The Mog Shop

The true story of collecting the Unimog from Holland. I'll translate this story here, from the Finnish motorcycle site where I wrote this in finnish. So basically I had the Unimog in my mind, but I was just going to see couple of them live. I was once again riding Africa Twin with camping gear packed behind.

The story starts by a boat trip from Helsinki to Travemunde Germany. On the boat I was in a shared cabin and there was a French guy, who was driving an old MB truck. The truck was a bakery and a shop combined. I heard some interesting stories, because the guy had been a security guard in Roland Garros Tennis yard. He had some pictures where he was posing with Djokovich, Federer, Sharapova etc. He had also couple of photos of a hunting hawk and his master. The hawks are used to keep pidgeons and other small birds away from the field during tournament. One of the behind the scene stories you don't read from newspapers.

From Travemunde I drove straight to Köln area and visited couple of Mog Shops. First one was in Kerkrade Holland and the one they were selling was a nice looking one.It was an ex Bundeswehr military truck. It had been a driving school vehicle with second foot controls in right side. It was model 1987, about 70t kliks in meter and I had a testride with it, not driving myself. The ride was ok and the Mog had tarpaulin covered bed so the plywood in the bed was ok. No rust or signs of abuse,  cabin controls were like new. The guy who introduced the Mog told me that they can arrange transit plates so I can ride it home.

Then I continued in German side and there was a lot more Mogs to choose. The condition range was also big with some good looking individuals to junk looking "spare part collections". When I went asking about the cars and how the deal would be made I learned that it wouldn't be that easy to ride one home. In germany the car must be inspected and I think it should've been also registered. Otherwise it should be transported as cargo. Well, all ex military Mogs are not registered so this was a bit of a problem. This made me thinking if the Holland case was true either, so I just decided to continue my trip south...

Now some bike stuff..., ah yes the bike is HondaAfrica Twin -97 with 350 000 kliks in the meter.
First thing I noticed there was some slack in front wheel bearing and the steering was not precise. I had just crossed border to France and I rode to next bigger village and went asking help in Peugeot car dealer. I told them I'm having technical problem with the bike and if there would be bike dealer or something close by. Straight away one guy jumped in a car and told me to follow him. After couple of minutes I was standing in front of a Honda dealer. But no help there, no bearings in the store nad mechanic was busy. I got navigation instructions to a general moto workshop, so I drove there. No bearings there either, they should order them. Then I tried to explain that the bearings are just standard stuff and in Finland you can find them in any store :). ThenI got instructions to drive couple of technical shops and finally I got the correct bearing and drove back to general moto workshop. After 10 minutes of waiting they took my bike in and changed the bearings. I did not ask the price in advance and was prepared to pay a bit extra for instant service. When I was cashing out, the price for the work was 12€ and bearings cost 10€ .... a very good price for the service. I thanked everyone in the shop with a handshake and continued my trip happy.

It was time to enjoy some landscapes, first to Clermont Ferrand and Puy de Dome. You have to take a train to go on top. 11€ for ticket. There was a bit too much moisture to see the Alps from the distance.

Next stop was Palais Ideal  in Hauterivers close to Vercors.
http://www.facteurcheval.com
Some postman had an idea that you could do something in your life. And he did that.

Combe Laval in Vercors.

Cevennes National Park

After couple of riding days I camped in Pyrenees close to Ax Les Thermes. Some touring in Andorra and checking if there would be good deals for helmet in Motocard. One day passing  Col de Port, Col de Port d'Aspet, Col de Mente, Col de Peyresourde, Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet and finally camping close to Gavarnieta .
Virtual panoramas of  Cirque de Gavarnie and  Cirque de Tromouse , you should be able to rotate pictures if the web browser supports the feature.
After one rainy day I had a hike to the "Gate of Heaven" Breche de Roland.

Little tour on Spanish side in Ordesa National Park and then back to France and Alps.

Mont Ventoux

After mont Ventoux I went once again in Grand Canyon du Verdon and camped in Riez. In the camping I met a French guy who had some experience of Unimogs from Africa. He had been trained in Germany and he said that Mogs are pretty tough pieces. There is a Griffon Vulture population in the Verdon Canyon and they fly pretty close to edge in some places. They are really good spots to have nice photos.

Next ther was riding some Alp passes. First Gorges Daluis, Col de la Bonnette, Valberg and Col de la Cuillol. Sitten Col de Vars Camping was in Chateau Queyras. Next day first Izoard and here is Col du Calibier from a bit different angle.

Col d'Iseran

Camping in La Rosiere at 1800m alitude. One cloudy riding day visiting Courchevel and Val Thorens.

Once again some passes, first Petit Bernard to Aosta Italy, then gran Bernardo to Switcherland and straight to Chamonix France. It was raining so I continued riding north until it stopped raining.

I continued north until I was in Alsace and found camping in Kruth. In close range htere is Ballon d'Alsace , Grand Ballon and le Markstein one long day of riding around. Swiss Alps were visible fro mthe top of Ballon Alsace

 This was a point where I should make some decision if I'll get the Unimog. Thinking about it I drove more north and had a camp in the last place where I could turn to holland. I called to Holland andasked if it really is possible to ride the Mog back home. They ensured that it is ok, they can make transit plates and I can ride 2 weeks insode EU. I tried to ask if there is any air in the price, but no the Price they offered earlier was the final price. So I agreed that I'll visit the first visiting place in Holland again and we'll see if we'll make the deal.

So I drove close to Kerkrade and had a camping close by. Then I went to the Mog Shop, which was the Swinkels-Trucks in Kerkrade. The same Mog I had the testride was still there, waiting for me.

I guess the sales guy knew that the deal was already done. So basically I though that if I won't buy this one I propably won't buy any other Mog later, or I won't find any significantly better deal. One thing I asked as a favour is that they help me to load the bike on the bed. No problem, so it was a deal. We agreed that I'll pay with bank transfer using internet. It takes one or two working days to go through, so I chilled out in camping one day. Actually I got sime straps to secure the bike and some drink and food for the ride.
Finally they saw the payment in their bank account and they made the transit plates  and insured the vehicle. Then they checked lights and oops, the front left signal light did not work. It took two hours before we noticed that the wires to signal light were switched over and the power wire was grounded. The switch was happened when the cabin had been painted.
We lifted the bike with another trucks back lift and we pushed the bike on the Mogs bed and strapped it in. I had to remove mirrors and the windshield to get it fit in. They bolted the number plates on and I was ready to go. It wa about 30 years I had driven a truck last time and it was in driving school final test.

I decided to try driving at Travemunde forthe eveniong, since they take passengers in until midnight. So even though I was a bit late in schedule there was a change to getin the ferry in the evening. So first to fill up and 140 litres of diesel in. Then I drove to highway and a non-stop700km daytrip started with totally strange truck in German Autobahn. Many things could go wrong, but nothing happened, it was just a long drive north. Only diturbance was that I planned to drive A1 road as much as possible, but the Rhein Brucke was closed over 3.5t vehicles, so I changed the route plan on fly checking alternative route from the map. There was maybe 50km more distance to cover, but otherwise that also went ok. Some rain came and I learned the multifunction controls on the fly. One more fill up just before Travemunde.

I tried to go to the passengers lane, but they turned me around and told I have to go  through cargo ports and I have to buy the ticket in port office. I went to office and ok it was a new situation to port office also. I had a non registered vehicle, which was 5t truck basically for transporting cargo. Luckily there was no que, because it took some time to get the tickets, but finally I got them.

Travemunde port with Transit plates

When I got onboard I had a private cabin, I guess it is standard for pro drivers. All meals were included in the ticket so I was good.

In the Helsinki port I was a bit worried if the car will start, but there wa no problems, the Mog was willing to continue the trip.

In the port I visited customs to check if I have to have some paperwork to import a vehicle. After checking the custom officer told me that I can continue without any paperwork, since there is no import or other taxes on trucks. Also I could basically have the registration inspection straight away in the port area, but I decided to use the transit plate insurance until end.

So the port was left behind and one more 600km ride to home.

Mog has a new home now

Next thing is registration.