English tourists on a fantastic bike

**DougB** · 27th January 2011, 20:07

A charming English couple are seeing the World from the seat of a 1970's Moto Guzzi, they have come across Europe to Mongolia and after a couple of months in Japan are on a two month tour of New Zealand. They are then off to Australia and South America.

Check out http://www.guzzioverland.co.uk/ In their blog click on the headings for a full report.

**Motu** · 27th January 2011, 20:40

I saw it in Pirongia last month - it had a roof on!

**DougB** · 28th January 2011, 11:18

Their much modified Guzzi Spada is truly amaziing - fitted with a roof, a winch, cooking pots on the cylinders, outrigger wheels that can be fitted in icy or muddy conditions, and chains for the wheels etc etc. In Mongolia when their drive shaft broke, they got a lift from a passing truck driver to the next civilization, they used the winch on the bike to load it.

At my place about a week ago a new bottom steering yoke was fitted. This involved stripping allot of stuff off the Guzzi to get at the parts. The holes had to be machined a little bigger to suit. Kevin learned how to use the boring head on my milling machine.

New back wheel bearings were fitted and new spacing washers made for them and fitted as were new steering head bearings.

Two gel batteries are fitted and new keys to turm them on and off were made to replace lost ones.

The side stand needed repair as the shippers from Japan had tied it down on its side stand.

A new wind screen was fitted.

Oil cooler repositioned and solid front mudguard fitted.

Cooking pots repositioned on the cylinder tops. They seem to work better there than on the exhaust pipes.

Several parts of the luggage carriers were modified or strengthened.

Karen fitted new back brake pads.

Plus allot of minor adjustments such as amp meter connections cleaned.

Not done
The clothes ringer needed better rollers. Karen does not like wringing out
the washing by hand. (Yes the bike has a ringer fitted - part of the cross bow mounting.)

**Paul in NZ** · 28th January 2011, 11:22

Bloody hell - thank goodness for the English and their charming ways....

**nadroj** · 28th January 2011, 19:22

Currently camping in Tolaga Bay. About to have a drink with them.

**\m/** · 28th January 2011, 19:42

Saw their bike in the main street of Raglan a month ago. There were a few 200-250cc dual purpose bikes parked with it too.

**DougB** · 26th February 2011, 16:44

Kev and Karen were in Chrstchurch during the earthquake. Their bike came of its centre stand but luckly their side stand was down and the bike came to rest on it.
They we unharmed.