Moto Pistons Picos Rally/ Airhead

[Wrigsby1]

So... There's a late old V reg one out there with what looks like a heavy flywheel engine, spoked wheels, later brakes... Do you think that could swing it as V ran from 79... Seems to be a "transition" on a few bikes 79 through 80/81 with a mix of different parts...

 

[Wrigsby1]

PS... Also can the experts tell me when BM Airheads went unleaded friendly...?

 

[Steptoe]

I did the 2011 Moto Piston Rally on my 1978 Moto Guzzi California .. another ride report where all the pictures have disappeared

Thread 'New Boots and pants to Los Pistoneros, pour favour.'

Oct 22, 2011

A ride abroad has it's own special needs - new boots and pants.

Technically the boots aren't new. Just my old faithful fully waterproof timberlands with a new set of soles, thicker and more grippy than the previous soles.
But the pants are new, in a selection of monochrome colours (is monochrome a colour ?) , from black to grey and a greyer grey.
And hopefully they won't show the thick rich skidmarks that are possible from eating greasy foreign food and sitting on my sweaty arse all day riding and having to use garage kharzis.

.

Clothing...

• Steptoe
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Motorcycle trips

 

[Wrigsby1]

I did the 2011 Moto Piston Rally on my 1978 Moto Guzzi California .. another ride report where all the pictures have disappeared

Thread 'New Boots and pants to Los Pistoneros, pour favour.'

Oct 22, 2011

A ride abroad has it's own special needs - new boots and pants.

Technically the boots aren't new. Just my old faithful fully waterproof timberlands with a new set of soles, thicker and more grippy than the previous soles.
But the pants are new, in a selection of monochrome colours (is monochrome a colour ?) , from black to grey and a greyer grey.
And hopefully they won't show the thick rich skidmarks that are possible from eating greasy foreign food and sitting on my sweaty arse all day riding and having to use garage kharzis.

.

Clothing...

• Steptoe
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Motorcycle trips

Great write up... Good old days of all round piss taking... If I go the 25ft lead will be a must...

 

[Number 6]

So... Its been a quiet year for touring after a move from Shetland to the Mainland. Ironically I managed more tours round the UK while living on an island for 19 years than the 1st year off...

So after a recent article in Classic Bike I fancy the Moto Pistons Picos gathering and especially the 5000 curves... Toured there 20 odd years ago and still my biking heaven... There rule is pre 1980 so I'm down to heavy flywheel airheads and am watching a couple, especially a very well modded one that looks the biz but is a fair bit more than my mental budget...
I'm a sucker for RT's but they were only just out in 79 so it's a very limited market... My Airhead ownership has been Mono's or a Para R but this is outwith the rules...
So, am I buying up for the best I can get but one that will need a screen for distance or holding out, or just going there on a later one at another time...?
My plan is to ride it end to end and make a proper tour out of it so UK/France as well...
Any feedback from previous attendees would be greatly appreciated...

I went in 2011, it was a great event based in the hotel in the Hotel Santemar in Santander. Packed lunches were provided on all the ride out days but I didn't do the 5000 Curves as I couldn't be arsed getting out of bed for the early start. There was plenty to see and do besides riding too.

I went on this, rode it all the way there and back as most people did.



Lots of interesting bikes waiting at Portsmouth for the ferry including this home-made Velocette V twin, bloody beautiful it was.





Hundreds of bikes based at the hotel.










Stunning scenery.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Thanks, that's great info and lovely pics... Whatever happens, I need a trip back to the Picos...! Love the well used Vincent's...

 

[xsgraham]

Definitely interested in participating in this one year in the not too distant future. I was in the Picos last summer (2024) on my old Le Mans which would have just qualified, being a 1980 MkII. I rode with a group of new bikes and enjoyed the fact that one or two of them couldn't keep up on the twisties.

On day 3 I burnt out a coil close to our base in Potes The local chainsaw / quad / tractor shop were stars and contacted someone in the Moto Piston club and I had a coil the next day (after a mate and I shot over the Santander on his GS1250 to collect). Very good of them folks and saved my holiday .

The Le Mans has gone to a new home now, but I have a '78 Kawasaki Z1000 lurking in the shed which I finished a crank-up rebuild on last winter next to a '71 Guzzi V7 which is at the top of the queue as the next project. Hopefully one of those would be just the job !

Piccy of the recently sold Guzzi enjoying its time in the Picos - at the Bear carpark just after a thorough thrashing up the mountain. .

 

[Gelandestrasse]

A view from the Bear to the carpark...

 

[Gelandestrasse]

And if you zoomed in you'd see this brace of R90S's (mine in foreground)

 

[Steptoe]

I went in 2011, it was a great event based in the hotel in the Hotel Santemar in Santander. Packed lunches were provided on all the ride out days but I didn't do the 5000 Curves as I couldn't be arsed getting out of bed for the early start. There was plenty to see and do besides riding too.

I went on this, rode it all the way there and back as most people did.

View attachment 375360

Lots of interesting bikes waiting at Portsmouth for the ferry including this home-made Velocette V twin, bloody beautiful it was.

View attachment 375361

View attachment 375382

Hundreds of bikes based at the hotel.

View attachment 375367

View attachment 375373

View attachment 375379

View attachment 375381


Stunning scenery.

View attachment 375386

View attachment 375387

I remember we bumped into each other I was on my 1978 Guzzi California.

 

[Number 6]

I remember we bumped into each other I was on my 1978 Guzzi California.

We did indeed. James Burton was also waiting for the ferry at Portsmouth and I met two other people who I'd met before, one in Montenegro and one in Chimay. I can't believe it was 14 years ago, in another 14 years I'll be Eighty fucking One.