Under the Chequered Flag
Jim Davis
If you have bought spares or accessories in Queensland in the last 50 years, the chances are JAMES HENRY DAVIS had some association with them. Morgan & Wacker, Moorooka Yamaha, Brisk Sales Kawasaki and Motorcycle Specialties, all employed Jim at some stage—Motorcycle Specialties for the last 23 years. In March 1976 Jim went to Europe with me to prepare for a season working for Phil Read, at that time, seven times world champion. We went to Rimini in Italy from England and the first couple of weeks we lived in our 14 ft caravan in the yard of Bimota. It was so cold in that caravan with ice on the inside of the windows each morning.
Next we went across to Bologna, to the Campagnolo factory, to fit up the bikes with mag wheels. Roberto Marchesini was the designer and principal mover and shaker to do with the motorcycle wheels. Roberto was a lovely man and looked after us royally. At lunch time Roberto would shuffle us off to local trattorias, which was wonderful after caravan food. We needed somewhere to work so they punched a hole in the wall of a shed next the foundry and fitted it up with a door and provided us with a propane burner for heating. Periodically someone would appear and yell at us to keep the bloody door open. Jim and I thought asphyxiation was preferable to freezing to death.
Modena was our first meet up with Kiwis Stu Avant and Mike Sinclair - new to Europe. At last, someone to bull shit with! The next race was the big Imola 200 km race. The left handlebar broke off during the race; after which we went back to England. Jim, right then, decided to go home and marry Anne. Rugby Union became Jim’s new passion, but motorcycles were his job, and lifetime interest. n Geoff Howie
Danny Ryan
With sincere sympathy we report the passing of Life member, committee man, hard worker and hell of a nice guy of the Newcastle
Classic Motorcycle Club, DANNY RYAN, who tragically lost his life in a road accident on 5th March, 2021.
Danny was a member of this club since 1993 and together with his wife
Helen, dedicated a heap of time to the club. His passion for Triumph motorcycles is known throughout the Australian rally scene for his immaculate collection of Triumphs. His presence on the rally scene and club life will be sorely missed. Danny was farewelled with a motorcycle sound farewell on 19th March highlighted by a number of Triumphs. Our sincere thoughts to Helen and family. n Alan Craig, President Newcastle Classic Motor Cycle Club.