Andy is packing to leave the bleak, cold and drizzly weather... at least for a week's respite
My jim-jams and toofy peg brush are packed ready to jump onto the big, silver flying tube to Bali. I've never really had much inclination to go the great bogan resort to the north, however, as a mate was tying the knot up there and requested our shining presence, we decided to make something interesting of it. Not one's for sipping cocktails around an infinity pool, we've booked a mini-maxi scooter and plan to spend most of our ten days getting away from the madding crowd by riding out into the backcountry.
I have to say I'm a little nervous that some Bintang singleted, be-thonged plonker will take us out. Some of the YouTube vision of tourist riding skills would be hilarious if I wasn't about to immerse me and her into the deep end of it. The local Indo grovelment is so concerned about the number of Sh1t For Brains tourists wrapping themselves around local infrastructure, that they are considering banning motorcycle hire for all but locals. I guess it's a great time to get over there and experience what Bali has to offer before the few spoil it for the majority... as us humans are wont to do. We are gonna take old phones in case they get knocked off too. I'm sure we'll come back with photos and yarns to share.
The Strapz HQ showroom got an upgrade this month with Held Germany sending over a set of flash display panels and light boxes. I described it to one visitor that it was like putting together a Chinese Ikea pack with no instructions. It's glammed up our stores' look no end, and I'm really chuffed with the results.
Knuckin', Knuckin', Knuckin!
Spare me... On the first of May, I treated Dr Z to a service and roadworthy. The following day I turned up at the motor registry to re-establish the rego as it had run out. I'd never received the renewal docs, we no longer have those handy little rego stickers and they hadn't bothered to let me know it was about to be cancelled. As you might imagine, I wasn't in the best of humor when I stepped through the doors and was met by the Triage person. "Do you have an appointment?" they said. "No mate, I only want to re-register my bike" I replied. "You need an appointment" he countered. "I only want to do rego mate".... "You need an appointment." "For rego?" was my incredulous response. "Yes, would you like to make one?" "Not really, but I guess I have little in the way of choice." "Take a number and a seat sir," (at this point a public servant using the word Sir is akin to calling us names). While grumbling various oaths and WTFs under my breath, I took a seat. Eventually, my number came up (as it must us all), I approached the counter while coaching my inner Rsole to behave. What followed was a Pythoneseque exchange around how the bike could be transferred from the business into my name. Which, one of the ways, included an inspection, despite a roadworthy and paperwork and authority hoops that needed jumping through. I was then informed that the first available appointment was 27 days hence.... "What?, a roadworthy only lasts 30 days!" "And that will be $19.30" "For an appointment?" " Yes and there's a credit card surcharge on that too... sir" "Of course there is," was my strugglingly patient, exasperated, dejected and cynical response. Luckily, or through shear force of will, I got back to the car without tearing the whole of the staff, the minister of transport, the premier and the new King a new one! The minister of transport didn't bother to even get an underling to reply to my complaint, the VicRoads 'Customer Service' pissed in my pocket and my local member's staff wrote a meaningless reply to my questions. When will registration labels be re-introduced?Registration labels have been abolished in Victoria since January 1st, 2014. This brought Victoria in line with other states who have also abolished registration stickers. There are currently no plans to bring back registration stickers. Why are there so few competent staff available to process basic, normal VicRoads business?VicRoads customer service centres should be adequately staffed but as in other industries currently, staffing issues are an ongoing concern. Why do I have to wait almost a month to perform a basic, bread-and-butter government function?Wait times for various items can differ due to staffing levels and/or a backlog of appointments available. Why on earth am I charged a fee to make and appointment? There is no other place I know of that gouges their clients so. Even doctors don’t!VicRoads charges appointment fees for a number of services to recover minimum costs for providing a service. Here we have another shining example of what happens when basic government services are privatized. Costs go up, service plummets and the Public get Serviced [know what I mean ;) ] Come the revolution!
Someone suggested this rider put a chair on their bike, something got lost in translation I guess... Photo - Greg Steer
Weather the Storm
Here's the quiet achiever of the month, I've had remarkable results form Barkbuster Blzzard, when I get back from the tropics I'll be popping them on Dr Z... Now he's registered again.
Fits most bikes, with or without Barkbuster frames as they bolt to the bar end and wrap around the mirror bases/master cyclinders. Grab some here before yer pinkies freeze!
Flat Chat Hat Chat
This month we have helmets from two different eras.
British racer Phil Read MBE, dubbed "the Prince of Speed" was cutting laps around the same time as names such as Hailwood, Agostini and Sheen. He won eight World Championships via 52 victories and 121 podiums from a remarkable 152 starts. He set the bar for Rossi and Marquez with wins in the 125, 250 and 500cc classes. Regularly reported as an, "outspoken and controversial figure", Read was renowned for living it large and fast, with a liking for champers, 'Rollers', private jets and divorces. Read did his final pit stop at 83 in 2022
Scrutinized in 1978 for the TT, this Premier, Grand Prix helmet looks very dated these days. Check the visor mechanism! Read used this black and white design on most of his helmets and even his caps.
As you know, when it comes to collecting stuff, provenance is everything. Here's a letter from noted journo Don Morley to the previous owner. ___________________________________
Kiwi Aaron Slight graced our tellies during the hey day of World Superbike racing. He had 239 starts, a record in the category with 13 wins, 42 seconds and 32 thirds. Much to our disappointment, he never won the championship, coming in second and third a number of times. Never quite being able to match his four pot Honda 750 with the lighter 1000cc Ducati of Carl Fogarty. An ex-motorcycle mechanic he is reputed to have had a deep understanding of what made a bike handle well and could relay that to his spanner swingers concisely and accurately. His career was cut short when he blew a head gasket in the surf on Phillip Island. A misdiagnosed aneurysm that was causing headaches and vision issues blamed on bike crashes let go. Was Slighty one of the best riders to never quite get the chances he needed to be counted in the greatest ranks. He reckons so... I'm convinced we'd have seen a different history if he'd been more fluent in Italian 'back in the day'.
This Aria GIGA-2 is the hat he wore to winning the 1993 Suzuka 8 Hour, the first of 3 consecutive victories in that event.
Warm and Clean Brain Bucket
Another of our unsung heros
Keeping our helmets from smelling like the ones above (racer sweat... eeek) we use our Helmet Liner. Made in house of our superfine, non-itch Merino, it keeps helmet liners clean and heads more comfortable... in any weather but especially snug in winter. As the weather warms up the miracle of Merino works to help keep the comfort level up. The only problems we have is keeping track of the little buggers! Grab one for both heads here
The Emperor's New Gloves
The fabulous Sambia summer/adventure glove has had a bit of a refresh with a new colour coming online. Brown is a curious colour to choose, but in the errr... flesh, they do look good. To be honest, I would have liked to see a bit more red in it to reflect the outback but hey, the Aussie market doesn't carry much clout in the scheme of things. Beyond a shadow, Sambia are the best gloves I've worn. The cut is terrific and the dye-stable kangaroo leather palm gives me great feel. Sizes and stock of the new brown are limited but more will slowly trickle into the country in the next few weeks.
The new model of the Motopressor pump is due mid-June so the old stock has to go. New one will supersede the two that use the bike's battery power to drive them that we currently stock. Still with full warranty, very limited numbers... when they are gone, that's it. Grab a bargain here
Well, I guess that's all I have to write at yers this month. I'm looking forward to a little warmth and sunshine. Suffer in jocks! Copyalater
