A Waterbus, a Guzzi and Home Early Racers

 

 It's not everyday one gets to ride a Moto Guzzi. Last Sunday was the day for me I can remember the first Two Wheels magazine I bought at the tender age 16 had a test on a Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. It certainly captured my imagination with the tester raving about its exceptional handling and lopping engine. The thoughts were slotted away as like many others at the time our riding careers began on machinery from the east. Fast forward to now and I finally got to ride one courtesy of Dave R. He has a 1989 Moto Guzzi Le Mans that he has owned for a number of years. It is a proud inheritor of the V7 heritage I read about all those years ago and with much anticipation I threw my leg over its saddle and pushed the button.

Watching me climb onto the bike were a few of the crew who had turned up for a little wander around the countryside and a good coffee or tea along the way. Warren was on his XJ900, Gary A on his BMW, Dave J on his TransAlp, Rich on his Vstrom, and Stuart out on his Waterbus, Ray on his new Trumpet and yours truly on the GSR. A very eclectic bunch, but a spin around the Stanway loop seemed to suit everyone. We headed out through Colyton and onto our first stop at Stanway. It was here that Dave and I swapped keys and I got to hear up close the infamous rattly tappets up close and personal. This was preceded by what seemed like a struggling battery or starter motor turning over two rather large 500 cc pistons. Once fired up she settled into an even idle.

Blipping the throttle at rest introduced a gentle side to side swaying motion and with clutch pulled in first gear was engaged with a clunk and then we were off. The first sensation echoed the what the Two Wheels magazine said all those years ago. That was the unfussed and lopping engine and as I went through a few more corners the easy handling. For a bike of this vintage the brakes weren't to bad either. As I settled into the bike those two big pistons revolving at just over 3000rpm had the speedo reading close to 110 kmh and with its comfy seat thoughts of relaxed hours in the saddle riding to far off places crossed one's mind. A shaft drive out the back also adds to that thought. All to soon it came to an end as we pulled up to the Woolshed Cafe in Sanson and Dave and I swapped over our keys. Thanks for the ride Dave.

The Woolshed Cafe was a busy place and it is so good to see these businesses back up and running after the Covid lockdown. They have great quality food and beverages and after the body refuel it was time to head home with a small diversion to Manfeild. Dion and Kim were making their first foray back out onto the track so some of us thought we might pop over and see how things were going. Dave decided to seek another Guzzi convert and handed his keys over to Warren for the run from the Woolshed to the track. By the time he dismounted the bike he was eloquent about how different it was to his XJ900. When I left them Warren was still processing it. In the meantime we headed off to find the lads only to find Jamie by himself in the pits.

He said he had been having a great morning on his VFR400, but not so the lads. Tales of nipped up and seized pistons had questions being asked about lawnmower fuel being used mistakingly? Jamie had his own tale of woh around electrical meltdowns on a new bike(new old bike), miles from home, on your own, no cellphone coverage and trying to get a lift from the locals. Safety in numbers, especially on old bikes! It was also great to see Max out enjoying the ride day on his RZ250. He said he was having a great time and the edges of his tyres would attest to that! 

Reflecting on the ride I was thinking about Stuart who has only just sorted out the restoration of his 1972 Suzuki GT750J. It was running beautifully after fettling out a few problems with the motor. His bike is exactly the same as one I had back in the seventies and it was as the GT in its name suggests very much a grand tourer. I loved its smooth motor and luxurious wafting down the road. I didn't like its weight and limited ground clearance. However, at the time it was for me the ultimate touring motorcycle and it carried me to many great places around the country and now its wonderful riot of chrome and candy colours speaks of a different time when Japanese bikes began to dominate the market.

Bombed by a weather bomb

 

Our end of month ride for September was a day early on the Saturday due to a well forcasted weather bomb. Just as well to as it really was a great storm on the Sunday and would have been an extremely unpleasant outing. We decided to meet at Memorial Park due to the Saturday congestion at our usual meeting spot. There was only one bike amongst us that qualified as a Japanese Classic, Sir Als Honda TransAlp. (15 years or older) To keep Al company was Ray on his new Triumph Tiger, Bruce S on his Ducati 848 and yours truly on a Suzuki GSR 750.

Our route for the morning was to be the Apiti loop with a stop off in Kimbolton for refreshments. The ride up Pohangina Valley was accompanied with all the usual spring sights of daffodils, lambs and blossoms as we made our way to the first stop in Apiti. We were soon on the way with yours truly cracking a few hips and knees to fit onto Bruce's Ducati. What a hoot. Great handling, great brakes and plenty of get up and go. I wouldn't want to ride it to Auckland (or Taupo for that matter) but shorter runs around the countryside would definitely be manageable. The vee twins certainly are a great configuration for a motorcycle. 

After peeling myself off the bike at Kimbolton we popped into Hansen's for a cuppa and some kai. It is a really popular place and you can see why with great quality food. After a leisurely feed we made our way down the road and saw more spring things and thoughts of more time in the saddle in the days ahead as summer gets closer! 

PS I hear through the grapevine more classics will be coming out from winter hibernation and workshops shortly as the weather warms up.

Blue Haze Climate Change Event Near Foxton

 

Our end of month rides are becoming memorable occasions. It looks as though our end of month ride last weekend left a temporary 'mark' on the landscape near the Foxton town boundary. It was our last opportunity to have a winter ride before the more temperate spring arrives to ease us into the summer riding season. Despite the strong winds, a dense cloud (localised weather event?) was seen in the vicinity of the cemetery as we made our way towards the metropolis of Foxton. It was the two strokes amongst our group with Bruce S on his RG500 apparently being the main culprit with Sir Al and Warren feigning there bikes were running nice and clean. 

This all began at our usual departure point at Andrew Young St. By the time everyone arrived, there were twelve of us on an assortment of bikes. With our focus on classic Japanese bikes and two strokes it was pleasing to see the as mentioned bikes of Bruce S on his RG500, Warren with his GT 380 and Sir Al giving the H2 another spin. Great to see Gary A bringing the CX500 out and Dave J showing up on his very smart VFR800. Dave R was out on his Guzzi Le Mans and Ray had his Tiger 800. Stuart was out on the KLE 500 whilst his Waterbus is being sorted out. Ian had his Yamaha Vmax hotrod out with Bruce A adding a few more kays onto his BMW GS. Rich had his Vstrom out for another spin and yours truly having another run on the GSR. 

Stuart took the lead as we decided on a trip to Foxton through the 'Oroua Maze'. After making our way out to Mt Stewart, we hung a left at the top and  began our zig zag down to Foxton. The number of roads and farms is certainly a sign of how productive our river plains are with a side benefit of providing us with some very interesting countryside to travel through. One of the places we passed by was the Taikorea MX track run by Paul Whibley. It was definitely a very busy place with the car park full of vehicles and trailers. i am sure there are some future Blue Hazers amongst them!  

Our destination was Sam's Bakery and Cafe on State Highway One. It started out as a Big Tex restaurant many years ago and then went through a number owners until it was vacant for a while. It recently reopened and judging by the patronage it looks like the locals are really supporting it. They had plenty of room for our group and after a good natter we headed back out to our bikes and headed home. Some travelled back via Shannon whilst others headed back the way we came. 

It was a great turnout and role on next months end of month ride.

Another spin on Als H2!

 

Last months club ride saw a great turnout. The roll call was:

Gary A  Honda CX500

Dave J  Honda GB500

Sir Al  Kawasaki 750 H2

Max Yamaha  RZ 250

Graham  Yamaha TR1 1000

Warren T Suzuki RGV T 250

Ian Yamaha VMax 1200

Warren Yamaha XJ900

Stuart Kawasaki KLE 500

Brian Suzuki 650 Freewind

Kenny BMW 1150 Rockster

Dave R Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans

Rich Suzuki Vstrom 650

Ray Triumph Tiger 800

Gary W Suzuki GSR 750

Our destination for the morning was to be Dannevirke via the Saddle Road and along Top Grass Road. Our return journey was to be via Tui Central to view a car show that promised to be interesting. It was a great winters day and after the 60km crawl over the Saddle Road we were soon in the groove hugging the Ruahine Ranges as we went the 'back way' to Dannevirke. After finding out our usual cafe was closed we headed off to the other end of town and found a couple of eateries and spent a very pleasant wee while chatting about all sorts of things in the winter sun. 

With some of the crew needing to head back to town we headed south with some taking the direct route back to the Manawatu whilst the rest of us decided to head for Tui Central in Mangatainoka to check out a car show. Sir Al and yours truly swapped bikes, so I got to ride his H2 again. What a wonderful old bike to ride. It's reputation as being a handful at speed is I am sure well earned, but when not ridden in anger it is a lovely docile bike that belies its nearly fifty year age. Sir Al's bike is well sorted with its suspension and engine performing remarkably well and whilst the the front brake feels a little wooden, back in its day it was a great performer. I am certainly looking forward to getting the mighty T500 out as company for Als bike in the near future. 

All to soon we swapped back to our regular steeds after turning off at Oringi to take the long way to Tui Central. We are certainly lucky to have a variety of roads on our doorstep that go through an ever changing landscape of farms, rivers and hills. Whilst some care is needed with wayward livestock some great roads provide a steady stream of straights and curves to focus the mind to be in the moment and not elsewhere. After a nice chunk of zen moments we arrived at Tui central a little lat e but just in time to hear the departing rumble of some big block V8s and rotary motors hitting their rev limiters as they broke traction down Mangatainoka's main street. We heard that there will be a similar motorcycle event in October so word is maybe we should set up a VJMC section; banner and all?

With the days getting longer and springr approaching it looks like there is some keen interest in getting out and about on our bikes. Word is that we should be seeing a few more classic chromies and post classic bikes emerging from garages after hibernation, restoration or repairs. Can't wait