Smacka's New Motorcycle
The Age
Friday August 5, 1994
SMACKA came to motorcycling a little later than most people, who usually start in their late teens. By the time Smacka started riding, his peers were racking up 20 years on the road.
Like most learners, Smacka (his real name) started with a 250 and, being a little unused to it in particular and generally unsure about the vagaries of two as opposed to four wheels, tended to ride fairly slowly.
Earlier this year, Smacka had his first taste of a larger motorcycle, in the shape of a Suzuki Katana 650. At a motorcycle gathering at a pub in the high country on the New South Wales border, Smacka mounted the Kat and challenged all and sundry to a drag race over the bridge.
Fortunately all and sundry declined his invitation.
The owner of the Katana had to go to Italy for a few weeks to drive Alfa Romeos for his job, leaving the bike in Smacka's eager hands.
It was perhaps unwise, as he began to lust for power, then more power, and finally discarded the Katana to buy himself another motorcycle.
The motorcycle of Smacka's choice - and I must add here that he was aided in his selection by a senior executive of a national motorcycle magazine - was an ageing Suzuki GS 1000 G.
The price was $1800, which with registration, spark plugs, a filter and a lot of oil, has totalled about $2200.
Having helped Smacka purchase the bike, the said motorcycle magazine executive was then obliged to help put it in roadworthy condition, which is to say he did all the work while Smacka looked on in interest.
The bike had been neglected and had racked up a lot of kilometres. But like machines of its genre, it remains essentially robust if somewhat thirsty for oil. I asked the magazine exec if it was burning or leaking oil. He replied: ``Yes."
Smacka began riding everywhere, exhibiting his enthusiasm for his new toy by using more of its potential than the law usually allows. This is the sort of thing 19-year-olds often do, as they gain confidence (all too often just before their first big lose).
Then Smacka rang. The bike had seized. An oil plug had dropped out, draining all the oil and seizing the pistons. On reflection, Smacka said he noticed a little instability from what turned out to be an oil-soaked rear tyre.
A new plug, fresh oil and a rest overnight and the bike started like new in the morning, although its oil consumption had not improved.
Regardless of this use of oil - I've always regarded a thirst for oil as a case for fewer oil changes as it is renewed so frequently - Smacka has brought himself a good, cheap motorcycle.
It will probably run another 100,000 kilometres before requiring serious attention, although a lover of machinery would freshen the motor now. But it could be ridden to Sydney and back without blinking and has at least a few good years left in it.
Given that the bike was so cheap, Smacka paid cash for it. His friends believe this means he can now get into debt rebuilding it. We plan a new set of hot cams, over-sized high-compression pistons, some serious head work and a bank of smooth-bore carburettors.
Of course, such a strategy is expensive, in many ways impractical and possibly fraught with danger. But we have no doubt that Smacka will appreciate our continued guidance, if not the insurance policy we are considering taking out on his personal wellbeing.
What are friends for?
© 1994 The Age
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