CB1100 goes to Guzzi Rally...belated ride report

[Frulk_imp]

Since its the dead of winter and nobody is posting pics of rides, I thought I'd put something up folks might be interested in.

Covid obviously screwed up a lot of everyone's plans. I attended The Broken Arrow Guzzi Rally 3 years or so back at the Broken Arrow Resort in Gibbonsville, Idaho (approx 30 miles north of Salmon). Met a couple of retired engineers who rode vintage Guzzi's up from California for the Rally. Couple of great guys to sit around a fire or beer cooler with and discuss a broad range of topics...not to mention that they're good company on a ride. Struck up a fledgling friendship, exchanged cell numbers and went our separate ways. At that rally I rode up with the Road King.

Fast forward to this year...Hadn't gone the past couple of years because of Covid and the horrendous air quality from fires in California and Oregon. Prior to the rally in 21 I think I checked the air quality index and it was over 200. No way was I riding into that.

So the Monday of the week of this years rally which started on Thursday I'm sitting in the living room contemplating if I was going to attend the rally. I had the vacation time already on the calendar but had some construction going on at the house and was thinking about bowing out when a text popped up from one of the engineers reading kinda like 'Hey, we're on the road up to the rally...you going? We want to hang out again'. Well, that was what I needed to get motivated. Texted back I'll be there.

Went out an hour later and started prepping truck because I planned to use the Kendon UTV trailer I converted to a bike rig on its maiden run. Glad that when I had it for sale about 5 years ago nobody offered me the $500 I was asking at the time. Sat on a lot for almost a month and never even had one call on it. Anyway, I would probably have rode the 460 miles to the rally but really wanted to test the trailer.

Wasn't sure what bike I was going to take. While it might be a Guzzi rally the guys there are all very easy going. Bet the median age of attendee's is in the high 60's. I was contemplating the XR1200 but decided on the CB1100 because of the increased tank range. Riding in that part of the west gas options can be far and few between.

Loaded bike on trailer and prepping truck



The Broken Arrow Resort isn't really in a town to speak of. It sits off a heavily wooded winding mountain road a few miles south of the Montana border. It’s best described as rustic with well worn facilities. Usually about 25-30 riders/bikes show up. Very low key gathering and no real coordinated plans for the entire time there..folks break out into their groups and do their own thing during the day...just the way I like it.

My 'campsite' for the next three nights. Had a nice army cot in the Kirkhams tent. Brought some lawn chairs for the boys and I. Had a small MSR stove to boil water for tea/coffee and Mountain House meals although the resort does have a rather good Mexican restaurant and bar on site that's very popular with the locals and riders.



The CB at rest:



My buddies setting up their site. They were riding huge adventure bikes this time and left the vintage Guzzi's at home as they were heading cross country towards the eastern seaboard after this rally for 1-2 more and needed more carrying capacity and tank range than the older bikes could provide.



We took one day and went on an absolutely STELLAR day ride through part of Montana. 160 miles of good road (for the most part) along mountain rivers and streams. Stopped for a picture op. I have stopped here several times before on the CB in years past and fly fished the small streams in the area.



Gratuitous CB picture. The CB looked positively tiny compared to the GS and Stelvio.



Years ago when I first bought the CB I took it on this same route. This was the CB in a former guise in the same area of Montana.



We rode into Salmon one day and had a killah lunch at a cafe on Mainstreet. In the evenings we sat in camp and sipped peated Connemara Irish Whisky while walking around casually looking at the other bikes and chatting with the riders.

Picture of the bike on the trailer on the way home from the rally. Really happy with the way the trailer tracks and how low and easy it is to load the bike on and off.



Looking forward to next year's rally when I think I'll bring an actual Guzzi for once

[pdedse]

Since its the dead of winter and nobody is posting pics of rides, I thought I'd put something up folks might be interested in.

Covid obviously screwed up a lot of everyone's plans. I attended The Broken Arrow Guzzi Rally 3 years or so back at the Broken Arrow Resort in Gibbonsville, Idaho (approx 30 miles north of Salmon). Met a couple of retired engineers who rode vintage Guzzi's up from California for the Rally. Couple of great guys to sit around a fire or beer cooler with and discuss a broad range of topics...not to mention that they're good company on a ride. Struck up a fledgling friendship, exchanged cell numbers and went our separate ways. At that rally I rode up with the Road King.

Fast forward to this year...Hadn't gone the past couple of years because of Covid and the horrendous air quality from fires in California and Oregon. Prior to the rally in 21 I think I checked the air quality index and it was over 200. No way was I riding into that.

So the Monday of the week of this years rally which started on Thursday I'm sitting in the living room contemplating if I was going to attend the rally. I had the vacation time already on the calendar but had some construction going on at the house and was thinking about bowing out when a text popped up from one of the engineers reading kinda like 'Hey, we're on the road up to the rally...you going? We want to hang out again'. Well, that was what I needed to get motivated. Texted back I'll be there.

Went out an hour later and started prepping truck because I planned to use the Kendon UTV trailer I converted to a bike rig on its maiden run. Glad that when I had it for sale about 5 years ago nobody offered me the $500 I was asking at the time. Sat on a lot for almost a month and never even had one call on it. Anyway, I would probably have rode the 460 miles to the rally but really wanted to test the trailer.

Wasn't sure what bike I was going to take. While it might be a Guzzi rally the guys there are all very easy going. Bet the median age of attendee's is in the high 60's. I was contemplating the XR1200 but decided on the CB1100 because of the increased tank range. Riding in that part of the west gas options can be far and few between.

Loaded bike on trailer and prepping truck



The Broken Arrow Resort isn't really in a town to speak of. It sits off a heavily wooded winding mountain road a few miles south of the Montana border. It’s best described as rustic with well worn facilities. Usually about 25-30 riders/bikes show up. Very low key gathering and no real coordinated plans for the entire time there..folks break out into their groups and do their own thing during the day...just the way I like it.

My 'campsite' for the next three nights. Had a nice army cot in the Kirkhams tent. Brought some lawn chairs for the boys and I. Had a small MSR stove to boil water for tea/coffee and Mountain House meals although the resort does have a rather good Mexican restaurant and bar on site that's very popular with the locals and riders.



The CB at rest:



My buddies setting up their site. They were riding huge adventure bikes this time and left the vintage Guzzi's at home as they were heading cross country towards the eastern seaboard after this rally for 1-2 more and needed more carrying capacity and tank range than the older bikes could provide.



We took one day and went on an absolutely STELLAR day ride through part of Montana. 160 miles of good road (for the most part) along mountain rivers and streams. Stopped for a picture op. I have stopped here several times before on the CB in years past and fly fished the small streams in the area.



Gratuitous CB picture. The CB looked positively tiny compared to the GS and Stelvio.



Years ago when I first bought the CB I took it on this same route. This was the CB in a former guise in the same area of Montana.



We rode into Salmon one day and had a killah lunch at a cafe on Mainstreet. In the evenings we sat in camp and sipped peated Connemara Irish Whisky while walking around casually looking at the other bikes and chatting with the riders.

Picture of the bike on the trailer on the way home from the rally. Really happy with the way the trailer tracks and how low and easy it is to load the bike on and off.



Looking forward to next year's rally when I think I'll bring an actual Guzzi for once

Wonderful timing with the fun looking RR, Frulk! A nice reminder of why I put up with OR winters.

I like that trailer and if I had been around, I think I would have made an offer. On a few ocassions, I've had to get bikes on/off my Ram PU with a mc ramp...alone, it's very dicey, but with another person very do-able.

Beautiful country, and that's a nice looking seat on the CB.

[peterbaron]

Nice report and pics Frulk

[the Ferret]

Beautiful pics

[Cormanus]

Great report, Frulk. Montana looks stunning.

[inditx_imp]

Great pic and report!
Those Guzzi guys are great.
That trailer would’ve been a steal!
inditx

[GoldOxide_imp]

Very nice Frulk. Interesting how things sometimes work out well.

Yes, the CB1100 is a tiny bike, but a wee bit larger than the Triumph Bonneville.

All things Guzzi are wonderful to talk and gawk about. In fact, I spent some good time at a Moto Guzzi dealership today. I actually met some Africa Twin forum members there too, one shopping for an Africa Twin. Also, the black checkerboard CB1100 was still collecting dust in the used bike section.

[Nachodaddy]

Great report and photos Frulk. Really beautiful country and that red CB1100 is a show-stopper.