VJMC #135 by Pepper Publishing

LIVING IN THE

70s

HONDA 1969 CB450 CAFÉ RACER

+ News . Events . Ride Reports . and More Quarterly Club Mag www.vjmc.org.au

Issue 135

VJMC INC AUSTR ALI A

Cover: 1969 Honda CB450 Café Racer. Photo: David Leyshon @chop_shot

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE: MAR 15TH

135 C ontents

President’s Report |4| SE QLD Ride Calendar |6| Vince Report |8| Area Rep Report |9| Western Victorian Wanderings Rides | 10 | Melbourne Metro Report | 14 | VJMC Christmas Lunch | 16 | SA VJMC Trip Around The Fleurieu | 18 | WA Report | 25 | Stone - We Took The Trip Back! | 27 | Honda 1969 CB450 Café Racer | 30 | Living In The 70’s | 31 | Zen Motorcycles, And The Metaphysics Of Quality | 34 | Member’s Business Directory | 38 | Club Info | 40 | Membership Renewal | 42 |

P resident ’ s C olumn

A WORD FROM

THE PRESIDENT Well its getting close now. Yes the 2015 VJMC National Rally is almost upon us. This promises to be an awesome weekend of great bikes and lots of wonderful people all with a common interest. Being held in the Nation’s capitol, it is ideally located to attract a large number of bikes which should see some rare machines make their appearance in Canberra for the weekend. I believe there are a few Bridgestone motorcycles entered. Hopefully we might see a Lilac there too.I am looking forward to the rally and to catching up with everyone there and I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable trip to Canberra for the event. The weekend after our National Rally sees the Honda ST1100/1300 Owners Group hold their National Rally in Toowoomba Queensland. This should see a large number of Honda ST1100 and 1300s turning up in this beautiful city which is the gateway to the Darling Downs. Unfortunately one blue Honda ST1100 wont be there after Tamworth VJMC member Steve Murdon lost his ST1100 in a ball of flame late in 2014. He had just filled the tank and rode ten kilometers to his nephew’s place and upon arrival smelt smoke. He got off the bike and knelt down to find petrol leaking out the bottom of the fairing. Just then it erupted into a mass of flames and was quickly destroyed before Steve could get an extinguisher. Luckily Steve still had his helmet on and only received singed

eyebrows. Photos of the machine are on the website under Ramblings. Sorry to hear about that Steve. Fellow Tamworth member and Area Rep Ray Fox had a low speed (a very, very low speed) fall from his machine in the local Bunnings carpark and fractured an elbow just before the end of 2014. Ray that is not good news at all. On behalf of all our members I would like to wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you at the National Rally in March or the Inverell Rally in April. July will see another fantastic event upon us too. This is the trip to Japan for the Suzuka 8 hour race and guided tours of a couple of factories, coach tour of Tokyo, Bullet Train Ride, visit to Osaka and Kyoto. The $3,680 price tag includes return airfare with Qantas, all transfers, admission tickets and accommodation. Wow! What a deal. Looking forward to that one. For more info phone Olivia Burke at JTB Travel on 03 8623 0015.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

www.vjmc.org.au

Hope 2015 is a great year for all our members. Keep Safe John McNair

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S E Q L D ride calendar

South East QLD RIDE CALENDAR FEBRUARY 2015; Wednesday 4th 7th to 8th Tuesday 10th

Sunday 15th

Sunday 22nd

Bike Night at Harry’s Diner 104 Newmarket Rd Windsor from 6.30pm. Swap Meet at the former Austraian motorcycle museum grounds Club Meeting at the Belmont Tavern in the Belmont Shopping Centre cnr Burstall Avenue and Belmont Rd Belmont. Meal at 7pm Meeting 8pm. Day ride to Canungra via Mount Tamborine and Goat Track. Lunch at Metz Café. Leave BP Garage Mt Lindesay Hwy Browns Plains at 8am. Tiddler Ride.A steady back streets/roads cruise for machines up to 250cc then lunch. Meet at the Redland Bay Hotel carpark at 9am.

March 2015; Wednesday 4th

“Bike Night” at Harry’s Diner 104 Newmarket Rd Windsor from 6.30pm. Previous Bike Nights have attracted over 200 bikes.

Tuesday 10th

Club Meeting at the Belmont Tavern in Belmont Shopping Centre corner Burstall Ave and Belmont Rd Belmont at 7pm.

13th to 15th

2015 VJMC National Rally in Canberra. Details in club mag issue 134.

14th to 15th

Maleny Swap Meet at the Maleny showgrounds up on the Blackall Range.

Sunday 22nd

Day ride to Mount Alford Hotel via Beaudesert and Rathdowney. Meet at the BP Garage Mount Lindesay Hwy Browns at 8am.

APRIL 2015; Wednesday 1st

“Bike Night” at Harry’s Diner 104 Newmarket Rd Windsor from 6.30pm. Previous Bike Nights have attracted over 200 bikes.

Friday 3rd Monday 6th

Easter break

Sunday 12th

Day ride to the Advancetown Hotel on the Nerang to Numinbah Valley Rd opposite the Mudgeeraba turn off. to meet up with Gold Coast members for lunch. Leave from BP Garage Exit 38 of M1 freeway at Yatala at 9am.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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S E Q L D ride calendar

Tuesday 14th

17-18 and 19th

Club meeting at Belmont Tavern in the Belmont shopping centre cnr Belmont Rd and Burstall Ave Belmont at 7pm. Good meals and safe parking for bikes. Inverell Classic Restorers Rally. Cabin accommodation. More info March meeting.

MAY 2015; Saturday 2nd

Wednesday 6th

Tuesday 12th

2015 VJMC/Olivers Classic Bike Show at Olivers Motorcycles Ipswich Rd Moorooka “Bike Night” at Harry’s Diner 104 Newmarket Rd Windsor from 6.30pm. Previous Bike Nights have attracted over 200 bikes. Club meeting at Belmont Tavern in the Belmont shopping centre cnr Belmont Rd and Burstall Ave Belmont at 7pm. Good meals and safe parking for bikes.

Sunday 17th

Historic Clubs Ray Owen Classic bike show. To be held at Tamborine Mountain or Canungra Showgrounds.

Sunday 31st

Brisbane Valley day ride via Fernvale, Split Yard Creek Dam and Somerset to Toogoolawah Hotel for lunch.. Leave Caltex Garage Warrego Hwy Blacksoil 8.30am.

NOTE;

Club Social mornings are held every Saturday morning at Tony’s Café Springwood Suzuki Kingtson Rd Underwood from 8am. www.vjmc.org.au

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

V INCE R EPORT

VINCE REPORT

NEWS FROM THE LOWER HUNTER I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS. THE YEARS SEEM TO GO PAST SO QUICKLY WHEN YOU GET OLDER! I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER THAT THEY SEEMED TO TAKE A LOT LONGER. I DO HOPE THAT 2014 WAS KIND TO YOU ALL AND THAT 2015 WILL BE EVEN BETTER.

Both the Mid and Lower Hunter of the VJMC got through a lot of rides and events. There were short rides, long rides, swap meets and summer monthly get togethers for evening meals at Harry’s Café De Wheels in Newcastle, a club display on the Newcastle foreshore along with other car and bike enthusiasts and also fitted in a Christmas picnic on Mount Sugarloaf, so there has been a lot of activity in the club over the past twelve months. In November 16 of us rode to Wiseman’s Ferry. It is a good ride down there, it turned to be the day of the Bridge to Bridge boat race as well. To get to Wiseman’s from the north you have to go across the Hawkesbury River by punt which we eventually did. While having our lunch we were informed that the punt was being stopped for up to three hours while the boats were racing. The first boat was at least 1k away when we first heard it, but within a couple of minutes it came flying past at over 100mph. I was told that some of these boats have over 700 horsepower and after seeing them I am not surprised. After lunch half of us decided not to wait for the punt to come back on line, and headed home through Galston Gorge and Cowan. This turned out to be a very enjoyable day. The last ride of the year was to the Chichester Dam another excellent day with both the Mid Hunter and the Lower Hunter meeting at Balworra Heights. Before heading off I had a bit of clutch trouble with the FJ which held us

up for 15 minutes after which everything went well, until we got to the other side of Dungog, when Bob Murphy started having electrical problems. He decided to head back into Dungog, so Alan Green decided to ride back with him in case he needed help (good one Al). Well it turns out both needed help with Alan getting a flat tyre and Bob could only get first gear, so along with electrical and tyre problems they pushed and hobbled back into town. Alan got his tyre fixed and Bob had to leave his Honda to be picked up another day, so Alan doubled Bob home. There were only minor things that stopped the bike, but that’s motorcycling. For the other 20 members who made it to the Dam it was a great day. About 20 members attended the Lower Hunter Christmas get togehter. Thanks to Jeff Lockhart, Les and Sue Wardle and Alan Kensitt for providing the food, especially the home grown tomatoes, pudding and custard. Bill thank you for doing the cooking. Well this is my last report, as I am handing over to Bill Kweevers. He will be the Lower Hunter rep his contact numbers will be in the next mag. I am signing off after 15 years. I would like to say thanks to all those members who gave myself and Yvonne a hand over the years. I will still be riding each month. Have a Healthy safe 2015 see you at the rally.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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Stay safe Vince

A rea R ep report

Area

Rep Report I hope everybody had a happy and safe Xmas, and I also hope the same for 2015 for you all. A big year for the Canberra members with the National Rally - I know Phil and his team have done a mighty job with the organising, and you can all look forward to a great event. You would have all received AGM info and nomination forms for committee positions, and I would encourage you to give it a go don't leave it up to the same old crew to run this club for you...it needs YOUR input. With that,you may be aware that I won't be re-standing for committee this year. I've done 4 years so I think it's time for someone else to have a go. This also means that the committee is looking for a new Area Rep Coordinator. If you're interested in taking on this role, please contact me and I'll have a chat about what's involved and what you can expect. I've enjoyed my time oncommittee and the contacts and friendships I have made have really made it all worthwhile. It's a great club, with an amazing depth and knowledge and skills, and if anybody is thinking of a restoration job you'll never beshort of advice and information, we are very lucky in that respect. I hope all Area Reps are looking forward to organising rides and events in their regions

and in so doing encouraging new members to help sustain and grow the club. Get out there and make it happen!

www.vjmc.org.au

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

Cheers for now, and good luck for the future. Peter Hunt.

W estern victorian wanderins rides

WESTERN VICTORIAN WANDERINGS RIDES October Ride – Thanks to Morgan Tyrell for planning our October ride, the reps were absent for this one! Morgan took the crew to Malden via Newstead returning to Ballarat via Daylesford

November Ride – Fantastic weather greeted approximately 20 of VJMers who gathered at Bunninyong for a very pleasant ride to the Moondallah Gallery & Café for a bite to eat. Thanks to Loreen Jackson for planning the route and to Mark (Jacko) Jackson for leading when Loreen was unable to make it.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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W estern victorian wanderings rides

Ballarat Toy Run – Brian Dixon attended the Ballarat Toy Run on his Club Permitted Honda Lead Scooter I bet those other riders were mighty impressed by “Biker Brian”!!!

From Loreen Jackson – “So have I done a skite about MY new bike!! She's called Chardy 100 – Mark has added a gorgeous wee picnic basket on the back since I took this photo.”

Christmas Lunch December 14 It is always hard at this time of year to get numbers and we certainly don’t blame those that couldn’t make it as there is always so much on! In any case we had a very pleasant Sunday Lunch at Seymour’s in Ballarat.

Michael Brookes got a selfie for Xmas too..... a 1991 Suzuki GS 500.....a punter looking for quick cash.... Michael couldn't say no to another air cooled Suzi! “I expect excellent reliability while I sort out the burgundy GS 450!!”

Western Region - New Bikes Daryl Domaschenz has treated himself to a Christmas present for 2014 – a Kawasaki GPZ 900R. Daryl has a penchant for “Kwakas” and this one being his smallest road bike will look great on our upcoming Tiddler ride!

www.vjmc.org.au

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

W estern victorian wanderings rides

Not to be left out Pam Stork has snaffled herself a Kawasaki Z250. “I have always wanted an electric start 250 and besides we don’t have a Kawasaki anymore!”

By the time you read this the Mac Park (Mount Gambier) Scooter TT will have been run and won. The VJMC Western Vic Branch will be represented again this year by Vic Muller (aka Mudd), David Ellis, and Alan Stork. We hope to go better than last time! Have a look at Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H0LfAkLbY The mount this year is a 2002 Yamaha Aerox (not quite a VJM). More on this in the next newsletter.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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SUZUKA 8 HOUR RACE AND TOUR OF JAPAN

From $3,680.00 Per person Twin share

Price Includes international airfares flying Qantas Airways, accommodation with daily breakfast, transfers, admission tickets Itinerary:

DAY 1 (21JULY)

Depart Australia on Qantas DAY 2 (22JULY)

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to Shinagawa by charter coach,

Accommodation at Shinagawa Prince Hotel for 3 nights. DAY 3 (23JULY)

Charter coach tour of Tokyo with English speaking guide. DAY 4 (24JULY)

Charter coach transfers and visit to motorcycle factory in Yokohama DAY 5 (25JULY)

Transfer to Nagoya using your Japan Rail Pass, and attend the Suzuka 8 hour endurance race (2 day ticket included)

DAY 6 (26JULY)

Free day at Suzuka Circuit DAY 7 (27JULY)

Charter coach transfers and tour of motorcycle factory in Nagoya DAY 8 (28JULY)

Transfer to Kyoto using your Japan Rail Pass. Accommodation at New Miyako Hotel Kyoto for 2 nights DAY 9 (29JULY)

Free day in Kyoto DAY 10 (30JULY)

Use your Japan Rail Pass to travel to

Hiroshima. Overnight accommodation at Hotel New Hiroden Hiroshima. DAY11 (31JULY)

Use your Japan Rail Pass to travel to

Osaka. Overnight accommodation at Accommodation at Nagoya Castle Plaza New Hankyu Hotel Osaka. for 3 nights DAY 12 (01AUGUST)

PHONE: 03 8623 0015 (Olivia Burke) www.jtbtravel.com.au

Charter coach transfer from Osaka to

Itami Airport and fly to Narita Airport. Return to Australia on Qantas

Single room $4,180.00 per person

Twin room $3,680.00 per person Triple room $3,590.00 per person Tour prices based on a group of 30 people Itinerary can be extended or shortened for individual participants. Please enquire at the time of booking for prices. *Prices subject to change due to exchange rate and tax fluctuations. All prices are correct at the time of printing and subject to change due to operators’ price increase and/or exchange rate fluctuations. Please read “Conditions” on the back of JTB 2013-2014 main brochure or on our website.

This tour is not organised by the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club Australia Inc. The use of the VJMC logo is permitted only to reflect that the tour is organised for the benefit of Club Members, their partners and friends

M elb M etro report

Words & Photos by John Doward

IT HAS BEEN A BUSY FEW MONTHS FOR THE MELBOURNE REGION WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF RIDES & EVENTS ATTENDED; FROM SHORTER INNER CITY RIDES TO LONGER ALL DAY COUNTRY RIDES, CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOWS AND CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE RACES. THESE INCLUDED: • Team Tiddler Ride to Melbourne Docks 5th October • Glenn’s Mid Week Ride to Heathcote 15th October • Cranbourne GP Run 18th October • Classics on Cowes Show 18th October • Broadford Southern Classic 9th November • Greg’s Mid Week Ride to Lake Mountain & Reefton Spur 19th November • Murf’s Ride to South Gippsland 23rd November • Team Tiddler Ride to Moto Expo 30th November • Classic Japan Show 7th December • Ian’s Vic Ranges Ride to Reefton Spur, Eildon-Jamieson Road and Black Spur 14th December.

Cranbourne GP Run 18th October

Honda VF750F

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

Replica Goose Bike from Mad Max

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M elb M etro report

Mid Week Ride 19 Nov - At Lake Mountain

Broadford Southern Classic 9 Nov - Yamaha V-Max Mid Week Ride 19 Nov - At Reefton Hotel

Vic Ranges Ride 14 Dec - At Marysville

Social Evening 16 Dec - Honda CB350

Also social evenings are held on the last Tuesday of each month from 7 pm at the Grandview Hotel in Fairfield.

disadvantaged people in need during the festive season. For future rides & events, please see the VJMC website calendar here:

For December this was held earlier on the 16th December due to Christmas. We included a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;food driveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; where our generous members donated lots of food items for the Salvation Army to distribute direct to

http://vjmc.org.au/j25/index.php/calendar/ month.calendar/2015/02/01/-

www.vjmc.org.au

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

All VJMC members and interested guests are most welcome to attend.

V J M C christmas lunch

VJMC

CHRISTMAS LUNCH BY MICK BULMAN

WELL HERE WE ARE WELL INTO SUMMER AND ITS BLOODY RAINING! ON MOST SUNDAY MORNINGS FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS OR SO A GROUP OF DIE-HARD MOTORCYCLISTS SEEM TO FIND THEMSELVES AT A BAKERY IN STRATHALBYN FOR BREAKFAST AND TO TALK A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SHIT AND GENERALLY SOLVE ALL THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS. SO IT PROVED ON THE DECEMBER 7.

I had left home at about seven in the morning in quite fine weather only to get as far as Meadows where it began to rain. Bit of a bugger this as I had no wet weather gear with me so after a slow trip down the Bull Creek road to Ashbourne then across to Strath I finally arrived for my breakfast Kransky and Coffee rather wet. I only mention this because my intention had been to depart Strath in time to ride on up to the Stirling meeting point by about 10 o'clock to then lead who ever turned up there back to the Three brothers Arms at Maccy.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

However due to considerable dampness I decided that perhaps I should retrace my earlier run and go home change and this time put on my wet weather gear. This I did getting even more rain returning home where I was to receive absolutely no sympathy from my dear Little Petal. Drying myself off and putting on my gear I then headed off to Stirling in vastly improved conditions this time. On arrival I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot more members than I had expected due to the weather. Very good to catch up with Peter who was not coming on the run but

www.vjmc.org.au

V J M C christmas lunch

had bought along some very useful dating information for my next project in the shed, a CL450 Honda, thankyou. So in due course off we headed for Macclesfield via Longwwood, Mylor, Echunga then over to Stamps Road which brings you into Maccy the back way but as we still had time to use up we took the Gemmells Road which gets you back on to the main Mt Barker to Strath Road. This road is, I think, a little used road (by motorcycles) and has to be one of my

favourite bits in the Southern Hills area and I for one are grateful to the Council for finally sealing a short stretch of dirt in the middle quite recently. Having reached Strath we then headed back along the road to Macclesfield where we arrived just as another group of VJ riders arrived. The weather had held off more or less but the roads were still wet but as we were travelling as a Group at the speed limit or below I think all went well, I enjoyed it anyway. Thanks must go to those who came on the run, especially those who bought out their older machines. Thanks to Pete for organising the venue. To the Pub, I think they were happy to have us and they put on a good spread for us, if perhaps a little slow service at times. It was a good day despite the weather. Could I suggest that someone out the Northern side of town put on a run next time as we seem to do a lot of riding my side of town!

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Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

SA VJMC TR IP

SA VJMC TRIP AROUND THE FLEURIEU S U N D AY 12 T H O C TO B E R 2 014

A good day had by all.......I think! The Clan gathered at Stirling as planned, I thought I was going to be early, but I was still beaten by Nathan and Phil....they must be really keen!! A couple of people rang with bike problems, but we met up with them on the way. Ten bikes gathered for the start, (3trusty Honda 750`s, the Slab, that immaculate Kawasaki. A Honda RVF, the trusty Bol DĂ˛r, a newly acquired 175 Yamaha trail bike thingy, a Yamaha RD 350, et al), which was pleasing, and away we went. Out through Ironbank and Cherry Gardens, where we met up with one other and then down through the windy bits to Clarendon. On through Baker`s Gulley Road, past the miniature ponies, and along the McLaren Flat Road to Wickams Hill, up the wiggly hill and along Range road (Sorry I know this road....I live here). We lost Ron on his Kawasaki here, I believe he was `running-in` his machine and he called it a day. Off through Pages Flat and then a quick swifty over the back of Myponga Dam. Lovely views both North and South, especially as you come down into Carrickalinga.....I was surprised how many people did`nt know

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

this road. It`s one of my favourite jaunts. Apparently Nathan wanted to turn left after the Dam so he could do a bit of off-roading!! Into Normanville for a coffee at the Beachside Cafe, they made us welcome and a pleasant break with plenty of good hearted banter. Here we also picked up with another member, then a quick fill of petrol in the town (people admiring the Moto Guzzi on the trailer) then out through the Inman Valley Road to Victor. This another great stretch of road, but we were stuck behind a Trike who persistently signalled a right turn for 32 kms that never happened, and whose speed allowed us to admire the scenery without any problems!!

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SA VJMC TR IP

Safely arriving at Pa`s Cafe on the seafront of Encounter Bay, a welcome fish and chips was enjoyed by all, (some using their pension card to get the take away deal!) and we passed an enjoyable hour of chat. We split up a bit after lunch with some taking the quick way home, while we set off through the bendy bits past Goolwa Airport and on through Currency Creek to Ashbourne and over the hill to Strath. Thanks to those at the back, for letting us have a bit of a fling up the Bull Creek Road, before a quick refuel at â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Garageâ&#x20AC;? just on closing time. One more departed here and another at Macclesfield, that left Five Souls to take the

road back through Echunga to our Stirling departure point. A quick debrief, smiling faces, (that`s always nice to see) sorry I did`nt make it back for the start of theMotoGP, (that was the intention), But I had a bloody good time and I hope everyone else did!! We covered 240kms and were out for 5 1/2 hours, I hope it was`nt too far for some, but that`s the sort of ride I like. I don`t know all the names or all the bikes, but thank you to all those who came along and supported the ride. I hope I can do it again for you.....if you`ll let me!!

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Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

S A A rea R eport

HERE WE ARE LOOKING AT ANOTHER YEAR ALREADY! IT'S A MUCH WORN CLICHÉ, BUT I'M SURE IT'S TRUE THAT THEY FLY BY FASTER THE OLDER YOU GET. WE HAD AN EXCELLENT 2014 HERE IN SA WITH SOME GREAT EVENTS AND RIDES, AND IT IS GOOD TO SEE MEMBERS STEPPING FORWARD TO COORDINATE EVENTS AND LEAD THEM ON THE DAY - IT'S GREAT TO SEE THE LOAD SPREAD A BIT AND PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED. I think one of the highlights of the year (apart from the national rally of course) was the overnighter to Jamestown, that saw members from the Riverland, Mildura, Broken Hill and the greater Adelaide region get together for a ride and social evening. I think this was especially important for the Mildura and Broken Hill folk who tend to be a bit isolated from their own state events. It sure was great to spend some time with them, and I can't see any reason why we can't hold a similar event on an annual basis. This year I hope to see some good events and continued involvement from our members. The 2015 event calendar has been sent out to all members, and will be posted on

the forum as well, and no doubt there will be other events included as they become known. With 2 major rallies out of the way, and relinquishing my national committee role, I hope to be able to focus more on local activities and ideas that will benefit all our SA members. We are still attracting new members and I hope that there will be a little something for everyone in the plans for the year. So, a belated Happy New Year to you all and hope to see you at our events throughout the year. Peter Hunt - SA Coordinator Mob 0418 214 754

2015 EVENTS • Sunday January 18th - Ride Day.

• August 29th/30th - overnighter TBC

• Sunday February 1st - Victor Harbor Autojumble display

• Sunday September 27th - Bay to Bir wood Classic ride/display TBC

• March 13th to 15th - National Rally, Canberra.

• Sunday October ? - Balhannah Swa Meet display TBC

• Sunday March 22nd - Ride Day

• Sunday October 31st - Charity event TBC

• Saturday April 18th - Ride Day

• Sunday December 6th - Xmas ride/lunch

• Monday June 8th - Ride Day

• Sunday December 13th - Toy Run display

• Sunday August 2nd - Ride Day FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT PETER HUNT

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

www.vjmc.org.au

Spouse/Partner Name:

Main Entrant Name:

..........................................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................

VJMC Member #:

..........................

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club National Rally and Annual General Meeting Canberra, ACT ~ 13-15 March 2015 Event Registration Form

Postal Address: Phone Number(s):

..........................................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................................... Email Address:

No 

...............................................................................................................................................................

Yes 

Special dietary requirements:

...............................................................................................................................................................

Will you be staying at Alivio Tourist Park in Canberra? (numbers needed for free Saturday night bus service): [provide name(s) and details]

All persons attending the Rally, taking part in rides and/or displaying motorcycles MUST register @ $ 35.00 M

L

 XL

 3XL

$.....................

A $.....................

 Short Sleeve Polo Shirt (+ $ 7.00)  2XL

 Long Sleeve T-Shirt (+ $ 3.00)

 Non-VJMC Member: @ $ 45.00

Registration Fee (ONLY required for Main Entrant - includes one Badge and one Short Sleeve T-Shirt):  VJMC Member: S

 Short Sleeve T-Shirt (FREE) Size

Sub-total for Registration Fee ~

BBQ & Salads

FREE

Qty ..….

No Charge

Pre-Ordered Meals (lunches will be available for purchase but do not need to be pre-ordered) Friday Dinner (Alivio Tourist Park)

Yes  Yes  Yes 

(2) Original condition:

(3) Concours condition:

(4) Will be ridden to/during the rally:

No 

...........................................................................

Rego # Yes 

...........................................................................

Model

(1) Please judge for trophies:

...........................................................................

Year

(4) Will be ridden to/during the rally:

(3) Concours condition:

(2) Original condition:

Yes 

No 

...........................................................................

(1) Please judge for trophies:

Rego #

Model

Year

Make

...........................................................................

Make

...........................................................................

Motorcycle Details – # 2

Please send proof of payment with the completed forms.

Motorcycle Details – # 1

 post

Commonwealth Bank of Australia 062-801 VJMC Rally Account 10240696 Your Postcode and Surname (in that order)

For payments made by Direct Deposit you may send a scanned copy of the completed forms and proof of payment via email to: VJMC.Rally@gmail.com

 email

Financial Institution: BSB Number: Account Name: Account Number: Reference:

 Payment by Direct Deposit

Send completed forms and payment/proof of payment to: VJMC Rally Treasurer PO Box 4217 Ainslie ACT 2602

Please confirm my registration by:

Please make cheque/money order payable to: Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club Inc

 Payment by Cheque/Money Order

.....................................................................

Spouse/Partner Name:

Date:

I accept that VJMC Rally organisers reserve the right to prevent riders and/or motorcycles not complying with any of the three conditions above from taking part in rally rides.

(Rally registration not valid unless this form is signed)

Signature: ...........................................................

I will observe the terms and conditions of the relevant registration/permit scheme for the motorcycle(s) I ride.

.....................................................................

The motorcycle(s) I ride will be fully or concessionally registered, or be operating under a permit scheme, and have third party insurance that covers the use of the motorcycle(s) whilst riding in the ACT during the VJMC Rally; and

Main Entrant Name:

I have a current and valid motorcycle license that covers the use of the motorcycle(s) I will be riding in the ACT;

If I plan to ride a motorcycle during the VJMC Rally I declare and confirm that:

I will not hold the VJMC or any of its representatives or sponsors responsible for any damage to or theft of machinery or possessions or for any bodily injury sustained during the course of the VJMC Rally.

Indemnity Statement â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for all persons intending to ride and/or display a motorcycle at the rally

If you are entering more than two motorcycles please complete another copy of this page

(4) Please indicate Yes/No if the motorcycle will be ridden to the VJMC Rally and/or on at least one of the VJMC Rally rides.

(3) Please indicate Yes/No if the motorcycle is in Concours condition (ie, ex-factory condition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; may be original or restored).

(2) Please indicate Yes/No if the motorcycle is in original condition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this means the motorcycle has not been restored (ie, repainted, re-chromed, polished, etc) since it was manufactured and is in substantially original condition (eg, original parts only replaced due to wear/tear/damage and/or for safety/maintenance reasons).

(1) Please indicate Yes/No if you want the motorcycle to be judged in one or more trophy categories.

Saturday Dinner (Ainslie Football Club) ~

Cereal/Toast & Tea/Coffee

2 Courses & Tea/Coffee

Egg/Bacon Roll & Tea/Coffee

Cereal/Toast & Tea/Coffee

@ $ 9.50

@ $ 3.50

@ $ 35.00

@ $ 9.50

@ $ 3.50

Qty ..….

$.....................

Saturday Breakfast (Alivio Tourist Park)

Sunday Breakfast (Alivio Tourist Park)

Egg/Bacon Roll & Tea/Coffee

S M

M L

L

 XL

 2XL

 3XL

@ $ 25.00

@ $ 21.00

@ $ 18.00

@ $ 10.00

Qty ..….

$.....................

B $.....................

~ Sub-total for Pre-Ordered Meals Extra Rally Badges and Rally Shirts Short Sleeve T-Shirt: S

L

Badges: Long Sleeve T-Shirt: M

C $.....................

Short Sleeve Polo Shirt:  S

Sub-total for Extra Rally Badges and Rally Shirts

Registrations received after Friday 20 February 2015 (or that are NOT paid in full by that date) will incur a $5.00 ‘Late Entry Fee’ per person and will NOT include any pre-ordered meals

A $.....................

Payment Due Sub-total for Registration Fee

B $.....................

$.....................

Sub-total for Pre-Ordered Meals

Qty ..….

C $.....................

@ $ 5.00

Sub-total for Extra Rally Badges and Rally Shirts Late Entry Fee (per person and only if applicable) Total payment due by 20 February (or ‘Late Entry Fee’ applies)

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club National Rally and Annual General Meeting Canberra, ACT ~ 13-15 March 2015 Event Registration Form

Main Entrant Name:

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VJMC Member #:

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Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

VJMC Member #:

We will try and keep things rolling. Also I was surprised to hear that Peter Hunt has stood down from his role within the club. He will be sadly missed. And I would like to thank him from Mal and Myself for making us both welcome during our visit to S.A. in 2013 and hope to catch up with him in Canberra. Also in November, Mal and I attended the Albany Hill climb which is held by the Albany Classic & Vintage Motorcycle club. It is a time trial held up Mount Clarence for motorcycles Pre 80. On the Saturday they have a Show and Shine in the main street and a Poke run in the afternoon and on the Sunday is the Hill climb. It’s a great weekend away and will be on our calendar again next year.

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WELL WE HOPE YOU ALL HAD A SAFE AND MERRY NEW YEAR. WE FINISHED OFF 2014 WITH A PROMISING START TO A GOOD YEAR FOR THE VJMC OVER HERE IN WA FOR 2015.

Spouse/Partner Name: Postal Address:

Email Address:

Phone Number(s):

WA Report

Special dietary requirements:

No 

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We arranged our inaugural ride and get together towards the end of November. We had 13 bikes and riders attend which was a good roll up as only half the members from the club could make is so the visitors made up the numbers, so the More the Merrier. We met in Midland and headed off to the Nobel Falls tavern in Gidgegannup via some very popular roads East of Perth. We ended up having a brief meeting and a quick bite to eat. It was planned that we would try and arrange a ride very three months and to have a few gatherings in between to maintain the clubs momentum, ie the Albury Wodonga M/C club have a Beer and Bike night which seem very popular. But more on that later. I would like to thank the club member Dave Williams for his enthusiasm helping get things rolling over here. And would also welcome the new members that have joined.

S

@ $ 35.00 M

 Short Sleeve T-Shirt (FREE) Size

Sub-total for Registration Fee

 XL

 Non-VJMC Member: @ $ 45.00  3XL

$.....................

A $.....................

 Short Sleeve Polo Shirt (+ $ 7.00)  2XL

 Long Sleeve T-Shirt (+ $ 3.00)

L

BBQ & Salads

FREE

Qty ..….

No Charge

Pre-Ordered Meals (lunches will be available for purchase but do not need to be pre-ordered) Friday Dinner (Alivio Tourist Park)

www.vjmc.org.au

 VJMC Member:

Registration Fee (ONLY required for Main Entrant - includes one Badge and one Short Sleeve T-Shirt):

All persons attending the Rally, taking part in rides and/or displaying motorcycles MUST register

[provide name(s) and details]

Yes 

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Cheers for now Norm

Will you be staying at Alivio Tourist Park in Canberra? (numbers needed for free Saturday night bus service):

WA R EPORT

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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S T O N E - we took the trip !

STONE - WE TOOK THE TRIP BACK! STONE 1974 – FOR SOME IT WAS THE BIKIE CULTURE – SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL. FOR OTHERS IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE BIKES! FILMED IN SYDNEY IN 1973 AND RELEASED THE FOLLOWING YEAR – STONE FEATURED THE KAWASAKI Z900 - THE JAPANESE MUSCLE BIKE THAT WAS SET TO BECOME A CLASSIC. ON DECEMBER 7 TWENTY FIVE VJMC MEMBERS AND FRIENDS MET AT HISTORIC GORE HILL CEMETERY 41 YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL SCENES WERE SHOT. BIKES INCLUDED Z900S, HONDA, SUZUKI AND YAMAHA VJMS.

The historic cemetery was the scene of GoDown’s burial after his casket was conveyed down the old F3 on the Chesterfield Wedge racing outfit – Kawasaki powered of course. The historic procession is a feature of the film but only the Grave Diggers on their Z900s seem to make it to the cemetery for the grave side service. We visited the site of GoDown’s internment and noted that he was flanked in the

cemetery by one famous Bernard Bede Kieran and Mary Durack of the cattle king dynasty of “Kings in Grass Castles”. The cemetery has barely changed in over 40years and we could all imagine the drone of 16 Z900s moving down the central driveway. On this sunny Sunday morning the group rode on from the cemetery to the scene of the street race. Stone was mounted on his red Norton, more suited to the tight

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Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

S T O N E - we took the trip !

The twenty ton gun is missing.

narrow streets and Captain Midnight on the Z900. We assembled at the Horse Trough at Montpelier Street. The road is rough and bumpy and not surprisingly close to the Ensemble Theatre where director and actor Sandy Harbutt appeared in many stage productions. A lap of the “circuit” was required and again not a lot has changed. The EH Holdens have been replaced by large SUVs and the local bikers wear suitably endorsed corporate lycra. From Neutral Bay we battled the Sunday morning crawl until we reached Middle Head

Road and the Sydney Harbour National Park. Chowder Bay Road was the scene of the infamous wire across the road ambush. The road flanked by semi tropical vegetation is located only a stone’s throw from the Sydney CBD. Wheel standing scenes were shot here as were the great sequence of “credits” featuring the still shots and the sounds of the Z900 starting procedure. Middle Head, the Gun Embattlements and the Beehive Casemate were the location of the Grave Diggers hideout. National Parks NSW provided our group with a conducted tour of the historic tunnels and gun

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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S T O N E - we took the trip !

North Head

placements with Sydney Harbour as the back drop. The day was bright and clear and the cool air of the tunnels was a welcome relief from the sun. These historic fortifications have been the scene of many film and television productions. The engineering and architecture spanned the 19th and 20th centuries and is a stark contrast to the computer directed warfare of the current age.

Sydney Harbour lived up to its international reputation and free entry to the National Park includes motorcycle parking. Stone resonated with a generation of bikers and for those familiar with the lower north shore of Sydney, the location shots with Sydney Harbour in the background were a bonus.It was a great day on the Stone run. Participants travelled from Newcastle and the Central Coast. If you are ever in Sydney I can send you the maps and details â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Take the Trip!

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Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

1969 HONDA CB450 CA FÉ R ACER

1969 HONDA

CB450 CAFÉ RACER THE 1969 HONDA CB450 CAFÉ RACER (CB450CR) FEATURED ON OUR FRONT COVER HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MAKING, THROUGH TWO OWNERS AND CUSTOM BIKE BUILDERS IN THREE STATES. The bike was an Australian-delivered CB450 bought in Victoria by Brisbanebased enthusiast Keith Thornton. Keith had previously bought a nicely-rebuilt Honda GB500 from Mid Life Cycles owner and VJMC member Michael Catchpole and he used the GB regularly while he waited patiently for the CB450 to be rebuilt. The bike was built by Raider Motorsport in Coffs Harbour (NSW) and took Keith’s concept (and his budget) to the limits with a rebuilt, ported and high-compression 500cc DOHC motor sporting Keihin FCR 35mm carburettors, stripped and reinforced frame, modified CBR1000R forks, CB750 front hub, custom 17” rims and so many other modifications. After Keith took delivery, he sent it to Brisbane custom shop Ellaspede for more work and then only enjoyed a brief ride before offering Michael Catchpole first option to buy both this bike and the Honda GB500. So both bikes are now back in Melbourne. The CB450 debuted at the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in 2014 and then at a recent VJMC ride and is being fine-tuned and fettled at Mid Life Cycles.

Photo caption: 1969 Honda CB450 Café Racer. Photo: David Leyshon @chop_shot

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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L iving in the 7 0 ’ s

LIVING IN THE 70’S BIKE SHOW AT PRO HONDA 13 T H S E P T E M B E R 2 014

The fifth running of the "Living in the 70's" Bike Show was organised by the Honda 750/4 SOHC Club, and was held at Pro Honda's new premises at 1019 Ipswich Road Moorooka on the 13th September 2014. Pro Honda's premises feature a larger showroom for new motorcycles and accessories, as well as a coffee shop, which is open on Saturdays, plus a small area for seating. The bikes were on show on the front forecourt, normally the site of the second hand bikes for sale. Weather on the day was a bit cloudy, but not too hot, it was a very pleasant space for a show. Line up of Honda’s

As per the title, the show is predominately for Japanese Motorcycles produced in the 1970’s, but any motorcycle 30 years and over is eligible for entry (which is the cut off for Queensland’s classic registration, special interest vehicles). Nine members from the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club of South East Qld entered their motorcycles, the oldest being Chris’s 1965 CB450. Also present were: Terry’s 1970 Yamaha DS6, John’s 1972 Honda K2, Ray’s 1973 Suzuki TS250, Bruce’s 1973 Honda 350K4, Jerry’s 1979 Honda CB650Z, Scott’s 1980 Honda CX500, Merilyne’s 1981 Honda

CB750FB, and Eric’s 1983 Honda MVX 250. Something for everyone there! The VJMC was the best represented club there, besides the actual Honda CB750 /4 SOHC club, who were running it. There were about 26 entries in the show, plus quite a few motorcycles parked on the road out the front for people to look at. The entries were predominately Honda’s, the largest single representation were Honda 750/4’s, but Honda’s from 1965 through to 1983 were represented, most being from the 1970’s. As well there were quite a number of Kawasaki’s present, varying from Z900’s, to a KT250 Trials bike, a few Suzuki’s, being a Katana and a TS250, and Yamaha was represented by a smattering of two stroke twins, and one lone Virago. All four Japanese manufacturers were represented. There were also a number of nice bikes of all types from different countries on the footpath, this could have been a show on its own.

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Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

Pro Honda's new premises at Moorooka.

L iving in the 7 0 ’ s

There were also a number of nice bikes of all types from different countries on the footpath, this could have been a show on its own. The show ran from 8.30 am to 12pm, with raffles run every hour for various motorcycle orientated prizes. There were some good raffles prizes, a large steel ute-sized tool box, a dinner voucher for two from the Belmont Hotel

750 fours on display

(VJMC’s meeting spot), and a CTEK battery charger donated by RACQ. The Honda 750/4 SOHC Club put on a barbeque and sold drinks on the day at reasonable prices, or if you wished you could sit down at Pro’s coffee shop. Entry to the show was free and only $2.00 to show your bike and maybe win a trophy. Trophies were awarded to each separate Japanese marque, plus a sub class for motorcycles specifically from the 70’s. There was also a best motorcycle in show, and a best Honda 750/4 in show. Judging was done by Pro Honda representatives. There was also a President’s choice, presented by the President of the Honda CB750 SOHC Club, which was won by one of the Z900’s. After the judging, VJMC members won trophies in four classes:

Line up of Honda’s

Jerry’s CB 650: Best 1970’s Honda.

Bikes on the street.

Ray’s TS 250: Best Suzuki.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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L iving in the 7 0 ’ s

Terry’s DS6: Best 1970’s Yamaha.

Merilyne’s CB 750 FB: Best Honda.

Overall winner of show - a modified 1979 CBX1000.

Recently restored 1983 Honda MVX 250F.

Overall it was a very good day, well organised, with a friendly laid back atmosphere, there were quite a few groups of people just enjoying the bikes and the company, and the old bike stories.

It was good to see so many VJMC members there with their bikes, and even though it was a fairly informal show, the bikes were well presented originals and restorations, and are a credit to their owners.

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Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

Z en , M otorcycles , & the metaphysics of quality

ZEN, MOTORCYCLES, AND THE METAPHYSICS OF QUALITY The other day I was reading the 02 October 2014 edition of Motorcycle Trader when on page 60 I came across the following statement by Rob Blackburne in a book review entitled ‘In Defence of “Zen and the Art”’: “While it’s pretty sad to say that a particular book changed your life, I’m always happy to put my hand up and say that Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance did it for me.” If you have read the book in question, as a motorcyclist you probably intuitively understood what Pirsig was getting at, but I thought I’d have a go at trying to explain what reading it meant to me, because it changed the way that I think too. The ‘Metaphysics of Quality’ is a term coined by Pirsig to expound his ideas about the concept of ‘Quality’ first expressed in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (ZAMM): “Quality…you know what it is, yet you don’t know what it is. But that’s self-contradictory. But some things are better than others, that is they have more quality, but when you try to say what quality is, apart from the things that have it, it all goes poof!...Obviously some things are better than others…but what’s the “betterness”?...What the hell is Quality? What is it?” (ZAMM, p184) In his seminal 1970’s book on the ‘Metaphysics of Quality’ – ZAMM, Pirsig drew a distinction between what he called the ‘classic’ (objective) and ‘romantic’ (subjective) aspects of Quality. For example, a motorcycle can be classified as: ‘a classic’ by it satisfying certain specified (objective) quality criteria, such as the Honda CB750 or Yamaha DT-1 epitomizing a new class of production motorcycle, or a BSA Gold Star or a Velo Thruxton being ‘classic’ examples of the British 500 Single; or bikes can be subjectively ‘romantic’, such as the passion that drives somebody to handcraft a radically customised SR 500 or produce a really lethal Street Fighter

from a stock UJM, or perhaps a better example is the ‘snob’ value of a particular brand of motorcycle (such as owning a Brough Superior SS100 – ‘the Rolls Royce of Motorcycles’). (NB. This particular SS100, which is in the British Imperial War Museum in London, was owned by TE Lawrence (‘Lawrence of Arabia’) and he was killed while riding it – how romantic is that for a bike’s vownership credentials!) After ZAMM, Pirsig developed a more complex set of ideas (drawn from both Eastern religion and Western philosophy) about the concept of ‘Quality’ (for which Pirsig uses an upper case Q), which he called ‘the Metaphysics of Quality’. In his Metaphysics of Quality (or ‘Value’ as alternatively named by Pirsig), Quality cannot be fully defined because it empirically precedes any intellectual constructions. It is the ‘knife’ or ‘cutting-edge’ of experience, known to us all, for example, knowing exactly how far you can lean your bike into a corner without losing it, before you actually do it! For Pirsig, Quality is the fundamental force in the universe stimulating everything, from atoms to combine to make molecules, to what causes animals to evolve and incorporate ever greater levels of Quality. According to the Metaphysics of Quality, everything (including mind, ideas and matter) is a product and a result of Quality! This means that Quality lies in the dynamic ‘now’ moment that we sense anything during the instantaneous present; with a short delay

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

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Z en , M otorcycles , & the metaphysics of quality

we then give this impression a ‘static form’ by describing it as an emotion, a thing, a word, etc. These ‘static forms’, if they have enough good or bad quality associations, are given names and ideas about them are interchanged with other people, building the base of knowledge for a culture. VJMC is one such Quality culture, with its focus on the ownership and preservation of vintage machines which happen to be made in Japan. We are lucky - as VJMC members we can experience the thrill of riding our motorcycles (moments of ‘dynamic Quality’), but understand the need to study the motorcycle manual in order to learn how to clean a spark plug, change the oil, or adjust the timing chain - the ‘static forms’ of Quality - tedious, but essential if you want the machine to operate as it was intended. We can then share this information with other like-minded individuals or groups via the club’s website or in conversationover a few beers at the Grandview or at club outings. Quality therefore according to Pirsig is fundamentally a continuing dialogue between our personal (internal/subjective) values

and beliefs, and certain publically accepted (external/objective) standards. Note for example, Pirsig on motorcycle maintenance manuals: ‘These were spectator manuals. It was built into the format of them. Implicit in every line is the idea that “Here is the machine, isolated in time and in space from everything else in the universe. It has no relationship to you, you have no relationship to it, other than to turn certain switches, maintain voltage levels, check error conditions….” And so on. That’s it. The mechanics in their attitude towards the machine were really taking no different attitude from the manual’s towards the machine….And it occurred to me that there is no manual that deals with the real business of motorcycle maintenance, the most important aspect of all. Caring about what you are doing is considered either unimportant or taken for granted.’ (Pirsig, ZAMM, p35, the text underlined is my emphasis) Here Pirsig is criticizing the application of purely mechanistic approaches to Quality, because they lack human value. Such mechanistic approaches stand in stark contrast

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Z en , M otorcycles , & the metaphysics of quality

to the Zen notion of ‘mastery’ or to that of an artisan (from the Greek ‘Arete’, i.e. virtue, or excellence) where the mastery of technique is virtually indistinguishable from the person commanding it. Hence the ‘Art’ of Motorcycle Maintenance and the category of ‘Zen Master’! Pirsig argues forcefully that if you apply the Metaphysics of Quality to even a routine situation or in solving an everyday problem (such as successfully removing a bolt from a stripped thread and replacing it with a Helicoil), it is possible to get the same ‘Zen high’ from doing quite mundane tasks as well as the ‘dynamic quality moment’ allows (that is, by applying the boring old ‘mechanistic’ fitnessfor-purpose principle, and doing exactly what the situation actually requires, not in doing or saying ‘whatever you like’, or by trying to impress others). In the Metaphysics of Quality, being excellent in what we do, and being ‘fit-forpurpose’ mean essentially the same thing. According to Pirsig then, the internal (subjective) and external (objective) dimensions of anything, rather than being at opposite poles, fuse together into his more holistic

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

concept of ‘Quality’. Take my own bike (1985 Honda GB500TT) as an example: it’s a 500 cc single-cylinder bike in the style of a ‘classic’ British 500 single (and it looks beautiful); but it is reliable, it doesn’t leak oil, and has electrics that work (including an ‘electric leg’ which means you can actually start it!). It is a ‘Quality’ Japanese motorcycle: In ZAMM Pirsig further illustrates the holistic subjective/internal and objective/external dimensions of the Metaphysics of Quality through the use of motorcycle as metaphor: “The motorcycle is a system. A real system… (but) the true system, the real system, is our present construction of systematic thought itself, rationality itself…That’s all the motorcycle is, a system of concepts worked out in steel. There is no part in it, no shape in it, that is not out of somebody’s mind…the motorcycle is primarily a mental phenomenon.” (Pirsig, ZAMM, p102) And: “The real cycle you’re working on is a cycle called yourself. The machine that appears to be “out there” and the person that appears to be “in here” are not two separate things.

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Z en , M otorcycles , & the metaphysics of quality

They grow towards Quality or fall away from Quality together.” (Pirsig, ZAMM, p325.) Perhaps Pirsig over-extends the motorcycle metaphor as it being some sort of mechanical ‘vehicle for thought’, but the term a ‘Quality Cycle’ has suddenly taken on a whole new meaning! To conclude on the Metaphysics of Quality with a final quote from Pirsig: “What the “Metaphysics of Quality” does is take this separate category, “Quality”, and show how it contains within itself both subjects and objects. The Metaphysics of Quality would show how things become enormously more coherent--fabulously more coherent--when you start with an assumption that Quality is the primary empirical reality of the world.......” (Pirsig, Lila: An Inquiry into Morals, 1991, underlined my emphasis) “Quality is the primary empirical reality of the world” – wow, that’s pretty Zen, you tell ‘em Robert! These ideas suggest to me that in order to really experience and enjoy the ‘dynamic’ exhilaration of riding a motorcycle, it is also

necessary to understand and properly maintain your machine - to achieve an appropriate balance or blend! When the two dimension of what Pirsig calls ‘Quality’, the internal/ subjective and the external/objective, the ‘dynamic’ and the ‘static’ forms of Quality, become so fused because of their coherent interaction that they can no longer be easily distinguished from each other, then that brings motorcycling all together – I think that’s what Pirsig was really getting at!

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Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

Rob Carmichael (VJMC Member A2352) B I B L IO G R AP H Y Pirsig, Robert M. (1974). Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – An Inquiry into Values. Boadly Head, UK. Pirsig, Robert M. (1991). Lila: An Inquiry into Morals, Bantam, US.

If you are interested in picking up more information about Pirsig’s Metaphysics of Quality, you could start by visiting the following URL: http://www.moq.org/