NOVEMBER 2020
www.bmwmcq.org.au
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC.
Established 1958
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC.
The Committee President- Paul Hughes Ph: 0409 814 633 President@bmwmcq.org.au 1200 GS / 700 GS
Vice President - Mark Gilbert Ph: 0400 151 750 vpres@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200GS / F800GS
Secretary - Tony Gray Ph: 0409 493 605 secretary@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 GS (The Grey Ghost) R 60/6 Treasurer - John Eacott
Ph: 0428 383 826 treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au 2017 K1600GT
Events - Mark Mustchin Ph: 0416 061 638 events@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200GS
Editors - Cindy & Duncan Bennett Ph: 0401 610 671 editor@bmwmcq.org.au Triumph Tigers Records- Greg Gaffney
Ph: 0411424 219 records@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 RT
Tools/Spares - Bill Luyten Ph: 0438 123 747 tools@bmwmcq.org.au R1150 Rockstar - R1200 GS LC
This Issue - NOVEMBER 2020 Contents:Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Committee Reports . . . . . . . . . . 5 REGALIA CATALOGUE . . . . . . . . . . 12 BMWMCQ EVENTS CALENDAR . . . . 16 CHRISTMAS PARTY. . . . . . . . . . . . 18 from the pen of jane gray . . . . 19 MAINTENANCE CORNER . . . . . . . . . 21 DISTINGUISHED GENTS RIDE. . . . . 22 BMW CLUBS AUSTRALIA. . . . . . . . 25 THE 750 UPGRADE. . . . . . . . . . . . 26 CANE TOAD RALLY ‘21 . . . . . . . . . . 29 RIDE TO GLIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
B2B - THE BEGINNING. . . . . . . . . . 32 QUICK GLANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 GOMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SILVER SERVICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 RETURN TO GYMPIE RIDE . . . . . . . 41 B2B #17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 DICK’S PICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 OCTOBER COFFEE MORNING . . . . . . 49 COMPASS GARAGE SALE . . . . . . . . . 50 FOR THE AIRHEADS . . . . . . . . . . . 51 THE LAST WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 BMWMCQ BOOK EXCHANGE. . . . . . 57
Advertisers
TeamMoto Springwood & GC- 55 TeamMoto M&W- BACK COVER
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On The Cover A trio of “Distinguished Gentlemen”, by Kerry Zillner. Read Klaus’ article about the recent Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on page 22
Regalia - Rosi Johnson Ph: 0424 961 597 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au R1200R
Dealer Liaison - Don Grimes
Ph: 0411 601 372 R1200GS; K1300
Support Role: Clubs Australia Delegate John Eacott Ph: 0428 383 826 treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au 2017 K1600GT
Club Details BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Inc.
2. Improving the service and availability of spare parts for BMWs in Queensland using the advantage of a united effort.
Address all correspondence to: The Secretary PO Box 3669 South Brisbane QLD 4101
4. Organising day trips, tours and outings.
ABN 30 351 243 651
Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at the:
Geebung RSL Club
323 Newman Road Geebung A Club Ride is usually held on the first Sunday after the monthly meeting. BMWMCQ AIMS The objectives of the BMWMCQ are to increase the enjoyment of motorcycling by: 1. Improving the opinion of the public towards motorcycling in general and associated members particularly, by careful, courteous, considerate riding, especially when riding with the Club, and rendering assistance to all road users in difficulty.
3. Decreasing maintenance and running costs by mutual assistance on mechanical problems. 5. Encourage and support Regional Ride Groups 6. Affiliation with other clubs/associations where such affiliation would be of mutual benefit. DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this Journal are those of each contributor and are not necessarily shared by the Editor, management, and / or membership of the BMWMCQ. The Editor reserves the right to refuse any advertising or delete any material which could be considered or interpreted as questionable, libellous or offensive, without consultation. WEB SITE Visit: www.bmwmcq.org.au
4
Editorial
NOVEMBER 2020
Cindy & Duncan Bennett
D
Editors’ Report
o not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. So said Ralph Waldo Emerson, who obviously didn’t do many “farm roads” on his adventure rides, probably because he died in 1882 so the range of mid-sized dual purpose bikes available to him was a bit limited. He was very right though, how often we have taken the same tired old roads and then one day turned onto a side road and discovered a gem. That is a bit of advert-editorial for the November Effin’ C Ride, the 5th in the series kicking off from Ferny Grove BP/Cassimaty Park (if you’re fuelling up at the BP, look over the road and you’ll see us waving) 2:30pm for a 3:00pm start on Sunday 8th November. End point Scarborough at Morgans Seafood around 6pm. They may have potato scallops. While on that topic why are they called potato scallops? And why is oyster sauce called oyster sauce? Will definitely see you on the road, Cindy & Duncan
PS: The Ride Leader’s yellow bag with clipboard, pens, and hi-vis accoutrement has been missing since pre-COVID days. If anyone knows where it is, our appreciation will know no bounds. Or perhaps a few small bounds.
To whet your appetite for the upcoming Fish & Chip ride some pics from past years....
Submissions for the Next Journal close 28-ish November VENUE FOR BMWMCQ GENERAL MEETINGS GEEBUNG RSL CLUB 323 NEWMAN ROAD GEEBUNG MEALS OPEN AT 6.00 PM MEETING STARTS 7.30 PM
NEXT MEETING : Thursday 3rd December!
Committee Reports Paul Hughes
NOVEMBER 2020
5
President’s Report
O
ctober was a very busy month, starting out with a second Back to the Bush for the year, and it was superb. We had great riding, great venues, great food and wonderful friends. What else can we ask for. Once again thanks to Kate and Don for organising.
Following on was the coffee meetup in Scarborough, a new venue for us which turned out to be very popular and very good. A mid-week ride to the hinterland and of course the ride to Glide event at Kingaroy. Many thanks to both David Jansen and Mark for the organisation and execution of this event. Our club lunch ride to Toogoolawah was looking a bit sick based on weather forecasts but for those who did turn up (and that was quite a few) it was a great venue and a great ride through back roads. November is promising to be very active as well. Check our Facebook page and the web calendar for all the details. At the last committee meeting, Tony Gray suggested that for the next two General Meetings we have a lucky door prize for any financial members attending the physical meeting. A club t-shirt ordered in your size. So folks trundle along to November and December’s meeting for a chance to win. Thanks to Tony for another great idea. Not long now to our Christmas party at Bribie Island and only a few places left. If you wish to go, please ensure you have paid and emailed the details to the Treasurer. It is going to be a great night. Ride details to be advised shortly. Remember the annual voucher prize draw will be held at the event with some vouchers reserved only for members attending. Enforcement of road rules on our twin mountain roads has been stepped up lately due to poor behaviour by some inconsiderate riders making residents life unbearable. The police are having a crack down on illegal exhausts and speeding etc. I assume this will continue until a small proportion of the riding public start to act responsibly and consider other people’s amenity. Glad to say, that to the best of my knowledge, our membership is not part of the offending group. The weather has certainly changed with high humidity and the storm season returning to the south east. That has reduced some bike traffic on popular routes I have noticed. Keep safe in these conditions ensuring you have the correct tread on tyres for the new conditions after so long in the dry. Hope to see all of you at an event in November and December. Ride safe.
Cheers, Paul The President riding on the wrong side of the road, unless he was in Europe... (photo R Maher)
6
NOVEMBER 2020
H
Mark Gilbert
Committee Reports Vice President’s Report
i all,
I hope you all are well and enjoying the ability to get out and about. There have been some unique events this past month like the Ride to Glide and thanks to those who have organised them, however I prefer a well-maintained engine in aircraft I fly in.
I have been out exploring some GS territory however many will find some of it challenging. I departed Woodford with some friends towards Kilcoy and on to Stony Creek road through to Jimna. I would caution anyone wanting to take this road to not do so if there is the slightest hint of rain as there is a section of road which is red clay and would turn very nasty (slippery) in the wet. The road otherwise is passable although some big holes and erosion humps so exercise caution. We had lunch at Jimna and then continued on the Kilcoy Murgon Rd up to the entrance of Landcruiser Mountain Park where we turned right onto the road towards Kingaham which continues past Kingaham and goes just north of Borumba dam into Imbil. I would not recommend this road for the big GSs as there are some significant downhills where I felt like the Man from Snowy River. We stopped off at the dam for a look and one of the bikes, a DR650, refused to start. After some investigation plenty of expert opinion including mine, (mostly wrong) it turned out to be the starter motor which with a tap with a ring spanner was going again. We stayed overnight in Imbil and I left for home the next day where the others retraced their steps. I took the light bike on this ride and carried a backpack and found I was pretty sore and needed time to recover. Well that was my interesting ride of the month what was yours? Tell us all about it just email editor@bmwmcq.org.au Happy riding, Mark
Committee Reports
7
NOVEMBER 2020
John Eacott
Treasurer’s Report
W
e still have a healthy bank balance, even allowing for the reduced meetings and monies being held for events (Christmas Dinner and BMW CA Motorrad Rally). We also have $780.35 for the RFDS, usually paid to them after the Christmas Dinner. Comparative Reports from the last Financial Year are a little tricky since we are now running Reckon One and full details of all transactions weren’t part of the migration from Reckon Hosted, so any difficult queries may finish up in the Too Hard basket. But I’ll do my best!
Profit and loss
Balance sheet
BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Inc For 1 February 2020 to 25 October 2020 vs 1 February 2019 to 25 October 2019, cash basis CODE ACCOUNT
AMOUNT COMPARISON AMOUNT
BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Inc As at 25 October 2020 vs as at 25 October 2019, cash basis
VARIANCE (%)
-
Interest Received
-
Advertising Income
$9,592.95
$9,120.00
5.2 %
$361.80
$247.31
46.3 %
$2,363.74
$4,400.00
-46.3 %
TOTAL INCOME $12,318.49 $13,767.31 -10.5 %
EXPENSES Online accounting
-
Website Maintenance
-
Website Hosting Expenses
-
Website Domain Expenses
-
Tools Expense
6340 Telephone 6260 Printing and Stationery -
Prepaid Expense 2020 Christmas Party Total Prepaid Expense
-
Bank - BOQ Premier Investment Acct
$20,352.43
$20,000.00
1.8 %
-
Bank - BMWMCQ Cheque Account
$14,683.32
$9,096.44
61.4 %
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
$35,035.75
$29,096.44
20.4 %
-
$150.40
-100.0 %
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
$0.00
$499.40
-100.0 %
TOTAL ASSETS $35,035.75
$29,595.84
18.4 %
NON-CURRENT ASSETS -
Property, Plant and Equipment
-
Club Banners
LIABILITIES $3,080.00
$3,080.00
0.0 %
$2,530.00
$990.00
155.6 %
-
$91.74
-100.0 %
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
$2,530.00
$990.00
155.6 %
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$2,530.00
$90.78
$56.36
61.1 %
$214.31
$50.12
327.6 %
$20.00
$20.00
0.0 %
$173.80
$64.35
170.1 %
-
-
0.0 %
$150.00
-
-
$150.00
$0.00
-
$137.00
$220.00
-37.7 %
$177.71
3.4 %
6550 Office Supplies
$31.46
-
-
6240 Miscellaneous
$43.95
$651.31
-93.3 %
-
$75.89
-100.0 %
$55.09
$55.09
0.0 %
Premium
$556.50
$556.50
0.0 %
-
Policy fee
$50.00
$50.00
0.0 %
-
Insurance GST
$78.26
$78.26
0.0 %
-
Brokers fee
$176.15
$176.15
0.0 %
Total Insurance
$916.00
$991.89
-7.7 %
-
Government Charges
$141.00
$55.35
154.7 %
-
Computer costs
-
$89.00
-100.0 %
$843.00
$1,001.20
-15.8 %
Stamp Duty
-
6335
Software Expense
-100.0 %
-
$183.72
-
$349.00
-
6250 Postage
6180 Insurance
-
$591.30
-
PayPal commission
VARIANCE (%)
ASSETS
GROSS PROFIT $12,318.49 $13,767.31 -10.5 %
-
BALANCE COMPARISON BALANCE
CURRENT ASSETS
INCOME 4010 Membership Fees
ACCOUNT ACCOUNT NAME CODE
Page 1 of 2
CURRENT LIABILITIES -
Club Event Payments
$990.00 155.6 %
NET ASSETS $32,505.75
$28,605.84
13.6 %
$27,160.86
$20,726.46
31.0 %
$5,344.89
$7,879.38
-32.2 %
TOTAL EQUITY $32,505.75
$28,605.84
13.6 %
EQUITY 1110
Retained Earnings Surplus/(Accumulated Losses)
-
Current year earnings
Page 1 of 1
8
NOVEMBER 2020
Tony Gray
Committee Reports Secretary’s Report
T
he wheels of your club committee continue to turn with many great events staged in the recent past and many more to come as we lead into a Christmas that might be like no other. At this time of year many of us would be at Phillip Island for the Australian Round of the MotoGP. Sadly that is another Covid related casualty of 2020. Having an Australian Rules GF in Brisbane on the GP weekend is no consolation for this Rugby type so just as well there is late night viewing of the ‘European’ MotoGP Championship. The B2B over the October long weekend was a very enjoyable event and you can read of that event and the history of the B2B in this journal. Overnight events like the B2B provide a great opportunity for members to mix and socialise more so than the monthly rides, lunches or coffee mornings. If you have thought about attending but were a bit nervous about ‘fitting in’ then take the plunge you will be most welcome. At different times during the B2B ride we crossed paths with enthusiasts on motorbikes that harked back to simpler times – the first case were WW2 and immediate post war Indians and Harleys and the second time even older Veteran Motorcycles dating from the WW1 era. What they had in common was the enthusiasm of their riders, simplicity of their machines and the riders’ intimate knowledge of what made their bike tick. In the case of the veteran bikes the owners had either made or arranged for many unobtainable parts to be made to keep their machine on the road. There is a great spirit that builds with people when they can share in a common love of machinery like that. In our club’s case we have our regular service days at Rob Wynne’s place at Jimboomba. I am not suggesting that we start making parts for the latest K1600 but even a simple understanding of your machine can help to enhance your riding experience. Again don’t be nervous about attending, you will be most welcome.
Tony, Jane and the Grey Ghost at B2B17 - read Tony’s article on page 42. Also a great read is Tony’s story on the beginning of the B2B tradition!
Committee Reports
NOVEMBER 2020
9
BMWMCQ Meeting Minutes 01 October 2020 Venue: Geebung RSL (also connected on Facebook Live but it failed after 15 minutes) Meeting Opened:
7.35 pm
Apologies:
Maggie & George Rafanowicz, John Eacott, Jane Gray, John Allan, Geoff & Ellen Hodge, Kate Farrar.
Minutes of Previous General Meeting:
Accepted: Rosi Johnson
Number of Attendees:
22
New Members (Name & MC):
Nil
Visitors:
Karl (friend of Darryl), F650 GS (Morningside) - potential new member
Returning Members:
Nil
Treasurer Report:
Listed in the Journal. In JE’s absence PH read special comments, change to software program due to cost increase. With our strong financial position we will need to have an ‘auditors opinion’ prepared at the end of the club’s year to comply with Govt regulations.
Editor Report:
Another excellent journal delivered on time. PH has received feedback from our NZ sister club on what a high quality informative journal we produce - a benchmark for the clubs. More articles and stories are always required so get writing.
Tools Report:
14 Nov is next service day at Rob Wynne’s place at Jimboomba. BL showed and described the ‘motoscan’ unit he has purchased for personal use. This is a cheaper but more basic alternative to the clubs diagnostic GS911 tool. Bill will do a write up for the next journal.
Regalia Report:
All gear available displayed in Journal. Daniel @ the embroidery shop will embroider the logo on your own apparel for $7/item for smaller or $12/item for larger design up to 20cm wide. If you require larger than 20cm then request a price from Daniel. Very busy at present so could expect about one week turnover but if you call and arrange MAY be able to be done while you wait.
Records Report:
234 Financial members with 8 new members in September. GG has now identified the joining dates for all of the longer term members (with one exception) beyond the last 10 years that the current member system has been operating. Longest term is 53 years. Very special thanks to Gary Bennett who methodically went through old journals to help identify member joining dates.
Events Report:
Last months events were all well attended with the exception of the German Club social night that was canceled due to lack of numbers. Full program of events this month starting with B2B #17 this long weekend to Maryborough & Goomeri. Thanks to Don & Kate for organizing this one. Remember that you MUST pre-register for all events due to Covid restrictions at the venues we book.
Secretary Report:
No written correspondence received. Promote the Club Library - this month featured book is ‘The Elephant’s Tale’ by BMWMCQ members Mike & Jo Hannan.
Dealer Liaison Report:
Visit to M&W to have a look at the R18 which weighs 340kg. Sat on but not ridden. It is available for test rides. M&W are quite busy in sales & service departments which is a good sign.
Vice President Report:
Spoke of recent rides undertaken this month. Taking his new Husqvarna 701 out for a dirty weekend this weekend. Encourage others to get out and enjoy our local roads & weather.
President Report:
Has been an excellent ride month for the club and weather wise. One dark cloud has been the regular and high number of motorcycle accidents on the popular mountain venues around Brisbane. One factor at play would appear to be the appearance of professional photographers on the mountains. It is possible that many riders are pushing beyond their capability to get a good picture.
Other Events/Buy/Sell/Swap:
Dave Hepburn’s 2015 R1200RT has sold. Many of Dave’s gear now available on the Club FB sales pages. Tracey has also kindly donated some items for raffle prizes.
Past rides:
GB gave an outline on the second edition of the 2020 Frigid Digit at Somerset Dam Campground. Fortunately this second edition was dry (but not cold).
General Business
Raffle winners; Jenny Layther, Mark Gilbert, Rosi Johnson, Anita Wyndham.
Closed:
8.30 pm
Seconded: Darryl Gowlett
10
Committee Reports
NOVEMBER 2020
Greg Gaffney
Records Officers Report
T
he weather has been perfect over the recent lockdown period. When it comes to local rides, luckily, we in Queensland have not been too affected by the COVID limitations with Mark Mustchin doing a great job organising lots of events. This weekend however the storms were back. Let’s hope it doesn’t get too hot or too stormy over the coming summer months.
Greg Gaffney records@ bmwmcq.org.au
Welcome to New Members : Peter Hempenstall KELVIN GROVE R1100RT Karl Hurst BULIMBA F650GS Ken Madsen OXLEY F650GS Rob Bunde CLEVELAND R80
40 years of the GS
Front & centre of one of the great summer BMWMCQ embroidered polo’s available, contact Rosi...
Committee Reports Bill Luyten
SERVICE DAY
The Club will hold a Service Day on Saturday 14 Nov at Rob Wynne’s place starting around 0900-0930. Location: 61-63 Saint Jude Circuit Jimboomba (Just off Mt Lindesay Highway) Note: some GPSs require the suburb to be “Glenlogan” Oil drain pans, oil disposal as well as a comprehensive tool kit is available. If you need one of the special tools, I usually bring most but send me a reminder to make sure I have it. We will be providing a Sausage Sizzle (or maybe Rob’s yummy steaks) and Drinks for a gold coin donation (proceeds to the RFDS). There are special tools available (see below list) including the GS-911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools. New items added to the club tool kit is Optimate 4 Desulfating Battery Charge/Test Maintainer and Motorcycle Battery Tester. Repair Manuals I have various Repair Manuals available to borrow mainly for older bikes.
11
NOVEMBER 2020
Tool’s Report Special Tools: • Twinmax electronic carburetor balancer (Twin BMW engines) • Vacuumate (electronic synchronization of throttle valves up to 4 cylinders) • Clutch alignment shafts (3 sizes) • Compression gauge (cylinder pressure) • Steering head bearing puller and seating tool • Gearbox output flange puller • GS-911 Wi-Fi Diagnostic tool (Wi-Fi and USB Version) • GS-911 3 pin Diagnostic tool (for older bikes) • Tyre Pressure Monitor Sensor (TPMS) tool • Enduralast hall sensor tester • Brake bleeding tool (suction bleeding via the brake caliper) • Compression tester • Optimate 4 Desulfating Battery Charge/Test Maintainer • Motorcycle Battery Tester (Tests State of Health of the bike’s battery) Club Tool Loan: $50 deposit (refundable) for GS911: Tools and spares can be picked up at my place in Springfield. Contact Tools Officer
Tools for loan Bill Luyten 0438 123 747 There are special tools available including the GS- email: spares@bmwmcq.org.au 911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools.
Rosi Johnson
H
i all,
Time to get your cotton shirts ordered with the hot summer months approaching, either through the online order form or go and see them at the Shop. If you need any help with ordering or sizing let me know . Happy riding out there . Cheers Rosi
regalia@bmwmcq.org.au Rosi modelling another of the great shirts available!
Regalia Report
12
THIS SEASON’S REGALIA
NOVEMBER 2020
Lady Shirts
2LPS - $26 65% polyester 35% cotton
Bloke Shirts
210 - $26 65% polyester 35% cotton
2LCP - $27.50 65% polyester 35% cotton
2CP - $27.50 65% polyester 35% cotton
Gender Neutral Hats & Bags
AH695 - $17 Bucket Hat Sandwich Design (with trim)
AH715 - $16 Bucket Hat
7LPI - $29.50 100% polyester
7PIP - $29.50 100% polyester
AH230 - $15 Cotton Cap
Metro - black/charcoal or black/royal $20.50
ICE Tee - $24.50 Cotton
ICE Tee - $24.50 Cotton “Best riding shirt ever, did Africa and still going” - Dr D. Livingston
AH742 - $17 100% Wool Beanie
AH770 - $17 100% Cotton Beanie
Swiss charcoal- $35.50
THIS SEASON’S REGALIA
NOVEMBER 2020
13
Club order form for shirts, bags and hats Send this form to daniel@goldstarembroidery.com.au or call Daniel on 0403 150 857 Name: ___________________________
Email address:_____________________________________
If delivery is required an additional fee is charged. Delivery required?
Yes or No:______
Delivery address: ______________________________________________________________________ A minimum 50% deposit is required before the order is started. Payment in full is required if Gold Star Embroidery is to organise delivery. An invoice will be emailed after the order form is received. Shirts: Shirt product code number
Quantity
Size
Colour
Bags: Bag product name
Quantity
Colour
Metro Swiss Headwear: Product code number
Quantity
Size
Colour
Cap AH230 - $15 each Bucket Hat Sandwich AH695 - $17 each Bucket Hat AH715 - $16 each Wool Beanie AH742 - $17 each Cotton Beanie AH770 - $17 each
There are also more colours, shirt styles and fabrics available through Gold Star Embroidery - check out the website at goldstarembroidery and call Daniel - he knows all about BMW regalia!
14
NOVEMBER 2020
Mark Mustchin
A
Committee Reports Event’s Report
t the Christmas in July David Jansen (BMWMCQ member #4420 & member of the Kingaroy Soaring Club) offered club members an opportunity to go Gliding on the Sunday morning. Six members including myself took up the opportunity and went for a short glider flight on a very brisk morning. Lack of thermal air currents because of the very cold weather meant the flights were only of about 20 minutes duration. However short, it rekindled my interest in gliding so after speaking to David we put together the BMQMCQ “Ride to Glide”. Three dates in October were settled on and for me October could not come quick enough. David organised two x 2 seater planes, another pilot , the tow plane & a wingman. All up 13 club members participated over the 3 days and all enjoyed the experience greatly except maybe Sally who unfortunately suffered air sickness & shortened her flight to return to Terra Firma. She can now tick off Gliding on her chuck bucket list. The first flight got off the ground at about 11.15 am with Mark Loring aboard and headed north to Wondai, Murgon and Cherbourg before returning to Kingaroy. Sally’s flight was next followed by Rob, they also flew north of Kingaroy. My flight got off the ground about 1:30 pm & David quickly found a couple of thermals which got us to a height where we could fly south towards the Bunya Mountains. I’ve driven, ridden & walked in the Bunyas but it was an amazing experience to fly over them in a glider. Donna did not glide but she talked her way into the passenger seat of the tow plane for two launches and acted as wing woman for a couple of launches. Steve Hilder & Peter & Sue Ferguson enjoyed their flights on Tuesday. Don Grimes, Richard Maher & Huw & Liezel Samuel flew on Wednesday. Due to the weather conditions Wednesday’s flights were shorter than the flights on the previous days but long enough to offer a rewarding experience, and for some enough to generate an interest in doing it again. I would like to offer a big thank you to David & the other members of the Kingaroy Soaring Club who gave us all a great experience. I for one will be going back to Kingaroy for more gliding and I suspect I will see some other BMWMCQ members there as well.
Events Photos
NOVEMBER 2020
Ride to Glide - more pics on page 31
Monthly lunch ride to Toogoolawah
Mid week ride to Lake Cressbrook
15
BMWMCQ 2020 Events Calendar BMWMCQ Club Events for NOVEMBER 2020
16
NOVEMBER 2020
Datee Thurs 5 Nov.
Sun 8 Nov.
Sat 14 Nov. Sat 14 to Sun 15 Nov Sat 21 Nov. Sun 22 Nov.
Start 7:30pm
Event Club General Meeting
Details Geebung RSL Club, 323 Newman Road, Geebung QLD. Meals from 6pm
ALL WELCOME! Morgan’s Seafood Scarborough
2:30pm for 3:00pm
Monthly Club Ride - Fish & Chip Ride
2:45pm
Sunny Coast Australian Hotel, Gympie Riders - Back to See page further on for details. Gympie Ride
9:30am
9:00am
See page further on for details
Duncan & Cindy Bennett
Jimboomba, details in Tools Report
Bill Luyton - Tools
Coffee Meet Up
Cafe 63, Bowling St Enogerra
Mark Mustchin - Events
German Club Dinner
Brisbane German Club
Mark Mustchin - Events
Club Service Day
12:30pm Club Lunch Ride
Thurs 26 6:00pm Nov.
Contact President Paul
Destination is Country Life Hotel, Kin Kin
Richard de Groot - Sunny Coast Riders
President Paul
416 Vulture Street East Brisbane
EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS CALENDAR Date
“Our Rally” Get ready for 2021...
Event
Location
Contact
See details for 2021 CTR on page 29
NOVEMBER 2020 BMWMCQ 2020 Events Calendar BMWMCQ Club Events for DECEMBER 2020
Datee Thurs 3 Dec.
Start 7:30pm
Event Club General Meeting
Sat 5 Dec. 6:00pm
Christmas Party
Sat 12 Dec.
8:00
Sat 12 Dec.
9:00am
Sunny Coast Riders Xmas Coffee
Wed 16 Dec. Sun 20 Dec.
9:00am
Coffee Meet Up Mid week ride
12:30pm Club Lunch Ride
Details Geebung RSL Club, 323 Newman Road, Geebung QLD. Meals from 6pm
Contact President Paul
Bribie RSL Club - 99 Toorbul St Bongaree
Mark Mustchin - Events
Coffee Club, Bullcock Beach
Richard de Groot
The Reserve, Anstead
Mark Mustchin - Events
Destination is Killarney Hotel
President Paul
See page further on for details.
Location TBA
Mark Mustchin - Events
17
18
NOVEMBER 2020
2020 CHRISTMAS PARTY
C
ome join our 2020 Christmas Party on beautiful BRIBIE ISLAND and join in the good food and great fun with friends old and new. There will be raffles and prize winners drawn on the night. SATURDAY 5th DECEMBER 2020 Enjoy a scenic ride of your choice around the Sunshine Coast hinterland before arrival. Venue – Bribie Island RSL, 99 Toorbul
Street, Bongaree
3 course meal @ $55 per head, cash bar. We have exclusive use of the covered Terrace area which is weather proof. This well-organised establishment also offers a breakfast cafĂŠ on site the following morning for those who would like to attend. Accommodation selections are below. Please book your selected accommodation directly. Ensure you mention you are attending the BMWMCQ Christmas Party to access any discounted rates. Payment for the Dinner Function is by simple bank transfer - Please pay $55.00 per head to the BMWMCQ Bank account: BSB 124-001 AC 10243020 Please ensure to add in remarks your name, and the number of guests you are paying for. Once you have deposited the correct amount, please EMAIL treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au stating details of your deposit. This is an essential component of your booking. Please book early as numbers will need to be limited to 60 people to suit the room size, and accommodation may be difficult to obtain at late notice at least within walking distance of the Party. Where To Stay Phone Bongaree Caravan Park Cabins (approx 700m 3408 1054 walk to RSL) E: bongareecaravanpark@moretonbay.qld.gov.au Bribie Waterways Motel (Ningi - 1km away) 3408 3000 www.bribiewaterways.com.au W: www.bribiewaterways.com.au E: reception@bribiewaterways.com.au
Bribie Island Caravan Park - Woorim About 10 minutes drive W: www.bribieislandcaravanpark.com.au E: info@bribieislandcaravanpark.com.au
Offering $111 queen bed cabin
Terms Mininum 2 nights
$154 Queen or twin mo- Per night tel room, +$20 per extra body $169 for studio with 2 beds and kitchenette, +$20 per extra body 3408 1134 Cabins: $105 double, or Min 2 $110 with extra bunks Nights
FROM THE PEN OF JANE GRAY “B2B”
NOVEMBER 2020
JEGOct2020
Living in the suburbs of a city or a town Can sometimes overwhelm you & sometimes get you down But 10 years ago or more, Club members had some thoughts “A weekend in the country – a medicine of sorts” It’s now become tradition, usually twice a year B2B they called it – its popularity is clear “Back to the Bush” they said, “spend some money there!” Great rides to destinations with great company to share As long as we can get there in a single day With enough accommodation for all of us to stay The choices are scattered widely even into New South Wales We only ask “the food is good with cold refreshing ales” Mt Morgan & Injune, Texas, Monto, Goondiwindi Who knows what the weather will be – rain, hail, shine or windy? Lightning Ridge & Walcha plus Grafton/Inverell The only ones across the border as far as I can tell Mundubbera, Stanthorpe, Kingaroy, Roma & Hervey Bay There’s always lots of coffee stops & lunch along the way Dalby/Mundubbera, Cherrabah Resort & Miles Riding through the country brings happiness & smiles Maryborough/Goomeri was the latest B2B Fulfilling its reputation for good fun & camaraderie Thank you to those who thought of this wonderful idea We raise our glasses to all who plan these trips throughout the year
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GAY PAREE
Here are a few of Richard Maher’s shots of his trip to Paris last year, hopefully we will be able to travel to Europe again in the not too distant future.....but in the meantime enjoy this trip down memory lane.
MAINTENANCE CORNER
Record Keeping By Tony Gray, Member #3905
I
was walking into Team Moto Moorooka last year and spotted an R1150RT in the row of used bikes for sale. It looked in pretty good nick so, asking for a friend, I enquired of the asking price which was on the high side for the model. The salesman explained that the previous owner was fastidious with his records and they had a veritable encyclopaedia on the bike’s service history. By comparison he pointed out a very tidy looking 1098 Ducati of fairly recent vintage for which they were asking about half new price. The reason was that it had no service records and the desmodromic heads on those things are notoriously expensive to set. There is a lesson in that story!
If you are lucky enough to buy a new bike (I have bought 4 in my near 50 year biking life, the most recent being Rex in 2004) then you will be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty for perhaps one, two or three years. The manufacturer will normally only honour this warranty if it can be shown that the bike has been serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. In this case ‘backyard’ servicing will not cut the mustard. You will need a stamp from a bona-fide registered workshop. Even in this case it is in your best interests to keep comprehensive and ‘clean’ service records. Back to 2004 and my first 12 months warranty period with Rex the Kwaka, I always kept the service book in a sealed weather proof folder and made sure each service was correctly recorded when I collected the bike. Tony (no relation) the service manager at Midtown Kawasaki, now another Team Moto store, commented that many of the
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bikes he saw back for service had either water damaged, torn or missing service books. It is a very simple matter but can make a big difference to value if/when time comes to sell the bike. If you are like me and most of your bikes have been pre-loved then you will know how much value you place on a service history. My recommendation if you acquire a bike with no recent service history is to set a new baseline. Before you start to enjoy the latest love in your garage put her up on the worktable or stand and give her a good going over. Often when buying a bike the misty goggles of excitement manage to conceal damage that may be very obvious in the clear light of day and ownership. As a minimum I replace ALL fluids and filters, new set of spark plugs, pull the brake pads for a good check and check wheel, swingarm and steering head bearings for any noticeable play. Adjust and oil all cables and check chain and sprockets for wear and tight spots. If a shaft drive bike then drop the final drive and clean & grease the splines. If you enjoy servicing and maintaining your own bike, as I do, then it becomes even more important to be fastidious with your service records. Ah when did I last change the oil??? Looks pretty clean so should be right to set off on our lap of OZ? Extreme but you get the picture. BMW’s over the years have generally had a Minor then Major Service requirement based on mileage and/or time. The minor service would include such items as oil and filter change while a major service would include those items as well as valve adjustment, air filter etc. My preference is to separate the services into their component parts and also include consumables like battery, tyres and brake pads. From my perspective this works better as it allows me the option to bring forward a service item like oil & filter change prior to a big trip outside of the scheduled service cycle. I also have a section for unscheduled repairs or upgrades – those things that break when they shouldn’t. Obviously this would be a very short section with any BMW although for some there may need to be a special chapter dedicated to ‘BLING”!
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By Klaus Zillner, Member #4515 No doubt most riders are familiar with the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) when “dapper gentlefolk” ride united for a purpose - to change the face of men’s health alongside “Movember”. As the DGR website states: “The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride unites classic and vintage style motorcycle riders all over the world to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa. It was inspired by a photo of TV Show Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit. Mark decided a themed ride would be a great way of connecting niche motorcycle enthusiasts and communities while raising funds to support the men in our lives.”
Now more than ever, it is important that we ride for the physical and mental wellbeing of the men (and women, one may add) in our lives. “Movember” has already funded over 1200 men’s health projects globally and invested an impressive $21.5 million in prostate cancer research and mental health initiatives since 2016. This year saw the creation of a brand new $1.15 million DGR Social Connections Challenge (https://www.gentlemansride.com/) to help tackle social isolation and poor mental health within the motorcycle community. The founding members are also finalising a new multi-milliondollar program to help first responders and military
DISTINGUISHED GENTS RIDE veterans in our community. This year’s DGR ride was held on Sunday 27 September (worldwide) with classic and vintage style motorcycles riding for the aforesaid cause. What was different this year was the dreaded Covid Pandemic forcing the organisers to announce “solo rides” instead, in line with local social distancing rules and other restrictions: “The 2020 ride will be a solo event to comply with all local social distancing restrictions and will take an adjusted format to connect every rider to the cause from around the world no matter their social distancing regulations. We are maintaining a consistent global message that there will be no mass-participation event, but just because we’re not riding in groups doesn’t mean we’re not dressing dapper and riding! 2020 is our year to prove how connected and caring we are. We will be riding on the same day and for the same cause, but it will be solo. Socially distanced, but globally connected.“
We were indeed very fortunate in QLD that we were able to ride in groups and we looked around for an organised DGR event in the Wide Bay Area. In the absence of such I decided to initiate a ride in Hervey Bay myself, promoting the cause (via social media etc) amongst our friends, family and fellow riders. At the same time I launched a fundraiser asking for donations via my DGR profile site (https://gfolk.me/KlausZillner380563). Surprisingly I did manage to raise just over $400 earning me a DGR badge! For some reason Hervey Bay (HB) was not on the
DISTINGUISHED GENTS RIDE list of towns of hosted rides in QLD (the closest place was Bundaberg) so we decided to host our own instead. For starters the GSA is neither a classic nor a vintage bike but that would not deter us. I also approached the local Triumph dealer (Triumph is a major DGR sponsor) for a more appropriate steed (just on loan for the weekend) but they showed little interest. So we spread the word amongst fellow HB riders (there are weekly informal “morning coffee rides” to Burrum Heads and other places) and managed to gather some interest.
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Quite surprisingly a number of bikers showed up as word of mouth had gone around, with an interesting mix of bikes. Apart from my GS we had a vintage AJS, a Vespa[!], Yamaha, Triumph and Moto Guzzi forming up for the DGR, with all riders & pillions looking rather smart and dapper (although someone commented that it was hard to distinguish between a gentleman and a pimp in certain cases!). I had also organised for some DGR armbands and pins to show purpose and cause - which triggered some interest from the public with people cheering us on. The weather was picture perfect and we made our way down the Esplanade, stopped for a few photo shoots along the way and ended up at Dayman Park which overlooks the channel towards Fraser Island.
The more difficult part was to look the part but we dusted off some “dapper outfits” and got ready for the Sunday ride. The plan was to meet at a popular coffee shop in the HB suburb of Point Vernon on Stopover at Gatakes Bay, Point Vernon Sunday morning, ride along the seafront Esplanade to the other side of town, ending the ride at the All in all a short & slow ride (15 km in 2 hours...) eastern tip of Dayman Park. but a great day out and extremely enjoyable. Quite a few curious onlookers along the way and people coming up to us wondering what we were up to (I guess some thought we were a little mad...). Fellow (non-DGR) riders gave us a wave and perhaps (?) regretted not taking part in our little ride. Anyway, with “Movember” around the corner there is yet more opportunity to contribute to the cause (see website and link provided). We are looking forward to the DGR in 2021 (hopefully in a more “normal” environment) and in the meantime we display our DGR stickers on the bike with pride as we ride through the community in the knowledge that we have helped change the face of men’s health. Best of health to all fellow riders (men & women!)! Klaus & Kerry
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DISTINGUISHED GENTS RIDE PICS Klaus and Kerry dressed up and ready to roll!
DGR riders on Esplanade with pier in background
The dapper HB riders, some more dapper than others!
BMW CLUBS AUSTRALIA
NOVEMBER 2020
by John Eacott, Member #4385 and BMW Clubs Australia Delegate Some of our club members may know already, but have you stopped to think where the prizes for the annual Christmas Dinner event come from? Have you wondered why we belong to BMW Clubs Australia, or debated over a beer why we should do so? Where does the ‘Club Delegate’ fit into this and why would anyone take on the role? Well, the answer to the first question is we get this largesse through the support given to all BMW Clubs by BMW Group Australia and it is disbursed through BMW Clubs Australia. A mandatory requirement of any official BMW Club anywhere in the world to use the BMW prefix is that they must belong to the National BMW Club, and abide by the Guidelines given by BMW Clubs International. In Australia we have car and motorbike clubs in most States and Territories, with more than one in some States. As long as the guidelines are followed for the club application then this is approved by BMW CI and more enthusiasts become part of the Grand Plan. To liaise between BMW CA and a club is the job of the Club Delegate working, as most club volunteers do, behind the scenes to ensure that guidelines are followed and the right noises are made at the right time to get the approvals for funding for prizes, or arrange funding for the BMW Motorrad Rally, or just exchange monthly Journals with each other club. So if you have a query on why we have to have the club badge in this shape or that colour, or how to understand that BMW Group have just issued a new Guideline No 5 to change all our badges, talk to the Club Delegate!
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By Margreth Van Aartsen, Member #4496 UPGRADING FROM A 700GS TO A 750GS – WAS IT WORTH IT? From the perspective of a vertically challenged female rider.
T
he Editors have asked me to give a write up on my impressions of the new 750GS, as I have recently upgraded from a 700GS. Having been a pillion rider for most of my adult life, I have come into motorbike riding well into my 30’s. Though I am sure there are many females out there who are all over torque and revs and other things technical, I am not. This review will therefore be purely based on personal user experience. Before we do, I’ll tell you a bit more about myself. My motorbike exposure during my childhood years was limited to some school friends who owned bikes. In South Africa you were legally allowed on a 50cc bike or scooter at age 16 years. Those who owned these prized items were the envy of all, as they were not only deemed to be very ‘cool’ but it also gave them a means of freedom going around town. This was also my first time ever attempting to ride a bike. As you do at age 16, you get together with a bunch of friends and go hang out in a back street while the boys with bikes try to do fancy tricks and give us non-bikers a go at riding. I was game, hopped on, was given basic instructions and off I went. Didn’t get out of first gear by the time I hit the end of the road, but with new-born confidence I turned it around and I was adamant to master gear shifting on the way back to the group (who were cheering in support). I fixed my eyes on the road, pulled away, dropped the clutch and up came the front wheel. I am sure it was only a few millimetres off the ground but it was enough to scare the hell out of me. As I had absolutely no idea what I was doing I magically managed to put it down and come to a safe stop without stacking. I was only halfway
THE 750 UPGRADE back up the road but too scared to go again, walking away without managing the gear shift. Fast forward a few years when I met Nic (my now husband). Motorbikes have always been a feature in his family and it wasn’t long before my love for riding was reborn, albeit as a pillion. So, how did I eventually get my own licence? Long story short – in 2014 Nic and I went on a South America trip with Compass Expeditions. A week before our departure I made an off-hand comment to Nic, saying: “you know what, maybe I should learn to ride myself when we come back from this”. We didn’t really talk about it again but two weeks after our return (from what was an amazing holiday, which hooked us on long distance motorbike touring!), Nic popped me in the car and drove me to the bike dealership. He had done all the research and selected a few options deemed great beginners’ bikes. Home we went with a KTM Duke390 and the rest is history. So, yes. I have not been riding all that long and am by no means a riding expert. I see myself as a cautious female rider but like to challenge my own limits. Though I mostly stick to bitumen, I enjoy going on the dirt roads off the beaten track and therefore I very much enjoy the BMW F700 series, as it is perfectly suited for what I like to get out of riding on a very reliable machine.
THE 750 UPGRADE This finally brings me to the real reason for this write up. Recently I upgraded from a 2016 F700GS to the new 750GS, and yes it was worth it! The 750GS feels like a completely different bike on the road. I have about 1500km on the clock now. This has been made up by short day rides, a weekend away to Bargara (with short stints on gravel roads) and some city commuting, a good mix of riding to get an overall impression of the bike’s performance.
One of the biggest differences for me to get used to is the different height and weight distribution, with the 750GS having a higher centre of gravity. This feels somewhat exaggerated for me in comparison, as I had a lowered suspension, low seat 700GS (seat height 765mm) and now have bravely gone for a standard suspension with a low seat (seat height 790mm). This extra height is definitely noticeable and has brought me from flat-footed with a bent knee, to the balls of my feet. The bike is about 18kg heavier than the 700GS (kerb weight 227kg vs 209kg). On the 700GS, with its fuel tank at the back and being so low to the ground, I hardly knew the panniers were there, even heavily loaded (side panniers only, no top box). Loaded with a full set of panniers (now with top box), the extra height and higher centre of gravity certainly freaked me out on the first trip with the 750GS, especially noticeable on sharp turns and hill stops. It’s taking some getting used to, but I have
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gained a much smoother ride. The suspension is great and especially on gravel roads there is none of the 700’s clunky-rattling and especially with the lowered version the suspension was quite hard. I now also have better ground clearance with less rocks smashing hard up against my bash-plate. The cruise control is pretty awesome on the long stretches, which is nice to give your throttle hand a rest on those long straight roads. I had done a lot of reading about the new 750GS prior to my purchase, and on the advice of many reviews I have fitted the 850GS 390mm adjustable windscreen – and boy is it worth it. If you do nothing else to your new 750GS, get this screen. It’s well known that the factory fitted piece of plastic on the front might just as well not be there. I retrofitted a 400mm Cee Bailey screen on my 700GS, which was a big improvement from the factory standard shield. As with most things BMW though, paying for the real thing is worth it and more. The aerodynamics of this new screen are so much better and the improvement was one of the first things I noticed – having a lot less wind hitting me, staying a lot drier in the rain and almost 50% less wind noise in my helmet. Other nice-to-haves with this new edition is the stuff that most reviews rave on about. The TFT screen is beautiful. The scroller wheel makes it very easy to navigate through all the information (of which there is plenty for those who are interested in all the technical data). With the Bluetooth connection it’s also very easy to stop and start playback of music on your headset with the scroller wheel, which is certainly a function I enjoy, not having to fiddle with buttons on the headset itself or on the phone. What else is different? The engine is noisier, especially at idle (I have not fitted the Akrapovic exhaust). The engine likes higher revs at low speed and you need to be a bit more aggressive with the throttle pulling away, otherwise it’s a sluggish take off. This will no doubt be a non-issue for the men folk, but for me, I feel like I need to get my rev-head on. I have not yet used the quickshifter much. At this point I have to make a conscious effort to use it, as using the clutch lever comes habitually. I have
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noticed a slight feedback on the clutch lever which feels a bit odd, but this seems to be ‘normal’. When I have used the quickshift it worked smoothly, as long as you are mid-range in revs. All-and-all, I am very happy with my upgrade and know I will get many happy kilometres on this bike. The bike balances well and riding standing up is comfortable, even at higher speeds (especially with the new windscreen). The bike is nimble and easily manoeuvrable at low speed, making for a fun breakfast ride and easy city commute. The low seat is actually quite comfortable and with the better suspension, cruise control and additional luggage capacity, I can’t wait for our next long-distance trip. Editors: Margreth is a very modest person as she handled a 700GS on our tour with Compass Expeditions to the top of Alaska at Prudhoe Bay like a Pro - no issues at all and she was an inspiration in her calm and consistent riding style.
THE 750 UPGRADE
CANE TOAD 2021
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By Mark Loring, Member #3699 Photos by Mark Mustchin When Sally and I first saw the Ride to Glide we were instantly in and have been looking forward to this adventure for weeks. Neither of us had been gliding before. I had done some paragliding many years ago over the Hinchinbrook islands and that was the extent of our combined experience of unpowered ‘flight’ if you could call it that, being tethered to a boat some 50 odd metres below. The weekend arrived and we decided to go up early on the Monday morning by car, the K1600GT having most of it’s plastic bits safely stored on the lounge on the back deck while some for and aft cameras are installed. We arrived a little early soon to be joined by Mark, Donna and Robert. All drove so we did not feel so bad then for leaving the Blue Beast behind.
RIDE TO GLIDE REPORT Sally is unfortunately prone to air and sea sickness and the ill feeling was too great to continue and Col took the controls back and they headed back to Kingaroy for a smooth landing. Dave and I continued soaring and I was permitted to take the glider to a gentle stall, pulling the nose up which reduced the speed until the glider could climb no more. Dave then executed a quicker climb and stall and explained that gliders are very forgiving as there were no violent changes in altitude through either of the stalls. Time to head back to Kingaroy but before we landed Col was up in the air again with Robert or Mark M in the front. We hung around and waited for them to gain some altitude before we fell in behind, spiraling in formation. A few rounds of follow the leader and it was off to the landing strip for a smooth touchdown.
A most enjoyable day and an experience I can We met our hosts at the Kingaroy Soaring club and highly recommend to anyone, providing they proceeded to do the registration before looking at the do not suffer badly from motion sickness. two club gliders we would be using. A short wait and a bit of basic introduction to gliding and before long Sally and I were shrugging into the parachute backpack Warm regards, and strapping into our flying machines. Donna had Mark Loring and Sally Little decided not to glide but had managed to squeeze into the cramped passenger seat of the tow plane. Col was Sally’s Pilot and Dave took me up. I was first on the runway and we were towed up to about 2,000ft where the rope was released. We were gliding and looking for thermals under the cumulus clouds spiraling over and over to gain height. We flew from Kingaroy to Wondai, Murgon and Cherbourg slowly losing altitude before spiraling again under the clouds to recover altitude. Most of the flight was between 6,500 and 9,000ft. At about the same time I was taking the controls at 7,000ft for a few minutes, Sally was climbing to about 5,000ft with Col having been surprised at how quickly the tow plane and glider got airborne. Sally was enjoying the flight and had just taken the controls and was heading for Wondai when she succumbed to air sickness.
RIDE TO GLIDE PICS
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By Tony Gray, Member # 3905 Everything in this life has a beginning – some scientists spend a lifetime trying to find where life began on this planet or the beginning of the universe itself but that is getting a big too deep for this humble story. Let’s stick to something a bit simpler and closer to home – the ‘Back to the Bush’ event. Contained in this month’s journal is a story of B2B number 17 which was enjoyed by many over the October long weekend. A jolly good time was had by all who attended including Jane and me. We have attended only a few B2B events as they have tended to fall at times when we have been away on overseas or long interstate bike trips. Covid put paid to that for us in 2020. Having an enquiring mind I sought out the dates and locations of the previous 16 events. That was not as easy as expected but we now have an accurate list which is appended to this story. The next step on my quest was to find out the how, who, where and when of ‘the beginning’. My quest led me to the very well-equipped workshop of Les Fitzpatrick to the south of Brisbane. I had ‘booked’ the Grey Ghost in with Les to have a new set of daytime running lights fitted and Mark Mustchin was there for the same purpose on his later model wet-head 1200GS. It is hard to beat a day spent with a couple of mates working on and talking motorbikes. Over a slice of Jane’s homemade fruitcake and a strong cuppa’ the story unfolded. The genesis for the B2B grew out of the Off Centre Rally -OCR- a biennial event with a very loose set of rules begun in 1984 by some hard-riding BMW types. In very simple terms the OCR is staged every 2 years at a place somewhere roughly in the centre of the country where fuel is available and only accessible on dirt roads (originally a minimum of 200km). The venue for the next event is decided at the current event and the information is passed by word of mouth and everyone just shows up in 2 years’ time – simple. Ask Rob Wynne, he has been to many.
B2B, IN THE BEGINNING The 2010 version of the OCR was staged at Wanaaring NSW which is about 180km W-NW of Bourke, accessible by dirt road only and with a sparse population of 140 according to Wikipedia. Three current members of the BMWMCQ were in attendance, Les, Mark Gilbert and Mal Cremer. Les did admit that all three were DR650 Suzuki mounted. That evening in Wanaaring no doubt under a clear starry sky somewhat blurred by the ingestion of Bundaberg’s most famous export the B2B concept was born. A former member of the BMWMCQ from far north Qld lamented that the club only catered for riders in SEQ so really should have been called the BMWMCB. He was not going to renew his club membership for that reason. As is want to happen, the effects of the rum took hold and by the time Les and Mark had hit their swags the idea for a B2B had formed into a plan using the OCR as a model. The idea and concept survived into the clear light of the next day and the long ride home (the idea possibly provided a distraction from the uncomfortable seat of the DR). Here is the original concept: Location: Central QLD within a day’s ride of Brisbane and therefore within a day’s ride of north Qld. Easily accessible to anyone roughly in the centre of the State. Purpose: Opportunity for the wider club community to get together and to inject some dollars into the smaller country towns away from the Coast. Excuse for a bloody good ride. Organisation: Meeting place can be put forward by any club member with a list of accommodation/eating options with members responsible for making their own arrangements. Route: Get there any way you can by whatever route you choose. Share stories over a feed and a drink or two and head home. Awards: Nil, zilch, nothing.
B2B, IN THE BEGINNING With this simple formula agreed and with a minimum of organisation required the first B2B was staged later that year at Mt Morgan just outside Rockhampton. Over the ensuing years the location has waned from Central Qld with three events having ventured south of the border and several in S-W Qld. Some of the events, like B2B 17, have been held over three days when the opportunity presented. Notwithstanding the variation in location the concept has held true to its humble beginnings. Don & Kate were novice ride organisers and put together a great ride for #17. Covid restrictions mean that more work has to go into organising eating and sleeping for everyone but the task does not have to be onerous. If you have read this and think you know of an ideal location then put your hand up for a B2B event. Thanks to Les & Mark for taking the initiative and creating an event that has now survived and thrived for 10 years. From Acorns do Oak Trees grow – the B2B idea was formed here – Wanaaring NSW.
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Back to the Bush - Events held to 2020 Mount Morgan Nov 2010 Injune Apr 2011 Texas Oct 2011 Monto Mar 2012 Goondiwindi Oct 2012 Walcha Apr 2013 Lightning Ridge Oct 2013 Mundubbera Feb 2014 Grafton & Inverell Jun 2015 Stanthorpe Oct 2015 Roma Mar 2016 Hervey Bay Oct 2016 Kingaroy May 2017 Cherrabah (via Warwick) Sep 2017 Miles Oct 2019 Mundubbera & Dalby Aug 2020 Maryborough & Goomeri Oct 2020
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A QUICK GLANCE
From the November 2010 BMWMCQ Journal is a write up of the annual club awards winners:
And the front cover shot from that Journal is a cracker:
Club members enjoying a Sunday ride through Kalbar. The photographer was not named, however my best guess is Jim Campey?
GOMA - THE MOTORCYCLE
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THE MOTORCYCLE DESIGN, ART, DESIRE 28 NOV 2020-26 APR 2021 This world-exclusive exhibition, only in Brisbane, will showcase the art, design and history of one of the most iconic objects of the last 150 years, the motorcycle. Featuring more than 100 innovative and influential motorcycles from the 1860s to present day, it will consider the iconic vehicle from the perspective of social history, popular culture, design and technology The exhibition will tap into the appeal of this enduring object of design and art, looking at the motorcycle’s past, present and future. Highlights of the exhibition will include: • An 1871 Perreaux, the first steam-powered velocipede and oldest known motorcycle in the world; • The earliest Australian-designed and built machines, including a Spencer produced in Brisbane in 1906; • The 1951 Vincent Black Lightning that set an Australian land speed record in its day and more recently a world record for the highest price paid at auction for a motorcycle; • Symbols of speed including the 1930s Triumph Speed Twin, the 1970s Ducati 750 Super Sport, and the 1990s Britten V1000; • Off-road motorcycles highlighting a rich history of bikes built for dust and dirt; • Customised motorcycles at the intersection of art and design; • Ultra-modern electric motorcycles, demonstrating the future of transportation in the age of renewable energy.
https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/the-motorcycle
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By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171
A
trip to Las Vegas is perfect for a 25th silver wedding anniversary, slightly more so than a trip to Cairns. But Cairns was firmly within the present allowable travel perimeter, and Las Vegas wasn’t, so Cairns it was. A Friday afternoon flight successfully boarded giving the appearance we were going to fit the face mask while never quite bothering to do so, in a mere 2½ hours we landed on the narrow strip of available land just north of the city. The romance pack had been provided by the Shangri-La Hotel, in the form of a bottle of bubbly, and around then the actual activity planning for the weekend started to ramp up out on the balcony. A jet-ski tour had been booked for Saturday morning, and a reef cruise for Sunday, but what about the free period on Saturday post-11am? On a third top-up of sparkling, a brilliant idea was conceived. Why don’t we hire motorcycles?!? The Cairns motorcycle hire scene can be a little disappointing unless you are chasing a 50cc scooter, an engine-free motorcycle a.k.a a bicycle, or a Harley with an engine capacity larger than a Panamax tanker. The Harley option was nearly on except they didn’t have anything available, so we called the unpromising sounding Cairns Scooter and Bicycle Hire. How many motorcycles do we need they asked? Two, Cindy answered. What a coincidence, we only have two! OK, we’ll take them! So, off to dinner. The Shangri-La is only two stories high but was apparently built before stairs were invented so the only way to get up or down involved a very long march to the lifts. Hang-on, I can see a short-cut straight outside said someone in the party, and although a later inquiry couldn’t conclusively determine who had said it, next thing we were in the fire escape and heading down. To a door at the bottom which said the fire alarm would go off it were opened. So back up we went, but all the doors were locked, and the only way out was by setting off the fire alarm. Or calling the front desk and waiting to be let out by a bloke who really didn’t appreciate how funny we were trying
SILVER SERVICE to make the situation seem. A learning from that first night in Cairns, besides don’t try to leave the hotel by the fire escape, was that everything along the marina had to be booked in advance. We tried to get into several places without success, before finally convincing someone at ‘All About Tha Fish’ that we could get through three courses with wines in 15 minutes if they convoyed it to the table bumper-to-bumper.
Cindy trapped in the Shangri-La Hotel fire escape using her on-line will app to delete a beneficiary Up quite early and breakfasted, we wandered into town to the K-Mart to buy some motorcycle clothing to complement the thongs and shorts. Nothing by Klim or Touratech or BMW Motorrad was available in K-Mart Cairns, so a $20 outlay was made to get pants and tops with the highest breathability rating but the lowest possible water, abrasion and impact resistance rating, perfect for wearing on a scooter in Bangkok, but at least mine was hi-vis. Kitted out for later on, we hit the marina and the NQ Watersports facility for the jet-ski experience.
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Who cares about societal norms, I’m on a jet-ski! Our only previous exposure to jet-skis had been us glaring and making frowny faces toward tattoo-ed Bogans as they raced back and forth just outside the injured turtle rehabilitation area in some ecologically delicate place. So a couple of complete novices filled in the safety induction paperwork and the documentation to waive NQ Watersport’s liability if we didn’t act like total sociopathic idiots out on the water. The jet-skis were fitted with lots of safety gear, including a proximity sensor that would hopefully notice we getting too close to that really expensive yacht and shut the engine down. Out on the water, the jet-skis behaved just like really small fast boats which is not entirely unexpected as they are really small fast boats. We just missed a large crocodile which wasn’t on a jet-ski, before doing some Boganza stunts on the way back due to instant over-confidence.
Showing off and annoying the public just comes naturally on a jet-ski
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Out of the aquatic attire and into the K-Mart Moto ensemble, we trudged the 1.2 km back into town to the Cairns Scooter and Bicycle Hire and were introduced to the only two steeds in the stable; a Honda Shadow 750 VT and a Suzuki Intruder 250 VL. According to their website; the 250 VL has the pulsing rhythm of a thumping V-twin. It’s the sound of performance and no 250 plays it like this Intruder. An escapist with performance hunger, this cruiser’s threevalve-per-cylinder V-twin, with advanced gearshift technology, delivers the grunt every rider thrives on. Advanced gearshift technology turned out to be synchronising movement of one’s left foot and left hand while backing off with one’s right hand like on every other motorcycle built since about 1930, but big tick to the Suzuki advertising people for making stuff up. Unusually, the hire shop rules dictated that we must be able to demonstrate some ability to ride their motorcycles, so a slow speed wobbly lap or two of the fortunately empty carpark out the front was undertaken to demonstrate our limited cruiser skills. With our supplied open face helmets firmly fastened we headed north.
But it hasn’t got footpegs! Oh hang on, they’re way out the front! The road to Port Douglas starts with a bit of teaser past the airport before the motorist becomes bogged in urban tedium: lights, roundabouts, roadworks. Up to full noise and delivering the grunt every rider thrives on was a state the Shadow and the Intruder could only dream of, until past Palm Cove when it became reality. Our limited cruiser skills didn’t impede us, the Shadow and
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the Intruder handled well on the scenery overload Captain Cook Highway in the beautiful weather. The traffic was light, the seats were comfortable, all was right with the world.
Dressed for Far North QLD cruising success In a disappointingly short space of time we reached the outskirts of Port Douglas, which seem to go on for a lot further than the population of 3,500 should require. We’d heard rumours of the possible presence of BMWMCQ ‘Rona Refugees Mario and Fiona in Port Douglas, with a quick phone call confirming both their presence and their availability for lunch. Van people are subject to every form of discrimination in society – antivanners, vanists, and the Ku Klux Van are out to get them - yet still they are always proudly front and centre with their small dogs. Mario and Fiona boldly and unashamedly described their van activities including walks through the hinterland, sipping a quiet Chardonnay, and having an antipasto platter assembled from market fresh ingredients.
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Truly great fun and we were very fortunate to have them contribute at an appropriate social distance to our anniversarial memories. Back on and cruisin’ south, the pace picked up and the ride could be truly appreciated due to the mounting familiarity with the machines. Firstly, cruiser seats are basically a couch. Wearing a track suit with dodgy waist elastic and a stained hoodie would feel fine on a cruiser, especially as the feet are already up in the reclined position like you are watching your big screen TV with a huge bowl of Cheezels to hand. Secondly, a big surprise is the handling; the expectation was that a cruiser would handle like a Reliant Robin half full of mercury, but in fact the Shadow was on rails around the tight corners and a pleasure to ride. If I was asked to promote a mode of transport, the Honda Shadow would definitely rank well above the Costa Concordia, the Reliant Robin, and camels.
No surf, but no box jellyfish yet either Back to Cairns via the sweaty suburban tedium and into the Scooter and Bicycle Hire premises without a single navigational disaster, our appetite for riding up in FNQ has been in no way satisfied. An official anniversary dinner rounded out the busy day, and on the Sunday we completed the last of the big two-five activities schedule with a rough boat ride out to the reef for some snorkeling action, fortunately survived without boarding the Porcelain Princess. Perhaps next year a ride up from home is on the cards to really explore the northern regions of Queensland. Just not on cruisers though.
Doctors Mario and Fiona we presume?
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Big thumbs up all round for the first 25 years
Not quite Sons of Anarchy just yet
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FISH & CHIP RIDE 2020
Hosted by Duncan & Cindy Bennett
Join us for the annual Fish & Chip Ride to Morgans Seafood, Scarborough Meeting Point: 2:30pm for a 3:00pm departure at Ferny Grove, in Cassimaty Park - opposite BP service Station on Samford Road. Route: This will be a led ride (ride leader and tail end Charlene) through the hills, dams and interesting back roads of the area. Dinner: Arriving just before 6:00pm to Morgans Seafoods in Scarborough where “your meal is almost caught and cooked before your eyes”! We will order from the extensive takeaway meny and ”Dine waterside in our attractive outside dining area - set in tropical gardens with shelters, umbrellas, tables & chairs so you and your guests can dine in comfort with the backdrop of a dozen or so trawlers, luxury yachts, comical pelicans, fidgety seagulls and our fishing folk.” RSVP: Either indicate “GOING” on the Facebook event page (not MAYBE as you won’t be counted) or send an email to editor@bmwmcq.org.au stating how may are attending. NOTE: This is very important for the venues COVID plan. Those who have not stated they are attending will have to dine elsewhere sadly as the booking needs to be exact in fairness to the venue.
RETURN TO GYMPIE RIDE
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By Richard de Groot, Member #769
Sunny Coast BMW Riders ‘Back to Gympie on the Ride that Wasn’t’. Overnight Event - Saturday 14 November 2020 The ‘Sunny Coast BMW Riders’ invite all club members to this ‘Anniversary event’. This is definitely a MUST ATTEND event for those who survived the ‘Evening Ride to Gympie’ in horrendous weather conditions on Saturday 16/11/2019. Venue - The Australian Hotel, Gympie, affectionately called ‘The Aussie’. Depart location - BP Service Station, 2632 Steve Irwin Way, Glenview. Meet time - 1445 hours Saturday 14/11/2020, Departure time - 1500 hours. Route - A led ride on twisting, climbing, descending country roads in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. All sealed roads. The ride will NOT be via Maleny, Kenilworth or any section of the Bruce Highway (M1). The route distance is approximately 132 kilometres and will take approximately 2 ½ hours to complete; weather permitting. Extremely scenic route. Dinner - At the Australian Hotel, 1 Lady Mary Terrace, Gympie Qld 4570. Ph # 07 5482 1070. Web site www.australianhotelgympie.com.au/ Overnight accommodation Saturday 14/11/2020: Australian Hotel, 1 Lady Mary Terrace, Gympie Qld 4570. Ph # 07 5482 1070. Don’t delay; book now as there are limited rooms. The hotel was recently refurbished and has good clean accommodation; however, with shared bathroom facilities. Alternate Accommodation - A 15-minute walk to the Verandah Motel 1.1 km away. Web site - https://www.verandahmotel.com.au/home/ Breakfast Sunday 15/11/2020 at 0800 hours - Paninis Bakery & Cafe, 11/104 Mary Street, Gympie. A booking is not required. Web site - https://paninis-bakery-cafe.business.site/ To RSVP: If you are on the Sunny Coast BMW Riders Facebook Group - hit the ‘Going’ to the event and indicate by comment how many; OR Send an email to Richard de Groot at wen_rich@bigpond.com and confirm the names of the members attending the dinner event at the Australian Hotel on Saturday 14/11/2020. Inclement weather - The event will NOT be cancelled in the event of inclement weather; however, the route may be changed. Please bring wet weather gear, just in case!
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By Tony Gray, Member #3905
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harlie Brown wrote in the September club journal of his near miss opportunity to take a flight in a World War Two B17 bomber – the renowned Flying Fortress which powered the USAF bombing missions over German occupied Europe during the 2nd World War. This month it was our turn to stage our own B17 event – the B2B #17. What has this to do with Charlie’s aircraft adventure – absolutely nothing! But now that I have your attention you may as well continue to see what otherwise normal suburbanites get up to on one of these weekends away from normality. Don & Kate were true novitiate’s in the B2B (Back to the Bush) game when they boldly volunteered to organise a club run over the Queen’s Birthday (yes we Australian’s will take any opportunity for a day off) October long weekend. This weekend also heralded the start of Daylight Saving in the southern States and the end of the school holidays in Queensland. There is a lot of preparatory work to be undertaken to make a weekend like this successful – doubly so this time as it was to be a two night event. Accommodation and eating venues have to be selected and tested, bookings arranged and interesting routes planned. These are not led ride events but invariably small groups do form to ride together either following the offered routes or varied to suit their own circumstances. B2B#17 was also a bit different as some joined for the first night only and others for the second night only so there was some ‘new blood’ introduced along the way. Sadly our esteemed Journal co-editors and regular B2B’ers, Cindy & Duncan had to withdraw at the 11th hour due to family reasons. Their misfortune fell in favour of Ian & Alison who quickly snapped up their Sunday night room booking at the Hotel. Suffice to say the ‘Inn is full’ sign was displayed in Goomeri on Sunday night. Jane and I hooked up with a group of the ‘usual suspects’ at Dayboro on Saturday morning for the first leg of the journey to Maryborough. It was obvious that anyone who owned a motorbike in the greater Brisbane area had dusted it off and was out for a ride that morning in glorious warm spring weather. There were bikes
BACK TO THE BUSH 17 aplenty. We had our jacket vents open from our 8am start from home and they remained like that for the three days – never too hot but never cool enough even in the mountains to close them up. As sure as a seagull will chase a hot chip, we could be certain that the esteemed members of the QPS would be active with that many bikes and holiday makers on the road. Recent reports unfortunately highlighted the increased incidence of bike accidents on the Mt Glorious and Mt Mee roads. It was expected that the Police would respond to this worrying statistic so care was required. Mt Mee and the Stanley River Road were enjoyable despite the traffic before our first pit stop at Mary Cairncross Park. The Café and picnic areas were very busy as was the carpark. Fortunately Cameron was legally able to park his K1600GTL in one of the only available Large Vehicle Bays so like sucker fish the rest of us gathered in around the Mother Shark.
Oversize Vehicle Parking at Mary Cairncross Park All was good. Rested and coffee satiated we continued on the triple M ridge ride (Maleny, Montville, Mapleton). No matter how often we ride that road we remain in awe of the views of the Glasshouse Mountains and the Sunshine Coast beyond. The vista is truly spectacular and world class. We dropped down the range from Mapleton (what a great section of sweeping bends) and avoiding the Bruce Hwy wended our way to Kin Kin via Yandina, Eumundi, Cooroy and Pomona. The ‘Country Life Hotel’ was to receive our lunchtime patronage and fortunately we arrived just before a
BACK TO THE BUSH 17 large group of the HOG brigade. We had our orders placed and were being redirected to a set-aside seating area for ‘us’ before we confessed that nay we had not pre-booked and were not riding Harleys.
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to change gears was a good design idea – maybe he went on to design the left handed hammer? They became popularly known as suicide shifters – enough said! Mark and Donna waited long enough to snap this pick of the old veterans who had taken up our parking spaces in front of the pub.
BMW’s out and Indians IN – parking at a premium Descending the range from Mapleton – what a in Kin Kin great road! The ride out of Kin Kin on Gap and Cedar Pocket Roads was a cracker. There are plenty of dips and turns to keep even the most jaded motorcyclist entertained. We eventually joined the Tin Can Bay Road outside of Gympie and followed this all the way into Maryborough. The recently refurbished White Lion Hotel was the night’s dinner venue and the adjoining Best Western Kimba Lodge (White Lion + Kimba – get it?) was the preferred dormitory for the night so not too far to stagger after dinner. Jane and I continued onto Hervey Bay to stay with our son and his family so had to rely on photos and stories to confirm that the night was a beauty. We beat the Harley set to Kin Kin Outside under the veranda was equally pleasant and our meals arrived in good order. There were some very dirty mud encrusted enduro bikes and riders also taking in lunch so this is clearly an area where Duncan needs to explore the farm roads. Just as we were mounted and about to leave, a war-time WLA Harley arrived. He was clearly the outrider as for the next few miles were strung out a large group of pre and post war Harleys and Indians with their distinctive deeply valanced guards and hand shifters on the side of the tank. I sometimes wonder at what happened to the ‘genius’ who thought that taking your hand off the handlebar
Social distancing in action at Maryborough The crew from the Sunny Coast arrived en masse to swell the numbers who enjoyed fine food and banter. This is a venue that has been added to the Club’s country pub list of choice.
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Many took the opportunity to enjoy the delights of Maryborough that afternoon or at breakfast the next morning at the equally well received Portside and Alowishus Delicious Cafes. Our stay down at ‘The Bay’ confirmed what had been happening to Queensland’s tourist operators – they were enjoying Christmas-like bookings in October. We saw every accommodation house displaying NO VACANCY signs, it was impossible to get a restaurant booking and at the Beach House Hotel where we dined it was a case of jump on a table as soon as it was vacated. To say The Bay was operating at capacity would not be an understatement. We arranged to meet our ride group of the previous day at Biggenden mid-morning for coffee. Rather than head back into Maryborough we followed the coast road to Toogoom then back to Howard where we joined the Bruce Hwy for a short run onto Childers. The Sunny Coast crew had also travelled north to Childers but our paths did not cross. Childers as a highway town was positively heaving on this Sunday morning. Here was another case of tourism renaissance as Queenslanders navigate the Covid rules relaxation. The Isis Hwy between Childers and Biggenden is a fun, rolling and hilly stretch of good condition tar. Unfortunately Biggenden on a Sunday doesn’t have a lot to offer with our coffee break taken at the BP servo which was about the only place open.
Coffee in a shed at Biggenden Regrouped we took the secondary Gooroolba Road to Gayndah, home of the big orange. The next section of the ride was a beaut little road running along the Burnett River valley between Gayndah
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and Mundubbera. In true Australian style the road is called the Gayndah Mundubbera Road. Why complicate what is bleeding obvious with a strange name?
The sweeping river road out of Gayndah Now Gayndah may have boasted the BIG Orange but Mundubbera matched them with the BIG Mandarin. No prizes for guessing what grows well in the area. We arrived in Mundubbera just as the bakery was closing and the worms were biting. The only fare being served at the Pub that wasn’t in a glass was Chinese which didn’t win the popular vote. Steve Maney suggested a picnic by the river so the IGA store won our business and we all adjourned to the riverside park on the edge of town for a very pleasant impromptu lunch in a nice cool early afternoon breeze.
Under the shade of the Coolibah Tree The flood markers beside the park measured up to 18 metres which would have been just below the bridge. Dr Google told me that the water passed
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that level in the big wet of 2011, peaking at 18.25 metres. Those heady times were now a very distant memory judging by the level of the water way below.
Mundubbera lunch organisers Steve & Mandy We left town heading south on the Mundubbera Durong Road which just happens to join Mundubbera and Durong – have you noticed a theme developing here? Next we turned east onto the Proston Boondooma Road which joins Proston to ….nowhere. You see Boondooma does not actually exist. It is another one of those quirky Australian tricks we like to play on foreigners – ah yes we will refuel the car and have a beer in Boondooma hahahaha tricked another one. Maybe there was something there when travellers surveyed the area on horseback but no longer – it is just a locality. As the name suggested however the road did lead us into Proston which was draped in many shades of pink – paint, tin, crepe paper and shopfronts – all pink. President Paul led the line of beemers at full charge through town and beyond oblivious to the story that may be hidden below the pink veil. Now Jane loves any shade of pink so a stop was called for to investigate further. Just as we performed a perfect U turn with a difficulty factor of 7 so that Jane could get positioned for the perfect photograph of the pink paraphernalia, the local constabulary arrived in town and hung a uniformed arm out of the window to wave. He had just passed the cavalry charge out of town and no doubt recognised Jane and me as the responsible adults in the group. The town’s pink relates to a local Shire Councillor who
has adopted pink as a bold statement in a battle against mental health problems in the bush and as a stimulant to re-energise the town of Proston which like many small rural towns is slowly dying from many problems including weather, economics and social issues. That theme is very much a part of why the club arranges these B2B rides to put some money and energy back into supporting our country cousins. The tour of Proston played into our favour when we pulled into the next town along the road, Hivesville. Parked out front of the pub were Mark & Donna together with a neat yellow R1150GS.
Hivesville Pub held some hidden treasures The tempting offer of a cool drink was too much to resist along with the opportunity to eyeball the 1150. Its owner was talking to his schooner when I interrupted to chat about the BeeEm. Just so happened that his name was Tony and that this was one of 5 BM’s he owned so a man after my own heart. He was clearly however a man who lived alone as every second word started with F. His
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collection in varying stages of undress as well as the 1150 included an R1100S, K75, R75/6 and a basket case R100RS that he had just acquired for $500 – clearly I need to spend more time in country pubs hunting bargains. It seems like the Hivesville Pub is a popular bike meeting place in the South Burnett and it just so happened that afternoon the pub was hosting a concourse display of veteran motorcycles of the Burnett Chapter of the HMCCQ. Veteran motorcycles have to have been manufactured prior to 31 December 1918, so all are 100+ years old. Tony suggested that a couple had already arrived ‘out the back’. Mark and I immediately left the girls to their lemon squash as we headed out the back. Being unloaded from a trailer were two motorcycles that I had never heard of let alone laid eyes upon.
The very rare G.C.S. The GCS (George Cyril Stillwell) was made in Melbourne in 1916 using an English JAP (John Alfred Prestwich) engine – who said the texting generation invented acronyms? It is a beautifully crafted and restored machine and one of only 10 in the world. The other bike was an English manufactured CAMPION machine also powered by a JAP engine. The owner said it was called Barnaby which had me head scratching? After Barnaby Joyce of course who got into trouble with his new partner Vikki CAMPION. You’ve gotta love a bit of bush humour. I headed back around the front of the pub to get my camera and excitedly tell the girls of our find and new friends. Now Jane is a sensible woman and having been married for 42 years she has seen that look in my eyes many times – I mean the look of a puppy with a new squeaky toy. She could picture
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The satirically named Barnaby – an English Campion us rolling into Goomeri after dark when the main courses were being served and me still rabbiting on about the side valve motors and the acetylene lamps and and …….Okay I won’t be long. Riding out of town we passed a line of a dozen or so Veteran Machines all purring along with their riders long grey beards trailing along in the breeze from under their pudding basin helmets and snoopy flying goggles. That would have been some night at the Hivesville Pub? For us we continued through a very neat and tidy Murgon and onto Joe’s Grand Hotel at Goomeri where approx. 30 of the faithful had gathered for a night of banter, laughter, good food and maybe a drink or two.
The happy dinner throng at Goomeri It was a great night on the veranda in beautiful spring weather with the occasional smell of the country wafting in on the breeze after a
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cattle truck had passed. The club had fully booked out all accommodation in town to the extent that unfortunately Rosi & Steve had headed home after Maryborough having been unable to secure a bed for the night. It is worthwhile reflecting on the success story that is unfolding in the otherwise sleepy little town of Goomeri. Famous for its pumpkin festival held in May each year (pandemics permitting) it has now become a real destination largely due to the efforts of one family who have invested in Regional Tourism. The Prendergast family own Joe’s Grand Hotel where we ate and slept, the famous bakery across the road where we breakfasted and the locally renowned Dusty Hill winery just out of town on the banks of Lake Barambah at Moffatdale. The winery as well as its cellar door also boasts an Irish Tavern & restaurant, wedding & function centre and boutique accommodation. Unfortunately it is closed on Mondays so we could not visit but certainly one to remember for the future. In a show of confidence and dedication the family matriarch at the age of 60 travelled to France to learn and practice the art of French bread and Pastry making. None of our crew who have enjoyed the delights on offer at the Goomeri bakery would question that ‘Mum’ was a very good student. It has to be one of the best bakeries around.
Imbil is a great alternative stop to the busy Kenilworth After the morning bakery treats and caffeine, riders set off in different directions with Klaus videoing the departing bikes before he and Kerry headed home to Hervey Bay. It was great to catch up with them other than on Facebook. The usual suspects beat what has become quite a familiar run home through Kilkivan, Widgee, skirted Gympie
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and then onto the Mary Valley Road into Imbil for coffee. Imbil is a top spot to stop for coffee or lunch on a ride and that Monday morning it was doing a great trade. Back onto the Mary Valley Road and through the ever popular but uncomfortably crowded Kenilworth. One of the delightful sections on the Mary Valley Road
At Conondale we chose to climb the Maleny Range on Postman’s Track – Cameron’s introduction to this famous (infamous?) piece of road. This road is very steep, very narrow and has very deep drainage channels cut across its width at regular intervals. It is quite easy to launch a 1200GS (yes air under both wheels) if getting a bit excited when riding downhill across these channels. Vans, trucks and trailers are banned from the road so we were somewhat surprised to encounter a convoy of 5 trailered holiday makers along the flat section of the road before the climb. Where were they going I pondered as they disappeared in my rear view mirrors? As I started the climb the reality hit – yes there were more Wallys’ ahead and they had got stuck with their big 4x4s towing camper trailers. I didn’t want to wait around to watch their reversing ability so we got around as soon as safe and headed home – another case of common sense being not so common! By the time Jane and I got home via Mt Mee the Grey Ghost had added 1,050km to her odometer. What a great B2B and a big thank you to Don & Kate for the idea and the arrangements and to Paul Hughes and Steve Maney who contributed a lot to the route plan that we largely followed. A special thanks to all who participated. Thanks for your good humour and comradeship both on the road and when stopped. It was a lot of fun.
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DICK’S PICS....
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Some of Richard M’s pics from his vault....
Fred Derf’s old Krauser with new stickers courtesy of the new owner New retro helmet on an old R75/6
Late night shopping at Morgan & Wacker
1978 R100RS toe to toe with 1996 R850R
OCTOBER COFFEE MORNING
NOVEMBER 2020
Around 25 members attended the October coffee morning held at the Sea Salt & Vine Cafe at Scarborough. A pleasant sea breeze with good company, coffee and food made this an enjoyable morning. Some took the opportunity to extend the riding day while others had home duties to attend to, but happy to have a trip out on the bikes to start the day right!
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C
g n i los
COMPASS GARAGE SALE
n w Do
! e l Sa
The Compass Expeditions Closing down garage sale is still on and there are still plenty of bargains to be had at clearance prices. There is Compass expeditions Merchandise, BMW parts (they owned 100 over the journey) and plenty of camping gear listed in the web shop right now and as soon as Melbourne is released from COVID-19 lock down we will be able to list more items, so check it out now and come back again later. http://www.compassexpeditions.com/shop/
FOR THE AIRHEADS
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NOVEMBER 2020
Getting to the “Bottom” of it! Cindy Bennett, Member #4170 I know I will likely get very little sympathy from the touring bike crowd on 1600GTL’s and their ilk, even those 1200GS owners will look at me in bewilderment - but on a smaller or midsized dual sport adventure bike there is always a compromise. Often we are given a bum steer with a seat that is less than comfy on long trips. While I do admit that the seats on my 700GS’s and now Triumph Tiger are more comfortable than on a dirt bike, which is akin to sitting on a hard plank of wood without the splinters, it is far less salubrious than the big cousins in the touring bike sector. So, what to do...with my first 700GS which was low suspension I brought the BMW Comfort seat which was adequate and this seat took me down Africa without a numb bum. Roll onto my 2nd 700GS (with regular height suspension) and I was needing the BMW low seat which was very firm and a ride any longer than an hour without a rest break was not a lot of fun. So I had the standard seat lowered and contoured by the talented John Moorehouse down in Wellington Point. He did a great job and the seat took me on many long trips in relative comfort. Fast forward to 2019 and my most recent steed, the Triumph Tiger XRT - bought to take me to Uluru in cruise control comfort. But wait there is
THE LAST WORD
that cursed seat issue and a further uncomfortable truth on a fully optioned Tiger being the heated seat wiring (you read correctly, a heated seat in SEQ...) seems to be positioned in a sensitive area of the nether region. I swapped over to the Triumph unheated low seat which Team Moto threw in to seal the deal on the sale but it was also lacking padding where it was sorely needed. A call to John Moorehouse revealed sadly that he is no longer in the seat business, so after some research including asking riders (mainly of the female persuasion) how they customised their seats I was put onto MJM seats in Goulburn. Drat, that pesky Covid meant that a ride to Goulburn to meet with Mick in person was out of the question. A call to him with instructions including having photos of me taken on the bike in the riding position had me mailing the rider and pillion seat down to Goulburn for Mick to work his magic. A call from Mick upon receiving the seat, it was decided upon some red piping to set off the grey of the seat which would coordinate nicely with the red colour of my Tiger, classy! So two weeks later another call from Mick came through and I paid over the phone and a few short days later my very well packaged seats came in the mail. While I have only tested the seat on day rides so far I am very impressed with the quality of the finish and the comfort level, going from a 4.5/10 to a 9.95 out of 10! I am holding the extra .05 back until a longer trek of at least a week or so riding big km’s every day is undertaken! A test has also been made of the pillion seat, putting it onto Duncan’s Tiger for a short local pillioning exercise. It came up trumps as well, with a big increase in comfort for the poorly tensed glute area while he filtered through traffic wildly.
Princess Ruby and the new MJM seats
OLDEN DAYS
Circa 1947
BMWMCQ BOOK EXCHANGE NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE!
Race to Dakar Charley Boorman Extreme Frontiers Charley Boorman (Racing Across Canada) What If I Had Never Tried It Valentino Rossi (The Autobiography) The Road to Mali Craig Carey-Clinch No Room for Watermelons Ron & Lynne Fellowes Great Motorcycle Tours of Europe Colette Coleman A Motorcycle Courier in the Great War Captain W.H.L. Watson Australia Motorcycle Atlas Hema Maps With 200 Top Rides (6th Ed) Overland Magazines - issue #’s 11; 19; 21; 22; 25; 26; 27; 28 and 29. Adventure Bike Rider - issue #’s 44; 46; 51 and 53 The Touring Motorcycle Jeff Ware & Kris Hodgson
Circa 1973
NOVEMBER 2020
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BMW Twins Mick Walker BMW Boxer Twins Ian Falloon BMW Motorcycles Bruce Preston A Century of BMW Manfred Grunet & Florian Triebel 2 x On Tour with Compass Expeditions DVDs
The initiative is being overseen by Jane Gray and you can communicate with Jane via email at: library@bmwmcq.org.au Arrangement can be made with the librarian to pick up & drop off at the monthly Members meeting.....Editor
