Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

'lWak 95%' 6f tJI.'c!' c!ir~ '(lrl' ~ 'Mad' t e' rrna 6tsei~~s 1 chicR'e1tmg OJ'?f~ VWs throb past us into blind situations only to reappear a few seconds later in one piece and aiming their 40 horses at the next challenge. As we finish~d breakfast, the drizzle that greeted us upon awakening gave way to sunny skies. The two VW vans were loaded with luggage and with 600 miles on the odometer most or us quickly pushed the rpms to 5000. Within two hours we were crossing in to Switzerland, where we had our proof of exportation stamped by the border station and mailed our accessory receipts back to Krauser for a 11% tax refund. The most immediate change in countries was having the red tile roofs of Germany give way to the brown tile of Switzerland. When the Germans or Swiss saw our new bikes, their first question was how many kilometers on the odometer followed by how fast does it go and how much does it cost. You can't imagine the confusion when you have an American that does not speak their. language attempting to convert kilometers into miles and dollars into Deu tschmarks. I noticed some very shocked looks on the part of t,he locals when they received the answers. My kitchen German led me to believe that the bikes cost from $ 1200 to $5100 and they will go anywhere from 60 mph to 220 mph. The next day I would like· to forget. We left Zurich on schedule and followed our Rally course, that is, most of the group did. I found myself 40 miles off course when the first rain drop fell after an hour searching for Bern, a rather large city. for any country to misplace. I had proven that nothing I wore, rain suit et ai, kept out the water. Everytime I shifted gears or hit the binders my toes squished in agonizing cold. I arranged the nigh t before to have the garage attendant in Bern wash 'my -bike, which naturally triggered a drizzle for our departure to Italy. A half hour later, however, the sun was out and the group cleared French customs in a happy mood. I found that if you approach the border with a positive attitude, you are quickly passed through, but if you hesitate, they pull you over for the standard book procedure. Going through the six-mile Moun t Blanc Tunnel, which was cut through a glacier, made me a little homesick for Los Angeles as I encountered the smog and diesel fumes concentrated in the tunnel. Our next checkpOint was in Courmayeur, which took 40 minutes to locate. All the natives we asked seemed to know exactly where it was located, which would be in the opposite direction of the one before. Before leaving, I had my valves adjusted with 1001 miles on the odometer. Michael, the mechanic, kept his eyes on the exhaust pipe discoloration and if the blueing was not the same on both pipes a valve adjustment was due, 'and mine was over-due. I also had the carbs tuned and getting a 45 minu te delayed start, I cranked it on, holding an even 85 mph for IY, hours. It was exhilarating to be passing cars Time out for a Gasthaus break in the castle grounds of Dinkelsbuhl. The courtyard had never seen that many new bikes. on the autostrade for a change. The musicians in their native costumes to window. When I get home I think I'll arrived and now cry with sadness at tune-up made the bi~e a thing alive and entertain us. 'bore out to 950cc. I understand iJieiiew your departure". You can't stay mad on occasion I would run it up to a 100, Following the music, all of us valves will be available later this year or with a sentiment like that. collecting a face mask fulJ of bugs. including the musicians, adjourned to the first of next. The majority arranged to have their A light lunch and I was on my way to Brescia, joining up with others of our the wine cellar. I still shudder at their It was with a sense of relief and bikes serviced in the States by their expertise in handling the grape. freedom when we climbed aboard our local dealers. This decjsion was partly group. The ride took us through a Next morning, the throaty roar of 23 bikes leaving sinking Venice and headed due to tl1e aloof and casual manner of country of tunnels, more than 100 cut BMWs filed out onto the main road. I for Austria. the Gemering dealer. All of us felt we adjacen t to Lake Gardo, which provided was waved out of line by the Baroness, a The R 75 was running pure and the paid a premium for the overseas services us with miles of picturesque viewing. delightful lady in her 60's, who asked if mountain curves were engineered for and accessories, which was probably I was the first through the checkpoint she might join me in a ride to the next cornering at 80 mph. My Honda would true in view of the devaluation of our at Gardone which allowed time to have town 13 miles hence. have left a protesting shower of sparks doUar coupled with the lack of an Italian electric horn mounted on the I was both flattered and surprised, so on each turn. The sharp turns were weU competitive pricing. bike, replacing the uninteresting sound after suggesting she change from her marked with black and white chevrons A couple of notes for the benefit of of the BMW hom. The bike now sounds dress into more suitable attire, we were and there were few surprises with the any of our readers that may be like an Alfa Romeo, commanding all off with my tire tracked helmet firmly exception of a VW passing a truck on a fortunate enough to take this tour: take kinds of atten tion to the poin t of my strapped on her head. curve. My Italian horn woke up the a good rain suit and boots; two pairs of being slightly embarrassed to punch it. My first of many royal commands neighborhood and livestock. A fair gloves, one leather and one vinyl. Buy a I spent the nex t morning explaining amount of German rubber was left on touring bag that straps to your gas tank. was not to go too fast. to the bartender what a "Red Eye" is. As she dismounted, she pronounced the black top after three quick The Japanese make one for about We finally got the tomato juice and beer me a Sterling driver. It was probably the downshifts. $11 and it is easily detached whenever mixed in the right proportion and most difficult twenty-six miles in my I'd been riding over two weeks with you park for any length of time. This before I had finished my glass, the riding career. the group and had never seen all 23 bag held my two cameras, field glasses, bartender had featured this new Italian Our route to Venice was, for the BMWs assembled in one place at one passport, green insurance <;ard, drink on his chalkboard menu. most part, on autostrade. I paid 900 lire time since the day of delivery. chapstick, eye drops, tape, Swedish As we started down the mountains, toll and then settled down to some fast Leaving the lake we headed for knife, cigarettes and nylon tow line. The we enjoyed 50 miles of the ultimate in riding, anxious to see the city of canals. Salzburg and enjoyed the most top of the case holds your map in a bike riding with sharp turns, gen tle Employing the Kraut crouch and rewarding ride to date. No one wanted vinyl see through case and over the curves, switch back and esses. clamping down hard on the damper, I the trip to end and our 50 mph leisurely whole case is a snap on water proof We arrived at the medieval town of held a steady 90 mph running in and pace made the scenery pass by in slow cover. Prissian about four p.m. and in the town out of showers. motion. I recommend two face shields as they center stood Fahlberg Castle, which At one point I challenged a Fiat 125 The girl who validated our owner's scratch fairly easy. I personally prefer to Dita's uncle, Baron Von Thielman, had partially converted into guest rooms. Sport and at 6000 rpm, got a very manual for the 600 miles service we ride without a wind screen and goggles The dungeon and win cellar are still in smooth 100 ml?h. 1). few minute;s o~ IN~ •• , e.f'~i.ved aJ.I!r"ssian ~'V-? il'.reSJ/'l'lse \0, ,sa e.tl> ,e~es,. b\'\ jlf lOp, mp,h.I''i' tpe ,their bri~ll! 'suite' an . 1if ~du'slt 1 Jthe . ·and·I· let the ·1C,at· pass.. 11 can'tif ~ ifie· '11'It eBmplailll' about~ tJ;.,. .raioo,. 1~he' - - aatob8lUtj tho Cxposea'JP'II'IIs.Of,ihcJ.ce 'SYah d d,Q-iahgfcf" for" 20 ( \TYt~\ean kids clapping their hands in the rear angels cried wi th happmeSll) when ;)10'" - ,1c5take "" b.e"tillg ,frJt.m tile!blllgs ..... graMd.

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