Copyright...  No photos or written material on Choppers Australia website may be used with out prior written permission...

Click on the following links for 2006, 2008 & 2009 event reports...

2006 Reports

2008 Reports

2009 Reports

Back to Reports directory

2007 Events...

 Dec Queensland Christmas Bash... as reported by Pommy Chopper...

Saturday 15th December was the QLD Choppers Australia Xmas ride and dine!!

For some strange reason I decided roughly 4 hours before I was meant to set off that I would put a pin in the rather annoying blister on my tank that had been bugging me for ages.

And didn’t I regret it when petrol started dripping out of it!! So I had to decide, attempt to repair it, or take my ZRX1100 or the Ute??? Well there’s no way I’d turn up in a car, never done it before, not going to start now, ZRX is fine but this is a Chopper run. So drain the tank remove offending paint and there it is, a pin hole in my tank about 20mm up from the seam, with small lines of rust coming out from the hole (this is a very modified 1970’s tank after all).

So I checked that there’s not too much of a hole, and cleaned it, then plugged it with chemical metal, and stuck a sticker over it once dried. Re-fitting the tank and connecting up the fuel line is simple, filling with fuel is an art……

So all seems ok, no leaks. Load up, bid farewell to the wife and off I go. Met up with Spokes at the BP servo near Morayfield, now Spokes rides his bike hard, really hard, now I don’t have a problem with that if I’m riding something like my ZRX, but I wasn’t, I was on a 1979 Z650 Hardtail Chop, so I sat on the Bruce Highway watching Spokes disappear into the distance, after several KM’s he must have realised that I was not on for racing, so he slowed to my speed and we cruised down the Highway in the sun looking at the poor sod’s in their cars looking at us like we were mad!!! We met up with my mate Si in Brizzy then Spokes’ wife a bit further on. So the four of us made our way down to Goodna servo, to fill up before the ride that Midnight had sorted. Filling up at the servo I noticed that my cheap and nasty Taiwanese indicators had snapped from their mounts and now hung down each side of my Bates like deputy Dawgs ears!!

Meeting up with the rest at Macca’s in Goodna was cool, everyone in the air conditioned luxury with us lot getting stared at was funny. So me, Si, Spokes, Mrs. Spokes, SGT, Skip and Mrs. Skip, Neil and Mrs. Neil and Midnight ventured from the cool of Macca’s to the car park to check out the bikes, mine standing out like a sore thumb (if your sore thumb goes green) in a mass of Black bikes. Compliments were paid to one and all and stick was given as required!!

After about ten minutes of that we set off, the ride was great, a fantastic route, some great scenery and some awful roads that may have been better negotiated by dirt bike. Mainly out in the countryside and into Boonahshire we rode, we saw Pullmyfinga hiding under a bridge looking like a copper with a radar gun with his Fluro’s on and white 4x4, we acknowledged him whilst hanging on over the bumps and pot-holes as best we could.

After pulling over to let Midnight have a smoke we set off on the final leg to Jimboomba servo, I followed SGT most of the second leg, he has given his bike the coolest look with those bars and lower seat, I took some stick from him as he rode effortlessly over the pot-holes whilst I was smashing my spine, picking up Tex on the way we made our way to Jimboomba, we were a real site and what a noise…..Lovely.

It was the first time I’ve met Tex and what a pleasure, a true gent. Meeting up with Wayne, 74Chopper and Chucky we heard Robs tale of woe with his breakdown, but he soldiered on riding his now 750/3 and we followed Wayne to the middle of nowhere-shire to his house, all sticking together whilst riding down Wayne’s road so his wife could get some riding shots.

For about an hour we stood around drinking and chatting about bikes, and then a bit more about bikes. Wayne and his wife then started cooking for us and a huge plate of spicy prawns nearly got consumed by Skip, but we managed to have one each (I think), the rest of the night was mainly drinking, eating and chatting.

Most of the lads left at about 10 (I think) so me Si and Chucky slept at Wayne’s and had a hearty breakfast before setting off home Sunday Morning after a great 24hours.

I’d like to thank everyone who turned up, and especially Wayne and family for their hospitality. Til the next time...

Dec 2007 SA MRA Toy Run...

We didn't make this a club event this year, but there were a number of choppers and classic bikes there which I thought you'd all like to see. Steve a club member from north of Adelaide and I met at the Hahndorf Oval, the run's final destination in time to see the riders coming in... 

The event had a massive turn out this year... at least three times as many bikes as I've seen in the last few years

A nice Honda that also came last year...

Another Honda I'd not seen before...

Interesting girder...

This nice guy let me take his photo... see our links webpage for more details of "silly helmet covers"...

Remember the front number plate days... also just two letters not three...

This bloke apparently has two matching trikes that he uses for tours...

This bike gets ridden long distances... don't knock the old 80ci flatties...

Most of you have seen Jethro's chopped CB750 before.  The front end has been rechromed, it has new low handlebars a repaint and set recovering... He makes leather goods for bikers and had a stall here this year...

Steve and I had a good chat with Brian... he is progressively redoing his xs 650...

It was a great day.  Steve (on his chopped CB750) teamed up with a couple of other chopper riders on his way back north and I took a leisurely ride back south though back gravel roads and some great scenery around Mt Bold...

SA Northern Run... as reported by Prof...

The long awaited Northern SA run finally came to pass on Sunday Dec 2nd

None of the Southern guys were able to make the run which disappointed the northern blokes as they were looking forward to meeting some of the other SA Choppers Australia members... only Prof on his trusty shovel made the trip from down south.

Meeting place was the Gepps Cross Hotel car park and by 10.15 the first six had arrived...Myself on my chopped shovel, Ken on his 83 DOHC Honda, Mal, Steve and Jim on their chopped CB750's, Jim's brother Peter on his VT 750 cruiser and Mal's son Dallas on his Sporty, soon to be chopped. We were to collect more along the way.  After some discussion and some posed pics of proud riders and their choppers we headed out towards Elizabeth...

Mal and his CB 750...

Steve and his CB 750...

Jim and his CB750...

The lights took along time to change so why not make use of it...

Despite my best efforts to get some riding shots I only got one of Steve.  Nice tail light and slash cut drag pipes...

At Smithfield Plains, we joined up with Cookie (blue Vulcan above) on his 1500 (It has a great pair of upswept pipes to complement the 4" extensions and a lovely paint job) and also TBear (below) on his soon to be chopped bike... It has a very trick pair of 4 into twos and definitely sounds quite wicked.  Rear end for solo work has struts, which handled the Tarlee Road bumps without too much drama.

TBear on his DOHC Honda...

Steve and Jim take off from Smith field Plains with Cookie behind...

Tarlee was our next stop.  Once out of the suburbs, we had a gusty side wind which kept us awake.  Jut before Tarlee, a Harley flew past our spread out  group at a very high speed.  A couple of the guys swear the bird on the back lifted off her perch over the bumps and they thought she might end up in their laps!  We guessed at the choice words she would choose at their next stop!

Ken's DOHC Honda has just gotten on the road (his third ride on it).  4" Slugs being machined at the moment.  It was the only quiet bike on the run Shame!!!!

Mal's chop's throttle cable got snared... quick tank removal and rerouting solved the problem...

Cookie turned back on the way to Auburn as his back can't handle too much rough stuff.  I for one missed riding alongside his lovely upsweeps!  The run across to Balaklava was really tops... some nice curvy stuff and nice straight sections with no traffic.

Ken, Dallas, Steve, T Bear, Peter, Jim, Mal, (Prof taking pic)...

The deli at Balaklava was doing great business and the food was good.  Lunch on the lawn was a relaxed affair and included some discussion on Choppers Australia, our newsletter, website etc. After posing for a couple of nice group shots, four guys headed home to Hamley Bridge and Wasleys.  The remaining five of us had a quick run down to Mal's at Two Wells for a quick cuppa before heading to our respective homes. 

Got a couple of riding shots of Mal outside his house; this being one of them...

My final ride (1¼ hours) back to Willunga was done in moderate traffic, giving me the excuse to slip to the head of the column at traffic lights.  I dropped it on an old mate, Tim, in Reynella who took the opportunity to join CA.  Got home before dark after a good day and riding with some of our guys for the first time...

Wayne in SA... as reported by Prof...

Wayne (the Queensland stroker Pan man) was in SA this week for work.  His choice was sitting in front of the TV each night or meeting up with some of his fellow members in SA.  No real choice... who wouldn't choose getting together with fellow chopper enthusiasts?  A flurry of phone calls last week rounded up likely suspects and two meeting places; one at my place in Willunga on Monday night and one at Gulfview Heights on Tuesday night.

I  picked Wayne up Monday just after he rolled into town and we took off on the shovel to drop by Jerry on the way to Willunga, so Wayne could check out his Honda... Jerry wouldn't be riding it to Willunga as he is part way through making new forward controls....

While I got the meat cooking on the Barbie, the guys checked out my workshop and Dave's Trumpy with it's new springer... and smoking rear brake... chain adjustment shifted on the way up, and as he had no tools on board, he had to keep riding!  Travis and his partner rolled up after this picture was taken.. from left to right Shannon's mate (?), Jerry, Shannon, Dave, Rick, Wayne... Rick's xs650 bobber and Shannon's xs400 bobber are in the middle of their transformations... I got Wayne back to his hotel around midnight... he reckons its the most comfortable pillion riding he's ever done... see I told you sissy bars are cool!

I picked up Wayne again on Tuesday night and we headed off through peak hour traffic this time to the north side of Adelaide... city riding is not the best kind of riding, but it's riding and that's cool, made all the better by frequent blasts past traffic to get clear of cars... any excuse to open the shovel up!

We had a small gathering at Ken's... and he and Karen had laid on a real feast, despite us bringing our own food... so we ate well.  The discussions were long and concentrated with much discussion on how how to chop Dave's CX500.  Craig will soon be doing more work on his shovel and Ken has just started on his budget 83 DOHC Honda.  After seeing some of his decorative knives, we reckon his Honda is likely to have some interesting finishing touches.  In the pic below, from left to right are Wayne, Craig, Ken and Dave... Karen was also taking photos.

We all reluctantly left a bit after 10pm.  It was perfect riding weather, of the sort where in younger days we probably would have taken off for a quick run to Murray Bridge or Port Wakefield, but responsibility prevailed and after dropping Wayne off again at his hotel, I headed for home... letting the shovel have her head wherever the traffic was thin... it was also the kind of evening where a helmet is a real dampener on the experience so...

Wayne will be back in SA next March, so you blokes who missed him this time, now have plenty of warning to be ready for our next round of get togethers...

SA... Oct 1st, Impromptu Myponga Cruise... as reported by Prof...

 As a result of a phone call a few days before, Dave rocked up at Prof's on his Trumpy chop for quick hour's run to Myponga Dam and back.  The reason? Well for starters it was great weather, secondly who needs an excuse to fire up your chop and go for a ride... but particularly, because Dave had just rebuilt and installed a nice springer on his Bonnie.  Prof reckoned he should get a look at it and thought Dave needed to put some miles on it to get the feel of the new riding characteristics.

Prof led the way on his 81 Shovel, taking it easy, aware that Dave was on a rigid and getting used to his new forks.  Then Dave came past and cranked things along a bit more... no pussyfooting either.  Prof pulled across into the right lane and got this pic and a bit over 110, dropped back in the face of oncoming cars and let Dave set the pace.

We cruised close together on the straight just past Sellicks and then Prof stayed back as Dave swung the Trumpy through the curves, before Prof took the lead again and turned off to the Dam.  More road racing on Dave's part (told me he scraped the pegs a few times) until we pulled up at the Dam lookout.

As usual, the choppers attracted others and we had a lively discussion with a couple, the male of course having had bikes when young.  They wished us safe riding and we took off across the Dam wall and back through Myponga.  A right turn just out of town took us along a very rough 10ks of asphalt (sorry mate) onto the Adelaide-Victor Harbor Road. 

At the top of Willunga Hill, Prof led Dave along the Range Road and down into Willunga the back way.... great riding, great day.  Well Dave you proved springers aren't too bad handling.

SA... Oct 7th, Balhannah Swap Meet... as reported by Prof...

 The Veteran & Vintage motorcycle only swap meet this year was held at Balhannah. Dave was happy to join me to do a CA stand, so rolled up at our place at 6.15 am. 

We had a cool run through to Balhannah (great riding by the way) and got our stall set up in double quick time.  It's fun to feel the eyes of surrounding stall holders on us as we unfold a table, roll out a metre square banner on a pole etc etc... all carried on the shovel!

Looking around I saw a familiar bike, a CB750/4 chopper with 45º rake on the other side of the oval... Jethro was selling his biker leather goods.  Dave and I both got to do a quick look around the stalls, but the whole morning was extremely busy with enquiries about Choppers Australia, chopping in general and questions about the bikes... what are they like to ride... how much to build... where to get parts and so on...  Dave reckoned he talked more during the 4½ hours he was there than in the whole of the previous month!

This swap meet generated the most interest by  far of any of the previous swap meets and I'm confident we will soon have some new members to share the joy of riding the coolest bikes on the planet.

Dave's next job... a bolt on Trumpy hardtail...

I picked up a couple of items which when added made for quite a bulky load.  Dave picked up a bolt on hard tail which he is keen to get onto the Trumpy, but I think he has to do a few jobs for his missus first.

New front guards imported from UK... $90 for steel, $70 for alloy...

We had a beaut ride home... beautiful weather, good conversations, chopper riding fellowship... doesn't get much better than this.

SA... July 7&8 ... as reported by Prof...

Saturday... Despite the inclement weather on Saturday 6th, Dave and I took a run down to Strathalbyn to catch up with John.  It rained almost the entire trip, but fortunately didn't bucket down.  But, we were enclosed from head to toe in waterproofs and thoroughly enjoyed the run. John is building a DOHC Honda chop.  The frame was built by his dad back in WA in early 80's with his own design of spring heel, which John says works very well.  The frame is all he has left from his previous chopper so this is a modern resurrection.

Dave and I also dropped in very briefly to Dru's so Dave could check out his XS650 chopper.

Dave and John...

Sunday... More excitement on Sunday the 7th, with a bunch coming down to Prof's for the afternoon.  Bacca and his family were over form Boort in Victoria, so we notified others at short notice who might be able to meet up.  Paul come up and left early, bringing his 750/4 for us to check out.  Dave was back again on his Trumpy (soon to get a springer) and John rolled up a little later...

Bacca and Paul with Paul's CB750...

Bacca, Prof, Dave, Paul. and Dave's Trumpy...  & 82 Sporty in back ground)

Dave tries out Paul's CB500 for fit... Bacca in Picture taking mode

Prof's red 81 shovel with WLA bobber in foreground

Lunch around the extendable table... all the 70's chopper mags put aside for the moment...

After much discussion, magazine reading and looking at pics on the computer, the various ones went their ways enthused to keep on choppin'... Great way to spend a weekend.

Impromptu Easter gathering in SA ... as reported by Prof...

Last week Norm (Tbear) rang to see if he and a mate could drop in his membership on his way back from Victor Harbor on Easter Sunday.  Of course the answer was yes...  As I'd just caught up with Dave (Stoand) a few days earlier and he is only 15 mins away, it seemed a good idea to get him down as well and I also invited Jerry who lives close by for good measure...

Jerry unfortunately had an old mate from way back drop in just before leaving, so missed out on the christening of the new barby as well as some good chopper fun... Norm brought down his son Byron and was accompanied by his mate Shane. Both were riding sports bikes, but chopper material has been purchased and choppers are on the way.

The three had cruised up to Pirie the day  before (plus 5 hours in hospital with a bee sting and swollen throat) and then this morning they did a run from Elizabeth down to Victor Harbor.  Shane at this moment Sun evening) is well on his way back home to Mt Gambier... is that enthusiasm or isn't it?

Was a great afternoon, capped off with some picture taking of Dave on his Bonny Bobber... so thought you'd all like a report and a couple of pics...

Shane... "I love that Trumpy..."

First or second kick start every time note the magneto...

Round we go for another pic...

Come on... get all of me in!

Got him.

Now that's biking for you.... 

If a couple of you get together on your choppers, how about taking some pics and sending them in with a description of the occasion...

Qld... February 11th... as reported by Tex...

Wayne & I fronted up at the Bearded Dragon Pub at Tamborine Village.  Great spot. Nice atmosphere, good people, good music. 

The two rigids drew lots of attention. 

We talked to many people about old choppers, etc etc.   

Wayne had a slow leak (in the rear tyre that is!!) so we had a quick trip to the nearby servo to fix that. Good day.  Nice to meet up with another chopper rider.

SA February Run... as reported by Prof...

Phone calls roundabout indicated no takers for this months run, (bikes off the road, forecast heat etc).  However just in case someone was expecting it to be still on, I figured I'd enjoy a nice run down to the kickoff point at Moana.  Jerry had already been out for a short ride at 8am, so his bike was out the front of his garage, so yes he'd be in a short stint. 

We cruised the length of  the Moana car park and stopped in the shade, having a bit of a gasbag and watching hoards of people getting excessive sun on the beach.  No one else rolled up so on to plan B... a short run along the esplanade to Christies.  On the way I grabbed half a dozen pics  of Jerry... nice having a bike one can ride no hands... and then up to see Crowie in Morphett Vale.  We looked at pics of his previous two bikes in old Heavy duty magazines and a few cold drinks later went out to his shed... as this was the first time he and Jerry had met. 

After the usual chopper enthusiasts' discussion when around bikes, Jerry and I lit up our choppers and headed back to Moana where I got to photograph a nice large photo of his Honda in a previous version.  Check it out on "Your chopper pics..." forum.  Then I trundled of home on the Harley and was home by lunch time.

All in all a pleasant Sunday morning and what chopper riding is all about... impromptu rides, visiting mates, checking out bikes and just having a relaxin' good time...

January 07 Brissy Run...   as reported by Skip...

It was a  hot muggy day for the 11 adults [& 1 youngin' ] who turned up at Yatala...

 Nine bikes sat ready to go for the ride to Brunswick Heads.

Chopper 74 [Rob ] along with his lovely partner Monique were in the 4 wheels with their daughter. Rob's Honda 4 Chop just needs electrics & a bit of finishing off & he'll be road bound very shortly.. the photo's of his biker look great.

Tony's Softail & Wayne's Pan

Tex sent an apology through & was spewin' that something came up & he couldn't make it... always next time mate.

 Pommychopper recently from good old England is another who will  soon be on the road as he finally picked up his bike & now only has to negotiate the red tape for registration.

Those on the ride were...Spokes..Yamaha  1700 Warrior  [ 2 into 1-beast' ]

Rob [another Rob ]..as above .. another 'full of grunt'    

Justin.... 800 Vulcan [ nice ride ]

Tony..'94 S'Tail [luv's apehangers

Sgt...'07 Dyna Bobbe  [looks good ]

'G'...on a VMAX [mean headlight ]

Gerry...'05 N'Train [nice mods ]

Skip...'96 Dyna [chain is on..belt to be nailed to the wall!! ]

Wayne.. a true 'ole classic '48 'ole skool chopper  

Gerry's Nite-train                                                                                                        'G's Vmax

Everyone either has a project in the shed or  is about to have a go at putting something together, so for the future things look good for a few more  oldies to be back on the road.. mind you some of the newer bikes with some alterations looked good as well.

Now Brunswick Heads is only 115km from Yatala.. we never made it!  Suspense... Drama!  what happened you say, well while all the newer  bikes zipped away we forgot about Wayne who had a fresh motor & overheating problems.  We stopped over the border & Rob [S'Tail ] rang & told us Wayne's bike got too hot when the traffic thickened up so they retreated to the Greenmount surf lifesaving club & were sitting on the veranda having a coldie & admiring the local bikini clad talent.. well who were we to go to Brunswick so a unanimous decision was made to go back & make sure they were ok.!!!!! 

An enjoyable day as it gave everyone the opportunity to put faces to names, talk about bikes... bikes & more bikes.  Some would have rode 250 - 300km for the day with an average of 200 so for the others , what more can you ask for... riding, mixing with new friends over a drink [ & a good meal ], plus 'interesting 'Gold Coast scenery.

Greenmount S.L.S.C...Monique, Tony, Wayne, Rob [Warrior ], SGT, Gerry, Spokes, & 'G's back

So any Queenslander  or anyone for that matter if you're interested in a ride, look up the website "Next event...' each month & see what's on.  Everyone's welcome... I'd say short rides with get togethers, bbq's etc will be the main theme. Thanks to  Monique who clicked some great photo's of Rob & Wayne when riding & along with others taken will be put up here a.s.a.p.

Monthly rides are 2nd Sunday each month with a different person each time to organise the details of where to or what etc.

Catch 'ya on a ride.. Cheers Skip...

2007 SA Chopper Muster... as reported by Prof...

Sunday produced perfect weather for our 2nd Annual Chopper Muster.  Once again Merv and Karen from CDUA Victoria came over.  A couple of other Victorians were unable to make it due to unfinished choppers or their choppers deciding to play up.  Andrew & Rilda (chopped shovel), Merv & Karen (chopped CB750) and Crowie (chopped shovel) came up together from the south.  Paul came up on his cruiser (Honda in early stages of being chopped) separately as did Rosco and son Floyd (Oz Trike... shovel about to be chopped) along with friends on their Oz trike, also all from the south.

Everyone met at the Glen Osmond servo (the one with the cement pine trees) and quite a sizeable crew it was. The northern contingent, Steve & Mal on chopped CB750's (typical 70's Aussie style) and Jim on his restored CB 750 came rode down together.  Drew on his chopped XS650 and Jethro on his chopped CB750 joined us from other points of the compass.  Numbers were further enhanced by a large bunch of folks from BACA on a variety of Harleys and cruisers (Thanks for coming fellas).

Rosco and Floyd volunteered to be our video crew and did a really fine job, driving in front, dropping back and passing as well as going ahead to catch the pack head on.

Mt Lofty...

Our first stop for 20 mins was Mt Lofty as a special visual treat for the Victorians.  Part way up the road a sport bike rider was on laying on the road will some pretty painful injuries as a result of hitting the guard rail a few minutes before we came through.  A couple of our group stopped by to help (A dozen others were already present) while the rest of us went on.

Woodside & two m/cycle cops...

The run from Mt Lofty to Woodside (where Merv could fill his 5 litre diamond tank) was uneventful.  However, pulling up in the main street, we managed to attract the attention of two highway patrol cars and a couple of motorcycle cops.  Prof figured he would head them off at the pass so as to speak and went up to tell the lead copper what a fine law abiding bunch we were and how we were on the way to Birdwood to put on a display for the motor Museum (all true by the way!).  They reckoned they were checking out Patch clubs and also wondered why some of our trike riders were not wearing helmets.  That sorted out and petrol taken on, we proceeded to Birdwood.

The Motor Museum staff insisted we line up our choppers at their doorway and couldn't have been more helpful, giving attendees entry for only $4 per bike.  If you have not been to the Motor Museum at Birdwood for a while, it is an international standard venue with a massive display of cars and bikes as well as conference facilities... and the staff are amazing.

After an hour for lunch and judging by Bob & Martha, trophies were presented, thanks to all given and every one settled down to checking out the choppers, talking or going through the museum.

A trophy & certificate...  and winners...                              

Around 2.30, the northern guys took off (and report a hot, but great ride home), and others gradually followed suit.  Last to leave were some of the the southerners, various ones parting at Hahndorf and Kangarilla.

Getting ready to take off...

The folks I've spoken to so far say they had a great time, enjoyed the acceptance of the group and loved riding together.

A final thanks to each of you who attended.  Together you made it a pleasurable and memorable day.