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Anyone from Sydney's south remember 'The Mini-Bike Bus'?

  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    5 years ago
    Late 70's/early 80's, lived-out that way then, there was an old full-sized double-decker bus that carried a dozen or so mini-bikes downstairs & his office upstairs, a section upstairs curtained off - it looked like he actually lived in it too. It was parked every weekend at Menai just up from the tip (remember the real good-old tips?) on public land (acres of gravel & sand), real down-to earth bloke who hired you a bike for about $5 an hour, also had a couple of flogged-out Honda XR75's & YZ80's, they were more expensive to hire - a whole $7/hr. 
    No bullshit about forms to fill out for possible injury to yourself or others or property damage, just an agreement to say you would pay for any damage to the bike. You just gave your name & address, we were too young to have driver's licences & the guy just trusted you. He just looked straight at us & said "íf the bikes are not back in an hour, I will ride out & find you"! A bit like Liam Neeson might say.   
    No permits, no insurance, ah, the good old days  - meaning that if you stuffed-up, it was YOUR OWN FAULT, nobody else's! We weren't like the yanks then, suing each other. 
  • Wholehog
    Wholehog
    5 years ago
    Yep....I remember....grew up at Moorebank and we used to ride thru  the bush to Menai.
    A few mates didn’t have bikes so we all went to the “hire bus” and hired about 7 of them.....snuck off down to needles..Haha..good times....cept for one mate who broke his wrist and the other one I put over the berm and he fucked his knee.. ahhh those where the days.
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    5 years ago
    Quoting Wholehog on 01 Mar 2019 08:46 PMedited: 01 Mar 2019 08:48 PM

    Yep....I remember....grew up at Moorebank and we used to ride thru  the bush to Menai.

    A few mates didn’t have bikes so we all went to the “hire bus” and hired about 7 of them.....snuck off down to needles..Haha..good times....cept for one mate who broke his wrist and the other one I put over the berm and he fucked his knee.. ahhh those where the days.

    That's right, Needles way down back of Engadine. The gravel around where the bus was parked used to destroy the Levi's - yes, they were the days alright.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Lol that brings back lots of memories, he originally started at the holsworthy end of heathcote rd then progressed to the back of lucas heights. Can anyone remember why he moved.....?
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    5 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 03 Mar 2019 08:46 AM

    Lol that brings back lots of memories, he originally started at the holsworthy end of heathcote rd then progressed to the back of lucas heights. Can anyone remember why he moved.....?

    Didn't know he was originally at the Holsworthy end. Council/rangers probably chased him out, those do-gooder types!
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 03 Mar 2019 08:46 AM

    Lol that brings back lots of memories, he originally started at the holsworthy end of heathcote rd then progressed to the back of lucas heights. Can anyone remember why he moved.....?

    Quoting Wideglider on 03 Mar 2019 09:11 AM

    Didn't know he was originally at the Holsworthy end. Council/rangers probably chased him out, those do-gooder types!

    Umm kinda on the right track, a guy called Harry Brennan realised how many mums and dads were taking their kids out there and letting them loose without any instruction etc so he formed the  Sutherland Shire mini bike club/ PCYC out there giving them a more formated place to have instructors etc. As a result of the club coming in the council gave the club a lease and suddenly old mate had no where to go, so he agreed to move further up heathcote road then ended up opposite the tip. The mini bike club flourished and became part of St George motorcycle club. We had a roster and would go help teach the kids how to ride when not racing. Spent some fantastic days helping kids who i saw the excitement in their eyes when they finally were in control by them selves. We all remember that first time we rode a bike. Eventually our bike shop got involved allowing the kids to bring their bikes to the workshop on Thursday night and showing them and helping them maintain the bikes. Honda Australia came on board supplying bikes. I know the club is still going but the carefree nature of it has diminished due to WHS and insurance requirements
  • waynoh
    waynoh
    5 years ago
    Yeah mate used to go there grew up Greenvalley Liverpool area 
  • FONTANA302
    FONTANA302
    5 years ago
    I remember the bus well - should bring something like that back today!.

    George Elliott who used to drive a super sedan at Liverpool Speedway used to run it as I recall - Menai in the mid 70's, clay pit's, etc. was unbelievable!
    The bus used to be parked at Henry Lawson Drive near Picnic Point Road at Picnic Point when not in use as I remember - I used to live in the area, I am sure that's where George lived at the time.  Had plenty of Honda XR75's in the bus.

    I seem to remember some of the school kids of the day happened to "come across" a couple of the XR75's from the bus at one time and got them up to the Sydney South Substation where all the locals used to ride, ran them out of fuel & torched them.....  I remember seeing the burnt out carcasses.

    Had a Yamaha YZ125C at the time & rode all those places - was fun riding on the road to get to Menai, remember the "Water Board Track" to Menai over from the Alfords Point Bridge.

  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting FONTANA302 on 05 Mar 2019 10:22 AM

    I remember the bus well - should bring something like that back today!.

    George Elliott who used to drive a super sedan at Liverpool Speedway used to run it as I recall - Menai in the mid 70's, clay pit's, etc. was unbelievable!
    The bus used to be parked at Henry Lawson Drive near Picnic Point Road at Picnic Point when not in use as I remember - I used to live in the area, I am sure that's where George lived at the time.  Had plenty of Honda XR75's in the bus.

    I seem to remember some of the school kids of the day happened to "come across" a couple of the XR75's from the bus at one time and got them up to the Sydney South Substation where all the locals used to ride, ran them out of fuel & torched them.....  I remember seeing the burnt out carcasses.


    Had a Yamaha YZ125C at the time & rode all those places - was fun riding on the road to get to Menai, remember the "Water Board Track" to Menai over from the Alfords Point Bridge.

    God we are all sooo old! Rather than tearing up Menai we should have been buying it up....worth a fortune now
  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    5 years ago
    I don"t know. Is my stuff getting wipe out for the general public view. OR  am I really fucking the button..........?
    When little fella had poster or Yamaha 180 on my wall, 60"s... No one knows till now,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

  • Wholehog
    Wholehog
    5 years ago
    Quoting FONTANA302 on 05 Mar 2019 10:22 AM

    I remember the bus well - should bring something like that back today!.

    George Elliott who used to drive a super sedan at Liverpool Speedway used to run it as I recall - Menai in the mid 70's, clay pit's, etc. was unbelievable!
    The bus used to be parked at Henry Lawson Drive near Picnic Point Road at Picnic Point when not in use as I remember - I used to live in the area, I am sure that's where George lived at the time.  Had plenty of Honda XR75's in the bus.

    I seem to remember some of the school kids of the day happened to "come across" a couple of the XR75's from the bus at one time and got them up to the Sydney South Substation where all the locals used to ride, ran them out of fuel & torched them.....  I remember seeing the burnt out carcasses.


    Had a Yamaha YZ125C at the time & rode all those places - was fun riding on the road to get to Menai, remember the "Water Board Track" to Menai over from the Alfords Point Bridge.

    Quoting paulybronco on 05 Mar 2019 10:25 AM

    God we are all sooo old! Rather than tearing up Menai we should have been buying it up....worth a fortune now

    Ain’t that the truth ????
    I used to rip around there on 
    Suzuki TS250
    Suzuki RM125a
    Suzuki RM 250Z
    Suzuki RM 250 N
    Honda XR 350
    Honda CR 250 R
    KTM 625 LC4 SC
    Honda CR500 (1994) 
    KTM 525 EXC

    Ahh....I fuckin loved that CR 500 ????????

  • gidgi
    gidgi
    5 years ago
    Quoting waynoh on 05 Mar 2019 08:47 AM

    Yeah mate used to go there grew up Greenvalley Liverpool area 

    Green Valley myself as well , can`t  remember the bus ,but used to go to Menai Weir on a hot day magic spot. Lived in Miller up the road in Banks rd bush there was a giant crater & all the great riders used to ride down one side & catch massive Air coming out the other side ,Ferkin scared the shit outa me on my MX 80 which was a Xmas pressy for me & my 2 bros ... but always wanted an XR 75 went much better & sounded great with a mega    haha fuck Im old
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting FONTANA302 on 05 Mar 2019 10:22 AM

    I remember the bus well - should bring something like that back today!.

    George Elliott who used to drive a super sedan at Liverpool Speedway used to run it as I recall - Menai in the mid 70's, clay pit's, etc. was unbelievable!
    The bus used to be parked at Henry Lawson Drive near Picnic Point Road at Picnic Point when not in use as I remember - I used to live in the area, I am sure that's where George lived at the time.  Had plenty of Honda XR75's in the bus.

    I seem to remember some of the school kids of the day happened to "come across" a couple of the XR75's from the bus at one time and got them up to the Sydney South Substation where all the locals used to ride, ran them out of fuel & torched them.....  I remember seeing the burnt out carcasses.


    Had a Yamaha YZ125C at the time & rode all those places - was fun riding on the road to get to Menai, remember the "Water Board Track" to Menai over from the Alfords Point Bridge.

    Quoting paulybronco on 05 Mar 2019 10:25 AM

    God we are all sooo old! Rather than tearing up Menai we should have been buying it up....worth a fortune now

    Quoting Wholehog on 05 Mar 2019 06:13 PM

    Ain’t that the truth ????

    I used to rip around there on 
    Suzuki TS250
    Suzuki RM125a
    Suzuki RM 250Z
    Suzuki RM 250 N
    Honda XR 350
    Honda CR 250 R
    KTM 625 LC4 SC
    Honda CR500 (1994) 
    KTM 525 EXC

    Ahh....I fuckin loved that CR 500 ????????

    My mate had a YZ 490 that had short circut rims and a monster disc on the front that held the b grade lap record at Oran park. We had 80kph advantage over him on the superbike on the straight but thru the twisties he would reel you in . He was a bye product of the mini bike club referred to 
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    5 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 03 Mar 2019 08:46 AM

    Lol that brings back lots of memories, he originally started at the holsworthy end of heathcote rd then progressed to the back of lucas heights. Can anyone remember why he moved.....?

    Quoting Wideglider on 03 Mar 2019 09:11 AM

    Didn't know he was originally at the Holsworthy end. Council/rangers probably chased him out, those do-gooder types!

    Quoting paulybronco on 03 Mar 2019 10:13 AM

    Umm kinda on the right track, a guy called Harry Brennan realised how many mums and dads were taking their kids out there and letting them loose without any instruction etc so he formed the  Sutherland Shire mini bike club/ PCYC out there giving them a more formated place to have instructors etc. As a result of the club coming in the council gave the club a lease and suddenly old mate had no where to go, so he agreed to move further up heathcote road then ended up opposite the tip. The mini bike club flourished and became part of St George motorcycle club. We had a roster and would go help teach the kids how to ride when not racing. Spent some fantastic days helping kids who i saw the excitement in their eyes when they finally were in control by them selves. We all remember that first time we rode a bike. Eventually our bike shop got involved allowing the kids to bring their bikes to the workshop on Thursday night and showing them and helping them maintain the bikes. Honda Australia came on board supplying bikes. I know the club is still going but the carefree nature of it has diminished due to WHS and insurance requirements

    Ah, I see. Yeah, I remember that club set up with all the bikes & buzz of activity further along there down Heathcote Rd.
    My brother & I were members of the Police Citizens Boys Motorbike Club that used land right down the back of Engadine. Dad used to trailer our XR75's down there, very well organised, still remember my front plate number 294, brothers was 332 (strange how some things stick in your mind). We progressed through the ranks, you had to prove to the instructor your riding ability. If you could ride up 'the big rock' you progressed to 'B'- Grade - if I saw that rock now I'm sure it wouldn't look that big anymore!  
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting Wideglider on 03 Mar 2019 09:11 AM

    Didn't know he was originally at the Holsworthy end. Council/rangers probably chased him out, those do-gooder types!

    Quoting paulybronco on 03 Mar 2019 10:13 AM

    Umm kinda on the right track, a guy called Harry Brennan realised how many mums and dads were taking their kids out there and letting them loose without any instruction etc so he formed the  Sutherland Shire mini bike club/ PCYC out there giving them a more formated place to have instructors etc. As a result of the club coming in the council gave the club a lease and suddenly old mate had no where to go, so he agreed to move further up heathcote road then ended up opposite the tip. The mini bike club flourished and became part of St George motorcycle club. We had a roster and would go help teach the kids how to ride when not racing. Spent some fantastic days helping kids who i saw the excitement in their eyes when they finally were in control by them selves. We all remember that first time we rode a bike. Eventually our bike shop got involved allowing the kids to bring their bikes to the workshop on Thursday night and showing them and helping them maintain the bikes. Honda Australia came on board supplying bikes. I know the club is still going but the carefree nature of it has diminished due to WHS and insurance requirements

    Quoting Wideglider on 06 Mar 2019 10:29 AM

    Ah, I see. Yeah, I remember that club set up with all the bikes & buzz of activity further along there down Heathcote Rd.
    My brother & I were members of the Police Citizens Boys Motorbike Club that used land right down the back of Engadine. Dad used to trailer our XR75's down there, very well organised, still remember my front plate number 294, brothers was 332 (strange how some things stick in your mind). We progressed through the ranks, you had to prove to the instructor your riding ability. If you could ride up 'the big rock' you progressed to 'B'- Grade - if I saw that rock now I'm sure it wouldn't look that big anymore!  

    LOL Big things back then with new skills were daunting but not so daunting with some skills
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