Ride Peru

[SpudRider]

That's a nice luggage rack, OG. Thanks for posting the great photos.

Spud

[wilserchinarider]

Well, not to take anything away from the expertise of the local mechanics, but perhaps the 4 door beetle was a factory product, rather than a street mod as previously thought???

Rometsch VW Beetle 4-door Taxi

After WWII, when Rometsch started focussing on Volkswagens, they built this four door VW Beetle, which was used as a Taxi. The chassis was lengthened by 25cm. No German company was allowed to build any airplanes, therefore a part of the production of the Rometsch Taxis was given to Messerschmitt.

The Messerschmitt boys could probably do the job blindfolded wearing boxing gloves...compared to building fighter planes, stretching a bug is something done over a case of beer. No more talented or intelligent than OG's street mechanics, just different training and technology.

http://www.coachbuild.com/index.php?...2_itemId=35186

[oldgringo]

Thanks for the link. The four door Beetle that I took a photo of is home built, it's a modern Beetle, notice the quarter moon vent, taillights, rear bumper and rear window.

[Weldangrind]

As well, the Beetle in OG's pic has conventional rear doors, whereas the Beetle taxis in Wilserchinarider's link have suicide doors.

Originally Posted by oldgringo

[wilserchinarider]

You guys are so right, the Peruvian 4 door beetle is a homebuilt frankencar! I am happy that my faith is restored in the local skilled labor force. I guess you find one that is hit in the front, and one that is hit in the rear, cut them up, and a little "weldandgrind" and you have a 4-door beetle.

[MICRider]

I'm thinking that those are fine scratches on the drivers side window... How many thousands of times do you suppose that window has been rolled up and down over the years?

[oldgringo]

Ron, who I met on this forum is now my neighbor, he recently flew back to Great Falls and bought a new Honda CRF250L and is now on the road heading back to Peru. That's a hardcore ride on a 250, I talked to him tonight on Skype, he has ridden a 400 mile day with no problem may give 600 miles a try this week. He's not on a direct route, traveling east from San Diego tomorrow, his plans are to cut south from Texas, I'll post a link when he starts his blog. I'm really looking forward to see how that fuel injected 250 does in the high Andes.

[katoranger]

This sounds like a ride to follow. Do you have the link to his blog?

[oldgringo]

no blog yet kato, think he will start one on The Hubb, I'll post a link if that happens.

[FastDoc]

That's beyond Hard Core.

God bless him. This will be the trip of a lifetime.

I wonder why he didn't choose a KLR or similar?

[Weldangrind]

Cool adventure! Great Falls, Montana? If so, why did he go so far North to buy a bike?

[oldgringo]

Doc, I think his plan is to ride a lot of dirt on the way south, I've got two friends who rode Kawasaki Sherpas down and another friend came down on a XT 250 Yamaha.
Weld, He from Great Falls, Montana, was there visiting family and friends, the dealer is a friend of his.

[MICRider]

Now that would be an adventure to remember!

[SpudRider]

Please do post a link to Ron's blog, OG. The CRF250L is a great little bike! I'm sure the fuel injected motor will handle the high altitudes well.

Spud

[oldgringo]

I saw one of my photos online tonight then followed the link and was really surprised to find this on the Mavila website. http://www.mavila.com.pe/w/?page_id=4437
The "Old Gringo" and the photos must have come from this site, they did a nice job with their commentary and translation. As I said, I'm surprised and also flattered that they used the photos and stories.