Okey Doke - Let's hope this works.....

[aussie]

Hi All

Just a little about myself to start the ball rolling....I live in South Australia, Australia - just up the road (about 400 kms give or take the odd short cut) from some of the greatest wineries in the world. I've been riding off and on for about 30 years (have to be honest and say mostly off). I bought a 1978, R65 back in 2000 and absolutely adore it (well apart from the fact that an oil leak is driving me insane). It's showing it's age, but still runs very well. I've recently decided to begin to restore it - maybe not to it's original state, but better than it is. I have to say that I think it had a bit of a hard life and it came without a lot of the fixtures that it should, but I'm gradually getting it back into shape. I've just bought an original handlebar fairing (ain't ebay great) and even as we talk it is being painted (I'm promised that it will be ready by Monday). I need some new headers as the ones that are on I think in all honesty are the originals and are paper thin. Guess I have to save up for those....

Anyhow, I've been having a look around the site and have to say that I think it really is great.  

Take care out there.

[Darwin_R65]

From the other side of Australia, welcome (I'm in Darwin)
Only recently purchased my R65 and just waiting for the speedo to come back from the instrument shop and I'm on the road.

John

[aussie]

LOL. I know I'm doing the correct speed when the speedo hovers around 65kph... It's one of those things I have to get around to....
Cheers

[not-so-fast-ed]

Welcome aboard Aussie!
Post pictures when you can and keep us posted on your refurb.
Most of us have also spent a bit of time and capital bringing our rides up to date.
Best,
Ed

[Darwin_R65]

when you do get around to it, if you get someone professional it turns out no tquite as expensive as one would think. The mode I use in Queensland (Otto instruments) quoted $140 plus parts, and said very rare to be over $200. I figure most of that is the same as one speeding fine. And it comes back looking like a brand new one. Mine is $187 and he said he had three on the bench to do.

John

[aussie]

Many thanks Darwin - I'll keep him in mind. And thanks for the welcome Ed. <Wipes a   from his eye>. Nice being made welcome!
Cheers

[Melena]

Hey Aussie!  Welcome!  Glad to have another from down under here on our forum.

So, you've got the best wineries, eh?  How do they compare to our great Napa and Sonoma wines?  (Heh, heh.)  I live near some of the best wineries too.  Okay, so I live in Sonoma County.    But I have heard a bit about the Australian wines.  Too bad I don't drink much (it doesn't agree with me - 1/2 glass and I'm asleep).  Oh well.  

When you get that bike running well, you'll have some wonderful roads to ride I'll bet.  Vineyards seem to have great roads around them.  

We'd love to see pics of your bike, especially with a nice background of your local scenery.  

[bananapanties]

Hiya Aussie!  Someone newer than me here!  I'm on the other side of the big pond from you--ride on over to visit! lol

This site does totally rock.

Enjoy and safe riding.

Annie

[aussie]

Now, now Melena - I said some of the greatest wineries purposely. I know about Napa Valley and have tried some of theirs   - though I have to plead ignorance about Sonoma. I had a quick look at a map and there are certainly a lot of wineries throughout the County - I'm jealous. Thanks for your good wishes and I certainly will keep people posted about the refurb - as soon as I get the fairing on I'll post a picture - though I have to wait for some rods so that I can attach it to arrive from Germany.

And babanapanties (can't wait to hear the story behind the 'nick') many thanks and yes - I'm in the process of making a bloody great snorkel so I can ride across.  [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Cheers

[suecanada]

Welcome Aussie!!! Now you must tell us when you start snorkeling across the pond as we would hate to miss you as we head off ourselves!! Boy, wouldn't quite a few of us love to ride Australia!!  

The closest I come to wine country is our warmer climes in southern Ontario but no matter...Derek makes his wine using carboys etc. I consider from scratch..if you consider concentrates and juice the beginning. I guess the grapes on the vine are the from"scratch"!!!  Anyway, we usually have some 200 bottles downstairs which is grand.

[aussie]

Hey Sue
Thanks for the welcome - 200 bottles is awsome....but are they actually full - or empty... . If they're full: HEY GUYS - PARTY AT SUE'S PLACE  [smiley=1drink.gif]. The snorkel is coming along just fine - about 25% complete at this stage...
Cheers
aus

[Justin B.]

Aussie, welcome.  I was wondering when somebody was gonna wonder about Annies nickname but I figgered one of the gals would broach the subject so I kept quiet!  

[aussie]

Thanks Justin for the welcome. An hey - if you don't ask - well you never find out. God knows I've never been accused of being a shrinking violet - and I also figure she doesn't quite have the arm length to slap me on the side of my pointed little head.

[st3v3]

Hey welcome aboard aussie!  or i should say, g'day  8-)  

I'm a newbie here also, but it is a great group of folks all willing to share knowledge.  I've learned a lot from just reading the posts.  

BTW,  Welcome aboard to you too Annie; i'll second (or third) the curiosity of how you chose your nickname...  

[aussie]

Well g'day to you mate as well - and I hope that an Emu doesn't come and kick your dunny door down (More or less a traditional Aussie greeting....nah, not really - it came from a film called Barry McKenzie back in the '70's ).

Many thanks Steve for the welcome and Yes, I too have learnt a great deal already (though that wouldn't be hard....I seem to have the smarts for being able to work things through in an office, but when it comes to getting my hands dirty (apart from gardening) I'm sorry to say I may as well be deaf, dumb and blind)).
Cheers
aus