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Shed shuffle, dirt bike abuse and our
new BSA
Sunday shed wrap
August 3, 2025, by Guy 'Guido' Allen
The sun is out, so we're exercising and expanding the fleet
Grim. That's the only
way to describe the weather in sunny Melbourne this
week. And while experience says it will actually end,
the very short and often dark days hang a bit of a
pall over the shed and all who sail in her. Which is
me.
I have nevertheless been
riding most days, but usually on the faithful
R1150GS, which is the sacrificial anode of the
fleet – in other words my commuter cum shopping
trolley.
As for the rest of the
transports of delight tucked away in assorted sheds,
they got nothing. Outside was too dark, too wet, not
interested.
Then we got a glimmer of
sunshine and, to confess, I cheered up. So yesterday
seven of the monsters got a run. I tend to do this as
sectors of the shed, so what you see here is the main
focus yesterday afternoon. They are (from nearest to
the camera) Hannibal the modded 2003 Hayabusa, the
2016 Triumph Thruxton 1200 R, the first-gen Blackbird
and the first-gen Kawasaki ZX-12R.
Hannibal
has become a sentimental favourite – such an angry and
powerful thing with 209 horses at the rear tyre.
The Thruxton
is possibly the best-developed motorcycle in the
entire fleet, with the 25th Anniversary Hayabusa as a
close second. Whoever did the final set-up on the
Triumph deserves a medal.
For reasons I'm
struggling to explain, I can not
sell the Blackbird. Perhaps because I've had
three of them (one of every generation). Or it might
be because it remains such a slick and friendly ride.
As for the
Kawasaki, it has character in spades and is
incredibly quick and capable.
The next day, I got the
big growler six out for a run – namely the 1982 Honda
CBX1000C (at top). That's a bike about which I
really do need to do a proper feature.
Meanwhile I've been
doing some minor work on the two recently-acquired
light backroad tourers: the 1999 Yamaha XT225 and 2000
Honda SL230. The mission is to tidy them up, do oil,
filters and tyres, then enjoy.
I'm a little staggered
(and should not be) by how people let things
deteriorate. Such as the bent front brake lever on the
Yamaha and the weird mix of bolts on the oil filter
cover. Or the dodgy bolts on the left handlebar mirror
mount of the Honda, plus the mismatched mirrors.
The whole mission with
these machines is to have two light backroads tourers.
Once I have them fixed and registered (on club
plates), the plan is to fit an Andy Strapz seat bag to
each and go travelling. In some ways it's to relive
our favourite international rides, in Vietnam.
Speaking of Strapz, I
can highly recommend his regular newsletter. Shoot him
a request via info@andystrapz.com.au.
Oh, and by the way, the business is for sale.
Meanwhile
we've 'done' Vietnam several times and the one
conclusion I came back with is little and light (circa
110kg) dirt bikes like these can be a fantastic place
to spend a few days – so long as you're not in a big
hurry.
Two people who 'get'
that little-bike-in-Vietnam idea, and have done it,
dropped in for a shed tour today. That would be Jeff
and Paul from the SR500 club.
As you can see, they have impeccable taste in
machinery: an SR400 and Montesa King
Scorpian.
Paul wound me up about
not having a two-stroke in the current fleet, and he
has a point.
I did however add
another brand to the shed today – namely BSA. A 1968
Firebird 650 scrambler came up for sale via Donington
Auctions and will soon join the fleet. It
appears to be a very original low-mile example.
Why? I've long had a
hankering for a sixties scrambler and would have
bought a Honda just as happily. This was the right
bike at the right time. Maybe. Will let you know how
things develop from here...
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