Author Topic: Johnr's Bike Surfaces. (Read 9851 times)

Muzz · « **on:** July 19, 2020, 04:25:18 PM »

Last night I got a message from Steamdriven (Kev) who told me that a guy on the Guzzi Riders NZ Facebook page had picked up this Cali. Von Crump linked it all in and of course Kev was part of the Reprobate Gang that originally fitted it.

For those that don't know, John had purchased a hydro after selling his beloved Rocketship (BSA Rocket lll) Recalled twice and botched badly so it blew. A group here on WG got a V11 motor organised and sent over, a truly amazing effort. Pete Roper paid his own way over from OZ, Kev and myself drove down to Invercargill and over the next week shoehorned it in. No, it definitely wasn't a straight swap.

When the Tattley Rappet Rally was held in Invercargill I rode down and went with John to get the necessary Warrant of Fitness to be road legal. Something went wrong and while I was following him the whole street disappeared in a dense cloud of white smoke and the CaliSport ground to a halt. We ended up doing the rally on the Breva; John was over 16stone and over 6 foot. I am a svelte 11 stone but the little Breva did us proud.

John did not keep the best of health after two heart attacks, and as a result was on the bones of his arse financially. He did research which tended to show the problem could be in the mis-matched breather systems but he never got around to stripping it down to see what damage there was.

The guy Ricky Stewart that bought it is known to me, the IMOC rep down South and a Guzzi fanatic with a most immaculate green loop. He bought it home on Saturday and already has the heads off. So far all looks good. If the rods aren't bent I don't think there will be anything wrong with it.

Motor is from a V11, courtesy (I think) Eldojohn. KevM played a large part, Nick in PRC, also known as "Commie Nick" (deceased) packed it up and shipped it over. Many others donated parts for sale and donated the proceeds. It truly was a magnificent effort from an "eclectic

" group of guys joined by a love (or hate

) of a marque that seems to bring out a passion that other marques fail to do. The saga will be in either the 2011 or 2012 archives.

Will try to keep all informed as I find out how Ricky is doing on it.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2020, 06:24:04 PM »

That would a great tribute to John .

Dusty

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2020, 06:31:41 PM »

Quote

Motor is from a V11, courtesy (I think) Eldojohn. KevM played a large part, Nick in PRC, also known as "Commie Nick" (deceased) packed it up and shipped it over. Many others donated parts for sale and donated the proceeds. It truly was a magnificent effort from an "eclectic " group of guys joined by a love (or hate ) of a marque that seems to bring out a passion that other marques fail to do. The saga will be in either the 2011 or 2012 archives.

Right.. Eldo Jon. Nick was working for Mark at MG Classics at the time. I saw the engine as it was being boxed up at Mark's place. Yes. It was a labor of love and no small expense to get it over there.
I *love* Moto Guzzi people..

Kev m · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2020, 06:58:23 PM »

I really hope he gets it going. That would be a nice finish to the tale.

Muzz · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2020, 08:30:31 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on July 19, 2020, 06:31:41 PM

Right.. Eldo Jon. Nick was working for Mark at MG Classics at the time. I saw the engine as it was being boxed up at Mark's place. Yes. It was a labor of love and no small expense to get it over there.
I *love* Moto Guzzi people..

Me too Chuck, me too.

Muzz · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2020, 08:33:51 PM »

Quote from: Kev m on July 19, 2020, 06:58:23 PM

I really hope he gets it going. That would be a nice finish to the tale.

I'm sure he will Kev. He is an absolute Guzzi nut and his loop his absolutely beautiful.. It was my pick for the "best bike" award on the last Tattley Rappet rally.

I have asked him to give me updates so that I can pass them on.

Muzz · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2020, 09:29:35 PM »

Even better!. Just had a phone call from Ricky and he will be joining WG and be able to give updates first hand.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2020, 09:50:12 PM »

Quote from: Muzz on July 19, 2020, 09:29:35 PM

Even better!. Just had a phone call from Ricky and he will be joining WG and be able to give updates first hand.

Keeps me from making the suggestion , good job mate .

Dusty

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2020, 04:52:21 PM »

Hi,All
My Names Ricky and i have John's bike.Thank you have letting me join the group.
As Muzz has said i already have it home and the heads and barrels off and everything looks really good in there.
So i'll put it all back together ( parts already on there way.) and start looking at the breather system and work my way through what i find from there.
I purchased the bike from John's sister who had been reluctant to sell but as she lives 1000kms away in Wellington and it was stored in Invercargill(In a shipping container)Not the best place for a motorcycle in southland in winter.The offers she had had before i contacted her planned to strip it.So i agreed to pay the same as highest offer and would try my best to get it back on the road.
I had the pleasure of meeting John at the Tattley rappet rally in Invercargill and hope i can finish his dream.
She joins a '71 Ambassador and a '89 Lemans 1000.Plus a couple of other italians.
Thanks again and i'll keep you all posted along the way and maybe sing out for advice if i get stuck
Ricky

oldbike54 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2020, 05:05:44 PM »

^^^Welcome Ricky , keep us apprised please .

Are you an OKC Thunder fan like Muzz ?

Dusty

Muzz · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2020, 05:23:57 PM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on July 20, 2020, 05:05:44 PM

^^^Welcome Ricky , keep us apprised please .

Are you an OKC Thunder fan like Muzz ?

Dusty

Read the Steven Adams link there Ricky.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2020, 05:30:42 PM »

Hiya, Ricky!

I'm glad to see it is in good hands. There was a fair amount of collaborative effort to make it all happen, and it sounds like you are the guy to get it going. I'm facing the West and wishing John a good trip as we speak.

Kev m · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2020, 08:24:01 PM »

Quote from: Guzzikiwi on July 20, 2020, 04:52:21 PM

Hi,All
My Names Ricky and i have John's bike.Thank you have letting me join the group.
As Muzz has said i already have it home and the heads and barrels off and everything looks really good in there.
So i'll put it all back together ( parts already on there way.) and start looking at the breather system and work my way through what i find from there.
I purchased the bike from John's sister who had been reluctant to sell but as she lives 1000kms away in Wellington and it was stored in Invercargill(In a shipping container)Not the best place for a motorcycle in southland in winter.The offers she had had before i contacted her planned to strip it.So i agreed to pay the same as highest offer and would try my best to get it back on the road.
I had the pleasure of meeting John at the Tattley rappet rally in Invercargill and hope i can finish his dream.
She joins a '71 Ambassador and a '89 Lemans 1000.Plus a couple of other italians.
Thanks again and i'll keep you all posted along the way and maybe sing out for advice if i get stuck
Ricky

Muzz · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2020, 12:49:29 AM »

Time for a bump. Information has been leaked......

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2020, 04:31:10 PM »

Hi, All.
Thank you for the welcome,
Quick update. We had snow here on Thursday. So I spent the day in the frickn cold shed but it was worth it.
Firstly I cleaned up the top end ready for reassembly (Hopefully next

weekend if the parts all arrive this week)
Then I pulled the breather system apart and found the big breather full of nice new oil. After trying to get the hose out with out getting it everywhere.Which was a fail. I pulled the breather tube out and the ball was corroded to the bottom of the tube.It took a good push to get it free. I've soaked it and cleaned it up and its still soaking in Inox but will try and source a new one this week otherwise it will do till a can get another from overseas. I wish I had known John was having these problems all those years ago. I would of rather been in there doing this for him instead of now. Makes me fell sad just thinking about it.I only live 35 kms from where he did.
Yesterday I set about replacing the wires from the little fire. I've only got one cable left and that's done. I've got new fuel and breather hose there to replace all them all as well as the plug leads.
So come start up day we will be all fresh and ready to ride.(Just a bit more polishing also).
Thanks Ricky.

Muzz · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2020, 05:22:08 PM »

I saw on Guzzi Rider you were after a seat for a Cali/EV Ricky.

Has that one deteriorated in storage or is it for another bike?

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2020, 02:04:58 AM »

Yes its started to go along the bottom edge on both sides where it stretches around the corners and along the back below the guzzi emblem.I'll have it recovered if i cant find a nice one the same.I've finished the wiring,New plug leads and replaced the fuel lines this afternoon.She's getting close.

smdl · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2020, 02:55:53 AM »

Amazing! I thought about johnr and this bike for the first time in years, just about 10 days ago. Naturally, I was wondering what happened to both, and was planning to post, at some point, to ask. Then, this evening, I see this thread! Strange the way things happen sometimes!

Looking forward to hearing about this bike getting on the road, where it belongs.

RIP, John. It was a pleasure to know you, if only online.

Cheers,
Shaun

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2020, 01:12:11 AM »

Hi, All
Quick update
I reassembled the top end yesterday and after sorting a stuck valve in the fuel shut off and a quick googe to bypass the sidestand switch. She fired into life and smoked like a bugga till she burnt off all the oil in the mufflers. Then I took her up and down the road and she pulled like a train. So fingers x she's alive and well again. I'll finish cleaning her up put a new tire on the back and she will be ready to Revin back onto the road. Really for lots of kms.
I'll add photos when I work out how
Thanks Ricky

oldbike54 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2020, 05:31:23 AM »

Somewhere our old Mate John Rice is smiling .

Dusty

Muzz · « **Reply #20 on:** August 03, 2020, 08:39:56 PM »

And not the only one Dusty.

Ricky did say it was on a par with his hot Mk V. Considering it still has the smaller Cali throttle bodies on it (I don't think John got around to changing them) I suspect that that ain't too bad!

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #21 on:** August 07, 2020, 03:58:31 AM »

Hi ,All
Well today I got the Cali-sport revined and back on the road.
Now as soon as we get some decent weather i'll get out and put some kms on her.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 07, 2020, 07:00:03 AM »

Invercargill is a bit damp in the Winter

We will need some pictures and a ride report please . Thanks

Dusty

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #23 on:** August 07, 2020, 09:56:40 AM »

Hi,Dusty
Ive taken a few photos along the way so far.
I'll post some as soon as i load them onto my laptop and work out how to post them.
Thanks Ricky

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #24 on:** August 07, 2020, 10:11:23 AM »

Ive changed my profile pic to one from yesterday.

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #25 on:** August 09, 2020, 02:36:48 AM »

Guzzikiwi · « **Reply #26 on:** August 09, 2020, 02:39:42 AM »

Tom · « **Reply #27 on:** August 09, 2020, 03:05:50 AM »

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #28 on:** August 09, 2020, 05:50:09 AM »

Nice work..

Lannis · « **Reply #29 on:** August 09, 2020, 07:14:49 AM »

Stories never end, they just evolve and carry on.

Thanks for carrying this one on!!

Lannis

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Author Topic: Johnr's Bike Surfaces. (Read 9851 times)

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