The crowd was ok and we got a lot of interest in our cool machines, but would have been better if rain hadn't been forecast.
I was up at 5.30 waiting for Tony who had offered to ride my Diamond tanked CB750. He ended up late because he had to try and find his water proof jacket when he woke up to rain. We took off in the dark and rode through intermittent light showers falling from the continually dripping skies...
We met up with Jason on his S&S Evo chopper and with the drips less frequent I managed to get some good photos and video (see Choppers Australia.com facebook). We'd caught up with Jason at a local servo and Tony commented that his back end seemed a bit squirrely. As I run only 20 psi on the 16 x 5 and he is a really big bloke I assumed it just needed a bit more pressure and put in some air, then off we went...
We rolled into the oval a bit after 7am and Ken was already set up as were the majority of the other stalls. His shovel chopper is a real stand out in red, silver, white walls and lots of chrome. We three parked at his direction and shortly after Victor and Rayne rumbled in on their choppers. Both run suicide clutches, but handle them with aplomb. Protruding out past a nearby stall was a long 70's springer and Victor, Rayne and I hastened to check it out. Asking price was $1250, too much in my opinion for something that needs rechroming, a highly expensive process these days...
As I said before we had a lot of interest and I think our display was as eye catching as any other display on the day. Our guys were kept pretty busy answering questions...
Ken...
Victor...
Some interested folks got to try my shovel for size. This couple both ride Adventure bikes...
Not long after we arrived someone pointed out that the Honda back axle nut was missing. Aha! Know why it was squirrely. A first for me and don't know how the nut came loose. I hurried off to try every swap stall for a suitable nut. Found a 16mm with right pitch, but needed and 18mm. We discussed one of us doing donuts in front of the police display while another nicked a nut off their police Honda, but alas no fun and games were to be had!!! I arranged to get one off mate Barry Hunt of CB750 Hospital at the end of the day. As it turned out. Rayne left early and rode his chopper up to The Chopper Shed where we will be installing a Meatballs 4" over springer. He offered to bring a nut back for me. Paul hunted up a couple. Thanks to both of you for your care.
Both Victor and Rayne's Harley choppers are kicker only and a crowd gathered when each of them started up. First kick each time of course! Victor who was suffering from a flu, but came anyway, took off early and around 11.30 with heavy rain threatening, all the stalls hurredly packed up. Rayne brought the nut just in time and Jason, Tony and I chugged out of the oval and headed for home. Very enjoyable despite the heavy traffic, three choppers in close formation sweeping across lanes to take advantage of gaps between the cars. Part way along Brighton Rd I noticed a squeal coming from Jason's chopper. At the lights he explained the clutch was misbehaving (he's been having trouble for some time) and as the ride home progressed a distinct smell of burning clutch was noticeable, but he made it...
We kept just ahead of the rain and stopped briefly at Jason's pad to say, "See ya". I took a wrong turn and Tony and I did some back street chasing before we actually got there... Ah. A few U turns and missed turns all a part of the fun...
Knowing that the diamond tank on the CB would probably hold only enough to just make it home, I planned to pick up the liquid gold at Old Noarlunga. But, a few miles beforehand, Tony disappeared from my mirror view. "Oh Oh!" The tank holds less than I thought. Simple job of filling up my army dixie cup a few times and...
... pouring into the CB tank. Filler is quite small, so with no plastic bottles lying around, one of my laminated signs became a funnel...
Rest of the ride was uneventful except that the rain had caught up to us and we got a little damp. Just spitting the last few miles after out fuel stop and just enjoyable riding together back to Willunga, where of course the rain come down a bit more seriously as we dismounted.
A great day. All the CA boys enjoyed themselves and they definitely aim to be back again next year. It you didn't come, you missed out on a good show and if you didn't ride, well you really missed out. Viva la chopper!!!
