Tues 19th Aug – The Police in Wales

The police in Wales appear to be more anti-biker than ever. The License for the Welsh National Motorcycle Show in May was cancelled at short notice by the local Council after the police intervened and this lost the organisers £80,000 personally! Now the Anglesey Bike Show has suddenly been lumbered with a £14,000 wages bill by the police who apparently have the powers to foist themselves unwanted and uninvited onto the event. This unique show on 22 – 25 August includes Indoor Custom & Classic Bike Shows, Stunt Shows, Trade stands and stalls, Live bands, Free Dyno, Helicopter Rides, local race track days, indoor and outside go-carting.

Tues 5th Aug – Guildford Harley Davidson

Not long to go now before the new Dealership opens in Guildford, broadly scheduled for very early September the guys will have their work cut out to meet this target. We wish the Dealer Principal, John Tenner, the best of luck and sincerely hope that the Dealership gets off to a flying start. We expect a good relationship to be had between Guildford HD and the Original Surrey Chapter UK. Certainly, Surrey Chapter Director, Steve Whitmore, has had a warm and friendly dialogue with John Tenner to date and is on-going. We look forward to adding another Dealership to our list of supporters of our Club, adding to the current list….Thames Valley, DG20, Jersey HD, Shaws and The Foundry. Of course, speculation is rife as to what they will call their new HOG Chapter once they get cracking. We should run a sweepstake (grin)……only clean answers on a postcard please!

Mon 4th Aug – Good Luck Steve!

Steve at Biker Glasses has been selling his wares at Rallies for years and SOFER was his final showing before he retires back to his homeland USA (Florida) to graze in the sun and run a Scuba School. Good Luck Steve, we wish you well. Of course www.bikerglasses.co.uk continues under new ownership.

1-3^rd Aug – SOFER Rally

The 5^th Anniversary of Sofer was marred only slightly by a few downpours on each day, although we all had fun nonetheless. The Original Surrey Chapter UK (450 members) under the Directorship of Steve Whitmore was there in full support and plenty of members drank plenty of drink and ate plenty of food to swell the coffers of SOFER. The SOFER Air Ambulance raffle 1^st prize of £2000 of Motorclothes was won by SCUK member Mark Enticknap and the Image Design Custom Paint Job Raffle was won by Road marshal George Gordon; well done chaps!

Tues 29th July – New French Traffic Laws

A new law makes it compulsory from 1^st July 2008 to carry a reflective jacket (EN471) and a warning triangle (ECE R27) in France. This regulation is enforceable with on-the-spot fines of €90 to €135. All drivers in most mainland European countries, must have a warning triangle and at least one reflective jacket in their vehicle. In France as with many other mainland European Countries this law does not apply to two and sometimes three wheeled vehicles. However, in a few countries motorcyclists must carry a reflective jacket, a warning triangle, a first aid kit and spare light bulbs. Enforcement seems to be a “local police matter” and people have been fined on the spot despite being exempt from some of the regulations, but try arguing your case with a Spanish cop with a gun! I recommend you carry at least one reflective jacket and a first aid kit on your HD at all times and before going on a trip abroad check out the rules for the countries concerned at www.theaa.com .

Mon 21st July – Biker Down – Sad News

Some sad news over the weekend. Darren Mulliner as salesman with DG20 was killed on his Buell on Saturday in collision with a lorry. David was a very well liked and popular salesman and many chapter members knew him. Out thoughts are with his family at this time.

Wed 2^nd July – SOFER Rally Bisley

As ever, Surrey Chapter UK WILL be attending this years SOFER Rally. You may recall the history of this event, which is that this rally was inspired in 2005 by our very own Jeff Fallon and the other (then) Chapter Directors from Thames Valley, 1066, Invicta, Oxford. To avoid disappointment we advise swift booking. Don’t forget that only a HOG Member can actually BUY the tickets, but he/she can buy as many as they like for their Non-HOG friends. Click here

Thursday 26^th June – HD XR1200 new model!

HD have announced the production of its most powerful ever new air-cooled European specification Harley yet, with a 1200cc downdraft fuel injected engine producing high torque and peak horsepower. The suspension and braking have also been fine tuned to suit European roads. With a generous lean angle; specially tuned Showa® sports suspension; high performance Nissin® brakes; and specially developed Dunlop® Qualifier tyres, HD says the XR 1200 is set to become the best handling Harley-Davidson regular production machine ever seen. For more info click this LINK.

Wed 25^th June – HD Guildford Update!

Work on the new Harley Davidson Dealership on the outskirts of Guildford is heavily under way now with a likely launch in September(ish).

If you’d like to see the plans for the new Guildford dealership click this LINK

Sat/Sun 21/22 June – SCUK Iron Butters (1000 miles) did it!

Trent Holmes’s First Eleven Iron Butters were Trent & Jan Holmes, Andy Dubé, George Gordon, Evan “Red” Griffiths, John Hedger, Robin Howard, Steve Hutchinson, David Kim, Vic “Wellard” Walker and Steve Whitmore This is the first time a group of eleven riders have completed an official Iron Butt ride in the UK and is a wonderful achievement, especially to do so in the face of 12 hours non-stop rain. In excess of £10K was raised (still counting) in support of St Lukes Cancer Centre in Guildford. Another success story for SCUK fund raising efforts.

Thursday 5^th June – Bikers Protest at Fuel Prices!

Scores of bikers caused rush-hour disruption today in a protest against rising fuel prices.The protesters gathered at Birch services on the M62 north of Manchester before heading off in a slow-moving convoy.The demo was organised by motorcycling groups, who were joined by some taxi and lorry drivers.

Police stopped traffic on the motorway before the bikers left the service station, bound for Salford.The Highways Agency warned motorists to find alternative routes if possible.It was the latest in a long line of fuel protests and came as some Labour backbenchers joined a chorus of voices warning Prime Minister Gordon Brown not to go ahead with a planned 2p increase in fuel duty this autumn.AA figures show around half of every 115p per litre of petrol is made up of tax and VAT.Police estimate between 400 and 500 bikers took part in today's protest..

Wednesday 4^th June – Iron Butt Ride Update (21^st & 22^nd June)

The FINAL PUSH…….the Iron Butt Ride that SCUK member Trent Holmes has organised in support of the research and treatment of Head and Neck cancer at the Royal Surrey & St. Luke’s Hospital cancer centre needs your financial support. Several SCUK members will be riding with Trent but they need your support too, so give generously. Details of how you can help with both donations and raffle ticket are here.

Wednesday 21st May – Thames Valley Dealership are moving!

Thames Valley HD are moving soon to premises just around the corner to their current base in Slough so they are having an EVERYTHING MUST GO SALE during the next few weeks. Plenty of bargains to be had for all www.thamesvalleyharley-davidson.co.uk Get on down there to grab a bargain. Tel 01753 557177………….and YES, Lieber will sell you that new bike you always wanted!

Sunday 4^th May – British Harley Riders die in Road Accident Florida

Two British doctors have been killed on a family holiday in Florida after a truck hit their Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a popular biker route near Daytona Beach. Friends and colleagues paid tribute yesterday to the couple, Dr Walter Rhoden, a senior heart specialist at Barnsley General Hospital, and Dr Kathryn Phipps, a GP who helped to train doctors in south Yorkshire. The couple, who were both motorcycle enthusiasts, were on holiday with their three children, Jamie, Emily and Oliver, when a Nissan Frontier pulled across into their pathway, causing the fatal collision. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Charges are pending against the Nissan driver, Daniel Couse Jr, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, which is treating the case as a traffic homicide investigation.

Thursday 30^th April – HD New Dealership Update

At long last the proposed NEW HD Dealership for Guildford looks like becoming a reality. Initial work seems to have been started on the building on the Guildford to Godalming road after a lengthy planning process. Current estimates for launch look like sometime in August 2008. Hip Hip Hooray! About time we had another HD outlet in the region.

Monday 28^th April – HD Slash Prices

Harley Davidson has dropped the prices in the Parts and Accessories Catalogue by 10% so if you match that up with the deal on offer from Jersey Harley Davidson you will get: HD 10% + a further 10% from Jersey HD (if order is over £150) + No VAT + FREE Delivery…………what more could you want? Click the Jersey Promo on the left of the page.

Monday 14^th April - NEWS FLASH - BATH TRIP (8th to 10th August)

Steve Hutchinson has managed to reserve five more rooms for the popular Bath trip, but only for a few more days. The absolute deadline for these rooms is Friday 25th April so if you wish to secure a place on the trip, please get your booking forms in now!! As always, places are on a first-come, first served basis. For more information about the trip, please visit http://www.surreychapter.co.uk/event11.htm or contact Steve directly via Steve.Hutchinson@surreychapter.co.uk

Matthews Farewell – 10^th April

Matthew’s funeral is to take place at Our Lady’s and St Hugh’s Catholic Church, Tower Hill, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 5YA on 10^th April Thursday at 3.00 pm. Members of Surrey Chapter UK will attend the arrangements and ride in the procession.

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the shocking news that SCUK Member Derek Melly’s son Matthew was tragically killed in a car accident on Saturday 29th March. Our hearts go out to Derek and Vicki at their tragic loss. Matthew was a great guy and his rebellious instinct was as strong as his loyalty to his friends, a truly great guy and a sad loss to all.

Monday 31^st March

Dorking Boot Sale 13^th April – This very popular Boot Sale will be at Pippbrook Car Park again from 07:00 hrs and attracts thousands of bikers from all over the UK. SCUK will be there with a stall for members, see the E-Bulletin for details.

Tuesday 25^th March

March Madness from Harley Davidson – Check this out by clicking the photo link on the top left side of this web page

Good news from SCUK Members Dave Le Beau and Colin Gowland. The Grand Opening of their new premises for Beauland Motorycles will be announced very soon but SCUK members are invited to pop down for the very first day of trading this Easter Saturday 22^nd March. Well done boys!

Beauland Motorcycles, Waymeadows Business Park Unit 1, Chertsey Road, Shepperton, TW17 9NS, Tel: 0845 838 2571/2

Buying Harley Davidson Parts – Jersey HD

If you buy your Harley parts direct from the good old USA you might consider getting them from Jersey HD instead. The UK spec parts, discount, no VAT, free UK postage and consumer protection stacks up to a good deal; see Spring Torque due out soon.

Wednesday 19^th March

Our Chapter Director, Steve Whitmore, is still languishing on Bondi Beach, Australia and won’t be back until 27^th March, so in his absence the E-Bulletin has been prepared and sent out by Bill Jones, Assistant Director. Well done Bill………..he is the first to call himself a “Computer Neanderthal” so this is real progress (grin).

The weather looks like pants this coming Easter Weekend but please try and make sure you attend the Easter Egg ride on Sunday if that is all you do, the kids at the school love our visits………..escpecially if there is chocolate involved!

Tuesday 11^th March

Weren’t we lucky on Sunday with the weather, lower than average turnout though, for the Pioneer Run. David Greenland with Steve Hutch’ as Tail-End led the ride down the A24 and through Mannings Heath to Cowfold, on lovely country roads. Outside the pub was a sign saying ‘The Best Bacon Butties in Sussex’ and it was spot on, with great coffee and doughnuts to follow. Loads of old bikes, puffed and wheezed their way past (and Carol wasn’t even there!!). I’m sure there are more bikes every year. After a very pleasant elevenses Steve Hutchinson took over the lead for the remainder of the ride to the South Coast.

Monday 3^rd March

Feed back on Route 22 rideout – Great weather for March, so good they all dined ‘Al Fresco’ and rode on down to Eastbourne Marina after grub. Once again Hans showed his prowess as one of our newest Road Marshalls never putting a wheel wrong. Garry ably assisted Hans to make this rideout an early success for 2008. See the photos now on the Web Site Gallery.

This Sunday is the Pioneer Run so let’s hope for another good weekend’s weather, the details are below and I hope to see you all for Coffee & Doughnuts at the Hare & Hounds.

Monday 25^th February

SPRING IS HERE ITS OFFICIAL On the trip to Canterbury on Saturday we saw new lambs and on Sunday a host of golden daffodils were in flower. Now looking forward to summer next week and Autumn next month.

A total of 20 SCUK bikes arrived at The Foundry in Canterbury ably led by the "Virgin" Road Crew, (Hans, Shane and John), and not a turning was missed. Mick and the foundry team waited with coffee and doughnuts. We stuffed ourselves before the return ride which saw us take the fast route home via Clacket Lane Services for refreshments. A few panniers were filled up with goodies at bargain prices courtesy of Mick's generous 20% discount. Simon’s scenic ride to the aerodrome on Sunday was just as popular and as well led. It featured three of this month’s seven new members; Gary, Teresa & Chris and another Chris who came along to check us out.

Just a couple of places left on the last of our special 1^st Aid course for bikers, ideal for members new and old. Please email Alan Melham or ring him on 07 971 562 325 asap if you’d like to join in.

Please add tramconductor@aol.com to your address book or email safe list as Bill Jones will soon be sending out the Ebulletins for a short while and this might prevent them being stopped as spam.

According to the MCN last week influential road safety professionals from EU member states, including the UK, gathered for 'Safe Highways of the Future’, a three-day conference supported by the UK's Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport safety. Speakers included Claes Tingvall the director general of the Swedish Roads Administration and Rune Elvik research chief at the Norwegian Institute of Transport who propose the banning of motorcycles to help reduce road deaths to zero. These views have been embraced into official transport policy by Sweden, Norway and Australia and could be adopted across Europe. Not content with designing BMWs with roofs and airbags these idiots want to force us all into cars which of course never have accidents! As the song goes, “That’ll be The Day”! Go onto the SCUK Forum to have your say. Not sure how to get on the forum? Well email Jeff Fallon and all will be revealed.

If you have not renewed your membership then very soon we’ll reluctantly have to remove you from our membership list for 2008.

SCUK Start of Season Party

Tickets for our Start of Season party on Saturday 29^th March are available for £17.50 each. Please pay Shane, Jane, Garry, John or Julie by cash or a cheque made payable to SCUK; or, post a cheque and a SAE to SCUK, PO Box 273, Hampton, TW12 3WN. There’ll be a live band, a Disco and a Buffet. If you wish to dress up, or down, the purely voluntary theme is Pirates of the Caribbean, (just how many Johhny Depp’s can we get in one room??). The venue is the Skylane Hotel nr Gatwick and if you wish to book a room for the night just click this link

Monday 18^th February

Buying Harley Davidson Parts

Credit Cards Abroad

Be warned that the number of petrol stations abroad (France) that “decline” your credit card appears to be on the increase, and for no apparent reason. It is always advisable to carry cash to cover the cost of your fuel in case you get caught short (like one of members did recently) (read about this on the Forum)

Monday 11^th February

SCUK Affiliates with BMF

SCUK is now affiliated to the British Motorcyclists Federation. Full details will be available in the next Torque but briefly this gives us a voice in the wider motorcycling world; £5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance; legal and financial protection for the club and its members; discounted and priority tickets to BMF Rallies and other events such as the Garden of England Motorcycle Show and the BMF/ACU National Road Rally on 5^th- 6^th July.

However, even for a club as large as ours we now have a choice of just too many events on the 4^th July weekend and so we have decided to reschedule our own USA Independence Day Party at Bisley to 2009 leaving members a choice between the HOG Rally in Minehead or the BMF National Road Rally and/or the 30^th Birdman of Bognor competition. More ways than you can shake a stick at to keep us all on the road enjoying our Harleys the whole weekend. The final icing on the cake will be SCUK members at Bisley just four weeks later celebrating in our own special inimitable style during the SOFER Rally, or going to Leeds castle or the Spinnaker