SOME LIKE IT HOT ! - VSOC C13 The RoadRunners

April 2007
The Newsletter of the RoadRunners—Centre 13 Virago Star Owners Club
SOME LIKE
IT HOT !
On Saturday 30th December, 5 brave
ladies met for an unusual get-together.
Kay, Sue, Vanessa & myself, with Sara
assisting, finally got our kit off for the
VSOC calendar shoot ! We had help
(not undressing I hasten to add) from
Algie & Gary - they cleaned the bikes &
positioned them on the dance floor at
the Broadlakes club. Andrew M kindly
lent Sara his very expensive & top notch
camera to record the event. With
backdrops hiding the DJ station &
spotlights in position, we we're ready
for action. Fan heaters & CD player on
full blast it was time for our unavailing. Once we'd checked each other out it was down to business. The 2
bikes provided us with something to drape ourselves over, round, under & across. I'd bought along a few
props & these combined with Kay's cowboy hats & feather boa softened the whole look. Sara did an
excellent job doing a "David Bailey", giving us encouragement and making sure our bits and pieces were
obscured or hidden !
The initial feedback from her is that the photo's are good and we will be vetting them for submission.
Unfortunately, you won't be seeing them for a while yet, or maybe never if one of ours isn't selected or if the
project is abandoned. If they never see the light of day it won't be the end of the world. I had a great 2 hours
stomping around the hall in my biker boots and very little else. It was a good job the bar man told us there
was a hidden CCTV camera at the end of the hall, or we could have found footage of ourselves doing the
rounds on the internet ! Sometimes you have to push your comfort zone a bit, just to see if you can do it !
Thanks to all who participated and helped, it made a great topic for conversation at the New Years party I
was at !!!
Love, FLEUR
www.roadrunners-vsoc.co.uk

'Ear...'Ear...
Whatever bike show you go to, or whichever bike shop you go into, there are always a selection of
earplugs available to buy, cheap ones, dear ones, disposable or custom ones, but who buys
them? Certainly not the custom/cruiser bike fraternity, we are more likely to spend Ä200 making
the bike sound louder rather than Ä2 on a set of earplugs to make life quieter. I only know 2 other
bike riders outside of the VSOC and they both consider earplugs as much a part of their
equipment as they do their helmet. They both know their stuff, Brad is an observer for an
advanced motorcycle group in Essex and Adam was a racer (650 & 1000cc) in the BEMSE
league. Both of these guys would not consider riding for any length of time without earplugs. 'To
each his own' I thought, until I saw an article in the Rider magazine.
Noise is measured in decibels (db) so Rider magazine then measured the noise levels inside a
helmet at various speeds and compared it to current legislation. Legislation only applies to the
workplace, outside of work it is up the individual to protect themselves. Current UK law states that
an individual can tolerate a sound level of 85db for up to 8 hours but an employer must provide
ear protection if asked. At a level of 90db and above it is a legal requirement to provide
hearing protection.
Below are the findings they came up with, the Noise Level and Safe Listening Time figures are
National Statistics, the Speed was logged each time one of the noise levels was reached.
Speed (mph) Noise Level (db) Safe Listening time/(Riding time)
85 8 hours
88 4 hours
50 91 2 hours
62 94 1 hour
74 97 30 minutes
86 100 15 minutes
98 103 7.5 minutes
Ok, so we all know we wont go deaf after belting down the motorway at 70mph for an hour or
so...but it makes you think.....
Gary Simmons
It was the night of the Roadrunners Christmas Party and a young police officer was skulking in the
bushes at the entrance to the clubhouse car park waiting to pick up some easy drink and drive violations.
A couple of minutes before chucking out time he saw a bike 'ole biker come staggering out bumping into
cars and bikes. He plonked himself on one bike but couldn’t start it, all he managed was to turn on some
fancy blue lights that lit up the engine, he got off, scratched his head then weaved his way over to another
bike, it was totally different, a BMW, but he got it started and wobbled off down the road. The young
copper rubbed his hands with glee, ''The first of the night'', he thought, and set off after him. As he pulled
over the biker and made him blow into the breathalyser the sound bikes and cars could be heard in the
distance pulling away from the car park. The young copper checked the breathalyser, it showed a zero
alcohol reading, ''What’s happening here then,'' he said, ''I saw you staggering all over the place''. The
biker looked at him, smiled and said, ''Well officer, tonight I was the designated decoy!''
Congratulations to Dave Weiland for 10 years VSOC membership !

The Magnificent Seven Ride
It started on Thursday 1 st February when the weather man predicted that we would be having fine
weather for the coming weekend. Well we are in England but I thought what the heck, so I rang
Colin (GPS) and said what about a Rideout on Sunday as the weather was due to good, he
agreed and so it started.
What a perfect opportunity I thought to try out our new Yahoo group message service and see if
others would be watching / reading. The service was working , because to my surprise four others
were up for it, although everyone agreed nothing to grand was to be planned as it was after all still
winter.
Saturday afternoon the day before and the weather was brilliant, I was really looking forward to
tomorrows ride. The bike was all cleaned and polished ready for the first official Rideout of 2007.
Sunday morning arrived and I was up early as usual, I looked out the bedroom window and suddenly
thought to myself where the hell has the garden gone, it was really foggy and everything I
could see was covered with a thick blanket of frost. Oh well, this is England and the weatherman
had got it wrong again.
I decided that I would clean off the bike and go to the meeting place, but I was pretty sure that I
would be on my own, just as I finished the bike the phone rings and it was our deputy leader Mark
“what do you think” he says as the weather was just as bad in Harlow. I told him that I was expecting
4 others and so he said that he’d join me even if it was only for a coffee.
Anyway, I get to McDonalds and I’m sitting there drinking my coffee when they start arriving Colin,
John Knott, Mark, Gary Simmons, Gary Bigg and finally Andrew Mutter. We all agree, we must be
mad but we’re here now so lets do it. The destination is “The Silver Bull cafÑ”, about 25 miles up
the A10 where we can stop for a drink and something to eat.
So the Magnificent Seven Ride was on, although it was very cold and foggy, a good pace was
maintained and everyone agreed after the second cup that they had enjoyed themselves and they
were glad they had come out.
Regards
J.R

The 12 Rules of Defensive Riding (courtesy of Peg Leg)
Whilst casually surfing the net the other day I came across an article written by a guy called Peg Leg. He
earned this nickname by surviving a bad motorcycle accident but ending up with...yup you guessed it...a
peg leg. After explaining what led up to the accident, how it happened and the aftermath he then went on to
give what are, in his opinion, the 12 Rules of Defensive Riding.
These 'rules' are based on his theory that car drivers become programmed to see and recognise hazards and
situations that are a danger to them. Therefore, a driver will be subconsciously be more aware of the danger
a lorry than a car of a similar size to himself, even if the car is closer or faster. The driver will 'see' both
vehicles but subconsciously will be more aware of the greater danger. A motorbike gives no real personal
danger to a driver so the bike may have been 'seen' but also may have been subconsciously not recognised
as a danger. This may explain why a car driver who looks straight at a motorbike (or push-bike!), then pulls
out in front of them says to the poor biker who is busy kissing the tarmac, 'Sorry mate!, I didn't see you'.
Well, that's how I interpreted things, and it made a sort of sense to me, so now for Peg Leg’s Rules,
1. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
2. Make sure you can be seen
3. Position yourself where you have room to escape if someone fails to recognise you.
4. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
5. Don't follow too close, not even when closing for a passing manoeuvre.
6. Don't assume the car in front/beside you is going to do what is obvious.
7. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
8. Run your high beams during daylight.
9. Use hand signals along with signal lights.
10. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
11. Make eye contact with drivers.
12. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
I have cast my eye over these rules a few times now and even though they are only the musings of an old
one legged biker I have taken two important things from them, a) I am a car driver so need to make sure I
actually see bikes of all types, b) true defensive riding are rules 1. 4. 7. 10. & 12.
Gary Simmons
SuzukiX7
Has to go to fund another LC 250 to race/sprint
in the 250 road legal class. Perfect for a pose at
The Ace Cafe or High Beach. Will fly through
MOT. I want around Å500.
Interested? Contact:
tonyrams@btinternet.com

A Virago Powered Airplane?
It's true! In April of 1991, Richard Giles started building his replica Nieuport 12, WW-I plane, serial
number 00020. It was fitted with a 1986 XV-1100 Virago engine. His decision to use a motorcycle engine
was based several factors. To begin with, Rich had 25 years of motorcycle maintenance and dealership
experience under his belt. Some of the more important considerations were power, weight, sound, cost,
adaptability, and most importantly...reliability.
There were several features of the Virago engine which made it ideal for aircraft use;
Lightweight aluminium construction.
A choice of five reduction ratios via the transmission.
A means to disengage the propeller by use of the clutch.
A complete electrical system.
A pressurized oil lubrication system.
An electric starter.
A torsional vibration dampening system built into the transmission.
Availability of replacement parts.
The power range was between 3000 -7500 rpm. (ideal for this type of aircraft)
He had a donor Virago 1100
It turns out that the only engine problem encountered was what type of carburetion to use. They couldn't use
the standard constant-velocity type which operates the throttle through a butterfly opening, allowing
vacuum of the intake system to pull the throttle. Instead, they used a set of regular, 40mm car carburetors
which were mechanically operated. In October of 1993, the aircraft was inspected by the FAA (USA) and
approved for flight.
The plane shown above is a second Nieuport-12, built by Butch Witlock, and is also equipped with a Virago
1100 engine. This plane flies with an acrobatic squadron. However, these are very light planes with silkcovered
wings, a cruising speed of 75MPH and a maximum speed of 90MPH. They are not planes where
the engine is going to endure a lot of “G” forces. The bottom line is, if the FAA was able to approve this
engine then it is very reliable engine.

DIARY DATES
April 20th Fri Centre 6 Jumpstart Party
MCN Live Party Weekend at
Butlins Skegness.
April 21st Sat BROOKLANDS EVENT
April 22nd Sun RIDEOUT
April 23rd Mon Club Night
April 28th Sat International Classic Motorcycle Show
Bike Safe Course
May 4th Fri 4 day Holiday to Bikers Retreat
May 5th Sat Spring Auto-jumble near Cadnam,
Hants
May 6th Sun RIDEOUT to France join C19
May 7th Mon Ace CafÑ ride to Hastings
May 12th Sat Thundersprint 2007 (Weekend)
Northwich Town centre
May 14th Mon Club Night
May 19th Sat BMF Show @ Peterborough
30th Anniversary
May 20th Sun RIDEOUT
May 25th Fri Centre 5 Yorkies Rally
Castle Park, Doncaster Rugby Club
May 29th Tue Club Night
June 3rd Sun RIDEOUT
Ace CafÑ Vmax & Shaftdrive
June 8th Fri International RALLY SWEDEN
Chopper Club Ireland's Custom
Bike Show
June 9th Sat BMF GEMS @ Kent
June 11th Mon Club Night
June 16th Sat Brooklands Museum
Centenary Celebrations
June 17th Sun RIDEOUT to Irchester Park
June 23rd Sat Beaulieu Motorcycle World Show
NCC Custom Show Cambridge
June 25th Mon Club Night
June 29th Fri Centre 9 Sherwood Shindig
The Alfreton Leisure Centre
Alfreton
June 30th Sat BROOKLANDS EVENT
July 1st Sun RIDEOUT
NCC Custom Show Harpenden
July 7th Sat Ace CafÑ ( NCC Diamond Day Show )
July 8th Sun Interclub Rideout
July 9th Mon Club Night
July 13th Fri Centre 15 Hoo's Ready 2 Rock
Sturdee Club, Hoo, Kent
July 15th Sun RIDEOUT
Rye Classic bike Show / jumble
July 21st Sat Whitstable Oyster fair (All week)
July 23rd Mon Club Night
July 25th Wed Classic on Common
July 27th Fri Centre 10 Saxo Warriors Fen Frolic 2
Eternit Sports & Social club
Whaddon,Royston, Herts
July 29th Sun RIDEOUT
Centre 13 – Roadrunners
CONTACT LIST
Gary Big—Centre Rep
9 The Cobbins
Waltham Abbey
Essex
EN9 1LH
Tel: 01992768773
Mobile: 07976305081
centre-rep@roadrunners-vsoc.co.uk
Mark Heatley—Deputy Centre Rep
63 Mallards Rise
Church Langley
Harlow
Essex CM17 9PL
Tel: 01279861635
Mobile: 07957168432
deputy-rep@roadrunners-vsoc.co.uk
Gary Big—Webmeister
9 The Cobbins
Waltham Abbey
Essex
EN9 1LH
Tel: 01992768773
Mobile: 07976305081
webmaster@roadrunners-vsoc.co.uk
John Rafferty—Runouts & Events
71 Seafield Road
Arnos Grove
N11 1AR0
Tel: 020 8368 4602
Mobile: 07956546960
events@roadrunners-vsoc.co.uk
Andrew Mutter—Newsletter Editor
60 Dover Road
Wanstead
E12 5EA
Tel: 02089896009
Mobile: 07775890815
newsletter@roadrunners-vsoc.co.uk
Andrew Robinson—Treasurer
11 Wainwright Street
Bishops Stortford
Herts
CM23 4GJ
Tel: 01279 655429
AndrewSpafax@aol.com

VIRAGO STAR OWNERS CLUB
CENTRE 13 ‘ROADRUNNERS’ - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
MONDAY 8th JANUARY 2007
Chair:
Present:
Andrew Mutter
Fleur and Frank Albrecht, Bev Ashcroft, Mick Bell, Gary and Kay Bigg, Mick and June Brown, Angie
Casali, Craig Coneybeare, Bill and Donna Foxwell, Barbara Glass, Alan Gray, Dave Hannon, Mark
Heatley, Fred and Sonia Hemmings, Vanessa Howden-Smith, Pete and Mandy Hucklesby, John
Knott, John Morgan, Brian Morley, Brian Orella, Andy Page, Kevin Perkins, John Rafferty, Steve
Rayment, Sue Ritchie, Andrew Robinson, Gary Simmons, Colin Swann, Dave Weiland and Malcolm
Whitbread.
Also present: Kevin Hoyte, VSOC Chairman
WELCOME
APOLOGIES
Andrew Mutter (Chair) opened the meeting and welcomed all present with a particular welcome to Kevin
Hoyte who was attending as an observer.
No apologies for absence had been received.
3. ELECTION OF CLUB OFFICIALS
AM gave details of the positions to be filled and said that, this year, it was proposed to create a new position
of Deputy Centre Representative subject to the agreement of those present.
Colin Swann proposed, Craig Coneybeare seconded and the appointment of a Deputy Centre Representative
was carried unanimously.
AM gave details of those standing for the posts of Centre Representative and Deputy Centre Representative
and explained that voting by members would be way of a secret ballot. AM himself would not vote as, in the
event of a tie, his vote would be considered as the casting vote. Two tellers, John Rafferty and Colin Swann,
were appointed.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD ON 24th JANUARY 2006
AM invited all present to check the minutes of the last AGM for accuracy and the following point was raised:
The minutes read 2005 and should, in fact, read 2006.
Other points raised:
AM said the Roadrunners Rally, held in July 2006, was a superb occasion and he was looking forward to the
next one.
Mick Brown raised the Ride Out Report, item 8, and the suggestion to split ride outs into two groups, one fast
and one slower. AM advised that John Rafferty would respond to this in his Ride Out Report later at this
meeting.
5. FINANCIAL REPORT
Andrew Robinson tabled a paper giving details of Centre 13’s current financial position. Funds had increased
by Å642 from the start of 2006 and the rally had made a profit of Å497. AM thanked AR for his hard work over
the year.
6. NEWSLETTER REPORT
AM gave his report saying there had been five issues over the last year. He thanked everyone for their input
and asked all present to ensure they continued contributing articles for future issues.

7. RIDE OUT REPORT
JR said he had enjoyed his role as Runs and Events Organiser over the last year. He asked that everyone
keeps the ideas for run outs coming and stressed that he would not arrange any events that would clash with
VSOC rallies over the coming months.
The following issues were raised:
Mick Brown raised the issue of splitting ride outs into two groups, according to speed, as mentioned in the
minutes of last year’s AGM. He said he could not see the logic behind this suggestion and talked about
the speed needed to keep up with the front of the group when in the back of the pack. MB felt that the
club should travel to destinations as a group and then each “do their own thing” on the way home.
JR responded that this was his suggestion and that it had never actually happened on a ride out. He said
that he is happy for the group to travel at the pace of the slowest rider. MB responded that he had not
been on one ride out in the past year that he had felt really comfortable on.
Kevin Hoyte joined the discussion at this point and said that whilst he could see both points of view there
should only be one ride out as a club. He said the group should travel at the pace of the slowest rider
and he suggested that the more inexperienced riders should be at the front of the group.
Gary Bigg added that it was also the members’ responsibility to keep up with the pack in order to make
progress.
8. WEBSITE REPORT
Gary Bigg advised that there had been a large number of visitors to the website over the last year, although
many of these appeared to be from the same person in Chigaco. GB said he tries to keep the website up to
date and that more information has been forthcoming from members over the last year. He added that the
pictures page needs improving and asked members to send in photos to him.
AR thanked JR and GB for their reports.
9. CHAIRMAN’S POINTS
Kevin Hoyte made a few points, as follows:
At the National AGM in November 2006 it was agreed that the annual membership fee would remain at
Ä17.50 and added that this cost had been held for the last eight consecutive years.
As regards membership, KH said that the club had lost 100 members last year and that membership is in
decline, which is due in part to Yamaha no longer producing the number of models they have in the past.
The club is looking at ways to target this decline.
The club will not have a stand at the NEC this year due to costs and the fact that Yamaha have withdrawn
their financial support for this event. It is also felt that the NEC show is aimed more at sports bike riders.
The club will try to target more localised custom bike shows as a way of attracting new members.
VSOC rallies – KH said that all are in place for this year.
International rallies – KH gave details of the international rally which will be hosted in Sweden this year and of
next year’s international rally taking place in Finland. KH gave details of travel by way of times and costs
for both events and invited members to contact him direct if they require further information.
AM thanked KH for coming and for all the support he gives to the Centre.
10. RESULTS OF ELECTIONS
AM thanked everyone who had put themselves forward for election to the various posts and gave the results
as follows:
Centre Representative:
Deputy Centre Representative:
Treasurer:
Runs and Events Organiser:
Gary Bigg
Mark Heatley
Andrew Robinson
John Rafferty

Newsletter Editor:
Website Coordinator:
Andrew Mutter
Gary Bigg
11. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP FEES
Fleur Albrecht explained that Centres were allowed to have associate members up to 10% of their total
headcount and it was up to the Committee to decide if they accept them. A nominal fee of Ä10 per annum
was charged to Associate Members and it was agreed to continue at this rate.
12. RESIGNATION OF CENTRE REPRESENTATIVE
AM spoke about Fleur Albrecht’s five years as Centre Representative and thanked her for her exceptional
work on behalf of the club over this time. She has taken the membership from around 12 people to 40 during
this period.
FA thanked all present and said she felt they were a great group of people and that she had made some good
friendships through the club. She added that she would now take a back seat and asked that all members
support the new committee and stressed the importance of supporting VSOC events, both locally and
nationally.
FA said how pleased she was that the membership had increased so dramatically and, as a case in point,
said that with 51 members attending the AGM this was a 100% increase over last year.
In closing FA stressed that she would not sit on any future rally committees but will be happy to help out at
the events themselves.
AM thanked FA on behalf of the club and called for a round of applause. This was followed by a presentation
to FA.
13. BIKE PARKING IN WESTMINSTER
Dave Weiland spoke about Westminster Council’s proposals to introduce a parking charge for bikes of around
Å1/Å1.50 per day. DW expressed his concern at these proposals and said that he felt this could not only
become more widespread amongst local councils but, also, that it could in time lead to bikes being subject to
the congestion charge.
A general discussion followed in which it was agreed that DW would draft letters for members to personalise
and send to the various government bodies and Westminster Council, local MPs etc.
KH added that if DW sent a draft to him he would arrange for a letter to be sent from the VSOC central
committee.
14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The following points were raised:
GB said that the website was up for renewal at a cost of approximately Ä20, to which there was agreement.
GB also said that if anyone else was interested in taking over the role of Website Coordinator he would be
happy to offer training and support.
Dave Hannan gave details of the Dashwood Arms, a pub which gives a warm welcome to bikers. He agreed
to produce a paragraph for the next newsletter.
FA made copies of the latest membership and contact details list available together with a spreadsheet giving
details of meetings for 2007.
Vanessa Howden-Smith gave details of her birthday party which would take place on 17th February and
invited all present to join her celebrations.
Andrew closed the meeting and thanked all those present for attending.
There was no further business.

Jimmy Hogarth's Motorbike
Jimmy Hogarth had a motorbike
both it, and Jim, were wrecks
And the consensus of opinion was
It would break his bloody neck.
But Jimmy didn't heed them
He'd heard it all before
It's not surprising that he had
the bloke was eighty four!
How he kept the damn thing going
It was something of an art
People said he used black magic
Just to get the bike to start.
The lads down at the bowling club
Tried to get old Jim to stop
But it just seemed to upset him
So they let the subject drop.
Mind you, once it was moving
By gum, the thing could shift a bit
Old Jim he liked a turn of speed
And he would often go for it.
But people said he was too old
For the excitement and the speed
That if he didn't start to act his age
God knows where it would lead.
Happily Married Biker
Badass Biker Bob wakes up at home with a huge
hangover. He forces himself to open his eyes, and the
first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins and a glass of
water on the side table.
He sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all
clean and pressed. Bob looks around the room and
sees that it is in perfect order, spotless, clean. So is the
rest of the house.
He takes the aspirins and notices a note on the table:
"Honey, breakfast is on the stove, I left early to go
shopping. Love you."
So he goes to the kitchen, and sure enough there is a
hot breakfast and the morning newspaper. His son is
also at the table, eating.
Bob asks, "Son, what happened last night?"
His son says, "Well, you came home after 3 A.M.,
drunk and delirious, broke some furniture, puked in
the hallway, and gave yourself a black eye when you
stumbled into the door."
Confused, Badass Bob asks, "So, why is everything in
order and so clean, and breakfast is on the table waiting
for me?"
His son replies, "Oh, that! Mom dragged you to the
bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off,
you said, "Lady, leave me alone, I'm married!"
His daughter tried, then Age Concern
To make old Jim slow down
But he told them all to ''bugger off!
I'll be a long time in the ground''.
The local bikers loved the guy
if you mention him they'd smile
''Yeah we know the guy's a wrinkly,
but the old fart's got some style!''
He shuffled when he walked did Jim
he'd say''not long now 'til I'm dead''.
But sat astride that motorbike
by God his years were shed
But in the end the do-goods won
They took Jim's bike away.
So just to spite the kill joy sods
Old Jim died the following day.
Poem by Bill Mutton