the bbc knews€¦ · issue 1 ~ february, 2015 anonymous bbc member’s beautiful 1973 norton...
TRANSCRIPT
The BBC KNEWS The Voice of the British Biker Cooperative
Issue 1 ~ February, 2015
Anonymous BBC Member’s Beautiful 1973 Norton Commando
(read “Cover Bike” article on page 4 for more details)
Page 01
British Biker Cooperative Dedicated to the Preservation of the British Motorcycle
The British Biker Cooperative (BBC) is a unique group of individuals dedicated to the preservation of the British motorcycle. The BBC was established in 1977, and has remained active in all aspects of British motorcycling since.
Our membership encompasses all British motorcycle enthusiasts. The collector, purist, racer, tourer, and riders of all backgrounds find contentment in our organization. Together we create a cooperative, networking the contacts, ideas,
and enthusiasm essential to ride and appreciate British motorcycles, most of which are virtually extinct.
The BBC is an incorporated entity governed by a Board of Directors and Officers elected biennially. Our yearly membership stands at over one hundred members, of which many own several British motorcycles.
Annually the BBC sponsors meetings, a rallye and bike show, a benefit, a family picnic, a dinner, and a holiday party. We also participate as the BBC in many other motorcycle related events.
We publish The BBC KNEWS, a quarterly (or more often) periodical including stories and photos of events, cartoons, drawings, poetry, technical tips, and limited advertisement.
To become a BBC member you must own a British motorcycle, represent the BBC in a respectable manner, and pay the annual dues.
We are British riders. A unique group of individuals. Lovers of a lost, but not forgotten British art.
Long Live the Limey
BBC OfficersPresident Pat Hanson ~ 414-429-0574 ~ [email protected] VP Membership John Pendell ~ 262-521-0760 ~ [email protected] VP Product Ron Vance ~ 262-374-2774 ~ VP Property Steve Shelvik ~ 414-861-8041 ~ [email protected] VP Marketing Peggy Kasper ~ 262-514-2073 ~ [email protected] Treasurer Mary Lange ~ 262-224-2266 ~ [email protected] Secretary Dave Coppens ~ 920-684-0774 ~ [email protected] Editor John Pendell ~ 262-521-0760 ~ [email protected] Webmaster Dave Denemark ~ 262-370-6200 ~ [email protected] FaceBook Host Steve Baker ~ 815-347-9407 ~ [email protected]
BBC DirectorsSteve Baker 815-347-9407 ~ [email protected] Mary Lange 262-224-2266 ~ [email protected] Colette Lendowski 414-651-4550 ~ [email protected] Indian Lendowski 414-651-4549 ~ [email protected] Bill Pluess 414-531-5234 ~ [email protected] Joe Schertzl 414-559-4307 ~ [email protected] Steve Shelvik 414-861-8041 ~ [email protected] Jim Ziemann 414-481-6960 ~ [email protected]
BBC Officers and Directors
Page 02 Page 03
June 26th: FYI_Pre-Rally Packing Party, W817 Mink Creek Dr., Random Lake, WI Steve Shelvik, [email protected]
June 27th: BBC_Rally Packing Party, 12:00pm, W817 Mink Creek Dr., Random Lake, WI Steve Shelvik, [email protected]
June 28th: FYI_Walneck’s Woodstock Swap Meet, McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Rd., Woodstock, IL
July 10th-12th: FYI_AHRMA Races, New Jersey Motor Park, Millville, NJ Pat Hanson [email protected]
July 17th-19th: BBC_35th Annual BBC Rally, Eagle Cave Campground, Blue Rive, WI www.britishbiker.net
July 19th: BBC_General Membership Meeting, 11:00am, Under the tent, Eagle Cave Campground, Blue Rive, WI
Aug. 3rd-9th: FYI_Sturgis Rally
Aug. 7th-9th: FYI_MOTO AMERICA, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN
Aug. 16th: FYI_Walneck’s Woodstock Swap Meet, McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Rd., Woodstock, IL
Aug. 22nd: R2R_Lumberjack Days Festival, Tigerton, Wisconsin. Overnighter. If you wish to ride up with Indian & Colette contact them at: 414-651-4549.
Aug. 22nd: FYI_Masterpiece Club Day Auto & Motorcycle Show, Veteran’s Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. http://milwaukeemasterpiece.com/
Sept. 7th - 13th: FYI_Dragon Rat Raid, www.thedragonraid.com
Sept. 11th-13th: FYI_MOTO AMERICA, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ
Sept. 13th: BBC_No Big Deal Picnic, Details to be announced at a later date.
Sept. ????: FYI_18th Annual Midwest Triumph Ride In, Chalet Landhaus, New Glarus, WI, See Team Triumph for details. http://www.triumph1.com
Oct. 3rd: BBC_Color Ride & Gen. Membership Meeting, 11:00am, Steve Shelvik’s, W8070 Mink Creek Dr., Random Lake, WI. [email protected]
Oct. 4th: R2R_Slimey Crud Run
Oct. 8th-10th: RTR_Barber Vintage Festival
Oct. 15th-18th: RTR_AHRMA Racing at Daytona, Daytona Beach, FL.
Oct. 17th: FYI_Team Triumph Open House, See Team’s web-site. http://www.triumph1.com
Oct. 18th: FYI_Walneck’s Woodstock Swap Meet, McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Rd., Woodstock, IL
Nov. ???: BBC_Pot Luck Dinner, Details to be announced.
Dec. 4th-6th: BBC_Holiday Party, Best Western Waterfront Hotel, Oshkosh, WI., Contact Mary Lange at: [email protected]
Calendar of Events for Year 2015 (Pg. 2 of 2)
Feb. 28th - Mar. 3rd: FYI_Grand Re-Opening of Schlossmann Motorcycles of Milwaukee, 12011 W. Silver Spring Dr., Milwaukee, WI
Mar. 14th: FYI_Frozen Snot Run, 8:00am, Starts at Fuel Cafe - leave for Nomad -LuLu - Franks and then Palomino at 9:00am.
Mar. 22nd: BBC_Gen. Mem. Meeting & Rally Planning, 11:00am, Dan & Peggy Kasper, 26231 Deer Ridge Trail, Waterford. [email protected]
Apr. 10th - 12th: FYI_MOTO AMERICA - Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas (Two classes, MotoGP support races).
Apr. 17th - 19th: FYI_MOTO AMERICA - Road Atlanta, Braseltown, Georgia.
Apr. 23rd - 26th: FYI_Ozark Rat Raid, www.ozarkratraid.com
Apr. 26th: BBC_Walneck’s Woodstock Swap Meet, McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Rd., Woodstock, IL (Stop by the BBC Booth and help out).
May 1st - 3rd: FYI_Torquefest, Dubuque, Iowa, http://vintagetorquefest.com/about/
May 3rd: R2R_Slimey Crud Run
May 16th: FYI_Team Triumph’s 16th Annual Spring Open House, Team Triumph, Janesville, WI, http://www.triumph1.com
May 17th: BBC_Brewtown Rumble @ Best Place in the Pabst Brewery Complex, www.brewtownrumble.com
May 15th - 17th: FYI_MOTO AMERICA, Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia
May 29th: FYI_The Dairyland Classic AMA Pro Flat Track Bike Races, Sheboygan County Fair Park, dairylandclassic.com
May 29th - 31st: FYI_MOTO AMERICA Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
May 30th: BBC_Run To The Sun General Membership Meeting, 12:00pm, Sunset Motors, 1403 52nd Str., Kenosha, WI
June 5th-7th: BBC_Road America Vintage MC Races & Rockerbox, 7:00am, Swap meet, Bike Show, Elkhart Lake, WI. Camping available. We will have a booth in the Swap meet area & Paddock area top of the hill. Pat Hanson [email protected]
June 12h-14th: RTR_AHRMA Races, Grattan Raceway, MI Pat Hanson [email protected]
June 12th - 14th: FYI_MOTO AMERICA, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmignham, AL
Disclaimer The Calendar of Events is a tentative schedule subject to change throughout the year.
Keep checking the newsletter or B.B.C. website
(www.britishbiker.net) for changes.
BBC (British Biker Cooperative) Events or meetings held on a regular basis.
RTR (Reason to Ride) Non-BBC events organized by individuals on a casual basis.
FYI (For Your Information) Non-BBC event info available for scheduling purposes.
Calendar of Events for Year 2015 (Pg. 1 of 2)
Page 04 Page 05
Cover Bike Details Here is a picture of my ’73 850 Commando. I have not been as active in the BBC as I would like to be due to too many other hobbies, work, grandkid, etc.
My brother bought the bike from the original buyer in 1975 and immediately hot rodded it, then spent the next 10 years riding it harder than any bike deserves to be ridden. You would have to know the guy to understand. (He now builds dragsters) When he was ready to sell it to me in the late 1980’s it was pretty well used up. Although the bike was never crashed , there was not much that did not need attention – the handlebars and rear fender come to mind.
I have spent the last 25 years getting everything put back together, and getting an appreciation for why he rode it the way he did.
Editor’s Note: I received and stored the cover bike picture and this story a while ago but forgot to note the contributor’s name. Also, the contributor did not have his name in the article, so I have no clue who he is. If anyone recognizes the bike & owner, please let me know and I’ll credit him in a future newsletter. For now he’ll have to remain “The Anonymous Member”.
Welcome to Our New Member
Peter Leistikow Lannon, Wisconsin Triumph
Happy Birthday to You!
Jason Griese January 6th Paul Schmidt February 11th
Steve Baker January 7th Scott Netzinger February 16th
Bob Barrett January 20th Tim Cahill March 12th
Todd Ligman January 25th Jack Neff March 14th
Mark Fredricks January 29th Mike Spencer March 14th
Tim Hall January 29th Kevin Thom March 22nd
T.C. Christenson January 30th Chris Lennon March 23rd
Rich Reed January 30th Joe Schertzl March 25th
Jack Powers February 2nd Tom Wyatt March 29th
John Pendell February 6th Joe Walsh March 30th
Membership Forum
! Important Notice ! Remember BBC’ers that April 1st is the deadline for paying your dues otherwise you will no longer receive e-mail updates, The BBC KNEWS, or access to the “Members Only” section on our web-site. Also be aware that there will be only four issues of the BBC KNEWS this year.
We hope that all of our member’s information is correct, but if you see a mistake please contact the membership V.P. and it will get corrected. Email addresses, phone numbers and physical addresses tend to change fairly frequently so help us keep everything up to date. Thanks!
Page 06 Page 07
I have a bit of news myself, though it doesn’t directly involve either of my Bri:sh bikes; I thought you may be interested in including a :dbit on it in a future issue, being it does involve a BBC member.
Back in August, I hauled my 1974 Honda CB350F (one of the old four-‐cylinder jobs) out to compete in the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats outside Wendover, UT. It was my fourth—and probably final—trip to compete out there on a motorcycle and while I came close to seUng a record out there in 2010, I hadn’t done it :ll this year.
I came back with an AMA Grand Na:onal Speed Record in the 350cc Produc:on Classic Class (350 P/PC). I’ll be geUng an AMA Na:onal Number 1 Plate in January—something I always wanted to try for.
Anyway, the full story is in the ar:cles I wrote about it for Ul:mate Motorcycling magazine is on their website (I am the Associate Online Editor for them and they were one of my sponsors), so you could put the links to the ar:cles in the BBC Knews, if you feel it would be of interest.
Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials 2014—Diary of a new record holder,” Ul#mate Motorcycling, September, 2014.
hcp://ul:matemotorcycling.com/bonneville-‐motorcycle-‐speed-‐trials-‐2014-‐diary-‐new-‐record-‐holder/
“Bonneville Diary—Preparing for What-‐ifs,” Ul#mate Motorcycling, August, 2014. hcp://ul:matemotorcycling.com/bonneville-‐motorcycle-‐speed-‐trials-‐diary-‐preparing-‐ifs/
Gary Ilminen, RN Associate Online Editor, Ul:mate Motorcycling "The Very Best on Two Wheels" www.ul:matemotorcycling.com
BBC MEMBER SETS BONNEVILLE SPEED RECORD!
Congratulations to BBC member Gary Ilminen on his remarkable achievement. Hope that everyone will read all about it and visit the links that he provided. It’s an amazing group of individuals that make up our
fine organization. Who knew he was even attempting this feat?
Well, here we are in 2015 and this is the first issue of The BBC KNEWS. This year there will be only four issues for the year although each issue should be lengthier and, hopefully, we can add some color to the printed version using some of the money we save. It was not only about the money but also about making my job a little easier. The issues will not be evenly spaced throughout the year as our activity level is much more heavily weighted towards the warm weather months. I hope everyone is all right with these changes. Always willing to hear your comments, so don’t hesitate to let me know. Some color has been added to this issue with the spark plug reading chart that is included as an insert. I found this on the internet and it certainly helped me to better interpret spark plug readings. Hopefully a lot of you will also find it useful. Hang it up somewhere convenient in your garage, about eye-level, and away from your oil & grease flinging area!
A couple of cover bike photos were received but not enough for the entire year, so as soon as the weather warms a little and your bike is all shined up for the riding season please consider taking a photo before it’s all covered in road grime. E-mail it to me along with a short blurb about your bike, or even a long story if you like to write. Help a brother out here people. You could think about helping another brother out by making a contribution to our sponsored racer Dave Spanjar for the 2015 race season. He’s done a great job representing our organization and “Team BBC” could certainly use some more financial support. Remember that the BBC matches your contributions so be sure to mail your checks to the BBC P.O. box to maximize the pot. The BBC had a good turn out for the Mama Tried bike show in Milwaukee. If you didn’t make it this year, put it in your plans for next year. A pretty cool bike show with lots of variety. Check out the calendar of events to see what’s coming up next that might interest you. Should be something there for everyone. Come out and enjoy your organization. The end of winter is in sight so make your plans early. That’ll help the rest of this cold season seem to go that much faster! See you soon.
Regards,
John Pendell
February’s Ponderism
To learn something new, take the path that you took yesterday. ~John Burroughs
The Editor’s Points & Plugs
Page 08 Page 09
February Puzzle
M K S O Y V W X U W H K E H V G G Q H W L S M D F U U F P J M F E T Y N R F Q O P L O Z N T X T E B K E D O J I E G L L U W O H S E L C Y C R O T O M N E Y Q Z A G W F E X I I C U M I J H P N N F G H N R A A X B B R S A Z F Z U T A G I U M D C B M R D N S F T S Q E I R L R N X T R O A D A M E R I C A N R G B P A M T S A C T K X R W S E K U E L W V Y S E Y Z U T H D P C X E T T T Z A Z J L S A K G K K A E I C D R A R A N X P V L K H O N Y O R T V R Y F E T A P X H Y A O Z K I W I E L K W I A P F H S F B Y R Q I E R T D Q B D E D X C U H E N I H S N U S P O L D I N P V D R A C E R U V Z C X Z S
FRIENDS, GREENGRASS, MOTORCYCLESHOW, RACERRALLYPLANNING, ROADAMERICA, SPRING, SUNSHINETIREPRESSURE, TIRETREAD, TUNEUP, WARMWEATHER
��� Dale's Cycle ! Vintage British Motorcycles
Restorations, Repairs & Sales
! N562 Swamp Angel Rd.
Walworth, WI 53184 262-275-5812
www.dalescycle.com [email protected]
High performanceEngine building And tuning for
your british classic
(262) 299-1107
Vintage Racing Performace Machining and Parts
THE FIFTY-NINE CLUB (con’t)In return I emailed Sandra Midwestern Motorcyclist, and will do so in the future. She told me she posted my blog “A Good Dose of T100” on their bulletin board. It’s a thrill knowing that my words are hanging on a wall in Plaistow, London, UK, for local motorbikers to read.
Yes, that T100 carries me along on its way. Could that way possibly include a trip overseas?
Page 10 Page 11
BBC Classified Ads
Free ads to BBC members with motorcycle related items
Remember people, if you have something motorcycle related to sell or buy this space is available. Pictures can be included space permitting. Take advantage of this free service.
Wanted: British Motorcycle Riding days. Warm, sunny, and with lots of twisty scenic roads. Will trade almost anything or have some cash. Delivery needed very soon. Send pictures or leave a message. Contact: 414-555-1469 or e-mail [email protected]
2015 Greetings BBC!
Well 2014 is finally behind me/us. Good riddance in my opinion, but hope does spring eternal – or some shit like that!
I am attaching the 2014 Treasurers final report. We nudged up our Rally revenue while Membership expense/income is about the same. Product is up slightly in both categories – we bought some fabulous sweatshirts at the end of the year (Thanks to Indian and Colette for ordering and Ron Vance for schlepping them around). Buy one, buy two – I have two already and lived in my white one after my last surgery in November until it needed a good dousing in Shout to get the wine stains out. Ha Ha.
It is a cold and crappy February day – not feeling the Wisconsin ‘love’ at the moment. BUT, I am blessed with a great job (or in this instance a gap between), and an opportunity to head south for a bit and ride out the last dredges of winter in Florida. Hope to catch the Daytona 200 and hang with some other BBC snow birdies.
I sure do hope this year brings good things and good riding to all of us. The calendar is shaping up nicely – we have new events and of course the old favorites. Not to get too ahead of this year, but we have found a new venue for the holiday party.Woot woot! The Best Western in Oshkosh – right next door to where the Pioneer Inn used to stand. Now I feel old! May have to drag out some old pictures from our holiday party times there. Just to prove I may be an old BBC bitch, but I am not alone!
Cheers! Mary
BBC Treasurer - Mary Rose Lange
The Treasurer’s Box
Page 12 Page 13
This is the second year for the fledgling motorcycle show named ‘Mama Tried’ as borrowed from the song by Merle Haggard. What makes this show unique is that it is by invitation only. This way the organizers, Warren Heir Jr. and Scott Johnson can maintain their vision of what they want the show to look like. In this case, it was mainly a mix of hand created motorcycles of the 2 and 3 wheeled varieties. This is not your average billet barge, paint job over all, custom chopper show. 95% of the motorcycles are hand built customs consisting of choppers of the sixties and 70’s style, true bobbers, race bikes, café racers and others. The other remaining percentage of bikes were unrestored surviving classic machines including a factory Harley hill climber that appeared to be studded to race on the ice. Ed Zender also brought some beautiful vintage British motorcycles to show.
Pat Hanson and I were invited to show our race bikes and there was a lot of interest. We had many positive comments. I noticed several photos being taken of the crash dent on my 500. I think it wears it well. We were set up next to T.C. Christensen’s early Norton single engine drag bike along with a nice custom Norton from the shop. It’s nice to see these bikes out where we can enjoy what they offer. There were several BBC members in attendance and I think we all were impressed with the overall quality of workmanship and originality that made up these selected machines.
The venue was moved from the past location on Florida Street to a warehouse on St. Paul Avenue, directly across from Sobelman’s Pub & Grill. The reason for the move was the new location had a 30% larger capacity. There were 120 motorcycles from all over the United States and I noticed more vendors this year offering quality American made goods along with tattooing. The show encompassed 2 floors for accessible viewing of the bikes on display. No ropes or chains here and no best of show. Just a gathering of talented and creative motorcycle enthusiasts sharing their art in the form of motorcycles. Whatever your taste is, it would have been covered. Todd and I were commenting on the lack of British custom machinery being represented. I’m thinking that there are some real talented individuals in our Club that might want to step and build something worthy of getting noticed for a future show. It’s something to think about if you have the bug. You have some of the best resources imaginable in the Cooperative.
Every bit worth the 5 dollar entry, I hope the organizers keep this going and follow the vision that is theirs. We all share a bit of it and this is an outstanding way of us like minded individuals coming to one place to share it. If you can make the trip, do it. I hosted friends from North Carolina and Kentucky and I know they were not disappointed
Submitted By: Dave Spanjar
Harley Drag Bike With Very Unique Magnesium Barrels
The BBC Area with several derelicts hanging
around.
Pat Hanson’s Race Bike
T.C. and Friends
Dave Spanner’s Race Bike
The BBC Attends the Mama Tried Motorcycle Show in Milwaukee
Page 15Page 14
TEAM BBC Sponsored racer Dave Spanjar & President Pat Hanson at New Jersey Motor Park
As submitted by Dave Spanjar, February 10, 2015
The race season never seemed to end this year. As soon as we were back from Barber preparations began for the 2015 season. As you may recall from articles over the past year or so, I’ve been collecting quality parts in order to upgrade the chassis of the 500. After much thinking, observations, discussions, and considerations, I made the decision to go a bit of a different direction. Every part I have purchased will still be used but I am going to use an entirely different frame. I have purchased a B50 frame from Mart at Meriden Speed Shop. Then I scored a BSA Starfire tank from Pat. The bike when completed should be at least 40 pounds lighter than the current machine. It occurred to me that I was creating a TRIBSA but in reality it’s really going to be a TRIBITSA. So that’s what I’m calling it. That’s my plan and I’m sticking to it. We hope to have the bike completed this year in time to compete. Until then, the current 500 is almost ready to go. Pat has had to make MAJOR repairs
to the head. Other than that a new front tire and rewire for the new coil and it will be ready to go. When Gen II chassis is ready, we’ll just swap motors and continue on. If you’re ready to put some street performance into your machine, or you’re ready to give racing a try, make sure you consider Brit Iron Racing, LLC c/o Pat Hanson.
The Bonneville needed more of a going over than anything. I have sent out the front brake shoes for racing liners. New Avons front and rear. A little damage from Barber is being repaired and I’m rewiring and plumbing the entire bike. Also, all new cables will be installed. I have some upgrades to do the gearbox with Pat, yet. It’ll be ready to race by the end of the month.
The first race is Feb 20-22 in Savanah, GA. I will not be attending that one but will be ready for the race at the end of March in New Orleans. That is, if I can get away and afford to do so. Otherwise Road America for sure. Then Grattan over Father’s Day weekend. New Jersey in July and Barber in October. Who knows what else could fall into place this year. Daytona has not been ruled out and we may have to go to defend points if we have the kind of year we are capable of having. Anticipation is in high gear for this year and I am hopeful for a successful season!
I would like to thank you all and the British Biker Cooperative for all your support. I hope you choose to come out and see us race. Guaranteed a good time. Watch for a BBC Racing support shirt coming out later this spring!
Until next time,
Spanner #391
BBC Sponsored Racer Update
THE FIFTY-NINE CLUB by Darrell Broten
Once I took possession of my Triumph Bonneville T100, it soon took me down new and strange roads. First it was the British Biker Cooperative, next it was Rockerbox, and now it’s membership in the Fifty-Nine Club.
Before the 59 Club, however, came the Rockers, a segment of English motorcycling that included post-World War II disaffected British youth. The period after the war was a time for the world to recover and veterans to heal, but it was also when teenagers rebelled. The USA had it with teen-aged “hoods” with greasy ducktails and black leather jackets up to no good and the British had it with their Rockers, originally called Bike Boys or Ton-Up Boys.
English teens involved with Rocker culture were young, penniless, and hopeless. They were the sons and daughters of working class families struggling to make ends meet at a time when the Kingdom was coming out of a horrendous war, world trade was competitive, and the slogan was “export or die.” Brit teenagers were left to cope with crowded living conditions, bleak working class futures, and pressures to conform.
They escaped into a leather culture by visiting hangouts like the Ace Café transport stop, scraping together just enough for whatever they could get in the way of a motorcycle, donning a stud encrusted black leather jacket, and risking life and limb by doing the “Ton” (100 miles an hour) on the treacherous streets and roads of London. Movies like Quadrophenia and The Leather Boys dramatized the story. Books like Rockers! (by Johnny Stuart) and Café Racers: Rockers, Rock ‘n’Roll and the Coffee Bar Cult (by Mike Clay) captured the scene.
Some former Rockers admit that fighting was an ingredient—the most infamous beat d own between Rockers and Mods (stylish and fashionable middle class youth riding non-threatening scooters) occurred on Brighton Beach in 1964 and was pictured on the cover of Life magazine—but that wasn’t all. It also had to do with rock ‘n’roll music, having mates (friends), and riding motorbikes. Stuart quoted one rocker as saying, “I’m a Rocker because I ride a motorbike. To be a Rocker you’ve got to have a bike and a leather jacket with a studded belt, jeans, and high-topped racing boots.”
Into this stepped Father William Shergold. Ordained an Anglican priest in 1942, Shergold was appointed vicar of St. Mary of Eton, where the Eton Mission—supported by Eton College—was located at Hackney Wick. The 59 Club youth group there had already been formed by Reverend John Oates. Shergold, however, had a goal to grow the club and experience as a motorcyclist. So in 1962 Shergold dropped in at the Ace Café one evening and invited the Rockers to come to Eton Mission on Saturday nights. Shergold has been famously quoted as saying, “I was convinced I was going to at least have my trousers removed or my bike heaved into the canal.”
Far from it. Attracted to the juke box, table tennis, coffee bar, and other games as well as the absence of rules and lack of religious pressure, Rockers flocked to Eton Mission. The press loved it. Soon the hordes of Rockers forced the creation of The Fifty Nine Motorcycle Club. In 1964 Father Shergold moved to a parish in Paddington but he continued to shepherd the motorcyclists. Some say the Mods stayed in Eton Mission while the Rockers moved over to Paddingon with Shergold.
Page 16 Page 17
THE FIFTY-NINE CLUB (con’t)
In any event, Shergold, fellow clergyman Graham Hulett, and parish worker Mike Cook held services for the Rockers and urged them to uphold positive ideals. They counseled guided, married, baptized, and buried Rockers and 59 Club members through it all. At one point the 59 Club was considered the world’s largest motorcycle club. Even now its brochure proclaims itself as the “…largest and most famous motorcycle club in the world.”
Times changed. Into the 1970s and early 80s, The Leather Boys grew up, Brits got more prosperous, the British motorcycling industry died, and laws made it more difficult to obtain a motorcycle—all things that weakened the 59 Club. However, Rocker reunions began in the late 80s with a resurgence of the 59 Club not far behind. Now with a Classic Section, the 59 Club remains in business. It’s now located in Plaistow near East London and is led by Father Scott Anderson who is assisted by dedicated volunteers. The Fifty Nine Motorcycle Club is a registered charity, with chapters—the British call them sections— all over the world (USA, Canada, Asia, Europe, and Australia). The 59 Club is open Wednesday and Saturday nights, holds a Tinsel and Turkey Party in February, and attends motorcycle rallies throughout the year. In 2012 it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.
I learned about the 59 Club in Café Racer the motorcycle, by Mike Seate. The book contained interesting facts and lots of pictures, but it didn’t explain what the 59 Club was all about. That drove me to the internet. About a month ago I revisited their site and saw that they had posters for sale. A poster would be a fancy purchase, and then I looked at the price of
membership. Why not simply join the 59 Club? How cool would that be?
Joining the “9” would not be quite as simple as making out a $15 check for club in the Chippewa Valley. I had to keep in mind the difference in clock time, the international mailing time, and the conversion from dollars to British pounds sterling. Adding up the cost of the poster, membership, T-shirt, and mailing came to 41 pounds, which equaled $69.70. I contacted Sandra with the 59 Club via email, and set about to make application.
It was no problem emailing my application information to Sandra, but the main hurdle was getting the money to the Club. International money orders could be put in the mail, while wire transfers took only seconds. I decided on a wire transfer, but found only two Eau Claire banks that were capable of handling them. By and by, I opened an account at Wells Fargo and had personal banker Amber—a motorcyclist herself with Midwest Mayhem—take care of the transfer. FYI: you have 30 minutes to back out of a wire transfer; you actually don’t know if the receiving bank ever gets the money; the transfer itself cost $30; there’s another fee taken out on the other end by the 59 Club’s bank. It’s not cheap.
No matter. I contacted Sandra to let her know that everything was on its way and she promised to get the material in the mail to me right away. Incredibly, just one week later I received my poster, T-shirt, club brochure, club membership card, MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) membership card, and BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation—kind of like AMA, I guess) card. Soon I’ll receive my copy of Link, the annual 59 Club newsletter. I am a full-fledged member of The Fifty-Nine Club.
High performanceEngine building And tuning for
your british classic
(262) 299-1107
Vintage Racing Performace Machining and Parts
THE FIFTY-NINE CLUB (con’t)In return I emailed Sandra Midwestern Motorcyclist, and will do so in the future. She told me she posted my blog “A Good Dose of T100” on their bulletin board. It’s a thrill knowing that my words are hanging on a wall in Plaistow, London, UK, for local motorbikers to read.
Yes, that T100 carries me along on its way. Could that way possibly include a trip overseas?
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Meeting Minutes from the BBC Meeting From Hell January 24, 2015
The meeting began with officers reports. The treasurers report stated that BBC made $21,714.45 last year. We spent $20,624.83. This leaves us with a net profit of $1089.62. Also our taxes for 2014 have been paid. All taxes that were due by January 31, 2015 have been paid also. At the end of the year we had 105 members. We have added 1 new member this year.
At this point a contribution was taken up for late member Al Bowers who passed away last September.
A discussion was held on how to attract new members. A motion was made and passed to offer $20 memberships at events that we attend up until the 2015 rally. New discounted members will not receive a patch until paying full membership dues for the second year. The membership form will be modified to reflect new discounted members.
A motion was made to reduce the number of BBC Knews issues from 5 to 4. This will allow the editor to enlarge the content of the newsletter and to some what decrease his workload. The by-laws will need to be changed to reflect the current quantity. This motion was passed.
Product reported that 24 of the 70 sweatshirts that were ordered have been sold. A number more were sold at the meeting.
A discussion was held concerning Board of Directors requirements. A motion was made that each member of the Board of Directors should take charge of 1 event and manage it. In addition each member who manages an event should write and submit an article about it for the BBC Knews. This motion passed.
A motion was also made that to be elected to the Board a member should have at
least 5 years of continuous service or have been an officer. This motion was passed.
A motion was made to research a new site for the BBC Holiday Party. We have a 2 week window in which to make a decision. This motion passed.
The T-shirt art work for the rally proposed by President Pat Hansen was accepted with 1 minor change. The artwork for the rally mug was also passed. Because this is the 35th year of the rally it was decided to also have a pin. That art work has yet to be determined. Because a larger number of members are coming to the rally early a discussion was held as to the possibility of having an organized event on Thursday night. Nothing was finalized at this time. Job duties for the rally were discussed and decided upon, with the exception of set up and clean up which hopefully everybody can pitch in on.
The band line up for both Friday and Saturday has been set. A discussion was held to work with the Eagle Cave people and ask them not to put door prize tickets in everymug, but only to mugs for registered rally attendees. Hopefully this will reduce the number of no shows and speed up the door prize process.
It was decided that for each security incident there should be 2 BBC members present, one of whom is an officer or a Board member. An incident report should also be written out for a permanent record.
For more serious incidents Wes from Eagle Cave should be include in the process. Because we have more rally attendees that come with RVs and large campers it was decided to let Wes set up a separate Rv parking area.
Meeting Minutes Continued
Last year the best campsite award was quite popular.It was decided that in addition to that this year there will be an award for the best bike only campsite.
The calendar for the year was discussed and there will be a new event this year, Brewtown Rumble headed by the same people who originated Rockerbox. This will take place on May 17th and BBC will have spots there for product and membership. The location of the Pot Luck dinner and the Holiday Party have yet to be determined and will be announced when decided.
Under new business it was brought up that 2017 is the Fortieth Anniversary of the BBC and that we should come up with some outstanding ideas to celebrate this milestone.
Also under new business a racing T-shirt was discussed. Nothing decided yet.
There has been some question lately as to what constitutes owner ship of a British bike. Whether a title is required or a bill of sale is enough. A motion was made to amend the by-laws to require a title as proof of ownership. This motion was defeated.
A motion was made to send an e-mail to the membership regarding the Al Bowers fund raiser to help our late members family with expenses. This motion was passed.
The meeting ended and everyone decided that Natty Oaks was a good place to have the meeting
!!!BBC V.P. of Product Guilty of Solicitation!!!
Yep, Ron Vance is soliciting our membership for new product ideas, special order requests, or just product requests in general. This is your chance to have some say in what you’d like to see for sale. He’s being proactive here and hoping to avoid an inventory of products that nobody wants, so take a few minutes out of your busy schedules and give him some input.
Ron can be contacted at: 262-374-2774
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Man Gets Attacked By A Squirrel While Driving His Motorbike. What Happens Next Is Hilarious.
I had been banging around the roads of east Texas on my motorcycle and as I headed back into Dallas, found myself in very heavy, high-speed traffic on the freeways. Normally, this is not a problem, I commute in these conditions daily, but suddenly I was nearly run down by a cage that decided it needed my lane more than I did. This is not normally a big deal either, as it happens around here often, but usually I can accurately predict which drivers are not paying attention and avoid them before we are even close. This one I missed seeing until it was nearly too late, and as I took evasive action I nearly broadsided another car that I was not even aware was there!
Two bad decisions and insufficient situational awareness…all within seconds.. Time to get off the freeway.
I hit the next exit, and as I was in an area I knew pretty well, headed through a few big residential neighborhoods as a new route home. As I turned onto the nearly empty streets I opened the visor on my full-face helmet to help get some air. I figured some slow riding through the quiet surface streets would give me time to relax, think, and regain that “edge” so frequently required when riding.
Little did I suspect…
As I passed an oncoming car, a brown furry missile shot out from under it and tumbled to a stop immediately in front of me. It was a squirrel, and must have been trying to run across the road when it encountered the car. I really was not going very fast, but there was no time to brake or avoid it - it was that close.
I hate to run over animals…and I really hate it on a motorcycle, but a squirrel
should pose no danger to me. I barely had time to brace for the impact.
Animal lovers, never fear. Squirrels can take care of themselves!
Inches before impact, the squirrel flipped to his feet. He was standing on his hind legs and facing the oncoming Valkyrie with steadfast resolve in his little beady eyes. His mouth opened, and at the last possible second, he screamed and leapt! I am pretty sure the scream was squirrel for, “Banzai!” or maybe, “Die you gravy-sucking, heathen scum!” as the leap was spectacular and he flew over the windshield and impacted me squarely in the chest.
Instantly he set upon me. If I did not know better I would have sworn he brought twenty of his little buddies along for the attack. Snarling, hissing, and tearing at my clothes, he was a frenzy of activity. As I was dressed only in a light t-shirt, summer riding gloves, and jeans this was a bit of a cause for concern. This furry little tornado was doing some damage!
Picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and leather gloves puttering maybe 25mph down a quiet residential street…and in the fight of his life with a squirrel. And losing.
I grabbed for him with my left hand and managed to snag his tail. With all my strength I flung the evil rodent off the left of the bike, almost running into the right curb as I recoiled from the throw.
That should have done it. The matter should have ended right there. It really should have.
The squirrel could have sailed into one of the pristinely kept yards and gone on about his business, and I could have headed home. No on would have been the wiser.
But this was no ordinary squirrel. This was not even an ordinary pissed-off squirrel.
This was an evil attack squirrel of death!
Somehow he caught my gloved finger with one of his little hands, and with the force of the throw swung around and with a resounding thump and an amazing impact he landed square on my back and resumed his rather anti-social and extremely distracting activities. He also managed to take my left glove with him!
The situation was not improved. Not improved at all. His attacks were continuing, and now I could not reach him.
I was startled to say the least. The combination of the force of the throw, only having one hand (the throttle hand) on the handlebars, and my jerking back unfortunately put a healthy twist through my right hand and into the throttle. A healthy twist on the throttle of a Valkyrie can only have one result. Torque. This is what the Valkyrie is made for, and she is very, very good at it.
The engine roared as the front wheel left the pavement. The squirrel screamed in anger. The Valkyrie screamed in ecstasy. I screamed in…well…I just plain screamed.
Now picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a slightly squirrel torn t-shirt, and only one leather glove roaring at
maybe 70mph and rapidly accelerating down a quiet residential street…on one wheel and with a demonic squirrel on his back. The man and the squirrel are both screaming bloody murder.
With the sudden acceleration I was forced to put my other hand back on the handlebars and try to get control of the bike. This was leaving the mutant squirrel to his own devices, but I really did not want to crash into somebody’s tree, house, or parked car. Also, I had not yet figured out how to release the throttle…my brain was just simply overloaded. I did manage to mash the back brake, but it had little affect against the massive power of the big cruiser.
About this time the squirrel decided that I was not paying sufficient attention to this very serious battle (maybe he is a Scottish attack squirrel of death), and he came around my neck and got IN my full-face helmet with me. As the faceplate closed partway and he began hissing in my face I am quite sure my screaming changed tone and intensity. It seemed to have little affect on the squirrel however.
The rpm’s on The Dragon maxed out (I was not concerned about shifting at the moment) and her front end started to drop.
Now picture the large man on the huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a very ragged torn t-shirt, and wearing one leather glove, roaring at probably 80mph, still on one wheel, with a large puffy squirrel’s tail sticking out his mostly closed full-face helmet. By now the screams are probably getting a little hoarse.
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Finally I got the upper hand…I managed to grab his tail again, pulled him out of my helmet, and slung him to the left as hard as I could. This time it worked…sort-of. Spectacularly sort-of, so to speak.
Picture the scene. You are a cop. You and your partner have pulled off on a quiet residential street and parked with your windows down to do some paperwork.
Suddenly a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a torn t-shirt flapping in the breeze, and wearing one leather glove, moving at probably 80mph on one wheel, and screaming bloody murder roars by and with all his strength throws a live squirrel grenade directly into your police car.
I heard screams. They weren’t mine…
I managed to get the big motorcycle under directional control and dropped the front wheel to the ground. I then used maximum braking and skidded to a stop in a cloud of tire smoke at the stop sign at a busy cross street.
I would have returned to fess up (and to get my glove back). I really would have. Really. But for two things. First, the cops did not seem interested or the slightest
bit concerned about me at the moment. One of them was on his back in the front yard of the house they had been parked in front of and was rapidly crabbing backwards away from the patrol car. The other was standing in the street and was training a riot shotgun on the police cruiser.
So the cops were not interested in me. They often insist to “let the professionals handle it” anyway. That was one thing. The other? Well, I swear I could see the squirrel, standing in the back window of the patrol car among shredded and flying pieces of foam and upholstery, and shaking his little fist at me. I think he was shooting me the finger…
That is one dangerous squirrel. And now he has a patrol car…
I took a deep breath, turned on my turn-signal, made an easy right turn, and sedately left the neighborhood.
As for my easy and slow drive home? Screw it. Faced with a choice of 80mph cars and inattentive drivers, or the evil, demonic, attack squirrel of death…I’ll take my chances with the freeway. Every time.
Author: Daniel Meyer http://lifeisaroad.com
Editor’s Note: I stumbled across this story while cruising the internet and found it extremely entertaining. I contacted Mr. Meyer and he graciously allowed me to re-print this story in our newsletter. If you also enjoyed this story visit his web-site and check out his books, blog, and pictures. He has published a whole series of books called “Life Is a Road”.
Out riding the Mississippi on the Iowa side, with a stop at a barge bar, during the Rally last year.
Bill Church, Mary Netzinger, & Dan Kasper
The Baaaaad Biker:
A drunken man walks into a biker bar, sits down at the bar and orders a drink. Looking around, he sees 3 men sitting at a corner table. He gets up, staggers to the table, leans over, looks at the biggest, meanest one in the face and says, "I went by your grandma's house today and I saw her in the hallway buck naked. Man, she is a fine looking woman!"
The biker looks at him and doesn't say a word. His buddies are confused, because he is one bad biker, and would fight at the drop of a hat.
The drunk leans on the table again and says, "I got it on with your grandma and she is good, the best I ever had!"
The biker's buddies are starting to get really mad, but the biker still says nothing.
The drunk leans on the table one more time and says, "I'll tell you something else, boy, your grandma liked it!"
At this point the biker stands up, takes the drunk by the shoulders and says
"Grandpa, you're drunk....... Go home!"
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Daniel Ryner: Owner/ Editor Thunder Roads Magazine Wisconsin & Northern Illinois
PO BOX 236 Yorkville, IL 60560
630-608-8603 www.trwinoil.com
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