After going in and talking with the Dealer Principle on Wednesday morning my oil leak was fixed with new cams and dyno by Friday afternoon, rode it home Saturday. Showed me a picture of my bike in peices and of the cases. The silicon seal followed the very outside edge only so it looks like the robot and case were misaligned when applied at the factory. So packing my bag today.

Hope the beer's cold in Lascelles tomorrow arvo. Could be a tetch warm.

Snowy Run 4 2017

My first time on the Snowy Run organised by Tim SG was eagerly anticipated for many months prior. So much so, that the purchase of a new ’17 M8 Street Glide became a priority. (To Mickle’s annoyance, apart from a minor fuel complaint at the start of the ride, the bike ran faultlessly.)  Tim’s organising skills and the blokes that came on this run made it a great memorable ride.

DAY 1. Started off a stinker, so an early start at 6.30 was organised, with myself, Tim and son, Action, Eric and his Fat Bob, and Bobo arranging to meet at the servo at the bottom of the SE Freeway. Got to Mt. Barker with my bike pinging fit to rattle its engine mounts loose, so I turned around to get to Adelaide Bike Works at opening time. Again, these people at this dealership were outstanding! The bad batch of fuel was dumped, refilled, road tested (in the mean time, the offer of a demo loan bike was on the table if things didn’t go to plan), and I turned around a couple of hours later to head off again to Lascelles. I can’t thank Blair and his staff enough for their pro active attitude towards customer satisfaction. The boring stint through Pinnaroo, Ouyen, and finally the Minapre Pub at Lascelles was ridden through searing 40 degree heat that ensured my first beer on arrival didn’t touch the sides.457 k for the day. Catching up with Mickle and China, who had done their usual “ I ride because I love it” bit, was the start of what was to be a great bunch of blokes having a ball, doing what they love. After a shower, we availed ourselves of Wally’s typical friendly hospitality and were entertained by the distinct lack of understanding of Aussie slang displayed by his Chinese bar girl. A “Bourbon and Arse” was one of the popular drinks asked for during the night.

Air con. Cabin got me through the night ready for another hot day in central Pricktoria.

DAY2:  Dawned warm and sunny as we headed off to Sea Lake for brekkie. Bobo, who had ridden to Lascelles with the other boys turned around to ride home solo. Great effort to ride at least part of the way, I reckon. Passed through Lake Boga, the home of the flying Sunderlands during World War 2. On to Echuca, and a beer at The Falcon Pub, then onto the Bundalong Tavern just outside of Yarrawonga for lunch. Hard and fast from there, as it was warming up again, to the massive Hume Lake with its windy (pronounced winedy, not “windy” like China’s smelly arse!!) run up to Tallangatta where we were staying the night. Little did I know that the word “windy” was to become a regular part of my vocabulary from here on in!! That evening, Fat Bat on his RG, Ted on his spanking new Low-rider S, Mark Woumla, Krackers, And Roady on the way back from his solo Qld. jaunt, all joined the antics in the pub. 511 k. 9 bikes were on the next day’s run.

DAY 3: Magnificent scenery greeted us as we rode through the mountains on the start of the Great Alpine Road in the Alpine National Park. Some of Australia you MUST see. Down through to Omeo after a quick pit stop at the Blue Duck, for a lunch break at the Golden Age pub. We were going to check out the lookout further up, but the rain started to set in, so it was decided to put the wet weather gear on and head off to Ensay. Fortunately it wasn’t too much of a damp ride, and we landed at the Little River Pub quite early. Was probably my downfall that night as the freezing cold beers and magnificent food supplied by Sue and Graeme at the Inn had me dribbling shit to the locals for most of the night. Only 213 kays, but some unreal roads and scenery, and a place to stay that I would recommend to anyone on this forum.

DAY 5:  Misty and low clouds greeted us on stands up, but we were all keen for more of the great roads we had experienced the day before. Little did I know how much better it was going to get!

First stop, Orbost for fuel and tucker, then on to Cann River, hugging just inside the coast line amongst the brilliant rain forested area. A bit of traffic around, and Krackers had my heart in my mouth with some of his overtaking manoeuvres, but lives to tell the tale! Fat bat left us at Cann River to head back to Canberra for work. Hard running again, to cross the NSW border, through what I imagine would be sensational grazing land to the little town of Dalgety for lunch and a frothy at the Buckley’s Crossing Hotel which has been around since 1889. This is a big trout fishing area. After lunch, a quick blast past Thredbo to arrive at our base camp at Lake Jindabyne to off load our gear. The view of the lake coming over the hill never disappoints, as you’ll see by some of the photos. Gear stacked in our rooms, myself, Tim &Action, Eric, Krackers & Mark took off on the government owned race track up to Charlotte Pass to get a view of Mt. Kosciuszko and the last remnants of snow in the Snowy River. What a view, and what a blast getting up there! 385 k for the day then up to the Jindy Pub for tea after a few beers admiring the views from our rooms of the lake and surroundings. I have not stayed in too many better locations than this spot. While we were talking, we were all contemplating both: China’s ground away exhaust system, and Ted’s half ground away rh foot peg and scraped exhaust pipes. These two fellas CAN ride. I can attest to that from sitting behind them.

DAY 5. I’d been told about this ride, but had no idea until after why these guys rave about it. It’s nearly 600k of bloody hard yakka with plenty of braking and 2/3rd gear corners (even a few 15kph bottom gear V turns! Jindy to Adaminaby via the Kosciuszko Road, winding, turning, twisting, every imaginable corner. Then on to Tumut, hugging the shores of Blowering Reservoir, with water so blue, it made your eyes smart. Heading south again at the top of the Reservoir where the Snowy is dammed, we hot footed it off to Tumbarumba for a well earned beer and feed at the Tumby Pub.

Glad we had the rest; because the next stretch of road was the hardest I have ever had to work on a bike. It is a torturous climb up to Cabramurra, but worth the aching wrists when you finally pull into the car park of the highest point in Oz and survey the 360 degree views of the magnificent area which is inhabited solely by workers of the Snowy Hydro Scheme.  I had to laugh seeing the 60 kph speed limit sign on entering the village. I don’t reckon I got over 40KPH the whole way up. Your heart’s in your mouth the whole way on the skinny bit of bitumen, with a massive drop on your left, and not knowing what might be coming around the blind corner on your right. Adrenalin- plenty of it! Now it was time to go down. Fun time, as a bunch of Jap sports bikes appeared in our rear vision mirrors. They never got a chance to pass, as there was a bit of pride regarding riding ability with these blokes, and it wasn’t ‘till a rest stop at Geehi by the river, till they caught up with us. Most were incredulous that Street Glides, especially Tim two up could go so hard through the twisties. They hadn’t met Ted yet! Refreshed, we took off to Khancoban for a beer. Finally, Jindy again via Thredbo on a road that seemed fairly relaxed after what we had ridden previously. Plenty of stories to tell around the lake that night, and the boys all slept VERY well!

DAY 6: Thursday was left up to personal choices, and some ventured to Canberra to visit the Australian War museum while China was getting his aggro catered to at Canberra Harley, The RG had been playing up on the road back the day before, and he wanted to find out what was causing it.

Myself and a few of the others gathered to watch the speed skiing on Jindy Lake and commented on the incredible amount of money on display in boats towing the Skiers. Very expensive sport!

I couldn’t help myself, and suited up to go for another blast up to charlotte Pass while Tim, Action and Ted rode to Thredbo for some action on the luge. Got some incredible shots of the mountains, and the eerie, twisted snow gums that inhabit the snow stripped landscape in summer. Last night for a few drinks and dinner at the Italian Restaurant before we took off on our own ways home. The riding had been fantastic. The company even better. And all to a man, vowed to do it again in Snowy 5.

DAY 7. Clear and crisp as we all headed off back to Tallangatta, apart from Mark, who was heading back to his farm, and Ted, who was riding to Canberra for his first service on the Low-rider. Would have loved to been a fly on the wall, and seen the look on the techs faces when they saw the ground down pegs and pipes. This bike was meant to be ridden, and Ted punts it very well! Further on, China and Krackers split off to return to Melbourne. On to Wodonga and Yarrawonga, where Mickle took us through some back roads that had us wondering where the hell we were! He eventually split off to attend to his favourite pastime, which is holding up the bar at The Border Inn in Moama. Thanks mate. Great trip!

Tim& Action, Eric, and I continued to Deniliquin for a quick bite, as we wanted to beat the rain into Tooleybuc. From Deniliquin to Tooleybuc was pure hell. The winds kicked up to gale force, and at times felt like the big heavy SG was going to get blown off the road. Very sore shoulders and neck before we reached Moulamein for a rest. Two hearses parked out front of the cafe looked like they were dying to leave. I think their names were Doug & Phil…. Graves.

Moving on. Very nice digs at the Tooleybuc Club Motor Inn and walking distance to the Club which had very cheap beer and meals. Worth remembering if you’re travelling through. 674k for the day.

DAY 8: Last leg home and the rain had quit leaving a cool cloudy morning to travel into. Damn sight different weather than the 40 degrees from the Saturday before!! Bacon and egg roll at Ouyen, through the boring stretch of Pinnaroo to Tailem Bend for lunch. Little bit sad that it was all over while heading down the freeway to home, but I got a bike to clean, and some yarns to tell.  Bloody unbelievable trip, even for an old prick like me! One tick for the bucket list.

Fantastic write up and pictures,glad you all had a good time and everyone made it home safe...Looks like a fair variation in ages judging by the photo's,what was the difference between youngest and oldest?? That last picture is a cracker and if I had to guess I would say it's one of China's..

Thanks for the report...Cheers...

Good write up and pics winger. 

Thanks for the excellent write up Wingers .

As said before , great roads , and even better company .

Mark , what beers ? Hic !!

Got the beer, Mark.

Thankyou! Tim asked the lady cleaning to swap them into his room when you left ,and she was good for her word. STILL owe you a drink!.

Great write up Wingers, & amazing pics too. That would trip is definitely on my bucket list, but don't know when it will get to do it though.

Ripper write up.......I'll get there one day

Great write up and pictures wingers. Don't think you missed anything. It was great to get away and have some laughs with a good bunch of blokes and let the bikes loose for a few thousand ks. The Snowies definately tests out everyones skills at one point or another.

Sounds like another great trip  I will come back later to read the full report, but just one question...Is all that gravel there due to Winger's oil leak? 

So do you think I need to revise my description of GT Mike. I said he was alright?