ALBANY VINTAGE & CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB
The Denney's Amazing Collection

It was another lovely winter's day for our run to Ron and Marion Denney's property to view their collection of farm machinery, old vehicles, sewing machines and other old wares. There were around 25 bikes in the carpark of the Amity Tavern where it was decided that the slower riders go straight up the Albany Highway, and those that wish to take the longer route, ride via the Porongurups.

The Mt Barker end of the Porongurups Road has been resurfaced including a couple of the good bends - maybe there's a biker or two working for the Plantagenet Shire! Both groups met at the BP Service Station in Mt Barker for a coffee and chat before setting off for the Boyup Cranbrook Road, before taking a right turn to the property.

Ron and Marion warmly welcomed us as we parked the bikes next to their aeroplane! Ron showed us his main display shed filled with various ancient farm machinery as well as vintage cars, bikes, an amazing number of sewing machines and other household and farm artefacts from yesteryear. He started a couple of engines up and explained their uses.

At one stage he started a massive articulated Moline Universal Tractor (nearly a 100 years old), put it in reverse and drove it out of the shed before doing a lap of the yard showing us the versatility of the ancient machine - amazing to watch. It was then time for lunch, we were able to eat in comfort in one of the sheds which was decked out like a canteen with tables and chairs.

There was a BBQ going for those of us who needed to cook snaggers etc and also a large urn for coffee or tea. After lunch the ladies checked out the artistic talents of Marion. Her drawings and watercolour paintings of plants and flowers were excellent. At the same time Ron showed more farm machinery, old cars and trucks in other sheds. It was an excellent day.

Mike had a bit of bad luck: he got a front tyre puncture on his TRX Yamaha before arriving at the main road. Phil, Bondy, Max and Arnold stopped to help him get back on the road. Phil had a plug on him and this was inserted in the tyre, next was some air. Unfortunately the only air available was a hand pump and it was impossible to pump enough air quick enough to make the tyre bead to the rim. Arnold ended up returning to Ron Denney and borrowing an air compressor. This fixed the beading problem straight away. Mike eventually got home at 4.30 pm, with his wife starting to worry just a little bit.

Thanks to Andrew Haydock for organising the event.

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