Ramping up to the ride to Drake.

Chris and I rode to Tamworth via Gloucester for an overnight test run to see how the big girl handles.



She handled pretty well, and the bike did good too. lol

One of the more spectacular look outs you'll ever come across. Along Thunderbolts way from Gloucester to Walcha. You'll just have to visit if you want to see the view.





Nice friendly hotel at Tamworth, the Halmark. 



Rode back through Werris Creek and Quirindi then down the New England hwy to Newcastle. 590km A little saddle sore but other than that a great ride. 
Next on the list racks for the Sv so we can carry camping gear for our Tassie trip. Woohoo.

Great stuff.  Nice report.

Great report Bosco15.
and my my your gsx1250fa looks fantastically familiar to me.

Was she your ride, previously,  Baz?

Good one Bosco - looking forward to catching up with you at Drake.

Yeh. We're both really looking forward to meeting up with everyone.  Looking forward to the ride from Drake with a gaggle of Bandits.  
Was looking at the roads to get there.  Thought about riding the Waterfall Way from Armidale to Grafton and then through the Forrest to Drake. Looks like a great ride,  but adds up to six hours as opposed to 2.5 the highway route.  
Another time maybe.

Bosco15 wrote:Was she your ride, previously,  Baz?

I don't want to follow you if it is, I've seen enough of the back of that bike.

My brother and I did a little warm-up ride this weekend too. Warm being the operative word.

1028km in 2 days including a fair bit of dirt.

Day 1 Google Map

Day 2 Google Map

Great report ..................nice looking VW .............what year is it ? , pre 67 at a guess  

Oh my lord! That's two huge days there, Peter.  
I am going to invest in a staple gun and do some re upholstery and then maybe some mega km rides will be on the cards. 
Chris has pulled up pretty well,  as she was riding my new lounge chair.
The heat wasn't too bad for me. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable I felt in my leathers.

Bosco15 wrote:Was she your ride, previously,  Baz?

Judging by the Shock Treatment stickers and I think I see some panniers that have has the Gus carbon treatment and also the stickers on the heel guards ... and your introduction post ... then I'd say yes its my previous bike traded in without ever having been dropped   


I'll let you know for sure in Drake

My, what good eyes you have,  Baz. 
All the better to see you with.  Lol
Yep. Carbon on the Paniers.  I do like bullet proof luggage.  
And am very keen to know what service Shock Treatment provided.  She handles very well for a big girl.  
Will have a good chat at Drake.  
Cheers.

I doubt I can find the receipts from Shock Treatment now. Terry Hay might keep records but you will have to give him my name or rego number. I think in the front he replaced the internal cartridges and in the rear just replaced the valve.

I remember the last ride on that bike to the dealers to trade it in. I had just replaced everything to make it stock again and just noticed how damn fine a bike it is. It was quiet, powerful and handled like it was on rails.

Well mine still bloody wears tyres out way to fast for my liking

Baz wrote:

I remember the last ride on that bike to the dealers to trade it in. I had just replaced everything to make it stock again and just noticed how damn fine a bike it is. It was quiet, powerful and handled like it was on rails.

I'll be joining ya soon Baz.  Will be a sad morning this week.    . Hey !  But then a new chapter begins.  

Hammy wrote:

I'll be joining ya soon Baz.  Will be a sad morning this week.    . Hey !  But then a new chapter begins.  

it'll be a strange ride in, sad but enjoyable at the same time .. coming home a whole new journey with new smiles.

James your tyre consumption is a factor of NSW shitty road coverage and your wrist

paul wrote:Great report ..................nice looking VW .............what year is it ? , pre 67 at a guess  

Sorry Paul. I missed your post. 
Good eyes. It's a '67 1500 Delux. Was fully restored when I got her. A dad had done it for his daughter. A bit of rust work required now though.

Bosco15 wrote:

paul wrote:Great report ..................nice looking VW .............what year is it ? , pre 67 at a guess  

Sorry Paul. I missed your post. 
Good eyes. It's a '67 1500 Delux. Was fully restored when I got her. A dad had done it for his daughter. A bit of rust work required now though.

Jan has one identicle.  But unrestored.