Greeting from Malaysia (Mister X)

[Mister X]

Kia Ora,

I am from Malaysia but NZ is near to my heart. I did my 7th form at Gisborne Boys. Later at Victoria University of Wellington. End up total 7 years living in NZ. I used to rent at No. 60 Kelburn Parade, Aro Street, No 1 Mc Donald Crescent. David Lange was the Prime Minister, the French hated Rainbow Warrior, the MTV was showing Rebel Yell by David Bowie. John Kirwan and Richard Hadley were doing some pride for Kiwi and RC30 ruled the track. Guess what year was it?

Every Sunday I will wait for Geoff Bryan (apparently never shaved) to host MotorcycleGP. I must watch Kevin Schwantz racing. And every two weeks, I must read all Alan Cathcart’s articles in ACMN. There was no internet and mobile phones those days.



As a student I work part time and also a caretaker for Olpherts House at the Terrace. Saved enough money to buy a one-year old GSXR1100 and later traded in for GSXR750 and again traded in for RG500 Gamma. Frequently visited Manfield. What else to ask for in life. Never came across my mind then that those bikes will one day become legends.

I still remember one of my visiting Physics professor was in for some serious motorcycle racing but unfortunately forgot his name. Anybody knows this guy? I heard he had passed away probably during racing. Well known public figure at that time.

My favourite past time was riding with friends all over NZ, from 90 Miles to Invercargill. I am sure I will still remember all those roads and places. Just name it, most probably I had been there. Living in Wellington means we are used to negotiate very strong wind and bad weather. One of my favourite stretch is Manawatu Gorge.

Now I am 46. I just got rid of ER6-n after 3 months, no more courage. Riding in Malaysia is not the same as riding in NZ. But my passion for motorcycle is still there. Oh yes.. I think I still have a valid NZ licence. Expiry date in 2035. After 70, I must see the doctor…hehehehe..The licence is in the form of a piece of waxed paper. I think that was introduced after the little-book type. I have kept it for 27 years. A piece of history I guess….

[Madness]

Despite having an expiry date of 2035 your wax paper licence is no longer valid I'm afraid We have credit-card style ones now with photo's (mugshots) on them. Did you trade all those Suzukis at Wellington Motorcycles on Kent Terrace, opposite the very end of Courtenay Place? If so there's a chance the guy who sold them to you is on here

I worked with a Malaysian guy at Bowen Hospital in the late 80's who rode a really tidy RG250, maybe you know him?

[Ocean1]

I still remember one of my visiting Physics professor was in for some serious motorcycle racing but unfortunately forgot his name. Anybody knows this guy? I heard he had passed away probably during racing. Well known public figure at that time.

Roger Freeth. Died in a rally car in the early 90s.

[unstuck]

Kia Ora,

the MTV was showing Rebel Yell by David Bowie. Guess what year was it?

That would be Billy Idol doing rebel yell 1985.
Welcome to Kiwibiker.

[one fast tl1ooo]

Welcome to kb

[Macontour]

Yes Rodger Freeth it was. Heard him talk at an AUMCC meeting once. He had fitted wings/aerofoils to one of his bikes and the downforce at speed was equivaleent to carrying a pillion passenger. Tragically he died while navigating for the late great Possum Bourne.

He used to ride the race version of this:

[scumdog]

I use to live at 2819 Jalan Pagawai in K.L.

A long time ago...

[Mister X]

Did you trade all those Suzukis at Wellington Motorcycles on Kent Terrace, opposite the very end of Courtenay Place? If so there's a chance the guy who sold them to you is on here

I worked with a Malaysian guy at Bowen Hospital in the late 80's who rode a really tidy RG250, maybe you know him?

It’s me. It’s me. Shoot..what a small world. I worked at many different places every summer holidays. I totally forgot the hospital’s name before you mentioned it. Now I will have problem to figure out who you are. After more than 23 yrs, I can only recall that innocent girl Tina, Tata (??), the Scottish lady who just can not stop talking (Margaret is it?), a very nice lady whose husband used to work in Malaysia in 60s (is it Mary?), Peter(??) who just had a by-pass. All these peoples can not be you. Are you Peter’s assistant or one of the guys who used to sit with me during breaks? Who are you Madness? I really had a wonderful time working there even for a short period.

Anyway, earlier I had a Yamaha, then the RG250FG Gamma that you just mentioned. Wanted to buy TZR but RG looked so damn nice. Then comes those bikes I had mentioned above. Never had a chance to buy any bikes from Suzuki on Kent Terrace. I bought from a smaller shop I think somewhere around Dixon street, another from Auckland and RG500 from a guy I met in Palmerston North.

GSXR1100 was a mistake because I was so skinny. RG500 suited me very well. Light weight with tons of power. The only set back was it smokes a lot.

My beloved RG250 had a sad episode. Somebody stole the fairings, the head lamp, meter etc during one stormy night at my Karori apartment. If that f**king thief is reading this, even after 23 years, remember..I will get you one day..

[Mister X]

Hi to Ocean1, MacContour,Dilligaf

That would be Billy Idol doing rebel yell 1985.
Welcome to Kiwibiker.

Cindy Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Bob Marley, Dire Straits... hehehehe..

I use to live at 2819 Jalan Pagawai in K.L.
A long time ago...

I live in Putrajaya. 30 km to KL and 30 km to Sepang Circuit. In the middle.
Putrajaya is not existed yet when you were in KL. It is an administration center.

if you guys need help,any advise on malaysia... anything that I might help.. pls ask.
F1 just raced yesterday. MotoGP next..counting..

[FJRider]

I've spent a bit of time in Malaysia too ... Me (on the right) in KL in 79.

[gammaguy]

I live in Singapore and New Zealand.

I own three strokers in NZ

when im back in Singapura ill hit you up,we can do a kopi and kaya toast somewhere,round about october would be good,Ill be at Sepang....

[Mister X]

Me (on the right) in KL in 79.

Wow..very nice picture..

I live in Singapore and New Zealand.

I own three strokers in NZ

..round about october would be good,Ill be at Sepang....

yup..wait for you in Sepang..can we still get a good nice RG500 in NZ? just wondering.. I have seen a number of RZ500 here..still running wild..
but never seen an RG yet

[avgas]

can we still get a good nice RG500 in NZ? just wondering.. I have seen a number of RZ500 here..still running wild..
but never seen an RG yet

Guy I knew sold one recently - ended up going back to Japan.
It went for over NZ$25,000 - but it was in mint condition with 1,000km on the clock.

[Madness]

It’s me. It’s me. Shoot..what a small world. I worked at many different places every summer holidays. I totally forgot the hospital’s name before you mentioned it. Now I will have problem to figure out who you are. After more than 23 yrs, I can only recall that innocent girl Tina, Tata (??), the Scottish lady who just can not stop talking (Margaret is it?), a very nice lady whose husband used to work in Malaysia in 60s (is it Mary?), Peter(??) who just had a by-pass. All these peoples can not be you. Are you Peter’s assistant or one of the guys who used to sit with me during breaks? Who are you Madness? I really had a wonderful time working there even for a short period.

I only worked there part time in the summer holidays. I worked with Chris the gardener mostly and there was another kid working there like me called Lincoln (the son of the maintenance engineer). My step-mother was the Matron, another Scottish lady who doesn't talk too much and she was in one of the 2 offices at reception. I remember Tata, she was a large Pacific Island lady and had a very warm personality. I was only 15 years old and I still dribble a little bit whenever I think of your old RG . You were in the kitchen if I remember correctly. Peter was the head cook? I remember sitting at the loading dock at the back of the kitchen on breaks with you several times. What is your name again?

Cheers, Chris