It`s not everyday ya pick up somethin on the side!

[The General]

What's actually done to the motor Doug, you reckon it'd be a match or maybe better than an FJ, minus the sidecar of course, I remember the XS1100 the brother had didn't seem to go too bad, I was on the back once doing 200 kmh, but both of us were a lot lighter back then too.

Nah. The fJ`s got double the valves, but yeah 200kmh is doable without a chair when standard. I believe the 1200 was a kit upgrade. He says he port & polished the heads too. Having a chair on the side makes everything feel faster...but it sure beats any URAL outfit.
On the putty road I had a ball playing with another xs sidecar. Police were everywhere but we didn`t break any laws, while the solo machines we were following, appeared bored but surprised we were with them all the way! - still not game to push it on left hand curves - max 10% above advisory unless overcooked accidently.

I am a little concerned at the running temp but haven`t checked yet. Those headers changed to a shiney blue/black pretty quick and I`m wondering if he increased the jets with the 1200 upgrade...might be a bit lean maybe...More concerned at getting through QLD roadworthy without an engineer`s cert for the back wheel Mod (VW rim on Yamaha centre) and fabricated leading link front end.
Fixed up the failed speedo today. (front wheel drive was crook)...plenty of work to be played with yet. 

[The General]

Day 2. Woke up early in Albury for a full day of xs bonding. 

Yahoo! According to the weather forcast there`s a small window in the torrential conditions over on the Coast. I could head North with perfect conditions of straight to slightly curvy roads that would save me a day, (though meeting up with bad weather in Sydney). ... or head East through the Snowy Mountains with all them twisted roads constructed to keep immigrants from over 32 countries employed, following world war 2. (Most of them had been fighting each other only a few years before, so they settled in nicely with us convicts!)
Ummmm....what would Cap`n Ron do? ...My fingers already knew tha answer as they typed "Jindabyne" in tha GPS.

121 people were killed building the Snowy Mountains scheme that provided the roads, so I reckoned blasting over their handywork was the least I could do, besides I needed ta catch up with Wog 57 on tha Coast and I figured there was a very, very strong possibility those workers could have been his ancestors?

First wee stop is Tallangatta...well not tha original one, we buried her under water so we could make more electricity ...luckily Greenies hadn`t been invented then. In fact the towns of Adaminaby, Jindabyne and Talbingo  were also inundated by either Lake Eucumbene, Lake Jindabyne or tha Jounama reservoir. ...They even put a kiwi in charge ta guarantee nuthin would be straight!

Tha original idea was to divert the water from the snow that melted in summer ta grow some vegies inland a bit, rather than let it flow to the sea. They ended up whipping together 16 Dams with a heap of big arse pipes, then threw in water driven gennies ta keep the lights on....Wallah ....The Snowy Mountains hydro Electric Scheme, one of the top Engineering feats of the World! ...Built a coupla new Towns too, like the highest one in Australia, Cabramurra, (I thought it was Nimbin!) and khancoban that has it`s own motorbike festival tha week before our Anniversary dinner in Jindabyne (march 8th)...and I was about ta ride through them all on the famous Alpine way. (Rated number 1 best riding adventure in Australia!)
Here`s a pic of some of them pipes!

.....................
These snakey bends left me breathless. Yeah, yeah the scenery is sensational, but I am getting a bit old, so me rhythm really got messed up and  the old ticker had a little trouble staying in her rib cage when I suddenly ran outa rear brakes running through Dead Horse Gap!
It was lesson number thirty something when I discovered what happens when you`re running a little hot, then without warning, ya only got front brakes on a downhill left hand bend...it didn`t like back`n off at all, especially as I had dropped her down a gear (refer lesson 1 in Melbourne traffic!)...luckily it was a dry patch, so after I discarded me undies, I administered a tourniquet on tha fuel supply and eventually limped into JINDABYNE! ....to tha trusty walls of the "Banjo Patterson".

Yep, This place really has everything incl a local bike shop.

It meant I couldn`t head for Batemans Bay to catch up with Pete (Old KTM Dude) until halfway through day 3...I was stuck in the Very Pub that`s gunna Host our Anniversary Rally Dinner!...Heheehee
The Banjo Patterson Resort and Brewery

Banjo Home Brew

Hard to beat our rooms for $50 aye?

Sat down to the Best Lamb Shanks I`ve ever had...EVER! Met some new friends, one of whom owns the Joint! 
He gave me a tour of the disco & bar quarters.
Said this is yours! ..and yes we will load any video clips from the day

Also if we want to show any bigger movies this is ours too!

And yes he`ll light up the campfire personally no matter the weather conditions

1 more glass of that Lager and I had us Singing...Yep...No Bullshit!
He not only threw in a professional DJ in the disco section, he asked me to send him the johnrah requests prior....yep I think that meant he liked Johnny O`keefe too! Bet he`s got tha "Pride of Erin"...and any other stuff the Forum requests!

Ahhhh...what a shame I couldn`t leave early next day cause of the brake repairs.....Roll me over, in tha Clover...ohh Roll me over do it agaaiinnnn!....I thought their on site brewed beer tasted a bit like shit at first...but I`ve grown a taste for her!....

[X-Ray]

Woohoo, looks fantastic. Oops, which remind me I have been very slack and still haven't booked a room. Will have to pay off some of the c/card first though!

[Bones]

We went through that area a couple of years ago on our road trip in the car, and I agree about the scenery and roads, both fantastic. Chris doesn't like a lot of windy roads in the car cause it makes her sick, so by the time we got to Thredbo coming from Khancoban she was pretty crook, held onto it though.

We went through in September and although there was no snow on the road, there was plenty to the side of it, It'd be great to go through that area on a bike.

                                                               Tony.

[oldktmdude]

We went through that area a couple of years ago on our road trip in the car, and I agree about the scenery and roads, both fantastic. Chris doesn't like a lot of windy roads in the car cause it makes her sick, so by the time we got to Thredbo coming from Khancoban she was pretty crook, held onto it though.

We went through in September and although there was no snow on the road, there was plenty to the side of it, It'd be great to go through that area on a bike.

                                                               Tony.

Tony, when you come down in March, you will get to see it again, from the seat of an FJ and no carsickness involved.  Pete.

[Bones]

Can't make it down in March Pete, work commitments if it was held around September it'd be perfect cause that's when I take annual leave every year.

[Timbo-1]

 Glad you got her home all safe Doug... Looks bloody great.
Cheers Timbo.

[wog57]

Good to hear from you Doug, glad you got home ok. I'm ready for the party of the birth of the FJ going to the rally. If you coming via the South Coast let me know and join in will go to Glenn Henry motorcycles for a chat and what not. Hopefully we get heaps of FJ's out.
Cheers
Wog57   

[The General]

  Day 3 and I`ve been forced to cool me dance`n shoes with a massive brekky at the Banjo. I was joined by a team of 5 guys on a mixture of bikes that were completing a week of hanging out in this fine establishment. Amazing the number of blokes that dedicate a week to this area annually, in the off season summer months....can`t understand why!

Took the time to get to know our event manageress (Lisa 1800046275 or email <reservations@banjopatersoninn.com.au >), who assures me there`s still luxury accom available at that special rate (Incl Breakfast!), but she has also kept plenty of  budget rooms up her sleeves for those that are busting ta go to our Jindabyne dinner, but can`t book until say January.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

The previous evening, the professionally set up projector Room was granted to us by the owner (Hope he remembers) of the Banjo Patterson.(Narrative 3 Day 2)..... Well following a number of emails back and forth we now have access to the New Documentary "Why we Ride" Here`s a trailer  http://whyweridefilm.us7.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5d57938dd3ba5d95499bd845f&id=4a98770799&e=f540dd50f7

  Yep we got an exclusive Movie release! (Could even be the first in Australia!)

             The Banjo Patterson at Jindabyne, March 8th just gets Better & Better! (A little off thread Sorry...I`ll cut & Paste soon)

Picked up the repaired Chariot in the afternoon, the delay was certainly beneficial and I was off to the Coast through more sensational Roads. I had hoped to catch Pete (old KTM dude) in his home town of Bermagui http://www.sapphirecoast.com.au/the-region/towns/bermagui/ then head north to disturb Flips & Anne on their holiday at Hyams Beach. http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/jervis-bay-and-shoalhaven/hyams-beach?gclid=CNf-hv7frrsCFcdfpgodxTgAzg.

No Prob with the delay, Pete just jumped on his immaculate ambulance (sic & quick too!) and we caught up at Maccas Batemans Bay, over an hour north, for some comraderie & discussions on his suggested ride plans through the Alps in March.



Camped that night at Sussex Inlet and invited meself ta brekky at Jeff & Anne`s hideaway....What a top spot!



That there is tha whitest Sand in Thee World! (according ta Wikipedia)


Then a quick run up to Nowra where I caught up with Joe (Wog 57) and his son Dylan


...and last year`s Chook raffle sponsor Glenn Henry. (Donating FJ service equipment again for our Anniversary!.)

Good service, Good bloke, Ridgey Didge!

Another Coastal Run North and skipped around Sydney for a quick run up the Blue Mountains http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains?gclid=CNSJ5fWMr7sCFcYzpAodqxwACQ ...and a late lunch at The Bellbird Echo centre at Kurrajong (My brother`s café).  Then  off to camp in Penrith, West Sydney, at Tony`s (Roach) & Sharon`s Place for my first chance ta do some comparison testing. (We drove both XS chariots to tha local Pub!...Heeheheee!)

....ahh life`s tough on a roadie!....Hoping ta catch up with more of tha FJ members and XS ancestors on day 4/5 (Final Episode) with a Sunday Morning run up the infamous Putty Road!  .....

[The General]

...Thanks to harvy, here`s a map of the trip so far...

[CanDman]

...Thanks to harvy, here`s a map of the trip so far...

Doug.......
are you sure we can trust this guy...... I know he loves to go down the hole


The Matrix - Tumbling down the rabbit hole. . .


Thank God he asked my to bring him a jigsaw puzzle.......

um Doug...... are you giving me a blue pill or a red one? 

[roverfj1200]

A serious bit on the side....

[oz.fj]

A not so serious bit on the side

[mz_rider]

'Busa hearse - make your last journey a fast one...

[The General]

Day 5 & 6, final episode of my Aussie Pick up Roadie.

    Woke up to a beautiful Sydney Sunday, all snuggled up in Roach`s spare bedroom in Penrith. We had been swapping speedo`s the night before to determine the culprit of my dead instrument, before shovelling down more of Sharon`s awesome hospitality and hitting the sack.

I had contacted the XS1100 forum as soon as the new steed was safely at Ribberts Home in Melbourne the week before http://xs1100.com.au/forum/index.php and soon discovered these guys are indeed neighbourly! Jonesy even drove from the home of Australian racing, way out West in Bathurst and more were coming from all over Sydney! These close ancestors of the FJ are punchy,...winning this coveted, Castrol 6hr race in 1978 -

1978 Castrol Six Hour Production Bike Race - Amaroo Park - Pt1
... proving their not just a pretty faced, tail Shaft Cruiser!



...and today I`ve got the same 1978 model between my legs for the infamous Putty road....Heehehe!   ON BIKE VIDEO PUTTY ROAD

This is Cool Stealth, Tony (alias Roach!)...Don`t let that physique fool you....Every muscle in his body has been meticulously trained to hang on, at a moment`s notice!


Check out tha Body Language....they were out ta kill me!


What a sensational ride! Cops were everywhere! and all the budding Stoner`s had their fun a little trimmed...While those with a bit on tha side had a good hour of adrenalin packed fear on every turn, but we eventually stopped for more discussions on physics and risk management!:


...Then it was back slaps all round as I set the GPS for Tamworth and a tankful of road, before catching up with Megsy & Harold at the home of Australian Country Music! eehaa!
http://www.tamworthcountrymusic.com.au/

(There`s an average half dozen FJ`s to every forum member in Tamworth!) and a great Town for a stopover, but I needed some kilometres under my belt if I was gunna get home, so I bedded down in Armidale and made a surprise visit the next day to the winner of the Last FJ Rally Chook Raffle, just across the Queensland border  in Warwick....remember this?


After a hearty welcome and High Tea at the Longmans I got a sneak peek in our chook winner`s shed....and there it was, like a shining Angel.



Like anything this master Artisan touches, it is an award winning treasure.... recognised by Triumph themselves-(He also received a detailed model from the Triumph factory, direct)

...David may be offering this magnificent motorcycle for sale and regrettably his 93 FJ, however hopes to meet us at Jindabyne on the way to a Tasmanian excursion by motor vehicle.
He also showed me a picturesque way home through Gatton and onwards to Esk, Finally entering my mancave that evening.



But hey, it`s Christmas so we did the obligatory spin around the illuminated festive homes of Buderim with various members of the family, brimming proudly in my bit on the side.
A fitting end to a great journey through three states and meeting wonderful friends along the way.  Made me think about one of the Statements in the film trailer http://whyweridefilm.us7.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5d57938dd3ba5d95499bd845f&id=031f23e60a&e=f540dd50f7 on the new documentary "Why We Ride"

"Motorcycles have put me in touch with wonderful people. As a result of that, I have an elevated idea on how good everybody in the world is"....

So true...Stay awesome, Merry Christmas to you all.