Newsletter of the

Monash University

Sporting

Motorcycle Club

Union Building

Monash University

Wellington Road

Clayton, 3168.

HELLO...

Hello fellow MUMSC members:

Team Monash (resplendent in spiffy new shirts - see Steve or Jason for yours, $2 extra for Rohan's autograph on it) is now 3 races into the 1997 season, and there's been plenty of action already. Book early to get your ring-side seats at the ARRC round on the Queen's Birthday weekend!

In the beginning there was drought - at Broadford, in February. Since then we have been to Hobart (where it rained nearly every day we were there) and Phillip Island last weekend (where it rained every day we were there, but wasn't cold too, for some strange reason). Hopefully this isn't the tart of some trend - I was getting to enjoy the dry spell we'd been having lately, but as Murphy's law would have it, it failed to extend into the main part of the motorcycle racing season.

Team Monash's results during this time have been a bit patchy, with a couple of good finishes mixed with a lot of crashing. Still, Rohan is beginning to show some encouraging form - when he can keep the bike upright! Oh well, life gets a bit more risky at the pointy end of the field.

One thing for sure, travelling to Hobart and spending 4 days at Baskerville Raceway made us realise how good we have it at Phillip Island, in terms of conditions and amenities (apart from the cold dim sims). Any shelter at the Tasmanian track had to be installed by a party hire outfit in Hobart, who charged an exorbitant fee for the privilege. The other problem was that the track seemed designed to cause as much damage as possible to rider and bike when a "get-off" occurred. Believe me, Rohan certainly wasn't the only one to come to grief during the meeting there - just look at what happened to Steve Luxmoore! And then there was the infamous bridge incident on the Friday night ...

Anyway, all club members are encouraged to come and watch Rohan compete at the second ARRC round. This is traditionally the most popularly attended Australian round on the calendar (because it's held at the start of the racing season, when everybody still has money to spend on racing!), so anticipate lots of close exciting racing from large fields. And ... don't forget that the Australian Grand Prix is being held at the same track on October 5. We're aiming for a big MUSMC presence there ...

As for other club activities, we hope you'll all feel like hauling your sorry carcases out of bed and attending the monthly club ride this coming Sunday. Jason Lavroff has recently purchased some club riding gear - Dri-Riders, helmets ... so if you have a friend who wants to enjoy a pillion ride then bring them along too!

Catch you all later ... and a special hello to Amanda Kaighin, who made her international debut at the World Superbikes on March 23, as a flag marshall.

Chris Godfred

Executive Committee

President: Rohan Barton , 9253 6694 (B)

Treasurer: Stephen Luxmoore , 9905 3573 (B)

Secretary: Jason Lavroff (see email address)

For Sale

2 GPZ 250's 1984 models. 1 red till Aug 97, with RWC,, and 2

into 1 exhaust. 1 90% complete (ie missing head off engine, front mudguard

and a few other bits). $2000 ono for both

andrew.lawrence@mel.dfst.csiro.au

or Phone Andrew on

03 95090836 or

0412 672126

Club item list for hire

** Monash University Sporting Motorcycle Club Equipment List up to

date ** 6/5/97.

AGV helmet (size M)

AGV helmet (size L)

Dri Rider Jacket (size S)

Dri Rider Jacket (Gold Series) (size L)

Rivet summer gloves (size L)

Rivet summer gloves (size XL)

Rivet winter gloves (size L)

HELMET holder

First Aid Kit

Race Team T-shirts x4

Hot off the press ...

Yoh Rohan,

I just checked out the MUSMC website which Vlad put together. Looks

pretty good. He has gone to a lot of work to produce a website which

all members in our club should be aware of and should be able to

access.

The web site is:

http://yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au/groups/unibikes/

MEMBER PROFILE May '97

Name: Andrew Smale

Involvement: Mostly

Machine: Yamaha FZ750T (nakedbike)

History: Yamaha SRX250 (cute)

Course: Master of Engineering Science (Biomedical)

I've only been to one or two club functions this year, so hello to all those I haven't met yet. I started off in the club last year with a few rides, but this year for one reason or another I seem to have missed most of the parties, bowling nights, and what have you. Still, there's plenty of good riding weather ahead, isn't there? My only niggle is being somewhat "financially constrained" at the moment, so luxurious jaunts to eastern Victoria and up the coast will have to wait.

My first bike was the mighty SRX250 THUMPER. Not much can go wrong on a single cylinder, air cooled four stroke, but I managed to strip the spark plug thread, warp the front wheel, bend clipons and lose handlebar end weights without too much effort. But I always have been partial to anything in a bikini. Eventually the bike died a horrible death when it met an old Ford stationwagon down in Centre Road, Clayton. I had my first ride in an ambulance, and eventually recovered.

Then came the FZ750. I will never forget riding it back to Melbourne from Leongatha when I bought it. Of course it was a raining lightly so the roads were wet, and the bike was ... erm, noticeably heavier and just slightly more powerful than what I was used to. I'd say the bike would have been embarrassed to have me aboard the way I was riding it - the term "shit scared" springs to mind. Well, that was way back in November 1993, so I've had three and a half years (is it that long already?) of happy fanging around, crashing, repairing, and more crashing. (The ownership cycle is in the crashing stage again at the moment, hence the "nakedbike" moniccer for what should be a fully faired bike. Hopefully I should be able to continue to the repairing stage later this year).

Let's see what the original AMCN test of the FZ has to say (vol 34, no. 24, 1985), courtesy of the archives of the State Library.

"...it seems Yamaha's engineers have come up with more than just a trick sales brochure..."

"By using smaller but more numerous valves, individual valve weight is less without compromising total valve intake area, and lighter valves mean lighter springs, less load on the entire valve train and potential for higher engine speeds".

"The easy manoeuvrability and good stability at any speed means extra safety on blind corners and twisty mountain roads".

Some stats:

100 bhp (75kW) at 10,500 rpm

11.2:1 compression ratio

10,500 rpm redline

231 kmh top speed (seen nearly this on PI main straight) [the TZ wins - Ed]

6 speed gearbox

209 kg dry weight [bit porky eh! - Ed]

0 - 100 kmh in 4.3 seconds (apparently) *

Price: $5590 *

* These figures from Two Wheels August 1985 comparo with Suzuki GSX-R 750.

I wonder how much things have changed in the last 10 years of sportsbike development? In December 1995, the AMCN did a test of the then brand new Suzuki GSX-R750T.

128 bhp at 12,000 rpm

11.8:1 compression ratio

13,500 rpm redline

293 kmh top speed (gone close yet, Todd?)

6 speed gearbox

179 kg dry weight [that’s better! - Ed]

Hmm, looks like the FZ has a 30kg bag of cement to lug around.

Highlights of owning the FZ have been the track days at Phillip Island (but not the last one), and riding on club rides. My three week trip up to Queensland will also not be forgotten. With my parents having a caravan at Port Fairy, the GO Road has been one of my favourite rides over the last couple of years - particularly that bit from Apollo Bay to Lavers Hill. But I'm yet to sample the delights of Tasmania on the bike. This is my next aim, followed by New Zealand.

Over the last year or so, I have helped a couple of friends start their motorcycling careers. Well, I hope Dusica thought I was helpful, anyway. It really is fun watching people master the challenges of riding and to see them enjoy leaning into the curves for the first time. Bring on the club rides...

And the great news on the televised motorcycle racing front is not just that channel 10 is covering both the GPs and the Superbikes, but that Foxtel have all the GP races live - 125, 250 and 500cc races! For example, April 20th has four hours of GP coverage from noon, then four and a half hours of superbikes from 8pm. Try to get me off the couch that day! Last year, the superbikes were the most entertaining races, and the 125cc and 250cc GP races were sensational. Nearly every 125cc race involved a five-way (or more) battle in the leading group, with the lead changing every second corner. In comparison, the Doohan/Criville show of the 500s was somewhat predictable. This year it will be interesting to see how Beattie, Corser and Gobert will go this year.

Oh well, must go off and read the AMCN which has just arrived in the letter box. See you cahns on the next club ride or pub night.

March Club Ride: Report

Well, I got roped into writing the report for the March Club ride. Initially I thought it was a bit of an inconvenience, after all, there were six other riders Rohan could have picked on. I hope I haven’t impressed him with my journalistic prowess enough to ensure I am picked on every month... I digress however....

The first club ride of the new academic year was a success although we were disappointed at the lack of 250cc machines. This is a student club and we should target our efforts to increasing the involvement of new riders. On the plus side, there was no reason to go slow (ha ha that’s a joke). The day started outside Sports and Rec at around 10.00 (but Rohan circulated an email saying 10.30). All in all, seven riders turned up, one with a pillion. The riders were:

- Me... on The ZX6-R;

- Chris and Liz on the Gpx 750;

- Treasurer Steve on his leaky Gpz 750;

- Secretary Jason on the v. clean ZZR600;

- Mark on an FJ1100;

- Bespectacled Steve on an 1100 Guzzi Sport (v. nice bike); and last but not least;

- Mad Vlad the Impaler on his ZX9-R (More about what this guy did later).

The route taken formed a big loop including Emerald, Yarra Junction, Powelltown, Neerim South, Warragul, Korumburra and Dandenong. The group rode at (broadly) legal speeds to Powelltown. Outside of Powelltown, the road enters the State Forest and becomes all narrow and twisty. From front to back, we had Guzzi Steve followed very closely by Vlad (ZX9). When I say closely, try to picture being so close that his helmet was up against the Guzzi brake light,... yes, he was that close. In the middle, we had ... me, Jason, Mark and Chris (+Liz). Steve Luxmoore played tail-end Charlie. As if he could keep up anyway (That was a joke as well. OK?). The pace increased on the Powelltown-Noojee leg with 140-160 km/h sweepers after the state forest finished.

The lunch stop was Neerim South, where we ate some stuff masquerading as food. Steve decided to give Vlad a test ride on the Guzzi, (Mark had a go as well). Vlad’s comments were positive in general, but the comment which sticks in my mind goes along the lines of "Over 5000 rpm, it is like a giant vibrator". Hmmmm - does that mean you liked it?

Neerim South-Warragul was more of a cruise than a thrash, with only mildly illegal speeds at the front. The next leg was THE BEST - Warragul-Korumburra. The road is very bumpy with poor surface quality in some areas. On the positive side, it runs along a ridge which has two desirable properties to satisfy anyone. For people like Vlad, the ridge meant he could see the exit of the corner much earlier than usual (=faster). For others, the views to either side of the road are exceptional, making the trip visually exciting.

The Warragul-Korumburra leg is v. bumpy and we just knew that Jason would complain about the bumps. On arrival at Korumburra he did just that. There was some concern about what had happened to Chris and Steve after a twenty minute delay. Apparently they had taken the wrong turn at the start, and then Mark disappeared (?)

We filled our tanks at Korumburra and cruised the remaining 120km home at legal speeds. The boredom of the trip back was broken as we entered Cranbourne by, who else? Vlad. In a feat of,... something, he managed to apply my front brake with his left hand while we were both moving. EEK! All in all, the first club ride was a tremendous buzz for those who attended and bugger all for those that didn’t. If you’d rather have a buzz than be buggered (ooh-err), then make sure you don’t miss the next one!

RL

the newspaper obituary read "Kawasaki Gpz 250, born 1985, died Feb 1996 aged 10. Will be missed by friends and family." But wait! This Gpz will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead!.....

Gpz Files Part I - Genesis

There is a Gpz 250 Belt Drive lying in state in my garage. It has been idle (not idling) since being superseded by my ZX6-R, but this year it will make a comeback, restored to (nearly) original condition, registered and roadworthy. This is project GPZ. Before attempting this incredible journey, let me give you a brief history so that you can see what I’m going to be up against.

I bought the machine from Yamaha City in November 1993 shortly after passing my L’s. My first ride on the road was from the Elizabeth St shop to Sunbury up the Tullamarine Freeway. To say that was an adventure is a major understatement. The price of the machine was $2400, in immaculate condition (to my untrained eyes). I should have learnt something about the future when the stator (electric thingy) broke on the second day I had it. Time passed and I went on a few trips including Lakes Entrance and Anglesea. On the way back from Anglesea, one of the valve covers blew off and I didn’t realise until I entered Geelong.... leg covered in oil, I thought the engine had blown or something. Next day, and a new valve cover, I got home.

I had one crash, with myself only to blame, lowsiding in the city. The bike fell over when parked in the backyard of a mate’s house. The yard was firm before the rain came..... Ummm, at one stage both footpegs had fallen off on the freeway (at different times) and so I used the pillion pegs. The fuel tank rusted out and I had petrol dribbling down my leg.

This is what a Gpz250 ought to look like... oooh ‘tis nice to dream, innit?

As you can see, the bike has had a hard life. Speedo and tacho cables died thousands of km ago and the battery is flat. Conservatively speaking, three years of depreciation equals $2400.

So... what do we need to do to fix the machine to make it roadworthy? Many things...

Firstly, we are going to tackle the front end - brakes, fluid, fork oil and new clutch and brake handles. Fortunately, the front tyre has plenty of tread. The rear tyre is another story, it looks more like a slick than a road tyre. We also need to source a new fuel tank ‘cos its got a big dent and has rusted down the bottom. Need a new battery as well. That will probably so for the moment, although I can see dark clouds ahead, the kinds with dollar signs on them. After all of the chassis bits are done, the motor will need work, rings and valves, though this is not necessary for the roadworthy. That brings me to rego, another $240 (or thereabouts).

COSTS SO FAR

We haven’t actually done anything yet, but sorting the front end should cost something like this.

Brake Fluid $ 6.00

Brake Pads $50.00

Fork Oil $10.00

Brake/Clutch handles $40.00

Total $106.00

NEXT MONTH

The Gpz will get some new brakes, new fork oil and some handles... we might even explore the possibility of dropping the yoke down the forks for that true racer experience.

This may be a bit OTT for a machine designed to give just 27 bhp

RL

CLUB CALENDAR

TUESDAY 6th MAY CLUB MEETING

SUNDAY 11th MAY CLUB RIDE

TUESDAY 3rd JUNE CLUB MEETING

SUNDAY 8th JUNE AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKES AT PHILLIP ISLAND

CLUB SAFETY CODE:

A. The Individual

1. Must be able to ride confidently and safely.

2. Must wear a Standards Australia approved helmet (AS1698).

3. Must wear protective clothing, a minimum of gloves, boots, jacket and ankle length pants.

4. Be honest with yourself about your ability.

5. Beware of cold weather, it can kill. Concentration deteriorates with lower body temperatures.

6. Remember, secure your clothing.

B. Equipment

l. Ensure your motorcycle is designed for the type of riding you wish to do.

2. Keep your motorcycle in good order and repair. Check for problems before they occur and fix

them early.

3. Regular maintenance is a good preventative practise.

4. Carry an appropriate map of route taken. Getting lost is no fun.

5. Carry a First Aid Kit.

C. Touring

1. Never ride alone. Three is a minimum number.

2. Keep to roads within your capabilities, and the capabilities of your motorcycle.

3. Always respect and act on the leader's decision.

4. Keep the whole group in sight of everyone at all times.

5. One at a time through a corner or difficult section.

7. Seek expert advice on road conditions and weather.

8. Ride in staggered formation to maximise presence on the road.

9. Less experienced riders are to be shepherd by more experienced riders.

D. In the Event of a crash

1. Keep Calm and relax during the crash.

2. Let go of the handlebars, nothing can be done to help by holding on.

3. Do not try to move until first aid arrives, spinal injuries can be made worse.

4. Trip leader will assess the situation and make decisions that are to be followed.

E. Considerations for racing

1. Racing is dangerous. It may cause physical, mental harm, or may kill.

2. Be aware of flags, and follow race marshals instructions.

3. Ensure your equipment is in excellent order and will pass scrutineering at all times.

4. Ride slowly in pit lane and areas where other people are allowed.

5. Ensure your protective gear is in excellent order (complete leathers minimum).

6. Be honest with yourself about your ability.

F. The Club.

1. A trip leader is appointed at the start of the ride.

2. A lead and tail rider also appointed at the start of the ride.

3. Group is to remain within the bounds of lead and tail motorcycle riders.

4. Unsafe riding and foolishness WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!

All content Copyright © 1997 Elbows Down@Monash Uni