Late March 2007

Midvaal. 14^th. Saturday.

Get there for around 9am.

All day, so go out as many times as you like for R200.00.

This is not a HMG organised event. So you can phone Mel at Midvaal and go any Saturday or Sunday if you wish?

The only reason we suggest coming together is the camaraderie, english spanners, rollers etc and assistance from other members if you get yourself in the Kak.

 

It’s the 28^th April. We will have one practise and two 10-lap events. We will also not be the last event of the day, so we cannot be bumped off.

 

We will ask for a pre-entry, same as Zwartkops. This went down well. The organisers also like it. Will post to you all an entry form as soon as it becomes available.

 

 

After Midvaal we have a break again.

Maybe a practise at Midvaal before the June event?

 

June 16^th is East London. Long weekend, good riding, expensive trip down and back though, but you can reduce the costs by riding down and back with a buddy, sleeping in the pits, eating KFC instead of lobsters.

I like this track. The weather, the sea views, the long sweeps, just fantastic.

Everyone who has been before, comes again.

 

 

 

Couple of events at Wesbank.

 

1000 bike Show. Static display.

 

Zwartkops Bosal meeting.

 

Swartkops 3-hour in December.

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing is more nerve-racking than starting an engine for the first time. Here are some tips and reminders for getting it right:

 

Prime the oil pump - It's best to do it right before startup, but anything is better than nothing - even if you just pull the coil wire, remove the plug or plugs and turn it over.

 

Set the valve clearances.

Set the points. -

 

Use a known carburetor - This is no time to be trouble-shooting a carburetor. If you have any trouble getting the engine to start, you can rule out the carb since you used one of known quality.

 

Check fluids - Not many people miss the oil, but I have seen the aftermath of engines run without coolant - not pretty.

 

 

                                                Historic Motorcycle Group

 

 

The committee has identified the need for a non-rider to assist with the running of our demonstrations at various race tracks. All of the present committee members ride at these events and it is sometimes difficult for them to attend to their bikes and also ensure that everything happens on time.

 

This person would answer to the committee only and would be expected to monitor race meeting progress continually during the day and notify our riders so that they are in the pre-race paddock on time. This will involve liaison with race meeting officials or marshals, and the riders themselves.

There are many other aspects of our demonstrations with which this individual could assist, such as the transporting and setting-up of equipment, issuing of gate tickets, braai and refreshment arrangements, etc.

This individual’s responsibilities would only be limited by their abilities and they would become a key member of the organising team.

 

1) To ensure timeous starts to our demonstrations, dependent upon the overall program for the day.

2) To ensure efficient communication between the meeting operating officials and ourselves.

3) To communicate positively and assertively with all involved.

4) To be reliable and punctual.

 

To successfully carry-out the above, this individual would need to be focused and assertive with good communication skills. Diplomacy and “people skills” are also essential. An average level of physical fitness is required as there is a fair amount of walking-around to be done and the days start early and end late. Reliable transport is essential.

This post would ideally suit a husband/wife couple who enjoy old race bikes and motor racing in general

 

As with most motor-racing involvement, there would be no direct financial reward. The Historic Motorcycle Group will pay entry fees to the race meetings and any other benefits enjoyed by the riders e.g. sponsor’s hand-outs or subsidised clothing would apply to this person.

There is a tremendous amount of satisfaction to be had from playing a role in running a race meeting, big or small. If you have a passion for old race bikes and would like to be part of a very successful, growing group of enthusiasts give Rob Godwin a call on 083 256 2257.

 

 

 I have a few CD’s left from previous events. I will not make these again unless somebody specifically asks for one.

2 X Wesbank. 2006.

1 X East London. 2006.

 

The David Piper DVD is still about 80% finished. Just need some time between 2am and 4am to finish off.

 

 

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the EU rather than German which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a five year phase-in plan that would be known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of the "k". This should klear up konfusion and keyboards kan have 1 less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like "fotograf" 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be ekspekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of the silent "e"s in the language is disgraseful, and they should go away.

By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v". During ze fifz year, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.

After zis fifz yer, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi to understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru! And zen world!

 

I’m thinking of using this new English to do the newsletters in future?