Neither Matt nor I can remember whose idea this was so I'm blaming him.
The plan was to freight 2 racing Vespas down to Jim's place in Invercargill and race them at The Burt Munro Challenge. We would ride there and back. him from Wellington and me from Auckland. I'm not racing. Just there for the ride and the spectacle.
Here's the link to the event: http://www.burtmunrochallenge.co.nz/
His plan was foiled by the big earthquake that struck the South Island. Train tracks and main roads were closed so freighting the bikes was out of the question. The event was still to be held regardless. So I rode to Wellington.
Matt reckoned beforehand he was taking a Malossi 210 or sommit so I decided to take my standard px200 in favour of the trusty old 150 Sprint. Turns out the Malossi had developed a "rattly piston" and was rooted. Hmmm. Plan B. An Indian NV150Spl he had bought the week before for $500 looked the best option as time was pretty tight. It had been sitting for 9 years but seemed ok apart from slipping a bit in 1st gear.
I'll just post some photos and caption them as we go. All taken on my cellphone. I'll do it in parts as can only post limited photos per "New Topic"
I'll leave out Auckland to Wellington as it was just me and not very interesting. Here we go.
Oil change carb clean, tubes and tyres, adjust cables etc and she was ready to go. And a SIP Road 2 exhaust
"Whats that other motor on the ground there maaaate?"
"That's a 175 Quattrini"
"Just strap the fucker to the floor boards and ride it down. quick engine swap and you're racing. Piece of piss"
"Yeah ok, I've carried a m
And so he does and we are sweet.
"The tube bag is working great as my wind deflector"
Somewhere near Blenheim "It nipped up a bit" So Matt drilled out the jets under the comfort of a hermasporia tree. "'bout same jets as a px200 now'
All is well and we enjoy good weather at the "High Alpine Lakes"
We are tenting it the whole time on this trip. Great spot by the river at Murchison with a fire to cook on
Can hear the river flowing in the background
Fush & Chups at Hokitika on the wild west coast
Stop for a change into wet weathers as we ascend into the alps on the way to Franz Joseph Glacier
A roadside coffee caravan in the middle of nowhere had the loudest generator known to man
Prolly half way there? If you like mountains and lakes this is place
Sunset at Wanaka. Bikes both running well. I believe we hit the giddy heights of 90km/h today.
A million moths per square metre. Never seen anything like it. Burnt some dinner on the primus and stared at the stars.
Zero light pollution. Matt didn't believe I saw a UFO
Lenticular clouds above the old Fuckmaster General's Office at Kingston at the bottom of Lake Whakatipu, Great road from Queenstown through "The Devil's Staircase". Opened up the "Big Block" and had a race with an adventure bike arou
Crazy sunset at the campground. Matt is watching "An officer and a gentleman" for his 100th time in the games room. I go up the road to the pub.
It stays light pretty late down here. Invercargill tomorrow!
Invercargill at last. Matt admires Burts other bike. Over 70 classic race bikes inside E. Hayes Hardware on the main drag.
