Motorcycle clothing uses state-of-the-art materials and looking after your investment needs specialised care ! Using the wrong products or not caring for your gear at all , will result in poor performance and shortened garment life !

200gm tub . Clear , black or brown . $ 16.50 100gm tube . Clear only . $ 12.50

Sno-Seal Wax protects , conditions and assists in waterproofing leather . It will also help your boots to last longer by protecting the stitching and maintaining the leather ’ s breathability .

355ml aerosol $ 18

Wonderful stuff ! Helps to restore factory waterproofing yet allows the garment to breathe . Brilliant on suede leather panels , proofed nylon garments , tents and touring luggage .

532ml $ 17 . 1litre $ 28 . 2litre $ 54 .

This is the only detergent for washing your waterproof / breathable gear ! Specially formulated for Gore-Tex and similar fabrics , Sport Wash cleans the tiny fabric pores improving breathability and restoring the membrane ’ s surface tension to enable water to bead and roll away . Warning : If you use household laundry products , the chemical residues can block the membrane , destroying the breathability of the delicate fabric . Re-washing correctly in Sport Wash will require up to 15 washes to remove these harmful residues !

Available from good bike shops everywhere or call Dold Industries Ltd on 0508-365-300 for the location of your nearest Sno-Seal stockist Read all about performance fabrics on : www . atsko . com / T5 . html

Prices indicated are suggested retail only . Information in this advertisement is specific to the use of Sno-Seal products . Refer to your garment ’ s Care Instructions for correct use . predictability , resentment and oppression , was to send it back into the hell it was spawned from . ``So I suppose mailing it ’ s out of the question .’’

For the second time in two days Fred never saw that old but mighty hand coming .

As he got to his feet he insisted that three of his most trusted chums , Baz , Nobby and Nev , join them on the dangerous and uncertain journey , and Gandar agreed . The appropriate phone calls were made and the other lads declared their willingness ( as the unemployed usually do when there ’ s the prospect of a few free drinks going ) and thus the seal was set on a unique and adventurous fellowship .

With the faintly glowing ring wrapped again in its sheath of grey parchment and safely tucked into Fred ’ s backpack ( with handy attachments for utensils and a special map holder on the side ) the great trek to the distant dark lands of Amerikana could begin ... but not before a bit of a piss-up at the local that night .

THE DARK RIDERS There was trepidation in their hearts but fuelled by several pints there was also courageous expectation and iron-clad bravado . All was well with a troubled world for that brief , noisy moment in time ... but reality mauled its way back into their lives late in the evening when the celebratory air was split by the sound of harshlytuned , torturously-ridden large motorcycles drawing closer like rolling thunder .

``Dark Riders ,’’ the barman said fearfully , as the colour drained from his face and as he carried the cash register from the room . ``It is as I feared ,’’ Gandar said . ``They have sensed the emergence of the ring after all those years your uncle had it hidden away .’’

Fred drew the curtain back ever so slightly and saw 13 dark motorcycles , bearing 13 darkly-clad faceless riders , lining up outside .

At the command of their leader they dismounted , drew chains from their leather vests , and walked menacingly toward the inn .

Fred turned to urge his chums and old Gandar to run for their lives ... but they ’ d already gone .

``Bloody lovely ,’’ he sighed before he too shot the gap out the back door .

Breathlessly , they all crawled into a dusty , dirty space beneath an old splintering patio and , hearts hammering , listened as the footsteps of the Dark Riders slowly clumped ever closer through the bar toward them .

One rider leaned down and sniffed the air just centimetres from Fred ’ s head ... only the deteriorating planking of the deck divided them . ``I smell mechanic ,’’ the brute sneered .

Only the distant snap of a twig ( caused by an animal of some sort ) diverted the attention of the riders who instantly bounded off believing it to be their quarry on the run .

Gandar , seizing the moment , led his young charges to the safety of a nearby garage where he had five old motorcycles stored .

``There is no time to lose ... we must ride now for the town of Kumara where I have `people ’ waiting to join us .’’

Fred , trying to get to grips with having the gear-change on the right , inquired about the ``people ’ and was told by Gandar that two of the bravest warriors in bikedom had agreed to offer their stout support and take up the dangerous journey alongside them .

There was Crozman ... a legendary warrior of the wheels , fearless and unafraid . So fearless he cared not if the front wheel of his steed fell off for he rode perfectly well on the back one alone .

There was Arasole ... unwashed and greasy but none were more fearless when it came to confronting the likes of the Dark Riders or the Erks ... those failed apprentice mechanics who surrounded Sorceron and embarked on his foul and wicked deployments .

And thus , a special fellowship was born and an arduous , dangerous mission begun .

``From this day forth ... we will be known as A Few Good Blokes and Their Piston Ring ,’’ Gandar boomed with pride .

``Who ’ s got the sandwiches ?’’ Fred asked .

``It ’ s going to be a long journey ,’’ Gandar sighed . End of part 1 Next : ``The Two Cylinders ’’.

60 KIWI RIDER