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From
around 1948 manufacturers began fitting telescopic, hydraulically dampened front
suspensions, and into the 1950's rear suspension systems also became
commonplace. While
the girder fork era has passed into motorcycling history, the VMCC promotes the
preservation and active use of these fascinating machines.
For some people, the enjoyment of owning an
old motorcycle comes from riding it with a group of fellow enthusiasts, the
friendship, the camaraderie. For
others it’s the process of restoring a bike, the research, finding and making
parts, the engineering challenge and working
towards the goal of finally taking their handiwork for its first spin.
And of course many people enjoy both these aspects to varying degrees. Being a member of the VMCC makes it all that
much more enjoyable, and far easier as there is a wealth of knowledge within the
VMCC to draw from, a beaut library and monthly magazine to keep everyone in
touch.
Your bike doesn’t have to gleam with glossy
paint and fresh plating, or be ‘correct’ in every detail.
This is just the way
that some people like their bikes. For
other enthusiasts, a bike that looks like it has just been rescued from a dusty
chook-shed is ‘just right’, and so it is too!
Whatever approach is your ‘cup of tea’, you are welcome at the VMCC.
Of course, your bike must be in keeping with the era it was made (not
highly modified) and be compliant with the RTA’s requirements that govern the
historic vehicle registration scheme. In fact, you don’t need to own a motorcycle
at all to join the VMCC, just the interest and enthusiasm of being around old
bikes and talking about them is qualification enough. So, if you like old girder fork bikes or are
interested in restoring or riding one, come along to a Club meeting and have a
chat to some friendly VMCC people. Or,
you can check out one of our events and see some bikes in action. The Club is affiliated with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club UK Club
History
On
April 29th 1955 Superintendent Gribble of the Police Traffic Branch officially
opened a display of Veteran and Vintage motorcycles at the This
display was the result of efforts by a few well-respected riders and
motorcycling personalities. These enthusiasts saw a need to preserve motorcycles from the early days
as these machines were fast disappearing. There were tragic cases where
magnificent veteran and vintage machines were being thrown away simply for lack
of anyone interested in preserving them. It
was apparent that unless some positive action was taken the welfare of historic
motorcycles and part of Interested people were canvassed
to see what degree of support there was and from that display the "Vintage
Motorcyclist Club" evolved. This was the first name chosen for what is now The Vintage Motorcycle Club of Australia (NSW) Inc, the oldest motorcycle
club of its type in this country. The inaugural meeting of the
Club, chaired by Norm Davies, was held at the Hollywood Hotel on the corner of
Hunt and Foster Streets, Sydney on Thursday 28th July 1955. The Club has a proud history and continues
with an active membership.
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