Shielas and sheds
Recently I read your editorial in OBA 39 ‘ Save our Sheds’. Being a partner (the female kind) of a motor cycle restoration enthusiast I would strongly and vigorously disagree (in the friendliest way) with the reader who suggested there was a ‘creep/shift’ away from maintaining, riding and restoring motorcycles themselves. I live in the deepest part of the South Island New Zealand in a little sea side town called Riverton and have encouraged and given my partner free reign to restore away to his heart’s content, and in turn has taught me how to maintain and repair my current motorcycle. It started with the project of an old Indian Scout sitting in a million dusty parts on a sheet on the floor of the lounge (big house). I enjoyed the performance between user manual, online ordering parts, the fitting and refitting and note-taking, so the Indian never made it out of the lounge until fairly much finished. The Indian has been running for about 6-9 months now and is ridden regularly, inspiring lots of conversation and motivating many others to progress or start projects. Recently, Brent (my partner) ever the thinker designed an adjustable work bench out of an old hospital bed which pivots, tilts and wheels around. I was curious of this new development in the garage (shed), then followed the Norton Commando in bits and the announcement that this one was for me! Well it’s almost there and I have attached the photos for you to see my new ‘café racer’ which I adore – a completely redesigned/restored by Brent in the small space of our home garage.
Restoration is alive and well in this part of the world but I am particularly proud of my very cleaver partner who is such a thinker and can put it all together like a beautiful piece of art work and have the final product humming. Lynn Grace New Zealand rounded up the Honda from the Esses in the closing stages following a race long scrap to ultimately cross the finish line by a very meagre margin in second position. Peter also confirmed another statement made by Alan that Bob Gitsham had previously raced that 500 Matchy without a lot of success for a short period. Don’t know what became of it but Derry Greeneklee admits to once owning the removed close ratio box out of the old Matchy. Brian Kuerschner Summertown, SA