BRANCH INFORMATION
BRANCH DETAILS
CLUBROOMS ‘TheGrove’-684KelvinGroveRoad,PalmerstonNorth
POSTAL ADDRESS P.O.Box385,PalmerstonNorth4440 EMAIL manawatu@vcc.org.nz
COMMITTEE MEETING
SecondWednesdayofeachmonthat‘TheGrove’.
CLUB NIGHT
ThirdWednesdayofeachmonth (exceptforJanuarywhennomeetingisheld) -meetfrom7.15pmat‘TheGrove’.Meetingsstartat7.30pm.
LIBRARY
Openbyarrangement -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
NOGGIN & NATTER
FirstTuesdayofeachmonth (exceptJanuary) at7.00pm atMurray’sIrishBar-Feilding.
PARTS SHED
Openfrom2pmonthefirstSundayofeachmonth (incl.January) orbyarrangement. -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
BOOKINGSFOR ‘THE GROVE’ VENUE
CanbemadethroughCreativeCatering,AwapuniRacecourse. -phone(06)3542780 or Email: info@creativecatering.co.nz
FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH: NovemberClubNight:CliffBennettdiscussinghisFordModelTwithmembers.
BACK COVER PHOTOGRAPH:
FromtheNovemberOvernighter:TheSchnell’sAlvisgoingthroughtheroadtunnel.
PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyRobertHeath, StewartBird,KevinBuck,DerekHaycock,LaurieCocker,BryanAbraham, AnneSchnellandCathyClements.
Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarilythose oftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.
THETOURER : NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.
10 Chairperson’sChat-EstherWilliams
11 Secretary’sScribbles-CathyClements
12
ClubCaptain’sRamble-DerekHaycock
14 PhotographsfromtheWoodenWheelWorkshopattheJensenFarm
17 ParagraphfromtheNovemberIssueofWheelTorque
18 PhotographsfromtheNovemberSundayJaunt-Woodville‘option’
20 PhotographsfromtheNovemberSundayJaunt-CoachHouse‘option’
22 ReportfromtheKapitiMid-weekruntoGreenhaughGardens
23 ReportontheWairarapaNovemberGoldMedalMotorCycleTrial
25 BackonTour-PhotographsfromLaurie&WendysQueenslandtrip
27 What’sHappeningintheSheds-DodgyBusiness
31 Reportonthe2024TararuaTrundle
32 HistoryoftheHondaSuperCub
32 HowtomakeLooseUpholsteryCoversforaCar
33 RallyReportontheManawatuBranchOvernighter
34 PhotographsfromtheManawatuBranchOvernighter
36 GlancingBackatEarlyIssuesofBeadedWheels-2003
39 PhotographsfromDecemberClubNight
41 RallyReportontheAucklandVCCMotorCycleRally 42 TourerTrader 44 WordSearch 45 TourerHumour
48 ManawatuBranchVeteranRally-EntryForm
49 ManawatuBranchRuahineRamble-EntryForm
50 2025HighlandFlingEntryForm
55 BranchCommitteeandAppointedPositions-2024/2025
CLOSING DATE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE TOURER - 20TH JANUARY 2025
Pleasesendyourcontributionsonrallyreports,yourmotoringstories,restorations, technicalreports,articles,photographsetc.,to:
TheEditor-email: bryabr8@gmail.com -orphone:(06)3584014
COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES
ManawatuBranch/LocalEvents
OtherVCCBranchesandNationalEvents,OtherClubs/Organisationsetc.
DECEMBER 2024
1st Sun SundayJauntfollowedbytheBranchChristmasParty&ServiceAwardsseepage5ofthisTourerandtheClubCaptainsRamble
1st Sun ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm
3rd Tue Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding NoLadiesFriendshipGroupMorningTeathismonth-seeSecretary’sScribbles
8th Sun FeildingChristmasCarnival&Parade-seepage5ofthisTourer
11th Wed WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage8ofthisTourer
18st Wed ClubNight-SocialEveningformembersandspouses/partners-BYO
JANUARY 2025
1st Wed TheAnnualLenHaycockNewYearDayPicnic
19th Sun 66th BurmaRally-seetheSupplementtothisTourer *
25>27th Sat>Mon 29th VCCNationalMotorcycleRally-seepage6ofthisTourer
25>26th Sat/Sun 71st Dunedin-BrightonVeteranRun-seetheSupplementtothisTourer *
FEBRUARY 2025
1st Sat EasternBOPEastCoastRally-seetheSupplementtothisTourer * 16th Sun ManawatuBranchVeteranRally-EntryFormpage47ofthisTourer
13>16th Thu/Sun ArtDeco-incl.theArtDecoRally-seetheSupplementtothisTourer * 22/23rd Sat/Sun ManawatuAGExpo2025-seetheSupplementtothisTourer *
MARCH 2025
8/9th Sat/Sun SouthWaikatoIrishWomen’sRally-seetheSupplementtothisTourer * 9th Sun ManawatuBranchRuahineRamble-EntryFormpage47ofthisTourer
APRIL 2025
11>18th Fri>Fri SouthIslandClubCaptain’sTour-seetheSupplementtothisTourer *
18>20th Fri>Sun WheelsatWanaka-seetheSupplementtothisTourer *
18>21st Fri>Mon 2025NorthIslandEasterRally -seetheSupplementtothisTourer *
25>27th Fri>Sun HighlandFling-EntryFormpage50ofthisTourer
* EVENTNOTICESFORNATIONALEVENTSWHICHHAVEBEENORGANISEDBYOTHER BRANCHES,EVENTSFOROTHERVCCBRANCHESANDEVENTSFOROTHER CLUBS&ORGANISATIONSETC.,HAVENOTBEENPUBLISHEDINTHISTOURER. AsupplementtotheTourerwhichincludesthesenoticeshasbeencompiledandhasbeen postedtoourbranchesOneDrivesite.Thelinktothesiteisbelow: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link
Exceptforformaleventsbringvehiclesthatyouarecomfortabledriving,althoughahistoricvehicleispreferred.
DECEMBER 2024 - 2.30 PM
MeetattheCoachHouseMuseumcarparkinFeildingat 2.30pmforourlastSundayJauntfortheyear-arunuptoCrossHill GardensjustoutofKimbolton.Afterexploringthegardens (andfindingyourwayoutofthemaze(shouldyouattemptit)), wewillheadbacktotheclubroomsforour BranchChristmasDinnerandServiceAwards. Thereisa$10perpersonentrychargeintothegardens.
WORKING BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS
2ND WEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH 11TH DECEMBER 2024 9.30 AM > 12 NOON
Weatherpermitting,thetreetrimmingwillcontinue.Ifyoucan,pleasebring alongsawsandchainsaws,andofcourse,trailersforfreefirewood.
Iftheweatherisfineandyouareunabletoorwouldrathernotassistwith thetreetrimming,thereisongoingtidyingupofthepropertyandgardening whichneedsattention.Pleasebringsomegardeningtoolsalong.
Iftheweatheriswet,workwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecanprogresswiththattask. Andofcourse,thereisthemorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.
AbigthankyoutotheeightmemberswhoturnedupandhelpedintheWorkingBeelastmonth.
LEN’SNEWYEAR DAYPICNIC
Wednesday 1st January2025
MeetatMtLees Reserve,NgaioRoad atabout11.30am Bringyourownfood anddrink
WELCOMETO NEW MEMBERS
TheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubispleasedtowelcomenewmembers:
BERNARDAND SARAH DENTON 1971VolkswagenSupertuneBuggy:1971TriumphHerald1360, 1965TriumphVitesse6:1984VolkswagenDaytonaBuggy
BARRYAND SHIRLEY MABEY 1980FordEscortGhia1.6
NORMA SHUTE
JUDY LEWELL
Welcometoourbranchandwelookforwardtoseeingyouatfutureclubactivities.
MANAWATU BRANCH NOTICES & INFORMATION
PRIVACY - TheDisseminationandStoringofBranchMembersIndividual PersonalInformation
TheBranchCommitteehasreviewedthewayweholdanddisseminateanyMembers informationinawaythatwedonotcontravenethePrivacyAct2020.Goingforward, ALL contactviaemailtoBranchmembers MUSTonlybedistributedbytheBranchSecretary NO membershouldbeholdinganyformofinformationrelatingtoanothermember,i.e.email addresses,withoutthepriorwrittenapprovalofthatsaidmember.
PleasecontinuetosendyoursubmissionforthemonthlyTourermagazinedirecttoBryan Abraham(Editor),hewillforwardthecompleteddocumenttometodistributefromtheemail listsuppliedmonthlyintheBranchReportsfromNationalOffice.AftertheTourerisemailed outallemailcontactinformationisremovedfromanyinternetcapabledeviceinaneffortto avoidhackingofBranchmemberspersonalinformation.
Formemberswishingtoshareanynotificationsofupcomingevents,pleasecontactthe BranchSecretaryinthefirstinstancetoenabletheCommitteetosanctionanyoutgoing informationfromtheBranch.
CATHYCLEMENTS
BranchSecretary ManawatuVCC
EARLIERISSUESOFTHETOURER&SUPPLEMENTSTOTHETOURERAREAVAILABLEONLINE
Cutandpastethelinkbelowtoyourbrowser:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link Useyoursmartphone,tabletorcomputertoseecurrentNewslettersfromotherVCCBranches onlineandtocheckoutwhatactivitiesareoninthosebranches.
Goto www.vcc.org.nz thengoto BranchNewsletters
NAME BADGES
NEW MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoorganisetocollecttheirfreebadge.
EXISTING MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoarrangeareplacementforalostor damagedbadge-atcost.
IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR VEHICLE DISPLAYED IN THE CLUBROOMS ?
IFNOT, PLEASEHAVEATALKTO ROBERT WILSONATCLUBNIGHT.
Photoframesareonhand-wejustneedthephotographs-whetheritbeofyourvehiclein original,restored,orunrestoredcondition.
TogetyourvehicledisplayedintheClubroomsallRobertneedsfromyouisaphotographof yourvehicleinlandscapelayout.
Thephotographneedstohaveapictureviewareaof16 cmwidex11 cmhigh-meaning thattheimageofthevehicleneedstofitintothatgivensize,althoughtofittheframes,the photographsizewillneedtobealittlelarger(i.e.18 cmx13 cm(5x7inches)).
HiEveryone,
CHAIRPERSON’S CHAT - ESTHER WILLIAMS
Again,theweatherisnotplayingballasonedayishotandthenext itisbacktowinter.IhopeitwillstarttosettledownforDecember andJanuary.
Onthe9th ofNovembertheLadiesFellowshipwentforcoffeeanda lookthroughtheChristmasBarnthenontolunchinFeilding.We couldhavecomehomewithalotofChristmasgoodiesandgreat ideasfordecoratingthehouseforChristmas.Thiswasourlast LadiesFellowshipforthisyearandwillstartupnextyearwithalotofdifferentthingstodo. OnthesamedaysomememberswenttotheWoodenWheelDayattheJensenFarminApiti tolearnhowtomakewoodenwheelsfortheircars.Itsoundsliketheyhadagoodtime.
OnclubNightCliffbroughthiscaralong-aModelTFord.Itwasareallygreattalkonhow hegotthecarandallthetripshehasdonearoundNewZealand.Hehadphotosandbooks toshowus.HethenexplainedhowyoudriveaModelTandthenwewentouttolookatthe car.ThankyouCliff.ItwasaninformativetalkonthecarandIdon’tthinkIwouldliketo driveaModelT.
Aswearehavingalargemotorcyclerallyatourbranchonthe24th January2025foraweek wearelookingforhelpeitherwiththerallyortohelpfeedeveryone. IfyoucanhelppleaseringoremaileitherGlynorCathy.Thisisonewaywecanallcome togethertoshowthehospitalityofourManawatuBranch.
Staysafeandgoodmotoring
Esther
HiEveryone,
Wefindourselvessayingitregularlythroughouttheyear.“I don’tknowwherethisweek...month...yearhasgone!”.This yearisnodifferent,itistrulyflyingby!Forthosewhoarestill atworkduringthistime,theupcomingChristmasbreak presentsagreatopportunitytositback,takestock...Breathe! Hopefullyyouwillhavesomesparetimeonyourhandstoget loadsdone,withouttheconstantinterruptions!It’salsoniceto treatyourselftoaswankynew2025diary(ifyouhaven’t alreadydoneso!).Therearesomelovelyonesoutthere-I’m alreadysettingupmineforJanuary-acaseof“havingto”-Glynhasahugewall planneronhisdeskandifIdon’tcomparehisdiarywithminethenwehave significantissues!ThelastfewmonthsIaskedhimifwehadaweekendspareonhis calendarandIwasinformedthateverythingwasbookedfor12weekendsstraightWhat!I’veonlygot2moreweekendstosurviveandthenImighthaveabreak! ManythankstoourLadieswhojoinedEstherandmyselfattheChristmasBarnearlier inthemonth.IwouldalsoliketothankJulieRiepenandJayneOliverwhodrovefrom Levin(HorowhenuaBranch)tojoinus.WeappreciateyoursupportLadiesandlook forwardtovisitingyourbranchwhenyouhaveyourgroupupandrunning.Morning Teawasno.1itemontheAgendaandthenabrowse(andabitofaspend!). Christmaswasinfullforceandthereweresomanylovely“bargains”tobehad!Now it'sjusthidingthosepurchasesuntilChristmas!
ThereisnoLadiesFriendshipGroupMorningTeaforDecemberastheChristmasParty isonSunday1st.EstherandIarebusybehindthescenesorganisingan“Inter-Branch LadiesDay”forSaturday1stFebruary2025,atourClubRooms.Aninvitationwillbe extendedtoallneighbouringbranches(CentralHawkesBay,Whanganui,Horowhenua, Wairarapa,Wellington)tocomealongandjoinus.Detailswillbesentoutshortly,so pleasemarkthedateonyourcalendars!
NATIONALMOTORCYCLERALLY-JANUARY2025
Entrieshavenowclosedwithapleasingnumberofentrantsat130.Wehave90 motorcyclistsstayingonfortheAfterRallyTourstoenjoyourroadsandBranch hospitality.
WestillneedMarshalls fortheGymkhanaattheBlackBarn,AshhurstonSunday26th January2025!Ifyoucanspareafewhoursitwouldbemuchappreciated.Pleasecontact Glynat cbz1@xtra.co.nz orgivehimacallon02108334081.
LookingforwardtoseeingyouallattheChristmasPartyandCelebrationsforour50th, 60thand25YearMembershipPresentationsonSunday1stDecember.
OurNationalOfficeManagementRepresentativeawardingthebadgesthisyearisNeil Beckingham,joinedbyhiswifeJayne.I’msureyouwillalljoinwithmeinmaking thembothfeelverywelcomeinourBranch.
“Christmasisn’tjustaday,it’saframeofmind.”-Miracleon34thStreet(1947)
Cheers
Therewasasmallbutenthusiasticgroupthatventuredoverto WoodvillefortheMadHattersDay.
Itwasgreattoseesomanypeoplegettingintothespiritofthe eventandplentyofdifferentthingstolookatwithsomeverynice foodstandsthrownintocompletetheday.
Astheendof2024ischargingtowardsusatahugerateofknots thereisafairamountofeventsrapidlyapproaching!!
ThebranchChristmasDinnerandserviceawardsareonthefirstof DecemberandalsocoincideswithournormalSundayjauntday,theladieshaveaskedmeto putaruntogethersowearrivebackattheclubroomsnoearlierthan5:30.SoIhaveputa shortruntogethertoheaduptoCrossHillsgardensjustoutofKimboltonandIhavetoadmit I’veactuallyneverbeeninthere!!
Thegardenscloseat5pmsowewilltravelprettymuchstraightbacktotheclubroomsfora 5:30start.
TheannualLenHaycockNewYearDaypicnicwillbeatMtLeesReserveonNgaioRoad pleasemeettherefrom11:30forarelaxingwaytostart2025.
NextupinJanuaryistheNationalMotorcyclerally.Glynandhisverycapablecrewhavethis eventwellinhand.
OnasmallerscaleinFebruaryistheBranch’sVeteranandTwoWheelbrakerallyandasusual thiswillinvolvemorelookingandtalkingthandrivingtocreatearelaxeddayforallwithmy traditionalBBQtofinishthedayoff.
The2025HighlandFlingistakingshapewithareconnaissancerundoneonthe17thof Novemberandwhatafantasticrunwehaveinstorefornextyear’sentrants.
LastmonththeFamilyandIwenttoAussieforeightdaysandthemotoringhighlightwas goingforarideintheonlysurvivingoriginal1932ChevroletMoonlightSpeedster. ThesewereaFactorybuiltspeedstercopiedfromtheVauxhallHurlingham.
SafeMotoring
DerekHaycock
1932ChevroletMoonlight Speedster
W
- ATTHE JENSEN FARMON 9TH NOVEMBER 2024
CaptionsandphotographscontributedbyRobertHeath
VisitorsfromWanganui,Hawkes Bay,WellingtonandManawatuVCC werepresenthavingbeeninvitedby theCentralHawkesBayBranchto jointheirWoodenWheelDay.
VernJensenexplainingthebending processwithcoldwaterabouttobe pouredontothehottimberinthejigto setitsshape.
Wirestrainertokeepthepressureonthe moulduntilcooled.
Hickoryforthewoodenwheelsleaning againsttheshed.
Steamingtankofhotwatertosoftenthe timberpriortobending.
Timingandtemperaturecritical.
Vernandhiswifeclampingthealready benthickoryintothevehiclerimofthe correctdiameter.
Pouringcoldwatertosetthebent timbershapebeforereleasingfrom thejigmould.
Steelrimofthecorrectdiameterand Gclampsawaitingthebenttimber fromthebendingjig.
Applyingtensionviathewirestrainer whilsttimbercoolsintonewshapeon thejig.
SOME ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS
- FROMTHE OUTINGTO VERN JENSEN’S WOODEN WHEEL DAY
TOTHE WOODVILLE MAD HATTERS STEAM PUNK DAY
ABOVELEFT:ADemonstrationofGearing(Meccano)
BELOW:SomeoftheOutdoor‘Toys’.Notethespeedboatname– Cost-a-Lott,andbottomleft, someofourmember’sclubcars.Asourcarswerenotthereasanexhibitandthosewho attendeddidsoasvisitors,notallclubcarsthatattendedwereparkedtogether.
GREENHAUGH GARDENS - PALMERSTON NORTH
OnWednesday30October thirty-twoVVCmembersfrom Horowhenua,Manawatuand Wellingtonbranchesvisited GreenhaughGardensin Whakarongojusteastof PalmerstonNorth.
Unfortunately,theweather wasn’tkindandheavyrain dampenedbutdidn’tspoilour visit.GreenhaughGardens, ownedbyLynneAtkins,have beendevelopedbyherover thepast40yearsand surroundacolonialhomesteadbuiltin1874(theoldesthomeinPalmerstonNorth). Thegardenshaveavarietyofmaturetreesandfloweringshrubs.Manyflowerswereinfull bloom.
ThevisitbeganwithBYOmorningteainadelightfulroomcalledtheGiraffeHouse,named afterthesculpturedgiraffesinthegarden.LynnegaveusatalkonthehistoryofGreenhaugh Gardensandtheimmaculate1874homethatwasinherhusband’sfamilyformanyyears. Betweentheshowers(andacoupleofdownpours)memberswereabletoenjoywhatisa superbshowofnature’sbestflowersandbeautifultrees.
FollowingthestrollthroughthegardensitwasbacktotheGiraffeHouseforlunch.Aftera leisurelylunchitwastimetoreturnhome.Onthewayhomethecloudsdisappeared,andthe sunshonebrightly.Pitythatdidn’thappenwhenwewereatGreenhaugh.However,there is something about roses especiallywhenraindrops areonthepetals!
Therearemanyplacesto picnic,andsomespecial plantsandbulbsarefor sale.
GreenhaughGardensiswell worthavisit.
Itislocated at914Napier Rd,Whakarongo, PalmerstonNorth.
REPORTONTHE WAIRARAPA VCC 41ST GOLD MEDAL
TwomembersfromourManawatuVCCDaveRobinsonandRobertHeathventuredto ClarevillenorthofCartertoninmistandraintotheWairarapaVCCClarevilleClubrooms.On thewayinsemiconvoyImetmybrotherVerdonHstoppedonthePahiatuaTrackasatree hadfallenstraightinfrontofhimblockingthewholeroad.Withabitofbranchbreakingand drivingonthegrassvergewemanagedtocontinueonourjourneytothestartpoint9.15a.m. Therallywasdividedintoeitherlong(80miles)orshort(60miles)routes. Atenrolmentweallhadselectedspeedsbetween25-30mphaveragespeedor31-40mph andonreceivingtheroutesheetswereallocatedaspeedwithinourpreselectedrange.
Atthestartweweresentoffat1minuteintervalsbutinamixtureofcompetitorstakingshort andlongroutesandspeedranges,resultinginnofollowingtheriderinfrontastheywereon adifferentav.speedandroute.Notseeingorcatchinguporbeingpassedbyother competitorsuntilconvergingnearthelunchstop.
Agoodcrosssectionofbikes:eg.BSA,Triumph,Velocette,Zundapp,MZ,Honda,Suzuki, Indian,BMWofnumerousagesandcapacities.
ThetimedlongrouteleadfromtheclubroomstoDalefield,Papawai,outskirtsof Martinborough,nexttothestopbanksoftheRuamahungaRiver,Kahutara,thenviewsofthe WesternLakeWairarapa,tolunchatendofthetimedsectioninFeatherston.
AfterlunchfromthefuelstopatFeatherstonontoMorrisonsBush,thebackstreetsof Greytown,SH2intoKokotau,CartersLineandbacktoClubroomsforprizegivingandloading upforjourneyhome.
Theroadswereingoodcondition,someuseofmetalroadsforbothroutesandtheminimum ofSH2&SH53meanttrafficwaslessandgoodridingconditionsprevailed,especiallyasthe weatherimprovedbutallhadexperiencedcoolandstrongsoutherlywindsinthemorningrun. RouteinstructionsweresometimeschallengingwhendefinitionofaTintersectionandacross roadcausedmetogooffcourseandanoexitroadbeingusedbeingcontrarytothebriefing. Rallyrouteplanningviaamapalwaysneedsindependentcheckingbyridingordrivingasto therealityoftherouteandsignagevisibilitywhentravellingonthecorrectroute.
TheMedalswerepresentedforthedifferentVCCcategorieswithOverallwinnerandShield holderbeingDaveHendonfromtheWanganuiClub.Wellington,Horowhenua,Manawatuand HawkesBayVCCclubsparticipated.
AreminderaboutNationalMCRallyhostedbyourclubindicatedsomehadalreadyenrolled andfoundaccommodationforthefollowononedaytourruns. Nextyearhopefullybetterweather.
BACKON TOURIN AUSTRALIA - 2024
WITH LAURIEAND WENDY COCKER : PART 2
InthisissuewehavesomemorephotographsfromtheQueenslandBranchoftheAustralianVeteranCarClub 2024TourwhichhavekindlybeensharedwithusbyLaurieandWendyfromtheirrecenttimeoverthere.
BACK ON TOUR IN AUSTRALIA WITH LAURIE AND WENDY: C
AfterthefirstlongrunIdidontheDodgesome22yearsagoIliftedthecylinderheadto inspectthevalvesandfoundthatoneoftheoldexhaustvalveshadsplitdownthemiddleof itshead,clearlythecombustiongaswasslackingoffoutoftheexhaustpipebeforebothering todoanywork,thiswasnoton!Asaresult,offendingarticlewasfiredoffthejobalongwith allofitsinferiormatesandanicenewsetofstainlessvalvesfitted.
Fastforwardtothehighlandflingrally(wellreallyitwasaslowforward)andIwasnothappy withDodgy,nowgettingonfor101yearsold.Thingsseemedevenworsesomemonthslater forthevintageonlyrallywhenaChrysler,aChryslerforgodssake,wasclearlyfasterthanme upthesaddleroad.Somethinghadtobedone.
Acompressiontest…..ohdear5psion1,50psion2,50psian3andoh-oh5psion4. Halfthecylindersasleeponthejob,it’sawonderweevengotupthesaddleroad.Well,that meantonlyonepossibleoutcome…“Offwithitshead”..asthequeenofheartssaid. Thatturnedouttobeeasiersaidthandone.Ihadvagueideasofwhippingtheheadoffand savingtheheadgasket,thatdidnothappen.Ittookme5hourssomeunprintablemumbling andalotifsweatandhammeringtofinallyliftthehead.Afterwards,theconditionofthe gasket,wastoputitmildly…tatty.
Allwasthenrevealed,2badlyburned-outvalvesohbother!butthevalveseatswerein reasonablecondition,ohjoy.So,whatcausedthis?
Isuspectthatitwas2things,onewasthehigherexpansioncoefficientofthestainless-steel valvestemscomparedwiththeoriginalsandsecondlythecloseclearancesoftheinletvalves (2thou)andexhaustvalves(4thou)recommendedintheDodgeservicemanualsthatIused. Ihavesincesettheinletsto6thouandexhaustto8thouonLenHaycocksexperienced suggestion.
FIGURE1: ATattyheadgasket
FIGURE2: Ontheleftagoodun,ontherightoneofthebaduns.
Toremovethevalves,IhadtoadaptanoldvalvelifterIhadtothelargediametersprings usedintheDodge,thistookabitofeffortbutintheendthevalvescameoutwithouttoo muchtrouble.
FIGURE3: Thevalvelifter,valve,collet,retainerpinandspring
Now,wheretogetparts.Thefirstportofcallforuseablesecond-handvalveswasJohn CallesenatDodgecity,nothinguseabletheresonextontoBruceArdell.Bruceisanexcellent sourceofoldcarparts,thoughhehadonlyoneDodgevalve.However,hecouldsupply2 oversizestainlesssteelvalveblankswith3/8stems.Icutthevalvestolengthandthen machinedtheheadstosizeandcuttheseatsto45degrees.Forgoodmeasure,Ialso
machinedtheseatsonthetwoundamagedexhaustvalvesIwasrefittingandhadthecylinder headsurfacedatMotorMachinists.
Thenitwasontogrindingthevalves,firstwithcoarse,thenfinecarborundumpasteanda classicsuctioncupgrindingtool.Eventuallypitswereremovedandthevalvesshowedanice evenfinegreytextureontheseats,allgood.Cleanoffallthegrindingpaste,oilup everything,getthevalvespringcompressoroutagainandfiteverythingtogether.
BeforeinstallingtheheadgasketIsprayedbothsideswithcoppergasketcompoundand smearedathinlayerofgreysiliconRTVaroundthewaterpassagesbetweenblockandhead. Theheadnutsweretightenedinseveralstagesto55ft/lbsandleftthemovernightbefore retighteningagainto55.
Thendownonthekneestocarefullysetthevalveclearances.I’ddecidedontheincreased clearancesbythistime,buthowtosetclearances.Thebookrecommendedsettingthevalve clearanceshotwhiletheenginewasrunning.Ohno!Itriedthatonceortwiceandtheidiocy oftryingtomanipulate3spannersandafeelergaugemillimetresfromaveryhotexhaust manifoldandthedistributorwhilethespannersandfeelergaugeswereallfruggingupand downintimewiththevalve,rapidlybecameevident.
FIGURE4: Morehandsneededforadjustingvalveclearance.
AfterrecoveringfromseconddegreeburnsandabaddoseoffrustrationIdecided‘never again’.So,Isetthevalvescoldandthenrantheenginefor15orsominutes,lettheengine cooltoareasonabletemperatureandresetthevalvesandretightenedthehead.
Therewaslittlechangeinthevalveclearance,buttheheadboltsweredowntoabout20 ft/lbsbeforeretorqueing.Sincetheheadgasketisoneofthecopper(asbestos??) sandwiches,I’vefoundtheydoneeda lot oftighteningafterinstallationtopreventleakage. Compressionisnowaround50psionallcylindersandWOW!whataboostinperformance,it driveslikeadifferentcar.Giventhestateoftheengine“before”thisisnotunexpectedbut stillitwasaverysatisfyingresultforafewdayswork.Italsoshowswhatakeenamateur candowithabitofpatience,abitofreadingandsomehelpfromblokesintheknow.
FIGURE5: Readytoreassemble,hopefullyajobwelldone!
2024 TARARUA TRUNDLE REPORT - ALLAN HARDACRE
CongratulationstotheManawatumemberswhoscoredwellattheTararuaTrundleorganized byGregandJaneOliveroftheHorowhenuabranchoftheVCConthe13th ofNovember.
Truetoformforthe TararuaTrundleit rainedsolidly throughouttherun throughbackroadsto Foxton,inspiringthe driverstothinkofthis Tramperspoem inspiredbythe weatherontheWest Coast.
Therallywasabusy mixofatimetrial,a tulipdiagramand straight-linenavigation sectionsoftheroad alongwithvarious questionstobe answeredandsilent checkstobefound. Neitherthis,northe rain,fazedour championrallyersof Annette,navigatorand Kenpilotinthe Hillman,theywonfirst prizeforthepostwar classwhileGlyn Clementsandhis navigatorachieved2nd inthepost60class.
Reportcontributedby AllanHardacre
HISTORYOFTHE HONDA SUPER CUB
HOWIT CONQUEREDTHEWORLDWITHTWOWHEELS
Abridgedfrom
Withmorethan100millionsold,Honda'sworld-famousCubs - andtheirmanyspinoffs - have outsoldtheBeetle,Corolla,andF-150combined.
Overthespanof65years,Volkswagenbuiltmorethan23millionair-cooledBeetles.Since 1977,theFordF-Serieshasbeenthebest-sellingpickuptruckintheUS,with40million produced.Asanameplate,Toyota'smovedmorethan43millionCorollasover11 generations. Withallduerespect,thosearerookienumbers.
SayhellotoHonda'sSuperCub,championof thecombustion-enginelandscape.Wellover 100millionSuperCubshavebeensold worldwide,makingitthemostwidely producedgasoline-poweredconveyanceon theplanet.It'savehiclethatputSouthAsia onwheelsandwasAmerica'sfirsthandshake withaHonda.Since1958,thislittle motorcyclehasseemedanimmortalpartof theHondastory,deckedoutincorporatered andwhitepaint,lookinglikesomething Santa'selveswouldridearoundtheshop.
ButasofMay2025,Hondaiskillingoffthe50ccSuperCubforitshomemarket.Nolongera ubiquitousfeatureoflifeinJapan,ithasbeenlargelysupplantedbyelectricbikesand scooters.It’salsoonthechoppingblockbecauseofthecurrentmodel'sinabilitytohit emissionstargets.Itistheendofanera.
HOWTOMAKE LOOSE UPHOLSTERY COVERSFORA CAR
RecentlyforwardedtotheEditorwasanarticlefrom theNewnes’HomeMechaniccompendium.
Thearticlegivesinstructionsonnotonlymaterials, patterns,pipingandsewingforseatcovers,but includessectionsoncoveringdoorcards.
Ratherthanpublishingthecompletearticleinthis Tourer,asupplementtotheTourerhasbeencompiled fromtherelevantpagesandithasbeenpostedtoour branchesOneDrivesite.
Thelinktothesiteisbelow:
ArticlecontributedbyRobertHeath
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link
AmodernSuperCub
- 16/17TH NOVEMBER
17Members(in8cars)metattheFeildingTownSquareforthestartofourannual OvernightertriptoTaranaki.KenandAnnette(intheHumber80)startedthedaywellby runningoutoffuelbeforetheyhadevenstarted!
InstructionOne-HeadWestonManchesterStreet-SoChrisandJudy(intheTriumphTR7) headedNorthonKimboltonRoad!Notaveryauspiciousstart.Therainsetinandby TurakinatheTR7wipermotorpackedasad,andChrisandJudyheadedbacktoColytonto collecthismodern.
AbitofabackwayintoWhanganuiviaOkoiatojoinSH4justnorthofthecitybeforewe arrivedattheWhanganuiVCCClubrooms,andjustthespottohaveourpicniclunch.Dale WhittakerofWhanganuiBranchVCChadtheclubroomssetoutwithcomplimentaryteaand coffee,plustwovarietiesoffreshscones!Whatatreat,andmanythankstoDaleandalsoto AnnBernsteinforgoingtheextramile.VerymuchappreciatedLadies.
AfterlunchweleftWhanganuiviaBrunswickRoadtocomeoutonSH3NorthofKaiIwi.From thereitwasmainroadmotoringforawhileuntilturninginlandatMokoiatocomeintheback waytotheTawhitiMuseumjustoutofHawera.Tomymind,oneofthebestMuseumsinthe countrybutbecausewehadallbeenthroughitbeforewedecidedtojustenjoytheirCafe beforeheadingonthefinallegtoStratfordforthenight.
Bagsunpackedanditwastimefor“HappyHour”(ortwo)intheClements’unit.Itwas toocoldtoenjoytheoutsidetableareaso17peoplefittedsnuglyintoourunit.Wine, food,storytelling,andraucouslaughterwasthetonesetfortheevening! Whatgoeson Tour,staysonTour!
Thenextmorningdawnedwithnotacloudintheskyandanuninterruptedviewofthe mountain.TheRobbie/ReidTeamintheMarkIVZephyrhadexperiencedbatteryissuesthe daybeforesoboughtanewbatteryinWhanganui,butongoingtofititlaterattheMotel founditwastoowideforthebatterybox.Aquickpushstartfromagroupofusgotthem going(theyhadthechancelaterinthedaytoexchangeitwhenbackinWhanganui).
Itwasabeautifuldaytomotor,withthefirststopbeingtheWhangamomonaPub.Tooearly forbeers,butgreatcoffeeandsconestohavewhilewatchingthelast20minutesoftheAll Blacks/FrenchTest(Nocomment!).Northwardandareallyenjoyabledrive.Mostoftheroad isnowsealedwithonlya3kmstretchinthemiddletodowhichisbeingworkedonnow. TaumarunuiforlunchatalocalCafeandthenitwasprettymuchSH4backtoWhanganui. AtNationalParktheRobbie/ReidTeamhadoverheatingissuesbutalocal“Cockie”sawtheir plightandcametotherescue.Theymotoredonandmadetherendezvouspointat Upokongaroalittlelaterthantheothers.Fromthereitwashomewardbound.Wepickedup ourdogattheKennelsandbackintoFeildingTownSquaretorecordtheroundtripmileage at374miles.
Thankstoallwhojoinedus.Itwasanexcellentweekend!NextYear??-Watchthis space!Cheers
GlynandCath
Onthebackcover ofthisTourerthere isaphotograph takenfromthe Alvisasitpassed throughthetunnel.
GLANCING BACKAT EARLY ISSUESOF BEADED WHEELS
SNIPPETS
FROM 2003 - MAGAZINE N
ABOVE: IdleTorquefromtheFeb/Mch2003issue
RIGHT: IdleTorquefromtheApr/May2003issue
NEXTTWOPAGES: 2003RuahineRamblereportfrom theJune/Julyissue(issue263)oftheBeadedWheels.
UMBERS
259 > 264
PHOTOGRAPHS - F
ForDecemberclubnightCliffBennett boughthis1926FordModelTUtility alongandspokeabouthisintroduction toit,acquiringthecar,andsomeof theimprovementsthathehasmadeto itwithModelT‘upgrades’.
Hetalkedaboutthetechniqueusedto driveaModelT,someofhistripsinit, andmaintenancethathehasneededto dotoittokeepitontheroad.
Membersthenmovedintothemainhall toviewthecarwheremorequestions wereaskedandanswered.
RALLY REPORT -
CAR CLUB MOTOR CYCLE RALLY - 23RD NOVEMBER 2024
ArticlecontributedbyRobertHeath
Joiningtheother42entrantswasabitofachallengewithroad closuresupthemiddleofthecountrysoalternativeroutevia Taumaranui,Otorohanga,SH39viaPirongiatoNgaruawahiato Auckland.
MeetandGreetatAucklandClubroomsinPenroseonFridaynight withapie&pudmealallowedtimetobrowsetheirwallphoto gallery.WespottedKenandAnnetteFoot’sHillmanMinxon display.
Lastyear’sAucklandClubwinnerandthisyear’sorganizerMartinSpicerhadtheStartpoint fromRamaranaHallonSaturdaymorningthatrequiredwetweathergearwithcloud,drizzle anddecentrainintheafternoon.Straightaheadrule(SAH)andnoridingofnoexitroads applied.
ThetimedmorningroutehadusongoodsurfacecountryroadsoftheBombayHillspassing throughArarimu,Paparata,Mangatawhiri,Miranda,alongtheFirthofThamesEastcoastroad, inlandtoOkaeriaandlunchstopatWaerangiSchoolwhereweenjoyedagoodmealspread. TheSidecarcombinationcompetitorsthengavetheschoolkids,plusafewadults,rides aroundtheplayingfields.
Thegatheringofcompetitorsallowedatlunchtimetolookatandinspectthevarietiesofbikes fromAJS,Ariel,BSA,BMW,Douglas,HarleyDavison,Honda,Indian,Jawa,Matchless,MZ, Norton,PantherRoyalEnfield,Triumph,Velocette,Vincent,Yamaha.Someimmaculateand otherswithPatina.
TheafternoonruncoveredTeKawhata(fuelstop),Tuakau,WaiukuwithavisittotheKnight andDickeytruckMuseum.Returnjourneyovergreatroadscompletewithonionsmellson thenorthernoutskirtsofPukekohe,TuhimataandKernroadsandbacktoRamaramaHall. Totalforthosewhodidnotgetlostwas220k.m.
SomeridersgotlostwithSAHruleandsomeofusmissedthemetalroadbutweallenjoyed theevent.
BeforedinnerattheAucklandClubroomswehadaconductedtourthroughtheirlibraryand wellpresentedPartssheds,inspectedtheClubsRenaultCharabacallpolishedupforAuckland XmasParade,plusthedungeonpartsshedundertheClubroomsfoundationswithaselection ofmotorcyclespares.
CompetitorshadcomefromHorowhenua,Manawatu,Waikato,EasternBayofPlenty, Rotorua,Auckland,Wellsford,andNorthlandVCCBrancheswhothenenjoyedanearlyXmas Dinnerfollowedbythepresentationofprizes.Therecipientswereawardedcertificates, trophiesfromtheAVVCCBranchChairShaaranPriceviaresultandeventSecretaryJeremy Lambertfori.e.eachclass,oldestbike,furthestdistance,sidecarcombinationsandwinnersin eachbrand,plustailendCharliepickupservice,caterersandeventorganizerMartinSpicer. TheoverallwinnerwasDavideMayhewonhis1956DouglasDragonflyfromRotorua. ThehighestplacedAucklandClubmemberRoryKingisnextyear’sorganizerandtherallywill bebasedontheAucklandNorthShore.
LEFT:Overallwinnerand oldestcompetitorDavide Mayhew1956Douglas Dragonflyreadyforthetrip hometoRotorua.
WANTED :
TOURER TRADER - BUY, SELL & EXCHANGE
Arequestfromoneofourmembers:
WearemovingbacktoPNandarelookingforstorageforour ModelA-forabout6-8monthswhileourhouseisbeingbuilt. Alsolookingtorent,aOne,TwoorThreeBedroomhousefor aboutthesamelengthoftime.
Manythanks
PaulandRewaRobert Ph0273917925-063687150 (aLevinnumber) -Email: p.robert@inspire.net.nz
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BRANCH COMMITTEE
Chair EstherWilliams e _williams@xtra.co.nz 0272437275
Vice Chair CliffBennett(Jenny) cliffbennett@xtra.co.nz 063563383 : 0212837088
Secretary CathyClements(Glyn)
cathyclements5@gmail.com 063285979 : 0272862927
Treasurer Ken Foot (Annette) kafoot@outlook.com 0212427882
Club Captain DerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056
Committee Member Annette Foot (Ken) kafoot@outlook.com 0272107532
Committee Member TomGilchrist tomsdgilchrist@gmail.com 0274403346
Committee Member ErrolGray(Ann) errans255@gmail.com 0275564176
Committee Member JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
Committee Member VivienneReid(Owen) owenhome@xtra.co.nz 0211713148
MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBER: -GaryMillar
APPOINTED POSITIONS
Custodian & Librarian
GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298
Delegate DerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056
Editor (Tourer)
ID Card Advisor
ID Card Advisor
Idle Torque (BeadedWheels) Scribe
BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014
JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
DerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056
BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014
Parts Shed GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298
Privacy Officer CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 063285979 : 0272862927
Swapmeet Coordinator JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
Assistant Swapmeet Coordinator Positioncurrentlyvacant
New Member Liaison Welfare Annette Foot (Ken) kafoot@outlook.com 0272107532
Committee Members
