OLD BIKE AUSTRALASIA: 79
OUT’N’ABOUTFirstI must congratulate you on a great and
informative magazine. I have a collection of
classic bikes from the ‘50s and ‘60s, which
includes a little known 50cc 2 stroke Italian race
bike. I was hoping a photo of the bike in your
magazine may help dig up some info on this
obscure machine from your readers. I know
little of its history in Australia, only that it was
probably raced in Victoria in the ‘60s. The large
front brake, from a DKW brings me to this
conclusion. My mate found the bike in a car
wreckers yard in Wangaratta Victoria around
1978 and bought it back to WA. It was fairly
complete except, for the missing seat. He
restored the bike after contacting a chap in Italy
who was quite knowledgeable on Italian bikes
and he thought it was possibly a Malanca.
I purchased the bike from him about 20
years ago and have had it since. The only info
I found was about the engine, in a book on
Italian racing bikes. Apparently It was a hot
little two stroke motor for its day, producing
9 hp from a turbo ported (spiral inlet port)
engine produced by Franco Morini and used
by a number of small capacity Italian
motorcycle manufacturers. The bike is in
original as-found condition, other than the
seat, and a new piston which I managed to
find in Italy, many years ago. The frame
number is IGM/4140/OM/S4/B/85891.Zig Pasznicki
Roleystone, WA.
Email: [email protected] More than a Motor Show
“Machines & MacchiatosTriple Shot Super
Show is a 2 day festival of machines, entertain-
ment and gourmet food”, says organiser Sam
Princi, president of Sydney Macina Social Club.
“100% of all profits will be donated to our amaz-
ing charities – Bear Cottage & Cure Brain Cancer”.
Based at St Ives Showground on November 23rd- 24th, the event will be “More than just another
motor show. It’s something the Northern Beaches
and Sydney has not seen before. An event for
everyone, not just motoring enthusiasts”.
“Saturday will feature food trucks, a live band,
bar and kids’ amusement rides –plus a Drive-in
Cinema screening Running on Empty. Sunday will
be huge with 450+ entries for the Show & Shine,
Super Cruz Live Band, Tent Talk – Swap meet,
plus bar and kids’ attractions as on Saturday,
and more.”
For more details visit the Facebook page ...
MachinesandMacchiatos or visit the website at
http://www.machinesandmacchiatos.org
My Malanca
Talking to Tom
The indefatigable Gaven Dall’Osto has penned a few words (with photos) from a talk given by
Tom Williams at the recent Ducati B&B Rally.
Along with over 100 Ducati enthusiasts, I was lucky to share time with Tom Williams, guest speaker
at this year’s Bevel & Bull Rally at Tenterfield. Tom somehow balances work, family commitments and
most weekends is Clerk of the Course at road race events across Australia including all rounds of ASBK,
and Deputy Clerk of the Course at international events such as MotoGP and WSBK. We were therefore very
fortunate for him to make time for this special event. Mind you, Tom is a very passionate bevel Ducati
owner himself so the temptation to ride to the event may have been the clincher.
Tom’s motorcycling career began in his mid-teens briefly with BSAs before he purchased a near new
450 Desmo in 1975 (which he still owns). Tom joined the DOCQ in 1978, just months after it was founded,
and was granted Life Membership in the ‘nineties. He dabbled in racing before he became involved in
officiating, starting with low key DOCQ BEARS meetings in the ‘80s and progressing to his current FIM
Superlicence status, where he’s earned the respect of riders, team managers and fellow officials. He’s twice
been a finalist in the Sports Queensland’s Volunteer of the Year Awards, is on the Motorcycling Australia
National Officials Committee, ASBK Management Team, Qld. Road Race Subcommittee, and is one of
Motorcycling Australia’s road race Track Inspectors.
Long-time friend Kevin Trevarthen interviewed Tom as he probed an insight into the characters, workings
and interesting stories behind the scenes of racing events over the years. Spectacularly they were both
perched out the front of the dinner guests on their Ducatis which were angled appropriately to the audience
and to each other. Kevin was mounted on his trusty ’73 750GT and Tom on his ’75 750SS which they’ve both
owned for nearly 40 years. The fairytale setting was further enhanced with the dinner guests surrounded by
over 40 other bevel Ducatis in the venue. Fantastic stories complimented a night of Bevel magic.
Kevin Trevarthan (left) interviews
guest speaker Tom Williams.