All posts by Michael Cowie

Bought my SR500G in 1980, new, still have it. Also ride an SRX600 1985 (grey import), and a 1980 Suzuki GT250X7.
Noticeboard, Rallies

2018 Rally Report

It was a special year this year for the Yamaha SR500, which has been around now for 40 years, and also it was the SR500 Club’s 20th anniversary! The Rally was very successful again this year, despite the weather on Friday! There was very heavy rain in Melbourne on Friday morning which discouraged a lot of riders from leaving until later in the day. By mid-afternoon, it was very quiet in Bethanga, but as the weekend progressed, more and more people turned up (around 120 people registered) and the weather improved.

Show ‘n’ Shine

At Saturday’s Show ‘n’ Shine, there were eight award categories. Congratulations to the following winners!

  • Best stock SR – Wendy & Mathew Rode (and their 1984 SR500, again!)
  • Best modified SR – Steven Findlay (again!)
  • Best XT/TT 500 – Brendan Van de Zand
  • Best 4 valve (XT/TT/SZR/SRX 600/660) – Scott Wells (SR600 Special)
  • Best non-SR – Chris Rowley (Honda CB77 Super Hawk)
  • Peoples’ choice – Shane Bailey (Kawasaki Z1R Mk2)
  • Best rat bike – Brett Martello (very tasty XT500 Special!)
  • Longest distance – Bill McInerney (900km from Christies Beach, SA)

Saturday night raffle

A number of companies kindly donated items for Saturday night’s raffle, resulting in many lucky people winning some great prizes!

A big “thank you” to everyone who donated prizes:

  • Andy Strapz, Seaford (VIC)
  • Deus ex Machina, Camperdown (NSW)
  • IKON Suspension, North Albury (NSW)
  • Yamaha Australia
  • Court House Hotel, Bethanga (VIC)
  • KEDO Parts Australia, Raymond Terrace (NSW)
  • Motorcycle Trader magazine, Oakleigh (VIC)

Saturday night entertainment

Big thanks to Salty Dog Blues for a great set on Saturday night!

Annual General Meeting

At Sunday’s AGM, nominations for the Committee were heard, and the following elections were made:

  • President: Jeff Gillman
  • Vice Presidents: Paul Newbold, Craig Lemon
  • Secretary: Mike Haysom
  • Ride Captain: Tony Jones
  • Treasurer: Mike Cowie

Congratulations to Jeff Gillman (President again), Paul Newbold and Craig Lemon (joint Vice Presidents), and a warm welcome to Mike Haysom who takes over as Secretary from Tony Jones, who stepped down after serving for 5 years. Thanks Tony you did a great job, and we are glad to have you in your new position as Ride Captain! Mike Cowie continues as Treasurer.

 

Noticeboard

SR500 Club membership fees due!

Hi fellow Club members,

For those of you who have not paid your membership fees in the last few weeks, it is that time of year again, and you should pay by 30th July 2018. The 30th of June is our membership renewal date – we like to give you a little time to pay! When you pay, you will be paid up until 30th June 2019.

If you have a bike on a Club Permit using the SR500 Club, that bike will be unregistered if you are not a paid-up member!

On a brighter note, the annual membership fee is still only $25.00!

Also, don’t forget the annual SR500 Club Rally is on in November (see the Events section on the website for details).

Also, it might be a good time to contact us if you have changed your address, telephone number, email address, marital status, or T-shirt size, recently. You could fill out a membership renewal form, and return it to the SR500 Club.

There are a couple of ways of paying your fees:

(1) The preferred way is to make a direct credit into our bank account:
Account Name = SR500 Club
BSB = 033 068
Account Number = 164061
Put your name in the transaction description field!

(2) Post a cheque with a completed renewal form to:
SR500 Club Australia, PO Box 500, Braeside, VIC 3195

Or just turn up at a Club meeting and pay me directly (I am the old guy with the eye shade and quill pen)!

Regards, Mike Cowie
(Treasurer)

Photo-gallery

SR500 Club Rally Bethanga 2016

Rallies

2016 Rally Report

The Rally was a great success again this year, even better than last year!

Thanks to three days of clear blue skies (just like the previous year), attendance was good (132 people signed in), and there were some awesome bikes on display!

Show ‘n’ Shine

At Saturday’s Show ‘n’ Shine, there were eight award categories. Congratulations to the following winners!

  • Best stock SR – Rob Rode (1984 SR500), again!
  • Best modified SR – Geoff Garlick (magnificently modified SR500)
  • Best XT/TT 500 – Bob Kerwin (XT500)
  • Best 4 valve (XT/TT/SZR/SRX 600/660) – Andrew Wilcox (Yamaha SRX600)
  • Best non-SR – Tony Jones (Triumph)
  • Peoples’ choice – David Barker (modified SR500, very flash)
  • Best rat bike – Andy Brebner (Yamaha FJ1100 )
  • Longest distance – Drew Jackson, from Townsville, QLD (rode from Warwick on his SR500)

Saturday night raffle

A number of companies kindly donated items for Saturday night’s raffle, resulting in many lucky people winning some great prizes!

A big “thank you” to everyone who donated prizes. It was the biggest and best raffle to date!

  • Andy Strapz, Seaford (VIC)
  • Court House Hotel, Bethanga (VIC)
  • Deus ex Machina, Camperdown (NSW)
  • KEDO Parts Australia, Raymond Terrace (NSW)
  • Motorcycle Trader magazine, Oakleigh (VIC)
  • Old Bike Australasia magazine, St Leonards (NSW)
  • Vanem, Lane Cove (NSW)
  • Victorian Motorcycle Wreckers, Heidelberg West (VIC)

Saturday night entertainment

Big thanks to Dale Lindrea and his band, The Vanguards Trio, for a great set on Saturday night.

Annual General Meeting

At Sunday’s AGM, nominations for the Committee were heard, and the following elections were made:

  • President: Jeff Gillman
  • Vice President: Craig Lemon
  • Treasurer: Mike Cowie
  • Secretary: Tony Jones

The Club wishes to thank Andy Hunt for being a dedicated President / Vice President for the past 8 years! Andy chose to decline nomination altogether this year (but the Committee may still need his help from time to time!).

Congratulations to Jeff Gillman (President again),  Craig Lemon (remains as Vice President), and to Mike Cowie and Tony Jones (who retain their positions as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively).