The mid north meander was the 4th in a series of bi-anneal tours conducted by the Federation of Historic Vehicles. The theme is to visit & encourage country bike & car clubs. They are called “tours” for insurance purposes (I suppose calling them a “fang”, “blat” or “flat stick burn in the bush” would discourage insurers) -ed) The vehicles are at least 30 years old and follow a recommended route. Overnight Stays are at attendants discretion, ie camp, cabin, or motel in towns large enough to accommodate 200 plus people. Visits to attractions are organised and / or recommended as each town is passed through. At each overnight stay is a dinner run by local clubs, and is usually addressed by the local mayor or MP. Also on departure, the mayor waves the convoy off. Where possible, the route through towns passes the aged peoples homes and local schools.
The first tour was to Canberra and resulted in a collapsing rear hub on the return jorney, and the trailer was employed to get it home. The second was to the west coast which we missed due to work. The third to Mt Gambier was spoiled by the rough Coorong Road (rough on a Matchless) causing the forks to seize solid, I persisted however, the locked suspension not favouring the front tyre, or my back.
This tour, the fourth, was to broken Hill via Mildura; some 1268km plus sightseeing. The Matchless was the only motorcycle, again, along with 100 cars. The cars varied from a 360cc Honda van to a 7 litre Mustang GT, vehicles powered by 2, 3, 4, 6 & 8 cylinders, 2 stroke, 4 stroke & diesel engines. The largest was a 1947 Fargo semi- trailer caravan, beautifully restored, complete in its length of 42’ (13m), with a bath.
The Matchless prepared in the usual “if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it” method (modern English employs the term “the minimalist approach to motorcycle maintenance” here Morv. – ed) But I have spent 19 years sorting & securing everything on the bike, and so was quietly confident of a trouble free run. How wrong can one be?
We set off from the Birdwood mill complex for lunch at Mannum, followed by afternoon tea with the children of the Swan Reach School, then on to Loxton, Berri and Renmark. We did the usual sight seeing & river cruises, Banrock Station & Loxton Pioneer Village. At Loxton we were met with 19 “high wheelers”. These are all fully restored pre WWI cars, including one steamer. One of the cars broke a chain on the way into Loxton, so the village black smith m,ade another link & all was well.
We moved on to Mildura for the usual 2 nights of sightseeing and visits. When I went to start the bike for the run to Broken Hill, the only response from the kick starter was clutch slip. A quick strip down, wash the 10 plates to rid them of oil, a rebuild and we were on our way with only a 25 minute delay. By Wentworth, I dad caught the tail enders and passed many more before our lunch stop at Coombah.
About 15Km after Coombah I noticed the rev-counter needle swing back to zero, my heart sank because I know this particular model tacho is very rare. Where would I get spares, or another? I looked over the tank & to my relief the unit was still in place but the worm winding itself out. I braked as hard as possible & fortunately the worm was just hanging in the housing. Melva & I looked back along the road for the end cover – no joy. Several cars stopped to help then along came Trevor Goodwin & his mate, and after looking and talking he got a bright idea. He pushed 2 5c pieces in the unit, taped and wired it together & away we went. With 120km to Broken Hill, it was agony as I constantly watched the repair for any signs of trouble. It all stayed together, no trouble. Upon examination at Broken Hill, the coins weren’t damaged in any way. It was rebuilt using the method & has remained untouched to the end. When I went to start the bike to leave Broken Hill, the clutch slipped, and this was followed by a quick strip, clean and reassemble and a belated start to the days riding.
The ride to Peterborough was uneventful. A visit to the rail shed & dinner in the ornate town hall went down well. Next Morning, clutch slip was back with a vengeance, no matter what I tried, I could not get it to grip. So I gave up, and put the bike on the trailer for the trip to Clare. WE travelled by historic Terowie and Aroona Farm where we saw some memorable farm machinery. The highlight was a flat 16 Bedford tank motor with no exhaust pipes. What a noise!
At Clare, Trevor Goodwin insisted on fixing the clutch. HE came around to the motel, and in about 10 minutes had solved the problem. 40 years ago when Matchless / Norton gear bosses were used in competition we used to fit a locknut on the gearbox main shaft to prevent the clutch from coming off. In my attempt to make the bike more reliable I had fitted one. Over the years, the plates had become thinner through wear & so the lock nut was holding the pressure plate out & not allowing full pressure on the clutch plates. We removed the nut and everything was ready for the run to Nuriootpa. We also visited the Maders. As usual, Lyndon and Anne made us feel most welcome. Get well soon Lyndon, we miss your bright cheery face. We were given a tour of Meg and Rob’s 100 acres, which should be good when they’ve completed their development program.
Back on the bike and we travelled via the Martindale Hall, Saddleworth & Kapunda ready for a visit to Angaston. We booked in to the hotel and went to move the bike & car into the car park. Melva got all mixed up with the relatively new car launching it forward at a great rate smashing into a bollard & and the rear of the Matchless. The car was a mess, and was rendered unable to drive. The bike suffered a crumpled mudguard & numberplate and a pulverised tail light. I was lucky I was riding the bike slowly at the time and didn’t lose balance tanks to the bollard. Fortunately none of us were injured, and the staff at the hotel were extremely helpful and considerate. They looked after the car until it could be trucked to Adelaide.
Brett Metcalf organised a 4WD to tow us, trailer & bike home the next morning. To get 35 km from home and have a “spot of bother” is disappointing but I have no complaints. Next tour is Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas and hopefully the bike and I will complete the run with no trouble.
(You mean, you the bike and Melva don’t you Morv?- ED)
Morvan Green