15th May - Alice Springs

We spent the day doing many things but not riding.  First I delivered the DR650 back to Desert Edge Motorcycles for an examination of its entrails that could either lead to an expensive rebuild or leaving well alone.  We then doubled up on Alan's GS and every time I climbed on board I nearly tipped the bike over.  Alan gradually got used to having a 90 kg gorilla on the back.
We attended the Ulysses Safety Meeting and enjoyed the free mandatory motorcyclists brekkie of a bacon and egg sandwich and a lukewarm coffee.  I have been enjoying these delicacies since the 1970's at the Easter Bathurst races.  The state-based reporters gave a very thorough account of their activities and the various attempts of State and Federal Governments to either consult with motorcyclists about what is good policy not having any riding experience themselves, or the reaction to some crazy new idea.  We also had some specialist presentations. One on Helmets pointed out that the Australian Standard was out of date and needed to be overhauled and there was total confusion about whether an AS (Australian Standards) sticker was needed or not,  The advice (from an ex copper) was to challenge the more stupid interpretations of the regulations in court.

I managed to blag a ride on a Harley V-Rod after this and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The motor was a gem - smooth and powerful unlike the standard Harley.  It was designed by Porsche so maybe that explains it.  Unfortunately it was spoiled by being in a cruiser frame with a ridiculously wide rear tyre.  It took quite an effort to get the bike leaned over and stay leaned over for corners.

We had arranged to take Chris Fior out to lunch as a thank you for letting us use her accommodation.  By all accounts, camping at the AGM site was not a pleasant experience with strong odours from the nearby sewage treatment works and a lack of ablutions.  We went back to the Aurora Hotel we had used yesterday and had  really good meal and a chat.  Afterwards we had a quick look at the Araluen Gallery which had many Albert Namatjira paintings and those of his children.  They also had paintings of Rex Batterbee, who spotted Albert's talent in the early 1930's and taught him how to paint.  There were some examples of both artists painting the same scene and Namatjira's paintings were the better ones.  They also had some very early paintings of Namatjira and you could see how much he improved.

Battersbee's Painting of Mt Sonder and Namatjira's

We then went to a motorcyclng stunt riding display by Dave McKenna.  He was riding a Yamaha MT09 850 3 cylinder bike specially modified for stunts.  He roared up and down a car park and enthralled the crowd with wheelies, stoppies and doughnuts, but his most spectacular stunt was to lean the bike back so far in a mono that the number plate scraped the ground.

I called Desert Edge and was given the good news that the DR650's main bearings were fine and that the noise was coming from piston slap.  This is quite common on DR's because of it needing bigger clearances as it is air cooled and gets hot.  The piston is also probably worn and needs replacing when I finish the trip.  The bike will do the second leg OK in its current condition.

Alan and I went to the traditional Northern Beaches BBQ at one of the private campgrounds and had  merry time carousing with the 16 or so Ulyssians.  I have decided to support my own Melbourne branch at the Sat morning parade and the Sat evening dinner as I will be getting my own 30th Anniversary shirt tomorrow night from our branch President.