G'day Group,

Welcome to the December AMC Group Enews.

 

AJS&MOC Aust Inc 2007 Downunder Jampot Rally.

Congratulations to the events host the Swan Hill Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club. Also to the Rally Director Peter Ninnis and his wife Lynda, not forgetting the Rally committee who all worked their backsides off to produce a magnificent and memorable three day event. The Saturday riders choice judging was held at the Swan Hill Historic Pioneer Settlement. This provided a fantastic setting for 100 plus vintage and classic motorcycles when lined up along the settlements main street boardwalk. The line up was made even more spectacular when realising that 90% of the motor cycles were of the AJS and Matchless marque. In all of the years that I have participated in the Downunder Jampot Rally I have not seen as many machines of the marque in one line. Thanks to an initiative by Peter Ninnis and help from David de Lapp three generations of direct descendants of (AJS) Joe Stevens were the guests of Honor at the presentation dinner. The great grandson of Joe Stevens Colin Stevens attended with his wife Meredeth, son's Justin and Lachlan along with daughter Brooke and her son's Toby and Fraser. Colin's mother could not make the trip, she is in her 90's and lives in Ballarat. The family brought a 1935 Stevens motorcycle with them still in original condition and two 1920's AJS machines. A second highlight of the presentation dinner was a talk given by an ex works six day trials rider Ozzie Les Sheean, giving details of his experience riding with Hugh Viney and Gordon Jackson and working at the Plumstead factory. It will be many a day before living history of this order is eclipsed.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my personal thank-you to the organising committee in general and Peter and Lynda Ninnis in particular for their magnificent 2007 Downunder Jampot Rally.

I have attached a copy of Colin Stevens history of Wolverhampton that he wrote for the 2007 DUJPR.

 

Melbourne AMC Goup Christmas Ride.

Once again Dennis Flynn and Norman Cranston have organised a Christmas holiday ride.

Start at Dennis' place Friday 28th December for tea and Bic's.

Time. 9:00 am for a 10:00 am start.

Venue. 4 Darinda Place, Wandin 3139.

Lunch. Strath Creek Pub.

BBQ at ride end, Dennis place BYO meat and drink, salad and light refreshment provided.

To assess numbers please contact Dennis tel 03 5964 3678. Norman tel 03 97951696.

Hope to see you there.

 

The Eastment Collection of Motorcycles.

Approximately 12 years ago I was fortunate to obtain a basket case 1937 AJS Model 2A V-twin which had plenty of parts missing. Not having any knowledge of this particular model I embarked upon a journey of discovery. A contact from Oak Flats NSW advised me to talk to Ron '' Taupy'' Eastment a well known Bathurst collector of British motorcycles who had a 1938 Model 2A. I was sad to learn that Ron had passed away but his wife was very generous and helpful passing me on to her son Scott who was kind enough to invite me to visit and inspect his fathers AJS.

 Scott made me very welcome and gave me a tour of his fathers collection, I thought that I had entered an Aladdin's Cave of historic British motorcycles.There were 60 odd motorcycles and crates of parts stored in sheds and shipping containers on the family concrete pumping business property. The collection encompassed just about every British motorcycle marque of the 1930's to the 1950's. It was breathtaking to see Raleigh, Triumph, Scott, Ariel, BSA, AJS, Matchless and other makes. Some machines were fully restored and some required restoration which did not take away the joy of seeing a magnificent collection of Vintage and Classic motorcycles in one place.

After the tour Scott used a fork lift to give me access to a second story shipping container which held crates of engines and parts of everything, the quantity and quality of the items took my breath away. One crate held heaps of AJS 2A parts and so my journey of collecting restoration data began. Four hours later I was lowered back to the real world with a pad full of sketches and two rolls of used film. Sadly Scott explained that none of the parts were for sale as the family had not yet taken an audit of the collection for the valuation of his fathers estate.

On a recent trip to Bathurst I took the opportunity to catch up with Scott from whom I learnt that that the bike collection was being held in trust by the  Bathurst Regional Council with plans to create a permanent display. All of the spares (approx ten ton ?)  had been purchased by Pete ''Cob'' Smith a well known personality in the historic motorcycle fraternity who plans to vend the parts on EBay.

Scott suggested that I contact the curator of the National Motor Racing Museum at Mount Panorama, to learn how the collection was to be displayed.. The curator was duly approached who confirmed that the collection was in storage with only a few of the bikes on display in the Racing Museum.

The curator recommended that I talk to the Bathurst Regional Council to learn more.

I was warmly welcomed by an official of the council and from a friendly informal chat l learnt that it was under consideration ( possibly a long term plan ? ) to add an extension to the Mt Panorama Museum which is council owned, to one day display the Eastment Collection.

An interesting point emerged from the discussion that the majority of visitors to the racing museum are motorcyclists.

I have attached a photo of one of the storage containers holding part of the collection.

 

AJS&MOC Aust Inc 2008 Harrietville Alpine Ride.

There will be no Alpine Ride in 2008. The ride is normally held over the second weekend in March. I am advised that the ride has been cancelled due to the Norton Owners Club holding their International Rally, part of which will be in Harrietville during this time. For info regarding the Norton International Rally contact phone  numbers are; 03 9687 2082 and 03 9723 4440, entry forms on www.victoria.nortonownersclub.org

 

To compensate for the cancellation of the Alpine Ride the AJS&MOC Aust Inc will be hosting a fun ride over the weekend 9th & 10th February 2008 at the fabulous Lake Hume Resort NSW. For details please phone George Clarke on 02 6025 3724 or Debbie Green on 03 5367 1799.

 

Melbourne Section of Matchless & AJS Enthusiast Group of Australia Meeting.

The sections next meeting will be on Wednesday 6th February 2008 at the Oakleigh Bowling Club, 87 - 93 Drummond St. For membership details please contact Bill Petrie, tel 03 9306 3356.

 

No Monkey Business in Frankston, Victoria. 

The Victorian Frankston City Council has recently amended its Local Law to allow an Authorised Officer to seize and impound illegally used monkey bikes, mini - bikes and trail bikes for at least six months for first offence and twelve months for second or similar offence. Before the owner can get the bike back they must pay a $200 fine, $250 release fee and a $300 holding fee. A second offence attracts a $500 fine, a $250 release fee and holding fee of $600. Unpaid fine result in the bikes being crushed. To - date almost 20 bike have been impounded.

 

Red Scarf Rally Kiama NSW 8th & 9th March 2008.

Due to the cancellation of the Harrietville Alpine Ride a number of AJS&MOC and M&AJSEGA members have opted to attend the Red Scarf Rally Kiama NSW which is the same weekend that the Harrietville Alpine Ride was traditionally held. For anyone wishing to attend this Rally please contact

Lloyd or Shirley Webb tel 02 4296 6768.

 

NSW Social Group.

Two AJS&MOC members have indicated that they will attempt to set up a social group of AMC enthusiasts in the Sydney area, more on this as info becomes available.

 

SKF Bearings.

The SKF Bearing Company have listed a web site www.skf.com./mount

which provides heaps of info on bearing type, method of mounting etc.

 

Please note; no details of a member is released unless explicit permission is received. This news letter is produced independent of any club or organisation. Should any member wish to have their address deleted please advise me.

 

 

 

 

      

Fraternally Yours,

David Baker.