: Clamp with molegrips then beat
repeatedly with hammer anticlockwise.
Haynes: This is a snug fit.
repeatedly with hammer.
Haynes: This is a tight fit.
repeatedly with a hammer.
Haynes: As described in Chapter 7...
Translation: That’ll teach you not to read through
before you start. Now you are looking at scary photos
of the inside of a gearbox.
Haynes: Pry...
Translation: Hammer a screwdriver into...
Haynes: Undo...
Translation: Go buy a tin of WD40 (giant economy
size).
Haynes: Retain tiny spring...
Translation: PINGGGG - “Where the hell did that
go?”
Haynes: Press and rotate to remove bulb...
Translation: OK - that’s the glass bit off, now fetch
some good pliers to dig out the bayonet part (and
maybe a plaster or two).
Haynes: Lightly...
Translation: Start off lightly and build up till the veins
on your forehead are throbbing then clamp with
molegrips then beat repeatedly with hammer.
Haynes: Weekly checks...
Translation: If it isn’t broken don’t fix it.
Haynes: Routine maintenance...
Translation: If it isn’t broken, it’s about to be. We
warned you...
Haynes: One spanner rating.
Translation: An infant could do this... so how did you
manage to **** it up?
Haynes: Two spanner rating.
Translation: Now you may think that you can do this
because two is a low, teensy weensy number... but
you also thought the wiring diagram was a map of
the Tokyo underground (in fact that would have been
more use to you).
Haynes: Three spanner rating.
Translation: Make sure you won’t need your car for
a couple of days.
Haynes: Four spanner rating.
Translation: You’re not seriously considering this are
you?
Haynes: Five spanner rating.
Translation: OK - but don’t ever carry your loved ones
in it again.
Haynes: If not, you can fabricate your own special
tool like this...
Translation: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
.... hahahahahahahahahaha.
Haynes: Compress...
Translation: Squeeze with all your might, jump up
and down on it, throw it at the garage wall, then find
some molegrips and a hammer...
Haynes: Inspect...
Translation: Squint at really hard and pretend you
know what you are looking at, then declare in a loud
knowing voice to your wife “Yep, as I thought,it’s going
to need a new one”
Haynes: Carefully...
Translation: You are about to suffer deep
abrasions.
Haynes: Retaining nut...
Translation: Yes, that’s it, that big spherical blob of
rust.
Haynes: Get an assistant...
Translation: Prepare to humiliate yourself in front of
someone you know.
Haynes: Turning the engine will be easier with the
spark plugs removed.
Translation: However, starting the engine afterwards
will be much harder. Once that sinking pit of your
25
stomach feeling has subsided, you can start to feel
deeply ashamed as you gingerly refit the spark plugs.
ACROSS
Haynes: Refitting is the reverse sequence to removal.
Translation: Yeah, right. But you swear in different
places.
1. Confused Ohio choirs and started
motorcycle empire. (8,5)
8. Get mouthy when Imola round of WSB
returns. (4)
9. After crashing a Velo in TT, I get a raise.
(10)
10. Not really a road race – nothing might pitch
up. (8)
11. Twist your nuts anticlockwise? Hey, chill!
(6)
13. Supercharging could improve your aim.
(10)
16. Work to soup up. (4)
17. Mamola is a bit short of money at Kyalami.
(4)
18. Diner keels over looking after a bikers’
joint. (10)
20. TT rhythm? (3-3)
22. Head of the board drives a three-wheeler.
24. Confirming that Rossi is stepping out? (10)
26. Legend held by the Fogarty etiquette. (4)
27. How to make Castrol R4 Superbike? Not
really. (9)
Haynes: Prise away plastic locating pegs...
Translation: Snap off...
Haynes: Using a suitable drift...
Haynes: Everyday toolkit
Translation: RAC Card & Mobile Phone
Haynes: Apply moderate heat...
Translation: Unless you have a blast furnace, don’t
bother. Alternatively, clamp with molegrips then beat
Haynes: Index
Translation: List of all the things in the book, bar
what you need to do.
What most of Mauritania looks like
DOWN
1. Does Hayden do it in a gravely tone
when provoked? (7,4)
2. Ticks over after correcting slide. (5)
3. Military vehicle suited to slippery
conditions at Donington – maybe from
Redgate to Coppice? (4-5)
4. Tuning up for endurance? Remember
a violin may contain suitable fuel. (7)
5. In Valencia for the GP? The Astoria
Palace may be attractive, but initially
having only ten Euros left, you can’t afford
it. (5)
6. Forty-one Japanese explosive shatters
iron. (5,4)
7. Short Italian G P super-star certainly did
have. (3)
26
Happy Christmas 03
with thanks to Dennis Connolly
Answers next month ..
1
2
8
3
4
6
7
9
10
11
13
14
15
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
5
25
12
16
23
26
27
12. Oddly enough, any ex-butler could tell how
Valentino celebrates his victories. (11)
14. Forced labour before compression? (9)
15. Take some of the classics – Norton, Scott,
Ariel, Gilera, Vincent; those were the days –
now you’re just being sentimental. (9)
21. Sounds just the job for your HP 2 after an
Enduro event – one in East Anglia? Unless
it’s flooded, of course. (5)
23. A queen (alternately, droopy balls) goes
to N E London to find a classic bike. (6)
25. Primarily a Japanese success, but still
British after all these years. (1,1,1)
19. Rebuilt R 100 softly ties with a computer
programming language. (1-6)
27
INTERMOT 2006
T
by Anthony Wood
HE BI-ANNUAL INTERMOT is Europe’s
biggest motorcycle show. After being
hosted by the city of Munich for the last
couple of occasions it returned to Cologne for
2006, bigger than ever. Forget the shabbiness
of the NEC with air of a downmarket shopping
The ‘X Factor’, one of the 6 range built in Italy
the whole range was grouped. Motorad people
took turns to highlight the latest offerings,
which included the K1200R Sport, basically
an R with a cockpit faring. Maybe it will help
sales in the U.K which have been so poor that
dealers having been uttering the previously
alien word…”discount”…
knocking up to £1500 off the
naked K. Newly launched was
the HP version of the 1200GS
the HP Mega Moto, weighing a
mere 178kg, expect to see it
here in March.
Also on display were the fruits
of BMWs collaboration with
Aprilla, three new singles,
dubbed
G650
XMoto,
Xchallenge, and Xcountry, yes
folks more letters to add to the
companies alphabet and yet
more with CHAINS! Judging by
the styling, further evidence of
BMWs aims to widen its market
and further reduce its average
ownership age.
mall, you wont see stands bulging
with discounted clothing and
accessories, the only money
changing hands was at the various
restaurants and coffee bars dotted
throughout the numerous halls, this
show is all about showcasing the
latest products in the most eyecatching way, so there were people
in suits huddled in corners doing
deals. Plenty of bikers of course even
on the first day, but the atmosphere
was more Tate Modern than B & Q.
All the major bike makers were
exhibiting except the Italians due to
the Milan show being moved to the
same period rather than being
staggered bi-annually with Intermot.
BMW being the major homegrown
manufacturer had not so much a
stand as a mini arena around which
28
A big mistake to allow farm tractors on
German Autobahns
Helpfully for such a large exhibition there
were logical groupings, so the Beemer
related after-marketeers such as
Wunderlech, Tourachech, Wudo and
Siebenrock were all grouped close to the
Blue and White roundel. Similarly, most of
one hall was devoted to Quads, while
another had several stands of stunning
custom made Trikes, might have to start
planning ahead to when I wont be able to
hold it up…so to speak.
The Chinese were there in force with funny
sounding brand names which will probably
be as familiar in a few years time as Suzuki,
Yamaha, and Honda, who being the worlds
largest, logically had half of one exhibition
hall.
The previously naked R now sports a
bikini
The rumoured HP version of the R1200S
didnt materialise, apparently problems trying
to squeeze over 130hp have held up its
launch, how about supercharging it, guys?
Also failing to show was a rumoured GS
version of the F800, something I would be
keen to try out.
The new addition to the GS
Ben Nevis
family
In
February
London
Motorcycle show is moving to
the Excel Centre in Docklands,
Ive always found this event to
be a more enjoyable
experience than doing the NEC
thing. It will be interesting to
see how it works in a scaled
down version of Colognes
Deutz Mess, or should that be
Mass ?
Not the next surprise from Berlin but a
designers dream come true
29
THE BMW ENGINE BUILD CODE
– WHAT IT MEANS
by Mike Fishwick
I
THINK THAT back in 1985 we were all a
little puzzled when BMW stopped using
identical engine and frame numbers, for this
was a convention which virtually all motorcycle
manufacturers had maintained since the
‘thirties.
BMW had instead decided to use the Engine
Build Code, which had been applied to their
engines for many years. This code was unique
to the engine, and did at least have the
advantage of providing evidence of the date
of engine manufacture, and its general
specification. This was stamped onto a raised
area at the lower front left-hand corner of the
crankcase.
As an example, my 1981 R100 was registered
during March 1981, and carries the normal
seven-digit engine and frame numbers of
6035344. This denotes an EU-market R100
built during late 1980. The engine also carries
the following factory build codes:
80 41 7381
10 2 VB
01 – C1 - 175 cc;
75 – K 75 - 750cc;
10 – R100, K 100 - 1000cc;
02 – C1 - 200 cc;
80 – R 80 - 800cc;
11 – K 1100, R 1100 - 1100cc;
45 – R45 - 450cc;
85 – R 850 - 850cc;
12 – K 1200, R 1200 - 1200cc;
65 – F 650, R 65 - 650cc;
90 – R90 - 900cc
The next figure represents the number of
cylinders. ‘2’ means that the engine was a twin
(remember that BMW had already built
singles, and were planning the K Series)
The final letter group signifies the general
specification of the engine. Examples are VA
(70 bhp R100) VB (67 bhp R100) VC (60 bhp
R100) VD (65 bhp R100 and 50 bhp R80)
Although the Build Code is not so easy to
remember as the old frame/engine number, it
has the advantage that it provides the
approximate date of engine build, as well as
the original capacity and rated power.
The first set of numbers – 80 – represents the
year of manufacture as being 1980.
The second group – 41 – represents the week
in which the engine was built. (October)
The third group –7381 – is the serial number
of the engine.
The first figure in the lower group – 10 –
represents the capacity (i.e. an R100) Other
codes are:
30
Engine build plate on the Author’s R100
Here is the third of the series of articles that have
been generously provided by Gary L. Smith from
the USA. Gary has been submitting articles for
the ‘Tech Sessions’ published in the BMW
Owners Club magazine for quite some time and
has graciously given us permission and help in
publishing them in our Journal. The odd
Americanism might still slip through but that will
be your Editorial teams error, so please excuse
us for any we miss. Also please note this is for
most Air-head Boxers between 1970 and 1995.
REPLACING INFAMOUS LITTLE
TRANSMISSION SPRING
I
NEXPENSIVE TO PURCHASE, but a Small
Fortune in Labour to Install
While visiting the Thomas Edison Depot
Museum in Port Huron, Michigan, housed in
the railroad station where young Tom learned
the Morse code, my approach to motorcycle
maintenance expanded.
Edison, one of America’s greatest inventors,
obtained knowledge two basic ways. He
assessed the work of others, and he found
things out for himself by experimenting. I, too,
have learned from others.
Quite often, experienced
mechanics have shared
information. On many
occasions I’ve taped
these lessons for
later study. Unlike
Edison, however,
until my museum
visit I had not relied
much
on
experimenting as a
way of learning.
At the museum I was told
Edison
enjoyed
his
laboratory
activity so much that upon the advent of
motion pictures, an industry in which he was
to hold many patents, he was ecstatic just
thinking of the new possibilities for
documenting his experiments. I was inspired.
Having already taped what others taught, I
thought, “Why not use a video camera to learn
by documenting my attempts to do something
I’d never done or seen done before?”
M
OTIVATED BY Edison’s enthusiasm for
learning, I taped my disassembling of an
Airhead Shift Mechanism,
home of the infamous little
spring, widely referred to as
being inexpensive to
purchase but a small
fortune in labour to
install.
I
taped
removing each part.
Before progressing, I
took the time to record
putting these very same
parts back. I repeated
this
disassembly/
reassembly routine until
the entire task was
documented. Anytime I got
confused, I just played the
video.
I owe much credit to the generous BMW folks
who have instructed me over the years, but
31
No. 07 11 9 932 841), and two Lock Rings
(Part No. 07 11 9 934 060). New Circlip and
Lock Rings may not be needed but it’s a good
idea to have them on hand in case there is
any sign of wear or damage on the ones
removed.
Comments:
T
HE CLYMER MANUAL has many clear
pictures, torque information, and
instructions that should be helpful. Part names
come from BMW microfiche.
when it comes to the Airhead 5 Speed
Transmission Shift Mechanism, let us just say
that I owe thanks to Thomas Edison.
Tools: heavy gloves;
heat gun; soft hammer;
special
tool
for
removing Drive Flange
Nut; special tool for
removing Drive Flange;
13mm socket; and
24mm deep socket;
break
bar;
small
screwdrivers; 10mm
box spanner; 19mm
open-end spanner;
5mm Allen key; four
bolts: 6mm x 50-65mm,
1.0 pitch with heads cut
off; torque wrench
suitable for tightening to
163 ft-lbs; torque
wrench suitable for
tightening to 24 ft-lb;
suitable circlip pliers;
length of wire coat
hanger; alcohol or other
cleaning
agent
appropriate
for
removing oil film; and
clean rags or paper
towels.
Parts: Three feet length
of 2x4 timber; Spring
(BMW Part No. 23 31 1
242 910); cover Gasket
(Part No. 23 11 1 338
596); one Circlip (Part
32
The Shift Mechanism illustrated contains the
older type Pawl. Later Airheads have an
updated pawl that will allow shifting (although
difficult) even if the Pawl Spring breaks.
This drawing is supplied with the compliments of Al Vangura.
Measurements in inches unless indicated otherwise
Cut a 2x4 into four lengths (two 7"
long, and two 9" long). Nail them
together to make a crib to hold the
transmission and to protect the output shaft.
1
4
Pull out the Speedometer Drive with
a magnet or a pair of pliers. When
reinstalling, put the skinny end of the
Speedometer Drive in first.
Remove hex bolt (10mm wrench)
securing the speedometer cable. This
Bolt also acts as a vent and as a
fastener for the ground cable coming
from the negative (-) battery post.
2
3
Pry out the plastic Bush (the cut-away
is for bolt clearance) with a small
screwdriver.
When reinstalling, make sure to position the
cut-away correctly so the bolt can pass.
33
Remove neutral switch (with thick
washer) on underside of the
transmission (19mm open-end
spanner). The wires attached to the spade
ends can go on either way.
5
Remove bolt and washer holding shift
lever (5mm Allen). Install so shift
linkage can be attached. Take note
of position before removal. Only one of the
two possible positions works.
7
8
6
Be very careful when attaching wires
to the Neutral Switch. The spade ends
are very fragile and it doesn’t take
much pressure to bend them and break them
off.
A light coat of grease on the Shift
Lever shaft before reinstalling is a
good idea.
Removal of the Drive Flange Nut and
Drive Flange requires Special BMW
Tools that can be purchased through
your dealer or made from the machinist’s
drawing below.
9
34
Pictured are the tools made for me
by my mentor, Al Vangura. These
tools do the same job as the BMW
tools. Consult the drawing below for
specifications.
10
Pull off the Drive Flange by bolting
the Special Tool on the Flange with
handle, which keeps the Flange from
moving while turning center bolt to lift off the
Flange.
13
Remove Drive Flange Nut by bolting
The Drive Flange is tapered to fit on
the Special Tool on the Flange with
the tapered end of the Output Shaft.
handle in place to keep the Flange
Clean both surfaces with alcohol or
from moving while turning a 24mm deep similar cleaning agent to remove any oil film
Socket with break bar.
before re-installing.
11
12
14
When re-installing the Flange Nut
and Washer, tighten the Nut to 163
ft.-lbs.
15
Remove nine bolts w/ washers (5mm
Allen) from the cover. When
replacing bolts, tighten to 24 ft.-lbs
35
Install 4 headless bolts (regular bolts
with the heads cut off) as described
in the tool list to act as guides when
removing and installing the Transmission
Cover.
16
Remove the Spacer Rings and the
special Flat Washer sitting on top of
the bearing stacks. Make sure to put
everything back exactly as found
when reinstalling.
19
Apply heat to Transmission Cover
with heat gun. I use a Milwaukee
heat gun to heat the entire
transmission cover surface for about twelve
minutes.
17
Bump off the cover by tapping with
soft hammer on the underside of the
Transmission Cover. If unsuccessful,
apply more heat.
18
36
Turn Transmission on side and
remove the two Bolts with Washers
holding the Shift Mechanism. Grab
Shift Mechanism to prevent it from falling as
bolts are removed.
20
21
* To remove Cams, rotate the larger
Shift Cam, putting the Mechanism in
first gear (see * note at the end for
clarification of gear positions). Use the same
gear when assembling cams.
Remove the smaller Shifting Cam by
removing its Lock Ring with circlip
pliers and then lifting the smaller
Shifting Cam off its mounting post.
22
Remove the larger Shifting Cam by
removing its Lock Ring with circlip
pliers and then lifting the larger
Shifting Cam off its mounting post.
23
24
The infamous little Spring, now
clearly visible, sits between the Pawl
and the Segment Shaft.
Push off the circlip with screwdriver
on underside of the Pawl and lift the
Pawl up and out of its seat in the
Segment Shaft.
25
37
26
The Spring or what remains of a
broken one sits on top of the
Segment Shaft. There is no top or
bottom orientation for the Spring but the Spring
must face inward as shown.
Reassembling, place tip of Pawl’s
shaft in Segment Shaft seat, reach
under Pawl and wind Spring
clockwise (about 10mm), then capture the
tightened Spring with Pawl.
29
Both the Roll Pin and the Pawl must
be pushed back to return the larger
Shifting Cam to its proper place. The
Roller and the Pawl exert opposing pressure
on the Shifting Cam.
27
Squeeze and hold the Pawl (make
sure Spring is centered) while
reinstalling the Circlip on the end of
Pawl’s shaft.
28
38
With larger Shifting Cam in 1st gear*
slide the smaller Shifting Cam down
its post in such a way as to engage
the teeth as shown. Install Lock Ring. Precise
mating is critical.
30
Make a hook out of a wire coat
hanger to be used to lift the three
Shifting Forks so the Shifting Forks’
nubs will fall into the correct slots in the Shifting
Cams.
31
Completing Reassembly:
A.
Position a new transmission cover
Gasket on the transmission case.
B.
Carefully position the spacer rings and
the special flat washer back on top of the
bearing stacks. Align them precisely (a touch
of grease may help hold them in position).
C.
Heat the Cover the same length of time
as was needed for its removal.
Observe Shifting Forks with wire tool
in place under one of the Forks. Hint:
Place Shift Mechanism in fifth gear
before sliding it back into the transmission
case.
32
D.
Lower the Cover down onto the
headless bolts and allow the Cover to seat
properly on the case. Tapping with a soft
hammer may accomplish final positioning.
E.
Remove the headless bolts and install
the nine cover Bolts and torque them to 24 ft.lbs.
F.
Continue to replace the remaining
items in reverse order.
G.
Use Special Tool and Torque Wrench
to torque the Flange Nut to 163 ft.-lbs.
Use wire hook and mechanism
movements to put Shifting Fork nubs
in place aligning the mechanism up
with the bolt holes in the Transmission Case.
Install Bolts with washers.
33
Please note * - The Roll Pin in the
introductory picture is in the fifth gear position.
Rotating larger Cam counterclockwise causes
the Roll Pin to fall into successive valleys
meaning successive gears: fourth, third,
second, neutral, and lastly first. Notice the
valley for Neutral isn’t as deep as the others.
The Roll Pin is in the first gear position in
picture 21.
Install the Shift Lever for testing
whether or not the Transmission
shifts properly. If not, check to make
sure the Shift Mechanism is properly
assembled and positioned.
34
39
Diary of Events - December 06
These activities have been arranged as agent for and on behalf of The BMW Club
Northern 8PM The Briars Hall Hotel Vera Hunt
01257 464429
2
Scottish St Andrew’s Night Dinner. Log Cabin
Hotel, Kirkmichael, Perthshire. Bookings to Dick 01343 870389
Western Ride to Bethlehem. Meet 12 noon.
Sarn Services Junct.36 – M4. Craft
Fair & Post your Christmas Cards.
Brian Price – 01792 862152.
3
E.Anglia The Crossways Inn Scole Norfolk
1200
Midland 2 Course Christmas Lunch plus Mince
Pies and Coffee and a glass of wine
at Greetham Community Centre at
1.00 pm, all for £9.00 - under 12’s
£5.00. Tickets available from Sally
Cluley (01572) 813639 Bar opens at
12.00
Yorkshire 12:00 - Cracoe village hall.
4
Scottish Meldrums Hotel, Ceres, Fife. 19.30
Scottish Barbax, Paisley Road, Glasgow .
19.30
5
Mercia Four Counties
Midland The Three Kings, Saltersway,
Threekingham, Lincs. (01529)
240249 Pub meet 7.30pm (Phone Bill
Rodgers on 01526 834480 to book
January’s evening meal)
Southern 20.00 Phoenix/Saddlers Arms.
Ulster
Club Night and Christmas Carvery –
Corr’s Corner 8.00 pm.
Western Evening Meeting – New Inn, Claines,
Worcs. 19.30 hrs. Bob Dunn – 01384
390344
6
N.East Belmont Community Centre, 7.30
p.m.Dr. & Mrs J. Herbert’s Quiz Night
with mince pies.
S.East
Club Night at ‘Riano’s’, Maidstone.
8pm.
Southern 12.00 Station Cafe, Alton. “Old Gits
Run”.
Western Evening Meeting – Codrington Arms.
19.30 hrs. Denis Bradbeer – 01454
775786
7
Oxford
Natter night, George & Dragon,
Erlestoke, Wilts 7.00pm.
8
S.East
‘The Green Man’, Ringmer. 8pm.
8-10 Northern Hostel & Camping Weekend, Plas Y
Nant, Betws Garmon, Caernarfon.
Rhys Jones on 01286 881076
9
Mercia Plas Telgarth Xmas Party
9
S.West Xmas Party . Christmas Party – The
Globe at Sampford Peverell from
7pm
10
E.Anglia Xmas bash at The Five Miles Inn. A
large buffet has been arranged .
www.fivemilesinn.co.uk
Irish
1
40
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
19
20
Leinster Area – Christmas Lunch –
(venue to be confirmed). Anne
McDonald (01) 2865471
London Run out to Winslow, Bucks, 10am
from A41 Hemel Hempstead bypass
Midland Rangers clubhouse (indoors with hot
snacks) Islington Rd, Towcester,
Northants. 12 noon to 3.00pm John
or Janet Winn (01604) 631043
Northern 2PM Section Christmas Party. Hale
Barns Geoff Thompson 01706
629206
Oxford Indoor meeting, Uffington village hall,
2.00pm.
S.East
Christmas Lunch 12 noon. FULLY
BOOKED. For cancellations waiting
list please ring Margaret on 01474
566142.
Scottish Log Cabin Hotel, Kirkmichael,
Perthshire. 12.30
Western Easter Compton Meeting. 13.30hrs.
Christmas Party.
Yorkshire 12:00 - The White Swan Inn at Blythe.
Yorkshire 20:00 - The Triton Inn at Brantingham.
London Christmas Party, The Old Guinea ,
Ridge
Oxford Natter night, Waggon and Horses,
Southmoor 7.30 pm
Mercia Bull & Swan
Midland Green Dragon, Blind Lane Oxton,
Notts (0115) 965 2016 Pub meet
7.30pm
Northern 7:30PM Christmas Dinner at the
Harraby Inn - Carlisle John Bell
01228 535173
Southern 20.00 The Two Counties Inn, Rake.
Northern 8pm The Jesters Inn 810 Burnley
Road Loveclough Rossendale. Alan
Stretton 01706 656606
Yorkshire Yorkshire Section Christmas Dinner
at The Rising Sun Inn, Whitwood, Nr
Castleford. Deposits to Dave Milne
01132 860604.
E.Anglia The Shoulder Of Mutton Fordham,
Essex. 1200
Yorkshire 12:00 - How Stean Gorge Cafe.
Midland The Park Hall Tavern, Park Hall Rd,
Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts (01623)
460267 Pub meet 8.00pm NOTE –
Last one - This venue will not be in
the 2007 calendar
Midland The Queen’s Arms, Isham Road,
Orlingbury, Northants. (01933)
678258 Pub meet 7.30pm
Northern 7:30PM The Creek, Peel Isle of Man
N.East The Waggon Inn, nr. Ponteland.
S.East
Southern
21
Midland
Northern
26
Southern
S.West
Southern
Western
27
E.Anglia
Mercia
Oxford
28
Mercia
N.East
Southern
Festive Frolics at ‘Riano’s’, Maidstone. 8pm.
12.00 Jack’s Fish & Chip Shop,
Bagshot. “Bikers Meet”.
The King’s Head, Kingsway, Tealby,
Lincs. (01673) 838347 Pub meet
7.30pm
8PM The Whipping Stocks - A50 2
miles South of Knutsford. Mal
Wagstaff 0161 747 4443
20.00 True Lovers Knot.
Boxing Day meet :12:00 The Globe
at Sampford Peverell. bring your new
toys to show off
12.00 Wickham Square. Meet with
Vintage MCC.
Boxing Day Bike Meet. Tipputs Inn on
A46 south of Nailsworth. From 11.00
hrs. Janet Wilson – 01225 858876.
The Compasses Littley Green Essex
1900hrs
Four Counties (noon)
Natter night, Dog & Partridge, Riseley,
nr Reading 8.00pm.
Whipping Stocks
Jackson’s Wharf at Hartlepool Historic Quays.
20.00 The Two Counties Inn, Rake.
4
5
7
8
9
10
11
JANUARY 2007
Happy New Year !
1
2
3
Midland New Years Day Ride to Arkwright’s
Masson Mill, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. Depart 10.00am Donington
services. J24M1 Martin Ellis (07970)
68297
Oxford New Years day meeting, 12.00 noon,
Lock,Stock and Barrel, near the
Wharf, Newbury
Yorkshire New Years Day Buffet at The Village
Hall Cracoe 1200 noon Meeting
on Sunday 7 Jan Cancelled
Midland The Three Kings, Saltersway,
Threekingham, Lincs. (01529)
240249 Pub meet 7.30pm (Phone Bill
Rodgers on 01526 834480 to book
next week’s evening meal)
Western Evening Meeting – New Inn,
Claines,Worcs.19.30 hrs Bob Dunn –
01384 390344
N.East 7.30 pm; Belmont Club Night; Members Travel Forum; tell us your story!
S.East
Club Night at ‘Riano’s’, Maidstone.
8pm.
12
13
14
16
Western Evening Meeting – Codrington Arms
19.30 hrs Denis Bradbeer – 01454
775786
Oxford Natter night, George and Dragon,
Erlestoke, Wilts 7.00pm
Northern 8PM The Briars Hall Hotel Vera Hunt
01257 464429
E.Anglia The Crossways Inn Scole, Norfolk
1200
Irish
N.W. Area Christmas Dinner. Meet in
Coffey’s at 12.00
Mercia Repton New Years Breakfast 10am 1pm.
Midland Rangers clubhouse (indoors with hot
snacks) Islington Rd, Towcester,
Northants. 12 noon to 3.00pm John
and Janet Winn (01604) 631043
Western The Green Room Café (Chepstow
Garden Centre) On A48 Pwllmeyric,
Chepstow, Mon 11.00 hrs Chris Bates
– 0117 965 7757
Yorkshire The Triton Inn Brantingham 2000
London Coach and Horses Newgate Street ,
8pm
Oxford Natter night, Waggon and Horses,
Southmoor 7.30pm
E.Anglia The Gate Inn, Fair Green, Middleton,
Kings
Lynn,
1900
S.East
New Year Party. 8pm at a venue to
be given at a later date, see Journal
or phone Margaret on 01474 566142.
Midland Green Dragon, Blind Lane Oxton,
Notts. (0115) 9652016 Pub meet
7.30pm
Southern 20.00 The Flying Bull, Rake.
S.East
‘The Green Man’, Ringmer. 8pm.
Midland Post Christmas meal at the Three
Kings, Saltersway, Threekingham,
Lincs. (01529) 240249 From 7.00
onwards - meal at 8.00pm.
E.Anglia The Five Miles Inn Upware Cambs.
1200
London Ride out (Grahame will advise details)
Midland Greetham Community Centre - Indoors with hot snacks and bar. 11.30
onwards - lunch at 1.00pm Judy and
Mick Moyne (01572) 755519
Northern 2PM Section Gathering. Hale Barns
Geoff Thompson. 01706 629206
Oxford Bring and Buy, Uffington village hall,
2.00pm
Southern 14.00 Talk at Rake Village Hall.
Dennis Robinson will be speaking
about Scooters in the Sahara.
Western Easter Compton Meeting13.30hrsA
Skill for Life Talk by Norman Dadd &
Members of Bristol IAM
Yorkshire The White Swan Inn Blyth 1200
noon
Midland
The Queen’s Arms, Isham Road,
Orlingbury, Northants. (01933) 678258
Pub meet 7.30pm
41
42
43
23
24
25
28
London
Oxford
The Old Guinea, Ridge, 8pm
Natter night, Dog and Partridge, Riseley
8.00pm
E.Anglia The Compasses Littley Green Essex
1900.
N. East
Hartlepool Historic Quays; 7.30 pm; Informal club night.
Southern 20.00 The Flying Bull, Rake
E.Anglia Sunday Café Meet at Stradishall Café,
near Highpoint Prison 1100
Mercia
Midland
S.East
Western
29
30
31
17
18
19
21
44
Northern 7:30PM The Creek, Peel Isle of Man
Yorkshire Squires Café Bar Sherburn in Elmete
1900 This is a new meeting place for the
Yorkshire Section at this famous biker’s
café. on the B1222 from the A63 or the
A162
N. East
Waggon Inn, Ponteland; 7.30 pm; informal club night.
S.East
Club Night at ‘Riano’s’, Maidstone. 8pm.
Repton Pie & Peas 12noon -3pm.
New Regular ‘All Year’ Sunday Meeting
Place - Christy’s café/Restaurant, on the
A617 ½ mile West of Hockerton, near
Newark (01636 816472). 11.00 onwards.
More details from Martin Ellis (07970)
682972
‘The Blue Bell’, Beltring, near Paddock
Wood, 12 noon.
Skittles Match at The Salutation Inn.
Ham, Nr Berkeley Off the A38. 12 noon
start. Buffet Available @ £4-00 per head
(numbers required). Janet Wilson 01225 858876.
Northern 7.30 PM The Haraby Inn - Carlisle John
Bell. 01228 535173
Yorkshire The Conservative Club Gildersome 2000
Western Evening Meeting - 99 Neath Road Rhos,
Pontardawe, Nr Swansea. 19.30 hrs.
Brian Price – 01792 862152.
Southern 12.00 Jack’s Fish & Chip Shop, Bagshot.
“Bikers Meet”.
Midland The King’s Head, Kingsway, Tealby, Lincs
(01673) 838347 Pub meet 7.30pm
Northern 8PM The Whipping Stocks - A50 2 miles
South of Knutsford. Mal Wagstaff 0161
747 4443
Southern 20.00 True Lovers Knot
Northern 8pm The Jesters Inn 810 Burnley Road
Loveclough Rossendale. Alan Stretton
01706 656606
E.Anglia The Shoulder Of Mutton Fordham Essex
1200
Western Western Section Lunch 12 noon The
Salutation Inn, The Gibb, between Burton
& Castle Combe on B4039. Served
Carvery @ £7-95 per person booking
req’d. Cheques payable to “The BMW
Club” by 14th January Janet Wilson 01225 858876.
Yorkshire Howe Stean Gorge Café 1200
German Jottings
by John Bentall
M
OTORRAD REVIEWED THE state of
play in ABS braking systems in issue
19/2006. The results of the tests are
shown in the table below with comments
following thereafter – all distances are given
in metres stopping from 100km/h.
Notably it stopped quicker in the wet than the
Japanese bikes did in the dry! Significantly
the FJR’s wet braking distance was only a little
poorer than in the dry, suggesting that the
system is indeed set somewhat
conservatively.
Machine
This test also showed the value of using both
brakes in the wet - in a stop from 50mph the
V-Strom 650 came to rest after 38m using the
lever only but in 29m using the pedal as well.
Finally the bikers’ nightmare – a wetted
checkerboard surface where the coefficient of
friction varies between 0.8 on the asphalt to
0.2 over the painted strip. The F800 won this
test, accompanied by noticeable pulsing at the
lever, whereas the 1200R was again more
collected but lost a few metres.
Dry
Road
BMW R1200R
37.4
Poor
Wet
Surface
42.9
43.0
Wet
Variable
58.0
BMW K1200S
39.6
46.8
40.9
55.5
BMW F800S
40.7
48.9
44.2
53.0
KTM 990 Adventure 41.8
48.1
46.4
58.0
Honda CBF1000
49.1
44.1
59.9
43.0
Ducati ST3s
39.3
51.5
46.6
60.5
Honda Varadero
40.7
49.2
44.6
63.5
Suzuki V-Strom 650 41.6
52.5
44.8
63.3
Triumph Sprint ST
44.0
52.0
45.1
63.1
Kawasaki ZZR1400 41.7
52.6
45.0
69.0
Yamaha FJR1300A 49.1
54.4
50.3
69.4
In the dry test, even though the Yamaha was
slowest to stop, the rider was disconcerted by
the feeling that the tyre was on the limits of its
grip. One can only assume that the system is
not operating any where the limits of what
should be possible.
During this session the Honda ABS systems
gave calm and collected stops, whereas at
times the Ducati braked so harshly that it
almost felt like a “stoppie”. On the rutted
uneven surface, the anti-dive Telelever
suspension on the R1200R ensured that there
was plenty of travel in reserve to deal with the
bumps. Half the other candidates took almost
an extra 10 metres to stop in this test and the
FJR was last again.
In the wet test a slightly different result
emerged as the long wheelbase, Duolever
suspension and powerful servo-assisted
brakes gave the K1200S an advantage, even
though it was not as smooth as the 1200R.
M
OTORRAD ISSUE 19 compares the
R1200RT and Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
GT. The Guzzi comes alive when the starter
button is pressed with an accompaniment of
loud ticking sounds from motor, a muted growl
from air-box and a delicious note from the
exhaust and the “Signora” rolls to the right as
the throttle is blipped.
In comparison the RT sounds rather like a favourite
auntie’s sewing machine. Once under way the RT
accelerates with gusto, especially beyond 5,000
rpm, but the Guzzi keeps station, despite only
sporting 82 of its claimed 93 horsepower, thanks to
its lower overall gearing. There is a good measure
of slop in the drive-line of the Guzzi as the power is
applied and then removed and the clutch is quite
heavy, whilst the gear-change is smooth.
The RT gear-change is smooth in the top 3 gears
but somewhat rougher in the lower 3, especially
when changing down. The 4-piston Brembo callipers
work well on both machines, but the slightly grabby
action of the servo-assistance on the RT makes
modulating braking effort a little tricky. The Norge
reaches 125 mph flat-out, although the wildly
optimistic speedo would have you believe
otherwise, whereas the RT will do 138 mph.
45
and with a passenger aboard, the same happens
even at “homeopathic” angles of lean. Setting fullpreload on the over-stretched spring/damper unit
does help, but the hand-wheel for the hydraulic
adjustment is behind a screwed plastic panel.
Similarly the dip-stick is reached by removing a
panel held on with seven screws.
Even with suitable suspension settings, the Guzzi
does tend to weave around at motorway speeds
above 100 mph and 80 mph is the maximum
recommended with 5 kg of luggage loaded in each
pannier. The optional ESA on the RT is much easier
to adjust for luggage, passengers and road
conditions and progress is completely unperturbed
by whatever conditions are thrown at it.
The Guzzi probably needs a little work-shop
attention as there is an oil weep from the cylinder
head and gearbox, the number plate has almost
vibrated off and the rear brake line has rattled out
of its retaining clip, whereas the RT is massively
competent and will do everything except make
coffee. But even the GT’s more luxurious sister –
the GTL equipped with electric screen, top-box and
sat-nav - is cheaper then the base price of the RT ,
so the BMW must be considered quite expensive
in this context..
On the open road, the RT has magnificent handling
for a big tourer, proving light-footed and easy to
push through tight curves. Once underway, it seems
to shed a least 100lbs in weight. Thanks to its foreaft crankshaft layout and high, wide bars the Guzzi
also handles well, but must be cornered with some
conscious effort to keep it on course. The Guzzi
gives a comfortable ride over bumps and transverse
ripples at the same time protecting the rider from
wind blast. Taller riders who set the screen higher
(manually adjustable on the GT with a 13mm
spanner) will find that there is more turbulence
around the head and back area , whereas the
smaller rider has long stretch over the tank to the
bars, which can become tiring eventually.
T
HE RT RIDER SITS rather closer to the
action and there is unanimity of the best tyres
for the job – Metzeler Z6’s offering plenty of traction
in the rain and good grip in corners. Cornering on
the Guzzi is not so comfortable, as the on the badly
surfaces mountain passes the short, soft rear spring
unit soon runs out of reserves. Compression and
rebound damping is set rather too soft and the rear
sits particularly low when there is a passenger on
the extremely comfortable pillion seat. Ridden solo,
the foot of the centre-stand grounds out fairly early,
46
Heineken Rugby Cup Final 2006,
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
A
by Paddy Meehan
FTER FINISHING WORK on Friday
19th.May I drove the Audi home and
loaded up the K75RT. The load was
small. Just some sleeping gear and toiletries
along with my Munster shirt and hat. A little
after 16.00. I embarked on the spin to Dublin
Port and the “Stenna Adventurer” at The North
Wall quayside. The notoriously well-known
tailbacks in Fermoy and Michlestown were
quickly but cautiously and safely negotiated
and I reached Nulan’s Cross on the outskirts
of Dublin at 19.15. From there on and along
the city quays the going was slow and tedious.
Still by 20.15 I was comfortably settled on the
ferry for the 21.15 departure.
After a quiet crossing, the sea was quiet but
‘de lads’ were not, along with other Munster
supporters who had been diverted from
Rossslare I started out from Holyhead at 00.45
bound for Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales. Now
to say that it was raining would be an
understatement as it was ‘bucketing down’
while I drove along the A55 dual-cabbage-way
to Bangor. I continued along the A5 through
Betws-y-Coed and Llangollen bypassing
Oswestry and reaching the A483 going
southwards a little before 03.00. The inclement
weather the combinations of full headlights
from approaching cars along with those
carrying Munster supporters (easily identified
by the flags waving from the windows!) made
this a very tricky and tiring part of the journey.
On a number of occasions I had no option
other than to slow down and pull into the left
to let them pass otherwise they might have
nudged me towards my final destination.
Car drivers don’t understand that once you
adjust the mirrors on a bike to allow you to
observe the antics they can and do get up to,
you simply can’t flip them to lessen the glare
from dipped and full headlights. And in rain
and darkness this makes biking very difficult.
On through Welshpool to Newtown where a
stop was made to fill the tank with petrol, a
“can of caffeine” to keep me going and twenty
minutes of walking to stretch the legs and
loosen out the ageing body. Onwards to Builth
Wells from which I took the A470 to Brecon. I
joined the A40 going west for a sort spell
before turning left and drove across the
Brecon Beacons along the A470 again, and
arrived in Merthyr at 06.15.
I assumed I would find the house I was invited
to stay in easily. Pat Fleming (a good biker
friend and ‘mighty’ navigator) and I had been
there five weeks before, when returning to
Fishguard from a week biking up the west
coast of Wales. Our route had taken us
through Aberystwyth, Harlech, across country
to Ruthin and on up to the Lake District. We
drove back down to Chester, a beautiful city
to visit, on through the middle of Wales taking
in the reservoirs of the Elan Valley and the
nearby moor (which were spectacular) before
47
Post match analysis - Peter Stringer for
president, Trevor Stalstad to be naturalized
from South African to Irish, Paul O Connell to
replace God when he gets to heaven and all
other players, mentors and backroom staff to
be canonised. ‘Murphys’ and the ‘Guinness’
were partaken of, for the following reasons
only, (i) to reduce the remote possibility of
dehydration and (ii) to keep the vocal cords
well lubricated and in tune. The latter got a
fair ‘airing’ during the after-match celebrations!
availing of the hospitality of my friends in
Merthyr.
The house was not easily located in the
gloomy brightness of a wet May morning.
Fifteen minutes later, and after a mini tour of
Merthyr I parked the bike in the front garden
of Mike and Jenny’s home and a tired, very
wet but highly relieved biker had found his
‘refuge’ for the night/morning.
Mike and Jenny’s black Labrador ‘Lady’ woke
me at 00.90 – the circulation in my feet had
just returned at this time- so I ‘surfaced’ to
have some breakfast and a chat with Peter
and Geraldine who were also staying with
Jenny for the weekend. They were not going
to the rugby match but instead visiting some
religious and historical sites in the surrounding
area.
The ‘hostelry’ was returned to at 21.45 and of
course, every move and score in the game
had to be described in great detail to Jenny
Peter and Geraldine. I took to my slumber
close to midnight.
An 8 a.m. rise, shower, breakfast and onto the
‘iron horse’ once again. Weather oh! J—not
raining again? “Yes Paddy” and pelting down.
At least my gear was dry to begin the
homeward journey with. Now the fairing on the
K75RT is excellent but no fairing could keep
one dry from the weather I drove through on
the way back to Holyhead. I retraced my route
An hour’s train journey left me within five
minutes walking distance of the Millennium
Stadium in Cardiff. It is an absolutely
marvellous venue for a game and so easily
accessible to the public.
A
SEA of red coloured fans (both Biarritz
and Munster wear red jerseys) and plenty
of ‘craic’ and ‘banter’ between both sets of
supporters passed the pre-match time quickly.
The atmosphere inside the stadium could only
be described as magical. The final score 2319 to Munster, ‘The fields of Athenry’, Freddy
Mercury and friends (all 60,000 Munster ones
of them) singing ‘We are the Champions of
Europe’; what can I say? Even a few tears of
joy and relief were shed. A never to be
forgotten occasion and experience.
48
of Saturday morning, in reverse of course, and
between Bangor and Holyhead I can truthfully
say I have never experienced rain as heavy
and as consistent as on that day. A ‘young
buck’ of a biker riding a BMW 650 Funduro
passed me on this stretch of road (his nerve
for wet-weather biking was greater than mine)
and when I met him on the boat he was soaked
right through every stitch of clothes he had
on. After he had changed into dry clothes we
hung up our jackets and trousers to dry on
the grille of a very large vent next to where
the bikes were ‘tied down’. They were dry
when we arrived in Dublin. ‘Stenna’ provide
drying facilities, unintentionally of course, if
you are cute enough to find them. A few
bungee cords came in very handy for hanging
up our gear on the grille.
At 18.15 we left the North Wall in Dublin and
the only uncomfortable thing for me starting
off was that my left foot was nestled in a small
pool of water that had not evaporated from
my boot. For some strange reason the right
boot was reasonably dry.
O
N THE NAAS dual-cabbage-way more
torrential rain (just to let me, you and the
rest of the world know that Ireland along with
Wales gets its fair share of torrential rain). A
few further ‘wet spots’ on the Dublin to Cork
stage were encountered before I arrived safely
in Cobh at 21.45.
I checked the clock before covering the bike
and I had driven 740 miles or close to 1200
km. since Friday. Distances in Ireland are now
measured in kilometres.
To conclude I can say that the journey was
the toughest I have done in over thirty years
biking but it was worth every single mile/
kilometre of it so as to be present and to
witness Anthony Foley lift the Heineken
European Rugby Cup for Munster.
Oh! And there’s no better bike in the world for
what I went through that weekend than the
’96 K75RT Ultima.
49
India – The Ultimate
Dual Personality
by Sam Manicom
I
NDIA IS A HARSH land of temperature
extremes unimagined, of pitiful poverty, of
driest winds, the stench can be appalling
and it’s one of the few parts of the world where
you feel both mentally and physically invaded
by your surroundings. The concept of body
space doesn’t seem to exist. The rules of the
day seem as nowhere else on earth. The food
frequently looks like brown or green stodge,
and you never seem to be able to hold
confidence that whatever ‘it’ is, is safe to eat,
and won’t give you a bowel shattering lurgie
of one dire sort or another. The traffic is
monstrous, with rules of the road that are
guaranteed to intimidate. The roads
themselves are some of the most
unpredictable on the globe and insurance,
what is that? Baksheesh is the rule of the day
and it seems that no one can be taken at face
value. In fact the values of the culture
frequently seem impenetrable to the Western
mind and anything that happens on time is
worth celebrating.
So why would anyone ever want to ride a
motorcycle in India, let alone simply travel
there? I mean, do you have to be a masochist
to even contemplate the thought? Perhaps a
lengthy course of some sort of new fangled
rehab should be suggested to anyone who for
India traffic - on a good day
50
some reason has a dream to ride a bike in
this far off land. A land that takes just about
any thought of reason and spins it back to front
with a wobbling, erratic, mad certainty.
Do you really want to wake up each morning
and have no idea what is going to happen to
you that day, however well you have planned?
Do you have a strong and determined desire
to find out just how far your patience will
stretch? Do you want to risk being the object
of some trumped up traffic offence? Do you
like the idea of playing live space invaders
every time you roll your wheels out to do battle
with whatever madness the fate and karma
junkies are going to throw at you? And how
about the concept of sweating so hard inside
your bike kit every day that it isn’t just athletes’
foot you have to worry about, but a hundred
versions of fungal infections ranging from
crotch rot to prickly heat.
Have I managed to put a few of you well and
truly off the idea of making dreams of eastern
roads come true? I hope not because I love
the continent. No I’m not mad, a little odd
maybe but I know that all of the seemingly
desperate things I’ve listed above are actually
gateways to adventure in a land of spice, of
stunning beauty – both land and people, of
positive make and mend thought process, of
cool breezes, swaying palm trees, snow caped
mountain tops that glisten washing powder
white against azure skies, and people who are
some of the most hungry to ‘know’ that I have
ever come across. This is also one of the most
up and coming areas in the world and the
advances are all made with a style that is
singularly Indian.
I enjoy the fact that whether I like it or not my
ideas and notions of how things should be,
my life’s training I suppose, are all going to
be challenged, adapted and sometimes
completely reformed.
the journey? That you have gone from A to B
and there was nothing in between? Because
I’m going to win, I’m happy to challenge
anyone to do that in India. Your senses zing
when you are on the road. It’s almost as if the
senses we naturally use every day at home
are suddenly turned up to full power. The
sights and scents of India alone are going to
make you realise that you never really knew
how powerful and sensitive our bodies actually
are.
Local transport is not quite like home
Perhaps I get a huge buzz out of riding a bike
through India because the land has a split
personality. Sometimes the extremes can be
so grand or so wide that you could put an
ocean in between, and at other
times the total difference can come
from an action as simple as flipping
a coin. Coin flipping is something
that the continent encourages you
to do.
Making hard and firm decisions can
so often be such a complete waste
of time that a gentle coin tossing at
the right moment can be the most
satisfying way to decide which
adventure to head off into next. You
don’t have to make grand plans in
this land to find adventure; there’s
always a new one just around the
corner.
Have you ever had the feeling when
on the road that you can’t remember
Sound is another sense expansion.
Sometimes it’s rather like living with a
stunningly peaceful view, that has all feeling
of tranquillity blasted out of it by an instant
combined hit of the 6.52 to Paddington, the
red eye from Buenos Aires and the local tear
away blasting down the lane on his way to
work in his flame red, sawn off souped up
whatever it is. But that’s ok, it’s as with so many
things in India, you have to take your time and
before too long the worst extremes no longer
challenge your senses so harshly. That leaves
you free to concentrate on the interesting and
quirky sense tweakers. Oh, and by the way,
an Indian version of the ‘instant hit’ could easily
be the macho horn battle between five
overloaded Tata trucks, all insisting that they
were there first so they should go first.
That’s a rule of the road. Who was there first,
goes first. I can understand that. It does rather
make sense and I suppose it’s no worse that
the
‘four
way’
crossings in the USA.
The same principle
applies, but in the
States the rule of the
road doesn’t seem to
be
infected
by
machismo as it most
certainly is in India.
There are two other
main rules of the road
and I understand
them both – after a
fashion. I’m bigger
than you, so I go first
is reasonably logical,
especially to the little
guy. The third rule
though is, my horn is
51
Having a meal at a roadside stop
louder than yours, so I go first. It takes a while
to realise that this is actually what is going
on. The solution is to fit the largest truck horn
you can find to your bike and yes, you’ll have
trucks move out of your way at a rate of knots
unheard of when considering rule number two.
As for me, I rather like to let everyone else go
first. Then I don’t have to sweat about getting
it wrong and ending up plastered over the
speeding, orange painted, snub nose of a Tata
whose driver has total conviction that he is
right and that anyway, if he isn’t and something
goes wrong, well that’s fate and life is in the
hands of the Gods.
But if I let everyone else go first doesn’t that
mean that I never get anywhere? After all, India
is supposed to be over populated and that
must mean that there is a never-ending stream
of traffic that I’m letting go first. Ok, I admit it.
I never get anywhere fast. But this
continent encourages that kind of travel.
If you battle against every bit of
strangeness India throws at you, you’d
end up feeling like a salmon desperate
to get up stream to the spawning
grounds only to find that some idiot
logger has released three months worth
of felled timber into the river. You’d knock
your brains out and never get there
anyway.
The thing is that there’s so much going
on that’s worth looking at, why hurry? I
used to work to a loose plan of 150 miles
in a day. Very loose that is because even
such a piddly distance as that can take
nine hard hours to do. But equally, those
52
nine hours could well have involved a
food shopping session in a roadside
market, a cup of Chai at a truck stop,
a mini race along a deserted stretch
of road with two guys on an Enfield
Bullet, a wander around a temple with
stone carvings that your mother
definitely wouldn’t want you to be
looking at, an invite for another cup of
Chai and some incredible cakes that
should have been called ‘very’ sweet
meats, a stop to take in a sea view
that though a tad hazy still gave a
magnificent sense of space and
colour, a lengthy philosophical
discussion with the toll bridge man as
to why the local bikes don’t have to pay a toll
but he thinks you do, and a long delay in a
traffic jam on what should have been
somewhere in the middle of nowhere but
perhaps you have read your map wrong, or
got lost and another adventure was about to
begin. I’ve had ‘no choice’ days that made me
so tired I could hardly walk by the end, and
riding was done by autopilot!
But talking of traffic jams, I got stuck in a
goodie. Because I’m sometimes a gentleman
and obey the rules most of the time, even if I
don’t really know what they are, I sat and
patiently waited. I had plenty of time - there
wasn’t an earthly reason to be in a hurry and
quite frankly it had looked as if it could turn
into one of the amazing people watching
moments that India lays on a plate for you so
frequently. The trick is to realise that ‘this’ is
The camel is still a useful means of transport
one of ‘those’ moments and to take
advantage.
After an hour gently stewing in my
gear, with no movement and no
one around me seeming to have
any notion of getting anywhere, I
thought I’d take a meander on
down the road to see what was up.
My hour had been amazingly
peaceful. I hadn’t been hassled or
endlessly questioned. Other than
hot ticking truck engines, a goat
who sounded as if he had been
looking for a mate for far too long
and the odd buzzing fly which
always seemed, amazingly, to be
heading somewhere so important
that a stop off for lunch or a drink
on me wasn’t important, the time passed in
rather perverse gentle tranquillity. The jam was
mostly trucks, and I counted 253 of those. The
trucks sat with drivers and their mates taking
well earned forty winks - engines were off,
even towards the front of the queue. I’d begun
to fear that there must be a major bridge down
or perhaps a religious celebration had called
a halt to everything, or maybe there had been
a horrendous accident. But I’d thought that if
the latter was the case then there would be
crowds of agitated people all over the road –
there was hardly a soul and those were moving
seemed only to be heading for the straggly
bushes for a jimmy. I rode carefully on, half
expecting to be shouted at. Over the months
that happened a quite few times when I’d done
A bit of pomp and ceremony
Sunning myself
something dumb.
At the front of the queue I found that the sleepy
scene of tranquillity continued. A heavily
overloaded Tata had slewed across both lanes
and had collapsed with a decidedly broken
axle. The driver and his mate were calmly
brewing up in the shade of the leaning
behemoth. On the other side stretched
another long line of slumbering vehicles
whose drivers had all seemingly realised that
taking a break from the frenetic push and
shove of normality on the road was a singularly
good idea. Well, including my own peaceful
hour, it was a break for me too. I covered the
next 30 miles with hardly a moving vehicle in
sight.
Dinnertime conversation with the most
stunningly beautiful Indian girl I have
ever seen took me into another aspect
of India. She came from a very well to
do Indian family and in fact owned and
ran her own factory, which made
interior linings for cars. Her dream
though was to break into handbag
design and production. She had been
a top model and I think that she had
been Miss India at some time. She
was very well turned out in western
style clothes and her manners was
perfect, except when she was with
Peter her German friend. When the
two of them were together she
behaved outrageously and seemed
53
A group picture with another couple of GS riders
determined to break every cultural expectation
of a traditional India. “I’m the new breed of
India”, she told me. “We are so behind in many
things; it’s up to my generation to make the
changes. Force them if we have to.”
Her constant use of a mobile phone fit the
mood and changing world perfectly. In fact,
I’d been amazed at how many people used
mobile phones. At home I find it rather
frustrating to be forced to listen to other
people’s phone conversations but in India,
what fun. The conversations always seemed
to be flamboyant with maximum use of
enthusiastic hand signals. The funniest thing
is to watch a mobile phone user trying to do
the traditional head waggle at the same time
as pressing phone to ear!
On another day I was reminded quite forcefully
of the contrast between old and new. I’d been
riding for days through a land that made me
feel like a time traveller; I was moving through
the Middle Ages. For hour after hour I rode
through dusty brown fields that were being
ploughed by men wearing loincloths and no
54
more. They trudged through
intense heat behind oxen
pulling wooden ploughs. The
villages were few and far
between and the few
buildings were made of straw
and mud. Many had cowpats
drying on the walls. These
crusty pancakes are used for
fuel for cooking once they
have dried; there are people
who make their living by
collecting and drying the pats
for sale.
If I am learning about their
world then I feel it is my
responsibility to answer
their questions, though
some are predictably
inevitable. “Where are you
coming from sah?” “How big
is your engine”, and so on.
On this particular day I
found out that I simply
wasn’t as good as TV. In the
centre of this tiny village
almost the whole population
had gathered in the dusty
Around 5pm I rode through
square amongst the goats,
a world that had turned
chickens and the odd holy
flaming orange; everywhere
cow to watch Dallas on
was one shade of riotous
satellite TV. Who knows
One
wonders
if
the
local
orange or another, and the
where the TV had come
constabulary still keep their
almost eerie light was only
from but my goodness
sarnies
under
their
helmets
as
broken by the odd silhouette
doesn’t Victoria have a
ours did years ago
of a palm tree or an ox cart
chest and didn’t she share
moving slowing across the
such a lot of it with us all! I
land. This light is particular to India and it wondered what thoughts were going through
almost wraps itself around you, making you the villager’s minds as they settled down from
too an integral part of the scene. This light is their medieval chores.
formed by the end of day sunrays working their
way through hundreds of miles of air filled with But ahh, Indian food. Once you have accepted
smoke and dust particles. So gentle is the that it is not anything like you’d find in a UK
change into night that this slow moving world curry house, you are in for a taste bud
feels like it’s almost suspended in the glow, sensation – though it does help not to look
and it feels like it will stay forever.
too closely at what you are eating sometimes!
There is something rather satisfying about
I emerged from the glow and into a village. eating with your fingers too, though this is
Unusually at this time of day there was hardly
a soul to be seen and for once I
wasn’t mobbed as I pulled to a
halt. A foreign biker is always a
tremendous attraction and
usually far better value than TV.
After all, you are live, in their
world and most people don’t
have TV – though they know
what it is. The arrival of a biking
overlander is almost like a reality
television show; loads of pizzazz
and the bizarre. Sometimes
getting mobbed is a real chore,
especially if you are tired but it’s
a great opportunity to give
something back. The mob never
wants to make trouble they just
want to ‘know’ enthusiastically.
You get a new understanding of ‘Standing room only!!’
55
I need to say really is that you need to get out
there and try it for yourself.
Back home, where next?
always an adventure until you get the knack
of it. Eating with the left hand of course is a
real no-no. I won’t explain! A cuppa is, even
on the hottest day, one of the most refreshing
drinks you can get. But again, don’t expect
the Indian version, ‘Chai’, to look or taste
anything like a British cup of Tetley’s. There is
an art to making this stuff and each region
has its own version. The one thing they all
have in common is that they are made with
milk, are strong and inevitably very sweet. I
could write for hours about Indian food but all
56
That is what this land is all about. Every day
is full of challenges that will either drive you
dotty or will put you on adrenaline to such a
high level that the days fly by. Whatever
happens, you’ll never forget a tour of this
amazing country. A bike is the perfect way to
get around as it lets you take advantage of
every opportunity the land will offer you. The
key is time; allow yourself plenty of it and
adventures will flow. If you are dreaming of
India, check out www.horizonsunlimited.com
for a full ‘how to’ article that’s full of hints and
tips.
Sam Manicom is the author of ‘Into Africa’ –
‘Inspirational Reading’ say World of BMW.
Chris Fleming reviewed ‘Into Africa’ in
November 2005 Journal. (www.sammanicom.com to order your copy.)
The Somme - 90 Years
on. A personal reflection
by Paul Devall
T
HE BATTLE OF THE SOMME began in
the early hours of the 1st July 1916.
“The Big Push” that would throw the
German Army back towards Belgium from the
line running across Picardy.
The offensive started with a huge
bombardment to drive the enemy back from
his forward trenches and cut the miles and
miles of barbed wire that lay across no mans
land. A partly successful barrage left many of
the brave men that climbed out of their
trenches that morning with nowhere to go and
they were mowed down before reaching their
Paul’s great Uncle’s gravestone with British
Legion crosses
objective. At that time, the reserve and the next
group of troops to move towards the line were
still arriving. They moved by night so that air
recon couldn’t pin them down.
My Uncle William was just 26. Although born
and bred in South London he found himself a
private in the 7th Battalion Kings Shropshire
Light Infantry. They arrived on the Ancre River
near Corbié early on the 13th July. On the
13th, they moved into the line and then were
to assault Bazentin Ridge. Once again the wire
wasn’t touched. At 3.30am they rose with the
front and communications trenches at
Bazentin Ridge, some 1500 yards away as
their primary objective. The Battalion strength
was 33 officers and 905 men, at 600 yards
the encountered uncut wire and heavy
machine gun fire. They made no progress. At
1100 they tried again making the front enemy
trench. The six officers and 135 men that
remained held out until relieved on July 20th.
Sadly my Uncle wasn’t one of them. He was
wounded and taken to the Casualty Clearing
Station at Corbié where he died on July 16th.
And that’s where I come in. Claire, my wife,
and me taking a day trip to see the area and
to put a small memento on the grave to show
that although a small family, we remembered.
Instead of the car we took our BMW R1150GS
as transport. The out run was by motorway to
Amiens, purely to get there quickly. As it was
the Sunday after Bastille Day, the villages were
like ghost towns. The motorway traffic light
except for enormous queues at the petrol
stations. French fuel was over 1.40 Euros a
litre for Unleaded. And hardly a café or
restaurant open! On arrival the GPS took us
right to the cemetery. We laid a couple of
crosses and some silk poppies and had a few
minutes of reflection sat on the wall under the
trees that were planted new as saplings when
the cemetery was opened. I left an entry in
57
the visitors’ book t say that we
had been there. The book is
new for 2006 and a few pages
filled with names from people
from across the globe.
After our reflections, we set
off for town in search of
something to eat, plans
thwarted, as I was too eager
to get there rather than eat on
the way. “Desolé” became the
all too frequent reply. We then
headed for Vaux and the
monument to the Red Baron,
or rather the place where he
was shot down. And couldn’t
find it. The temperature was
now about 38C. Aborting we
headed for Albert. Albert the
“star” of so many WW1
pictures; the church with the
Madonna and child at right
angles to the building. Then
we saw it. From 15 kilometres
there was a glow in the sky,
58
The entrance to Corbié cemetary
then, as we got nearer, the glow became more
solid. It was of course the gilded roof of the
tower of the church, that famous church. A
wonderful sight.
As we entered the town we saw a petrol station
open and dived in. The time we were there
quite a few bikes came to fill up, all kinds of
race-reps, but no other BMW’s joined us. We
bought water and some waffles in case food
was not going to happen, and it didn’t. The
two café/bars open had stopped serving. So
we ate the waffles and stood to cool off in the
shade.
I programmed Doris to take us back via Arras
and Arques as I wanted to scout out places to
go on another trip we are planning. The crosscountry run takes you along the D928, to the
north of the big brick memorial at Thiepval.
The cemeteries start to come thick and fast
Above: A close up of the gilded roof of the
Cathedral
now, signposts overloaded with the green
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
signs…and along the road there are so many
more to pass, some quite small, and some
really too large for comfort.
Arras was skirted by and then we worked our
way to the N43 and turned northwards. We
wasted a half hour in Arques trying to find the
Ascenseur de Fontinelles. And then gave up
riding around glass factories and industrial
parks in the tremendous heat of the afternoon.
59
The last leg
was through St
Omer
to
Guines and
into the Shuttle
terminal a little
early. The auto
check
in
offered us a
c r o s s i n g
immediately
for no extra
cost so we took
it. Bad move.
Due
to
a
broken down
train in the
Tunnel we got
away at about
the same time
we
were
ticketed for
and we still
had
empty
bellies!
60
Claire, Paul’s wife and their
GS in the square at Albert
61
Where we meet
EAST ANGLIA: The Cossways, Scole Norfolk. 12:00,
1st Sunday ; The Five Miles Upware near Soham
Cambs,12.00 2nd Sunday; The Shoulder of Mutton,
Fordham, Essex. A1124. 12:00, 3rd Sunday; The
Compasses, Littley Green, Essex. 19:00. Last
Wednesday.
IRISH: Dublin Meeting:- 4th Thursday 8.00 pm West
County Hotel, Chapelizod. Michael Ganly 4945871
[email protected] North West Meeting:- 2nd
Sunday in Coffey’s Café, Carrick-on-Shannon,
11.00am. Jim O’Connell 086-2805974. Limerick
Meeting:- 2nd Tuesday. Woodfield House Hotel, Ennis
Road, 9.00 pm – Peter Deevy, 087-2570855, 061
354 379 Email: [email protected] Limerick Meeting:- 1st
Monday. Jurys Hotel at 8.00pm. Contact Pat Mulcahy
087-2377312 Donegal Diamond Meeting:- Last
Sunday. John Couzens 074-9541741 Cork Meeting:Every Tuesday for June, July, August. Run from
Statoil Frankfield at 7.00pm Sharp.
LONDON: The Coach & Horses, Newgate Street
Village (M25 J24, A1000 towards Hatfield, then right
on B157) 20.00 second Tuesday. The Old Guinea,
Ridge (about 1 mile West of M25/A1 interchange at
South Mimms) 20.00 fourth Tuesday.
MERCIA: Four Counties Inn No Mans Heath 19.30
1st Tues and 12 noon Last Wed. Cross & Bowling
Green. Branson Cross on A435 at junction B4101
Ajc Q8 Petrol station 19.30 2nd Thursday. Bull & Swan
Diseworth off A453 Nr. East Midlands Airport 2nd
Weds 19.30 Whipping Stocks A50 Peaover Nr
Knutsford 19.30 4th Thurs with Northern Section
MIDLAND: All year round meetings - The Three
Kings, Saltersway, Threekingham, Lincs. NG34 0AU
(01529) 240249 1st Tuesday 7.30pm ~ The Green
Dragon, Blind Lane, Oxton, Notts. NG25 0SS (0115)
9652012 2 nd Thursday 7.30pm ~ The Park Hall
Tavern, Park Hall Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts
NG19 8PX. (01623) 460267 3rd Tuesday 8pm ~ The
Queen’s Arms, Isham Road, Orlingbury, Northants.
NN14 1JD (01933) 678258 3rd Tuesday 7.30pm ~
The King’s Head, Kingsway, Tealby, Lincs. LN8 3YA
(01673) 838347 3 rd Thursday 7.30pm ~ Winter
gatherings – The Community Centre, Great lane,
Greetham, Rutland and The Rangers cycle
clubhouse, off Islington Road, Towcester, Northants
– both occasional Sundays, October to March – see
midland website.
NORTH EAST: Belmont Community Centre,
Sunderland Road, Gilesgate, nr Durham.19.30. 1st
Wed: The Waggon Inn, on A696, 3m NW of
Ponteland, 19.30. 3rd Wed: Jackson’s Wharf Pub,
Jackson’s Landing, Hartlepool Historic Quays, 19.30.
Thursday following 4th Wed.
NORTHERN: The Briars Hall Hotel on A5209 near
Burscough, Lancs, 20.00 1st Fri.; All Saints Church
Hall, Hale Barns, A538, 14:00, 2nd Sun; The Deer
Play A671 Burnley Road, Nr Bacup. 19:30, 3rd Friday;
Harraby Inn, Carlisle, A6, 2 miles west of M6 J42,
19.30, last Monday; The Whipping Stocks, south
Knutsford, A50, 20.00, 4th Thurs.
OXFORD: George & Dragon, Erlestoke, Wilts
7.00pm, 1st Thursday; Waggon and Horses at
Southmoor off the A420, 19:30, 2nd Tues; Dog &
Partridge, Riseley (off end of Swallowfield by-pass
[A33]) 19:30, 4th Tues; Village Hall, Uffington,
Oxfordshire, 14:00 occ. Suns
SCOTTISH: Meldrums Hotel, Ceres, Fife, 19:30, 1st
Mon; Gairdeners’ Arms, 232 Paisley Road, Glasgow,
19:00, 1st Mon; The Log Cabin Hotel, Kirkmichael,
Perthshire, 12:30, 2nd Sun; Crook Inn, A701 north
of Moffat, 12:30, last Sunday; Hopeville Social Club,
Harlaw Road, Inverurie. 12.30, 4th Sun.
SOUTHERN: The Phoenix Inn, Twyford, Hants, on
the B3335 1 mile south of M3, J11, 20:00 alt Tues;
The Saddlers Arms, Send Marsh, Nr. Ripley. 20.00
alt. Tues; The Flying Bull, Rake, on the B2070
between Liphook and Petersfield, alt Thurs;The True
Lovers Knot at Tarrant Keyneston, Dorset, 3 miles
east of Blandford on the B3082 Wimborne Road,
20.00. 3rd Thursday
SOUTH EAST: Riano’s, A26, Maidstone, 20:00, 1st/
3rd Wed; The Green Man, Lewes Road (B2192),
Ringmer, East Sussex, 20:00 2nd Fri; The Blue Bell’,
on the A228 opposite the Paddock Wood Hop Farm,
4th Sunday, 12 noon
SOUTH WEST: Jamaica Inn: At Bolventor, off A30
east of Bodmin. (Signed from A30); The Globe: Exit
M5 J27 to A361 for Barnstaple and first left to
Samford Peverell. All meets 1200 as per calendar of
events. Good Knight Inn, Cheriton Bishop: off A30
between Exeter and Okehampton as per diary of
events.
ULSTER: Corr’s Corner, Glengormley, Co Antrim,
20:00 1st Tues; Wed. Evening Runs, Corr’s Corner,
19:00 April, May, Sept, 19:30 June - Aug; Sunday
Morning Runs. Sandyknowes Roundabout (unless
specified), 10:30, most Suns, (July - Oct).
WESTERN: Easter Compton Village Hall - on the
B4055 (south of Junction 1 - M48)13.30hrs - 2nd
Sunday.New Inn, Claines, Worcester - 19.30 hrs 1st Tuesday. Codrington Arms, Codrington,
Westerleigh - 19.30 hrs - 1st Wednesday
YORKSHIRE: Cracoe Village Hall on B6265 north
of Skipton through Rylstone, 12 noon 1st Sun; The
Triton Inn, Brantingham, on the A63 between South
Cave and Elloughton 8pm, 2nd Mon; The White Swan
Inn, Blyth, on the B6045 from Blyth services on the
A1, 12 noon 2nd Sun: The Conservative Club, Town
Street Gildersome on the B6126 between Morley and
New Farnley, 8pm on the last Tues. Squires Cafe
Bar, Sherburn in Elmete, on the B1222 from the A1
or the A162, 7pm on the 3rd Tues. How Stean Gorge
Cafe, 12 noon, north Of Pately Bridge near Lofthouse,
3rd Sun.
Please send all changes to Where We
Meet to the Editor
62
Social and Register Secretaries
East Anglia: Paul Brown,
33a March Road, Wimblington, March, Cambs,
PE15 0RW. Tel: 0845 1560715 e-mail
[email protected]
Irish: Claire Mullen,
11
Knocknarea
Villas,
Sligo.
Tel:
00353719170887, e-mail: [email protected]
London: Mick Miles,
Shepherd’s Ley, Lamb Lane, Redbourn, St
Albans. AL3 7BS. Tel: 015 8279 3188.
Mercia: Keith Hamilton,
12 Meridith Close, Horninglow, Burton on Trent,
Staffs DE14 2SL Tel: 01283 516793
Midland: Martin Ellis,
11 Mapplewells Road, Sutton in Ashfield, Notts.
NG17 1HZ Tel: 01623 401405
Northern: Geoff Thompson,
44 Bamford Road, Heywood, Lancashire. OL10
4TA.
Tel:
01706
629206.
e-mail:
[email protected]
North East: Tony Seed,
3 Friarswood Close, Yarm, Stockton on Tees.
TS15 9JG. Tel: 01642 785880. e-mail:
[email protected]
Oxford: John Hillier,
27 Stephens Close, Mortimer, Reading. RG7
3TX.
Tel: 01189 332152.
Scottish: Bill Gault,
8 Bridge Street. Strichen. Aberdeenshire.
Scotland. AB43 6SS. Tel No. 01771637194.
eMail [email protected]
Southern: John Chandler,
43 Rutters Close, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7
9AL
Tel:
01895
446896
eMail:
[email protected]
South East: Roger Bickerstaffe,
90 Manor Way, Beyleyheath, Kent. DA7 6JN.
Tel: 01322 554127.
South West: Dave Cantrill,
7 Golwg-y-bont, Blackwood, NP12 3FT
Tel 07789 186769 [email protected]
Ulster: Michael Sweeney,
34 Edward Street, Downpatrick, Co Down, Nr.
Ireland. BT306JD. Tel: 028 44 615692.
Western: Janet Wilson,
4 Brow Villas, Bath, BA1 7NA. Tel:01225
858876 eMail : [email protected]
Yorkshire: Tony Robson,
Jack’s Cottage, Feizor, Austwick, North
Yorkshire LA2 8DF. Tel: 01729 825862 eMail:
[email protected]
For contact details for the Associate Sec for America, and secretaries for the Sidecar,
Sporting and Vintage & Classic Registers see under National Officers at the front of this
Journal.
Section & Register News
Sporting Register
Robert Bensley
Next years off road riding event (dirty weekend) will be based at Gt Offley in hertfordshire, on
12/13/14th July, Nigel Rainscroft has offered to plan
and lead the ride, Chris Wrightson (01933 401201)
will handle the bookings. These weekends have
been running for 4 years and usually attract up to
20 riders, next year Chris may organise entertainment like the one at Finedon. Any bike is suitable
(although a K1200LT may be a bit of a handfull),
this year I rode an R1100RS which we had just returned from Spain on, then a couple of weeks later
took to the Nurburgring, don’t let anyone say BMWs
are not versatile.
On Sunday July 15th there will be a joint
London and East Anglian visit to Shipdham Airfield,
where for £45 glider flights are available. We (Ann
and I) went in September and had aerobatics (a
few loop the loops, wing unders and stalls), the only
trouble with that is the flights do not last very long,
at times we were doing 110 knots and you soon get
down from 3000 ft, (the lasttime we looped I thought
“the ground was getting pretty close that time”).
Next time I may take the controls more and try and
find some thermals, they will do what they can to
suit our requirements. Book with me on a first come,
pick the best time of day basis, 01953 888415.
63
East Anglian Section
Paul Brown
The AGM ran smoothly in October. The positions
of Treasurer, Secretary and Social Secretary remained unchanged. Three new committee members have been elected Mark Dutton, Mike Davies
and Louise Ward. Mark is anxious to put effort into
promoting The Club, to attract new members, at
motorcycle orientated events in our area. This represents an increase in number over last year’s committee and should help us to have a member present
at more of our meetings to provide immediate feedback to the committee.
The Nelson Rally in mid October at Burnham Thorpe
took place in warm dry weather. Twenty-one members enjoyed the Saturday evening meal at The Lord
Nelson. The ride-out on Saturday was lead by Trevor
who, as a retired police officer, arranged for us to
park at Sheringham police Station! From Cromer
we returned via a motorcycle museum in North
Walsham.
A warm welcome to two new members, Steve
Ersser who owns a K1200 and Ian Mason who has
a K100. Steve has already booked in for our trip to
Belgium next Easter. Ian is from Chatteris just down
the road from me in the fens. We look forward to
seeing you both at our meetings soon.
I am pleased to report that our Sunday café meets
have proven to be popular with our visits to The
Flixton Air Museum, The Willow Tea Rooms in Castle Acre, Norfolk and also The Tiptree Jam Factory
in Essex, all well attended.
Our Christmas Gathering is on the 10th December
at The Five Miles Inn, Upware near Ely, from midday. We shall be having a buffet in a separate room
just after 2pm. If you are travelling a long way to
this you may like to bear in mind that rooms are
available if you wish to stay overnight, book directly
with the inn. www.fivemilesinn.co.uk tel. 01353
721654
Easter next year will see quite a number of us at
The Palace Hotel, Poperinge, Belgium for a great
Easter break. Many of you will have been here before and already know that the owners are motorcycle friendly and that we can park our bikes indoors safely. The bar boasts more than 100 different beers. The restaurant meals are very good.
Friday will be spent travelling and in the afternoon
unwinding and looking around the old town. We
have a coach organised for a Saturday trip to Bruges
for the day so that everyone can just sit back and
relax. We will have a ride-out on the Sunday morning to a village café, then through the Belgian countryside to Ypres for the afternoon and a chance to
witness The Last Post at The Menin Gate, return-
64
ing to Poperinge for our evening meal. You will of
course be at liberty to do your own thing if you wish.
There is a lot to see and do in and around this historic area of Belgium. In order to avoid letting down
the hotel, a non-refundable deposit of £25 per person is required. Already we have sixteen booked in
via the section forum so please DO NOT DELAY.
Book directly with me, your Soc.Sec. on 0845
1560715. Bookings will stop at the end of December or as soon as all the rooms are taken. There
are double rooms available if you are travelling with
your partner, some three-bedded rooms if you wish
to share with your pals and economise. The hotel,
in continental fashion, charges by the room more
than by the person. More details and pictures are
on our section forum on the Club website.
Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end
of May we have a return of The Banham Zoo Rally!
Many have asked for this, so if you are a camper
come along and enjoy yourself.
Can I remind you that the first rally of the new year
is The Rhino at Beddgelert 16-18 th February with
camping at the Forestry Commission Campsite and
B&B/hotel at most of the many guest houses and
hotels in the village. Again book early as this is always a most popular weekend.
Thankyou for all your many suggestions for our
Sunday Cafe meets next year. On the second
Wednesday of each month we will be holding
evening pub meets, I need venues for these please.
All the up to the minute Section activities are listed
on The Club Website where the 2007 Calendar is
unfolding. If you do not have internet facilities yet,
it is wise to check that a meeting advertised in The
Journal remains unchanged before you set off.
Please ring me on 0845 1560715 to confirm. There
really is no point in complaining to members of our
committee afterwards!
If you would like to enjoy riding your BMW more
often why not have a New Years Resolution to go
to more of our section events throughout 2007!
There will be more meetings than in previous years
but, even with our additional member of the team,
it will not always be possible for a committee member to be present. If you are a new member and
considering one of our meets, please make yourself known, I feel sure you will be made welcome.
All that remains is to wish you all a very Happy
Christmas and hope that you have fun motorcycling in the New Year. Ride safely.
Irish Section
Jan Browne
The A.G.M this year while very badly attended was
a very constructive one. Many contentious issues
were addressed and laid to rest, good bit of poetry
what. This year Claire Mullen stood down as Social Secretary, and I would like to take this opportunity to say a Big Thank You on behalf of the club
for the Trojan work that she has done over the past
two years as Social Secretary and for the many
years that she spent taking bookings for many major
events. Many, that she did not even attend herself.
I had many occasions to see her do many “jobs”
that were far way and above what should have been
expected of her and she didn’t complain Well done
and thanks Claire.
This year’s committee are :
Michael Ganly
Social Secretary
James Connolly
Secretary
John Mount
Treasurer
Other committee members
Jan Browne, Bob de Silva, Brendan Lang, Jim
McGrath, Francis Verling
Pat Mansfield is still the Webmaster www.bmwclub.org.uk/-irish , and a great job he does too, my
knees hurt, so please get in touch with him if you
have anything to add to the website.
The positions for Membership Secretary and Booking Secretary have yet to be decided so if you feel
you would either of these positions please let one
of the committee know.
I, Jan Browne, will continue to write the news until
someone tells me not to, but I cannot include all
that is going on around the country unless you let
me know, please the people that organise runs etc
in your area, and you know who you are, please
email or phone to keep the Journal updated. Photos are greatly appreciated also.
I would like to congratulate or should that read show
my envy, to Joe and Antoinette Heffernan, on completing the “Route 66” challenge in aid of Temple
Street Hospital.
Oct bank holiday weekend so that means we are
off to Ardara, Co. Donegal once again. The Nesbitt
Arms hotel has been a great venue over the last
number of years and we all look forward to it each
year. 34 members from Ireland and England made
the journey this time and everyone had a great time
65
– a huge welcome to Keith Kelly on his first trip to
Ardara (and possibly with the section). John & Mary
Couzens, our local members, ensured that everyone knew what was happening for the weekend with
a welcome pack in each room. John had organised for a local photographer to take a group picture at a nearby waterfall, which will be printed, in
the local paper and maybe at some future date be
included in the journal. After the photo shoot John
led a nice leisurely ride-out through the locality with
coastal roads, boreens, mountain terrain and some
N roads thrown in.
After a lunch stop in Donegal town we set off for
home – but not on the direct route – we had a detour across mountains to bring us back to Ardara
and meet up with the rest of the groups who had
been out on different trips, where we discussed the
days events. Dinner on Sat night was in the hotel
and we were joined by a number of members who
could not make the weekend event but had dinner
and a chat with us before setting off for home, while
the rest of us ventured out to sample the pubs in
the town.
Sunday morning Jimmy Ellis was joined by 13 bikes
(17 people) for a daylong ride-out. He took us on a
coastal run which included the Bunglass cliffs (and
a bike repair – so much for his day off) with spectacular views across the sea. Hopefully someone
will send photos to the editor and Webmaster. Dave
Wright has photos and video clips on his site
www.gs-ing.com he also has Boreen footage, which
is well worth a look. We had a little section of offroad included during the day but Jimmy had an alternative route for anyone not willing to risk this and
I would like to say at this point that the metal box
luggage on the Gs is brilliant for clearing over hanging bushes for those following behind – thanks Andy
you did a great job! As a pillion this part of the run
was the best for me. I had never been on tracks
before and I don’t know when I will be able to manage them myself.
For those not willing to venture out on their bikes
Mary Couzens had organised a historic walk in
Ardara – Thanks Mary. After another night in the
local pubs where we met all sorts of Halloween
partygoers, it was time to bid farewell to old and
new friends and set off for home. Some of the lads
from England had a delay in Dublin as their ferry
was cancelled but all in all another great weekend.
Thanks to John & Mary for their entire organisation
and to Jimmy for leading the Sun run.
both days I look forward to seeing you all don’t forget your swimming trunks . Plas Talgarth can be
found on the A493 near Pennal about 4 miles from
Machynlleth .
The Section AGM was held on the 8th oct at the
National Memorial Arboretum - forty members attended in support . Our treasurer Mark Hyman
stepped down so thanks to you Mark for all your
work over the last year. John Greene offered his
services as treasurer and was voted in unanimously
so thanks to John (good luck with the vat} Can I
also welcome back onto the committee Arthur
Brown who will stand as rep.
For the Mercia Section at National Committee
meets good luck Arthur and thanks. We would like
to thank Doris and all her helpers for all her hard
work over the last year cooking and ordering food
for us all, not forgetting Keith for the washing up .
Your new committee members are
Section Secretary Ray Smith
Social
Secretary
Keith
Hamilton
[email protected]
Section Treasurer John Greene
Committee members Keith & Doris Nichol Ian
McNaughton Arthur Brown
If you need to get in touch don t hesitate to contact
me and I will try and help
Terry&Sue Slacks run on the 15th Oct to Littledean
Jail in the forest of dean 21 bikes in good weather
(yes Sue no rain) left Coventry for a great run with
a Pub lunch stop. I don t think the pub has had so
many people in one go but they coped very well
and we were all soon served and very happy .The
run continued on more great roads to the Jail What
a strange place photo’s and letters from the Kray
twins to photo’s of the Holocaust !German uniforms
to Badges from most Police forces in the UK even
an old guillotine in the yard well worth a visit thanks
to Terry & Sue a great day
Keith Hamilton
We have now booked Repton for the Section New
Year Breakfast on the 7 th January. This will be a
full English if you require different please let us
know. If you will be attending could you please give
me a call so we have an idea on numbers you can
call me on 01283 516793 before the 3rd Jan .I also
have Pie & Peas booked at Repton for 28th Jan all
welcome .Next years diary is filling up fast with two
weekends one in Wales the other on the east coast
.I am working on the section diary for 2007 and
hoping to get it out in early January Any member
who is willing to lead a run next year please contact me for free dates.
Plas Talgarth Christmas Party 9th December 7pm
if you have booked for Friday & Saturday or just
Saturday you can arrive any time after 1 pm on
I spent the 1st November at the Bike show - not as
big as last year and numbers were down on last
year according to the club stand. For sure not as
Mercia Section
66
many people on the day we attended. This was
the first time we have been on the bike to the show
with undercover parking near the main doors and it
was free, Its nice to see what other manufactures
are doing the new 1400 Kawasaki sports tourer
with shaft drive looks OK with good size panniers
.The 650 bmw s look good fun a neat light bike.
It just leave me to wish you all a Good Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Midland Section
Martin Ellis
As you know, our section AGM took place on the
8th of October, and a short report is now on the Midland website. With a typical turnout, it must have
been one of the shortest AGMs on record with no
gripes or grumbles whatsoever really, and no questions regarding any of our section officers’ reports.
Does this mean we’re getting things right? Section
secretary Rob Harvey stood down at this year’s
meeting, as did four of our ten committee members - Dale Marchant, Gilbert Thomas, Richard
Filipczak and Alan Edgar. I’m sure that you’ll join
with us in offering them our thanks for all of the
work which they have done for the section.
Lisa Parker (no relation to treasurer, Graham), from
Cranfield, Beds. has taken over the role of section
secretary, and we wish Lisa every success at the
helm. Graham Parker had a change of heart and
has (thankfully) stayed on as treasurer. Our new
committee therefore, consists of six people (so far):
Lisa Parker, Secretary – Graham Parker, Treasurer
– yours truly, Social Secretary and National Committee Member, with Bill Rodgers, Phil Johnson and
Wayne Gunn remaining as Committee Members.
If you think that you could contribute something to
our section by being on the committee, please contact
Lisa
on
(01234)
750959
or
[email protected]
Don’t forget to book your ‘Post Christmas’ meal at
The Three Kings, Threekingham with Bill Rodgers,
for Saturday January 13th at 7.30pm. Bill is reachable on (01526) 834480. There may also still be
time to get your tickets for our Christmas meal at
Greetham on December 3rd , if you’re quick. Sally
Cluley has them and they are £9 each for adults
and £5 for under 12s. Two courses plus mince pies,
coffee and wine for £9. What are you waiting for?
Call Sally on (01572) 813639.There’s more good
news too, as Sally let us know at the AGM that she
will also be catering for the section 2007 Christmas lunch after all.
Don’t miss the 2007 New year’s Day ride, which
starts once again from Donington Services (J24 M1)
at 10.00. Please be there by 9.30 to top up the bike
and visit the loo (if needed) as I like to have a few
minutes chat before we leave. Our destination is
the wonderful “Arkwright’s Masson Mill” at Matlock
Bath in Derbyshire. This is a working textile museum and is a fascinating place http://
www.massonmills.co.uk There’s also a restaurant
and shopping village, so all tastes should be catered for.
Now, some advance notice of two relatively major
changes to next year’s dates – firstly, we are dropping our pub meet at The Park Hall Tavern in
Mansfield Woodhouse and it will not be in the 2007
calendar, and secondly, we have a NEW, ALL YEAR
ROUND informal venue on the 4th Sunday of each
month at Christy’s café/restaurant/farm shop on the
A617 at Hockerton, Notts – about 8 miles West of
Newark. The map reference (for those of you with
GPS) is SK 71295 56663, the postcode is NG25
0PJ and they can be reached on (01636) 816472.
They serve everything from a cup of tea to full Sunday lunches, and also have a vast variety of home
made cakes, chocolates and bread available. Keep
your eye on the diary section in The Journal, but
our first gathering will be from 11.00 onwards on
Sunday January 28th .
Oh, nearly forgot…Merry Christmas to all from your
section committee.
If you can, check the Midland website regularly for
more information, along with updates and late
news. http://www.bmw-club.org.uk/midland and
don’t forget the midland chat area on the club forum at http://forum.bmw-club.org.uk/ Start times/
locations and contact details can be found in the
diary section of The Journal, or I’m available by
phone (even on the bike!) on (07970) 682972 or by
e-mail at [email protected]
Northern Section
Geoff Thompson
As I write we are in early November and although
it’s currently quite mild we have experienced the
first frosts. With the early dark nights, cold weather
and busy holiday season approaching we have no
Section rides planned for the next couple of months.
However, there is plenty to look forward to.
Rhys Jones has arranged a hostel and camping
weekend 8-10th December at Plas Y Nant near Caernarfon; contact him on 01286 881076 for more details. Our Section gathering at Hale Barns on the
10th of December sees the annual Christmas Party
where you are asked to bring suitable food to share.
Sausage rolls, fancy cakes, jellies and so on will all
be extremely welcome. On 14th December John
Bell has arranged a Christmas Dinner at the Haraby
67
Inn at Carlisle; if you are interested in going please
contact him as soon as possible on 01228 535173.
The first event of next year will be the traditional
raffle and food at the Hale Barns meeting on the
14 th January.
And there were biker covens chatting away all
around the conservatory until close on chucking out
time. So the night got a good reception; next year
we have our dinner on the 22nd October, but more
of that later.
I am currently putting together next year’s programme and as always would welcome suggestions
or offers to lead runs. I can be contacted by phone
on 01706 629206 or by e-mail on
[email protected]
The club night at the Waggon was well attended; a
prospective new member there too. It’s a good advert for our section. There were only 2 of us at the
club night at Hartlepool; there was room for more!!
The Northern Section has volunteered to host the
Club’s National Rally at Myerscough College,
Bilsborrow, near Preston over the August Bank
Holiday Weekend next year. An organising committee has been formed and planning is underway.
However, there is plenty of room for others to help
so if you would like to be involved in either planning
or running what will be the BMW Club’s primary
event of next year, then please contact any member of the Committee.
North East Section
Tony Seed
We had a busy month in spite of it being late in the
year. We started with the AGM and unsurprisingly
there was not hot competition for places on the committee; don’t know why, as though we have some
work to do, it’s a team activity and there is always
help at hand if needed. Fancy that next year? We
may need replacements.
The reports showed that we were very busy last
year, and we hope to carry that on next year; we
made a small loss in the finances, as we got some
better display and operating equipment – next year
our income will be affected further by the reduced
capitation fee we will receive from HQ. The issues
surrounding the discovery of a potential VAT liability at national level caused a lot of discussion and
work, and thanks go to Ann and Phil who have been
dealing with this matter.
On to biking! John Matthews took a ride westward
to Alston on a wet day with 7 others, pressing on
North to Brampton and Greenhead making the GS’s
happy on the way; enjoyable but wet!!. We had a
ride of 7 bikes/8 persons including Bob the mileage man from the Scottish Section from Scotch
Corner over a very windy Tan Hill, Buttertubs to
lunch at Kettlewell where we dodged the rain and
back through Pateley Bridge. The GS’s just had to
be patient! We all enjoyed the day with good company and great scenery.
We had a very successful informal club event in
Bowburn Hall Hotel on the 21 st with around 45
guests. The buffet went down well – even quickly!
68
In December we have the annual Dr and Mrs
Herbert’s quiz; get along to this brain teaser and
hilarious night. There will rules for the breaking up
some of the power cartels who have dominated
events previously; betting is not permitted. To cap
it all we have mince pies afterwards, thanks again
to Ann!! The Herberts are cooking up a good quiz
for us, so come along and enjoy the night.
We have the informal club nights as usual in December, so come along to a Christmas season
evening at one or even both of those.
Our first event in 2007 is the Belmont Club night on
which we will have the Members Travel Forum; it’s
earlier than 2006’s, so please think about getting
up and telling us about any feature of your travels
– trips you have done; problems you have had to
overcome and things you think will help others;
places to stay, go, see; anything! It’s our chance to
pick your brains, and maybe some ideas for 2007
will come from it also.
In June, as noted last month, Pete Cullen is leading a two day event around the Northumbrian Byways; it will be suitable for all as alternative routes
will be available where conditions might be considered difficult. Accommodation will be available too.
Full details will be published on our Club Website
in due course – Pete is in Africa at present we believe! But reserve the dates in your diary.
Have a good Christmas season; the 2007 calendar
is on our website now for you to get those dates in
your diary; your hard copy will be delivered in the
New Year.
Oxford Section
John Hillier
Winter is truly with us now and for many members
those summer evenings are a distant memory, their
bikes are safely stored away. Let us cast our minds
back to the section barbeque, what follows is
Graham and Diane Chapple’s report on the day:
After weeks of hot and sunny weather we awoke to
a wet and blustery day and hoped that someone
up there would be kind to us. As the morning progressed the fight to erect the gazebos in high winds
commenced, plan B was to be put into action, all
food would have to be served inside!! and the BBQs
situated under shelter.
Then members started to arrive, some bringing an
array of beautifully prepared dishes and cakes, they
tasted as good as they looked, so those of you who
brought food a special thank you. Then the rain
stopped and even though it was overcast the sun
did make an appearance albeit briefly. It was a little
chilly but that did not deter anybody from being
outside and enjoying themselves. Thank you all that
attended and made the day such a success.
I was told that the talk given by Stan Dibben at
Uffington on the 8th of October was very much enjoyed by the membership and he said he would
return to give another talk about his motorcycle racing exploits.
The skittles match at the George and Dragon at
Erlestoke was a success all the way round, the
buffet put on by the pub was stupendous, everybody seemed to be having a good time, we even
won the match!! Next year the Western section will
host the match and I am sure they will want revenge.
This months meeting at Uffington, on the 10th, will
be our usual December social there will snacks and
such like. Bring your photos of where you have been
through the year.
On New Years day there will be a meeting at the
Lock, Stock and Barrel in Newbury, near the Wharf,
from 12 noon onwards.
Scottish Section
Bill Gault
The section had its usual run of meets over the
month,with the 24th AGM held at the Bridge of Cally
Hall, we had a good turn out on a nice October
day,buisness concluded I found myself the new
Scottish section social secretary. I joined the club
back in 1983 so I have had all those years with
others organising and running things so now its
my turn I hope you will be patient with this auld
fella - I aint as quick as I was but be sure I will try
my best.
Thanks must go to Mr and Mrs Gerry Watts for looking after the food side of things and very nice it was
to, and not forgetting Mrs Ron Male”s superb clootie
dumplin not a scrap left, so thankyou all who helped
out on the day.
The Borders group are meeting in the Cat Inn a
couple of miles along the road from their usual
watering hole, The Plough Inn, while its refurbishment is going on.
The Loch Earnhead bunkhouse weekend is on the
12th and 13th Jan, because the scouts are using
their facility the week previous we have had to adjust to the later than usual weekend, sorry to those
who find this clashing with their plans, with only 30
places available be sure to book as soon as possible if you wish to attend this popular winter weekend remember 4 wheels are perfectly acceptable
at this mid winter event.
I will give a talk and slide show on the tour I did this
summer to the Eastern Capital cities for those who
might be interested, If you are comming to the
bunkhouse weekend be sure to bring along those
left over festive goodies and drinks it all adds to
the fun of the weekend. Hoping you all have an
enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year,
“CHEERS” Bill Gault.
South East Section
Brian Shears
John Smith started events in October with his ‘Seaside’ run. From Godstone, John led a group of riders through the Sussex and Kent countryside stopping for lunch at ‘The Smugglers Inn’, at Fairlight.
An enjoyable meal was followed by a brisk walk to
the beach that ended with the traditional ceremony
of wringing the water out of our swimming trunks!
Back on the bikes, we rode Eastwards along the
coast, until we were obliged to take a break at
Challock for a ‘T and P’ before heading home! It
was an enjoyable ride-out on a sunny day. Many
thanks John for organising the trip.
The Section AGM, on the 4th, was a noisy event
attended by forty-three members. After presenting
their reports and providing comprehensive replies
to questions asked, the existing Committee members, except one, were re-elected for 2007. John
Smith expressed his wish to retire from the position of Social Secretary and Roger Bickerstaffe was
elected as his successor. The members and Committee extend their grateful thanks to John for many
years of excellent service to the Section. We also
wish Roger the best of luck and hope that he and
Jill will enjoy the much sought after fame and fortune that goes with the job! Ho, Ho!
Rod Weights’ ride-out, on the 15th, was well organised and very enjoyable. Using a variety of lanes
and minor roads Rod took us on a jolly jaunt, which
included the twists and turns of Romney Marsh.
69
RAY HALL
Ray died on Wednesday the 18th of October
at Myton Hospice in Warwick after a
relatively short spell in Hospital in Coventry.
A service was held on the 1st of November
at the Canley Crematorium in Coventry. His
funeral cortege, was in true motorcycling
fashion with the sidecar hearse having a
helmet and gloves on the coffin, and Chris
his wife, travelling on the pillion with for their
last ride together. There were twenty or so
bikes in attendance from the BMW,
VMCC, Peugeot and the
local Antelope Clubs
with many cars. At the
Crematorium
the
attendance for the service
overfilled the room with
many standing in the
entrance and others in
another room where the
Chaplain’s sermon was
relayed on speakers.
Following the ceremony
Chris had arranged
a small display
showing
a
picture of Ray,
as we all
remember
him with a
beautiful
quotation,
‘You can
s h e d
t e a r s
because he is gone or you can smile
because he has lived.’ As Chris had
requested no flowers, a charity collection
box for donations to the Hospice, which
looked after Ray, was there so that it could
continue to look after others. Many of us
went back to Chris and Ray’s home for tea
and cakes and to reminisce on many shared
memories of times with a really good friend
and companion. Ray’s grandchildren
released balloons with messages from them
to Ray, a lovely way to let them be a part of
the days.
Ray worked for Coventry Council for most of
his working life but after early retirement had
worked for some time at MIRA as a test
driver. Despite some diversions such as
classic Riley’s, Ray’s main interest was
always motorcycles having spent some
years doing trials and scrambles but
eventually in the late eighties returned to
road riding and started his love affair with
BMWs. He was mainly interested in the older
pre 69 machines but, unlike most people
Ray would not only
show his bikes,
winning numerous
prizes, he also rode
them. I had the
privilege
to
accompany Ray on
many of these trips.
As far as Ray was
concerned there
was always time to
talk to people about
bikes, his and theirs,
advice was free and
help where he could
provide it.
Certainly events such as the Founders Day
rally at Stanford Hall, the Classic bike show
at Stafford and many others will be a bit
quieter without his presence. Like many
others I feel the loss of Ray deeply, as will
the many friends he had made during his
life. I am sure that I can include his many
friends when I say, “Ray, it was a pleasure
to have known you.” I for one will miss looking
down at my mirror and seeing him following
me. Our deepest condolences go to Chris,
his wife, and all his family.
Dave Bertram : on behalf of many friends
70
We arrived at Old Romney in good time for a superb lunch, considered mandatory in the South
East, at ‘The Rose and Crown’. Pushing onwards,
with the sun beginning to fade, we stopped for a
‘cuppa’ before heading home. Another enjoyable
day out and, as always, in good company.
S’wonderful. Thank you Rod.
Our Guest Speaker, an officer in the Police force,
came along on the 18th with a variety of interesting
exhibits and projected images to entertain and enlighten us. Our guest, Ian Burchell, who is also a
Section member, talked to us for at least an hour
and a half and unswervingly answered all of the
questions put to him. The whole evening was very
informative and enjoyed by all. We would all like to
thank Ian for a ‘cracking’ talk and for spending his
free time with us.
Due to Kevin Goldfinch being unavoidably detained
elsewhere, Colin Ace volunteered to organise the
‘Autumn Leaves’ run. Wonderful weather, an excellent lunch, a well-chosen route in East Kent carpeted with fallen leaves, as crisp as cornflakes and
in a profusion of colours, made the day. Naturally,
the obligatory ‘T and P’ stop, later in the afternoon,
rounded it off nicely. Many thanks to Colin and Jo
for organising it all.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
At the AGM it was proposed and unanimously
agreed by members that contrary to our usual practice we would not exchange individual Christmas
cards this year. Instead, a donation to the ‘Kent Air
Ambulance Trust’ was thought to be more useful.
We now have a large collection box at our Club
Nights, which will also be available at the Christmas Lunch. If you cannot get to see us, you are
welcome to donate through me. Wendy Hall has
made a magnificent, multi-page card in which we
can all write our Christmas messages to each other.
Nice one Wendy! I will be arranging a group visit
to the Kent Air Ambulance HQ during a Sunday run
in the New Year.
Margaret is already taking bookings for the ‘New
Year’ party on the 10th January 2007. If you want
to come along please be sure to book with her now,
on 01474 566142.
Southwest Section
David Cantrill
Hello to all the South West Section from my self
and the new all new section committee.
The election of new committee members was as
follows:
Secretary: David Cooper
Treasurer: Mike Groves
Social Secretary: David Cantrill
Membership Secretary: Gemma Groves
Committee members: Les Carr, Chris Crocker and
Andy Allman.
I know all the sections members would like to send
a big vote of thanks the outgoing committee and
event organisers. The fore mentioned have made
myself and others welcome to the club, from Sunday meets, Camping weekends, Ride outs, to full
weekends with the likes of St Audries Bay. A few
weeks ago the “Poltroons weekend” was I understand a great success, (Reports below).. Members
made welcome by Ted Devey and a torrential rain.
When this gets to print the ever popular Hippo Rally
at the new venue of The Plume of Feathers,
Princetown will have taken place, A few pints sank
many more tales told and the usual laughter heard.
We are lucky to have some fantastic venues with
many new events to come in the new year. Don’t
forget the Christmas Party at the Globe Inn,
Sempford Peverell, 9th December and Boxing day
Lunch meeting same venue. Check out your South
West Website (http://www.bmw-club.org.uk/~southwest) for more details. Let me know what you want
your section to be involved with. I look forward to
seeing many faces new and old” in the coming year.
Ride safe
Helens Rideout Report
Sunday 24th Sept and 18 ignored the forecast and
arrived at Exeter Services bright and breezy for a
mystery tour. We meandered through an assortment of Devonshire roads - country lanes and dual
carriageways and everything in between till we arrived at Seaton Tramway. A Tram had been reserved
for us and our personal driver and tour guide gave
an interesting commentary of the history of the
Trams and the local wildlife as we proceeded up
the Axe Valley to Colyton for a brief stop. Back to
Seaton and off to the pub for a delicious cavery
before returning to the bikes and taking a scenic
route to Exmouth for a cuppa and ice cream on the
beach. Good to see some new facesmongst the
regulars and many thanks for making it an enjoyable day out. Cheers
Teds Report for the Poltroons Weekend - A nice
wet one!
Fifteen brave souls ignored a terrible forecast to
come to the Poltroons Weeked at Fowey and were
rewarded with tropical weather - that is monsoon
rains (but slightly colder) and winds of force 9 at
times. However things were eased by a “ 25 years
in the Good Pub Guide” celebration in the Rashleigh
Inn on the beach at Polkerris with 1981 prices - the
beer at 60p a pint and three course meals for 4.95p.
Some joined the celebrations with gusto! Would
be rude not to wouldn’t it? The Saturday morning
brought decent weather for trips round the harbour
and visits on board the Fowey lifeboat guided by a
crew member and Admiralty Pilot, Bob Harris, and
Keith Stuart the coxwain, followed by refreshments
71
in the lifeboat house. Many thanks to them and to
the members for their contributions to the RNLI box.
After a couple of hours of ‘tourism’ in the town it
was off to the Devey house for a BBQ on the patio
overlooking the fields and valley.Starting well this
then mildly altered by the biggest rainstorm we
localshad ever seen in Cornwall. Picture 20 people
jostling to claim the centre ofthe gazebo; thick hot
soup and salad (courtesy of Pat Devey) and things
various from the BBQ. The joking, and the wetness,
got to the ‘silly’ stage when a huge gust of wind
lifted the cloth roof and dumped 5 gallons of water
on the fire ! - ending the sterling efforts of Mike and
Gemma Groves as chefs-in -chief. We all retired to
the kitchen to continue eating — imagine sitting in
akennel with 20 wet labaradors — and the banter
continued well into the evening with more riding gear
than I can imagine draining in my garage and some
people sat in various items of my ill-fitting dry
clothes. That night we were blessed with a storm
of similar proportions but all tents survived, the occupants and the spirit too. — to my amazement
lots asked “When can we do it again?” Gluttons for
punishment some people! It was a weekend of zero
complaints, lots of fun and British good humour.
Thank you stalwarts for coming and making it all
worthwhile. Ted….
Ulster Section
Michael Sweeney
With the mild autumn weather that we’ve been having up until now some of the recent bike runs have
been pretty well attended. Last Sunday, the 5th of
November, five bikes turned up to join the “Sunday
Club” to have a pleasant ride up to Ballycastle. The
previous Sunday twelve bikes turned up and also
rode up towards the north coast. And four people
came together for the last ride and meet for lunch.
Unfortunately, the guest speaker who was booked
for the 7th November section meeting wasn’t able
to make it and the large crowd just had a natter
night instead. There was some disruption and confusion because of the building work that’s ongoing
at Corr’s Corner at present but the manager assures us that all will be sorted out in time for our
December meeting.
One young lady who was sitting near the front of
the crowd, looking very fetching in her red sweater,
told us the happy news that she had recently passed
her bike driving test. She was warmly applauded
for her efforts but what the assembled throng did
not know was that she had become so emotionally
unbalanced by her success that she went straight
out and bought a Harley Davidson! She is currently
receiving counseling from trained BMW Motorrad
counselors.
Another young lady, Jan also let slip that she had
passed her test recently too and also received deserved applause and congratulations.
The Harley owner’s long suffering boyfriend, Richard very unselfishly volunteered to take over from
Tommy in looking after the management of the
North West 200 camping weekend and BBQ. Many
thanks from everybody to Richard.
Sadder news was that long time biker and club stalwart Len Wilson had been taken into hospital recently. The medics were hopeful that they would
be able to get Len sorted out quite quickly and he
may well be home by the time that this is printed.
But everybody sent their best wishes.
Tommy and I made a one-day trip the recent bike
show in the NEC in early November. When there
Tommy again lobbied Howard Godolphin of BMW
to come over and give us a talk. Howard said that
he would try and we are hopeful of seeing him sometime next year.
One of our members, Drew is running a bike trip to
explore Russia in August next year. So, if the glamour and excitement of Newcastle Promenade is
beginning to pall, why not have a chat with Drew
and join what looks like a smashing trip?
Rumour has it that Johnston Stewart has recently
returned from a trip to India. If anybody meets him
soon perhaps they would tie him up, bring him to a
meeting and make him give us a presentation about
his adventures in the sub continent.
Billy Owens, our diligent club archivist related an
interesting story. One of his chums had been conversing with a friend in New Zealand over the
internet about their mutual hobby, fishing. The conversation then drifted to another subject of com-
72
mon interest, bikes. The New Zealander said that
he had a lovely restored Triumph T110 which, coincidentally, had once been registered to one T. Hurst
in Belfast way back in the 1950’s. Turns out that
that the T. Hurst was the late Toby Hurst of fond
memory, who people did indeed remember owning
a nippy T110 that would really do 110mph. Small
world, eh?
Please don’t forget about the Christmas Carvery
which will be on Tuesday 5 th December, with prices
pegged at £12.50.
Vintage & Classic Register
Malcolm Mc Nair
Elsewhere in the Journal there is an obituary to Ray
Hall but we felt that a few words were fitting in the
Register report.
Wendy and I considered Ray a good friend and he
was one of the most enthusiastic members of the
Register. He exhibited his ‘concours’ quality machines for the Club more than anyone else and always volunteered to attend the Stafford Show to
help out on the stand as well as getting ‘stuck in’
with the manual work necessary in setting up. We
had known Ray for about seven years, and can only
describe him as a ‘true’ gentleman. Having attended
the Moto-Piston, and only last year a trip to Munich
with him, it became obvious that Ray had many
interests other than motorcycling which made him
fascinating company. Many members will remember him for his friendly unselfish approach, freely
giving his time and advice on the airhead machines.
His innovations on his own machines were not only
practical modifications to improve riding/reliability
but were also cosmetically considered and invariably made by him in stainless steel.
A life time motorcycle enthusiast, Ray was an accomplished rider and driver having ridden in trials
for many years as well as being a test driver at
Mira for various motor manufacturers.
Ray’s funeral was attended by over 200 people and
the cortège with a motorcycle hearse and outriders
was special and dignified as was befitting Ray. The
Club and Register will be very, very much poorer
without him.
Confirmation that the 6th Vintage & Classic Rally
will take place on the 14 th – 17 th June 2007 at
Llwyngwair Manor Holiday Park, Newport, Nr.
Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, South Wales. As usual
camping and caravan facilities are available in addition to the Manor. For 2007 there will be additional self catering accommodation.
An event for 2007 that the Register will be attending for the first time is the VMCC Festival of 1000
Bikes at Mallory Park on the 14th /15th July. We hope
to have a Register stand for both days so machines
for display will be required. This event gives you
the chance to ride the circuit, but if you are so inclined it is necessary to book a session now, yes
now, as places were filled very early last year. Contact the VMCC 01283 540557 or register on line at
www.vmcc.net
The Stafford Classic Motor Cycle Show in April 2007
will once more be organized by Mike Fishwick.
Please see elsewhere in the Journal for the machines required for display.
I hope, all being well, to get a bumper issue of the
n/letter out with the Journal that you receive before
Christmas. More articles are wanted for the ‘News’,
especially for the post ’69 machines.
Western Section
Chris Bates
Here we are once more, in the season of mellow
fruitfulness, but at least the roads are a little quieter. Apart that is for the hordes of fug-boxed families bound as ever on the two monthly shopping
binge.
The lucky folk who joined Arthur and Marje on the
walk saw little traffic in the wilds of Somerset, but
they did see a stile or two. One of our party even
managed to fall at one. If he is prompted he may
even tell of his injuries although like all us chaps
he rarely, if ever complains. Once again Catherine
and Jeff made us very welcome at their lovely home
in Peasedown. They looked after our riding kit and
even loaned us their dog.
Upon on our return we were treated to a really topnotch high tea.
Definitely worth all that walking.
The skittles match against Oxford Section was really good fun and the venue was excellent. By dint
of bad fortune we lost the match, but we will put
that to rights in 2007. Some of you may like to join
us in this endeavour even though skittles may not
be ‘your thing’. A ride to a well chosen pub, meet
with friends old and new , a ‘rowdy’ game followed
by a thumping good buffet. What fun. Mark it in
your 2007 diary.
The ride out on 29th Oct,. was blessed with good
weather. A really nice Autumn day that improved
the further North we went. A good bend-swinging
ride on a route that the Harrison family had gone to
some lengths to plan out. Brian was our leader
and Haydn our back man. Icing on the cake was to
73
have Brian’s daughter, Jan, riding with us on her own
machine. Some years ago she came on rides and
weekends with us, but that was as a young and enthusiastic passenger. The lunch stop was at a classic,
timbered, almost Disneyesque Herefordshire Pub.
Nice. We duly rode on past pretty valleys and changing trees to Ledbury where we had break. There we
were fortunate to meet two great club supporters, Dave
and Caroline Horne. Nice to see them again. On then
for a swiftish ride back to Hewelsfield where Marion
had prepared cakes and tea for us as she has for the
last couple of decades. Another excellent day out.
Hope to see you all at Easter Compton Christmas
meet, otherwise a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
Phillip Carr
Yorkshire Section
Elaine West
This month’s news is overshadowed due to the sad
death of Phil Carr - one of our founder members. An
obituary follows. Suffice to say our thoughts are with
Pat and family at this sad time.
AGM our section membership at present is
698, this years AGM drew only 34 bodies, is this lack
on interest, is the Venue not convenient, or could you
just not be bothered? So please accept the following
brief notes, as you weren’t there to vote or change
any thing. Copies of the minutes will be at Craoce together with section accounts as usual.
Your Section Committee for 2007:
Section Secretary and National Comm. Representative - Dave Milne
Treasurer- Dennis Crompton: Social Secretary – Tony
Robson
Regalia and Comm. Member – Christine Broadbent
Committee members: Alan George: Elaine West and
Andy Stork.
Meeting places remain the same with one
addition, Squires café on the 3rd Tuesday this is a
new venue, if you have been you will know this is a
Biker friendly café. There are always bikers there to
chat to if you are new to the club do come along you
won’t be on your own. As the weather changes you
can come to any natter night by bike or car or even
bus so don’t let this stop you coming.
Tony our new Social sec. Is working hard to
make sure we have a busy year ahead to look forward
you can contact him by phone: 01729 825 862 or email
[email protected]
Some of you may remember we used to have
a points for attendance system whereby each time you
do a section venue your Diary is marked by the person who has arranged the event and at the end of the
year prizes are awarded for the most points gained we
have decided to do this again for 2007 so get ready
for a busy year. We have a variety of events planned
74
so everyone has an incentive to take part and win
something as well – no it won’t be a tea towel!
Christmas dinner is nearly fully booked up we
are having a Party night this year with fancy hats and
balloons etc and group to dance off your dinner. Please
send your cheques to Dave ASAP ring him for details
of how much etc.0113 286 0604. Raffle prizes can be
handed in on the night. Were having our New Years
Day party at Cracoe again this year, this will be on
Monday 1st January 2007 from 1pm onwards, so there
will be no meeting there on the Sunday the 7th.
Cracoe played host to 38 bikes this weekend
we Marigolds were kept busy in the kitchen Keith and
Bill were missing they had gone to the Hippo. Well
someone’s got to keep Esso going!
That’s all for now folks so from the committee
hope you all have a great Christmas and A Happy Biking New Year.
I am sorry to be the one to announce the unexpected
death on the 16 th October of Phillip (Phil) Carr.
Phil and I joined the Club at around the same time
and for the same reason,to tour abroad. Our wish was
soon fulfilled a tour of the French Alps along with Alan
Dixon was one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever
done mainly due to Phil’s wife Pat’s dry sense of humour.
Phil more than fulfilled his wish. On his almost annual
visits to the USA he made many friends in the TABS
group, a collection of bike owners willing to loan their
machines.In return Phil’s bikes were loaned out nearly
every year.(Any one who has done this will know the
Insurance hassle involved)
In the last few years he was the linchpin that held together a group of ancient pilots who met nearly every
Wednesday for a ride out. We even kept going through
the winter on good days. He also organised the Annual Dinner for the South Yorkshire members who at
one time felt themselves out on a limb.It became a
victim of its own success as people were booking for
next year before the had drunk their coffee.
Phil was social secretary for three years and he tried
to attend every meeting, rideout, camp and national.
No newcomer was ever left out in the cold. He was
following Ron Thackray’s tradition of personal contact.
Lord knows how many miles he covered on club business.
He could never resist a “shall we?” If it involved a bike
ride such as his trip to Morocco. He was even out on
his bike with friends the Thursday before his death
Phil will be missed for his enjoyment of life and ability
to communicate with the rest of the human race, He
was that rare thing a Gentleman and true friend
Our condolences to Pat, David, Ian, Wendy, Simon
and the Grandchildren.
Rodney Mitchell, on behalf of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid Adverts are to enable BMW Club Members to buy or sell motorcycles or related items that they own. The
service is free but subject to the rules below and excludes trade advertisers.
1. Note adverts are NOT accepted over the phone send them by
post to the Mutual Aid Officer: Owen Vaughan, 16 South
Meadows, Pembroke, Pembs. SA71 4E, or by e-mail:
[email protected] (Please remember to include
your full postal address). Phone queries only between 10:00 –
20:00 please, to 01646 683188. .
2. All adverts should be readable and punctuated. Please TYPE,
PRINT or e-mail clearly using a standard font. Fancy script
might look pretty but is hard for us to read!
3. The maximum length is 50 words, excluding your phone
number and name. If you wish to use more than 50 words your
option is to pay for the advert at 20p a word for the WHOLE
advert. Payment with advert before submission. Note one advert/
month per section. At the editor’s discretion adverts can be edited
where deemed necessary due to space.
4. In your advert, include your forename and one phone number.
Extra phone numbers, times to call, e-mail addresses, web sites
etc will be excluded.
5. You must include your name, full address, Section and
membership number; these will not be published but we will check
membership.
MOTORCYCLES FOR SALE
F650GS 2005 ‘54’ reg 5,000 miles. Black. H/grips,
hazards, BMW tank bag, Dakar screen, hd/protectors, engine bars, Metal Mule carrier, BG stuff ali
chain guard, wheel sensor guard & brake cylinder
guard, Remus cans, fork protectors. O/E equipment
included. Ex cond £4500. Peter 01227 478302
(Kent) (Non Mbr)
Grinnall BMW Trike 2003, 14,000 miles, Yellow/
Blue. Converted from new & fitted R1150 engine,
T&T 03/07, VGC, FSH, £9500 ono Stuart 01768
891554 (Cumbria) (Non Mbr)
K75 1987, Black/Orange seat. New MOT, battery
& gd tyres. H/grips, otherwise all standard £950 or
possibly swop for RT, K or R, similar value. Phil
01252 702436 (Surrey)
K75 1988 ‘F’ reg, 59,000 miles, Black. Long t&T, 2
new tyres, crash bars, h/grips, panniers. Owned
from new. £1600 ono Roland 01388 833224 (Co
Durham)
K75 1989 60,000 miles, Black. Low seat, panniers,
£1200 ono. Ken 01454 414860 (Avon) (Non Mbr)
K75 1993, 31,000 miles, Black. High screen, crash
bars, full luggage, gd tyres, Bagster tank bag, new
battery, tax 02/07, MOT 09/07 £1850 Phil 01271
342478 (Devon)
K75C 1988, 65,000 miles. White, red/blue
coachlines. Koni shock, progressive front springs,
low seat conversion, full BWM luggage, Baglux tank
cover & bag. Manuals & servicing tools. New MOT,
SORN, Owned from new, £1200 ono Dick 01656
653116 ( S. Wales)
6. Mutual Aid Adverts are accepted for a one-month insertion
only. Any subsequent submissions are the responsibility of the
advertiser.
7. Please note the copy deadline in the Journal and understand
which edition it applies to before querying why your advert hasn’t
appeared two weeks after you sent it! Please do not leave it to the
copy date until you send your advert as we are very busy then:
It’s First Come, First Served at closing time!
8. The BMW Club cannot be held responsible for the quality or
availability of items or goods or for any arrangements for delivery
or payment.
9. Adverts from non - club members may be accepted in special
circumstances. For information, please contact the Mutual Aid
Officer.
Business Advertisement (Disclosure) Order 1977
Any advertiser who places an advertisement concerning the sale of
goods being sold in the course of business shall clearly indicate this
fact. This applies whether the advertiser is acting on their own behalf
or for another party. If you have reason to believe that you have been
misled as to the status of any advertiser, please inform your local
Trading Standards Department and the Editor immediately. The fine
for breaches of this order is up to £1,000.
NOTE : JAN. JOURNAL COPY
DEADLINE IS 1ST DEC
K100 ‘B’ reg, 27,000 miles. New/gd tyres, no MOT,
home made sidecar fitted (easily removed). Bike
suitable for spares or project, was accident damaged, buyer collects. £500. Full details Simon 0774
8872385 (Yorks)
K100 ‘Ongar‘ 1989, 23,500 miles, Karibic Blue
Gold/Silver pinstripe. MOT 08/07, Tax 02/07, fitted
from new with R series RS fairing, & Ongar lower
fairing. Top box, panniers, recent discs, tyres,
braided brake lines, regularly serviced. VGC. ‘R‘
looks with ‘K‘ performance! JPEGS available £1600
ono. Geoff 01934 830016 (S’set)
K100RS 16v 1992, ‘K’ reg, 53,000 miles, Graphite.
ABS, h/grips, two power sockets, BMW panniers,
topbox & tankbag. Nearly new B/stone 020’s, new
battery, mostly BMWSH, t&T, ex cond £1995 Tony
01373 813366 (S’set)
K100RT 1986, ‘D’ reg, 70,000 miles, Blue. Full luggage, screen, T&T, gd cond, garaged £1500 ono
Kane 01691 623272 (Shrops) (Non Mbr)
K1100LT SE 1996 66,500 miles, Red. ABS, h/grips,
colour coded luggage, radio/cassette removed but
complete to refit, Gell battery. New mich mac tyers,
fork seals & dust covers with heavy duty fork oil.
MOT 04/07, Tax 03/07, JPEG’s. £2600 Cedric
01423 881947 (Yorks)
K1200RS SE 2000, 23,000 Miles, Yellow/Grey.
Colour Matched Panniers, ABS, Mot 07/07, Taxed
02/07, tail rack, h/grips, tool kit, garaged, s/s fasteners, bar raisers, comfort screen, Always polished
£3800 Paul 01354 741168 (Cambs)
75
R65 1979, owned since 1991, Bronze. Twin disc,
BMW panniers & screen. MOT 09/07, Sorn. Koni
dial-a-rides, gd tyres, engine bars, fork gaiters, new
seat foam. Need bigger model, hence sale £800
ono Colin 01954 204852 (Cambs)
R65 1983, Met Blue. T&T 03/07, windscreen ,
chrome crash bars & carrier, fog & spot lights, BMW
panniers, top box, windscreen, comfy seat, paint
work a little jaded, goes well. JPEGS available. £950
ovno . Bob 01928 715050 (Ches)
R80 1991, 47,000 miles. Tax 03/07, MOT 09/07,
touring panniers, clock, voltmeter, SH. All receipts
& MOT’s, toolkit, hd/book, VGC £1350 Mark 07824
389477 (Lancs)
R80GS, Dec 1992, 20,500 miles, Red. Recent tyres,
pannier frames & rack, T&T 03/07, original tools, s/
s exhaust. Must be the nicest one around. £2500
ono Tony 07981 681953 (Lincs)
R80RT Mono 1985, 15,000 miles, Colorado Red.
T&T, exceptional cond for year, panniers, extra
clocks. £2200 ono Tony 01776 840276 (Scotland)
R80RT Mono, 1986, 28,000 miles, Red. SORN,
BMW panniers, s/s exhaust & push rod tubes, h/
grips, high screen, new rear tyre, & battery, top end
overhaul. Clean well maintained machine, fully
sorted, new bike forces sale. £1100 ono. Ralph
02920 624621 (S. Wales)
R80RT Monolever 1990, ‘H’ reg, only 21,000 miles,
Silver/Grey metalic. Panniers, large Givi topbox,
new starter, very reliable, long T&T. Can deliver.
£2250 Willie 01324 875365 (Scotland)
R100R 1992, 14,000 miles, Metallic purple. All
MOT’s, clock, voltmeter, indicator warning buzzer,
screen, cruise, side stand, h/grips, pannier rails,
Datagged, original toolkit . Nearly new tyres, new
sealed battery. Immac cond, modern mechanics
with classic look. £2750 Cameron 01403 753765
(Sussex)
R100R 1995 ‘N’ reg, 9.570 miles, Black/white
coachlines. T&T, wire wheels, cyl/guards, panniers
& top box, leather tank cover & tank bag, Tall screen
& power socket. Always garaged, much admired,
ex cond. £3950 ono Roy 0161 623 5317 (M’chester)
R100RS 1978 67,000 miles, BMW Gold. 2 owners
fm new, org invoice, immac paintwork, recently resprayed, SH, Krauser panners s/s exhaust, new
Hawker battery & pads, cast iron discs front & rear,
T&T 07/07. Probably one of the best available £2250
ono John 01256 470901 (Hamps)
R100RS 1982, 45,000 miles Silver Beige, MOT 03/
07, Taxed 02/07. Krausers, Givi topbox, chrome
crashbars, ex cond. Reluctant sale £1800 ono. Dick
01372 454672 (Surrey)
R100RS 1981, 3,250 miles genuine from new ,
Smoked Red. T&T 10/07, h/grips, baided hoses,
surefoot side stand, panniers, top box, high screen,
Balux tank cover. Regrettable sale, price reflects
condition £4750 no offers Niall 01492 878963 (N.
Wales)
R100RS 1984, ‘A’ reg, 22,600 miles, Pearl White.
76
S/s exhaust, MOT 07/07, Tax 03/07, panniers, spare
screen. New rear tyre, very good front. Grand bike.
£2600 Tony 0116 2374973 (Leics)
R100RT 1981, 16,000 miles, Smoke Red. T&T, SH,
immac cond all round. May part ex for similar cond
R100RS/CS or R90S £2495 no offers Paul 07901
977793 (Kent)
R100S 1978, ‘S’ reg, 85,000 miles, BRG, MOT 04/
07, Tax 02/07, s/s pipes. Original BMW panniers,
luggage rack & crash bars. Fully converted/ serviced 11/05 with receipts. Mechanically superb, touring seat fitted. Ready to use or very lightly restore.
£1400. Stewart 07900 575 850 (London)
R850R 1996, ‘P’ reg. Ex cond, screen, panniers,
Givi rack, komfi pillion seat, T&T. sensible offers
over £2000 Ricky 01933 624257 (Northants)
R1100RS SE 1994, 11,000 miles, Torquoise.
FBMWSH, MOT 09/07, h/grips, BMW panniers, cyl/
guards. £3000 Graham 07763 167550 (Staffs)
R1100RS 1996, 23,000 miles, Red. FSH, tank bag,
panniers, rear rack, alarm immobiliser, h/grips, ABS,
ex cond. Giant step up the property ladder forces
sale. First offer over £3000 secures. Vince 07990
560840 (London)
R1100RS SE 43,000 miles Red. FBMWSH, alarm,
T&T 03/07, Full Luggage Givi Top Box, large dust
cover, Skidmarks grey mid screen hd/protectors,
Bridgestone 020’s, new gell battery, starter motor
overhauled. Heated storage in winter, original
screen, tail platform available Tristan 01793 879978
(Oxfs)
R1100S 2002, 28,000 miles, Graphite Grey. Superb
cond, ABS, h/grips, comfort bars, footrest adjustment set, panniers, 2 screens, FSH, £4500 Steve
07739 709424 (Sussex)
R1150GS 2000, 25,000 miles Mandarin. FSH, BMW
luggage, ABS, h/grips, engine bars, Adv screen, Y
piece, spotlights. Recent new tyres & Hawker battery, garaged, ex cond. Reluctant sale hardly used.
Euro 8500 Dermot 03 53 5997 26371 (Eire)
R1150RT 2002, 9,000 miles. Silver. H/grips, twin
horns, radio/cass, autocom, top box, tank bag, garaged. Fair weather use only. £7250 ono. Roy Tel
0191 2461100 (Newcastle)
R1150 RT May 02 reg, 9,500 miles, Blue. T&T ‘07,
VGC, h/grips, cyl/guards, radio/cass, dual horns,
aux sockets, garaged. Data Alarm, £5500 Alan
07929 500702 (Lancs)
R1200GS Sept 2004, 25,000 miles, Red. House
move forces, FBMWSH, Autocom Pro 7, beak peak,
fenda extenda, engine bars, cyl/protectors, h/grips,
rear hugger, Remus “Revolution” exhaust, BMW
tank bag. Above average miles, therefore below
average price of £6,000. Geoff 07711 440672
(Herts).
R1200GS Mar 2006, 2,900 miles, Blue. H/grips,
ABS, FSH & 18 months warranty remaining. £8500
David 07802 644483 (Notts)
Honda CBR 125, 350 miles, Red. Showroom cond,
as new £2100 Bernard 01253 702793
Honda Deauville 2003, 9,500 miles, Blue. Gd tyres,
Tax 04/07, MOT 07/07, tall screen, Immac cond,
£3750 ono George 01432 830287 (Herefs)
BMW 2 peice gortex suit, red/grey, size 54, VGC
£280. BMW cruiser helmet, size 58, new £70. Both
plus p&p Paul 01843 595018 (Kent)
Honda Pan Euro 1100 1998. T&T, tankcover & bag,
radio/cassette, sat nav, Rake w/screen. New s/s
exhaust, holdspeed ctl fron h/brake, towing bracket
& colour matched trailer £4000 Bill 0191 2682015
(Newcastle)
Boots, Hein Gericke PSX-T1R XCR, Gore-tex size
39. Lewis Leathers blue/black w/proof size 10. both,
small for their size, only used a couple of time £35
each. Plus p&p. Mark 01256 884199 (Hants)
MZ ETZ 250 1986, 17,000 miles. T&T, recent front
disc, pads, coil, electronic regulator, locking petrol
cap, rack & topbox, screen if reqd. Owned by BMW
/ MZ club members throughout its life. £395 ono
Richard 01803 867160 (Devon)
Suzuki Burgman 400cc, Maxi Scooter, 1999,
16,500 miles. Tax 01/07, MOT 02/07, new front tyre,
very reliable, ideal commuter equally at home in
town or motorway. £1450 ono Richard 01803
867160 (Devon)
BITS & BOBS
Airhead Parts, post 85 seat cowl rack £15. Pre 85
RT/RS fairing headlight glass £20. Rubber tunnel
£5. Air intake ducts & pocket vents £25/set. Rear
mudguard with mudflap £25. Fork gaters for
unfaired bike £20. Brembo calipers £60 pair.
Krauser K2 45L panniers & frame £75. All plus p&p
Dave 01423 884741 (Yorks)
BMW Active Line 2 piece suits, Gortex liner. Mans
large, & Ladies size 14-16 £100 each, both ex cond.
Hank 01654 702562 (Mid Wales)
BMW Club journals 140 copies, mostly 1990 to
1999, some late 80s too.
Offers, possibly swop for 81-84 R100 parts. Richard 01225 833393 (S’set)
BMW integral panniers with flat locks £75. 1 pair
GS touring panniers & chrome LH frame £150 1
pair touring panniers re-built with new hinges seals
& tubular locks £100. Would consider swops Mike
0118 958 0852 (Berks)
BMW K series panniers. Fair condition £60. BMW
comfort seat for K75 £75. Robert 01257 793209
(Lancs)
BMW Rallye 2 suit complete, Grey/Black, size 56
with Gortex inserts. Full armour, jacket sleeves
detachable. Brilliant suit for all climates, worn a few
times, weight increase forces replacemnent. Cost
£675, bargain at £500 plus p&p. Mike 07973 691121
(C’wall)
BMW Tank bag to fit K1200RS £60. BMW rear
brake pads, fits most K’s Part nbr 34212332988
£10. BMW two pack aerosol Paint, pearl white/silver Part Nbr 51912322106 £5. Fred 01794 501158
(Hants)
BMW Vario Tank bag & base for K1100 & K1.
Expandable section, rain cover, securing brackets,
ex cond £85 incl. UK postage. David 01273 464779
(Sussex)
Boxer bits, for ST diff 37/11 £80. Hagon damper
£60. S/s exhaust system £60. Front wheel, red &
disc £60. Gearbox £125. /5, /6 complete fork legs
with brace & brake stay, no yokes £75. George c/o
01727 857108 (Herts)
Breaking R80 mono, 1987 most parts available
inc s/s silencers & front pipes, can post Bill 01375
407305 (Essex)
Cameron Rucksack, Waterproof, with an expanding section to carry a full faced helmet £30 Stuart
07833 690972 (Mids)
Classic Bike mag with 4 page article restored R50
1964 £2 inc post. Black leather Jacket 38 to 40
inch, straight collar, some quilted padding £40 plus
p&p Ralph 01935 813767 Ralph 01935 813767
(Dorset)
Corbin seat R1100/1150RT £200. R1200 trench
coat in brown £80. Other items to clear. Vincent
01270 650364 (Ches)
F650 94-2003, spares, new screen, fits Funduro to
‘96 still in wrapper, after market tinted flip up, 80
mm higher than standard, MRP £56. sell £40 plus
£7.50. p&p. Various spare parts & accessories full
details call Mal 0161 747 4443 (M’chester)
For K75/100, BMW expandable tank bag £85 ono.
Haynes manual 1983 – 1996 £12.50. Both virtually
as new & unmarked John 01963 210866 (Dorset)
For R1100RT Baglux harness £25. Pannier inner
set of 3, royal blue £30. Medium Buffalo in Red &
Black £30. Dennis 01924 824088 (Lancs)
For R1150R Haynes manual 850/1100 twins 93/97
£7. Repair manual DVD £20. Tank rubber set new
£15. Oil cooler grills new £20. New plug set £10
Sport screen as new £20. All plus p&p. Keith 01295
266712 (Oxon)
For R1100RT Baglux tank bag cover £20. High
screen £30. Top box £50. Hd/bar risers £25. Dennis
01246 453872 (Re advertised due M.A. Sec error)
For R1150GS complete exhaust system, incudes
exhaust box & cat convertor, unmarked 2 miles only
Offers. BMW tank bag & w/proof cover very slight
tear in map top cover, repairable, as new £30
Malcolm 01404 47812 (Devon)
For R1150RT Cee Baileys tall screen 4 inch taller
& 2 inch wider, as new, improved wind noise reduction, cost £200 sell £95. BMW tank bag c/w fittings
rain cover, as new £75. Martin 01485 541623 (Norfolk)
For R1200GS Touratech frt m/guard beak as fitted
R1200GSA as new £15. Standard BMW screen, ex
cond, but has etched Datatag number hence £25.
Swing arm pivot cover, machined aluminium with
77
silver anodised finish, as new. £5. All prices include
p&p. Bob 01280 816199 (Bucks)
From ’04 K1200RS, Z-technic high, tinted screen
£50. Sheepskin seat cover £25. Rear luggage bag
& mounting plate £50. All plus p&p Mark 01256
884199 (Hants)
Hein Gericke All Season Cordura Salopettes, w/
proof, wd/proof, breathtable, removeable lining, size
S, mans but fit lady 10 to 12, worn twice, expanding waistline forces sale, £50. Mike 0113 253 8197
(Yorks)
Inner Bags for R1100/1150RT/RS panniers (Mane
Event). Very good. £20 pr. Givi Inner bag for Givi/
Kappa 44L top box, £20. BMW Indian Summer
Gloves leather/Gortex, black. Size 6 ½ . Never worn,
£25. All plus p&p. Frank 0191 236 4833 (N’castle)
K series BMW pannier inner bags mauve/black,
as new £25 pair Malcolm 01404 47812 (Devon)
K100 steering lock new £6. Box full of engine bits
£35. Seat pan with indicators & rack £35. Glove
boxes £12. Mirrors £10. EBC 18 brake pads £10
pair. K1100 pannier bags £40 pair. H/bars s/h £15.
Air filter new £10. Fuel filter, new £5. Oil filter tool
£10. All plus p&p. Paul 01843 595018 (Kent)
K100 seat lowering kit genuine BMW. Lowered
shock giving a combined drop of approx 3 inches.
Kit includes tank pads and ECU housing, full details from Norrie 01241 876930 (Scotland)
K1100 engine, 1993, 50k miles. Main bearings
knocking, otherwise ran well, not burning oil when
replaced. Open to offers, complete or in parts. David
01273 464779 (Sussex)
K1200S/R Laser Hot Cam, Titanium slip on end
can, cost £350 sell £220 plus p&p or buyer collects. Colin 01782 644640 (Staffs)
Leaking petrol tank? 2 x 260ml packs of pet seal
ultra, sufficient for 25-30 Ltr tank. Surplus to
req’ments, still in sealed packaging, with instructions. £25 inc p&p. Barry 01751 475760 (Yorks)
(Note letter rx’d 20 th Oct 06)
M/cycle mags approx 1,300 from 1960s to 2006.
Most leading UK titles and many others, 3 for £1.
Prefer buyer collects. Possibly swop all or part for
81-84 R80/100 parts. Richard 01225 833393 (S’set)
New R100R parts. BMW front brake line £15. EBC
rear brake shoes £15. BMW original repair manual
R100R/GS £25. BMW parts book R100R/ Mystic
£18. Pair featherlite throttle cables £12. Four rocker
arm needle rollers plus shims £12. Bucheli Verlag
repair manual 1991 R100R, in German £5. Charles
01494 712093 (Bucks)
Oilhead Parts, chrome oil filler cap with BMW logo,
lockable with key £12. BMW workshop centre stand
for R1200C, may suit other models £50. All items
VGC, plus p&p. Ron 01253 891999 (Lancs)
Oxford sports luggage, magnetic tank bag. Sports
expander with extra layer, pouches, w/proof cover,
bungess. Shoulder bag or rucsac, cost £90 accept
£50 plus p&p or buy collect. Mark 01594 562974
(Glos)
78
Pannier Inner Bags off K1100. Ultimate Source
brand. Black with Red piping, Adjustable shoulder
strap. Ex cond £45 incl. UK postage. David 01273
464779 (Sussex)
Rallye 2 Suit 1year old ex cond, Jacket in Red/
Silver size 58, 42-48 inch chest. Trousers Silver/
Black size 58 (38-42 inch waist 30 inch leg. GoreTex
liners for both £450. Stuart 07836 348204 (Leic)
Richa rusac, as new, latest model in red, many
compartments, air flow mesh back, helmet carrier
£35. Spada airflow mesh gloves with armour, as
new, black, size M, £20 plus p&p or buyer collect
Mark 01594 562974 (Glos)
R & K spares (New), 4 x XR7LDC plugs £10. Clutch
release bearings, £15. Clutch pushrod R6/7 £5.
Cambox cover gasket K8v £5. Fork seals £5 pr.
Brake Pads £8 pr. Used K indicator relay £6. Rear
brake shoes 70-80 £5. H.T. coils 70-80 £10. Many
other parts available. Peter 01758 613 401 (N.
Wales)
R80/7 complete fork legs, no yokes £60. RT fairing
complete, needs work £50. /6, /7 diffs 2 X 34/11, 1
X 33/11 £80 each. Steibe 501 hood & screen £100
George c/o 01727 857108 (Herts)
R850R/R1150R/Rockster/R1150GS, Remus s/s
exhaust Y piece £90. H/bar riser kit £15. GS sump
protector plates, new rubber mounts £25. Cyl/hd
protectors £20 pair. Set of Rockster high seats for
the 850/1150R black, as new £60 pair. BMW panniers as new, locks & key £180. All items plus p&p
or collect Terry 01403 734717 (Sussex)
R1100RS SECDEM high screen £25 Ivan 01945
870441 (Cambs)
R1200C std hinged black leather pillion seat /
backrest with mechanism £50. VGC, plus p&p. Ron
01253 891999 (Lancs)
R1200GS Touratech tankbag, 16/22 ltr, side pockets, ex cond. Cost £98 sell £60 ono Martin 01485
541623 (Norfolk)
RT Fairing, Metalic Candy Red, screen & all fittings, Gd cond& complete £200. Voltmeter £20.
Clock £30. Fairing collection only, will post instruments. JPEG’s available Geoff 01322 522133
(Kent)
Sonic intercom, 3 hd sets £80. 2 pair of m/cross
boots size 8 £30 & £60 ono. Small lathe & stand
£350. All plus p&p Simon 0774 8872385 (Yorks)
Standard fork springs for monoshock £10. 1970’s
style universal tank bag £20. Both plus p&p Paul
07901 977793 (Kent)
Telefix Moto-Boy mobile m/cycle stand. Place bike
on centre stand, relace foot brake & move bike in
any direction, invaluable in tight corners, unsuitable
for older K series £50 Alison 01344 487759 (Berks)
The ultimate BMW winter clothing, brand new touring jacket includs optional outdoor jacket (liner) Size
GB54 £250. Street guard trousers GB42 £200. Both
items brand new. Martin 07887 503135 (Hants)
Two genuine BMW expandable inner bags for
R1100/1150 System Panniers £35. R1200GS left
hand hd/guard £10 & mirror £20, both slightly
scuffed. Martin 01723 865161 (Yorks)
Unique opportunity, BMW 2 piece leathers black
especially made for BMW by Dainese in Italy for
promotions. Jacket 44, trousers 42, ex cond £195
plus p&p Adrian 01285 740279 (Gloucs)
W/proof oversuit, top quality, size L, new £45.
Black leather gloves size L, new £8. M/cycle Jacket,
black leather 42 inch chest VGC, £45. R45/65 engine bars £20. /7 bottom end complete, less
electrics, very low mileage. Plus all covers if
needed, can post Brian 01539 441130 (Cumbria)
12 new spark plugs for 1100GS £30. Leather flying jacket, gd cond, 36 inch chest £70. Hein Geric
w/proof winter gloves, finger togethers for warmth,
gd cond size L £25. All plus p&p Simon 0774
8872385 (Yorks)
1980 R80 forks & Yokes, twin disc £75. Calipers
£50pr. Under tank m/cyl £30. Rear m/guard £25.
Rear light £10, Rear indicators with stalks £18 pr.
Rear footrests £10pr. Classic style panniers, scruffy,
locks req’d £15 each Ralph 01935 813767 (Dorset)
type or similar. David 01273 464779 (Sussex)
K series tank bag ,complete with harness, in gd
cond John 01522 871098 (Lincs)
Mint pair of integral panniers with tubular locks for
R100R Mike 0118 958 0852 (Berks)
RI00RT/R1100RT or K1200GT in ex cond with reasonable mileage. Exchange Mazda MX5, 1994, 1.8
red value £2900 or/and R850R see bikes for sale
£2500 Ricky 01933 624257 (Northants)
R1200GS Corbin riders or comfort seat. Pannier
bags/liners. Geoff 07710 833602
R1200RT tank bag. Charles 01494 712093 (Bucks)
Standard seats for R1150 GS, swop excellent
“Comfi” set or buy cash. Left hand full size pannier
off R series oilhead, just need good inner half so
scraped outer is OK. Mike 01472 816441 (Lincs)
Watsonian Squire D18 trailer or similar. Garth
01380 726013 (Wilts)
WANTED
Anything for 1982 R80GS or 100GS mono &
paralever, complete bike considered pay cash &
might collect from anywhere Milo 07941608761
(Staffs)
BMW Airflow trousers size 102 &/or jacket size
52. Dave 01428 751756(Hants)
Garmin Streetpilot 3, K100LT comfort screen with
hinged side deflectors. K100 petrol tank kneepads,
pannier & topbox inner bags Philip 02893 364 978
(N. Ireland)
For 1995 R100R Surefoot sidestand or similar, or
contact details for workshop / fabricator capable of
creating this type of sidestand to fit my 1993
R100GS PD Mike 0118 958 0852 (Berks)
For R1100RS Tank bag & cover wuth fixing to suit
black/silver bike. Panniers to small for my yearly
foreign country excursion. Bob 01273 813106 (Sussex)
For R1100RT following an argument with a rook on
the M6, headlight surround fairing panel in gd cond,
must be, ‘Sine Blue’, code 701
Gordon 01234 851433 (Beds)
F650 Funduro/ST rear f/rest hangers & f/rests. The
rests are the same as late R100/80 rears, alloy with
rubber half cover. Mal 0161 747 4443 (M’chester)
F650CS any parts & accessories. Particularly body
panels, h/bars, front wheel, or any information leading to location of these parts let me know. Mal 0161
747 4443 (M’chester)
To have a happy, safe and enjoyable festive
season and to carry on enjoying your
motorcycling in 2007. We’d also like you to
keep your ideas, articles, letters and photos
coming in - we can never have too much of
a good thing !
Heavy Duty Roll bag, Orlieb type or similar.
R100GS topbox & mounting plate, Hepco & Becker
79
SMALL BUSINESS ADVERTS
Small Business adverts are available to any individual or business. For rates and terms please
contact: Charles Knight : La Petit Fosse : St Ouen : Jersey : JE3 2GN
Phone/Fax: 01534 485474 Email: [email protected]
ACCOMMODATION & TOURING
4 STAR B&B in MACHYNLLETH.Luxurious bungalow, stunning Mid-Wales scenery. Hearty breakfasts, traffic-free roads. Lock-up garage. 01654
702562 www.dyfiguest.co.uk
4 STAR B&B IN WONDERFUL PERTHSHIRE.
Luxury en-suite accommodation in tranquil
Balnaguard 5 miles south of Pitlochry. Wonderful
breakfasts, spectacular views, £22.50 - £28 pppn.
Lockable garage for m/cycles. Ann Croft Tel: 01796
482627. e-mail: [email protected]. Website:
www.balbeagan.com
AE AVENTURES BASED NEAR TO SPA in a quiet
village providing B&B and half board, secure garaging, recommended touring in the Ardennes &
Eiffel and escorted Nurburgring experience. Motorcycling adventure only 3½ hours from Calais that’s
a bit special. See www.aeaventures.com Phone/
Fax Neil or Ann on 0032 80398788 email
[email protected]
ALMERIA VELEZ RUBIO. Self contained apartment sleeps 4, own private courtyard, pool, BBQ
200 Euros per week. A92N 3km, Granada 1 ½
hours, beach 40 mins. Secure parking. Phone Pat
or Chris Payne 00 34 690152979
AN CALA GUEST HOUSE, Grantown-on-Spey. AA
5 Diamonds. Ideal base for Highlands. Kingsize
doubles, magnificent 4 poster. All rooms en-suite.
On site parking, also garage. £27-£31pp b&b. 01479
873293 www.ancala.info
AUSTRIA (Southern) – Summer/ Winter Sports.
Self Catering fully equipped flats (Sleep 2-6). Superb touring roads & mountain passes. Close Italy/
Slovenia. Excellent amenities. Secure Parking.
Cyril/Liz Cannard (Bikers). Tel/Fax: 0043 4769
B&B EDINBURGH, secure garage parking, colour
tv, tea & coffee. 15 minutes from City Centre £30
pppn. Tel 0131 669 3570 or 07931 718584
B&B PLYMOUTH, just 20 mins to Continental Ferries. Quiet location, en-suite, garaging for bikes.
www.beckdaleguesthouse.com
email:
[email protected] Tel Bruce on 01752
881504 or 07929 222961 (5/07)
BARCELONA 2 bedroom/2 baths city centre apartments. Very close Las Ramblas and all transport
links. Short breaks available. Tel 01752 663589.
www.barcelonaflats.net
BED AND BREAKFAST, MOFFAT, SOUTHERN
SCOTLAND, B & B, garage parking, wonderful biking area. One mile from M74 J15 on Edinburgh
scenic route. Why not break your long journey here
or spend a few days riding the local roads, enjoy-
80
ing the hills and bends. Club member. Chris 01683
220378 see www.buchanguesthouse.co.uk
BRITTANY - TOP QUALITY MOBILE HOMES on
coastal 4 star site in this tranquil region. ideal for
family holidays or Section rallies (as Western Section June 04). great biking are with masses to do
and see. Big savings on ferry costs.
www.benodetbreaks.com or call Steve Jackson on
01543 473089
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY, South West Scotland - 2 cosy wee s/c cottages each sleeps 2 in
twin beds. Quiet location adjacent our home. 4 miles
from Wigtown, 22 miles from Stranraer ferry terminal. Beautiful scenery and great biking roads. Shopping service on request. Short Breaks available.
Sorry No smoking/pets. Tel: 01671 830422 mail:
[email protected]
www.duddingstonelodge.co.uk
EXMOOR, Porlock. Situated in the centre of this
lovely ancient village on the edge of Exmoor, we
offer Bed and Breakfast (evening meal by arrangement), in our CH/En Suite rooms. AA 4 Star rated.
Off
street
secure
parking.
www.cottageporlock.co.uk. Tel: 01643 862996
FRANCE – CHARENTE MARITIME REGION
House sleeping 6 to 8 on outskirts of riverside village. Five minutes to bars, restaurants, shops. 30
minutes to the Atlantic Coast/Royan/La Rochelle/
Cognac. Only 4 hours from St Malo. Surrounded
by quiet biking roads. Lockable garage, Private
garden. English housekeeper. Contact Lee or Viv
Tel/Fax: 01526 345866 or 07947 439630 Email
[email protected]
FRANCE – LOIRE ATLANTIQUE REGION Farmhouse, tranquil location, close to Chateaubriant, Le
Mans an hour away, surrounded by miles of quiet
motorbiking roads. B & B plus 2 gites, sleeping 8
and 4. Evening meals available, swimming pool.
Mature owner active motorcyclist. Phone (00 33) 2
40 97 08 44, e-mail [email protected] Website
www.la-janais.com
GERMANY, BRITISH B&B,17th century house,
rooms en-suite. Ideal for Rhein, Mossel valley
Nurburgring, Mohn Dam, Cologne. Drying and Laundry facilities, well stocked bar,Bar food.Email
[email protected] www.vinecottage.de Tel
00492742911728
GERMANY, BEAUTIFUL HARZ MOUNTAINS 10
bedrooms all en-suite. Huge bar, conference room,
restaurant. 2 underground garages, drying room,
fantastic roads, scenery & architecture. Friendly
biker hosts that make you feel part of the family.
Inexpensive, warm & cosy. Email [email protected]
www.hotelharmoniebadgrund.org.uk Tel: 00 49 5327 86 98
60
ITALIAN RIVEIRA 12th century house near
Monacco,14 kms coast , great mountain rides.
www.vine cottage.de bob@vine cottage.de 00 492
7429 11728
LAKE DISTRICT holiday bungalow – comfort for
four plus garage. Ideal touring location & available
April to November. Member owned. TEL: 01695
422210)
LAKE DISTRICT B&B IN BOWNESS-ON-WINDERMERE. Panoramic views of Bowness and lake.
En-suite. Covered/lock-up parking. Leisure facilities.
015394
88658
Web:
http://
www.abovethebay.co.uk
LAKE DISTRICT. Peaceful 17th century barn in lake
shore hamlet - just for two! Log fire. C.H. Garden.
Secure indoor bike space. Non-smoking. Breaks
available.
Tel
01229
885643
or
www.townyeatbarn.co.uk
LIMOUSIN, FRANCE. B&B, all en suite. Traditional
auberge with restaurant, bar and log fire in winter.
Swimming pool. Excellent area for bikers, wonderful scenery. Ideal touring base. Also 6 berth mobile
home in secluded garden in nearby hamlet from
£75 p.w. Secure parking. 0033 (0) 555 782795.
www.auberge-oradour.com
MOTORCYCLE TOURING HOLIDAYS IN NORTHERN THAILAND. Based in the beautiful old city of
Chiang Mai, we offer a selection of motorcycle touring holidays in the mountainous area of Northern
Thailand. The roads are excellent, the scenery is
stunning and we provide first class accommodation. You will be looked after throughout the holiday
by experienced English guides. We offer either five
day (touring only) holidays or longer breaks which
offer more time to explore the area.Five day tours
start from less than £500, whilst seven and fourteen day holidays can cost as little as £695 and
£1395 respectively. Hotels, meals, motorcycle and
fuel are all included and pillions are half price. For
further information please have a look at our website
www.tmtsite.com, email us on [email protected] or
telephone us on 01260 279443.
NORTH PORTUGAL- MINHO VALLEY.Penedes
Nation Park and Galicia.Interested?. We offer farmhouse self catering and luxury B&B both with pools.
Come and sample the real Portugal see our
Website. www.portugal-holidayvilla.co.uk. Tel
Maggie on 00351-251648107 or Mobile 00351912860707
PLYMOUTH, En-suite accommodation very close
to continental ferryport. Secure parking for bikes.
Early breakfast for ferry passengers.Caraneal Hotel. 12 - 14 Pier St. West Hoe. tel 01752 663589.
email; caranealhotel@ hotmail.com
SOMME MOTORCYCLE TOURS and farmhouse
B&B, Northern France. 100 miles from Calais in
quiet village near A1 autoroute. Secure parking on
site. 1 to 3 day battlefield tours with author, historian
&
GS
owner.
www.martinpegler.com or call 00 33 3 2286 5672
SOUTHERN SPAIN, Sierra de Almijara an area of
outstanding natural beauty. 1 bedroom townhouse
in historic village of Frigiliana, close to Nerja and
Med Coast. 50 km East of Malaga. Fine foods, restaurants and all manner of sports available locally.
Bike parking 1 minute from house. Further information on 01932 881231 (No pets or smoking)
SOUTH OF FRANCE, NARBONNE. Choice of B&B
or self catering apartments. Awesome roads, &
stunning scenery, Close to Mediterannean, Andorra,
Pyrenees, Corbieres, Minervois & Spain. Guided
Motorcycle Tours available. All with secure garaging. Call Martin on 0033 468333671. email: [email protected], or visit www.st-georgesfr.com. 5% discount for BMW Club Members
SPAIN, TORREMENDO – MURCIA AREA Beautiful two bedroom house in small Spanish village
surrounded by countryside. Swimming pool & secure garage. Spanish bars and small supermarket
in vilage. Superb biking roads and scenery. Good
weather for biking throughout winter months. Active bikers John & Janine Fitzgerald 0034 965 368
285 Email: [email protected]
SW FRANCE - HEART OF COGNAC COUNTRY.
B&B (dinner optional), secure parking, swimming
pool. Easy days run from all west coast ports. 5
mins from Angouleme by-pass. Call Maggie on
(0033) 545 691003 or e-mail maggie.teal
@wanadoo.fr
YPRES (IEPER) BELGIUM, Le Chat Noir B & B
Guest House, 2 minutes walk from the centre of
this historic city, home to the Menin Gate. Garage
parking for up to 4 bikes, accommodates up to 12
people. Ideal for short or long break, or stop off on
longer journey. Contact Alain Matton at
[email protected] and visit www.lechatnoir.be
SERVICES
BIKER FIRST AID COURSES & KITS First Aid
Training specifically for Motorcyclists, 1 Day. Supported by MAG, BMF, Police BIKE SAFE schemes,
Ace Café. Certificated for 3 years by ITC an HSE
registered organisation. Also First Aid, Health &
Hygiene travel equipment. First Aid kits for Motorcyclists by Motorcyclists. Talks for groups also available, call for details. 10% discount on courses/products for club members. Contact Mark & Elaine
Harris
01594
562974/07881
427507
www.rubiconfirstaid.com (5/07)
BUYING PROPERTY IN SPAIN?. Let us help you
with every aspect of purchase. Support services in
Spain and UK. From independent lawyers, to furniture pack. Contact, Homelife International Properties. 01242 663759. [email protected]
FOR ADVANCED TRAINING OR ULTRASEAL
Terry 07850 518 372 www.swiftlysorted.co.uk
GOING OUT FOR A RIDE THIS WEEKEND? Need
an accurate weather forecast ? Then check out the
free 5 day forecast from Weather Commerce Ltd.
For National, European and Regional 14 day forecasts log on to www.weathercommerce.net Direc-
81
tor Chris Blowes is a member of the BMW Club
and is happy to take consultation calls from fellow
members
LYNBROOK INSURANCE for Special Member’s
Schemes including Classic and Modern motorcycle insurance (all makes) - plus Travel and Overseas Breakdown arrangements. TEL 0845 130 4662
ACCESSORIES & SPARES
BMW SEAT SPECIALIST 20 years experience.
Comprehensive service. SAE for information.
www.motorcycleseatworks.co.uk 366 to 370
Woodside Road, Wyke, Bradford, BD12 8HT.
Damon Tel: 01274 604672
SHEEPSKIN m/cycle seat covers, custom made.
www.easirider.com/
01604
714103
or
motorbike_sheepskin.htm
PANNIER INNERS R80/100/1100/1150RT/RS/GS/
850GS. Standard £62, extended lid width £68 pair.
K75/100/1100/1200RS Standard £62 pair. K1200LT
three piece set £97. Adventure three piece set £91.
R1200GS expandable £75 pair and £99.50 three
piece. R1200RT £65 pair & £99 three piece. Black/
Royal Blue piping all incl P&P. Send cheque to Mane
Event, 8 Cornhill Road, Davyhulme, Manchester
M41 5TJ, Telephone 0161 747 3939
www.maneevent.org.uk
TRY MOTORWORKS for Ohlins, Hagon, Remus,
Hawker batteries, Keihan, Goodridge, PFM brakes,
Metzeler/Continental tyres, Seats, Screens, Luggage, Service items, Clymer, Haynes, Huggers,
Mudguard extenders, Heated jackets, Tuffmaps,
genuine parts, performance chips..much more.
Used guaranteed spares for all models. BMWs
1970-2006 wanted for breaking. Free catalogue.
www.motorworks.co.uk Tel 0845 458 0077
www.eBolt.co.uk For stainless steel nuts, bolts and
fasteners, tools and consumables
CENTRAL LONDON BMW SPECIALISTS - All
models to date 2v, 4v, BMW Diagnostic equipment,
ex dealer Tech, 30 years exp. Servicing, repairs,
insurance work.Tyres, spares from stock. 5 star
workshop - full facilities.BMW authorised
supplier.Bikes bought/sold - see Biketrader web
page.Jap & German 102 Druid St, London SE1 2HQ
Tel:0207 237 2299, www.japandgerman.co.uk
EURO CLASSICS. A small family firm dedicated to
servicing, repairs and renovation of BMW’s. We
build bikes to order (GS a speciality). Insurance
work carried out. Supply and fitting of tyres. New &
second hand parts. Exchange drive shafts, Varta
batteries. BMW’s for sale. or sell your BMW at no
cost to you. Please phone Phil or Dinah on 01604
591222 or www.euroclassics.co.uk.
ANDREW SEXTON NORTH OXFORDSHIRE
WARWICKSHIRE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE BORDER. BMW Quality service, repairs, restoration and
special tuning work, on all models. Collection and
delivery arranged. MOTORCYCLES Tel 01608
730111
SCOTLAND NEAR GLASGOW Mostly Bricks &
Boxers. Independent BMW specialist. Professional
motorcycle servicing and repairs at realistic rates.
Agreed labour cost restorations. Phone Jim Downie
01505
850341
or
07973
326928.
[email protected]
SERVICING, REPAIRS, SPARES: Boxer & K servicing; Breakdown & crash repairs; Pickup and delivery service, weekend work, loan bike available;
BMW’s always being broken; Only BM’s worked on.
Tel: Neil on 0208 546 2600 (S.W. London)
THE BOXER MAN – THE INDEPENDENT BMW
SPECIALIST. Full Service, Repair & Restoration
facilities for R and K Series machines. Mobile service available within an 80 mile radius of LEICESTER. Call Phil on 0116 2668913 or 07860 588076,
www.boxerman.co.uk
SERVICING
B.E.M.W. For competitive prices on: Restorations,
repairs & spares. Spares for vintage/classic BMW’s
from 1935. CJ750, copies of 1938 BMW R71,
FROM £2,650. Some new 1957 models in stock,
LH/RH sidecars plus OHV machines available.
Machine tools for the small/home workshop, including Chester MultiFunction lathe/mill/drill. Parts made
to pattern or drawing. S.A.E. for specification and
services or visit our website. 2 Forman Street, Derby
DE1 1JQ. Phone/fax 01332 298523. Eves & w/ends
01332 824334, www.bemw.co.uk
CRAY ENGINEERING BMW road & race performance specialist. Fully equipped workshop for servicing, repairs, rebuilds & engineering. Tuning packages to suit your requirements. New & used spares.
Tyres fitted & balanced while you wait. Phone/Fax
01795 431444 Sittingbourne, Kent
82
once again from all of here on The Journal
Team ...
83
84

August 2006 - BMW Club Journal Archives - bmw

Transcription

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