Pine River Swap
HMCCQ Pine River Swap Meet • 31 July, 2021 – Dayboro Showgrounds, Qld
The day started with a brisk early morning ride to a new venue at the Dayboro Showgrounds. Considering that we couldn’t have the over the border sellers like Cob Smith we still witnessed many other sellers and a large crowd. It was a very successful day for the club and thanks must be extended to the volunteers and organisers for taking the gamble. By late morning we got the word that the greater Brisbane area was going into COVID lockdown once again. Man, we were lucky to get that one away. While there I stumbled into a talk with Ian Milton who brought along a display of his race bikes to promote QEMSC (Queensland Early Motorcycle Sports Club). I took a few photos and asked Ian to write a few words about each machine which I include below.
Matchless G45 replica
I commenced building the G45 replica about twelve years ago and only last month succeeded in “almost” finishing it. The build has taken so long because it is extremely difficult to find parts for a G45, as only about 80 were built by Matchless. Since the photos, I have fitted the front mudguard but still need to fit the GP carbs. The frame is from a 7R, stretched to fit the G9-based twin cylinder engine. Many thanks to Greg McMillan who cast and machined the cylinder heads and manufactured other parts for the bike. Without Greg’s assistance, I doubt I would have ever finished the project. To complete the bike, I need a gearbox from either a 7R or G50, so if anyone can help please give me a call on 041 877 1849.
Triton
The Triton has a 750cc pre-unit Triumph motor, complete with NOS 750 crank, high comp. pistons, racing alloy con rods, Morgo oil pump, Mega Cycle cams and Mk 2 Amal carbs running on methanol, fitted into a Norton slim line frame. Gearbox is pre-unit Triumph, fitted with five-speed internals. Built by myself and assisted by Bruce Russell, the Triton is very fast, ready to race and has a current Period 3, MA log book. Alternatively, it could easily be converted into a trick cafe street racer. Since I have retired from racing solos, it may be for sale so I’m open to sensible offers.
Triumph Speed Twin
This great little Period 2 race bike, fitted with girder forks and a “hot” Triumph motor is fun to ride. I built it from a street bike over 40 years ago and originally rode it in regularity events. Of recent times both myself and my son Johnny have raced it with some success. Sadly, there are only a couple of P2 bikes now competing in Queensland, so we don’t get to ride it often.
Vincent HRD sidecar – “Big Red”
Originally a Sandy McRae “replica” kneeler built by Robert Burrows, Big Red was converted to a “sitter” by myself with amazing engineering assistance from Rod Torr. The HRD 1200cc engine was rebuilt by Vincent guru Greg Brillus with exhausts by Rob Olsen. Fitted with 36 mm Amal carbs running on methanol, this outfit is very fast and an absolute blast to ride. With passenger Dave Vincent, (true - that is his name), we are hopeful of being on the podium at both the Qld Historic Champs at Morgan Park next month and the Australian Historic Champs at McNamara Park in November.
Manx Norton
This gorgeous Norton Manx 500cc was originally purchased by Vern Cotrill in the UK and raced on the Continental circuit in the ‘sixties. It then found its way to Australia and passed through a couple of owners with very little racing. I purchased the Manx from
Col Rowe in 2009 after lusting after it for nearly thirty years. Col had only ridden it in a few regularity events after buying it from collector, Bill Gordon. Bill had Tony Perry race the bike a couple of times at Lakeside in the ‘eighties. I raced it “slowly”, twice at Lakeside and Morgan Park and in the hill climb at Mt Coot-tha. I then decided the bike was too valuable and with my lack of race talent, parked it to preserve it for all to appreciate. Having made the decision to reduce my bike collection, I sold the bike to an avid, local Norton collector Jenni Larsen, earlier this year. I know the Manx will now be safe in her custody and at least I still get to see it on display at various events.
n