Old News 2011

Steed John Motorcycles source the best manufacturers of Aftermarket Harley and custom products from around the world. To compliment the larger manufacturers, we are constantly looking to bring you unique products with high design from manufacturers you may not have had access to before.

Our aim is to provide you with the complete peace of mind that comes from purchasing your custom products from a UK based Company. Our published prices include all Shipping Costs, Import Duties and Taxes, enabling you to shop confidently and in the knowledge that there will be no hidden charges that can often arise when importing product from overseas.

We are adding products to our on-line store every week to make browsing and purchasing product easy for you. In the meantime, call us or email us for a quote on any other products from the manufacturers we are UK dealers for.

We can now offer a 15% Discount off Baron Custom products for all VSOC members

To get your discount simply let us know you're a member - state VSOC when ordering

14^th December Butlins 2012 - Centre 16

I have 6 places left would prefer to have 3 couples, Its at the Bognor Regis resort from Friday 24^th Feb to Monday 27^th inclusive. It's a seventies weekend and the cost is £65 per person for a self catering chalet.

5^th December Centre 18......... Re loaded

At a well attended EGM on Sat 3rd Dec it was unanimously decided that Helen Saw would become centre rep and along with Allan Loveday, Alison Cooper, Paul Wells and Christine Wells would form a new committee. All of these members have many years experience within the VSOC and are well known throughout the greater club.

The centre has decided that the best way forward is to start with a clean slate and virtually build a new centre from scratch. The centre name will no longer be "Peninsula Pirates" and the associated logo and regalia is defunked with immediate effect. As of now, they will simply be known as "Centre 18", until such time as they decide whether or not they want a nickname and logo. A new website is under construction, fresh financial arrangements and new monthly meeting points are also being arranged.

This is a great undertaking, but there is the will and enthusiasm amongst the membership to build Centre 18 back to it's former standing within the VSOC. I'm quite sure that all your friends around the Centres wish you all the best with your new venture and look forward to meeting up with you next season.

16^th November Yamaha Recall On the VOSA Website - Update

15^th November Yamaha Recalls V Star 950, V Star 1300
and Super Tenere For Possible Fuel Leak

This is news from the USA but some of our members have been included in this new recall.

On Oct. 28th, 2011 Yamaha filed a recall campaign with the NHTSA (campaign ID number: 11V533000) regarding possible fuel leaks on 2009 thru 2012 model-year V Star 950 and V Star 950 Tourer manufactured October 2008 through August 2011. The recall also includes the 2007 V Star 1300 model with manufacture dates August 2006 to March 2007. A total of 2800 models are affected.

A separate recall (NHTSA campaign ID number: 11V532000) was issued by Yamaha for the 2012 Super Tenere with manufacture dates June 1, 2011 to August 31,2011. This recall also involves possible fuel leaks.
2009 – 2012 V Star 950, 950 Tourer and 2007 V Star 1300

According to the recall there may not be a proper seal between the fuel pipes for the fuel injectors and the fuel hose connecting them due to an improperly molded fuel hose. Over time, pressurized fuel may leak at the hose connection points, potentially leading to a fire hazard.
Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before Nov. 11, 2011.

Like the V Star models above, the adventure-touring Super Tenere may also have fuel leak problems. According the Super Tenere recall, during the assembly process, the fuel pump O-ring may have been installed incorrectly in its grove. If the tabs located around the inner circumference of the O-ring weren’t properly seated into the grove during pump installation, the O-ring sealing lip could become pinched and damaged, thereby preventing sealing.

This improper seal could allow fuel to leak from around the fuel pump, potentially leading to a fire hazard.
This recall involving 1069 units is expected to begin in the month of November.

8^th November Will's off to Gambia

I have just been accepted to join a group of 12 ( I have been on the reserve list for the last few months) to ride a Honda C90 scooter to a Hospital in Bansang in Gambia.

The bikes will be donated to the hospital to be used by doctors and nurses (and to deliver vital medical supplies) to outlying villages.

I am paying out of my own pocket for fuel, ferries, food and return ticket to the UK plus I am donating £500 towards the hospital..... So you see a cheap bike would really help me out :-)

Thanks for taking the time to read this... I will be at the AGM next week if anyone wants more info

8^th November Bob and Jo Got Married

In case you hadn't heard, Bob Aldam and Jo of Centre 6 got married on the 29th October much to the surprise of the guests as they thought they were all coming to Jo's 40th birthday party! Everyone had a great day and they finished it of by all going to an Oktoberfest. Here are a couple of photos. Cheers!!

30^th October Virago iPhone Case - Offer

19^th October New Discount for VSOC Members

18^th October Sweden 2012 - Update

For those members interested in going to the International next year, and to update those who have already made arrangements, this is the latest information.

One "tweak" to what I said in previous information on this website. Nutt Travel do not accept deposits on the Harwich-Esbjerg Ferry, so full payment must be made at time of booking, so if 4 of you are sharing one cabin, whoever is booking it needs to chase the other 3 for the money.

Another possible change of arrangements may happen due to the fact that the actual Rally finishes on the Saturday, and not the Sunday as previously thought. The reason behind this, is that Sweden has a Bank Holiday on the Wednesday before the Rally (6th June), and the Rally starts on the Thursday. Therefore, we can arrive on the Wednesday now, as most of the Swedes will travel to the Rally that day. I’m also lead to believe that if there are many people on site on the Wednesday, some entertainment etc will be laid on.
So, what does this all mean? Well, overnight ferry over on the Monday 4th June, arriving in Esbjerg around 1pm on the Tuesday, ride to Danish YCC clubhouse by around 5-30-6pm on the Tuesday evening. Stop-over and leave Wednesday morning for Sweden via the Oresúnd Bridge. There are services (not fuel) just beyond the bridge near Malmö , where I will arrange for the Swedes to meet us and lead us to the Rally site in Öland (Distance from services just about 200 miles). Danish clubhouse to Swedish services approx 40 miles.
We will return from the Rally site on the Saturday, and stop-over again at the Danish Clubhouse for 2 nights now, before heading west to Esbjerg to catch the ferry back to Blighty.

The Swedish Yamaha Custom Club has booked the complete site, and have arranged for the approximate 135 Cabins to be made available to those who would like them. Suffice to say, I have made a request to secure as many "en-suite" cabins as possible, as I’m being told that there are only 42 "en-suite" cabins available on site. These will have to be shared around the counties clubs who attend! I will let you know who has been allocated an "en-suite" when I know "my" allocation. This, I should know shortly. The prices of the cabins have been slightly increased to cover cleaning costs after the rally. You are not required to clean the cabin after you vacate it, as these arrangements have been made, and reflect in the costs. Payment will need to be paid to me (or a nominated person TBA) at the Danish Clubhouse on the Tuesday evening, in Swedish Kroner ONLY. Please can those sharing a cabin nominate someone to collect the money on the 4 people’s behalf, then I can collect the total money per cabin from one person only. This will save me the grief of chasing individuals......Thanks

Prices per Cabin are as follows:
Type A - Non "en-suite" = 1800 SK in total for 3 nights (approx £14.40 per person per night)
Type B - "en-suite" - 2300 SK in total for the 3 nights (approx £18.40 per person per night)
The Rally Ticket Price is 200 Swedish Kroner (£19.20 at today’s exchange rate) This to be paid on the gate individually, again in Swedish Kroner!

The price does NOT include meals. The Swedes are providing food options on site, so to give you a choice. There will be additional costs involved here, Breakfast will also be provided, but at a minimal cost as required (thought to be around 30SK (£3) There is no price as yet known for the evening meals.

5^th October International Rally Sweden 2012

I have spoken to Nutt Travel and see below the prices set for the Harwich - Esbjerg Ferry crossings. For other routes and rates, speak to Nutt Travel directly for quotations.

I know some may travel via Newcastle-Rotterdam and ride up into Denmark via Holland & Germany, also via Dover-Calais and maybe Harwich-Hook.

Prices for the Harwich-Esbjerg Ferry... There seems to have been an increase in the Bike/Rider costs but the cabins have dropped a lot, making the crossing really cheap next year. I have confirmed this with Nutt Travel, who in turn, have confirmed the prices with DFDS.

Before reading the costs, yes you can match the costs given, by booking on-line with DFDS, but the added security comes when you may wish to change your booking or have any issues on the day of the crossings. Booking with a travel agent, we have someone to talk to should you have a problem, and will have no hidden admin costs if you change a booking somehow........Just think about it before you do it.

Harwich - Esjberg: Outbound Monday 4th June 2012 1745hrs, returning on Monday 11th June 1845hrs.
Costs........Bike/Rider - £98...........Bike/Rider/Pillion - £128
2, 3 or 4 berth cabin RETURN - £160 = (£40 each)
6 berth cabin RETURN - £140 (£23.33 each)
Nutt Travel www.nutttravel.com Contact: Rita on 02870-351199 Office or 07545-745791 Mobile.
Credit Card Bookings are subject to a £2 Fee, Debit Card Bookings.....No Charge. Small Deposits can be paid now to secure crossings. I suggest you do that.

There will not be any need to have a tent at the Rally site in Sweden, as cabin type accommodation is available (reserved ONLY through myself). These are all 4 berth wooden cabins, some en-suite, some not. The en-suite options have now been fully booked but non en-suites are still available to date. There are toilets/showers in blocks on site. The costs for these are around £10.50 per person per night. (3 night rally....do your own maths). Remember 4 sharing. If I get any more en-suites allocated to me, I will advertise them here on the website.

Remember, if you book a cabin in Sweden, you will still need to camp at the Danish clubhouse on the route outbound (2 nights) and on the Sunday night return trip. There "maybe" a possibility that some members may be able to sleep in the "dorm" upstairs in the clubhouse which negates the need to take a tent. This is an open floor long dorm shared by many. This option needs to be requested to me at some point, so I can confirm this will be fine.

For those who are taking the Harwich-Esbjerg route, I am happy to lead the group from Esbjerg to Copenhagen, where we will be able to stay 2 nights at the Yamaha Custom Club Clubhouse, before travelling onto the Swedish Rally on the Thursday morning where I will arrange for us to be escorted once in Sweden (the other side of the Oresund Bridge).

Please be aware there are toll bridges between the islands of Fyn and Sealand in Denmark and between Copenhagen and Malmo, Sweden. Costs around £12 in sterling, 115 Danish Kroner each way. Payment can also be made by credit card. There is usually is no queue as traffic is minimal compared to the UK.

Distances:
Esbjerg-Copenhagen YCC Clubhouse - 200 miles
Copenhagen YCC Clubhouse-Oland, Swedish Rally Site - Approx 275miles.

When I receive more details, they will be published here. Any questions, please contact me

4^th October Custom Bike Show moves to Beaulieu...

Following a successful inaugural Custom Motorcycle Show [California Dreamin'], held in Bournemouth earlier this year, Ocean Events is delighted to announce that from 2012, the Show will be held annually at Beaulieu, home of the world famous National Motor Museum, in the heart of the New Forest.

The 2012 show will be held in the Beaulieu parkland on the 16th and 17th June, when visitors will not only be able to enjoy The Custom Motorcycle Show, but also the established annual Hot Rod & Custom Car Festival plus all the other attractions that Beaulieu has to offer.

Hundreds of world class custom motorcycles will also be on show, with over 70 bikes entering the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building (as part of the UK Affiliate rounds). There will be several categories for the bike builders including Freestyle, Modified Harley, Period Chopper, Daily Rider and Streetfighter/Performance Custom.

There will be hundreds of exhibitors including custom bike dealers, custom accessories and hard parts, plus the Vendors and Merchandise Village.

From 9.30am on both days of the show, there will be a Ride-In, with all riders of custom motorcycles invited into the event to show off their bikes.

Lorne Cheetham, director of Ocean Events said:" Beaulieu is a perfect venue for our event. With all the custom bikes, cafe racers and streetfighters sharing the magnificent showgrounds with hot rods and custom cars, the whole weekend is going to be one fantastic festival of motoring modification and customisation!

"We are delighted to be working with Beaulieu on this show and hope to make the whole event the biggest of its kind in the UK."

For information on booking a trade stand please call Chris Gothard on 01732 362 845 or email chris@esnevents.co.uk

20^th September New type approval insights from the European Commission

The Commission treated representatives of the Member States and interest groups to additional information on its regulation on the type-approval of motorcycles on Friday, during a Motorcycle Working Group Meeting (MCWG) in Brussels. The working group, a platform for information circulation and stakeholder input, had not convened since January, and its members awaited eagerly the results of investigations on technical aspects of the regulation, mostly on durability and engine tampering, commissioned for the occasion.

The new type-approval regulation, a recast of existing directives with additional requirements in terms of safety equipment, environmental performance and market surveillance, was presented late last year and has been a point of interest for FEMA and its members ever since. The current draft, proposed by the Commission, is now under scrutiny of the Parliament and the Council of Ministers, who can amend the text before taking a final vote that will turn it into law. Until then, everything is possible.

Untimely afterthoughts

The general principle in European Union law is that the European Commission is in charge of drafting proposals for new laws (directives and regulations), which are then handed to European Parliament and Council of Ministers for amendments and approval by vote. Once the text lands on the MEPs' desks, it ceases to be the Commission's brainchild and starts a life of its own.

This is why it came as a surprise to everyone involved that the Commission forwarded to the Council of Ministers a "clarification" last week, in the form of an updated calendar for the implementation of emissions control measures, different from the proposal currently discussed. The new suggestion basically moves forward by one year all the dates for the introduction of Euro 3 and Euro 4 emission regulations for mopeds and motorcycles, respectively.

The motorcycle industry promptly reacted, claiming that the Commission is "changing the rules in the middle of the game". ACEM, the association of motorcycle manufacturers, complained from the beginning that the original calendar for the introduction of the various environmental (on-board diagnostics, durability, CO2 labelling, sound levels) and safety (automatic headlamps on, ABS/CBS) requirements was unrealistic, extremely tight, and would result in high adaptation costs for manufacturers.

The Commission's latest "clarification", halfway through the legislative process, is apparently even more threatening, prompting ACEM to call it a "nightmare scenario". An example: all motorcycles put up for registration by January 2014 should comply with Euro 3, the technical details of which are expected to be published by the Commission... in December 2012, at best! This would leave all motorcycle manufacturers just over one year to design, develop and put in production new engines and new motorcycles, while selling their entire stock of previous-generation vehicles.

FEMA asks Commission for clarification

Aline Delhaye, General Secretary of FEMA, took the floor during the meeting to request an explanation from the Commission, voicing the users' opposition to any measure that would unnecessarily create additional costs for the manufacturers, and therefore, for users themselves. In particular, FEMA alone came in support of small manufacturers, who would be hit the hardest by an overly tight schedule, and the massive investments required to cope with it. Should they disappear, it would mean less choice for the consumer, less variety and innovation, and a market more closely concentrated into the hands of large companies.

Questioned by FEMA and the industry, with the support of FIGIEFA, ETRA and FIM, the Commission claimed that the calendar was now in the hands of the Parliament and the Council, as it should be, and that it was merely "suggesting" a new calendar for the reflection of the Council of Ministers.

Among its "clarifications", the Commission asked the Parliament and the Council to keep their changes, in the form of amendments, within the scope of the regulation - type-approval and market surveillance. In particular, the European executive asked not to include irrelevant topics such as protective clothing, licencing and training, periodical technical inspections, or day-glo clothing for riders.

Durability debate endures

The role of the Commission is certainly not over at this stage. In line with the usual practice, the regulation contains provisions for leaving the more technical aspects of type-approval to the Commission, once the Parliament and Council have voted on the general principles. This is meant to save MEPs the trouble of dealing with very technical and administrative points, which in Member States are likewise left to the government's civil servants.

In order to prepare such "delegated acts" the Commission ordered a report from an independent source on durability of exhausts and anti-tampering measures.The conclusions of the UK Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) were presented at the meeting on Friday, in the hope of gathering input from participating interest groups, including FEMA.

The report tried to answer the question of how to measure the durability of exhausts. The regulation gives durability thresholds for exhausts on motorcycles and scooters, but how do we go about testing if the products comply?

TRL compared three test cycles, the US EPA, the European SRC used for passenger cars, and an entirely new cycle; in order to find one that best represents actual use on roads. The best solution was deemed to be a motorcycle version of the SRC, using elements from the existing World Motorcycle test Cycle (WMTC) with soaks and cold starts. This combination is expected to provide challenging deterioration with high speeds while reflecting real-world use.

Anti-tampering hanging from the edge

TRL was also commissioned by the European Commission to report on engine and powertrain tampering, and suggest anti-tampering measures. You may remember that TRL chose to ask for advice from the user community, albeit in an original way: by launching a contest asking "schools, colleges, universities and rider associations" to send in their tips and tricks to boosting the power output of their favourite motorcycle, moped, scooter or... mini-car.

The ethical problems quickly piled up, not the least being the promotion of a public contest of how best to make your bike dangerous to ride, or the promise of a handsome 500€ reward (300€ for second place) from the taxpayer's pocket to the first person who does TRL's work for them. Despite a deadline extension, the initiative did not yield any results..The laboratory nonetheless came up with a report detailing the nature and extent of two-wheeler tampering, and possible countermeasures to be included in EU legislation.

The report develops a methodology for determining what kind of tampering is more harmful and should be prevented in priority. It uses a simple system: for each type of tampering, the effects on safety, environment and noise are rated. Then it adds the effect on safety, the effect on environment and the effect on noise, and multiplies the resulting sum by a rate of occurrence and a rate of detection. The resulting number is compared to the results for other types of tampering to resolve priorities.

Guessing tampering away

Interestingly, when asked by FEMA how TRL knows the occurrence rate of a certain type of tampering, the TRL representative said "occurrence is difficult to know, so we often use guesses". You read that right: current state-of-the-art research on engine modification is based on guesswork. And there is no indication that TRL's guess is better than anybody's.

It seems obvious that despite its best efforts, the Commission cannot find evidence that tampering is either widespread or significantly harmful. The last nail in the coffin of anti-modification was driven by the representative of TRL himself, who added that they do not know the whole extent of the problem, which will make it difficult to assess the effectiveness of anti-tampering measures if they are ever implemented.

FEMA took the opportunity to remind the Commission and TRL that riders already pointed out earlier that harmful tampering, in their view, only concerns a small minority of users, and that it is and should remain a law enforcement problem to be solved on the member state level. Therefore, it should not be a priority, and it certainly doesn't warrant far-fetched technical regulations that would negatively affect the vast majority of safety-conscious, law-abiding motorcyclists.

Delegated acts under tight calendar

The meeting was also an opportunity for the Commission to introduce its calendar for the discussion, drafting and publication of three delegated acts covered by the type-approval regulation: the Regulation on Environmental and Propulsion Performance (REPPR), Regulation on Vehicle Functional Safety Requirements (RVFSR); Regulation on Vehicle Construction Requirements (RVCR) and Regulation on Administrative Requirements (RAR).

The first of these, which covers critical aspects of engine building and vehicle performance such as tailpipe emissions and fuel evaporation limits, was first shown during the meeting, but the Commission expects interest groups to make comments and to request changes before October 28th. A rather tight schedule, considering the draft is only 387 pages long! The deadline for the second, covering safety elements, is barely longer, with input expected by mid-December.

The motorcycle industry, with a lot at stake, loudly complained that the timeframe was too short to provide anything meaningful. Is it a deliberate strategy on the Commission's part? Or is it just that the schedule for the implementation of the regulation is too short, as FEMA noted from the beginning?

What's next?

The next meeting on September 22nd will gather emissions experts, and another on September 23rd will look at the reassessment of environmental requirements.

Meanwhile, the rapporteur at the Internal Market Committee, MEP Wim van de Camp, will meet with representatives of other political parties to discuss the regulation by the end of this month; in view of the vote of the Committee, now postponed by two weeks to October 17th. The plenary reading, where all MEPs will be invited to contribute, is expected for November or December.

The next Motorcycle Working Group meeting is planned for mid-December, and FEMA will be there.

19^th September Yamaha Raider’s

Many members will have noticed that Yamaha USA have a larger range of "Star" m/cycles, and that one or two dealerships in the UK have in the past, imported a few Yamaha Raider’s.

Due the dollar exchange rate and the economy, the importation of these, and other models have slowed, if not stopped, but I continually keep getting asked where these can be purchased.

To this end, I have done some homework, so to speak, and "may" be able to identify a few Raiders that may be able to be purchased in the USA, shipped over and sold to our members.

At this point in time, I would like to keep the source unknown to you, as I don’t want them pestered with calls at this stage, as this is "early doors" in trying to get a few more made available to those who require one.
Recently, a few have been found, and sold to our members successfully through the network of people in the know so to speak, and now we proudly have 13 Raiders in the VSOC. There have only been around 20 in total imported from the USA into the UK, so not a bad average.

At the Devon Rally recently, 3 more members came up to me asking where they can get a Raider. I know there are a few others, so, if you are one of these people who approached me in Devon or genuinely are looking to buy a Raider, please e-mail me or ring me in the first instance, and I can keep you informed of any progress, and when one, two or three become available, I will release the details, for you to deal directly with the source in question.

The Raiders may be new, but are likely to be low mileage used ones, but colours and ages can only be verified when these become available. Since 2008 when they first Raiders became available, there have been no changes to the bikes, only colours each year, and a physical badge on the side panels, so it makes little or no difference what year bike you buy, except for price, mileage etc. The source will generally take cruisers as part-exchange.

I have also requested them to look out for any Yamaha Stryker’s, which is known as the "Baby Raider", with a 1300cc engine, the same as the Midnight Star the UK sell. These are a newer option, so more rare. The Raider has the 1900cc option engine.
If you wish to know more about these models, look at this link

Any further questions please e-mail or call me
Kevin Hoyte Tel: 07711 073477 chairman@vsoc.org.uk

18^th September Biker Friendly Café

Whilst Camping on the Tyddyn Du Campsite which is sited halfway between Dolgellau and Barmouth, last weekend, a number of us took the short walk to the Café Bontddy which is run by a fella named Ian Clows, who just happened to be from Cannock in the West Midlands. We had a great breakfast (all cooked fresh) and a social chat with Ian in his comfortable café whilst taking shelter from the torrential rain dumped on us by that hurricane (September 2011).

If anyone from the VSOC is passing down the A496 through Bontddu village, the café will be on the left just after the Halfway house. Ian will make any biker visiting welcome!

If you have an organised run out to Barmouth and there will be a number of you wanting food, Ian can be contacted via email i.clows@yahoo.com to make specific arrangements

1^st September National Defence Medal Campaign

I am a service veteran & a member of the National Defence Medal Campaign. We have an e-petition on the Government site which seeks the award of a National Defence Medal to all armed forces personnel and veterans and we are looking to get 100,000 signatures as soon as possible.

Please support those who have served and kept this Nation Safe and Secure. Should you wish further information please send me an email address or visit the NDM Website. http://nationaldefencemedal.webs.com/

30^th August Bike Stolen

Alan Messham's XV400 Dragstar (the only one in the club) got stolen last night. If you or someone you know are offered one for sale or can help Alan in recovering it then please contact him directly at messhamalan@aol.com

It's black & chrome, back rest and rack attached and a small radio on the bars with speakers. It also has twin horns bolted to the frame facing downwards.

Registration X715 MGH.

Stolen from back yard with padlocked gate and alley gates fitted to entrances of alley

Thanks

16^th August Proposed Anti-Tampering Regulations - Lots of information!!

(Republished courtesy of BSH Magazine)

If you are among that rarified breed which reads both BSH and our little brat sister magazine, Streetfighters, you may notice substantial similarities in this month’s editorials. We very rarely, if ever, replicate subject matter in our respective editorials, and have never, as far as I can recall, ever run the parallel commentaries that we are choosing to print this month. But some subjects are so important that they demand syndication and repetition; this is such an occasion.

A short while ago we received an email from the Motorcycle Action Group, concerning its recent meeting with the chairman of the committee of EU Internal Marketing and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and their discussions of the Anti-Tampering Regulation and other issues, which are currently passing through the EU legislative process.

If the Anti-Tampering Regulation, and its many other associated proposals, is passed, it will be the end of custom motorcycle building in the UK - all of it - and, quite possibly, of any motorcycle modification at all. We’re going to keep it as simple as we can.

If you want to be prohibited from modifying any part of the power train of your motorcycle - that’s every component from the airbox to the profile of the rear tyre, meaning you can’t even fit an aftermarket airbox filter - or from altering your gearing or tuning your engine, all of which will be banned, as well as any sort of engine tuning, will be banned - then stop reading now.

If you would be happy for the only modifications legally allowed on your bike to consist of factory-approved parts, and everything - everything from the spark plug - to be off-limits to anyone but servicing dealers, and mods to be recorded on your logbook, then stop reading now.

If you want permanent ABS to become compulsory equipment for all road bikes, stop reading now.

If you want your headlights to be permanently switched on as required by law, irrespective of whether this is safe, sensible or stupid, stop reading now.

If you want On-Board Diagnostics to be introduced so that, at any time, you can be stopped and information about your riding style, emissions, etc, can be downloaded via datalogger-type equipment, revealing all of your movements, minor speed limit infringements and slight mistakes, stop reading now.

If you want the sale of all aftermarket parts intended for dual road/competition use - your nice new K&N air filter, or crash bungs, or swinging arm bobbins, for example - to become completely illegal, then stop reading now.

If you want to be forced by law to wear full sleeve day-glo clothing at all times, as currently proposed by the French and Irish governments, stop reading now.

If you think it’s a good idea for all motorcycles over seven years old to be banned from urban areas, then stop reading now.

Every single one of these things is included in a list of EU regulatory proposals currently under consideration by the IMCO, which will vote on them in early October. If any or all of them pass, they will be swiftly moved up to the European Parliament. If any or all of them pass through Parliament, then, as ‘Framework Regulations’, they will automatically come into force in the UK. That’s it. There will be no votes in the Commons or the Lords. No democratic process or consultation. Most people won’t even know this is happening until it’s six months behind them. And then it will be way, way too late.

If the Anti-Tampering Regulation passes into law, it means there is a very real chance that custom motorcycle building, modification and alteration will cease entirely.

Completely.

Forever.

We must not let that happen. We’re not talking a few years down the line - the vote is in October. What can you do? Join the MAG demo on Sunday September 25th 2011. This, with your help, is going to be a massive nationwide event. At midday, ride to your local motorway service station, transport café or meeting point* where, hopefully, you will find a load of motorcyclists already waiting. Then, at precisely 1pm, leave the meeting point and ride, sedately at 45-50mph (crucially, at a slower speed than lorries use), across the UK’s entire motorway and main road network, for as long as you wish. Slow the traffic. Cause an obstruction. Make your point.

Of course, you can stay at home on September 25th if you like. As with most demonstrations, it’s easy to leave it to someone else. And there’s the lawn needs mowing, after all. And the cat’s got worms. And there’s a really good film on the telly that you’ve only seen twice. But if you do stay at home, you will have done nothing to stop MEPs destroying the custom and competition motorcycle industries here in the UK. Your silence is consent. Your apathy is agreement. Your ignorance is complicity.

If you want to keep custom and modified bikes of all kinds, if you love racing and competition (whether taking part or spectating), if you want to preserve the communities, the companies, the clubs and the camaraderie that accompany them, then get out there on the 25th and fight for it.

* The MAG website will carry details of some of the main meeting points. Check the list out for your nearest one
(Republished courtesy of Back Street Heroes Magazine)

16-08-2011 25th Sept - Action Now! EU Hands Off Biking!

There's a raft of issues emanating from Europe that will have a profound effect on riders and the motorcycle industry generally and we must stand up. Some of them are driven by the EU Commission, like the new Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation that will see the introduction of compulsory ABS, the sealing of powertrains from airbox to the diameter and aspect ratio of the rear tyre, restrictions on the aftermarket industry, possible roadside checks by police or other Gov agencies to inspect emissions or for owner 'tuning' and more.

There's EU funded development of electronics to control and govern speeds either through warning systems or actual throttle control and the plans in Ireland for compulsory, full sleeve day-glo jackets for riders and pillions.

As with France, where reflective/day-glo clothing is being debated, the onus should not be on the victim. Will insurance companies start saying that because we weren't dressed in day-glo it's our own fault that an inattentive driver drove into us?

France also wants to ban bikes over 7 years old from urban areas for environmental reasons! Their congestion is already terrible and putting more riders into cars that pollute terribly when they are stationary, is bonkers.

Enough! There will be a vote by the MEP committee discussing the above Regulation, at the start of October (4th/5th or 6th). We need them to listen. They represent us. MAG and many others in the motorcycle community are negotiating hard with our own Government and our European representatives.

On the 25th September you can make your voice heard. Starting from service areas across the country, we all ride at 1pm and vanish 20 minutes later. This is the first time.

Closer to the date, we will be listing all the actual start points here, on the Riders Are Voters.org website and many other places. We've already got venues from Plymouth to Aberdeen on most M-ways and major trunk routes, but if you or your bike club would like to be a 'starter', contact us for co-ordinated action.

How the EU Anti-tampering Regulation is progressing…

Further to the meeting I’ve just had with Malcolm Harbour MEP, the chairman of the EU Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO), I now have a better idea of what we are looking at as the Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation moves through the EU legislative process. This is the one covering anti-tampering, ABS etc.

Because so much legislation is created within Europe, MEPs can’t reasonably debate all of it, so certain committees are tasked with the job in the early days and they then recommend things to the whole EU Parliament.

Because there are so many different subjects, even the committee members often don’t know what they’re debating, so they in turn appoint what is called a Rapporteur, who does their best to study the topic in depth and then reports back their recommendations. See how this democracy works? Anyway, after the committee members have viewed the Rapporteurs ideas, they put in their own amendments and the whole committee vote on what amendments they are happy to see. We are lucky that it just happens the Rapporteur in this instance, actually rides a bike.

Whenever that has been done the Council of Ministers and the EU Parliament get to see it, so those are other places that we can direct our lobbying.

As this is a ‘Framework Regulation’ once it’s passed it does not have to be transposed into Law in Individual Member States, as it will happen automatically.

The Rapporteur has reported back and amendments are on the table now and being discussed within IMCO. Like giving an opt out for special ‘one-off’ bike builders, (but only the British and the Finns want that) and also making ABS compulsory on mopeds too (Germans want that- or rather the German ABS industry wants that). Generally the British representatives are prepared to consider the switch option for ABS, but Malcolm Harbour for example, wants all of the onboard diagnostics thrown out too. We’ll see how the nogotiations go.

The good news is that every email and letter you’ve written has caused members of the committee to think and with MAGs equivilent organisations doing the same in Finland for example, we may realistically get some of the worst elements of this legislation under control. We’ve already upset the timetable, as the Parliament were due to vote on this in September and now IMCO won’t finally vote on their changes until 4th/5th or 6th Oct and it can’t go to Parliament before then.

However, it’s not just the Regulation from Europe that will be effecting us soon. The 10 very real European issues that we still need to draw attention to are:

I’d very much like you to put a mark in your diary on 25th September. This will be before the IMCO vote.

Plans are afoot for something very special which I’ll tell you about soon, but for now, please tell everyone you’ll be busy that day and if they ride a bike, ask them to come and help you.

Our MEPs will be preparing to rubber stamp another Regulation put before them. This time they may all just stop to read it.

27^th July Martyn proposes to Allison at The Yorkies Rally

Wow what can I say, you brilliant people! Brilliant at hiding things I mean. At no time on Saturday did I suspect a thing. Never could I have imagined that Martyn would not only propose on stage in front of hundreds of friends but do it dressed as a brilliantly awful caveman. Please extend my thanks to everyone for a night we will never forget. I was so shocked on stage that I just mumbled some sort of positive answer. Just for the record, Martyn I would love to marry you and look forward to spending the rest of my days tormenting you as only I know how!!!. As for all you other co-conspirators your best wishes and affection has carried me through some difficult times as you know. The club is like a close loving family and we all support and help each other as much as we can. I an truly touched by your kindness and hope to repay you all in some way by having an amazing biker/nurse/army/family/everyone welcome wedding. Thank you all so much again for making life fun. xxxx Allison

26^th July HRH Prince Charles rides a Star..! (Dave Gibson's Star, that is)

Article taken from the Daily Mirror, Daily Express and Yorkshire Post.

Royal reception honour for Legion’s bikers:

The roar of engines and the smell of petrol filled the air of the gardens at Clarence House as the Prince of Wales hosted a reception for members of the motorcycling branch of the Royal British Legion.

Around 80 bikers, many wearing leathers adorned with their service medals, drove into the grounds of the Royal household and parked their vehicles in a long line in front of the house.
Prince Charles posed for photographers in front of the bikes and was even persuaded to sit on one –a Yamaha Venture Star 1300.

As one of the bikers turned its engine on, the Prince gave a look of mock astonishment as heavy metal played from it, and made a joke about the choice of music.

After meeting some of the bikers outside, Charles went inside Clarence House for a drinks reception, where he chatted to more of the branch members.

The event was organized at the Prince’s request after he met some of the bikers at the Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett in January last year.

The Royal British Legion Riders Branch was founded from an ex-services motorcycle club in 2004 and now boasts more than 4,250 members both in the UK and abroad. Members of the Riders Branch have been present at more than 100 repatriations and have appointed their own repatriation liaison officer to offer support to families.

Since its creation, the organization has raised more than £300,000 through various fundraising activities to date.

Bill Haley, 51, who served in the Army for 10 years and is now a police sergeant in Wiltshire, said he met Prince Charles on his visit to Wootton Bassett.
He said: “This was his way of saying thanks to us for all the fundraising we have done.
“He asked us what we thought about moving the repatriations to Brize Norton and I said it wouldn’t be the same.
“I said there wouldn’t be the same atmosphere that there is at Wootton Bassett and he said it was a shame.”

Article taken from Legion (The magazine of the Royal British Legion)

Riders receive a Royal welcome:

Ninety members of the Legion's Riders Branch rode into Clarence House on 17 June to attend a lunchtime reception hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales.

The Prince chatted with members about the branch and its work, and also had the chance to try out one member's motorcycle.

Among those in attendance was Branch Chairman JJ Jarvis. "We are honoured that the Prince of Wales has recognised the activities of the branch, including the role we take in paying respects to those who have lost their lives on active duty," he said.

"The branch has more than 4,500 members, and although they could not all attend today, the recognition received is for thee contribution every one of them makes."

He added: "It was a privilege to meet the Prince, who was very enthusiastic about our work and motorcycling. We left him an open invitation to join the branch as an honorary member."

7^th July Knutsford Motorcycles

Welcome to Knutsford Motorcycles we are an independent dealer between Knutsford and Warrington just off the M6 J20
We service all makes of bikes and have lots of chrome accessories for Yamaha Cruisers and are a Vans&Hines dealer
We would like to offer any of your members 10-15% discount on our accessories and workshop facilities.

17^th June Sweden 2012

After an extremely successful Danish Rally where around 120 members of the VSOC attended, there seems to be an interest already in next years Swedish offering! To this end, I am sending out some info now, so members can consider the detail below.

The Rally will be in a place called Oland, an island off the southern east coast. This will be a Thursday - Sunday morning event. Dates 7-9th June 2012.

Please Note: The Whitson Bank Holiday in 2012 is a week later and has "2 days off" due to the Queens Diamond Jubilee. Mon 4th & Tues 5th June are B/Hols. This helps with taking time off work for this International event.

There will be a reduced Rally price (yet to be decided), probably around £25 to cover venue, bands, etc, but you will need to purchase your own food/meals. There will be options to buy different food on site, so this allows you to spend a little or a lot depending on your choice and budget. Also, if you decide to stay in a cabin, you will have the facility to cook your own food, should you wish to.

The Rally ticket price includes camping, but if you would like to stay in a cabin/cottage, there are two options available, see url below. Prices are as follows:
440 Swedish Kroner (divided by 4 persons in a cabin) per night (around £10.50 each per night) - 3 nights required (Thurs, Fri, Sat) - Non En Suite Option. Toilets/Showers in a communal block close by.
560 Swedish Kroner (divided by 4 persons in a cabin) (around £13.50 each per night) En Suite version, shower/toilet within cabin.
Both options have a kitchen/dining areas and sleep 4 persons.

Harwich - Esbjerg crossing arriving in Denmark around 1pm Danish time. Ride across to the Yamaha Custom Club NW of Copenhagen, and opt to erect your tent for either one or two nights prior to leaving for onward journey to rally site in Sweden. This is yet to be confirmed due to the ferry crossing date confirmation (not until Oct/Nov by DFDS). This ride will be just about 200 miles.

The tent can stay erected at the Danish Clubhouse and all bedding kit etc not required at the Rally cabin, can be kept stored within the clubhouse should you wish to leave it, and have a cabin at the Rally instead of camping..........Result.

Leaving around 10am for Sweden, we will ride around Copenhagen over the Oresund bridge, and meet the Swedes at the first services. They will lead/escort us from there to the Rally site. Mileage from the Danish Clubhouse to the Oland rally site - 255 miles.

There will be a stopover at the Danish clubhouse on the return journey, but your tent will still be erected saving you extra hassle.

There are 4 Tolls................Fyn - Sealand Return & Copenhagen - Malmo Oresund bridge (Total Cost:- £68 at today's exchange rates)

All Cabins/Cottages WILL need to be booked via myself, and NOT with the Swedish club direct.

What you should do.....get 4 people to share a cabin, and of what type (Type A being the non en-suite option, B being the higher value option), send me an e-mail chairman@vsoc.ork.uk with names (all 4) please. I will open a "Swedish Rally" folder on my Laptop, until these cabins can be booked. I will request a certain amount, and at this point, expect to be able to secure them. Once into 2012, these may get fewer, and become harder to book, so consider an early booking via me.

The Harwich-Esbjerg crossing prices will not be available until October (at the earliest), but going on this years crossing prices, a 4 berth cabin (one person plus one bike) was around £160 return.

Mileage from Esbjerg to Danish Clubhouse to Oland Rally site and return is approximately 1000 including ride-out at Rally) so do the maths regarding fuel consumption and costs.

17^th June Denmark

You have all probably heard by now of my enormous cock up at Harwich by putting DIESEL in my tank. Thanks go to Dave (Yorkie), Aide, and Kevin, for all they did to get me to Denmark, and everyone else who was there, for waiting for me. Also thanks to the Danes for arranging 10 litres of UNLEADED the other side. I also owe a huge thank you to Dave (C10) Vaughan and Aide for pushing me up that bloody steep ramp!! Couldn’t have done it without you guys, I think we have the best club in the world and feel proud to call you all my friends.

15^th April Virago's For Sale in Cambridgeshire

Just MoT'd my bike at Splash in St Ives, Camb’s and they had two 535’s for sale. One blue, 11000 miles, good condition £1500. The other a mint bike 4000 miles £2500 but a gem of a bike.

4^th April Effects of Japan's Quake on Bike Industry

In case you've been wondering what's going on in Japan and how the earthquake is affecting things, take a look at this article sent over by Martin Yates (C10)

Old News 2011

26th December Steed John Motorcycles

Steed John Motorcycles

Offer 15% off Baron Customs to VSOC

We can now offer a 15% Discount off Baron Custom products for all VSOC members

14th December Butlins 2012 - Centre 16

5th December Centre 18......... Re loaded

Helen Saw is the new Centre 18 Rep

Alison Cooper - Dep. Rep & Treasurer

Paul Wells - N. Devon Area Rep

Allan Loveday

Christine Wells - Webmaster

Signing in the new committee

16th November Yamaha Recall On the VOSA Website - Update

Vehicle Details

Recall Details

15th November Yamaha Recalls V Star 950, V Star 1300 and Super Tenere For Possible Fuel Leak

This is news from the USA but some of our members have been included in this new recall.

8th November Will's off to Gambia

8th November Bob and Jo Got Married

30th October Virago iPhone Case - Offer

iphonecase33

19th October New Discount for VSOC Members

Simply add the code VSOC11 during your checkout.

18th October Sweden 2012 - Update

5th October International Rally Sweden 2012

4th October Custom Bike Show moves to Beaulieu...

20th September New type approval insights from the European Commission

19th September Yamaha Raider’s

18th September Biker Friendly Café

1st September National Defence Medal Campaign

30th August Bike Stolen