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July / August 2009 #39 DESMOPHILES

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DESMOPHILES

The Newsletter of DOCNZ

Ducati Owners Club of

NEW ZEALAND

July / August 2009 Issue 39

COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Chris Marer 027-447-4299 SECRETARY Lynda Blair 027-454-5373 TREASURER Nick Brandon 021-974-487 EDITOR / PUBLISHER Chrissie Whitfield 021-769-826 WEBMASTER / EMAIL COORDINATOR Greg Monahan 021-851-916 SOUTH ISLAND EVENT COORDINATOR Stu Jordan 021-062-5239

NORTH ISLAND EVENT COORDINATOR Bill Myers 021-890-006

REGIONAL CONTACTS Auckland Chris (Haldane M/C’s) 09-303-0624 Wayne Lyons 027-4728-343 Waikato Heath (Hamilton M/C) 07-849-1919 Garry Robinson 07-855-9370 Manawatu Trevor Smart 0274-660-459 Hawkes Bay Phil Greaney 025-386-441 Wellington Todd (Motomart) 0800DUCATI Tony Cottle 021-850-509 Motueka Richmond Grant 03-528-0086 Nelson Greg Monahan 021-851-916 Marlborough Graham McDonald 03-578-2490 Christchurch Craig (Casbolts M/C) 03-366-4401 Phil (Desmocycle) 03-344-1916 Dunedin/Deep South Gary Winter 03-476-7515 021-206-9866

the above members and also the

Ducati Dealer Network

All Magazine contributions and Membership Enquiries to:

DOCNZ P.O.Box 27203 Marion Square

Wellington 6141 NEW ZEALAND

Email: secretary@docnz.co.nz

www.docnz.co.nz

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Welcome back!!

Isn’t it fantastic to see the sun again—albeit it in fits and starts. I am getting quite excited and looking forward to some leisure time on the bike this year. I am not ashamed to admit that I have become somewhat of a fair weather rider over this last year or so, and relish the enjoy-ment of comfort and warmth over sore joints and cold!

Already I am asking the M.O.T.H. to start looking out for some new summer gear for me on his various trips to and from various bike dealers. I don’t see any new boots on the horizon, having spent so much money getting these ones at the right height to enable my feet to touch the ground, but a nice girly jacket and a new pair of gloves wouldn't go amiss. After all, a girl just HAS to look right (see Lynda, the lessons have been working after all!)

Did I say last issue that I am really looking for-ward to the arrival of the Streetfighter? I am REALLY looking forward to it now and I see that a shipment is due in-store locally in September. It could well be a dangerous move on my part, but I am keen to see if it passes the ‘sit test’.

If any of you lovely DOCNZ members are plan-ning on buying one in the Wellington region, don’t be surprised if you get a tap on the shoul-der and hear a plaintive request from me when you go to pick it up.

We have a great issue for you, in fact it is so good we have added an extra colour page for your viewing pleasure.

Great write-ups from several members com-bined with some really good photographs, in-cluding a DONZ report, Richard Hatfields ’Story of Two Laverdas’ and Andrew’ Forward’s 1098R Bayliss Replica!

What a fantastic looking bike. I pounced on it last weekend at Manfeild and had a good look around it while trying to look inconspicuous with a bright yellow photographers vest on!! I did try not to touch it—but it called to me so I just HAD to run a light finger over the bars and throttle.

It looked so great that I suspect I might have left behind a wee drool (good grief, did I just say that out loud?)

Wow. It’s one of those bikes that look even bet-ter in the flesh than in photo’s. Sounding as good as it looked, I caught a brief look as it was out on the track during the lunch break.

Also in this issue we have a great write up and some photo’s from Johan on his VMCC Round 3 ride report—thanks for letting me reprint it here Johan and congratulations on a new personal best!

Also of note in this issue is a Turismo experi-ence that is quite different. Check out Eymards write up of his fantastic experience, complete with some very good photographs. I am sure you will have some enthusiastic company next time after reading that Eymard!

Take care out there everyone, rubber side down and all that.

Cheers, Chrissie

EDITOR’SSAY

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6 Colour Page here

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Hi everyone.

I’m really getting very sick of this cold wet weather. It seems to be a very long winter this year.

We had a trip up to Morrinsville the last week-end of June to attend my nephew’s wedding. We haven’t had a family wedding for quite some time so it was good to catch up with everyone. We took the car, it was a cold wet weekend and not my idea of bike riding weather at all.

For those who (a) travel SH1 and (b) are McDonald’s fans, you will be as excited as me to know that there is a new McDonald’s/McCafé being built beside the BP on the southern end of Taihape. It’s due to open late August. There is currently no McDonalds between Bulls and Taupo. We don’t often travel SH1, but it’s good to know that when we do we will now have a McD’s at the half way point when we’re heading to/from Mor-rinsville.

Things have been a bit hectic at work re-cently. We’ve had some building work going on over the whole building, and they’ve reno-vated the boss’s office, and moved me to a new area beside his office. I’m slowly starting to get my work area sorted. My new desk is smaller, and I don’t have as much space to put up bike photos. The upside is that I’m in a much quieter area and I can concentrate a lot more on work (and Ducati matters!).

We’ve just had the double-header MotoGP and WSB races from Donington and Brno respectively. We’ve now got a bit of a lull while they have their summer break. WSB is producing such good racing this season, and it’s great to still have Nitro at the top of the table, albeit with a greatly reduced points

lead. And in MotoGP it’s good to see that Casey Stoner seems to be slowly recovering from his mystery ailment. He really didn’t look well for several rounds. This is the last season for the 250GP bikes - next season they’ll be on 600cc inline fours, with the en-gines produced by Honda. The rest of the bike - chassis etc - can be anything you want, so I’m sure it’ll produce some close exciting racing, somewhat like the 600 Supersport often is. There’s lots of talk about who’s go-ing to be moving to which teams - and there’s a lot of speculation that James Toseland will move back to Superbike. He’s really had a wretched season in MotoGP so far.

My next project is to persuade Hamish that we simply can’t live without a big flat screen TV, or, even better, two. I often watch stuff in the bedroom while Hamish watches in the lounge, and on these cold winter nights we often watch the racing from the warmth and comfort of our bed with the electric blanket on 3. I haven’t quite figured out where to start with this project yet. I’m thinking that the di-rect “wouldn’t this racing look much better on a 42” wide screen?” approach might be the

SECRETARY’SREPORT

8 SECRETARY’SREPORT (Continued)

way to go. Or perhaps a Noel Leeming bro chure discreetly left on the coffee table with a yellow sticky beside the models l like. I’ll keep you posted….

Racing in New Zealand is going well, we’ve just had the July round of the Vic Club Winter Series, and it’s good to see some of our Club members out there racing and also some spectating or photographing.

Finally, we’re working away behind the scenes on the NDR, so don’t forget to keep 5th-7th March next year free in your diaries.

We’ll keep you posted as things develop.

Cheers Lynda

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WINTER Hi All, I am starting to enjoy winter! Yes, strange but true!! I think, well actually I know, I am a lucky bug-ger with an insane passion for motorcycling. Just recently we had a breakfast for DOCNZ Wellington members, at cafe Italia. A bit light on numbers. It probably had a lot to do with the weather, freezing cold, and raining, howl-ing southerly Wellington type day. But what the hell hadn’t had the NCR out for a while. Pile on the wet weather gear, scrub in the new front over the Paekakariki Hill and actu-ally enjoyed the ride. But great food & com-pany none the less. Thanks to those who made the effort. Fast forward to mid July, Nicole & I decided that after last winter we would take a mid-winter break to some where warm & being the tight bugger that I am, I suggested booking into a Motel in Taihape & turning on the elec-tric blanket!! That got me a clip around the ears. So flights were booked to Brisbane instead, both our brothers live there, within 2k’s of each and the various nieces & nephews were hanging out to see their baby cousin again. So a couple of weeks were spent in the mid 20’s with blue sky & sunshine. I even man-aged to get in a bit of Trail riding with my brother in-law & his mates, great fun! Oh, and the obligatory visit to Ducati Brisbane of course. Back to New Zealand for 24hrs then off again on a 4 day Adventure ride with a bunch of mates, on my KTM 950 Super Enduro, through the central North Islands maze of 4x4 & forestry roads, up through the famous Motu Rd (East Cape direction) & home again. This time through rain, snow ice & mud etc. what a hoot! You know this riding in Mid Winter in sub zero temperatures isn’t that bad if you

PRESIDENT’SPRATTLE

have the right gear, you can actually stay warm & dry! As this issue of the magazine goes to press I’m actually organizing to go to the Desmo Owners Club (which DOCNZ is affiliated to) “World Presidents Meeting” in Italy, organised by DUCATI HQ. The meeting takes place between the 21st – 29th of September. We will also taking in the World Superbike round at Imola. If any of you, our members have any con-cerns or suggestions you want brought up with the big wigs of DUCATI, this is your chance to be heard. I mean anything! This is the once a year chance when all the Presi-dents of the clubs from around the world get the opportunity to meet the top brass of DUCATI to have an open forum to ask about new bikes, parts back up, warranty issues etc. so please e-mail me directly, presi-dent@docnz.co.nz before the 16th of Septem-ber. Like I said I’m a lucky bugger, I have a very understanding wife who realises I have an insatiable passion for Motorcycles & allows me to pursue it. Mind you she has given me a rather lengthy list of various shoe & handbag shops in Milan I HAVE to visit, small price to pay I suppose. Ciao Chris

10 Treasurers Report

The winter of 2009 has been a cold and wet one for sure and continues to restrict riding opportunities. I know it shouldn’t be an excuse but cold damp weather does seem to cause old inju-ries to ache more as the years go by. On the bright side the days are getting longer at last and spring is not too far away. In respect of financial matters, in the absence of any suggestions from the club member-ship, the committee will use our discretion to determine how to spend the Club’s funds in a responsible way that benefits those members who participate in events and rides. For in-stance, we will aim to run the upcoming NDR at a loss which will enable the entry fee to be kept low without compromising the quality of the event. I am also looking into more formal rider train-ing days which meet insurer’s requirements. The Club will try to subsidise these courses to encourage participation.

If this interests you look out for details in the next issue of Desmo-philes. And if you do have any great ideas for using our cash – please pass them on to committee mem-bers for consid-eration. Keep the rubber side down.

Nick Brandon

11 Important Notice - Plastic Fuel Tanks

One of our members has received an email from a Ducati owner in the US, with the following information, for those of you with plastic fuel tanks. In the US some people are having a problem with ethanol blended fuel and plastic tanks, mainly on Ducati's. The problem is a rash of plastic-tanked monsters (and Classics) with expanding gas tanks. The informal theory is that the ethanol in USA gasoline (10% max in most places, not E85, but E10) is penetrating the plastic and doing it. Ducati replaced the Classic tanks which expanded, and now there is a good number of Monster owners who are reporting the same thing. Tank rubbers no longer sit on the frame, front is pressing against the keyswitch, rip-pling in the surface, etc. There is a signup list for those who live in the US: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ducatiplastictanks/ If anyone here in NZ is having tank expansion problems, drop a line to izaakb@yahoo.com as he is trying to de-termine what the cause is - he believes it is ethanol, but no one seems to know for certain. He has spoken with Ducati owners in Italy, Germany, France and UK and none have expansion issues, nor have they heard of it.

DISCLAIMER Unless expressly stated, the opinions and comments in this newsletter are those of the contributors only, and are not

club policy. Nor does the club guarantee any advertisers products or servicing suggestions made. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the editor or DOCNZ.

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Whenever you see the services of one of our advertisers (and isn't that all the time?) let them know that you saw the ad in DESMOPHILES. That way they will know that their advertising dollar is being spent wisely. It will help your club, the service provider and above all it will help you (there may be a

12 DONZ Mid Winter Run to Kaikoura

DONZ Mid Winter run to Kaikoura Saturday 13 June, 2009 I was not planning on going on Kaikoura ride because was just getting over an eye infection and the flu. It was a fine sunny morning and I was feeling not too bad so I decided to go on a final ride before winter set in. I did not have any accommodation booked and just risked it so thanks to Rob at Casbolts for letting me share his room. Late morning I left to meet up with everybody at Peg at the end of the motorway, Glen and about half a dozen others were there waiting. We decided to go through to Waiau for a beer and then on to Kaikoura, after a good ride we ar-rived and checked in. There were already a lot of people there. The meal was really good, thanks to Jack. Later we had a few beers and caught up a few other friends. Good night all round. Sunday morning we were up about 8am — it was fine but had been raining through the night, said goodbye to people and then we left for home. The road was quite wet initially but dried out after a while, and we had a stop for coffee at Cheviot then headed home. There was a good turn out about 40 people and 25 bikes. I would like to thank Craig at Casbolts for donating some of the raffle prizes, a good weekend all round, glad I went.

13 Here is your opportunity to make your magazine work for you. Comments, sugges-tions, feedback and questions all welcome.

Photo’s and words by Stu Jordan

Nathan Jordan

Vancouver Ducati Dealer

14 Turismo Ride With a Difference

15 Photo’s and article by Eymard Bradley

‘Vodochody’ I first saw her at the Masterton Airshow – ‘Wings over the Wairarapa’ in 2007. Like most of the petrolheads in the crowd, we were there for the Russian Polykarpov I-153, whose sound was unmistakably the loudest and its aerobatics the most spectacular. In contrast, the sound and classical shape of the L-39 ‘Albatros’ the Soviet MiG jet trainer was from another more sophisticated age. It promised a lot more as it whispered along the taxiway. So graceful in the air too. It was my first sight of one of these aerobatic trainers in New Zealand. Albatros is its NATO name - officially it is an L-39 Aero manufactured by Aero Vodochody in Czechoslovakia). After her flight we watched her taxi to a halt and checked out where she was based - New Plymouth we discovered… a plan was unfolding in my subconscious… There was another reminder at the ‘Warbirds Over Wanaka’ show in 2008, the same grace-ful Albatros performance in flight and easy aerobatics with memorable low barrel rolls over the hills to the south in particular. Just as we flew out I saw the hangar sign – take-off@Jetflights.co.nz As the Turismo approached I e-mailed Jet-flights. The owner and pilot (Robert Borrius-Broeck) is an ex Air New Zealand captain and a big Dutchman with a passion for his aircraft, the Albatros and his noisier North American P 51 Mustang. I booked a flight for our ‘rest day’ at Cromwell, and ticked the aerobatics option explaining that I had an ancient private pilot’s licence and a bit of recent helicopter and glider aero-batics experience, and we arranged to con-tact on the Wednesday night when the Tur-ismo squadron hit Wanaka. All was weather dependent… On the Tuesday as we rode down the

Makaroro valley the skies were starting to look unsettled. I stopped at Wanaka and rang Robert while he was en-route from Christchurch and he suggested early that evening would be best. So it turned out. At 4pm I told Lynda and the resting Ducatisti at the Cromwell motel that I would be coming over the Motel in about an hour if all went to plan. I fired up my S4R and headed off, hear-ing John Clayton talking about following me out. (He was to follow me into the air later). Up close, the Albatros looked even better. We towed her out of the hangar and Robert started her up. Climbing into its cockpit was easy and comfortable. After emergency drills we taxied out to a runway empty of traffic - a pre-dusk quiet, punctuated by the gentle whine of the turbofan engine. With full throttle applied, we lifted off very quickly and headed for Cromwell. My initial impression was of how jet airliners have sani-tized the jet flight experience and how, what I was experiencing, seemed more real while at the same time how immediate was the power you had in your hand. Robert let me fly to Cromwell and we seemed to almost brush the tussocks on the ridge of the range to our right. Climbing in the moun-tains in piston aircraft is a much more calcu-lated exercise, with the slightest touch easily getting you higher and out of trouble. After a few steep turns to get the feel of its maneuverability, Cromwell came into view. Robert took over and climbed up to 4000 me-tres saying ‘Where are these motorcyclists of yours?” and pushed the nose into a steep dive toward the crowd outside beside their bikes. It was great fun from the cockpit (reaching 3.5 G force), and while I wasn’t watching the al-timeter closely, I am sure we didn’t get below 500 feet, though Lynda disagrees – you had

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Turismo Ride With a Difference (continued)

better ask her. (Ed note: That’s not what Lynda said!!! ) Next thing we had to convert the speed gained into a loop (well several loops!), an-other dive toward the Ducatis and then an-other climb and a diving run back towards Wanaka in search of highway patrol cars (to test the fuses in their speed detection gear!). Alas, it was a poor afternoon’s fishing avail-able on the road there, so we climbed back out towards Lake Hawea and promises of some serious aerobatics. A local farmhouse owned by one of the Warbirds founder stal-warts was Robert’s target zone, and we at-tempted to bring the owner out with a series of barrel rolls loops and stall turns. I felt no real effect from the G forces you get, at the bottom of a loop especially as for some reason; these have become easier for me to take at 60, than they were in my 20s. Generally, apart from the great power at your disposal, the flight reminded me more of the sublime feeling of detachment you experience in a high performance glider, with the only real difference being a higher pitched sound. I can’t describe the general feeling flying in this aircraft made on me, yet here it is still with me 4 months later - It feels like yester-day!

Sure enough, if I had done this 20 years ago I would have found the US$250,000 and brought one. Many aero sport fans in the USA own and operate these aircraft, and there are over 2000 of them still flying all over the world, including those still serving in the airforces of small countries from Abkhazia to Thailand. Alas for us locals, Robert is putting his Alba-tros up for sale because he does not get enough clients to make it viable. The more popular choice is for his P 51 Mustang which he says has the noise & the smell that at-tracts people interested in the WW2 fighter experience. He says the Albatros is not just a beautiful aircraft; it is superbly designed and engi-neered, and easy to service. It proved more reliable and a less complicated trainer to train pilots for more sophisticated fighters, than the comparable jet trainers that the West used. Next Turismo, join me for a flight in the P-51 Mustang….. I am saving now!

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CLIVE, NEW ZEALAND

18 LETTERS to the EDITOR

DUCATI SPECIALIST Dave McDonald

NZ agent for ‘Vee-Two’ performance parts Bel-Ray and Penrite Motorcycle Oils Over 20 years Ducati experience and

expertise! Bevel Drive and

Belt Drive Two Valves a specialty 28-30 Joseph St

Palmerston North 027-682-7083

Here is your opportunity to make your maga-zine work for you. Comments, suggestions, feedback and questions all welcome.

Email me at: editor@docnz.co.nz

Dear Ed, Can you tell me who reputedly has the largest Ducati motorcycle collection in the world out-side of Ducati? Yours in envy, Ducati Owner of one. Eds Note: Well, DOoo, I am afraid that I haven’t been able to come up with an answer on that one yet!! On a side note—by using the trusty ‘interwebby thing’ I have come up with a rather good write up of the authors visit to the

Ducati Museum in Bologna, that may be of some interest to readers. Check it out here… http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/308/3703/Motorcycle-Article/Touring-with-Ducati-in-the-Land-of-Motors.aspx . Now to get back to your question DOoo, lets open it up to our readers and use the collec-tive DOCNZ knowledge to respond for you. DOCNZ members, Email me at -

editor@docnz.co.nz If you know—(or think you know) the answer to DOoo’s question!

19 to be BITS and Pieces

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Wellington Breakfast (By Lynda Blair) A few of us braved the weather and headed out for a Wellington group breakfast one cold, wet, windy miserable Sunday in mid July. Three hardy souls arrived on their bikes…I hasten to point out that I was not one of them! We tried a new café in Cuba Street, Caffé Italiano. They did a good breakfast and very good coffee. It’s all very Italian, most appropriate. We whiled away a good hour or two with some scintillating conversation and yet another cof-fee….. Finally we realised that the weather wasn’t going to break so headed home either in our cars or (for the brave) our bikes.

20 SUPERBIKE Calendar and Championship Standings 2009

March 1 Phillip Island Haga 1st Fabrizio 6th Laconi 7th

March 14 Losail Haga 1st Laconi 7th Fabrizio 11th

April 5 Valencia Haga 1st Fabrizio 4th Laconi 6th

April 26 Assen Haga 1st Fabrizio 4th Laconi 8th

May 10 Monza Haga 1st Fabrizio 3rd Laconi 7th

May 17 Kayalami Haga 1st Fabrizio 2nd Laconi 8th

May31 Salt Lake City Haga 1st Fabrizio 3rd Laconi 11th

June 21 Misano Haga 1st Fabrizio 3rd Smrz 9th

June 28 Donnington Park Haga 1st Fabrizio 3rd Smrz 8th

July 26 Brno Haga 1st Fabrizio 3rd Bryne 9th

September 6 Nurburgring

September 27 Imola

October 4 MagnyCours

October 25 Portimao

Australia

Qatar

Spain

Netherlands

Italy

South Africa

USA

Republic of San Mar-ino

Europe

Czech Republic

Germany

Italy

France

Portugal

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22 1098R Bayliss Replica

However, before this happens, there’s a bit of work to be done. After running the bike in (like that’ll be hard yakka!!) all the bodywork will be removed and carefully stored away. Full carbon fibre race fairings and BST carbon wheels will be fitted, along with (and I quote) “a truck load of Ducati Performance parts”, ready for the racing this coming summer. The bike has just spent some time in New Ply-mouth where Dr Bob (Robert Taylor from Öh-lins) worked his

The owner of this beauty, he’s going to be putting h

the race

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Words by Lynda Blair

Magic. At the Vic Club Winter Series meet-ing at Manfeild at the end of July, both Glen Williams and Andrew took the bike on the track in the lunch break….what a lovely sound! It wasn’t quite at race pace, but there were still some pretty respect-able times showing on the timing

monitor. Well done Andrew, she is a very beautiful bike…even lovelier in the flesh than in the pictures.

Andrew Forward, tells me her through her paces on e track.

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25 MOTOGP Calendar and Championship Results 2009

12Apr Losail Circuit Qatar Grand Prix Of Qatar

26Apr Motegi Japan Grand Prix of Japan

03May Jerez Spain Gran Premio De Es-pana

17 May Le Mans France Grand Prix De France

31May Mugello Italy Grand Primo D’Italia

14Jun Circuit de Catalunya Catalunya Gran Premi De Cata-lunya

27Jun Assen Netherlands TT Assen

05Jul Laguna Seca United States U.S. Grand Prix

19Jul Sachsenring Germany Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland

26Jul Donnington Park Great Britian British Grand Prix

16Aug Automotodrom Brno Czech Repub-lic

Grand Prix Ceske Re-publiky

30Aug Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis Grand Prix

06Sept Misano San Marino GP Di San Marino E Della Riveria Di Rimini

20Sept Baltonring Hungary Grand Prix of Hungary

04Oct Estoril Portugal Grande Premio De Portugal

18Oct Phillip Island Australia Australian Grand Prix

25Oct Sepang Malaysia Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix

08Nov Comunitat Valencia Valencia Gran Premio De La Comunitat Valencia

Casey Stoner 1st; Nicky Hayden 12th

Casey Stoner 4th

Casey Stoner 3rd; Nicky Hayden 15th

Casey Stoner 5th; Nicky Hayden 12th

Casey Stoner 1st; Nicky Hayden 12th

Casey Stoner 3rd Nicky Hayden 10th

Casey Stoner 3rd Nicky Hayden 8th

Casey Stoner 4th Nicky Hayden 5th

Casey Stoner 4th Nicky Hayden 8th

Casey Stoner 14th Nicky Hayden 15th

26 The Story of Two Laverdas — Part 1

Story of Two Laverdas (part 1) This story starts in 1980 when I was still at University and riding bikes back in the UK. I had just read an article in Bike Magazine about the 140 mph Laverda Jota and another article in Motorcycle on the Laverda Mirage (1200). Well, as I and a few friends lived quite close to the Concessionaires, Slater in Collington, we set out on a winter day in early January (it was cold, really cold and frosty) to have a look. I was on a BMW R60/5, there was a Moto Morini Strada 3 ½, Ducati 860GTS and a Moto Guzzi 850 T3. (You will note, not a single rice burner!). We stopped off in Bromyard for a warm up (no heated grips or clothing!) at the local café and proceeded to Slaters. We met up with Richard Slater and he let me ride one of the last Gold Laverda Jotas (stopped making them in 1978, Orange from then on in). It was fast, responsive and a bit of a handful compared to the BMW. Well I was sold. Problem, the Saturday job in Halfords (a motor factors) and the building site works in summer just didn’t generate the income to afford one. Later on, just as I left Uni, I bought a Black Gold Ducati 900ss and rode it every day. One little trick was to keep a plastic bag handy to put over the exposed carb with chicken wire filtering to stop the rain going in when you stopped. This I kept for six years. To bring the story bang up to date, I had started riding again, I didn’t bring a bike from UK with me, so I was bike-less for 9 years. After going through a couple of bikes, I de-cided to start collecting them. The criteria was that they were original, relatively low mileage and either Italian or British. I remem-bered all those years ago riding the Laverda

and really enjoying it. Well, that is what I wanted, so I rang Richard Slater in the UK to see what he had or knew about. He said that he was just about to pick up a Gold 1978 Laverda Jota in original condition with only 9000 miles clocked up by the owner from new. He said he would clean it up, ser-vice and fix any major issues. He sent me some pictures by email and we agreed a price.

At the same time as discussing the Laverda Jota , I spotted in the International Laverda Owners Club magazine a Laverda Mirage, fairly original condition. So I rang the owner down in Devon. The Mirage is more of a tour-ing bike, it is fast, little less harder to handle and with the flatish euro bars, more like riding a Monster. I said I wanted it inspected and got it taken to Muira Engineering (Alan Bell) to confirm that it was all ok. Now this one is a Green Laverda Mirage, and it was a special one, this one had been fitted with larger carbs and the 7C camshaft, higher compression pistons. The engine was one of those fateful Laverdas of 1979 that had cen-tre main bearing problems, so when it was rebuilt at the factory, it was fitted out with ef-fectively an endurance race engine. So this one was special, a standard road bike with a factory fitted special engine, all match-

27 By Richard Hatfield

ing numbers.

I bought it on the spot and once Alan had finished fixing a few little problems, I got it sent to Richard Slater so that they could be both packed up and sent to me. So two bikes on their way in early 2004. After clearing customs and the normal paperwork, the two bikes were here.

The first thing to do was to give them both a cleanup and a run, to see how they had sur-vived the journey. The Mirage had just had its mileage doubled and the Jota had trav-elled further by ship than on the road. The Jota needed some paint touch ups, exh aust system and carbs clean up.

The Mirage still had UK fuel in it so after charging the battery, I tried starting it, second press, started, wow what a sound from the 180 degree three cylinder engine, sounds like a four cylinder missing on one. The Mirage needed a little more work to get it ready. It needed a bit of welding on the frame, which I did with my Tig welder. Off to get the Jota compliance, well this was a bit of a mission. Customs had recorded the wrong number from the bike on the paper-work. They had recorded the EU numbers not the frame number. Anyway after a couple of calls, problem resolved. The Jota was now compliant and ready to ride. So off we went, nice long ride, gentle, but what a beast, bit of headshake and an engine that does not like being below 4000 rpm. Nice long run over the hill. Centre carb was giving some problems, didn’t like the fuel. Jotas need leaded fuel at 100 Octane, this is limited in NZ to aero fuel. So in goes 98, with lead substitute and octane booster.

I stripped the carb, as they are standard Dell’Ortos, Motomart got the bits from stock, rebalanced and off we went. Great fun, eve-rything I remembered.

(Continued on Page 27—All photo’s reproduced in colour on page 32)

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So I entered it into the Wellington Classic Club Show, Best Italian…. Nice… With such low mile-age, a rare Gold Laverda (only made in 1978) needed to be cared for and looked after so I am careful to only take it out on the nice days. Now to the Mirage. The rear swinging arm was a braced one, however the owner had sent all the bits that came off the bike including the very rare air filter. This was going to be a mission. Keeping the bike standard and original, it will need careful cleaning of UK road dirt, salt etc and making the bike look nice is important to me. This is to be my riding Laverda, again on nice sunny days. The story of this restoration is for the next article…. ED Note: Great article Richard, thank you for shar-ing!! I am really looking forward to the next instal-ment! The photo’s of your beautiful bikes were great so I have reproduced them in colour on page 32!

Have you heard of Monster Colour

Therapy?

Ducati is the first motorcycle manufacturer to offer 13 different dedicated colours for a single model!!

Check it out here:

http://www.monster.ducati.com/monsterart/olour_therapy_en.html

29 Ducati Club Membership Kits

If you would like a 2009 member-ship kit, and you haven't done so already, you will need to copy this link into your browser http://www.ducati.com/news/09/news_club/welcomekit/kit.jhtml and register on the Ducati.com web-site. The items in the kit are shown on the first page.

We will be alerted that you have reg-istered, and we will verify to Ducati that you are a financial mem-ber of our Club. Ducati will then send the kits to us and we will dis-tribute them to you.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER THEN YOU WILL

NOT RECEIVE A KIT. If you have paid a $60 subscription for a couple, and you would both like a kit, you will need to register twice, once for each of you - but note you will need two separate email addresses for the registrations to be

valid. Please be aware that we are not sure how long it will take from you registering until we receive the kits, so once you have registered, please be patient. We suggest you register right now, as we're not sure if there is a cut-off date for the kits. If you are having problems with the site, you can print out the form, complete it, and send it to me and we should be able to ac-tion it for you. If you have already registered, you should have received a confirming email from ducati.com

Once we get the kits we will distrib-ute them but we're not sure how long it will take for them to be sent to us, so please be patient.

Cheers,

Lynda

30

Johan's VMCC round 3 F1 on a Ducati 998 Friday: I arrived to the track late but enough time left to change to wets and go out for a session just to feel the bike again. I then spend the rest of the time at the track fitting new tyres for next day's rac-ing. F1 Qualifying: I don't think anyone enjoyed the qualify-ing conditions but we all had to do it. It was all going well until the rear started to act up coming out of turn 1 in fourth lap. I had no choice but lay the bike down out-side the track and wait for the crash car to pick us up. I could only hope the first three laps were enough to qualify and I was relieved when I saw I was 16th on the grid. I fixed the rear brake; the bleed hole in the master cylinder was blocked so the fluid didn't have anywhere to go when it got hot and expanded, thus locking the rear. F1 - Race 1 Still a bit shaken after the qualify incident I took off from the third line had a pretty mellow race. I couldn't find any rhythm at all, a few bikes passed and I finished 14th. F1 - Race 2 I got a bad start but got a second chance

Johan’s VMCC Round 3 - Manfeild

when the race was race red flagged. I got away better second try and found myself chasing Biggles (I think) around the track and had a good time. He did a great job blocking my attempts to pass and it wasn't until he missed a gear or something at the hairpin I got passed and finished 11th. I actually did a personal best of 1:14.2 in this race. LG Superbike race I lined up at the back of the grid not sure where to park my self.

Off we go and the first two rows disap-peared into the sunset and I'm left chas-ing a girl (long black hair?) that I eventu-ally passed at the hairpin. By then the others were long gone so all I could do was enjoy the ride and had some fun doing long sweeping lines with good lean and came back to the pits with a smile on my face. I don't think my bike is that super any-more (if it ever was) but still enjoy the LG Superbike races. One day I hope to be able to stick with the quick guys but I'm not quite there yet, but working on it... Thanks VMCC for another great event!

Johan Ed Note: Well done Johan and congratula-tions on the new personal best! I love lis-tening to the ducatis roaring around the track;-)

31 Johan in action

32 Richard Hatfield—Two Laverdas (see page 26 )

33 DOCNZCLUB NIGHTS

Auckland Headquarters Restaurant and Bar, 132 Beaumont St, Westhaven 1st Wednesday of each month from 7.30pm Hamilton Hamilton Motorcycle Centre, Te Rapa Road, Hamilton 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7.30pm Palmerston North Icons Stadium Bar, Main St, Palmerston North 1st Wednesday of each month from 7.30pm Wellington The Featherston Bar and Grill, Corner Featherston & Johnston Streets, Wellington 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7.30pm Nelson Mapua Village Inn, Nelson 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7.30pm Christchurch Speights Ale House, Tower Junction 1st Tuesday of each month from 7.00pm

NOTE: New location for Christchurch

34 DUCATI.com News (SBK) www.ducati.com

July 26, 2009 HAGA (DUCATI XEROX) MAINTAINS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD WITH TWO GUTSY RACES AT BRNO; FABRIZIO TAKES PODIUM A day of highs and lows for the Ducati Xerox squad but the day finishes positively, Noriyuki Haga maintains the championship lead while Michel Fabrizio consolidates his third position. Michel Fabrizio, fast all weekend, was expected to finish on the podium twice at Brno today and, if it hadn’t been for a costly mistake in Race 1, that’s probably how it would have turned out. He made up for the DNF of the first race somewhat with a third place finish in Race 2. Noriyuki was a hero today, riding two great races, in spite of his injuries. He had suffered in every session due to the fractured scapula sustained at Donington Park, and even he himself said it would be hard to finish in the points zone today but he did just that, in both Race 1, finishing eighth, and Race 2, taking sixth position. In Race 1 Michel was immediately up in the leading group, and gained one position in each of the first four laps to find himself second, behind Spies, by the end of the fourth lap. In trying to get past Ben on the subsequent lap, Michel took the inside line on the final corner, losing unfortunately the front and the bike, and causing the blameless Yamaha rider to fall too. An unfortunate result for the two championship contenders who walked away unhurt. In the sec-ond race Michel was again one of the protagonists, up front once more with Spies and Biaggi. A fight for second position ensued between the two Roman riders, allowing Spies to gain an advan-tage. At a certain point Michel realised it would be difficult to catch the two leaders and he ac-cepted third place. Noriyuki rode two of the bravest races of his career today, getting straight to work in Race 1, and making up three positions during the opening lap alone. With several riders crashing out, team-mate Fabrizio included, Nitro-Nori progressed up to eighth place by the seventh lap, and spent the remainder of the race battling it out against Smrz, Tamada and Haslam. Making it past fellow Japanese rider Tamada on lap sixteen, Noriyuki crossed the finish line in a worthy eighth posi-tion, taking eight points and thus extending his championship lead to 22 points over Spies. Doc-tor Corbascio of the Clinica Mobile continued to administer painkillers and injections to the sore shoulder during the day, doing everything possible to enable Nori to complete the race distance. In Race 2 Haga made up six positions by making a strong start and, by passing both Byrne and Corser, he then remained in sixth position for the remainder of the race, a few seconds off the pace of the leaders, and far enough ahead of the chasing pack to be safe. The 10 points earned in race 2 mean that Haga maintains his advantage in the overall classifica-tion, with 326 points to Spies’ 319. Fabrizio holds third position with 273 points. Ducati leads the constructors championship with a fifty point advantage over Yamaha. Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 – DNF, Race 2 – 2nd) “I am very sorry for what happened in Race 1. It was my fault, I need to stay calmer, what more can I say? Before the crash I saw that Ben was breaking early at that point of the track, so I

35 DUCATI.com News (SBK) www.ducati.com

thought I could get past him there. We’re fighting for a world title so I am angry with myself but at least neither of us were badly hurt. We made up for it to some extent in race 2, Ben more than me. I did all I could to stay with Ben and Max but they were too fast today; in fact the pace of the Aprilia, still in the development phase, is a bit scary with a view to next season. Anyway, I hold the third position overall and after the summer break I’ll continue with the fight for the title.” Noriyuki Haga (Race 1 – 8th, Race 2 – 1st) “I am not very happy but we have worked well this weekend despite the difficulties. The fractured scapula prevented me from performing as I hoped to. Having said that, I gained valuable points and find myself still in the lead, seven points ahead of Ben. I want to thank Doctor Corbascio and the Clinica Mobile doctors and also Rok, my trainer, for their help and support in these weeks. I also thank my team and Ducati for doing all they could to make me more comfortable on the bike and make the bike easier to ride. In the circumstances it’s a good result. Now I can go home to Japan with a smile on my face and there I will get down to some serious training to be in top form in time for Nurburgring, a track that I like a lot and where I hope I can rebuild my advantage.” RESULTS: Race 1 1. Biaggi (Aprilia) 2. Checa (Honda) 3. Rea (Honda) … Race 2 1. Spies (Yamaha) 2. Biaggi (Aprilia) 3. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) CLASSIFICATION Riders 1. Haga (Ducati Xerox) 326 2. Spies (Yamaha) 319 3. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 273 4. Rea (Honda) 206 5. Biaggi (Aprilia) 200 6. Haslam (Honda) 180 Manufacturers Ducati 412 Yamaha 362 Honda 306 Aprilia 207 Suzuki 133 BMW 87 Kawasaki 53

36

DUCATI GOLD INSURANCE

A specialised tailor-made insurance package for Ducati Owners featuring:

Highly competitive rates

Sensible excess Flexible payment options

Bonus – interest free monthly payment scheme Reduced premiums

0800 helpline service for policy holders Accessories and riding gear cover

included in each policy

Phone, fax or e-mail for a no obligation quote

CASBOLTS MOTORCYCLES 39 MANCHESTER ST

CHRISTCHURCH

Ph 03-366-4401, Ph & fax 03-366-4402

E-mail sales@casbolts.co.nz

37

DUCATI GOLD

A message from Craig Roberts at Casbolts: “Casbolts Ducati Gold Insurance package now has an additional sister policy called Ducati Gold Elite. It is a policy with all the benefits of Ducati Gold with the main difference that it is designed for multiple bike owners. Too often the case is that one bike is insured and the others aren’t. If each bike isn’t insured sepa-rately, the common case is that only third party cover or no cover is in place on the others. Based on the principle that you can only ride one bike at a time, Gold Elite will cover owners for any bike they own that they are riding giving full policy benefits to that bike while it is out on the road. The cost of this is 15% of the usual premium of your main insured bike added to that premium and you have cover on any other bike you own and nominate. This policy offers accident, theft and third party cover. It is limited to the value of the principal bike insured. Ducati Gold benefits such as a low excess, interest free monthly payments and free gear cover to the value of $5000 are still in-cluded.” For full policy details contact Craig Roberts at Casbolts Motorcy-cles, 39 Manchester Street, Christchurch

ph 03 366 4401 or

casbolts@xtra.co.nz

38

For Sale We have a good supply of black Club t-shirts and caps - t-shirts are $35.00 and caps are $25.00 - both plus postage.

Anyone interested please contact Lynda - secretary@docnz.co.nz

For Sale - Ducati Caps and T Shirts

39

(

40

41

I ........................................................… ...…….................................................… [first name] [surname] of ......................................................… ...........................................................… [postal address] [suburb / city] ..................................… ..................... ...........… …......................................... [postcode] [Home telephone] [Cell phone] ......................................................... (I am happy to receive Ducati related emails Y / N )

[email]

hereby apply for

Full m/ship [$50.00] Family* m/ship (family members or partners living under same roof) [$60.00] Associate m/ship (non Ducati Owner – no voting rights) [$50.00]

of the Ducati Owners Club New Zealand. In the event of my admission as a member, I agree to abide by the constitution and by-laws of DOCNZ.

I enclose payment of $....................................... by cheque made out to DOCNZ. I wish to pay by direct credit. (Our account details are: DOCNZ National Bank-Palmerston North 060746-0276337-00 Please ensure your name is included in the information. Please note that you must still send in your membership form, noting you have paid directly.)

Signature: .......................................................... Date: ............................................. Please note that memberships expire at the end of January. Applications and renewals received between November and January are registered as a membership for the following year. Particulars of motorcycle/s: ________________________________________________________________

[model and capacity] [year] [VIN / Chassis or Rego #] ________________________________________________________________

[model and capacity] [year] [VIN / Chassis or Rego #] ________________________________________________________________

assoc. [make, model & capacity] [year] [VIN / Chassis or Rego #]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE USE ONLY Cheque No ____________________ Rcvd: ___/___/___ Amt: $__________ Clearly state name on back of cheque DOCNZ Interim Membership: Received the sum of...……......... from……………….....................................being for membership renewal / application. (to January 31 2010) Signed .................................................... on behalf of DOCNZ Committee Ducati Owners Club New Zealand. P.O.Box 27203 Marion Square, Wellington 6141, NZ Email: secretary@docnz.co.nz

DOCNZMEMBERSHIP FORM

42

Front cover and page 14—Courtesy of Eymard Bradley

Pages 12 &13—Courtesy of Stu Jordan

Page 19—Courtesy of Hamish Blair

Pages 22 & 23—Courtesy of Andrew Forward

Pages 26, 27 & 32—Courtesy of Richard Hatfield

Page 31—Chrissie @ WF Photography

IF YOU'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF DUCATI MOTORCYCLES YOU MAY WISH TO REACH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE THROUGH THIS SPECIAL INTEREST CLUB MAGAZINE

SIZE 1 ISSUE 3 ISSUES 6 ISSUES

1/8 page $15.00 $30.00 50.00

1/4 page $20.00 $35.00 $60.00

1/2 page $35.00 $70.00 $110.00

Full page $65.00 $110.00 $200.00

Payment is due at the time of placement of advert. Club Classifieds Free classified advertising for club members is available on the DOCNZ website. Registered users can surf to www.docnz.co.nz, click the Forums link, and use the Buy/Sell/Swap forum. If you have any queries or need help please email webmaster@docnz.co.nz.

Magazine Contributions should be sent to: The Editor DESMOPHILES

P.O.Box 27203 Marion Square

Wellington 6141 Email : editor@docnz.co.nz

Deadlines are the 1st February, April, June, August, October and December for issues due out

towards the end of the month.

Display advertising is available for business – please contact the secretary. Rates above.

DESMOPHILES ADVERTISING RATES

CONTRIBUTIONS

PICTURECREDITS

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