Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Blue Haze run 06/09/09

From Blue Haze run 06/09/09
From Blue Haze run 06/09/09
From Blue Haze run 06/09/09
From Blue Haze run 06/09/09

Another beautiful day in the Manawatu saw the Blue Haze club do a short run through the Manawatu Gorge and back over te Pahiatua track with two stops along the way. The first was to Steves to check out a Kawasaki A7 Avenger he was selling. It was in great nick with most of the restoration work completed by Steve to a very high standard. It didn't take Alan long to make the decision to purchase the bike; especially with a number of Blue Haze members indicating an interest in purchasing it if Alan didn't! Our second stop was the Brown Owl cafe at the Balance Bridge. A good chance to discuss the important things in life; 60s, 70s and 80s bikes!
Great to see Dione riding his Suzuki X7. A great little bike. Paul turned up on his immaculate Kawasaki H1a Mach III that absolutely glistened in the sun. Kim on his trusty H2, Alan on his TS250 and myself on my KH250.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Blue Haze/VJMC Hunterville Run

From Hunterville 25/10/09
From Hunterville 25/10/09
From Hunterville 25/10/09
From Hunterville 25/10/09
Had an interesting 160km run today up to Hunterville via some back block roads from Marton. We waited in vain for Alan to turn up on his recently acquired  Kawasaki 350 A7 Avenger. He finally arrived on the mighty TS 250 all hot and sweaty due to the A7 not cooperating and giving him a 'push me home' work out. After a quick run through Halcombe via Mt Stewart and Marton we enjoyed  some great 360 degree views across the Rangitikei region at the top of Cutler Road. Travelled over some gravel roads much to the consternation of Dione who was concerned over  stone chips on his plastics. Should have bought his X7. Seventies bikes have no problems with gravel roads! Had a great stop off in Hunterville at the Second hand shop. An amazing collection of 50s, 60s and 70s cars and the odd bike as well. A neat Yamaha Chappy and Puch moped. The cafe across from the public park and toilet served an excellent coffee and reasonably priced food. After topping up with gas we had a great run back via Vinegar Hill. Was having to ring the neck off the poor little KH250 up some of the hills, but managed to keep the KR250 and H2 in sight. At least I had some company with Alan on his TS. We then went back to my place via Colyton and Hiwinui to share the sound of the mighty GT550! Alans TS250 started making some ominous noises from the transmission area once we got back to Palmy. At least Alans got Labour Day to sort both his bikes out!

Monday, October 19, 2009

From a Yamaha CS3 to a Suzuki RG500


From Blue Haze run 16/11/09

From Blue Haze run 16/11/09

From Blue Haze run 16/11/09
Here are some photos from a run we did in November last year. Ross Charlton and Murray Smith on a couple of Yamaha 350s and Jenny Mollar on her Suzuki RG500 came up from Wellington and joined us. Our run went out to Mt Biggs and across to Tokomaru for a coffee at the Horse Shoe Bend cafe. The RG500 was quite a contrast to Nigel Wales little Yamaha CS3.Unfortunetly it didn't get to far out of town before one of the exhaust flanges loosened off and it had to be taken home! Paul turned up with his immaculate Kawasaki H1b, Kim was on his H2 and myself on my Yamaha XJ750. Another great wander around the Manawatu countryside.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

1976 Kawasaki KH250

From
From Motorcycles
Here is a photo of my 1976 Kawasaki KH250. Its done around 23,000kms and in fairly good condition. The top end is getting a bit rattly, but for now its great for the Blue Haze runs around the Manawatu. It struggles a bit up some of our stepper hills and the fuel consumption isn't great for a 250 at around 37 - 40mpgs.