CAPTION: Dan Talbot (1948 Vincent-HRD) and Gary Probin (1948 BSA M21) were among the 200-plus entries at this year’s Bunbury Two-Day.

Bunbury Two-Day Rally Report

Annual two-day event attracts 234 entries for 2025

By DAN TALBOT

Western Australia’s annual Indian Harley Club of Bunbury, Two-Day Rally was held again on the first weekend of March this year. The 51st running of the event was held in almost perfect conditions. After a long, hot dry spell I think I speak for the majority of riders that a bit of rain splashed on our machines was a welcome relief from the previous few weeks.

Starting at the Bunbury Motorcycle Club, Shrublands Park facility, the ride went south towards Donnybrook then weaved through the all the best roads the Darling Range has on offer, including Ferguson Valley, Wellington Mill and Collie for a meal stop. After Collie, I was trundling down Mornington Road towards Harvey when the rain hit. It was heartening to see our parched hills soak up some welcome relief. The down side is, rain increases the risk of mishap but, I am happy to report, no riders or machines were hurt in this year’s event, quite extraordinary when one considers the number of old motorcycles in the event.

A total 234 machines were entered with 168 finishing both days. The high attrition rate is due to some folk not actually turning up to event, others only doing one day and, of course, the inevitable break-downs where bike and rider suffer the trailer of shame (I know how that feels).

Long and short course participants were about evenly spilt. A short course, of around 150km, is an option one day for the older and more difficult to ride machines. Think: bump starts, no clutch and no brakes. Veteran motorcycles can be a lot of fun but it means riders need to be on their mettle so a short route can be welcome. All riders did a reasonably short 105km on Sunday before things wrapped up at midday back in Bunbury. Having finished another year, it is perhaps timely to reflect on just what is the attraction to riding an old motorcycle over a distance shorter than the average bicycle race and not knowing if your machine will make it.

For me, it was first a longing to own and ride a beautiful, classic motorcycle, then another, and another and so it goes. The machines need constant fettling and will fail from time to time. When they do fail, you can’t just trailer it into the local motorcycle shop to be repaired as most will run a mile when they see an engine with a carburettor, to say nothing of magneto and points ignition. You need to hunt out specialist repair services and build relationships with experts on what is required to keep your machine on the road.

During an event you can rub shoulders and chat with the knowledge holders and tap into the resources required to keep your cantankerous pile of old bones on the road.

Casting one’s eye through the pits, former Australian motorcycle champions can be spotted and are only too happy to chat about their glory days. Similarly other motorcycle identities are always present and willing to give tips and advice. And this is all before we even start riding.

Once heading down the road on a classic motorcycle you must constantly be assessing your machine. Recognising what noises are normal and what are not. Some riders need to adjust timing and oil flow as they go, getting either one wrong can result in a ride on the trailer. Things taken for granted on more modern machinery, such as brakes, need to be accommodated, as does a lack of power when hills are involved. But the rewards are there. Few things are exhilarating as thumping down the road on a motorcycle that you have built yourself. Ancient internal combustion engines have a life of their own and can provide a special experience. They can be quirky, idiosyncratic and moody, but they can also bring great enjoyment. If that sounds like you, we need to talk.

(The author would like to acknowledge the volunteers, hard-working women and men of the Indian Harley Club, led by Mr Bert Sykes.)