Old Bike Australasia – July 21, 2019

OLD BIKES DOIN’ THE ROUNDS

This eventkeeps getting better
every year. It is a credit to the
Tamborine Area of the HMCCQ and it
does the late Ray Owen name proud.
This year’s chosen marque was Indian
and a large display from circa 1902
through to the present was sponsored
by Indian Motorcycles Brisbane. There
was no time to sit idle with the show
bike display, huge swap meet, vendor
tents, food vans and a show and tell
motorcycle on stage every half hour.
The only non-motorcycle related
presence was that of the Gold Coast
Hospital Foundation. The Ray Owen is
run in support of this charity and
money raised from their sales tent

along with a donation from the event

takings goes towards rehabilitation

equipment. During the trophy

presentation, Vicky James (the Fund-

Raising Manager) brought along a

Quickie ‘Tilt in Space’ wheelchair to

show where last year’s funds went.

The motorcycles on display were

varied with a good cross section of

history from the veterans to the ‘80s.

I was particularly interested in the

replica Roper Steam-powered

velocipede on display. It was built by

Myron Givets as a retirement project

and was all fired up and steaming

away. The accompanying placard

stated that the Sylvester H Roper was

a contender for the very first powered

bicycle. This was a replica of

Sylvester’s second version which was

designed in 1884 especially as a pace

vehicle for bicycle racing on banked

tracks. Apparently, it was at one such

event while on a speed run (where he

was clocked at over 40mph) Sylvester

suffered a heart attack, rolled to a

stop and passed away on the side of

the track. Could this have been the

first motorcycle fatality?

The Veteran motorcycle display was

again well represented. An immacu-

late bright yellow BSA outfit with

Automobile Association livery also

caught my eye. The Competition

section was very healthy and these

normally well trashed species were

amazingly presented to a concourse

standard. The Owen family also had

some of Ray’s trusty Triumphs on

show along with a few photos and

Ray’s racing bib. It is always wonderful

Ray Owen Classic Motorcycle

Show & Swap 2019

• 19 May, 2019 – Canungra Showgrounds, Qld.

Better every year

Report and photosGaven Dall’Osto

Veteran Class Winner Soapy Sinclair’s 1913 Balmain Precision.

Kawasaki Police Special

in full regalia.