As you can see from the attendee list below, this run is extremely popular, & I feel sure that the BBQ & Peter Toet's house in Evatt after the run is a major part of the attraction. We had 63 riders present with almost 2/3 riding 30 years & older machines, with Peter Toet's Brough Superior being the oldest: made in 1938.

The weather was perfect with only a chance of an afternoon shower, which did eventuated but later in the evening long after we were back at our homes. Indeed there were so many riders that we almost filled the Club car park. There were two routes, a short & a long, as we have ridden in several previous years' events. The short via Coppins Crossing & to Evatt & the long via Cotter, Uriarra, Coppins Crossing, hence to Evatt.

Wanting a good ride and a valid shakedown of my Bonneville, I took the longer ride. All was peace & quiet as I babied the T120 along until the climb out of the Cotter, when the burn up boys caught up, then it was racing bedlam. First 'Mags' roared by on his T150, very close. He then took Steve Davey's Sportster in a rude fashion & he was away. The bulk came by me on the Uriarra back straight however, apparently with it on for one and all. This was quite a sight with very different aged machines, such as BSA Rocket 3, Vincent, BMWs, Triumphs & a Ducati disappeared into the distance vying for position, with much overtaking going on. In contrast I continued to baby the T120, not having any intention of being sucked into the race.

A gang of riders was waiting at Coppins Crossing when I got there, seemingly intent on roaring past the slower riders a second time. Ah well, whatever excites them.

At Evatt the whole street seemed to be full of bikes: it was most amazing. Peter must have very compliant neighbours. The BBQ was ready to eat when I arrived & the 'short ride' fellows were already tucking in. Peter & Ann put on a wonderful BBQ at this event each year & we all heartily appreciate their hospitality.

There had been only one mechanical casualty Peter Jessup's Ariel. I did not determine what the problem was but I trust he will have it fixed by the Rally date. For those new members: some years ago the Club started this run with the intention of limiting embarrassing & disappointing breakdowns at the Rally itself. We used to get quite a lot of breakdowns, sometimes only a few miles from the start, with that rider's Rally thus spoiled. This run has helped to prevent these Rally breakdowns. I have now twice needed to fettle my bike after this event, most recently on this run, let me recount:
My Bonneville doesn't come out very often, as it is a bit of a parlour pony. However even after standing for months, with a topped up battery, it always started first kick. It has always been an easy starting bike, but recently after riding for an hour or so it has become somewhat harder to start, sometimes taking 3or 4 kicks to bring it to life. This had perplexed me, but I had not investigated the problem. Very lax of me I admit. I rode the bike home after the BBQ, again after 3 kicks & I had the lights on for safety. When I approached my street I felt the bike falter just a little & when I rode into the driveway I found the battery more than half flat, with no horn & yellowing lights. This was the evident cause of my poor hot starting?

So into the shed it went for investigation. I found that the correct voltage was exiting the rectifier & entering the battery. Why then was the battery running down? I guessed that current flow must be the problem & this led me to the ammeter, through which all current flows on this machine, & there was my culprit. I found a high resistance connection to the ammeter, caused by a tiny bit of corrosion. With that rectified current flowed again & all was well with the T120 once more. So I had the value of this ride, a fortnight before the Rally amply demonstrated to me. I hope the rest of you saw the value of this event, & perhaps some of you had a 'need-to-fettle' like I did?
So it's full steam ahead for the Rally, best of luck to you all.

Lorraine Litster
14 January 2009

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Roll Call