at Breganze 2009

[OneThinBloke]

I m Looking at Santander landing and Med route meet you in Monaco Grant. 8) 8)

and maybe I'll be in Monaco at that time too?

I was going to be taking the American Eagle to Breganze via my girlfriend Frankie's place in Monaco this year and then returning via a northern route. Life got in the way 

Jota has been a number of times, RGS a couple of times and it is definately the Eagle's turn to go home for a visit (he has never been back since leaving in 1968).

James

 

[OneThinBloke]

Jeez, John gets about. I didn't know you knew him too James. Although I shouldn't be surprised. He's a gregarious sort of bloke and he worked as a chef at Maurizio's Club Pompone restaurant for a number of years, so he knows a lot of bikers in Europe.

He still has the LM1 that he had in Italy. He used to commute between Tasmania and Italy, working the summers in each country so he had two LM1s - one in Tassie and one in Italy. The bugger probably didn't see a winter for for about 10 years! When he settled in Tassie permanently, he brought over all his bikes from Italy (including the green SF and a couple of Guzzis) which meant he had two LM1s in one place. He kept the "Italian" one with the 950 big bore kit and sold me the "Tasmanian" one.

If you ever get to Tasmania, give me a shout and we'll go and pay John a visit. His man cave doubles as a bike garage and entertainment grotto. It's quite civilised - has a wood fired heater, beer fridge, lounge chairs, stereo. And with him being a chef, there's never a sortage of tasty treats.

Cam

Cam,

I first met John at Maurizio's in the late 90's. Lovely bloke. Met him quite a few times since during his Italian summers! His wife Pina is also delightful, I met her prior to them getting married, they make a great pair.

Was unaware that he had another LM1 in Tassie... His green SF is an absolute peach, sympatico resto.

I will make a proper effort to get down to Tassie next time I am in Oz.

Regards,
James

 

[lemonjelly]

and maybe I'll be in Monaco at that time too?

I was going to be taking the American Eagle to Breganze via my girlfriend Frankie's place in Monaco this year and then returning via a northern route. Life got in the way 

Jota has been a number of times, RGS a couple of times and it is definately the Eagle's turn to go home for a visit (he has never been back since leaving in 1968).

James

Happy to meet up Mr Bond

LJ

 

[thomas@hauge.net]

Thanks for posting, Cape.
It is on the bucket list to take my bike down there for a pilgrimage.
I reckon it?ll have to be Autozug though, a mean long way from here for my old bones.

we can load the bikes in my trailer

 

[sfcpiet]

Well bugger me. The bloke in the right foreground in the red cap and holding a blue drink bottle is John from Tasmania!
He owns a very nice green drum brake SF (among other things). I bought my Guzzi LM1 from him.

Small world eh?

Cam

Yeah,

Had a couple of beers with John after the event, watching the football (soccer) at the Cafe Central before heading off home alone.  Needed to wait till late Sunday afternoon, too hot earlier.  Great ride, all the way to Trento in the shade of a mountain range, a couple of km autostrada, over the old Brenner pass, past Innsbruck, over the Fernpass to Reutte, then on the Autobahn.  1100km in a bit over 9 hours...

I first met John when he worked at Maurizios' place and lived in the same village as Bippo, Maurizios' brother-in-law, whom I was visiting.  The Lemon looked rather tatty at the time (or was it just dirty?).

piet

 

[Dellortoman]

G'day Piet.

I stayed with John for a week in 2003, when he was living in that village (Fonte?). I think Bippo actually owned the unit that John was living in. John very generously lent me the Lemon, on which I explored some of the great roads in the mountains. Unlike Lothar, I did the Monte Grappa road without falling off  .

The Lemon had a bit of "patina" then but was mechanically good. Since he brought it back to Tassie it's undergone some cosmetic surgery and now looks a million bucks.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Jota Rob]

Happy days, glad you noticed me in that clip too 

I was sitting quietly outside a cafe having a drink when someone asked me if I'd like to warm up their bike for them. I'd met Pierro just the day before at Adria circuit.

Must get down there again, even it if costs a fortune to do it.

 

[OneThinBloke]

Happy days, glad you noticed me in that clip too 

I was sitting quietly outside a cafe having a drink when someone asked me if I'd like to warm up their bike for them. I'd met Pierro just the day before at Adria circuit.

Must get down there again, even it if costs a fortune to do it.

cheaper than racing

Ah, happy days...

You were so proud in showing your sat nav highest speed at 149 mph complete with luggage en route

Happy days indeed.

James

 

[laverdakeith]

Me and Stevio spent the night at Johns place in 2007, he had cooked the most fantastic lamb at Maurizios. Top bloke.


    Keith

 

[Laverdalothar]

... Unlike Lothar, I did the Monte Grappa road without falling off  ...

Don't remind me, please...  >

I suppose there wasn't a Truck in front of you smashing roughly 20 - 30 Liters of Diesel into one of the 180? turns, right?  >

Cost me a new fairing, a repair and re-painting of the tank and some other things...  >

 

[Jota Rob]

cheaper than racing

Ah, happy days...

You were so proud in showing your sat nav highest speed at 149 mph complete with luggage en route

Happy days indeed.

James

Probably about the same cost for a weekend Why not do both ?  Great memories :
Going up the Passo Rombo on reserve and wondering if I was going to starve to death at the top, with a dead bike. Running through Austria with no alternator charge, lights off, 8 volts and having to push start after 4 hotels wouldn't take me in. I was starting to take it personally until I got angry at the 5th one and they had a room....what seriously you have a room ??? oh ok thanks.