Ducati Rally April 15-17

**idb** · 9th March 2005, 17:07

St Arnaud (Nelson lakes)
There's a group going up from here probably on the Friday 15.
We'll play it by ear but are intending to go up the West Coast and arrive on Saturday.
This is a serious trip to congregate with others of similar refinement and taste and acknowledge and marvel at the beauty, history and....oooo....I don't know....just wonderfulness of one of the world's most prestigious motorcycling....nay....motoring marques.
So....all traffic laws shall be adhered to at all times, no bullshit shall be uttered and alcohol, if it must be partaken of, shall only be consumed in teeny tiny sips from a stem glass with the little finger up while facing towards Bologna.
Anyone else going that might want to hook up etc, etc.

OOOOOOO... I can't wait, if I'm allowed to go that is.......

**Blakamin** · 9th March 2005, 17:11

I hate being unemployed... had to spend my DOC membership money on other stuff.... damn stuff (can't remember what it was on)... will try tho

**idb** · 9th March 2005, 20:17

Originally Posted by Blakamin

I hate being unemployed... had to spend my DOC membership money on other stuff.... damn stuff (can't remember what it was on)... will try tho

We're not DOC members. We're just hoping we can turn up. :spudwhat:

**PhilBilly** · 10th March 2005, 06:53

It will be rather nippy down there at time of year. Me duke dosent have full fairing so the carbs get a bit chilled, during the day would be alright but night time bike will splutter. Might see if i can make it.

**idb** · 26th March 2005, 22:25

Is there no chance that I'm likely to catch up with any KB residents there?
Or are you just keeping your distance.
I know, you've got a surprise planned for me haven't you..ooo... I wonder what it could be....you guys.....I'm on to you......

**Kickaha** · 27th March 2005, 08:19

Originally Posted by PhilBilly

It will be rather nippy down there at time of year. Me duke dosent have full fairing so the carbs get a bit chilled, during the day would be alright but night time bike will splutter. Might see if i can make it.

Is that due to the "NZ only carb icing problem"?

Well thats what they told my brother anyway he fixed it by relocating his oil cooler higher so the air coming thorugh the cooler blew across the carbs

LB · 28th March 2005, 18:33

..
.
I'll be at St Arnaud from the Thursday afternoon onwards. My bike's injected so hopefully I won't have any icing problems. (I plan on taking the M800, as I've just done 5,500kms on the M1000 in the South Island.)

..
.

**Hitcher** · 28th March 2005, 18:36

Originally Posted by Lynda Blair

(I plan on taking the M800, as I've just done 5,500kms on the M1000 in the South Island.)

Waiting for a ride report, we are...

**idb** · 28th March 2005, 20:42

Originally Posted by Lynda Blair

..
.
I'll be at St Arnaud from the Thursday afternoon onwards. My bike's injected so hopefully I won't have any icing problems. (I plan on taking the M800, as I've just done 5,500kms on the M1000 in the South Island.)

..
.

Yay-one at least to look out for.
I'll likely be in a crowd of three or four Hailwood Replicas - common as muck down this way.
I hope they've tidied the place up from the floods before we get there.

As far as icing goes - I've been to about a dozen Brass Monkey rallies, about half of them on the (carburetted) Darmah as well as around the SI a couple of times and the only time I've had icing was once on an old CB750 about 10 years ago. Mind you that was going through Ophir which has the NZ record for the coldest recorded temperature.

**nicko** · 28th March 2005, 20:53

Originally Posted by PhilBilly

It will be rather nippy down there at time of year. Me duke dosent have full fairing so the carbs get a bit chilled, during the day would be alright but night time bike will splutter. Might see if i can make it.

From my 600SS days......had the same problem.....wrap a piece of aluminium around the intake on the front carb and secure with a hose clamp. Helps to keep the cold wind off it as that is the one that is most exposed.

**sbwells** · 29th March 2005, 11:08

I'll be coming up for the rally. I've booked a B&B about 4km out of St Arnaud for the Saturday night because everything else was booked. I'll be travelling up to ChCh on the Thursday for the bikes 12 month service. I'll be good to me up with some like minded people.

**muzz** · 29th March 2005, 11:19

I will be there for a look see.

**idb** · 13th April 2005, 23:52

Well I'm away tomorow after work.
Hoping to get to Fox for the night (Thursday), it'll prolly be dark by the time I get there.
Anyone who might be out there - look out for the guy on the red bike....!

LB · 18th April 2005, 19:13

.
.
What a fantastic weekend.

Absolutely wonderful weather.

128 Ducatis (according to one of the committee members who did a count).

Wonderful people, I met both IDB and sbwells. Muzz: did I meet you? I was on the registration desk Friday night and some of Saturday, and was down at the lakefront on Sat PM judging the bevel drives.

I am still buzzing.

I left Wgtn 5.30pm on Wednesday, overnighted in Picton.

Left Picton in the cold Thursday early. Down to Kaikoura, over Inland Kaikoura road, over Lewis Pass, up the Shenandoah to Murchison for late lunch at the Commercial Hotel, then on to St Arnaud.

What a lovely spot - must be stunning in winter with all the snow on the mountains.

So many Ducatis all together - the noise was incredible.

Back to Wgtn on the 1.30pm sailing on Sunday. Exhausted but VERY happy.
.
.