General Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at 8:00pm, at the Spanish Australian Club of Canberra, 5 Narupai Street, Narrabundah, ACT 2604, which normally attract many members and several visitors.
How and Why We Started
In March 1974, a meeting was held in the workshop of Bill Tomkins, attended by a group of men interested in old motorcycles. They were John Francis, Les Green, Geoff Nicholas and Bill Tomkins. It was decided then that a Club for "people interested in old motorcycles" should be formed in Canberra.
In April 1974, the inaugural meeting of the Club took place at the Workmen's Club, Childers Street, Canberra. Bill Tomkins had prepared a draft Constitution and Standing orders which called for the election of officers.
Those elected to the inaugural committee were:
Since that inaugural meeting the Club has grown to become the leading Vintage, Veteran and Classic motorcycle restoration and riding club in the Canberra region. The annual membership currently exceeds 350 members
The Club Constitution provides the following Statement of Objectives:
• To foster and encourage the restoration, preservation and use of Veteran, Vintage and Classic motorcycles
• To promote and organise Rallies and such events as are suitable for the use of Veteran, Vintage and Classic motorcycles
• To extend to owners and riders of Veteran, Vintage and Classic motorcycles and their friends and all persons interested in Veteran, Vintage and Classic motorcycles and motorcycling, the hospitality, convenience and privileges conferred by membership of 'The Club'
• To publish an official journal of 'The Club' when, and at such times as the Committee sees fit, the price of which and the number of issues per year, to be determined by the Committee (Bike Torque is published monthly and made available to all members)
Why Belong to the Club?
The basic reason for the Club's existence is to bring "people interested in old motorcycles" together at a common meeting point. Therefore the basis for membership is that Club members be "people who like old motorcycles ".
What do the Current members Own and Ride?
A few members own and ride motorcycles built before the end of 1918, the "Veteran" machines. Some members own and ride motorcycles built between 1919 and the end of 1930, the "Vintage" machines. Most members own and ride bikes built after this period, and if they are more than 30 years old they are considered as "Classics".
However, some of our members don't own an old bike at all, preferring to ride "Modern" machines. So remember, you do not have to own an old bike to be a member of the Club, you just have to "appreciate old bikes".
What do we do?
The Club provides an opportunity to exchange technical information, expertise and components, with a social outlet for members and their families.
We have a General Meeting each month where Club issues are discussed. Frequent rides/events are arranged where a free back-up trailer and catering for participants is normally provided. In addition to the monthly events, there is an annual dinner, rally, swap meet and auto jumble, and the opportunity to participate in events with other bike clubs.
The Club assists with the provision of conditional registration to enable the older bikes to be legally ridden in events, included those on the Club calendar. Membership of the Club enables machines of more than thirty years to be granted conditional registration.
The Club produces a monthly newsletter called "BIKE TORQUE" which is mailed to all members. Contributions of a social, sporting, or technical nature are always welcome and the magazine features 'For Sale' and 'Wanted' advertisements.
Why are we in a Club?
Many of our members feel that the challenge of restoring an old motorcycle is its own reward. The sense of achievement that comes with finally completing a restoration project and once again being able to ride an old bike fills the restorer with both elation and triumph. To mix with other enthusiasts, and have them judge your work as competent, gives a person a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
For those not accustomed to restoration projects, the Club provides a pool of talent upon which you can draw. Many members are experienced in the art of restoration and will advise and sometimes even assist you in your restoration as it progresses.
The Club is not a collection of "spokecounters". Whilst we admire and encourage a proper and accurate restoration project, members are not ostracised if something on a machine is 'not original'. We realise that with the passage of time, total restoration to original condition is not always a practical proposition.
To assist our members with their restoration projects the Club runs a yearly Swap Meet and Auto Jumble.
This event attracts swappers and dealers from interstate and has proven enormously successful. The Club advertises, through the Club journal "Bike Torque", many other swap meets run by other clubs in the region.
The Club exchanges journals with the major motorcycle clubs throughout Australia, to enable us to keep in contact with current developments, functions, swap meets, rallies, etc.
From the outset, the Club has been a family affair as we encourage families to become involved in all Club events. While motor cycling is often viewed as a male interest, we actively encourage all enthusiasts to participate in Club functions.
Why should I join?
If you are interested in old motorcycles and wish to become involved in a challenging hobby to restore or recreate a piece of historic machinery, or if you just wish to ride with like-minded people and have a great time, join "our Club".
General Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at 8:00pm, at the Spanish Australian Club of Canberra, 5 Narupai Street, Narrabundah, ACT 2604, which normally attract many members and several visitors.
Contact us by email at: