OLD BIKE AUSTRALASIA: 21Vic Maberley
The doyen of the Indian marque in Sydney,
VIC MABERLEY,passed away in April after
a long illness.
A man with an encyclopaedic knowledge
of the brand as well as huge collection of rare
models, Vic was known far and wide for his
enthusiasm and willingness to assist others
with restoration and advice. His vast shed in
Sydney’s north west was a magnet for Indian
enthusiasts and club groups, all of whom
were welcomed with open arms. Vic’s Indian
stable ranged from tiny two-stokes to the big
twins, and the single cylinder Princes models
from the late ‘twenties. Vic used to say,
“Nobody knows everything about Indians.
There are just too many detail changes
between models, even within the same
model in some cases.” That may be so, but
Vic must have come mighty close. His story
appeared in OBA 27.■UNDER THE CHEQUERED FLAG
Alan Kempster
The 1990 road accident that cost ALAN KEMPSTER his right arm and
leg may have changed his life, but it did nothing to dampen his
tenacity and indomitable spirit.
Alan was a professional pilot, and after a long period of recuperation
took up water skiing, eventually representing Australia at international
level and competing in five world championships, winning three. He
also resumed road racing at age 48 on a Kawasaki 400, showing a
sense of humour in using the race number “1/2” to signify his missing
limbs. Basically self-funded, he competed in many high profile events,
including the Burt Munro Challenge in New Zealand, the Barry Sheene
Festival and Island Classic. In 2014 he raced at Mugello, Italy in the
Di.Di. World Bridgestone Cup, the first international meeting for
disabled riders, where he rode a GSXR600 Suzuki. You can watch this
inspiring video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMHCuSZzCP4
Alan Kempster with his Kawasaki ZXR at the Burt Munro Challenge in NZ. Alan passed away in Melbourne on 15th April, aged 56.■Laurie O’Shea
LAURENCE LENARD O’SHEA, known to his friends simply
as “Lectric”, passed away on the 7th May aged 82.
As a young builder he used to load up his tools in a
knapsack and ride his 125 BSA Bantam to work. When he
decided he would like to try racing, he fitted a Walsh kit to
the bike, and he had his first race in 1952 at Longford. Later
that year at Quorn Hall he stepped onto the podium for the
first time with a 3rd in the 125 race. Next came much
success with a new 350 BSA Gold Star purchased in 1959.
Among the successes were in 1959, a 2nd in the 500 race at Longford followed soon after with a win in the
B grade race at Fishermen’s Bend. That was followed the next year at Longford with an epic 2nd place battle
with Jack Ahearn at Longford followed by passing and pulling away from him soon after at Phillip Island
until he dropped it at Lukey Heights. He set the motorcycle lap record for Baskerville (Hobart) in 1960 on a
500 Manx Norton. After many years racing he was to ride a 350 Manx Norton for Keith Wing Racing and
added versatility to that by riding Keith’s new Greeves Silverstone to many race wins.
Yates Brothers Racing convinced him to ride their new Yamaha TD1C 250 in 1966 where among his
success was a 4th place in a 350 championship race at Phillip Island. That was followed by putting a Suzuki
500 Titan motor into an Aermacchi frame with instant success. He was awarded Life Membership of the
Tasmanian Motor Cycle Club in 1972 and in 2015 was inducted into the Tasmanian Motor Sports Hall Of
Fame. His last tribute was to have an action photo of him on his 350 Norton as the cover shot of the book
“100 Clicks”, the history of the TMCC. ■Ken Young
ABOVE Always the supreme stylist, Laurie O’Shea rounds
Pub Corner at Longford on his Norton in 1961. Photo Keith Ward
RIGHT Laurie O’Shea in 1967 with his Symmons Plains
Rider of the Year Trophy. Photo: The Examiner