I'll post in Ian's introduction to save him typing it out again... Hey Mike , First off let me say i'd love to make it to a ride but living in Los Angeles kinda prohibits that for now !. I own a small independant bike shop here in the States . I lived in NZ through the 70's and 80's . We specialize in bikes older than 10 years old - preferably 1970 - 1990 'cos thats what i like . I just sold my Katana 1000 and Ducati 748 track day bike to make way for a couple more projects . I am building a '85 FZ750/1000 mutant right now for track days . I want to show some of the young pups here what a dinosaur is capable of ( both me and the bike ) , all you see at track days here is an endless stream of late model tackle . The shop is also starting to build cafe racers . I have a '76 CB400F stripped and at the powdercoaters , engine is going back together as i write this with a 450 big bore kit . Rear sets , ace bars etc etc . SR500 and FT500 waiting in the wings for the same treatment . In the shop right now awaiting work i have an XS1100 , YSR50 , CL450 , Triumph Bonneville , RD400E , XZ550 Vision plus an equal amount of late model stuff 'cos business is slow and i need the work . The local dealers all send me the old bikes because as a general rule they will not touch anything over 10 years old . Most of the dealer techs like working on new stuff . Some techs have never even worked on a carb !!. We have built a reputation locally as a shop that can resurrect the dead and get the job done . We are all old bike enthusiasts here and are keen to share and learn more knowledge and tips about old bikes . Strangely maybe , we also race karts !!. I was the 2009 Rotax Masters California State Champion . ( I'm 52 !!) What i would really like to do is bring the FZ to NZ in 2012 or 2013 and do the races in febuary at Pairoa and Hampden downs !!. I raced Pairoa in the '80's on a bucket and a sidecar . Hampden Downs looks a blast . Some old motorcycling friends back in NZ are Lawrence "robbo" Robinson , Kevin "bubbles" Grey , Mike "gherkin" Green and others . I know Robbo still races vintage stuff and i think Bubbles rides his Macintosh occasionally . Dave Freeman still races down Wellington way . OK - must go and make a living!!. Hope this info helps - let me know if there is a secret handskake !!. Ian . Do we have a secret handshake? Anyway, welcome !
Sounds like a lot more fun than working in a cube farm in Auckland....
Is there any sort of requirement, implemented by the group's New Management, of proof that the member has completed a certain number of Airfix models, to a high standard? Sorry Ian, it's an in joke, but would love to see some photos of those bikes and of your shop, please.
Welcome Ian. I can see value for you and the group by having you participate here, and happily look forward to your input. Guys, I'm fairly sure that between us we could sort out some accommodation for Ian if he plans to race at Paeroa and Hampton Downs 2012/13?
Actually the airfix thing IS kinda funny . My Dad was in retail when i was a kid growing up in England and one of his stores was a toy store . I grew up on a steady diet of spitfires , hurricanes and mosquitos blowing the evil nazis out of the sky in their inferior me109's and fw130's !!. That and scalectrix car racing car sets . Soon as i can get my computer nerd book keeper to show me how i will post pics . Thanks for the welcome - i look forward to some good bullshit sessions !!.
Oh jolly good . No secret handshake, but of course at the first meeting initiates must roll their leggings above the knee. Just like the old days isn't it. The thin red (and black - f'gawds sake paint that Nodden ) line, backs to the wall (for fear of infiltration by Honda riders ?), bravely loosing every battle but the last (along with assorted cycle parts , and considerable quantities of oil) , against the overwhelming forces of the Evil Axis. And along comes Cousin Jonathan to help even the odds! Now, (again, just like the old days) all we have to do is get him over here so he can earn his sticket. Welcome. This is Liberty Hall, you may kick the cook and call the cat a bastard. Just don't get it the wrong way round when Mr Motu is about, he's soft on cats. Helmets , clothes and sanity all optional , but after a while you'll lose all interest in returning to reality (the place is way overrated - all right for a brief visit but I def wouldn't want to live there.)
I've ordered some bits off this guy, seems sweet as to deal with. Will let ya's know how long etc to get the stuff here
DEATH_INC. - Today, 12:51 I've ordered some bits off this guy is there a linkee thingee?
prospeed I grew up on a steady diet of spitfires , hurricanes and mosquitos blowing the evil nazis out of the sky in their inferior me109's and fw130's !!. That and scalectrix car racing car sets . Oh yeah! Your in, lifetime membership
Is there a linkee thingee?......na, his website is not up, you can e-mail him tho.
Ok - so the web site is up but it's not very good . I will be working with the builder to make it more informative with some current pics and projects . www.prospeedmc.com . Had a bit of a scare with DEATH_INC's parts order !!. I should have it all today and will ship today .
Welcome prospeed, looking forward to catching up with you in 2012-13, I've room in the garage and a bed or two if required.I'm sure others will offer too, so don't feel that you have to accept this one first up. Some who may, are most definitely closer to both tracks and have much more equipment etc than I in their sheds (Um, ahmen, Warehouses) FW 130's aye, don't recall seeing those in airfix.. Like Max i see no reason for not opening our arms and the doors for someone so committed that they're going to bring thier own OLD bikes here from that far away. Rest assurred we will have STICKETS at the ready.
The bits are here! Pretty quick considering the glitches He had. All packaged up in heaps of stuff to look after 'em too.
Thanks Andrew - that was a little sketchy for a while !!. Thought i was gonna blow the first order !! - No-no- not that kinda blow !!. Jeeeez !!. Thanks for the offer Caseye - i might just take you up on the offer . Buuuuut - got a call from my sister in Melbourne telling me my Mum is starting to lose the plot so it looks like i will have to go there and see the family which may put the mockers on a NZ trip . I will continue to buy lotto tickets and hope . I have posted a Honda cb400/4 cafe racer build in the classic bike section to showcase my shop - any feedback , positive or negative would be appreciated . Also today i bought a '84 gpz900 - it's a total roach but i like them so what the hell !!. I am rapidly acrueing too many projects . Anybody know how i can open a 'trademe' account while living in the States ?. Cheers .
O yeah - that should have been a FW190 !!.
