OBITUARY
It took me until 2010 to go to the dark side of motorcycling- the sidecar, after being exposed to them from the early 90s after at the first Pukemanu Adventure ride, where I was a passenger in a sidecar with the chair in the air around the Martinborough square … thanks Andrew Lawrence. Once I had my Ural Gear Up, MD was on the phone, bring it down and I will fettle it. And so it began. MD eventually repowered my Ural with a BMW R80 engine, as the standard motor had lost all its
oil. I’ d wanted an R100 motor to be squeezed in there, but MD said,“ No way, Vege. You will just rape tyres and get into too much trouble.” He was probably right, so with the help of his talented engineering mates the project was done, and, man, what a difference. From 22hp to 42hp at the back wheel in one fell swoop. MD loved exploring back roads and more and I was fortunate to share a few of his adventures over the years. Bill, MD and myself formed the Black Star Gang, probably
Photo: Andrew Lawrence Photo: Tina Lawrence
A young Michael Dobson.
Note the lack of helmet- a hat was warmer.
KIWI RIDER 101