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DESMOPHILES The Newsletter of DOCNZ Ducati Owners Club of NEW ZEALAND October - December 2013 Issue 63
REGIONAL CONTACTS Auckland Chris (Haldane M/C’s) 09-579-6020 Wayne Lyons 027-4728-343 Waikato Heath (Hamilton M/C) 07-849-1919 Manawatu Trevor Smart
027 727 1883
Bay of Plenty Lindsay Beck (Bayride) 027 248 2367 Hawkes Bay Nigel Taylor & Claire Miller
021 273 9450
Wellington
COMMITTEE
Todd (Motomart) Chris Marer
0800DUCATI 027 447 4299
Richmond Grant
03-528-0086
Greg Monahan
021 851 916
Motueka
President
Greg Monahan
Nelson
021 851 916
Marlborough Graham McDonald
Secretary Brent (Molly) Meldrum
021 280 3371
Christchurch Craig (Casbolts M/C) 03-366-4401 Phil (Desmocycle) 03-318-8061 021 137 0309
027 490 3408
Dunedin/Deep South Gary Winter
Treasurer Nigel Taylor Editor/Publisher Richard Sabiston
editor@docnz.co.nz
webmaster@docnz.co.nz
Communications Coordinator Greg Monahan
03-476-7515 021 206 9866
the above members and also the Ducati Dealer Network
All Magazine contributions and Membership Enquiries to:
Webmaster Nigel Haworth
03-578-2490
docnz@docnz.co.nz
DOCNZ P.O.Box 6537 Marion Square Wellington 6141 NEW ZEALAND Email: secretary@docnz.co.nz
www.docnz.co.nz
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EDITOR’S SAY
Gidday all, Where has the year gone. It just seems like yesterday that we were all at the NDR2013. Well book now for the NDR2014. Greg will do the rain dance to keep the rain away (as I am clearly hopeless at) and it will be a truly spectacular event. SO BOOK NOW ……. GO ON DO IT…. BOOK NOW. The Ducati year has been a busy one with new models, and NEW riders. The viewing of the racing has been fantastic. A big thanks to Sommet Sport for broadcasting the racing even in the small hours of the day. I hope they expand and include the World Superbikes and National Championship. There is nothing like watching a good four to five hours of motorcycling. I have to apologise for this issue, as it is one month late. I injured my hand and have been unable to ride my bike in some truly (O) for awesome Wellington Spring weather and bring together the magazine. Strangely enough it is really hard and extremely exasperating to type and use the mouse and computer one handed. Unfortunately the computer experienced a lot of expletives.
5 I am running a bit low on articles. It would be greatly appreciated if you can send in some articles for the magazine. It can be about anything, great cafes, local racing, bike trips, motorcycle gear or accessories that you think are fantastic - anything. This magazine issue is the “STEVE ISSUE” for owning the F1 and graciously passing the bike onto Hamish as well as writing the article about your travels in Europe. I salute you SIR.
Cheers Richard
PRESIDENT’S PRATTLE
Ciao a tutti, (hello everyone ) As I write this I wonder, where has the year gone! Please, if you haven't yet booked your room and registered for NDR in Hanmer Springs, please do so. As they are holding rooms for us, and we need to get a whole lot more commitment from members, as the hotel is starting to panic. So if you are planning on going...DO IT NOW!
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PRESIDENT’S PRATTLE
Paul Smart's all confirmed this time, and planning on a great event. Casbolts will also be there with a retail area of some very cool Ducati gear. The rest of NZ's Ducati dealers will also be there. Robert Taylor from Kiwi Suspension Specialists, is also geared up to run a suspension tuning workshop on the saturday afternoon during the bike show. It'll be a fantastic weekend, so don't miss this one folks. As part of the build up and also as recognition for past NDR support, I have been producing a framed certificate of appreciation (as pictured) and they are being sent to out sponsors, along with a Ducati Owners Club Supporters window sticker( as per picture), so keep your eyes open and show your thanks for their support whenever you see the certificate or sticker. Most of you should have received your Ducati DOC welcome kit by now, I know there are a few issues, so if nothing has arrived, and you are a financial members of DOCNZ, the give me a call and I'll see if I can help. Christmas will be here before we know it, so have a good one, ride safe, enjoy your Ducati and we will see you all soon. Buon Natale - Merry Christmas Regards Greg
SECRETARY REPORT “MOLLY’S SAY�
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We all have those 'oh bother' moments now and again, thankfully probably not too often - but enough that they're normally memorable. I've just sold my house in Wellington and was relocating my Latin lovelies into a storage unit. Settlement for the house was at short notice and I had to move fast. Hire a trailer, and hook it up to a very understanding partner's car (thanks Sally) and we're all good. Grab keys to all bikes and assorted locks and then there's that moment... where's the key to that thumping great U lock through the front wheel of my beautiful Bevel SS? Now I've always stored all the keys in the same place and never once have any gone missing... until now. The thought of getting a heavy Bevel onto and (worse) off a trailer was a little terrifying however a lot of balancing, groaning and swearing had the bike manoeuvred into the shed, still with lock in place. Next item to purchase, an angle grinder... sigh. Aside from that the unit looks great and it's the most organised my man cave has ever been! It's amazing how organised you can be with a limited space. If I was a brave man I'd almost say there was enough space for another bike :-) All of you who gave me your date of births and shirt sizes should have received your welcome kits from Ducati by now. It was a mission to get everyone's details and if I missed you somehow then I am sorry however maybe your contact details need updating? I have created a new membership form that now asks if you'd like to join the Desmo Owners Club and the relevant details so it should be easier this time around. Greg and I spent many nights updating the Desmo owners site and we'll be starting the process again shortly. NDR, get your entries in folks and secure yourself a room. It's going to be a fabulous event again with Paul Smart joining us this time around. I spoke to Ian Gowanloch today (and er bought a new exhaust system for the Mille, ahem) but he had a great time and was singing the event's praises. Knowing from the last 2 years experience it's a nightmare trying sort numbers and last minute entries, so do me a favour and get your entry in now ;-) Ciao Molly
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MY NEW 28 YEAR OLD ITALIAN GIRLFRIEND
I’ve always quite liked Ducatis, but in the past they just haven’t been for me. I’ve been very happy for Lynda to be in her “Ducati phase” (for some ten years now) but I’ve been happy with my BMWs and my R1. Over the winter Lynda and I watched all the coverage of the Isle of Man, and we also watched “One Day in June” which is about Mike Hailwood’s comeback at the Isle on a Ducati in 1978. It started to stir something in me, but I kept quiet and didn’t say anything to Lynda. A month or two later I happened to be browsing TradeMe and saw an immaculate F1 for sale. I thought it might be Steve Ferguson’s one, and Lynda confirmed that for me. I didn’t say that I was interested, I just
BY HAMISH BLAIR
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pretended that I was curious to know if it was Steve’s. A night or two later we were out for dinner, and after we’d given our orders I said to Lynda “you know, I wouldn’t mind having a look at Steve’s F1 and maybe buying it”. I really should have broken the news more gently, as Lynda turned very pale and seemed to be having trouble breathing. When she managed to regain some composure she squeaked “you mean you’re keen on buying Steve’s F1?” to which I replied “yes”.
Within a split second Lynda got on the phone and arranged with Steve
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MY NEW 28 YEAR OLD ITALIAN GIRLFRIEND
that we’d go round the next day to have a look, and that we had first dibs. Well, what was there to decide? What an immaculate bike. She has been very very well looked after. And she ran so well. We did the deal there and then, and the arrangement was that Steve would get the bike taken to Motomart to get a current warrant and we’d pick her up from there. I’m glad Lynda had acted so quickly, as Steve had two others very keen who had phoned him after Lynda did. So a few days later we arrived at Motomart after work. I changed into my bike gear and as I went to start the bike I noticed the lights weren’t working. “Welcome to the world of Ducati, darling” Lynda said. It turned out to be a very simple fix - the fuse is very close to where you grab
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the frame to put it on the mainstand and it had simply been bumped and come loose. By the time I was ready to leave, it was pitch black and it had started raining so we decided to leave her in the shop till the weekend, till the weather was fine. I thought about it and decided that I’d like to change the bell mouth air intakes to proper foam air filters so we did some research and found some from overseas via a place in Hamilton. By the time they arrived and Wayne fitted them it was another couple of weeks but that was fine – I was in no rush. A couple of weekends ago I finally got to take the baby home. Lynda followed me in the car, and I’m not sure who had the bigger grin, her or me. We’ve found out that we know three of the previous owners, which is kind of nice.
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MY NEW 28 YEAR OLD ITALIAN GIRLFRIEND
She is a very beautiful 28 year old, and I have no intention of ever selling her. We have decided that should we get too old and decrepit to ride, she will move into the lounge as an ornament. In fact, she may even live there each winter, as I’ll probably only use her in the warmer months. I’ve still got my R1 and my R1100S, so I’ve got bikes for short rides during the winter months. Lynda doesn’t ride in winter (her Monsters are both currently with rego on hold, as is my Beemer) so it will be good for both of us to get out on our Ducatis once we get back from overseas (that’s another story…) and the weather’s warmer. When you see me next you can feel free to call me henpecked and being browbeaten into buying a Ducati…but I’m very happy with the situation!!
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RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE
Back in 2008 Maria and I spent three great weeks in Italy and fell in love with the people and general madness of the place, not mention the history, art and motorsport. We promised ourselves a summer in Italy and so after four years of saving and plenty of planning, we found ourselves together with our 9year-old girls, Kate and Jena, sitting at Heathrow in mid-April this year at the start of a 3-and-a-half month adventure. The plan was simple; explore Italy, take in a bit of France, Spain and Germany along the way, and enjoy the European summer lifestyle to give our girls a trip of a lifetime. For me, indulge my petrolfix along the way with a few GP’s, ride a chunk of Italy on a Duke, and fang around the autobahn. We chose to rent in houses in non-touristy areas so we could really get a feel for the local cultures. With a plan in place things should go smoothly, we wouldn’t kill ourselves, have a lot of fun, and we might just learn a few lessons along the way. Aside from showing our girls the usual sights of London I wanted to see the Ace Café, on the ring road in north London. An hour on the tube was well worth as we arrived on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, thinking it would be deserted…only to find bikers, a few suits and a TV crew. There was even a guy on the car park directing traffic! I loved the gritty feel of the place…the staff and the food, which made it feel like we’d stepped back to 1960.
BY STEVE FERGUSON
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On to mainland Europe, and after landing in Geneva, we picked up our wheels for the next 3 months, a brandspanking Renault Megane. I can really recommend the Euro-drive option, you basically buy a brand new car from Renault and only pay for the time you plan to use it, then hand it back at the end – a lot cheaper than renting a car. After a few days in Montreux, we headed to Italy and our first base on Lake Como. Driving in Italy there a few differences in how they drive that was immediately noticeable; Lesson 1 - Rules of Italian Driving 1. A rear vision mirror is only needed to check your hair 2. Indicators and indicating is entirely optional 3. Speed limit signs seem to be “advisory” rather than to be adhered to 4. Random Italians will walk out on the road any time they feel like it 5. Round-about etiquette is straight forward…close your eyes and charge through After getting the hang of things for a week we started serious exploring. A day trip round lake Como was a bit like rally driving, but the bonus was getting to the small town of Mandello Del Lario, the hometown of Moto Guzzi and a tour of Factory Museum. It opens daily from 3-4pm only and if you’re there 5 minutes after 3 pm, the doors are shut again. But inside it was awesome, great bikes and history, including our guide, a spritely 76 year old, who had worked for Guzzi for 61 years, and didn’t speak a word of English.
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RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE - CONT
Next up was a trip to Venice and Bologna. Venice lived up to expectations and more. Great sights, crowds weren’t too bad, and the weather was ok. At one point we found a small piazza with a crowd being held back by police – poking our nose in for a look and suddenly…BOOM. Turns out the “Police” were in fact the bomb squad, detonating some tourists’ shopping bag that had been left behind. And the crowd was allowed to watch! Aside from the earache afterwards it was brilliant and typically Italian. Heading home we called into Ducati Outlet in Bologna just down from the factory and got my first fix, picking up a jacket. Spending this much time in Europe meant I had to see some racing and had a race bucket list to tick off. And the first one for this trip was the World Superbikes at Monza. Race day dawned clear and sunny and I got to the track early. I’d booked a paddock and team pass with Pole Position Travel, which meant for this round Kawasaki Pedercini was hosting us, and the ticket gave me all the access I could hope for paddock, crew room and pits. The racing was awesome, really close and plenty of action. The atmosphere was great, the history of the place, the old stands were visible and memories of racers’ past. They could definitely learn to use a lawn mower, but
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towards the end of the day I walked out to the old oval track, which hasn’t been used for years. Hard to believe guys raced on the Oval, with the embankment much steeper than it looks. There was no one there and I enjoyed just sitting and taking in the history.
(Continued on page 20)
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MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 Race Calendar 23 Mar Qatar, Losail International Circuit (Evening race) 13 Apr Americas, Circuit of the Americas 27 Apr Argentina, Aut贸dromo Termas de Rio Hondo 04 May Spain, Circuito de Jerez 18 May France, Le Mans Circuit 1 Jun Italy, Mugello Circuit 15 Jun Catalunya, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 28 Jun Netherlands, TT Assen (Saturday race) 13 Jul Germany, Sachsenring 10 Aug Indianapolis GP, Indianapolis Motor Speedway 17 Aug Czech Republic, Automotodrom Brno 31 Aug Great Britain, Silverstone Circuit 14 Sep San Marino & Riviera di Rimini, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli 21 Sep Arag贸n, MotorLand Arag贸n 28 Sep Brazil, Brasilia - Subject to homologation 12 Oct Malaysia, Sepang International Circuit 19 Oct Japan, Twin Ring Motegi 26 Oct Australia, Phillip Island 09 Nov Valencia, Ricardo Tormo-Valencia
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RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE - CONT
(Continued from page 17)
After a bit of time in southern Italy, we blasted to our next stop in Provence in time for the Monaco F1. It really is a special place, all the “beautiful people” and crazy shops selling everything from multi-million dollar pads to yachts and Executive Jets. It’s not a great place to see a race but there
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is an excellent atmosphere and amazing sights and scenes. A good day at the races, as they say! The week after Monaco F1 was the Italian MotoGP at Mugello, another must see. I left the girls and flew to Florence for the weekend. Being a Rossi fan I was keen to see do the business at his home race. The track itself and the atmosphere is just epic. I had tickets for the paddock and was hosted by Go and Fun Honda, which is Alvaro Bautista and Bryan Starring’s team.
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We were invited to a team dinner on the Friday night at a 14 th century castle, where models, racers and hangers-on (like me) mingled. The Italian’s really do this stuff in style, with race bikes to tinker with and great food and other interesting sights. (Continued on page 30)
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UCaTI 750 F1
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TREASURE’S REPORT
Just popped back in – this time we are going to discuss exhausts. As advised earlier the DB1 came in 3 varieties. The one I have is a bog standard DB1. The more exotic versions were the DB1S and the DB1SR. Now the exhaust on a DB1 is a cumbersome array of twin pipes with a cross over link pipe and a bracket to mount the side stand. They are loud, even with DB killers, and not particularly flash. They also weight quite allot, 8kg or thereabouts. Chris Marer suggested I ditch this system and get myself a decent 2:1 system similar to the one on his F1. At the time I just happened to be looking for a service manual for the engine and was in a conversation with Gowanlochs in Sydney who stock such items. I asked them politely if they new of anyone on that side of the ditch who could knock up a decent 2:1 system for an F1 powered DB1. Their response somewhat astonished me as they reported they had a brand new Bimota DB1SR system sitting on the shelf, that had been there since 1987, had no stock value and would I care to purchase it for $450.00. Yes Please. Said item duly arrived a few days later listed as second hand parts of limited value to confuse the customs man. The system was still wrapped in the original Malossi packaging giving some hint as to its origin being the tuning specialists who fabricated said item for Bimota. Having sat on the shelf for 20 plus years before finding its way into my shed the Black Chrome finish was a little tatty so off it went to HPC for a strip down and a ceramic coating to finish up back to as new. So on to the scales it went and I am happy to report the new set up is 3.5kg all up – so there’s a 4.5kg weight loss in one part. So maybe all those stories that Akrapovic, Termignoni etc spin about instant weight loss of some kgs if you buy one of their hot new Carbotanium systems just might be true. Bet you wont get one for $450 though… Wishing you all the best for Xmas and hope to catch up with some of you in Wanganui for the Boxing Day races.
BY NIGEL TAYLOR Next issue Xmas Holiday report. Current account: $6369.04 – NDR Deposit paid to Heritage Hotel Deposit Account $5,766.03 Buy for now Nigel
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SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2014
Race Calendar 23 Feb Australia, Phillip Island GP Circuit 13 Apr Spain, MotorLand Arag贸n 27 Apr The Netherlands, TT Assen 11 May Italy, Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola 25 May UK, Donington Park 08 Jun Malaysia, Sepang International Circuit (STC) 22 Jun Italy, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli 06 Jul Portugal, Aut贸dromo Internacional do Algarve 13 Jul USA, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (STC)* 07 Sep Spain, Circuito de Jerez 21 Sep Russia, Moscow Raceway 05 Oct France, Circuit de Magny-Cours 19 Oct South Africa, Phakisa Freeway (STC) 02 Nov Overseas TBC * WSBK class only. STC = Subject to contract. TBC = To be confirmed.
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RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE - CONT
(Continued from page 22)
The track really is amazing. I scored myself a drive around the service road next to the track where the marshals are and managed to go out when MotoGP practice was on, just awesome being so close to the action, and no fence to look through. On Saturday night we had dinner with the riders and crew in the paddock and joined the party going off with all the teams. Bands playing, riders on scooters avoiding the crowd and all sorts of people milling about, I thought it was a little bizarre that this was the night before the race. But things quietened down around midnight and we headed back to our hotel in Florence. The race didn’t pan out for Rossi or Ducati for that matter, but the track invasion after the race was something to see. I was intent on being part of it so joined the masses on the main straight chanting for Rossi. It was easy to get swept up in the atmosphere, which was a mix of chanting, flares and fireworks going off, until he appeared on the podium and then the faithful were happy. Watching fans jump the fences and climb into the pits over walls and barriers was something else, and all part of the Mugello mystique.
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DOCNZ CLUB NIGHTS
Auckland Birdcage Bar & Grill , 133 Franklin Road , Victoria Park , Freemans Bay 1st Wednesday of each month from 7.30pm
Hamilton Hamilton Motorcycle Centre, Te Rapa Road, Hamilton 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7.30pm
Wellington The Featherston Bar and Grill, Corner Featherston & Johnston Streets, Wellington 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6.00pm (although Lynda is usually there from about 5.15pm)
Nelson Speight's Ale House , 99 Quarantine Road, Stoke, Nelson 1st Tuesday of each month from 7.30pm
Christchurch Dux de Lux on Montreal Street. Start time 7.30pm—1st Tuesday of each month from 7.00pm Our Advertisers and Sponsors Support Us Support them and Support your Club Whenever you see the services of one of our advertisers (and isn't that all the time?) let them know that you saw the ad in DESMOPHILES. That way they will know that their advertising dollar is being spent wisely. It will help your club, the service provider and above all it will help you (there may be a club member discount available). DISCLAIMER Unless expressly stated, the opinions and comments in this newsletter are those of the contributors only, and are not club policy. Nor does the club guarantee any advertisers products or servicing suggestions made. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the editor or DOCNZ.
RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE - CONT
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Lesson 2 – Just “Chill Out” Italian passion overrides logic and reason…so just go with the flow! We enjoyed southern France and headed into Porto in Portugal, then on to Madrid and Barcelona. I couldn’t believe the impact of the GFC with the toll-roads in Portugal and parts of Spain totally empty. At one stage we drove through Portugal for 30 minutes on an 8-lane freeway without seeing another car – I pulled over at one point thinking I was on a closed road. I took advantage of the quiet roads on the way back to Spain and might’ve exceeded the speed limit…by 30 or 40 k’s. We got to a tollbooth in northern Spain, and there’s a cop pointing at me and signalling me to pull over – all my girls could say was “Daddy, he’s got a big gun”. After a long “discussion” in his car where he kept saying “this is very bad for you”, and the parting of 50 Euro’s I was on my way again…whew. Lesson 3 - Money talks Everywhere! My last GP was Catalunya. The weather in Barcelona was hot…damn hot. We got to the track and it was 30 degrees at 10am. The usual suspects did their thing in the MotoGP race but the Moto2 race was the pick of the day. Another good day of racing enjoyed by more than 90,000 fans. Later on we got the chance to share a beer with Danny Webb, Moto 3 racer, and it was fascinating listening to the challenges of racing week in, week out, the need to bring $ to the table to keep a ride, and the constant
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RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE - CONT pressure trying to earn a living in the sport. After my GP fix we headed back into France to explore the museums and art of Paris (yes, I can be cultured) and introduce our girls to the concept of roller coasters at Disney Paris.
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We then headed to Germany and the Eiffel Mountains, where I’d planned to drive the ‘Ring. I’d pre-booked a few lessons with the guys at RSR Motorsport, which included everything ‘Ring newbies need to know, a tour of the disused Sudschleife (south track) and a couple of hours blasting round the country roads near the track. I booked a supercharged Lotus Exige, which was just the thing for the day. This was a real highlight for me and made so much better with the RSR co-pilot talking me thru the blind corners. TOTAL BUZZ, and I will be back.
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RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE - CONT
In Berlin we took in the history and enjoyed staying in the old East Berlin ‘burbs. We couldn’t resist hiring a Trabant, one of the East’s cars for the masses back in Communist times. With 26 HP of tyre shredding power, the little two-stroke stank, smoked constantly and drove terribly, but were a blast to see Berlin in. We couldn’t stop laughing. Tearing across Germany on the autobahn to Berlin then on to Prague, then back Austria we found the limits of the Renault – anything above 180-ish and it really wasn’t happy! One area I recommend to anyone is southern Austria, great roads, lots of thermal pools and Eagles Nest, Hitler’s Mountain HQ from WW2 – really stunning on a nice day.
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RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE - CONT
Lesson 4 – Germans are a mystery On one hand you can do whatever speed you like on the Autobahn, on the other, they have no sense of humour and can be really anal when it comes to things like paying for your hotel with a credit card when the pin machine is broken and they won’t accept your signature, even with a passport as ID? Back in Bologna for our last 3 weeks, we had a couple of things left on the list. Lunch in Tavullia (Rossi’s hometown), find Senna’s memorial at Imola, and check out some of the museums and factories in the area. The Senna memorial really is worth seeing if you get a chance. You can access the Imola track all year round, and in a quiet wooded area, over looking Tamburello corner where he died, is a moving monument to the great man.
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We also headed to Ferrari and Lamborghini to look over the Museums. Afterwards, I got the chance to drive a Lambo Gallardo. The rental firm said “we have an ‘accord’ with the local police, don’t speed in town but at the 70 km/hr sign choose your speed”. When we got to the edge of town he said “put your foot flat, do not be afraid”…and 5 seconds later we hit 220! We blasted down the 70 k, dual carriage way for a bout 10 clicks, pulled over at a runabout then put it into “sport” mode…wholly sh*t! Only in Italy…try doing that on a NZ road. Lesson 5 Lessons 1,2, and 3 apply often and anywhere at the same time. Our host at the house we rented is an ex-biker and she told us of a few privately owned collections in the Bologna area. So Dave and I drove off to Nigella collection – 300+ bikes privately owned with a focus on brands built in the Bologna area. The owner had bikes dating back to 1910; including several models which were the only examples left in the world. He had 85 different brands made in the Bologna area over the years, most now long gone, including the likes of brands such as Oram, GD and Laurenti as well as rare Ducati’s, Moto Morini’s, Mondial’s and one of the first two Norton’s ever built in 1912.
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RANDOM ADVENTURES IN EUROPE - CONT
One interesting model was a Hydroflex, built in the 1949 by Ducati in Milan. The owner told us after the war, Ducati was punished for its close relationship with the Mussolini Government and apparently built a range of bikes under the Hydroflex brand, away from Bologna in Milan. It was only a decade or so after things settled down could Ducati build under it’s own name back in Bologna. He said you wouldn’t find details of these bikes in any Ducati history book. The visit was awesome with the owners only too wiling to share their passion. I now also have a long list of other private collections I need to come back to Italy to see! End of July and it was time to head home. The savings’ all gone, the credit cards having taken a beating, and my girls needed to go back to school. We had some great experiences, a couple of close calls, but we didn’t kill each other or ourselves in the process. And we got to do everything we had dreamed of and planned. We dropped off our Renault back in Geneva with an extra 17,000 km’s on the clock – one of our hosts said that was bordering on child abuse, but my girls are still talking to me! ‘Spose it’s time to plan the next one. Next month…Seven mad days on a Ducati in Tuscany
WANTED FOR A GOOD HOME
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1981 Ducati 900ss Black and Gold Bevel Frame # 90409. Engine # 91741, Mileage currently 36190; 6200 miles since rebuild in 2002. No rego last WOF expired 24 July Good Condition for its age, she isn’t in concours/museum piece, she has been ridden… has seen a handful of TTs and a few race tracks, turns plenty of heads (and ears:) and has the potential to be spruced up into excellent condition. Mechanically she is tight and there are no known issues bar a tendency to foul spark plugs when ridden at low speeds around town. I have a substantial amount of information on the bike’s specs and condition, as well as more photos. Serious amount of spares including spoked wheels, which for an additional $2000 dollars could be yours – and some that will come with the bike e.g. the solo seat. Email for more info. Looking for 17K ono for the bike. Contact 021 493 588 or markvanwetering@gmail.com if you want more info. I am in Auckland Mark van Wetering
Mob 021 493 588; Wk 09 909 3914; HM 09 8456 290
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CLUB REGALIA CLUB REGALIA PRICE LIST Shirts $25 Caps $15 Beanies $15
Anyone interested please contact secretary@docnz.co.nz
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DUCATI GOLD INSURANCE A specialised tailor-made insurance package for Ducati Owners featuring:
Highly competitive rates Sensible excess Flexible payment options Bonus – interest free monthly payment scheme Reduced premiums 0800 helpline service for policy holders Accessories and riding gear cover included in each policy
Phone, fax or e-mail for a no obligation quote
CASBOLTS MOTORCYCLES 39 MANCHESTER ST CHRISTCHURCH Ph 03-366-4401, Ph & fax 03-366-4402 E-mail sales@casbolts.co.nz
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DUCATI 750 GT
2014 Membership fees are due soon! It’s almost that time again fellow Ducatisti, Memberships will expire 31 st January and once you’ve unwrapped your Christmas Panigale, carbon goodies for your Monster or Bevel Gazer for your SS, then sadly that’s not far away! Given how close we are thought I’d take the opportunity to remind everyone early Membership to DOCNZ continues to offer great benefits, for example; -
Discounted entry to Club events, e.g. NDR and Turismo Entitlement to Ducati Welcome Kits Discounted rates at the Ducati Store in Bologna! Free entry into the Ducati Museum 6 issues of the Club magazine per year, hard copy or electronic Family membership entitles those living under the same roof the same benefits as a member (as above) - Discounted Ferry prices arranged for events e.g. NDR - Members enjoy free food and a number of drinks on the Friday night of NDR. If you receive your magazine via email then an email will follow to you shortly however if you receive a hard copy of the magazine then I have enclosed a membership application. Any queries flick me an email at secretary@docnz.co.nz Ciao Molly (Brent)
BY IAN FALLOON
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2014 Membership
First Name(s): ___________________________ Surname: _____________________________ Postal Address: ________________________________________________ Postcode: ________ Date of Birth:
____ / ____ / _______
Shirt Size:
S M L XL XXL XXXL
Email address: ________________________________________________________________ Phone (Home): _______________________
(Mobile): ___________________________
Additional Family Member: First Name(s):____________________________ Surname: _____________________________ Date of Birth: ____ / ____ / _______ Shirt Size:
S M L XL XXL XXXL
□ I/we would love to be registered with the Desmo Owners Club and receive emails & benefits from DUCATI Membership fees (please tick as appropriate)
□ Single / Associate □ Family □ Single / Associate □ Family
$70.00 (DESMOPHILES Club magazine - hard copy) $85.00 (DESMOPHILES Club magazine - hard copy) $40.00 (DESMOPHILES Club magazine - electronic copy) $55.00 (DESMOPHILES Club magazine - electronic copy)
You may include a cheque with the membership form, or you may pay by bank transfer: If you wish to pay this way, the details are: DOCNZ National Bank-Palmerston North 06-0746-0276337-000 (NB: Membership form still required please). Please note that memberships expire on the 31st of January. Applications and renewals received between November and January are registered as a membership for the following year Particulars of motorcycle/s: Make & Model ____________________________________________
Registration ___________
Year ____________
____________________________________________
___________
____________
____________________________________________
___________
____________
I hereby apply to the Ducati Owners Club New Zealand for membership. In the event of my admission as a member, I agree to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of DOCNZ. Signature: ................................................................ Date: ............................................. Either post to: Ducati Owners Club New Zealand, PO Box 6537, Marion Street, Wellington 6141, New Zealand Or scan and email to: secretary@docnz.co.nz
DESMOPHILES ADVERTISING RATES
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IF YOU'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF DUCATI MOTORCYCLES YOU MAY WISH TO REACH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE THROUGH THIS SPECIAL INTEREST CLUB MAGAZINE Payment is due at the time of placement of advert.
SIZE
1 ISSUE
3 ISSUES
6 ISSUES
1/8 page
$15.00
$30.00
50.00
1/4 page
$20.00
$35.00
$60.00
Free classified advertising for club members is available on the DOCNZ website. Registered users can surf to www.docnz.co.nz, click the Forums link, and use the Buy/Sell/Swap forum.
1/2 page
$35.00
$70.00
$110.00
If you have any queries or need help please email webmaster@docnz.co.nz.
Full page
$65.00
$110.00
$200.00
Club Classifieds
MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONS Magazine Contributions should be sent to: The Editor P.O.Box 6537 Marion Square Wellington 6141 NEW ZEALAND Email: editor@docnz.co.nz Deadlines are the 1st February, April, June, August, October and December for issues due out towards the end of the month. Display advertising is available for business – please contact the secretary. Rates above.
PICTURE CREDITS Cover photo: Steve Ferguson. My new 28 year old girlfriend photographs: Hamish Blair. Random Adventures in Europe photographs: Maria, Kate or Jena with the occasional one from Steve when he is not in the photograph . Treasurer’s report photographs: Nigel Taylor.
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