Great weekend

[Mello]

This past weekend, I had a great motoring / petrol head weekend.
One of the guys at the office organized a run to a historic bike museum near to the Vaal Dam (some 320 square kilometres of water) - a round trip of around 250km.
We met for breakfast and then headed to the museum. Quite a collection of bikes – 2 KTM’s (1190 and 990), 2 BMW GS’s, ZX10R, Kawasaki KLE, fireblade and a CBX. Oh, and a Harley. The route to the venue was quite ordinary but we took the more interesting of the options. The museum is run by quite a character, who seems to be drunk most of the time, and his wife! Many of the bikes are on loan and some of the race bikes are still in use, with the owners participating in historic events. There is a great deal of southern African motorcycle racing history preserved there. Many of the old bikes we remember while growing up are there too.
Various nicely restored stationary engines are also on display. He started a couple of them and one, an Australian built machine, had a bunch of 5 engineers fascinated for quite a while discussing the ingenious operation. Amazing what they got to work back in the 1920’s. Not sure if this was a worldwide thing but a number of these engines had the fuel tank split with petrol (gasoline?) on the one side and the bigger compartment for paraffin on the other. The engine is started with petrol and then switched over to paraffin as it is much cheaper (or was at least).
On Sunday, we had our annual MG Car Club Show day. Turnout was a bit disappointing, especially so with the older T type cars. There were many MGA’s and MGB’s (as well as some moderns) but few of the real vintage cars. Pity.
Anyway, here’s some pics, hope you enjoy!

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MG's

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[EMS]

Woohoo - I see a CB1100R and (maybe?) an RC30 in the pictures....quite a collection!

[Mello]

Indeed, well spotted. I meant to post some more pics but then got busy with work and then got bumped off the forum - guess I took too long to "submit"

Trying again .......

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This is one of 3 in the world - worth lots apparently

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[Mello]

More bikes

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Engines

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[EMS]

Where is that "drool" emoticon...???

[Z Grand]

Nice! Quite a bit different from the museum I visited last week -- the Wheels Through Time museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Here was one that the owner (Dale Walksler) fired up for us. Believe it or not, it fired on the first kick and idled like a sewing machine. All the bikes in his museum run and get cranked and ridden regularly.

[cbxmel]

Hi Mello,

Does the museum have any bikes raced by that great South African Paddy Driver? I used to watch him race in the Uk in the 60's on an immaculate 500 matchless with a red and white fairing. He is still around and in his 80's now. Thanks for the pictures.

all the best Mel 1876

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Also, any bikes or info on Andreas Georgades?
CBXtacy had some photos of Andreas in his racing years in South Africa and North America.

Thanks for posting the pics, Mello.

[Mello]

Hi Mello,

Does the museum have any bikes raced by that great South African Paddy Driver? I used to watch him race in the Uk in the 60's on an immaculate 500 matchless with a red and white fairing. He is still around and in his 80's now. Thanks for the pictures.

all the best Mel 1876

Hi Mel,
He raced the Jawa. Here's a pic of the Number plate

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Here's a link to the museum http://www.lakeavenueinn.co.za/

Steve, not sure if there's anything on Andreas - the V12 guy?

[cbxmel]

Thanks Mello,

Much appreciated. Did not know paddy raced one of those. all the best Mel 1876

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Yes Mello, Andreas is the V-12 builder.
Here is a bit more info on him.
viewtopic.php?t=4499

[Mello]

Yes Mello, Andreas is the V-12 builder.
Here is a bit more info on him.
viewtopic.php?t=4499

Interesting guy! Seems I will have to go back and check there must be something on him there.