TT/XT 500 MUSTER '08

DAY 1

For the 7th running of the Muster we based this year’s Saturday road ride from the Bethany Reserve in the Barossa Valley, just outside Tanunda where we did from last year. The dirt ride was held in conjunction with the Keyneton Motorcycle Club, club day held near Angaston.

DIRT RIDE

Shane Kraft took care of the dirt ride which was held at 1 of the properties that the Keyneton Club uses for the running of their club days the day was divided up into ride session of 20 mins for the different class being run on the day. There were only 5 bikes that turn up for the dirt ride so next year Shane is looking at trying something different.

 

 

  

 

Shane Kraft hooking it into 1 of the many corners.
    photos Barossa Photo Company

 Shane Kraft chases down Chris Rogers.

Shane Parks, having a ball. “Peace.”

  
    ROAD RIDE                                                                                                                                                                    The road ride started at the Bethany Reserve at 10.30am lead by Kevin Steinert which went through Tanunda, then looped through the Barossa Valley around through Seppeltsfield and Greenock, back to Nuriootpa and up through Angaston before heading for the Adelaide Hills.

 

The group heading off from Bethany reserve.

Peter Taylor from Vic on Shane’s bike at Seppeltsfield.
   

The weather for the ride was ideal, not to hot yet not cold either. The first stop was at the Herbig Family Tree just have short break and a couple of photos of the group.

From here it was off into Birdwood to refuel.

photos Barossa Photo Company

   

 

   
Kevin Steinert (left) with
                      Support driver Dean Hage

Jeff Love, in deep thought!
   

And now off to Gumeracha for lunch at the Big Rocking Horse. Everyone enjoyed the meal there last year, it was decided to stop there again this year.

The group heading to Gumeracha for lunch.

Colin Jay on his nicely presented Race bike
         

Lined up at 'The Big Rocking Horse' (Gumeracha)

 

 

After here, we went out through to Woodside before looping around through Lenswood back to Lobethal. From here we cruise on through Chain of Ponds and then on towards Kersbrook but turning off prior to getting into town. Along this part of the run, it seemed to be hard to keep the dozen riders close enough to avoid them getting separated. We manage to keep most of the group together and the others regrouped at a later location.

  
    We had another stop at The Warren Reservoir where we picked up a couple of our miss placed riders. We then went into Cockatoo Valley for a top up, for those who may have needed it and then continue along the run back to Bethany to the finish.
 

SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER                                                                                                                                             In the evening we all gathered at The Barossa Junction for a wonderful meal and a look through the Motor Museum that the owner has collected. He has what has been said to be the largest collection of AJS motor cycles in the Southern Hemisphere as well as a very impressive collection of Chevrolets which he is still increasing in size. The 34 people that were there enjoyed it that much, it was suggested that we go back there next year to do it all over again.
 

DAY 2

This year, the Show’n’display day was held at The Stockwell Oval with 55 bikes in attendance. The day was cool and a little windy but the rain stayed away. Unfortunately so did some of the expected bike owners and spectators as 30 kms south there was some rain. The local Angaston Scout Group did the catering for us this year and said that they would return next year as it was a good day for them. 

 

   

     

(Above) A fine example of a BSA that Tony Codrington of “Classic Restoration” has restored for 1 of his customers. This 441 GP was the inspiration for the Yamaha TT / XT 500s that we have all come to enjoy. A story to follow on this restoration and the link to the TT/XT 500s of the 70’s.

  

 

There were 8 trophies up for grabs this year as well as the Barossa Photo Company Award which was picked by Tony himself. This year he gave an annual subscription to (a magazine) for the lucky winner.
         

   
                             
         
This years winner of the Barossa Photo Company Award went to Steve Howlett was with his TT 500H
   
                             
     

Day 2 photos courtesy - Rob Francis

        
           
   

   

(above) Steve Howlett's bike was ridden the day before at the dirt ride and then cleaned up for the Sunday. He must have done this between the ride and coming out to dinner with the group. Very nice!

        
                   
   

Best XT500 went to Steve Ellis with his 1980 XT500G. He only finished getting his bike ready for the event at 3 o’clock that morning. Steve’s trophy was donated by Crakers/Castrol.
       
                   
             
                     
     

Best TT500 went to Kym Lehman with his 1976 TT500C. Can someone top him next year? Kym’s trophy was donated by Strength Motorcycles.
       
   

         
                   
   

Best original TT500 was won by Shane Kraft with his 1977 TT500F. Shane’s trophy was donated by Yamaha Pitmans.
   
     

         
 

Best original XT500 went to John Henderson with his 1981 XT500H. John’s trophy was donated by Barossa Photo Company.
         
                       
   

           
                   
   

Best modified 500 was the XT 500 that has had the motard treatment done to it. The winner, Chris Green, trophy was donated by EJ & BF Lange Automotive Restoration.
   
           
     
The anniversary 1978 TT500E trophy went to John Gersch who had only finished restoring the bike earlier that morning. John’s trophy was donated by Kym Lehman Crash Repairs.
     
     

       
 
     

The BITSA award went to Colin Jay with his UM ’76 race bike. His trophy was kindly donated by Bills Bits‘n’Bikes.
     
                     
             
     

The 8th award on the day was for the best sidecar, this one went to Kevin Steinert. Kevin had only purchased the bike earlier that week. The bike is a 1976 XT500C.
     
               

                     
   
There were a heap of raffle prizes that had also been kindly donated by our many sponsors. A lot of them are on are sponsor page for you to contact regarding any work or parts that you may require. The main people we use for our tank restorations are Eric Lange for the panel beating, if he cant’ make it look like new, no-one can. Kym Lehman does the paint work and is a member of the committee now and the stickers are done by Fred Wheeler of We’ll Sign in Nuriootpa.
 
                     

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