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gambalunga
The magazine of the Moto Guzzi Club GB
AGM 2017
Milano-Taranto 2017 Part 2
Custom V11 Sport
Spada brake overhaul
Red Kite report
Cali III refurb, Part 1
Camping at Christmas
Stafford Show
November-December 2017
November-December 2017 1
2 Gambalunga
gambalunga November-December 2017
Editor
Roger Shufflebottom Regular items
17, Lower School Lane Committee and International Contacts 4
Blandford St Mary
Dorset DT11 9QH
Editorial 5
07973 543660 Roundup 6
editor@motoguzziclub.co.uk Committee News 8
Letters 10
Editorial assistant Events Diary 40
Michael Howers Branch Finder 44
23 Chalgrove Road Branch News 46
Sutton SM2 5JT
assist_ed@motoguzziclub.co.uk
Club Shop 54
Marketplace 56
Classified Advertisements
We accept classified advertisements AGM 2017 12
from members (free) and non-mem-
bers (small fee). We also accept regular
small trade (lineage) advertisements. 2016 Accounts 16
See ‘Marketplace’ for details.
Red Kite report 2017 17
Display Advertisements John Dyer
Julian Franck
27 Waterside, Evesham WR11 1BU
07791 591586
advertising@motoguzziclub.co.uk
Spada brake renovation 18
Ian Pettifor
Milano-Taranto 2017, part 2 20
Please send contributions by Decem-
Bjørn Christiansen completes the course
ber 15th 2017 for the January-February
2018 issue. Handwritten or typed corre-
spondence and all Branch news of any
sort to Michael Howers, please. Other
emails and photographs to the editor.
California Dreaming 26
Bryan Sexton starts to relive his youth
All photographs are by the contribu- Alloy tanks for Guzzis 29
tors unless otherwise noted. All views
Jonathan Nichols
expressed in Gambalunga are those of
the individual contributors and not
necessarily those of the club committee. What are you doing this Christmas? 30
David Taylour-Cantrill has an idea for you ...
Printed by the Westdale Press
Cardiff CF24 5HB
029 2066 2600
Cover:
V7 at the crest of the
Passo di Gardena, Italy Stafford Show 36
Picture: Garth Forbes Steve Freeman
The name Gambalunga derives from the 1946 model 500cc racing Guzzi
and means ‘Long-Leg’ in Italian. The single-cylinder machine had a bore
and stroke of 84mmx90mm with a power output of 35bhp at the rear wheel,
weighed 125kg and was capable of 180kph.
November-December 2017 3
Club Contacts Overseas Clubs
Chairman Australia
Bob Smith, 01935 472739 Moto Guzzi Owners Association of New South Wales.
chairman@motoguzziclub.co.uk PO Box 392, Camperdown, NSW 1450.
General Secretary Moto Guzzi Club of Victoria, Bronwyn Leach 0425 730 128,
Serena Powis, 01372 724681 bleachy66@gmail.com, www.motoguzziclubvic.asn.au
26 The Crescent, The Wells, Epsom, Moto Guzzi Club of Queensland. Peter Matthews, PO Box 1159,
Surrey KT18 7LL Fortitude Valley, Queensland 4006.
gen.sec@motoguzziclub.co.uk
Australia (W): Mario Poggioli, 1/15 Dyer Road, Bassendean, West Aus-
Treasurer tralia 6054. guzzi@thunderbikes.com.au. www.thunderbikes.com.au/
Martin Churchill, 07768 941222 Belgium
treasurer@motoguzziclub.co.uk
Jan Beyers, Kalmthoutse Steenweg 99, BE-2990 Wuustwezel, Belgium
Membership Secretary Tel: 0032-3-6698842. redactie@motoguzzi.be
Jennet Chisholm, 01425 277344 jan.beyers @ motoguzzi.be
10 Southwood Avenue, Walkford, Denmark
Dorset, BH23 5RN
Dorte Petermuss, Rungstedvej 88, 2960 Rungsted Kyst, Denmark.
membership@motoguzziclub.co.uk
petermuss@mail.tele.dk www.motoguzzi.dk
Social Secretary France
Joe Townsend Moto Guzzi Club De France. JP Bourgery, BP 2, 93361 Neuilly-Plaisance
socialsec@motoguzziclub.co.uk
CEDEX 06.85.56.37.82 http://www.motoguzzi-club.fr/
Regalia Officer Germany
Andrew Duckworth 01325 369948 Arnd Bloos, www.kupferpaste.de
regalia@motoguzziclub.co.uk Greece
Dimitri Asimakopoulos, 1, Diminiou Str, Volos, Greece.
Public Relations Officer
Steve Freeman, 07593 676802 Italy
pro@motoguzziclub.co.uk Moto Club ‘Carlo Guzzi’, Via deI Fosso 20. 22054 Mandello Del Lario.
Stefano, Moto Guzzi Club Mandello deI Lario, Via Falck no. 1, 23826
Machine Dating Officer
Mandello deI Lario (LC), ItaIy. Tel. 39-0341/700599.
Mike Lacey, 01305 772629
10 Comet Close, www.guzziclubmandello.it
Weymouth, Dorset DT4 9ER Moto Guzzi Club Italy, Di Francesco Auto/Moto s.r.l. Via Verotti 236,
machinedating@motoguzziclub.co.uk 65016 Montesilvano (PE), Italy. Tel. 085.834772
moto@difrancescoautomoto.it
Ticket Officer
Steve Moore 07795 998866 Malta
3, Teg Close, Portslade Moto Guzzi Malta Club, Phillip Chircop, Mob: +35679617664, php-
West Sussex BN41 2GZ chircop@gmail.com, www.motoguzziclubmalta.webs.com
tickets@motoguzziclub.co.uk
Netherlands
Web Officer Hans van der Koelen, Moto Guzzi Club Nederland, Europalaan 16
Nigel Lavender 01985 844637 5591CN Heeze, Netherlands, secretaris@mgcn.nl, www.mgcn.nl
webofficer@motoguzziclub.co.uk New Zealand
Mike Robertshaw, 370 Parongahau RD, Waipukurau North Island, New
Branch Coordinator
Sue Nock, 01522 853060 Zealand. +64(0) 68588434, ali_mike@xtra.co.nz
branches@motoguzziclub.co.uk Norway
Sig. Elin Vandevjen, Tverrasen 35, N-1397 Nesoya, Norway. TeI +47
Co-opted member 66 98 01 45 guzzi@online.nc www.motoguzzi.no
Julian Franck
julianfranck@talktalk.net Poland
07791 591586 Beata Moscicka, utland@guzziclub.nu, www.polmotor@motoguzzi.pl
Spain
Magazine contacts Carlos Simon ‘Gutenberg’, Apartado de Correos: 7032, 50080 Zara-
See page 3
goza, Espana. Tel. 607241056. gutenbergsv@teleline.es
Sweden
Tina Karlsson, Rokullag 6 A, S 25458 Helsingborg, Sweden. Tel. 0046
42 228794.
Switzerland
Moto Guzzi Club Valais. Richard Wallis, richard@wallischemin.com
www.guzzivalais.com
USA
National Owners Club. Frank Wedge, 801 State Street, Larned, Kansas
67550, USA.
4 Gambalunga
Editorial
Well, it’s that time again. In this issue ject of Guzzis or even motorcycles!)
we gently remind you that it’s time to The popular press and several
think about renewing club membership websites have been muttering about
for another year. We’re very pleased that the possibility of Piaggio showing a
the subscription level has been held again. new Guzzi engine at the upcoming
I think that if you look around, you’ll find EICMA show in Milan. There is no
that £20.00 is a small amount to pay for all doubt that a new engine that will
that we offer – six issues of Gambalunga, conform to future Euro standards is
a website and forum, technical support, needed. Will Guzzi go all retro or will
camping and touring events, local branches we see updated versions of the Norge
and a Facebook group. and Stelvio? We may have to wait for
Many members are active in their local the answer to that as the engine will
branches and although we don’t always come first.
get to our local branch meeting, it’s good Happy Christmas and a Happy
to chat to like-minded folk (and often the New Year on two wheels.
conversations veer a long way from the sub- Roger Shufflebottom
Club Membership
To join, please contact our Membership Secretary, Jennet Chisholm on 01425 277344
or email membership@motoguzziclub.co.uk
• Subscription Rates
• Single annual membership: £20.00 (pro-rata reductions if you join later in the year, check with us)
• Add £3.00 for each additional family member.
• Add £8.00, if appropriate, for the overseas postal surcharge.
Benefits of club membership
• Six A4 full-colour issues of our magazine,‘Gambalunga’
• Machine dating service (one free certification per year, per member).
• Free members’ advertisements in Gambalunga and club website.
• Dedicated members’ area on club website. Discounted event ticket prices.
• Discounts at Haynes Publishing.
• 10% discount at Cotswold Outdoors and associated stores.
• BMF affiliation and access to many BMF benefits, including savings on breakdown recovery, BMF events,
hotels, online shop, organised tours etc.
• MAG Affiliation.
• 10% discount on parts and accessories (not servicing) at Bikersworld, Birmingham.
• Discounts with Opie Oils.
This is a back issue – remember this
before using any contact information herein
Don’t forget the official Club website: www.motoguzziclub.co.uk (including our forums) (fora?)
and our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1346934782005669/
Accept no substitutes!
November-December 2017 5
Roundup
New Club Forum Officer This year, children aged 16 and
under go free but will still need to be
registered and have their own ticket.
Once again there will be accommoda-
tion options bookable with the hotel
for those who don’t want to camp.
To order early-bird tickets please
contact John at johnfd01@btinternet.
com or visit the club forum. A booking
form will appear in Gambalunga in
2018.
MAG news
We’re very pleased to announce that club member Alan Keill has been co-
opted (well, he did volunteer) as Forum Officer. Alan has strong IT skills and AGM
will be a great help and support to Nigel Lavender, who has been shouldering The Motorcycle Action Group held
all of the club’s web and forum duties for some time now. Welcome! its Annual Group Conference in the
small town of Manea, Cambridgeshire,
29th September-1st October, 2017.
Guzzis press on Gambalunga Power! Selina Lavender, who was re-elected
Good to see some positive views as MAG’s Chair, said ‘the AGC’s
on Moto Guzzi from the mainstream mood and determination to maintain
motorcycling press. the gains in terms of influence and
In June, MCN carried a very posi- action underline the confidence of the
tive report on the V7 III, welcoming movement in promoting riders’ rights
the many detailed improvements in locally, nationally and internationally.
this model, especially the suspension When we reviewed the extent to which
and gearbox. They ended by saying the riding community has engaged
that there was little to criticise – ‘Great with local authorities, ministers and
job, Guzzi’. One of our latest new club mem- other key bodies such as Highways
Over on Facebook, Steve Freeman bers is Alan Padbury ... he owns West- England, it’s impossible to ignore the
reports that both Back Street Heroes dale Press, the company that prints strides we’ve taken over the last few
and Motorcycle Sport and Leisure have Gambalunga. He took a look at the years. One target for us now is to
recently carried positive articles on the magazine and bought a Guzzi! continue attracting new members. The
V9 and V7 III. dramatic rise in membership across
Finally, MCN quotes a Cycle Red Kite 2018 London shows it’s very possible to
World interview (are you following The 3rd Red Kite event achieve this, and we just need to get
this?) with Piaggio’s Davide Zanolini will be held from 7th- the message across that signing up is an
who says that Guzzi “are working on a 9th September act of self-interest, to protect your own
new engine – a radical evolution com- 2018 and rights as a rider.’
pared to the current units. We expect plans to make The AGC heard of Dr Leon Man-
to introduce some radical Moto Guzzi it even bet- nings’ announcement to retire from his
novelty at EICMA 2017.” It’s ex- ter (can that be possible?) role as Policy & Campaigns Advisor
pected that any new engine will feature are already afoot (according to John after seven years. In an emotive speech,
water cooling for the valves and Dyer). Once again the venue will be he shared his belief that ‘direct ac-
heads. Baskerville Hall, Clyro, Hay on Wye, tion’ may be increasingly required to
Hereford. HR3 5LE. 130 tickets will get traction with some more resistant
be available, up from the previous limit authorities. He also said that he’d never
of 100. They are on sale now with seen the organisation in better shape.
early bird prices available until the ‘The next step is planning the
Clocks Forward Camp in March year ahead to continue with no major
2018 and priced at £15.00 for course corrections,’ adds Selina. ‘We’re
MGCGB members and £17.00 doing it right and we’re doing it well,
for their guests. They will go up and we don’t need to make alterations
by £3.00 after the Clocks Forward. to a winning formula. There’s a lot to
6 Gambalunga
campaign on, and we know that crime Raceco UK camshafts
problems, limits of road space and the
pollution agenda will all feature in this.
We expect a lot from ourselves in 2018
because we have a lot of people to rep-
resent, and a clear agenda. It’s looking
good and I’m delighted to continue as
Chair during such a productive time in
the movement’s history.’
Wilsmore award
The Motorcycle Action Group has
awarded one of its highest honours
to Mark Wilsmore, owner of the Ace
Café, for services rendered to biking.
MAG presents the Simon Mill- Amedeo Castellani, a name familiar to many club members, has put down his
ward Lifetime Achievement Award Hasselblad and is refurbishing and selling a batch of Guzzi camshafts. SS2 and SS3
to a person who, over their lifetime, camshafts are being produced. Some will be available for outright purchase or you
has made a significant contribution to can send your cam to be re-ground. As there still a demand for these cams, Amedeo
motorcycling. In 2017 that person is intends to have a yearly batch done each autumn ready for winter rebuilds.
Mark Wilsmore. MAG’s Vice Chair, Contact Amedeo by email at a.castellani1@btinternet.com if you are interested in
Andy Carrott said: ‘Mark’s passion for purchasing a camshaft outright or would like your camshaft re-ground.
bringing back the Ace Café has turned The cams will be £175.00 if reground on your original cam or on an exchange
it into a British icon known all over basis if available. Outright purchase, if available, will be £255.00. Carriage extra.
the world. A visit to the Ace Café has For the big two-valve Guzzis, Amedeo recommends the SS2: a very flexible cam
become a rite of passage for any motor- and Raceco UK’s best seller for many years. This can be used with standard springs
cyclist. No wonder, then, that visitors that have been shimmed to 36mm. The engine will pull from 1,500 rpm with an
from countless nations head for their extra kick from 4,500 rpm.
counter to order a ‘fry-up’ at this most The SS3 cam is based on the RR3 cam that was used by Doctor John Wittner
famous of motorcycling venues.’ for racing at one point, before he started using the “F” full race cam. The SS3 is
Andy is certain that Mark’s vision- suitable for high rpm road and race use and is more flexible than the “F” cam. It
ary leadership has led the Ace Café’s is a performance cam. It is a difficult cam to fit, will require different valve springs
reputation for influencing the retro and top collars and in some cases machining of the valve seats so the valves do not
scene: ‘we’ve seen the Rocker culture touch on the overlap. This is a cam for the technically minded home mechanic or
merge with a new-age urban custom professional engine builder, says Amedeo.
movement. All the major manufactur-
ers have bikes in their range with roots
in exactly this culture: the one Mark
has resolutely kept alive. Without ful in countering moisture build-up at
Mark, there would be no Ace Café and the bottom of fuel tanks on bikes that
he justly deserves the award in recogni- emission standards, or pay a daily are used infrequently.
tion of the part he has played in the £10.00 Emissions Surcharge (also The manufacturers say that
history of motorcycling.’ known as the Toxicity Charge, or T- it will prevent or remove gum,
Mark collected the award at MAG’s Charge). This will be in addition to the carbon and varnish build-up in
recent annual conference where he Congestion Charge. carburettors and fuel injectors:
thanked the movement and called Motorised tricycles and quadricy- www.starbrite.com/startron.
on its activists to continue to increase cles that are subject to the Congestion It can be ordered in the
the strength and volume of the riders’ Charge are affected (says TfL) although UK from We-
voice. Greater London MAG regu- motorcycles are not subject to the moto (www.
larly meets at the Ace and everyone is T-Charge. If your bike has more than wemoto.com).
welcome to attend. two wheels, you might like to check The editor has
with Transport for London! had rapid and
T-Charge efficient service
From 23rd October 2017, cars, Star Tron from Wemoto.
vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and Star Tron is an additive designed
heavy goods vehicles in central London to offset the effects of modern petrol
will need to meet minimum exhaust containing ethanol. It is especially use-
November-December 2017 7
Committee
General Secretary
Here we are at the end Reboot at their forti- On October 19th
of another great year fied retreat, and then I went along to Brook-
of motorcycle riding on into Spain and the lands Museum in
with the Moto Guzzi Picos Mountains via the Weybridge to see Steve
Club GB. Thank you to Camino de Santiago Parrish and Ian ‘Hutchy’
everyone who attended de Compostella. It was Hutchinson ‘in conver-
the AGM at the Challow and Chil- an interesting time to sation’. Ian is amazing on
drey Cricket Club – this was a great be in Spain at the time how he keeps so positive
weekend, well attended with good of the referendum and focused following his
debate and discussions. Thank you for for independence for injuries in the TT. Asked
Toni Franck
re-electing me as your General Secre- Catalonia. which rider he had the
tary for the coming year. We landed home greatest admiration for –
The weekend of 21st-22nd Octo- on Tuesday evening, he didn’t skip a beat to say
ber will see the newly elected commit- 17th October, having corkscrewed ‘Dave Jefferies’. He did say
tee working through the points raised our way through the Bay of Biscay in he is worried about the injuries that
at the AGM as well as putting together the wake of Hurricane Ophelia. It was John McGuiness has sustained, as one
the Club Calendar for 2018. One a great trip – especially being looked of the screws in his leg is showing signs
of the main pleas raised at the AGM after so well by Pete and Vikki Mor- of infection, which is what has held
came from Nigel Lavender, asking for combe at Reboot. I had a good long back Hutchy so much. The good news
help with the Forum, as he cannot positive discussion with them about is that he hopes to be at the North
manage both the web pages and the putting on a camping week, touring West 200 in 2018, providing he can
Forum, so something will have to give. the local area and using the fortified find a sponsor.
At the time of writing we have retreat as the base, much like we did in I hope our season finale at yhe
someone waiting in the wings, with the Eiffel Region in Germany. Clocks Back Camp attracts good
the appropriate amount of technical The good news is that they said weather and that the Croyde Bay Long
know-how, so we will keep you posted, ‘Yes’, so we now need to try and orga- Weekender in self-catering, centrally
as we have to do reference checks. As nise it. It will be for 30 people, as the heated cottages inspires a few of you to
we finished this issue, Alan Keill was co- camping area and the full-on catering get involved to meet and ride with an
opted to this post. Ed. will restrict the numbers. An article to amazing group of people.
It has been a particularly busy time keep you informed is being prepared Have a good Christmas and New
for me as it is AGM season for many by Mike and will appear in a future Year – get your 2018 diary ready …
organisations, and as chair of South magazine, so hopefully you can join us and your motor running.
East Region Local Government for on our adventure. Serena Powis
UNISON, two weekends were taken
up working, so The Red Kite Camp Moto Guzzi Mototriciclo 32, 500cc, 1934
over my birthday weekend was a very
welcome break.
We had Peter Hughes stay over too,
on route back from the North Cape.
He really enjoyed seeing so many dif-
ferent Guzzis in one place: very differ-
ent from the bikes he sees Australia.
Thanks to Mandy Games we had
a fantastic ride out around the Elan
Valley, taking in a superb lunch at the
visitor centre and a Red Kite feeding
station. Thanks to Paul, Heinz, Pete
and the masses of helpers – it was a
cracking weekend.
On Monday 2nd October 2017, a
Sara Mawdsley
group of 11 bikes gathered at Ports-
mouth Docks to begin two weeks
of touring that would take us to the
D-Day Beaches, the Cherbourg Pen-
insula, Liberty Highway, the amazing
8 Gambalunga
Chairman This year the accounts were final- bank balance, but from a treasurer’s
If you were unable to ised by the independent accountant perspective a modest annual surplus
attend the AGM then rather later than usual (his delay, not is generally preferable to a deficit, and
you would have missed mine!) and consequently they couldn’t I’m glad to say we achieved a surplus
the request for forward be published in Gambalunga prior to of just over £4,000 in 2016. If you
planning of next year’s the AGM, but everyone who attended study the accounts (of course you do
events. The commit- that splendid gathering did receive a this, don’t you?) it is clear that one
tee holds a planning weekend in the printed copy – which actually resulted of the main factors in creating that
autumn each year – with a bit of luck in some quite detailed queries about surplus was editor Roger’s change to
we try not to clash events but naturally the figures during the AGM itself. One using a less expensive (but equally
dates get changed and clashes happen. of those discussions was about how good) printer for Gambalunga. Many
So, if you are running a meeting, camp much of a financial reserve MGCGB other items naturally vary from year to
or show, or just think something might actually needs, compared with how year, but these variations often tend to
be worth mentioning, then let us much we currently have, and I will be cancel one another out and 2016 was
know: a bit of advanced warning gets giving careful thought to this, as well no exception to that.
more members attending. as taking some expert external advice, If you have any queries on the
First on the calendar for 2018 is the before putting my view to the rest of 2016 accounts, do please contact me
Bristol Classic Bike Show at Shepton the committee. via treasurer@motoguzziclub.co.uk and
Mallet, February 3rd and 4th. If you It is certainly not MGCGB’s mis- I’ll gladly answer you.
fancy showing your pride and joy or sion to accumulate an ever-increasing Martin Churchill
just your everyday bike then let me
know; you will be made very welcome. We hope that you’ve enjoyed your year’s membership and
Also, the large bike jumble may have your six copies of the glorious gallimaufry that is Gambalunga ...
the very item you are searching for. please renew before the end of the year ...
Last year I picked up a brand new pair we’ll miss you if you don’t!
of stainless Moto Guzzi marked silenc-
ers for my Cali for less than half price.
I am presently gathering informa-
tion for recommended sites for camps
or rallies. If you know of somewhere
local to you, or come to that, a place
you have stayed at and think it to be a
great place then let me know. Hope-
fully we will end up with a list that can
be referred to.
On a final note, I was given “The
Biker Guide” last spring, – lots of
useful information in the guide, from
where to stay, spares, events and re-
ports, worth checking out:
www.thebikerguide
Ride safely,
Bob Smith.
Treasurer
Hello everyone, as you
can see, the club’s 2016
finalised accounts are
published elsewhere in
this issue of Gambal-
unga. I find it slightly
odd to write in such arrears about what
now constitutes fairly ancient history,
but that’s just how things are in the
book-keeping world.
November-December 2017 9
Letters
Ronnie replies Good Service more frightened of riding the bike than
I read John Heaven’s letter (last As I have no computer, my good the overhead Japanese planes, which
issue) with interest. As someone who friend, Peter Fielding, of Hilperton, amused him!
does not know me or has known my kindly ordered a pair of ignition coils I was very sorry to learn from his
involvement in MGCGB for some for my V35 II on the internet. They son Matthew’s article that he had
33 years and the Scottish Branch over were promptly supplied to me by My- recently passed away. He was a true
some 25 years, I wish to point out the MotoParts. Within a few minutes of gentleman motorcyclist, whom I had
following and then I will shut up! fitting and running, one coil failed. the honour to know.
I never attend rallies for prizes, but I wrote to them explaining the Simon Beadles
for enjoyment of the marque. I don’t situation and enclosing the faulty coil.
expect the organisers to back-slap They immediately emailed Peter to say The Friendly Club?
each other with awards, it’s down to tha a replacement would be sent to me. It has been stated at previous
the members to thank them, and an As I returned the coil on a Monday, to AGMs (and in Gambalunga) that our
award for “putting most money behind receive the replacement on the Friday club is a friendly group that encourages
the bar” is so ill conceived, when some represents a quite remarkable standard families and young people (possible
attendees struggle with finances to at- of service. future members?)
tend! This is what I meant by my pre- I thought that club members that If this is so, why was it that the
vious comment of “spurious awards”. still used coils should be aware of Guzzi Fest posters printed in Gambal-
I (we) have over the years not the integrity shown by this company unga stated that under 16s were to be
only attended events, but allowed the towards an unknown customer, which charged a rate of £15.00 per person.
branch and club into our home via is much appreciated by him In addition, the Guzzi Summer Camp
events such as, Guzzis in the Garden, John Hill failed to include any mention of under
the 1998 visit of the Norge with all the 16s. Then there was the Red Kite,
involvement, route planning (Edin- The last of the flying aces which supplied an ad for Gambalunga
burgh Castle), accommodating the I first met up with Norman Brock that stated under 16s would be charged
group plus the social gathering in our about eleven years ago when he ap- £5.00. However, the ad when it ap-
village hall. The Guzzi birds charity peared on a brand new red 2006 750ie peared, it read £15.00 per person! This
tour was another we moved out of our Nevada Classic, purchased from Ivan, was despite contact from John Dyer
home for. Loved them all and gave the then sales manager at Motorsport who had supplied the text.
willingly. near Wareham. Could this be one of the reasons
Over my many years of motorcy- Norman was accompanied by his why numbers of young people attend-
cling, karting, sailing, hill climbing and friend Alan Fussell and they had just ing Guzzi events are so small? The Red
castle restoration I have accumulated pulled up outside the George Hotel in Kite had three under-16 year olds who
loads of awards, too many to dust! All West Bay. I immediately gave him a seemed to enjoy themselves like the
a source of pride. Ah, now, that’s my membership form and asked him to do rest of us.
ego massaged. a write up on his Nevada for the club Please could we correct these errors
When I passed on the finances magazine. in future and look at positive ways of
of the Scottish Branch to the current To my surprise his picture appeared including and involving families and
organisers I requested, as a member, an in the December 2012/January 2013 young people at our events and in
annual update of the financial situa- edition then aged 91. He seemed to be Gambalunga?
tion. I have never been given access a very energetic man for his age. We Thanks,
to this, and now, south of the border talked about the RAF during the war, Paul Hartley
don’t expect to be given any. Branch and I related the story of my late father, (On behalf of the Red Kite team)
finances should be made available to a Senior Medical Officer who had been Some of this is down to the editorial
members. posted to Singapore. However, he had team not being able to check and cover
So, many great memories of Guzzi to endure navigating his 1000cc V- every base. We’ll do better in future. Ed.
events, friendships and meeting mem- twin BSA plus a side car full of medical
bers, including our “bike swap” with a supplies around the numerous craters And from the Forum:
Guzzi rider in the USA. caused by the Japanese constantly I learned a few interesting things
Ronnie Leadbitter bombing the airfield, and destroying both from and about my students
This correspondence is closed –Ed. the infrastructure. I told him he was whilst I was teaching at university, a
Please send letters by December 15th for the January-February 2018 issue to the editor (email)
or Mike Howers (typed or handwritten) – contact details on page 3.
Please include your full name,address (even in an email) and membership number (no forum nicknames, please!).
10 Gambalungafew which come to mind, some of
which have already been touched on:
Most young people are skint – their
chances of buying a new motorcycle
are actually pretty slim. Those who
have university degrees are a lot skinter
than those who don’t (you try paying
off that kind of debt at 6% inter-
est). They are also very aware of, and
suspicious of, patterns of commercial
pressure: the need to be tied to a dealer
by advanced un-serviceable technology
is perhaps even less popular than it is
amongst oldies with disposable in-
comes. Hence the custom motorcycle
scene – this is at root about valuing
Editor’s archive
ingenuity above money (out of neces-
sity as much as anything else) – get a
cheap old motorcycle, fix it up as well
as you can, and people will admire you
not for what you have bought (who Start them young!
cares what make it was originally?)
but for the skill you have learned and They would rather learn quietly by form. After all, it’s what you do if you
demonstrated in what you have made trial and error with their friends and have nothing to offer, or no guts to try.
out of it. avoid the nastiness and the bullying. I My feeling is that the Moto Guzzi
The motorcycle industry really know how they feel – and I’m in my Club is not unsympathetic to these
want to tap into this (and several man- 60th year. Over those years I have had ideas at all – Guzzis are a good basis
ufacturers are trying hard) but there more than enough of being sneered at for a custom bike, and most of us have
will always be the money problem. by “engineers” simply for wanting to had to learn skills and patience (and
It’s tough to extract dosh from those learn. The fact that I clearly know my humour) to get the best out of them.
who don’t have it (and even worse own job does not seem to encourage But as things stand at the moment it’s
when your targets start to realise they common decency! up to us to reach out.
can live a good-ish life with very little It has become standard practice However, one-make clubs don’t fit
anyway...). to sneer at hipsters (i.e. the custom this model, and many young people
Having said that, it is logical to as- motorcycle scene). Remember, how- feel pretty wary of many of us oldies,
sume that a lot of young people would ever, that this whole business is about often with good reason.
love to learn what they can from older learning skills and getting on in a dif- There’s probably a lot more which
people – many of us actually have ficult and unwelcoming world. They could be said, but if you want to know
skills they admire and value. So why admire people who are prepared to try what young people think, the best
don’t they join clubs? They are, almost new things, to create new or rediscover thing to do is to actually ask them. The
without exception, heartily sick and old ideas which may be of value. The only danger is that after their initial
tired of old people sneering at them, sneering at hipsters is not generally wariness relaxes they may actually tell
patronising them and telling them they reciprocated – this whole business us - and some of us may not like that
are lazy and stupid whilst withholding could not exist without creativity and at all!
said skills. risk taking, and sneering is seen as bad Ian Brocklebank
Gambalunga Back Numbers
Back numbers are available from December 2004/January 2005 to date with the exception of
February/March 2005 and June/July 2007.
Price £3.50 including p&p (to UK addresses) from Julian Franck, 27 Waterside, Evesham WR11
1BU. Make your cheque payable to Moto Guzzi Club GB. Please contact Julian (julianfranck@
talktalk.net) to enquire about overseas postage or with other queries.
November-December 2017 11AGM 2017
The 2017 Annual general meeting of the Moto but she was glad that their partners still felt able to come
Guzzi Club GB took place at Challow Childrey Cricket to club events and hoped that they felt welcome. She
Club, Wiltshire, on September 23rd 2017. A number of thanked Maureen Rolls for coming all the way from
members chose to camp overnight and make a weekend Norfolk to support the AGM.
of it. Thanks to Jennet Chisholm for taking the minutes Serena thanked committee colleagues for the time
on which this report is based. they put in for the club, and branch organisers for keep-
From the committee, Bob Smith, Jennet Chisholm, ing the club going all over the country, She also thanked
Joe Townsend, Andrew Duckworth, Martin Churchill, Sue Nock for overseeing the branches and Pete Brock-
Serena Powis, Steve Freeman and Nigel Lavender were lehurst for all he has been doing over the years to help
able to attend. Apologies from the following committee the club. Steve Freeman was thanked for the work he has
members were received: Steve Moore, Roger Shufflebot- done to set up the club Facebook page, and Mike Lacey
tom and Julian Franck. In addition, 52 club members for his machine dating services – 409 dating letters!
joined the meeting. Steve Moore was thanked for his efforts on ticket
Bob Smith opened by welcoming all who had come sales, and Jennet Chisholm for taking on storage of the
and thanked them for attending. He also thanked club equipment, as was Richard Bailey (music coordi-
the committee members, both elected and co-opted, nator), Julian Franck (back issues of Gambalunga and
who keep the club running behind the scenes. He also Trade Adverts) and Mike Howers (Gambalunga Edito-
thanked the cricket club and their staff for hosting us. rial Assistant).
The 2016 AGM minutes were approved; there were Martin Churchill, club treasurer, then reported. He
no matters arising from the last AGM. explained some significant points from the 2016 ac-
The members of the committee then offered reports. counts. They had not been published in Gambalunga
Chairman Bob Smith said he’d joined the Italian yet because the independent accountant was late in fi-
Auto Moto Club which, like the BIAMF in Bristol, is nalising them. 2016 memberships appeared down but a
trying to encourage the Italian club ownerships to link new accounting system will fine-tune that for the future.
up. There will be a club stand at the Classic Motorcycle The Committee were reducing costs where they
show in Shepton Mallet, February 2nd-3rd 2018 and can and Roger had made a fantastic saving by reducing
Bob asked for bikes for the stand. Gambalunga printing costs by £3,000. Andrew Duck-
General Secretary Serena Powis reported that 2017 worth was also turning in a healthy profit with regalia.
had been really busy for the club: branches had been Martin explained that he had scaled down use of Nat
very active with events including runs out and camp- West in favour of Nationwide because the latter does not
ing weekends. She flagged up that we have a planning charge for every transaction. There was a net surplus of
meeting in late October so asked that any dates for 2018 £4,277.95 for 2016, and 2017 was looking reasonably
events be passed to the committee now so they can go healthy so far.
in the calendar. She has organised a trip down through Member Dave Impett queried the NABD subscrip-
France staying at Reboot in October, and will assess the tion increase – Martin explained that they did not
venue to see if it is suitable for a foreign camp in 2018. invoice us in the previous year so nothing was paid then.
Serena stressed the need for forward planning for Jim Naylor asked if there was any opportunity for
2021 for the 100th anniversary of the Guzzi Factory. earning a return on the surplus? Martin said any invest-
We do not have any confirmed dates yet but believe it ing of the capital would be subject to risk and he is not
is always the weekend after the Monza Grand Prix. We prepared to start playing the stock market with the club
also need to prepare for the MGCGB 45th Anniversary funds.
the same year. Richard Bailey queried the commission entry. Martin
Serena highlighted the committee vacancies – pri- explained that there is an official Moto Guzzi insurer
marily that of Forum Officer. This needs to be filled scheme and we get commission from their sales.
because the knock-on effect to the other committee Jon Reynolds said that as a club we are not there
members is creating unnecessary workloads. to generate money so perhaps we should not hold that
Serena said that her role is to support the club and amount of money. Martin said we needed a reserve for
it’s members. Sadly, some members had died in 2017 major projects and listed the £21,000 investment in the
12 Gambalungawebsite and database as an example. Bob Smith explained that we had held an extra
Maggi Mather asked whether if interest rates go up committee meeting after the Guzzi Fest to discuss these
would Martin consider a fixed term bond? He said he issues. The list of suitable places was remarkably small
would but is not prepared to risk the club money other- and the good ones are booked up well in advance. North
wise. and South alternatives are being checked out.
Sue Nock asked what was the minimum amount Linda Edwards asked if Baskerville Hall, Clyro would
of operating capital we should have in the bank? Mar- suit? It was thought it was not big enough because the
tin sais that he has not attempted to quantify this but limit had been 100 for the Red Kite Camp. Karen Hart-
will consider it. He said he will prepare a formula for ley said they hold larger bike events there and Nigel Page
the amount of reserve we actually need financially and felt it could take 600. However, Phil Mather thought it
should not touch. A quick rule of thumb should be would be a shame to spoil other events by the Guzzi Fest
double the most recent year’s expenditure. The figure on poaching a venue from an existing event.
the balance sheet of £86,411 is about twice last years’ Membership Secretary Jennet Chisholm reported
expenditure. He will do this for the upcoming planning that we have a total of 1,891 Memberships (1,838 in the
meeting and consult our independent accountant. UK, 39 in Europe and 14 in the rest of the world). This
Phil Mather queried the income generated at the translates to 2,178 members which is 80 fewer than the
Stafford Show. Martin explained that the show pays a same time in 2016. Renewals for 2018 will be starting in
small amount for each bike displayed – this is passed on the November-December Gambalunga.
to the organisers of the stand and the people who show Sue Nock asked if this loss was because we were not
their bikes. getting new members or were losing our existing mem-
Nigel Lavender pointed out that as he is covering all bers. Jennet said that it was a bit of both. In 2016 we
the IT support at the moment, the club is saving a lot of had 293 new members by the AGM and in 2017 there
money, but if the MGCGB had to revert to external IT were 323 so we were 30 up.
support it would be very expensive and the reserve may Steve Freeman, our PRO, had been co-opted onto
be needed were he not to continue in post. the committee and has been doing the job for nine
Social Secretary, Joe Townsend, reported that there months. His big news was that he has built a working
were plenty of events for members to go to through the relationship with Nick Broomhall of Piaggio.
year. The Scottish Rally was a great show and at a super His advertising budget will go up this year because
venue. If we could find something similar in a more there is a lot of interest for the marque in several jour-
central location it would be ideal for the Guzzi Fest. nals. He feels the brand is gaining a foothold again.
He thanked all the branches for their runs out and On the subject of Social Media he reported that there
camping events, particularly West Dorset, Moleys, are 650 members on Facebook – all vetted and screened
Borders and Mid Wales, Wiltshire, Scottish Branches, so they do not bring the club into disrepute. Martin
Danum, Warwickshire, Pennine, and all the people who Churchill asked how many Facebook members are club
had helped at the BIAMF, the MCN Festival in Peter- members but this has not been determined. There are
borough, Goodwood, the Singles Rally, Mallory Park, several links to the club site from the Facebook page and
and the summer camp in Shropshire. the benefits of full club membership are advertised and
He is proposing a week’s tour of the Netherlands encouraged. Steve regularly points people to the club
in 2018 finishing with the MGC Netherlands rally at website, he said
Tienhoven. We held the Guzzi Fest at Lydney for a Our Web Officer, Nigel Lavender, reported that as
second time. Joe said that we knew the site does not David Taylour-Cantrill had stood down as Forum Offi-
meet all our requirements but those that went enjoyed cer, this has caused an enormous increase in his work-
it. It remains to be seen if we return there next year. He load. The forum has a lot more traffic than it used to.
thanked all the volunteers that assisted with the setting Nigel thanked the moderators for the work they did but
up and during the event. stressed that we must fill the Forum Officer post – it can
The Red Kite Camp was a successful event and he be tailored to suit individual skills and even short term
thanked Paul and Karen Hartley and their team for all assistance would be welcome.
their efforts. He also mentioned that we were looking Nigel is now doing the entire website and database
into electronic payment for tickets in the future. development and he said that if no support is forthcom-
Maggi Mather suggested that as the Guzzi Fest is a ing then we may have to shut down the forum for a
lot of work and pressure, that perhaps we could form period.
two groups with a committee member in each to organ- Steve Freeman pointed out that the number of active
ise alternate years so they have a two year run in to each users on the forum can be multiplied by five to include
event? Uki Broker said that we already have a volunteer the ‘lurkers’ who just read the posts.
problem so finding more is unlikely. Additionally, if you Regalia Officer Andrew Duckworth reported that
have two groups, you are losing the expertise and what sales were doing well. He’d turned over £1,800 at the
has been learned from year to year. Jim Naylor felt that Guzzi Fest. New lines included cups, caps with new
we could decide now to go back to Lydney for 2018 and designs, new rugby shirts and back packs, and he has
have a sub committee set up to look ahead to 2019. three or four more new lines coming out. He has been
listening to feedback and understood that we need more
November-December 2017 13A dodgy looking bunch: Joe Townsend, Martin Churchill, Serena Powis, Bob Smith,
Nigel Lavender, Andrew Duckworth, Steve Freeman and Jennet Chisholm
lady’s lines. His partner is assisting him with this. He is plained that if a Risk Assessment is carried out, docu-
also looking at a Swiss Army knife and he is happy for mented and forwarded to Bob Smith, then the event is
any suggestions people might have for new lines. covered by club insurance. Rides out on a public road
Gambalunga Editor Roger Shufflebottom not pres- are covered by each individual’s personal insurance.
ent, submitted a report read by Bob Smith. Roger said Paul Hartley asked about the event template talked
he’d been editing Gambalunga since 2009. He recog- about at 2016 AGM. This was actioned by the commit-
nises that Facebook and the website and forum are often tee at the 2016 Planning Meeting and Joe Townsend has
the first stop for some but he did not often have the put together a guidelines template. Anyone who wants
time to monitor these for material for the magazine. He to run an event can get a copy from Bob. Serena felt it
asked that members give him a heads-up on anything should go in Gambalunga and be available online, too.
that ought to go in the magazine, especially events of in- Paul Hartley asked that if we are a family club that
terest to members, and he welcomed (and indeed begged encourages younger members, then why are we charg-
for) any letters and contributions! ing for them? Serena replied that pricing and age groups
At this point, the existing officers stood down and were decided at AGMs by club members years ago.
presented themselves for re-election. All members were Different coloured wrist bands are issued for adults and
in favour of all the existing post holders continuing, children. Children under 15 are free. 16-18 year olds
with one abstention. pay £15.00.
An informal motion was then proposed by Tony Paul pointed out the price error printed in Gambal-
Warender Harding and seconded by Paul Hartley that unga. This was a printing error and Jennet Chisholm
free MGCGB Membership should be offered with a new said that this had already been addressed at a past com-
bike purchase. Bob Smith explained it was unlikely that mittee meeting and that the editor will in future send
the dealers would back it up. Jennet Chisholm said that adverts back to an organiser for proofreading.
all dealers have club application forms but that we are Linda Edwards said there has been a letter in
relying on them to give them out. Maggi Mather asked Gambalunga in the past saying children should not
if the dealers could stamp the form so we would know be allowed on site. The committee stressed this was a
it was a new purchase but again this would rely on the personal opinion of the letter writer and it was definitely
dealers’ participation. not that of the committee.
Steve Freeman said he was engaging with dealers The meeting closed just after 5.00pm. After the
who are in the V7 and V9 market which is appealing to meeting finished there was a buffet – both standard and
younger riders in the hope of getting them into the club. veggie options were available.
Jon Reynolds said Triumph did a very good follow- Later on in the evening the band, “Silbury Hill” kept
up job with his new purchase. Serena Powis explained people entertained. They went down really well, as did
that the Triumph Club is owned by Triumph so they can the ale. People chatted till late in the evening and even-
get the details. Data protection would not allow dealers tually drifted off to their tents.
to give us the details of who purchased new Guzzis. Sunday morning dawned and for those who ordered,
Peter Broker asked about the club insurance men- the cricket club staff laid on a superb full breakfast. After
tioned in the 2016 AGM minutes. Serena Powis ex- packing up, people headed off home in the sunshine.
14 GambalungaNovember-December 2017 15
Blank page! 16 Gambalunga
RED KITE RALLY
2017
John Dyer
Or, The Alternative Rally ... selection of camper vans this year which, as the club gets
Last year, the RKR (for those who like TLAs – three older, will probably become a regular feature of rally life.
letter acronyms) established its character as an alterna- Being at a rally doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfort-
tive rally, and this year its alternative character came into able, as the rallygoers who elected to stay in the hotel
its own. also found. If it keeps people at rallies, it’s the way to go
It started with the rally badge. No conventional – not everyone enjoys crawling in wet grass at midnight
enamel circle but an individually crafted copper sil- looking for the toilet!
houette of a red kite, made by Llanfynydd’s answer to Another factor in the RKR’s alternative feel is the
Guy Martin, Heinz Cooper, by hand-stamping from a intimate atmosphere. There were around 100 rallyists,
custom-made die. A lot of work and care was required, which means it didn’t suffer from the sometimes soulless
Pictures: Phil Mather and John Dyer
and both of these were evident as the RKR unfolded feeling of some larger rallies. The organisers intend to
over the weekend. On arrival, the reception desk had a keep the numbers low for the future too, so the ambi-
range of interesting literature like the “God’s Service” ence isn’t lost. Loads of old friends, the usual suspects,
survey and a Theresa May dot-to-dot! and a handful of very welcome younger visitors, who
The location is impressive. A manor house (hall?) hopefully will be the next Guzzi generation. Because the
in 100 acres of grounds with a sunken lawn in front camper vans were immediately next to the tents there
for camping, hard standing for the campers, and good wasn’t any gulf between them.
showers and toilets (and a swimming pool!) in the Despite dire predictions, the weather gods behaved
leisure block. The field toilets were suitably “authentic” themselves, and Friday aftenoon and Saturday emerged
too, but the owner says he will upgrade the 15-year- pretty dry, with an odd shortlived spell of drizzle. Cer-
old temporary toilets for next year. The rally saw a fair tainly it wasn’t enough to spoil either of the two ride-
outs, and Saturday evening was as good as you’ll get in
September in Wales.
Catering was handled by the restaurant in the Hall
which did cooked breakfasts and meals, and a burger
van which did much the same but with a few addi-
tions (oatmeal pancakes, anyone?) A lot of people didn’t
bother cooking and again, this may be the pattern for
future rallies.
Friday night was the quiet night, a chance for people
to meet old friends or avoid old enemies. We had the
use of a bar and large room solely for the club, and it
worked well. No entertainment on this night, except the
showing of a film called “Freebird” which was appar-
November-December 2017 17Heinz
Saturday afternoon
saw the Mad Hat-
ter’s Tea Party, which
unfortunately our party
missed, being too late,
but it involved lots
of cake, which can’t
be bad. The night was filled with
various entertainments, from a bellydancer who doubled
as the musical act, a bad jokes competition, a poetry
reading competition, and possibly the highlight, the
Heinz Cooper motorcycle display team who performed
ently a documentary about Welsh bike culture. If I tell a series of incredible stunts (impossible to describe but
you it starred Phil Daniels and Peter Bowles, you’ll get very funny).
the idea. Sunday morning dawned a bit drizzly which later
The following day and night saw a wide variety of developed into a lot drizzly, but it didn’t dampen the
diversions. Two rides out were organised, one going enthusiasm for this rally which seems to be developing
east with Martin Vermiere, and the other going west into the alternative rally for the alternative motorcycle
with Heinz and me. We had one bike break down a club. Huge thanks need to be given to Paul and Karen
few miles from Clyro (suspected coil problem), which Hartley, John Dyer, Heinz Cooper, and a host of people
delayed the group by an hour, which had the unfortu- in the background who made this event so enjoyable.
nate consequence of making it difficult to find anywhere Here’s to the next one.
to have lunch at 2.00pm. Our planned stop was shut
because the owner was
away. The next stop was
closed for a bereave-
ment, but we struck
gold with the Red Lion
in Pontrhydfendigaid,
strongly recommended.
I had a good meal from
everyone else’s leftovers!
Spada brake upgrade
After having bought a scruffy Spada at the Stafford ride it briefly up and down the village like that, it was
Show in October 2015, I decided initially to recommis- clear the whole system would need looking at. This may
sion it and use it for a while until I decided whether to be old-hat to long-term Guzzi fettlers, but a few aspects
keep or sell it. It had been stored for about 15 years so might be of interest to some?
not surprisingly the brakes were all seized. We had to re- The SP has P08 (38mm) calipers at the front, and a
move the pads so it could be moved, and although I did P09 (48mm) at the rear. The smaller ones are common
to quite a few other bikes and it was straightforward
A caliper in pieces
to get genuine Brembo rebuild kits from a choice of
suppliers. The original pistons were steel but the latest
replacements are coated aluminium so hopefully will be
pretty durable. The larger caliper on the rear is less com-
mon but after a bit of hunting around I found the parts,
although not genuine ones. Incidentally the P08 will
fit straight on the rear as the mounting centres are the
same, so a new caliper could have been an option. I am
told the P09 can also go on the front, but mine fouled
the fork leg when I tried it.
The actual strip and rebuild was easy enough, but
I would recommend cracking off the capscrews while
the calipers are still on the bike. They are a funny shape
and not easy to hold in the vice without damaging the
alloy body. I had one capscrew pick up as I was undoing
18 Gambalungait, which damaged the thread in the body. I ran a tap I replaced all of the corroded bleed screws, but the
through to clean up the thread and used a slightly longer one in the proportioning valve sheared off, even though
capscrew to make use of the full thread depth – the I’d soaked it for a couple of days previously. These valves
originals stop short by a few millimetres so there’s some seem to be totally unobtainable now, so before changing
unused thread to compensate for the damaged bit. to a manifold block, I thought I’d try to recover it. Un-
The hardest bit of stripping the calipers was get- der the rubber cover there’s a circlip that holds it all to-
ting the pistons out. I don’t have an air compressor so I gether, so once it was apart I could drill out the remains
used a couple of screwdrivers in the dust seal grooves to of the bleed screw and re-tap, and then replace with
lever them out, making sure to keep them square to the a short M6 capscrew and copper washer. It’s a pretty
bore. Some were easier than others. After that they are simple valve inside and seemed to be in OK condition
straightforward to clean and re-assemble. As with disas- so I was happy to re-fit it once it was all cleaned and put
sembly, put them back on before fully tightening up the together again. The brakes certainly work well now and
capscrews. the MOT man was happy.
I also bought a secondhand front disc to replace the
right-hand one that seemed to be warped. The replace-
ment initially seemed just as bad but when I clocked the
mounting face on the wheel, most of the run-out was
there. By matching the wheel and disc positions I found
the best spot. There are only six positions to check so it
didn’t take too long to do all three discs.
The proportioning valve
New dog-leg lever
Our ‘BEST’ Deal In
Classic Motorcycle Insurance I’ve got quite small hands so I found that the stan-
dard front brake setup was hard to use once the bike
was on the road – a bit too far from the grip, not much
travel and a very wooden feel. Guzziology talks about
this same problem and recommends swapping the PS12
(12.7mm) master cylinder to a PS11 (11mm) unit to al-
ter the ratio. I didn’t have a lot of joy finding out which
Guzzis use this size but typing “Brembo PS11” into
Google led me to brand-new units at Stein-Dinse, with
scanned copies of the Brembo engineering drawings
available via a link. Using those I was able to confirm
Multi-Bike Policies that it should fit, and a quick measurement of the exist-
ing travel adjusted to the revised ratio showed that the
Moto Guzzi Member Discount
dogleg lever shouldn’t foul the throttle grip at the fully-
FREE Breakdown & Recovery applied position. The price seemed very reasonable for a
FREE Agreed Value new, genuine Brembo bit so it was ordered, fitted, brake
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Terms & Conditions apply There were a few other issues to sort out apart from
the brakes, but I did about 1100 miles over the summer
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Ian Pettifor
November-December 2017 19Events
Milano–Taranto,
2nd-8th July 2017
Or, 1,900Km through Italy
on old bikes, Part 2 Bjørn
ø Christiansen (154)
4th July, Stage 2 We left Bjørn in the town of Pisa, just vast fields of wheat
Pisa to Principina Terra, 235km after much fettling of old Italian (for the pasta presumably)
Next morning, no sore heads, metal, at the end of the first stage vines and olive groves.
breakfast and muster for the sec- The roads were just
ond stage. The first stop following of the 2017 Milano-Taranto classic as bad, and away from
our start time of 08:50 was the event. We rejoin him on Stage 2 the flat parts (and this
Museum Piaggio in Pontedera, was most of the time)
which was the old Vespa factory, now displaying an the roads were dappled where the sun shone through
extensive collection of Vespas with some Gileras. Also on the leaves, and it was often impossible to determine the
display were two light aircraft and a rail locomotive, all nature of the surface. Although the Falcone has excellent
fabricated in aluminium. Well worth a visit. suspension for its age, and a sprung saddle, the severe
The weather was becoming extremely hot – we were jolts were rather painful to my old spine. Observing pot-
Pictures: Moto Club Veteran San Martino
beginning to experience the southern Europe heat wave. holes and the like, one could stand up on the footrests,
Even at 10:00 the temperature was some 30°c plus. but sadly this was not always possible.
Much of the traffic for the event is controlled by the Riding behind John on his Saturno it became appar-
local police, and so nice to have the cars stopped so that ent that some oil was being burned, and on checking at
we could ride! the stops, some oil was leaking from the head and barrel.
Only three control points this stage, but with the John had bought the Saturno from a dealer somewhere
usual superb food; I’ve rarely experienced such wonder- north of the midlands, and was assured that the machine
ful salamis. Elevation just up to 475m but the same was in perfect condition having been through their
dreadful surfaces. workshop. We imagined that it had indeed been through
Riding through the Tuscan countryside was absolute- the workshop but must have been pushed in one door
ly sublime; the views from the mountains were stunning, and immediately out of another.
We arrived at the Hotel Fattoria La Principina in
Principina Terra late afternoon. A
quite stunning hotel accessed via its
drive of about two miles!
Check the bike, and only the chain
needed adjustment. It was a new chain
of the gold variety advised by the
“chain man”; seemed good stuff to me.
Part of the oil system on the Falcone
is that there is a bleed off from the oil
return (engine and gearbox is one sys-
tem using straight 40 grade oil) to the
drive chain which works well enough
except that it does get some flung onto
the rear wheel.
Usual splendid evening meal and
wine.
MuseoPiaggio
20 GambalungaYou can also read
