Canterbury Motorcycle Museum Tour
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(See Photos Here) |
Canterbury TOMCC was very lucky to be invited to a locally owned Motorcycle museum that is run by John Howard and his brother Muzza. Unfortunately John is closing the museum in several weeks and is letting go of some of his prized bikes and motoring memobelia. John and Muzza also have 60 odd bikes still based in the US so there is hope yet they maybe one day repatriated back to NZ and put on local display. On display were many bikes that have to this day never been ridden, the others with next to no mileage. |
I noticed a 1979 Bonneville still with the packing around it also a 1968 Bonneville TT Special that has never been ridden and a 1977 Jubilee with 7km on the clock. Also hidden away was a 1977 Electra Glide still in its original packing case with boards around it. There was a 1970’s 850 Norton Commando that has never even had petrol in the tank. There also the beautiful, Excelsior’s, Velocette, Scott TT racers and Indians the Harleys one in particular a 1936 model with aluminium heads, which was one of only 150 ever made.
The Vincent Black Knight oh yeah and the 1918 Excelsior with sidecar that John started up for all those present. Great stuff I could rabbit on like a kid in a candy store for hours about all the bikes that included TT racers and Speedway bikes but will let some of the attached photo’s do the talking for me. Judging by the smiles and looks on other members faces they were very impressed also with not only the museum but the enthusiasm that John showed when guiding us around, his love of the bikes and their history is only to obvious.
It is the little things also in the collection that greatly impressed me, were do you see old engines still in their packing cases these days. If it were not for guys like John and Muzza collecting and preserving these bikes and the memobilia then a lot of our motorcycle history would have been lost for the future generations such as my sons and mine from ever seeing these pearls. |
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Whitebait Run, Westport, November 13th, 14th and 15th |
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(See Photos here)
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This Years whitebait run was another excellent weekend enjoyed by all. Many thanks to Ken Forsyth for arranging accommodation at his brother in law Barry's McManus hotel in Westport for our 2 night stay. Also for arranging and cooking a fine whitebait meal on the Saturday that was very much appreciated. |
Friday mornings weather report predicted a huge short sharp southerly front to come through mid-morning so some members decided to take off a bit earlier than was planned and to meet the other members leaving the Yaldhurst hotel at 10am at Jacksons. I was one of the members who chose to leave 45 minutes earlier and by all accounts I missed a massive wind which struck round 10am in the morning just as members headed up the old west coast road. Apparently one large tree was uprooted but after a while the winds died down to a more acceptable level and everyone made it through to Jacksons OK. We had the first of our 5 poker hands dealt to us at Jacksons and the next stop was the Bucks Head hotel in Taylorsville, followed by the Punakaiki hotel and fourth pub visit on the list was the Omau hotel with publican Derrick.
The weather was patchy rain which we somehow seemed to miss for our entire ride over from Christchurch and we arrived at Westport at 5pm and arranged our lodgings. A plug here for the McManus hotel which was very clean with all rooms having on-suites. The Saturday was a free day and we all took Kens trip up to Denniston to learn a bit about it's history as a coal mine. Ken having worked at Denniston had a huge wealth of knowledge and the trip was much appreciated by everyone. It's been 4 or 5 years since I have been to Denniston and it is great to see the local enthusiasts there rebuilding the old railway lines.
After Denniston we headed off to Mokihinui for a relaxing 45 minutes at the local before heading back via Ngakawau where we had lunch. After a very relaxing hour and a half we headed back to Westport to relax for several hours before we all spent an excellent evening dining at the Denniston Dog. Sundays ride home was wet through to Reefton but once out of Maruia Springs the weather warmed up and we were soon dry again with the warm Norwest wind making the riding enjoyable. Thanks to all members who made the effort to attend the Whitebait run especially some of the newer members. I am sure all members had a great time and will be looking forward to the following Years annual whitebait run.
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2009 Whitecliffs Overnighter |
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(See Photos Here)
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The weather was not the greatest with showers predicted but we decided to push on with our overnighter as scheduled. It rained up till 7pm on the Saturday then the weather cleared for the remainder of the evening and the next morning. We catered for 50 members and once again it was a great night with everyone enjoying themselves. |
During the course of the evening there was a presentation of a life membership badge to Darryl Payne and 15 years membership badges being awarded to both John Milligan and Brent McAllister. Canterbury is very lucky to have both the equipment and the personal to put on these great events and it is always good to see everyone mucking and helping out.
Very special thanks to Ken, Pat & Dillon who traveled up from Dunedin and also John who traveled from Invercargill to attend our overnighter. It's always great to see guys attend and we appreciate the effort you make to travel up to our events. |
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