Reunion January 2014

Minutes of the AGM/Reunion 12 Jan 2014

(A tongue in cheek account for the benefit of those unable to come along. Due to writer’s worsening memory this is even less accurate than 2013, and more rambling. It is hoped than any error, omission or embellishment will be accepted without offence by all parties).

Introduction: Yet again the meeting was held at Dom Marco, Deansgate, Manchester. This was due to a lack of alternative venue where a gathering of old men, who thought they were still young men and talked a lot about it, could be tolerated.

In attendance were Dave I, Pete L, Pete K, Ken, Martin, Roger, Chris, Swinn and Steve. 

3 had travelled by motorcycle to avoid parking charges. Steve, for whom money was no object, had travelled by Eurostar at a cost of several hundred pounds.

Pete L, who had retired in 2013, was warmly welcomed.

Ken was to have arranged a round table to improve cross-table conversation. The table(s) provided comprised a small round one and small rectangular one pushed together. Whilst this did help, at least for lip-readers within a direct line of sight, it was not ideal. Furthermore, the tables were in an external lobby which was cold and draughty. However, Ken pointed out the patio heaters which had thoughtfully been provided by the restaurant management. (see footnote 2)

Swinn agreed to write up notes, but from memory, as it was not possible to eat and write at the same time.

Chris agreed to be official photographer and produced his latest camera which took photographs on an exciting new medium called film. In comparison to digital imagery he claimed that film produced better definition and colours. Images could be posted on the Blog but would first need to be sent away for ‘developing’ (whatever that means).

Ken notionally presided over the meeting and talked longest, most frequently and loudest – doubtless to convince attendees that the harsh conditions suffered were a fair trade-off for hearing him more clearly.

It was established that the waiter’s name was Luigi. The waiter had heard of Valentino Rossi but thought his fellow compatriot earned a lot more money than he. Luigi explained that he was paid only £2/hr. Disbelief was expressed in this figure, the consensus being that Luigi was going for the sympathy vote in order to earn a larger tip (see footnote 1).

Despite Chris’s appointment as official photographer he delegated his role to Luigi, who was asked to familiarise himself with the controls of the new camera and take pictures of the group.

As last year, the group went for the presso fisso menu at £10 comprising drink plus main course. Despite an explanation by Luigi, there was still uncertainty as to which dishes were in or out of the deal. It was agreed that any extras would be paid for on an individual basis (see footnote 1). With the exception of Dave and Swinn attendees ordered wine with their meals, doubtless to fortify themselves against the cold.

The meeting proper commenced at 13.15, at a temperature of about 10C.

Minutes of the last meeting. It was agreed that these were utter rubbish and that they should be struck from the record in their entirety. The Secretary should try harder this year.

Apologies: Received from Rob, Phil D, Dave B, Eldon, Mike M, Mark E and Terry. An excellent range of excuses had been proffered this year and it was noted that the numbers of non-attendees who had sent apologies was now approaching the number of attendees who had not. Dave B had asked to be remembered to anyone who could still remember him.

Matters arising: Club badge: Ken reported this was now at the pre-production stage and his latest employer had better CNC equipment than his last. He hoped to make good progress in the coming year.

Gas mask: Chris was coy about his gas mask pictures but thought they must have been good as some had been stolen before he could sell them.

Ailments and medication, annual update: this was intended to be a brief item but everyone was proud of their ailments and keen to elaborate.

Chris: no change but was trying to get his GP to prescribe better medication. 

Roger declared himself fit but Chris encouragingly pointed out that this was based on what he knew and that once he knew better he could be on the NHS treadmill like everyone else. In the meantime he was not taking advantage of what he paid for through his NI contributions - while the rest of the group was (taking advantage of Rogers contributions).

Martin reported no change, Ken was back on antidepressants though only a small dose. There was no change for Pete K. Pete L had recovered from his TIA.  Dave still suffered from AF and said he was cold. 

A short discussion about the merits of ablation and cardioversion followed.

Steve had been troubled with high PSA levels but biopsies were found to be clear. His situation is being kept under review. Swinn reported that his hernia had been fixed but conceded that he was living on pills. His oil-encrusted pill box had been much admired.

Employment status and benefits, annual update: A poll this year recorded 6 retired, and 2 employed. Pete K did not know whether he had retired because he had never worked. Swinn confirmed that he was definitely not working work despite listings on Google which might suggest otherwise.

However, some anomalies were exposed. It transpired that Dave, who claimed to be working, was only working 1 day a week, whereas Ken who claimed to be retired was actually working 3 days (2 teaching, 1 special projects) to supplement his meagre income.

It further transpired that the purpose of Dave’s 1 day of working was to brief Ken about the design of a fancy nosecone for his windmill. Ken’s special projects day was set aside to receive the brief from Dave and report on progress which was inevitably that things were in hand. This project had been ongoing for several years but may have to be concluded when government funding for green projects is withdrawn.

Roger, who claimed to be fully employed was known to have undertaken Bike71 correspondence in works time and therefore couldn’t be that busy after all.

Everyone appeared to be receiving the winter fuel allowance except Roger. There was an anomaly here in that Roger lived in the icy north and was in need of the allowance whereas those living abroad and in warmer climes, had received theirs and spent it on poolside drinks.

Dave was the only attendee in receipt of a proper ‘old age’ pension.

Motorcycles owned and /or in use: The Secretary suggested that this should be on an exception basis but Ken insisted that a full interrogation should take place for reference. Only an abbreviated account is published here (but Ken will remember anyway).

Chris said he had taken up cycling. The meeting queried the sanity of this as he had given up motorcycling for medical reasons and cycling was equally as dangerous.

The KTM which Roger had declared to be the best bike he’d ever owned had been written off in accident and replaced by a BMW 650 which was now the best bike he’d ever owned. He hoped to shortly buy a BMW K75s, if the price was right, and it too would become the best bike he’d ever owned. 

No change for Martin

Ken’s situation was also unchanged, his VTR’s problems remained unresolved. Pete K had so many machines he could not recall them all but they included at least 2 Laverdas. A number of his machines were roadworthy and in use.

To provide a baseline listing for the group Pete L advised that he owned a Trident (late model 5-speed), Bonneville, G9 and C15. He hoped to buy a BMW R1200GS shortly. The Trident’s engine had been rebuilt by a specialist who charged Pete £250 every time he phoned to check progress. Pete made 20 calls (work it out) but he liked talking Triumph and money was no object..

No change for Dave except he hoped to sell his K75s, if the price was right. (It transpired that this was the very bike that Swinn had sold to him 11 years ago at a very fair price).

Steve hoped to expand his hoard but first needed an age-related bicycle frame to which he could attach a new Firefly engine.

Swinn now had 2 out of his 5 bikes on the road.

Events: No meetings had been held during the year so there were no excuses for non-attendance. Ken and Dave told of their successful trip to Morocco. It had been very cold at times and Dave had been unable to use heated grips as his alternator wasn’t big enough. Ken thought it was because he hadn’t bothered to fit them.

AOB: An opportunity to reminisce. With the exception of querying which student rallies Pete L had attended, Edale was not mentioned. Most conversation related to who had been at Manchester in a particular year, where they lived, how much time had been spent in bed and which young ladies had been befriended.

There was some debate about when the Club had been founded. Swinn and Pete L said it was 1970 the founders being Edgar Baines and Dave Atkinson. 23 Clarendon had been their digs and passed on to the newcomers in ’71.  Yet again there was a discussion about the Club Bultaco and tools, and where they had gone, but nobody owned up.

Steve was looking forward to the FIM Rally which will be held in Finland this year.

Martin recounted a tale about offering up his MZ as a sacrificial lamb to protect the remainder of his fleet. This had been some years ago and the machine offered up was the worst he’d ever owned, the lightest to move, and of least scrap value. As planned, the bike had been stolen which saved him the trouble of taking it to the tip.

Martin also said that he was now Club Secretary of his local branch of VMCC

Chris gave a lurid account of his drive home through Derbyshire in an Audisomethingturbo while having a stroke (which probably saved his life).

Swinn was chastised for the time taken to sort out his Commando petrol tank, in particular because he had not followed Dave’s resin moulding instructions to the letter. In mitigation Swinn said he had used special resins which required heat curing and that he had spent his winter fuel allowance on this but that the money had run out partway through. He had made a steel tank since.

Roger was awarded an inscribed Bike71 clock in recognition of his good work for the Club.

Future events: Ken suggested a meet up with the London branch, perhaps at the National Motorcycle Museum: mid-year. He promised to liaise with Roger over invitations.and addresses.

AGM to be held January 2015 as usual.

The meeting closed at 15.45, and at a temperature of about 3C

(By this time Dave was so cold that his feet were numb and he was sat with hood up and coat fully buttoned. He could easily have been mistaken for a Big Issue seller had he ventured outside).

Footnote 1

Although everyone thought that they had ordered the ‘presso fisso’ deal, and contributed in line with what they thought they had eaten; there was still a cash shortfall.  As last year, pockets were searched for small change and unfortunately Luigi’s tip was used too. Sorry Luigi, but thanks for your attentive service.

Footnote 2

As the party left it was noted that Ken had been sitting directly beneath one of the warmest patio heaters. This may have explained his liveliness in comparison to others who had all adopted a torpid state to conserve heat.