tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18073337220256602222024-03-13T08:42:28.868-04:00Stemwinder ScooterI live in the Mtns of North Carolina where the roads are twisty. Stemwinder Scooter Blog is named after the Tweetsie Railroad which was also known as Stemwinder because of how it had to wind it's way through the Mtns to get where it was going, much like a spring in an old fashioned pocket watch.Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-76688449129208717332012-05-04T23:07:00.000-04:002012-05-04T23:07:55.113-04:00Scooter Cannonball RunHi All,<br />
Well I am back to blogging again, mostly because I actually have something to write about. Earlier this year I opened my mouth to someone about my desire to do the Scooter Cannonball. This person, Ricky from J's market in Elk Park N.C. immediately jumped in and said he would sponsor/support me, so...I was in.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The Cannonball is a run from Savannah Ga. to San Diego Ca. around 2580 miles.It is specifically for scooters and directed toward older scooters. It's popularity has grown from 6 old scooters in 2004 to 58 scooters in 2012. A lot of the scooters in 2012 were newer and bigger than was probably intended at the start of the event in 2004, but modernity and engine size does not take away from the accomplishment of riding what is basically a city commuter vehicle across a country the size of America.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lv9O6P6xyQ/T6SF2qeSq8I/AAAAAAAAAzY/kPUMUgtBTr0/s1600/IMG_8127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lv9O6P6xyQ/T6SF2qeSq8I/AAAAAAAAAzY/kPUMUgtBTr0/s400/IMG_8127.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is my Sears/Vespa before I started "prepping her for the Cannonball</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had read a lot of stuff other people had written about their experiences in the Cannonball, how easy it is to crash, how previously reliable scooters just break down due to the long days and hundreds of miles, how a rider has to be a roadside mechanic and macguyver while trying to stay sane on endlessly straight roads. Warnings were everywhere... Do Not Do This If You Do Not Know Your Scooter Inside And Out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
I knew all that stuff didn't apply to me, after all, I had a 46 year old scooter that had never seen a mechanic, my knowledge of two stroke engines was limited to swearing at and kicking my push mower, and I had been riding a two wheeled motor vehicle for exactly 6 months. Heck let's go!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
I figured, "if something ain't broke, don't fix it" so I left all the mechanical bits as they were and concentrated on carrying capacity and looks. Makes sense to me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Despite the fact that "Sophia" looked good in her 46 yr old white paint job from a distance, the closer you got the more you could see the ravages of time and the application of various shades of white over accumulated scratches and dings. I really did not know white could come in so many different hues. So one of the things I really wanted to do was paint her, primarily to look good but also to be more visible on the road. After long deliberation, weeks in fact(paint choice is a very big deal) I decided on the GULF OIL racing colours from the 60s race cars. Basically blue and orange. Only much later did I realise that those were also the colours of our home town soccer club in England. Oldham Athletic Football Club. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCWQipNbwQY/T6SOKXxxJlI/AAAAAAAAAzk/i9L51U-YqSw/s1600/painting+vespa+1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCWQipNbwQY/T6SOKXxxJlI/AAAAAAAAAzk/i9L51U-YqSw/s400/painting+vespa+1.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
Painting in the front yard 1 week before the Cannonball.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JnaGjNYxgE/T6SO_fs9hXI/AAAAAAAAAzs/swedxmHicnk/s1600/spraying+vespa.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JnaGjNYxgE/T6SO_fs9hXI/AAAAAAAAAzs/swedxmHicnk/s400/spraying+vespa.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
Oh yeah, Eat your heart out MAACO.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAA6KCeJWbU/T6SPeIHAUeI/AAAAAAAAAz0/xC6zPiOemEY/s1600/drying+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAA6KCeJWbU/T6SPeIHAUeI/AAAAAAAAAz0/xC6zPiOemEY/s400/drying+2.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
Drying time. Add the Orange later.<br />
<br />
I am not the most patient person in the world so I did not do tons of prep on the scoot before I painted her. Just a quick sanding down so the paint would stick, and a bit of hammering on the lesser dents. I decided that the big dents could stay there to "add character"<br />
I had also acquired a period (1968) windshield from Rob, one of the guys I work with at the golf course. He kindly gave it to me as it had been "settin in the apple house fer 40 years gathrin dust". I will say that riding with a windshield on a bike for long distances is a lot better on your body than going without one, so....Big Thanks Rob!<br />
I needed a rear rack in order to carry tools and a tray on the footplate to hold a 2 gallon gas can! These I made at Bruce Dyacks welding shop in Pineola.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_C0yKd22sM/T6SSvjMFiNI/AAAAAAAAA0A/wC5fQlwjNoU/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_C0yKd22sM/T6SSvjMFiNI/AAAAAAAAA0A/wC5fQlwjNoU/s640/IMG_0174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
So this is what a custom painted, custom racked,custom windshielded, and custom upholstered Sears/Vespa by Sir Paul looks like.<br />
<br />
Did I mention I also made the seat for the trip? The original was way too uncomfortable for long rides and so I took it off and made a new one using plywood, foam, and leather. I made it quickly removable by using velcro. The seat has to be removable to get to the fuel tank and the carburettor. The American Tourister vanity case on the back rack is holding my tools and spare parts, I paid 5 dollars for it at a flea market and it proved to be tough as nails.<br />
You can also see the tray I made for the gas can. Unfortunately, I discovered that when I would "tuck in" behind the windshield to get more speed I was breathing lots of fumes from the gas. Eventually I put the gas can on the back rack and the toolbox on the footplate. This gave me two added bonuses:- <br />
<br />
1 The center of gravity was lower.<br />
2 People seemed to back off a wee bit when they realised I was carrying a gas can in a position where, if they rear ended me, they might be involved in an explosive situation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqF7Lc6TPiU/T6SWj4akpyI/AAAAAAAAA0U/JVt3b74NRSY/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqF7Lc6TPiU/T6SWj4akpyI/AAAAAAAAA0U/JVt3b74NRSY/s640/IMG_0543.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
A cool front view of my scooter outside a Sears store that might have sold scooters 46yrs ago!<br />
<br />
My wife Cheri also made stuff for the trip, in particular a leather pouch thingy that slid over the rear rack and gave me 2 more pocket spaces which I used for storing a raincoat, 2 inner tubes, and an assortment of granola bars. The pouch thingy also gave my scooter a tough biker look that I am sure intimidated many road warriors on the trip.<br />
What else did I do to prepare for a 2500 mile trip? Oh, yes. I bought some new tires, 2 to be exact, and I went for a 250 mile round trip excursion to the Va. state line to see if "Sophia" could handle a long distance day. She did handle it, so all I had to do next was get to the starting line of the Rally on the 22nd of April. That little story will be in the next posting.Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-8853529321739594042012-03-19T00:12:00.000-04:002012-03-19T00:12:14.125-04:00Just going out to get gas in the scooter Honey!!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> After doing a little bit of painting and stuff for our "reclaimed ceiling tile kitchen ceiling project" I decided it was necessary to go out and gas up the scooter for the coming week. A lot of our neighbours seem to do their gassing up on a Sunday evening, either on the way to or from Church, so I thought 2:30 in the afternoon would be a good time to go. People would be in that flux time between services, either napping or lunching.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> As I was riding down the mtn. to Roan Mtn. I saw a familiar scooter coming towards me on the other side of the road. The scooter was familiar but the rider wasn't, I was expecting to see my buddy Joel, however Chris, Joel's room-mate, was the one riding the scooter today.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n27FLI1lCCk/T2ajjVl8diI/AAAAAAAAAyo/z8LCtM6HItQ/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n27FLI1lCCk/T2ajjVl8diI/AAAAAAAAAyo/z8LCtM6HItQ/s400/IMG_0040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> The 2 adventure scoots and their extra gas supplies, raring to go.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it turns out that room-mate Chris is a pretty cool guy and he is up for a quick ride around town and country. Told him I was gonna gas up and I would meet him back at Joel's house. When I met him at Joel's he was all ready to go(even put a helmet on!), and we set off uuuup the long road to Carver's Gap. It's about 12-14 miles of steady uphill climbing that is boring going up but awesome coming back down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjbqiZDKkfg/T2ajoPOhmhI/AAAAAAAAAy4/0QAlmvzRRkM/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjbqiZDKkfg/T2ajoPOhmhI/AAAAAAAAAy4/0QAlmvzRRkM/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" /></a></div> Here's a picture of Chris.<br />
<br />
As I said, boring as all get out on the way up because we rarely hit more than 40mph, but..... The good thing about riding on the first few good weekends of spring is, you get to smell all the fresh cut grass, feel the warm air pockets as you ride through them, and you can smell peoples dinners cooking on the BBQ grill. There is also that brilliant smell that always jolts me into realizing that I live in a foreign country, skunk. Doesn't matter if it is close by and strong or miles away and faint, it is, to me, a truly American smell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s45B-hAv6oI/T2ajridr8SI/AAAAAAAAAzA/hhEjWCvbeIk/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s45B-hAv6oI/T2ajridr8SI/AAAAAAAAAzA/hhEjWCvbeIk/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" /></a></div> A picture of Chris cornering on the way back down the hill/mtn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PcbR2fMekCI/T2aj0aP8qzI/AAAAAAAAAzI/lKtRozeVCu0/s1600/IMG_0049-2.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And one of me on the same curve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the cool things about having someone along on the ride with you, is that you can take pictures of each other coming round corners. It took a lot of reconnoitering and backtracking to get the right corner and the right position to take the picture from. I think we did okay for a pair of amateurs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9f_m_Yx3Rac/T2ac2HpzxlI/AAAAAAAAAyg/lT-hhQ1In_0/s1600/curve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9f_m_Yx3Rac/T2ac2HpzxlI/AAAAAAAAAyg/lT-hhQ1In_0/s400/curve.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A zoom-in from the previous picture.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After zooming to the bottom of the hill we took another of my favourite back roads, the old railroad grade road, which parallels Hwy 19E going out of Roan Mtn. Chris really enjoyed this road as he had never been on it before(even though he grew up right in this area).We followed the road to where the blacktop ended, then we rode over the dirt mound barricades that had been placed to stop cars from going any further down the old railbed.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The way became rocky and bumpy pretty quick and you really had to choose where you were going to put your wheels. Oh, did I mention that by this time we had swapped scoots and Chris was now riding mine. His first time on a scooter with gears, he got the hang pretty quickly. Must be nice to be young and have an agile brain!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVrz8qx354o/T2atgJz-spI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/3dAsjepmBLA/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVrz8qx354o/T2atgJz-spI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/3dAsjepmBLA/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here's Chris, dirtbiking my Vespa. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to the end of the dirt path, even riding through some really nice mudholes, then parked the bikes up and took a little hike across the old railway bridge and through the tunnel. I think Chris is a 12 yr old at heart too 'cos he had no problem just scooching around the riverbank looking for cool rocks and old glass etc, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Eventually we realised it was 6:30 and dark would be in about an hour. At 2:30 I had told my wife I was "just going out for gas, be back in a bit", luckily for me she is very understanding, but it would probably be good to be back before nightfall.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We retraced our steps back to the bikes(always a sigh of relief to see they are still there), jumped aboard and headed home. As Chris peeled off to the right to head home we gave each other a wave. We had already swapped numbers, so now I have two riding buddies. I carried on going straight up the road to "our house" and arrived home before dark, to a kiss from the missus and a nice cup of tea.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">All the best to all,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Superscooter.</div>Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-90319763183960224002012-02-18T18:37:00.000-05:002012-02-18T18:37:03.735-05:00Retro helmet. When I first acquired my scooter I was definitely a two wheeler noob, and in no way could be mistaken for a "hard biker" type. So, in order to give me some street cred, a friend of mine gave me one of his lesser used helmets. It is black with smoky gray skulls and flames on it. He only used it when he was giving motorcycle safety classes for the local DMV.He said it was to make fun of all the guys who come to their first class wearing all the Harley gear and trying to look like they have been riding forever, when ,in reality, most of them are upper middle-aged professionals who are having their mid-life crises'. I used that helmet for about 6 months, until at Christmas I received a Full Face helmet from Father Christmas. Here is a picture of the helmet.It is being worn by one of the Grandkids so that we could take a short toodle to the end of the street and back <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTOnC4_G910/TztG-zq3eKI/AAAAAAAAAvA/qo5S3oOPnwc/s1600/DSC_0751+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTOnC4_G910/TztG-zq3eKI/AAAAAAAAAvA/qo5S3oOPnwc/s400/DSC_0751+3.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see, very scary skulls and , really, not quite my style.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I had also been spending time on a website called Modern Vespa, and one of the main topics, no matter what else was being discussed, was visibility as it pertains to safety. Eventually the "safety seed" that had been planted in my brain grew. Very slowly probably, not very fertile ground. After serious thought about what colour helmet would make me visible and look good too, I decided on the Gulf Racing colours from the 60s and 70s as used on the Ford GT40 and some minor league german cars, Porsches I think. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2suh2nZWYk/T0AeBoLwKCI/AAAAAAAAAxg/t-stxOnoFl4/s1600/IMG_9899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2suh2nZWYk/T0AeBoLwKCI/AAAAAAAAAxg/t-stxOnoFl4/s400/IMG_9899.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the front 3/4 view of my custom painted, high visibility helmet.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I took the helmet to pieces until all I had was the fibreglass shell, then I sanded all the old paint and skull decals off the helmet. Next I painted the whole outside with a teal blue/green can of spray paint that had been in our basement for 6 years. We brought it with us when we moved!!!! I had to leave it in the living room for 24 hours so that it would warm up enough to use. Our basement is cold. After applying 3 coats with drying periods of 1 hour between coats, I let it sit for a day.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vvJInZXMUmw/T0AeI1NZMZI/AAAAAAAAAxw/eqnPWZVRBL8/s1600/IMG_9901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vvJInZXMUmw/T0AeI1NZMZI/AAAAAAAAAxw/eqnPWZVRBL8/s400/IMG_9901.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Side view. I can almost see my face in that blue.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day I used a pencil and marked out where I wanted the orange paint to go. This took a couple of tries to get it satisfactory. It is more difficult than you might imagine to draw parallel lines on a spherical object. In the end I had a 3 1/2 inch strip from front to back and a 1 1/4 border all the way around the helmet. To get the curves for the front of the helmet I used an old margarine container, it worked pretty well I think.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FTajEDL6jbM/T0AeF3YZf2I/AAAAAAAAAxo/Xj371lP5tzI/s1600/IMG_9900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FTajEDL6jbM/T0AeF3YZf2I/AAAAAAAAAxo/Xj371lP5tzI/s400/IMG_9900.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Front view. Well designed curves, eh!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The back of the helmet had tighter curves. I actually like the look of the back better than the front. I think I used the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper to get that curve. Toilet paper tubes, not just for making binoculars for the grandkids anymore. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knQneJlsGPE/T0AeMZsULrI/AAAAAAAAAx4/iqTYURuH3Nw/s1600/IMG_9902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knQneJlsGPE/T0AeMZsULrI/AAAAAAAAAx4/iqTYURuH3Nw/s400/IMG_9902.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice rear. Very visible.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The final step was to apply a clearcoat to protect the paint. I patiently waited a full 24 hours before I even thought of applying anymore anything. After the 24 hours was up I perched the helmet on a shovel handle as it was such a warm sunny day outside.The beauty of using a shovel is that you can move it anywhere in the garden if the area you started working in has suddenly been put into shadow by the house, or a tree.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> I started spraying the clearcoat on one side of the helmet and the blue looked great as the wet spray hit it, nice and shiny.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the orange. All of a sudden there were cracks and crinkles appearing all over the orangey bits. It looked like one of those dried out lakebeds you see in movies, usually with a cowskull laying in the dirt. I decided it was too late to do anything about the mess, soooo, I walked away and let the sun dry it out. While it was drying I went back inside to compare the cans of paint.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The orange paint was Enamel and the clearcoat Acrylic and unbeknownst to me, the two do not mix. In fact there is a whole industry devoted to making sure that these two opposites do get to meet and work against each other. It is the antique furniture/shabby chic industry, and the effect is called a "crackle finish.Anywho, Idecided a crackle finish wasn't so bad, so I went outside and applied 3 or 4 more coats of clear. Heavy on the blue and a bit lighter on the orangey bits. I didn't want the orange paint to just start sliding off the helmet altogether.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7juJP9_lgX0/T0Axs527ueI/AAAAAAAAAyI/EnIGXCbl_ik/s1600/IMG_9906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7juJP9_lgX0/T0Axs527ueI/AAAAAAAAAyI/EnIGXCbl_ik/s400/IMG_9906.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here is a look at the "crackle"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A couple of people have seen the finish on my helmet and they approve, I really like it myself too. It looks like it has been around for years and is aging gracefully....like me hahahaha.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see I also put the edge trim piece back on the helmet too, it really finishes it off and makes the orange border look just right.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggV-BYvuNqU/T0Ax7z2GYTI/AAAAAAAAAyY/MiAluunlzgU/s1600/IMG_9903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggV-BYvuNqU/T0Ax7z2GYTI/AAAAAAAAAyY/MiAluunlzgU/s400/IMG_9903.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkD8g4DgFsQ/T0AxzfYtaSI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/yuJsLLTKR8U/s1600/IMG_9907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkD8g4DgFsQ/T0AxzfYtaSI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/yuJsLLTKR8U/s320/IMG_9907.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>So there you go. Basically a new helmet with all the glamour of a vintage race helmet. I might put a thin line of black tape over the joining line of blue and orange. What do you think?<br />
<br />
All the best,<br />
Superscooter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-28865570561429724612012-02-15T01:49:00.000-05:002012-02-15T01:49:18.381-05:00Saint Valentine's day ride.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I went out for a short ride today. Took my favourite road up to Roan Mtn.State Park. It's a good clean road surface with some nice tight turns and a lot of long sweeping curves. The only drawbacks to riding this road at this time of year are, the possibility of ice, and the probability of deer.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5j86_Sv-do/TztOp03rN4I/AAAAAAAAAwI/11P1mmDjYDg/s1600/IMG_9890-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5j86_Sv-do/TztOp03rN4I/AAAAAAAAAwI/11P1mmDjYDg/s400/IMG_9890-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Obviously most of the snow and ice from last weekend is melting away. This little creek is becoming more of a branch or tributary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtHJRm5v82U/TztOrC3TsDI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/0lxza9saius/s1600/IMG_9885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtHJRm5v82U/TztOrC3TsDI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/0lxza9saius/s400/IMG_9885.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of debris gets washed downstream. Doesn't hurt to be on the look-out for Beaver too, you can often spot where they have been chewing away at the bases of trees here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXXuHp1EhCo/TztO0fT-CDI/AAAAAAAAAwo/zfiIjB1ukCI/s1600/IMG_9891-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXXuHp1EhCo/TztO0fT-CDI/AAAAAAAAAwo/zfiIjB1ukCI/s400/IMG_9891-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1j2n7aKrvq0/TztO3taplAI/AAAAAAAAAww/tKNPs0SR7dE/s1600/IMG_9892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1j2n7aKrvq0/TztO3taplAI/AAAAAAAAAww/tKNPs0SR7dE/s400/IMG_9892.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>Nothing I like better than finding "beach glass" in these mountain streams. White and green examples above. <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As long as they are worn or rounded enough to not cut you when you pick them up, then they are "beach glass". If they cut you, then they are trash and you pick em up and toss em in the garbage so some kid doesnt cut their feet in the summer. That happened to my kid brother Craig one summer, in Wales at the beach. There was a broken bottle under a raft we were all playing on. As I remember, Dad took Craig to hospital for stitches while Mum and us other three carried on at the beach. Well, no point in everyone having a miserable time was there? 'Course we had to stay away from the raft from then on. Colwyn Bay it was, we went pony riding too. That may also have been the year we saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the first time. We always went to the pictures when it rained on Holiday.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW7W4bDyD90/TztO8bUGytI/AAAAAAAAAw4/YxBiZ5BPcxY/s1600/IMG_9894-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW7W4bDyD90/TztO8bUGytI/AAAAAAAAAw4/YxBiZ5BPcxY/s400/IMG_9894-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div> Here are some of the deer that are always to be found grazing at the side of the road.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uE2eaYRwrfY/TztPCGLsvkI/AAAAAAAAAxI/PKWk86drOu0/s1600/IMG_9896-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uE2eaYRwrfY/TztPCGLsvkI/AAAAAAAAAxI/PKWk86drOu0/s400/IMG_9896-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div> They seem to know exactly where the state park boundary is. There is no hunting in the state park of course. It really infuriates my hunter buddies when they see so many deer on their way home from work but cannot take a shot at them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EVccwHUkxwQ/TztPG_cKN_I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/FPNCd8tqCmg/s1600/IMG_9897-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EVccwHUkxwQ/TztPG_cKN_I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/FPNCd8tqCmg/s400/IMG_9897-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div> I think they have never seen or heard a Vespa before mine because they always stare curiously, and twitch their tails a little nervously at the new noise and sight. Cars do not bother them in the least, and the hoards of big motorbikes that zoom up and down this road in season are hardly spared a glance, but for some reason the bzzzzzzzzz of my little engine and the meep meep of the horn makes them very curious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2C-T7Zp-yg/TztPJSOiyTI/AAAAAAAAAxY/-wv_-Y7rBQE/s1600/IMG_9898-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2C-T7Zp-yg/TztPJSOiyTI/AAAAAAAAAxY/-wv_-Y7rBQE/s400/IMG_9898-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div> Before this little family of 8 deer decided to move along, I was less than 30 yds away from them. The prick up their ears when you talk to them too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-FrhJeqoMY/TztO_g3SO5I/AAAAAAAAAxA/W451Nzamr2o/s1600/IMG_9895-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-FrhJeqoMY/TztO_g3SO5I/AAAAAAAAAxA/W451Nzamr2o/s400/IMG_9895-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Deer Rear</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> What do you see when you are out riding?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> All the best,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Superscooter.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-63324020094002102092012-02-15T01:15:00.001-05:002012-02-15T01:51:17.480-05:00Superscooter Rides AgainThought I would throw some piccies out there for y'all to see. These are mostly taken when I am out riding on Sophia. Hope you like them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gf3GVK-dmH4/TztGx4h0KBI/AAAAAAAAAug/EJ1pzijWX64/s1600/DSC_0734-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gf3GVK-dmH4/TztGx4h0KBI/AAAAAAAAAug/EJ1pzijWX64/s400/DSC_0734-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>Above is a picture of myself and Grandson Christian coming back into the front yard from a trip to the end of the street and back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEadVx8_bKM/TztG3sGTIgI/AAAAAAAAAuw/xn5ygOAGdO8/s1600/DSC_0735-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEadVx8_bKM/TztG3sGTIgI/AAAAAAAAAuw/xn5ygOAGdO8/s400/DSC_0735-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div> A slightly closer look. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTOnC4_G910/TztG-zq3eKI/AAAAAAAAAvA/qo5S3oOPnwc/s1600/DSC_0751+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTOnC4_G910/TztG-zq3eKI/AAAAAAAAAvA/qo5S3oOPnwc/s400/DSC_0751+3.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div> And closer still. Hmmm must be two different trips here. Can you tell why? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PfIf2AT0jDA/TztHMpEO8RI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/cb-Uwnl0VSc/s1600/DSC_0773+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PfIf2AT0jDA/TztHMpEO8RI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/cb-Uwnl0VSc/s400/DSC_0773+2.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div> Zipping by on our way to the other end of the street. Meep meep. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHze7o8K8lg/TztHWOvQb3I/AAAAAAAAAvg/_1swzdyOHjQ/s1600/IMG_9838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHze7o8K8lg/TztHWOvQb3I/AAAAAAAAAvg/_1swzdyOHjQ/s400/IMG_9838.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>Here is the front yard of one of our neighbours' houses. He decorates for every occasion. Every one of those figures lights up at night! He kindly gave me permission to take the photo, and to have my scoot in the picture with the Holy Infant.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wsf1GA35pnk/TztHZIrIRhI/AAAAAAAAAvo/SQrxFWhzUMc/s1600/IMG_9842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wsf1GA35pnk/TztHZIrIRhI/AAAAAAAAAvo/SQrxFWhzUMc/s400/IMG_9842.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div> Sometimes you just have to stop at the side of the road and take a picture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OoBkby0xhmc/TztHgQqi6QI/AAAAAAAAAv4/M43AKgJRlLk/s1600/IMG_9847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OoBkby0xhmc/TztHgQqi6QI/AAAAAAAAAv4/M43AKgJRlLk/s400/IMG_9847.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a gate that I designed for a local guy. It was made by Blue Mountain Metalwork<span style="background-color: yellow;">s of Banner Elk.</span></div>I used to work there when I first came to this area. Unfortunately I did not get to build this gate, just design it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVeT-ot5zM0/TztHiqA7vQI/AAAAAAAAAwA/nquvMXtjyF0/s1600/IMG_9850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVeT-ot5zM0/TztHiqA7vQI/AAAAAAAAAwA/nquvMXtjyF0/s400/IMG_9850.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another view of the gate. Up close you can tell that the ironwork looks like rhododendrons or mountain laurel.The wording above is "Vini Vidi", or, I came, I saw. When you get up there you are exposed to some beautiful views.</div><br />
All the best.<br />
Superscooter.Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-86049329476399009582012-02-15T00:43:00.000-05:002012-02-15T00:43:46.112-05:00Visiting a Local Dealer<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I had occasion to go to Charlotte N.C. a week ago, so whilst I was there I made a visit to Vespa Of Charlotte. I had good directions to the place but I actually drove right past it. It did not look anything like a motorbike dealers or showroom at all.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58PeQVIz6KA/Tzs8_XWo9CI/AAAAAAAAAuA/ZHN0zcQ7wHc/s1600/IMG_9877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58PeQVIz6KA/Tzs8_XWo9CI/AAAAAAAAAuA/ZHN0zcQ7wHc/s400/IMG_9877.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> So, there is the store. It looks a bit small, and with the awning over the entrance I must have mistaken it for a beauty salon. Anyway after asking directions, or location, from a passerby, I circled the block and 2nd time was a charm.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The fella that owns the place is called Mike, and a right nice guy he is too. He showed me around and explained all his bikes to me. The place was packed with shiny, gorgeous scooters as he had not had a chance to put them out on the street yet. He handles Vespas, Kymcos and Genuine Scooters, plus he had a Yamaha Vino in there too, on consignment. The scoot that I particularly liked was actually called....LIKE, and is made by Kymco. It is available with a 163 cc engine and is very good looking. Unfortunately the handlebars hit my knees when I am sitting in the driving/riding position, and there seems to be no adjustability to the steering/headset.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the Like. Front like a Vespa, rear like a Lambretta.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igDyVKLs9gY/TztAAobJXvI/AAAAAAAAAuI/8Wg362X-4Dw/s1600/IMG_9882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igDyVKLs9gY/TztAAobJXvI/AAAAAAAAAuI/8Wg362X-4Dw/s1600/IMG_9882.JPG" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The above is the 50cc model, but the 163cc has the same body, bigger engine.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What really fit me to a tee was the 2007 LX150 Vespa. I can really see myself riding down the road on one of those. This one was owned by a lady who only put 500 miles on it before deciding scooters, or two wheelers in general, were not for her. Charlotte is a pretty big city and the traffic may have been too much for her.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the bonnie Blue Vespa 150</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-562nQ2NraKQ/TztCGcoDDmI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/aGWJygzdkBA/s1600/IMG_9878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-562nQ2NraKQ/TztCGcoDDmI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/aGWJygzdkBA/s1600/IMG_9878.JPG" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I was tempted by the pink one, but it was only 50cc.and I do not have a helmet to match, so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvnkWgTlKNc/TztCJPSOEWI/AAAAAAAAAuY/YQZPYl3sQbQ/s1600/IMG_9880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvnkWgTlKNc/TztCJPSOEWI/AAAAAAAAAuY/YQZPYl3sQbQ/s1600/IMG_9880.JPG" yda="true" /></a></div>It would be really nice to have a modern Vespa to run around on, for the reliability, and extra speed. That way Sophia could be worked on and become more of a weekend ride/show bike. Job situations will have to change before that happens, I think. <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I ran into a fellow on line who has a Kymco Like. He is also 5'10", he has nothing but good things to say about the quality of the scoot, but when it comes to ergonomics he wishes he had bought something else. Even at his(and my) average height, he cannot find a comfortable riding position. His legs bump the steering/handlebars, and there is no comfortable way to slide back on the seat because of the way it is shaped.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a good time chatting with Mike, and I am sure that if I fall into a pot of money sometime soon, I will give him a visit and come back with a shiny new toy. Oh, and by the way, when I said he was local, what I meant was, I drove for two and a half hours. We need a scooter dealership in Elk Park!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">All the best,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Superscooter.</div>Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-52058779291059443542012-01-01T20:50:00.000-05:002012-01-01T20:50:41.418-05:00Happy New Years ride. January 1st 2012 started out sunny and warmish so Cheri and I did a bit of tidy-up work around the outside of the house. Normal things like, getting rid of pumpkins left over from fall, taking all the plantpots and putting them in the basement so they don't freeze and break,putting patio furniture under the house to help protect the paint. Stuff like that, oh and I also broke up the large concrete slab that used to cover the old septic tank in the back yard. In the midst of doing all this Cheri told me that I should go for a ride cos "who knows when the weather will be this nice again?". I decided to finish what we were doing and then go for a ride. Guess what. It started raining, I mean really pee-ing down. I was just a little put out. Ah well.<br />
Two hours later the sun miraculously shone through the wet sky and the roads started to dry off. I quickly got all my gear together, including my BRAND SPANKING NEW full face helmet, kissed the missus and took off on my silver(dull white) dream machine(underpowered Italian scooter).<br />
New Years Day seems to be a good day to ride, there was almost no traffic, I bet I saw less than 30 cars on a 52 mile ride. I went west into Tennessee and up through Roan Mtn. State Park, then up Hughes Gap Road. Hughes Gap peaks out on the top of a ridge that is the border of N.C. and Tenn., it is one of the few places in America where you can drive a vehicle across the Appalachian Trail. Once at the top of Hughes Gap there is a steep drop down to the little town of Buladean. The road is very twisty, and lots of fun 'cos it's downhill, so my lack of horsepower does not stop me enjoying the curves. Once Hughes Gap connects with 226 I decided to head toward Erwin, Tenn. 226 is another beautiful curvy road and has the added benefit of a nice smooth surface with no gravel to scare you in the corners. (Hughes Gap was quite gravelly and becomes a forest road for a while too, which is where the App Trail crosses it) Anyway I will certainly be going back to ride 226 in the spring when the road is dry and my tires are a bit warmer.<br />
226 leads into 237 which I took in an Easterly direction toward our friend Beth's house. 237 is another curvy road and has the added benefit of a stream/crick/branch/river running alongside it. Both of these roads have all kinds of brilliant hillbilly type country scenery all along them. Now because it is winter I get to look through all the tree cover into peoples yards and fields and outbuildings. Trampolines are abundant as are 4-wheelers and plastic kiddie pools. Because of the season there are lots of inflatable snowmen and santas around, and, the 1 thing that drives me crazy with envy, plywood cut-outs of santa, his sled, and reindeers, ON PEOPLES ROOFS. There are still an amazing number of 1970s style fibreglass satellite dishes in the Tenn hills, they call them "snow-catchers", plus lots of cars from the sixties, seventies, and eighties. I saw one yard with four late 70s Jeep Wagoneers and a1985 Plymouth Horizon, another yard had a dodge scamp, and another had 3 subaru brats. Then there is the livestock, lots of mules,horses,donkeys, and dogs. I also saw Alpacas and Llamas and goats and chickens. I rode past one field that had seven deer just grazing quietly away. They barely looked up as I buzzed on by.<br />
Even though there are few signs of massive population on these roads, there are always tons of churches, the most prolific being Baptist churches with their little white buildings with a spire, and an outbuilding for eating or picnic-ing. For some reason Baptists don't like to eat in a building connected to the church!<br />
237 connects to 19E, which takes me directly back to Elk Park, Sophia, my little scooter, is running very well, probably due to the cold temperatures, and riding up the long steep hills back to N.C. is relatively painless, but somewhat tedious. Unfortunately you cannot always find a new way home, so at some point every ride loses some of its excitement as your wheels follow the grooves in the road that you have made from going the same way again and again.<br />
I rode a total of 52 miles, up and down some very steep hills, so steep in fact that sometimes I was down to 20 mph and in 2nd gear. My elevation ranged from 3000 ft above sea level to around 5500 ft, and Sophia gave me no trouble at all.<br />
I hope those of you that rode today had a good safe trip.<br />
<br />
All the best,<br />
Sir PaulSir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-87934238978189667692011-12-23T18:01:00.001-05:002011-12-23T18:11:09.963-05:00Doing something out of the ordinary.Well, <br />
I walked into my local convenience store the other day and the owner threw a canvas bag, with his store name on it, at me.<br />
"Here," he said "use this, I am sick of seeing you ride around on that scooter with your stuff in an Ingles bag. At least advertise for me when everyone stares at you on that thing".<br />
I accepted his generous gift and told him a lot of people might get to see it, as I was thinking of doing the Scooter Cannon Ball. He is a motorbike rider himself and he was very excited about the idea. So excited in fact that he offered to sponsor me. Every time someone gives him a Dollar coin between now and the end of March he will put it in a jar that has my name on it!!!!!!! How bloody cool is that?<br />
Also, listening in on this conversation was the owner of the local BBQ restaurant. Get this, he offered to throw in a hundred dollars for gas if I put two of his stickers somewhere on my scoot!!! His stickers are about 3 inches in diameter, good deal eh? Luckily I have built up good karma with this guy over the last 5 yrs by eating at his BBQ place on a regular basis.<br />
Being the joker that he is, he also said that every time he goes into the convenience store for his daily Doctor Pepper he is going to pay with a Dollar coin. Hahaha. Country boys are so damned smart, he told me I should buy a drink every day too, using the Dollar coin, that way I get a soda and in April I get all my money back !!!<br />
<br />
Anyway, the upshot is, I now HAVE to do the Cannon Ball instead of just think about it...yikes.<br />
<br />
If you want to know more about the Scooter Cannon Ball Run try this link.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.scootercannonball.com/" target="_blank">http://www.scootercannonball.com/</a><br />
<br />
But basically the Cannon Ball involves riding a small scooter from Savannah Ga. to San Diego Ca. in 8 days. The rider averages about 350miles a day on secondary roads( to stay away from high speed traffic and semi trucks). So far this year about 30 people are signed up. The route goes through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas(two days to cross it), New Mexico and finally California. Phew, it even sounds like a long way. It also appears that we will go from 9000 feet above sea level to approx 200 feet below, possibly in the same day.<br />
Now to start planning in earnest.<br />
<br />
<span class="gensmall">All the best,</span><br />
<span class="gensmall"> Sir Paul.</span>Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-84308153592177459712011-11-23T21:31:00.001-05:002011-11-24T09:55:13.058-05:00Meeting a fellow Scooterist. I had to go into Tennessee today to visit the mighty metropolis of Johnson City in order to buy some boots. Whilst I was passing thru Elizabethton I spotted a fellow on a scooter. As we scooterists seem to be few and far between in this region of pick-up trucks and Subarus I decided to have a quick chat with a fellow scooter-dude. Yes I just made that word up!<br />
It turns out that Mr Addison, the aforementioned Scooter-dude, is also a newbie like myself. He has had his scooter since August of this year. His scooter is a Daelin 125, which means he has the same size engine that I have in Sophia.<br />
Here is a piccy of the Daelin 125. 2008 Model<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mCZg1M6ZfI/Ts2sKqdLhtI/AAAAAAAAAt4/t9VHILM38Xg/s1600/daelim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mCZg1M6ZfI/Ts2sKqdLhtI/AAAAAAAAAt4/t9VHILM38Xg/s320/daelim.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><br />
It also turns out that we have more than scooter riding in common, as this gentleman is also a high school sports official. His game is American Football, whereas mine, of course, is English Football, or Soccer as we call it in America . After a few minutes of chatting at the side of the road we decided that we should try to get together for a ride sometime soon before the weather really deteriorates.<br />
Mr Addison was on his way to have his scooter looked at by a mechanic because he has found that as the weather gets colder his scooter is becoming more difficult to start. He bought it from a workmate so at least he knows its history, in fact this particular scooter has been owned by 3 people at his place of work. I wonder who will get it next?????<br />
<br />
Anyhow, looking forward to hearing from you Mr. A. Let's go riding.<br />
All the best.<br />
Sir Paul.Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-9178783283486677942011-11-19T22:03:00.000-05:002011-11-19T22:03:52.788-05:00A little spill, a little spiel, and a little artwork. I have now officially put 1100 miles on my Scooter. I have a friend, Mark Cornell, who tells me that if I am to put any great amount of miles on my Scoot I should expect to "lay it down " once or twice. Of course I laughed heartily at the very suggestion that I, Sir Paul, Superscooter himself, would ever be in a situation where "laying down" a bike would be an only option.<br />
I suppose I laughed too soon.....because I finally "laid down" my bike, or as we say in England, I took a spill. Despite the fact that I am extremely alert when riding Sophia, other people are not always as alert when driving their "tin cans" to work or pleasure. I was inadvertently forced off the road by a fellow the other morning on my way to work. He was pulling out of his driveway and turning toward the sun, and , like a WW2 fighter pilot I was coming toward him from out of the sun. He was also pulling a trailer, which meant he pulled out of his driveway wider than usual (I am assuming). I had already anticipated his actions and I slowed quickly and made my way to the far right side of the road, but he just kept on coming, soooo...... I had to head into the roadside ditch.<br />
The best I can say is that my landing was softer than it would have been on the road or in his grill. Apparently 50yr old bodies do not absorb energy as well as younger ones do. I was a bit sore for a couple of days but no bruises, breaks, or cuts to worry about. Sophia did not fare as well as i did, her hips are a little scraped up and her front mudguard/fender now has a nice little dent in it.<br />
Oh, a little piece of advice for new riders out there: Before picking up a fallen bike/scooter, make sure you turn off the engine because in your slightly dazed/enraged/panicked state you might grab the throttle as you grab the handlebars and your bike might try to drive away again, but without you aboard......Just Saying.<br />
The gentleman in the truck did not even notice the MAYHEM he had caused, and carried on, on his merry way. I am much more careful on his stretch of rural road now. Oh and in his defense I will say that probably about 4 vehicles a day go past his house and I am not one of them except for three weeks a year.<br />
<br />
On occasion I am called on to help my wife Cheri's friend Tammy do some lifting, moving or woodcutting in their Antique/junk/treasure shop. As a reward for some recent efforts on my part, Tammy offered to do a painting for me. She is quite talented when it comes to painting whimsical looking women and that kind of thing. I asked her to do a painting of a Vespa, as they are my latest obsession/object of interest. She told me she only did girls and birds, to which I, of course, replied "Well draw a girl on a Vespa". Well she did, and here it is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mKQbeEYveFg/TshElwOvnwI/AAAAAAAAAto/hhoAwSkxJ_Q/s1600/tammy+vespa.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="475" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mKQbeEYveFg/TshElwOvnwI/AAAAAAAAAto/hhoAwSkxJ_Q/s640/tammy+vespa.bmp" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Pretty cool I think, especially as this is the first attempt ever at a whimsical Vespa. The girl on the bike is a redhead because my wife is a redhead. The Eiffel Tower is there because.....well who wouldn't want the Eiffel Tower in a picture.<br />
<br />
The weather where I live has been a bit too cold and wet lately to go to work on the Vespa every day so I only ride to work when it is cold and dry. Road conditions are what decide me on which vehicle to use, not temperature......so far. The change in the weather is just bringing the day closer when I have to strip Sophia down and give her a new paint job.<br />
A final thought.....why do drivers of pick-up trucks insist on passing me where there are double yellow lines even when I am doing the speed limit? I regularly drive downhill on one of our local roads where the speed limit is 55 and I am doing 60, now even allowing for a 10% error in my speedometer I am still doing 54mph, why o why are people overtaking/passing me. Are they embarrassed to be behind a scooter? I just do not know, but I guess it is better to have those people in front of you than behind you!<br />
<br />
All the best,<br />
Sir Paul.Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-76281569543342522102011-11-19T17:59:00.000-05:002011-11-19T17:59:31.717-05:00A Penny Saved.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> My Vespa is costing me between 4 and 5 cents a mile! Compared to my 1977 Ford Truck, which gets about 14 miles to the gallon (26 cents/mile), and my 1987 wagon, which gets 26 mpg( 14 cents/mile), the Vespa is pretty thrifty, and it is my oldest vehicle at 45 yrs old.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Unfortunately the weather will soon change and I will have to start driving one of my other 2 vehicles. Oh did I mention there is a third option...... I also have a, not running at the moment, SAAB 96 which gets about 40mpg (10 cents/mile). The SAAB needs a clutch put in it, I have all the parts but not the one necessary "special tool" that is needed to do a front wheel drive SAAB clutch change. There is a fellow locally who has the tool, he thinks, but he wants 350 dollars to do the job...hmm. That really adds to the cost per mile of running a vehicle over the winter, plus, where does anyone find an extra $350 in this economy? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The aforementioned Station Wagon.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wGsSZ0Zqprg/TriAcvwE79I/AAAAAAAAAg0/QbziOVNv_0w/s320/IMG_5651.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"Old Blue" My '77 Ford Truck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CJxNoAooCs/TriB4-TybeI/AAAAAAAAAg8/QnUosyZ3QjA/s1600/IMG_3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CJxNoAooCs/TriB4-TybeI/AAAAAAAAAg8/QnUosyZ3QjA/s320/IMG_3409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "Sophia" my 1966 Sears/Vespa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmGXKGxQDl8/TriGCa8DWFI/AAAAAAAAAhE/C4lzjKt0us4/s1600/vespa3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmGXKGxQDl8/TriGCa8DWFI/AAAAAAAAAhE/C4lzjKt0us4/s320/vespa3.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is my 1973 Saab 96.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I should have closed the hood before taking the picture. Ah well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSjIBdayDFM/TsgzSNgbVDI/AAAAAAAAAtg/iwcXBQFblH4/s1600/saab.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSjIBdayDFM/TsgzSNgbVDI/AAAAAAAAAtg/iwcXBQFblH4/s320/saab.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-2279371316988714782011-10-19T15:44:00.001-04:002011-10-19T15:50:34.537-04:00Sunday morning ride. Sunday the 16th of October, my wedding anniversary, dawned bright and sunny with the promise of 70 degree temps up here in the mountains. Luckily for me I have a very understanding wife who said I should go for a ride on my scooter while she and her friend Teresa went to the Woolly Worm Festival. How cool is she for a wife?<br />
Anyway, after lounging around a bit and then washing "Sophia" I headed off toward Tennessee in order to check out a Geocache that I have attempted to find twice before without success. The previous day I had met a fellow named Papa Smurf who gave me a really broad hint as to how to locate this cache. As I said the weather was beautiful, and the road I had to take was once part of the local railway, so it was quite narrow and it cut through a few mountainsides. The hills swept up above me on one side and down steeply to the Doe River on the other side, I was surrounded by tall trees that were all shedding their leaves. Brilliant!<br />
This particular road is over 5 miles long and for the whole, slow, lazy, enjoyable time I was on it, only 2 other vehicles came by.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfS3t4AKWos/Tp8gFtYYsXI/AAAAAAAAAfs/06x_bTJiWdo/s1600/IMG_9645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfS3t4AKWos/Tp8gFtYYsXI/AAAAAAAAAfs/06x_bTJiWdo/s400/IMG_9645.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
I had to stop a couple of times to take pics of the fun ride. You could actually see some big Trout in that river back there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhgLuEKTU6Y/Tp8gM4hmS-I/AAAAAAAAAf0/s8WIZdTmT8I/s1600/IMG_9650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhgLuEKTU6Y/Tp8gM4hmS-I/AAAAAAAAAf0/s8WIZdTmT8I/s400/IMG_9650.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
As you can see, not a very wide road at all. The line that ran through there was called "Tweetsie" by the locals and Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina by the people who bought shares in it. It was a narrow guage railroad used for carrying, wood, iron ore, and people, in and out of the Mtns. to places like Boone N.C and Johnson City Tenn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcyzhcTH798/Tp8glwR383I/AAAAAAAAAgE/hwdhAXPdMAg/s1600/IMG_9647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcyzhcTH798/Tp8glwR383I/AAAAAAAAAgE/hwdhAXPdMAg/s400/IMG_9647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Another view of the "Long and Winding Road"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gC5mR_Q2GY/Tp8gVXElZ-I/AAAAAAAAAf8/9R3LP3goutI/s1600/IMG_9651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gC5mR_Q2GY/Tp8gVXElZ-I/AAAAAAAAAf8/9R3LP3goutI/s400/IMG_9651.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Another look at Sophia. Did you notice the buddy seat has been removed? Sitting where the seat used to be and crouching a bit whilst going up a loooooong hill gives me an extra 2-5 mph.....Honest. The poor old girl needs all the help she can get going up these steep hills around here. I swear I spend 65% of my time in 3rd gear. It's no wonder I only get 82 -90 mpg!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-syCqg-fvUX4/Tp8gpqxJz4I/AAAAAAAAAgM/hMyWleAyQcA/s1600/IMG_9642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-syCqg-fvUX4/Tp8gpqxJz4I/AAAAAAAAAgM/hMyWleAyQcA/s400/IMG_9642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
What is the view like from your office? This is mine, for now. In the distance you can see Grandfather Mountain with it's famous "Mile High Swinging Bridge" I have actually driven up there 3 times now on Sophia, AND I talked one of my co-workers into riding up there the last time on his little chinese 50cc Sinski. It was surprisingly fast, course he only weighs 160 lbs to my 220 and I think he has "rodded" his bike a bit.<br />
We had a great time riding up there and an even better time coming down. It sure feels good leaning into a corner at 55mph.(Downhill is where my greater mass has a bigger advantage). Youth has it's advantages too , and Joel goes into a corner as if he is indestructable, in spite of my warnings.<br />
<br />
One of the bonuses of making it to the top of the mountain is to see the looks on all the Harley and BMW rider's faces as you crest the hill into the parking lot. One of those guys actually asked me if I had pushed my Scooter to the top!! Cheeky bugger! He wasn't so glib when it was time to leave and he could see me in his rear view mirror the whole way down.....TeeHee.<br />
<br />
All the best ,<br />
Sir Paul.Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-50994553424867918462011-10-19T13:56:00.000-04:002011-10-19T13:56:42.453-04:00Not the best paint in the world.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see from these pictures, although my scooter has not been ridden a lot , she has certainly been around the block a few times. There are several areas where the previous owners have had little scrapes and dings that were too minor to repair. A simple squirt of rattlecan paint was considered enough to prevent the rust monsters from taking hold. So, I have ended up with a very original slightly acned looking scooter. I wonder if the vintage scooter community thinks this look adds to or takes away from the desirability of the bike. I have already had one strong objection from Blackbart to painting her, but I did so want to do the old "Mod" type personalised paintjob. Hmmmm, things to think about.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40MW7ax6dKw/Tpd5-Rb83dI/AAAAAAAAATE/XnTa7XgN2L4/s1600/IMG_8106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40MW7ax6dKw/Tpd5-Rb83dI/AAAAAAAAATE/XnTa7XgN2L4/s400/IMG_8106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">To the right of the horn cover you can see blemishes on the legshield.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I3jDuDe9Wv8/Tpd5_ElnN8I/AAAAAAAAATM/PJbATGcrjWI/s1600/IMG_8107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I3jDuDe9Wv8/Tpd5_ElnN8I/AAAAAAAAATM/PJbATGcrjWI/s400/IMG_8107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Here is a close-up of the Sears Bluebadge.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Once again though, not surrounded by the best paint.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-380E-ECKcbI/Tpd-4KyOqeI/AAAAAAAAAbM/LryXKFbZd_M/s1600/IMG_8135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-380E-ECKcbI/Tpd-4KyOqeI/AAAAAAAAAbM/LryXKFbZd_M/s400/IMG_8135.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Choke, fuel on/off tap and I.D. Plate. More patina paint, and the kickstarter peeking round the side. <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DEfz-VBPUho/Tpd-3gPZqCI/AAAAAAAAAbA/bLYER_qm22Q/s1600/IMG_8134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DEfz-VBPUho/Tpd-3gPZqCI/AAAAAAAAAbA/bLYER_qm22Q/s400/IMG_8134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Yeuch. The ugly looking gearshift, and a small view of the mirror stem. Lots of character. <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcoPDeLoPDY/Tpd-3IrVmtI/AAAAAAAAAao/w_ZqyUw3Y1c/s1600/IMG_8132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcoPDeLoPDY/Tpd-3IrVmtI/AAAAAAAAAao/w_ZqyUw3Y1c/s400/IMG_8132.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I think this is called a "Headset". Anyway it needs a bit of paint too, don't you think? Yes I acquired this scooter with a little more than 1700miles on it. An average of 377 miles per year. I have already added 772 miles to that total myself. Wow that is hard to believe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbakRFjSjgY/Tpd-43DWZpI/AAAAAAAAAbc/Dks0yzpg1vc/s1600/IMG_8136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbakRFjSjgY/Tpd-43DWZpI/AAAAAAAAAbc/Dks0yzpg1vc/s400/IMG_8136.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> All original floormat and aluminum trim. I will need a new brake cover rubber though. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21kQ_jHNZEo/Tpd-msib_sI/AAAAAAAAAYU/PB1wlOnSDJE/s1600/IMG_8111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21kQ_jHNZEo/Tpd-msib_sI/AAAAAAAAAYU/PB1wlOnSDJE/s400/IMG_8111.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Dare I say it? Oh Okay. Does this scooter make my butt look big honey? 1974 the last time this scooter was registered and in a different state too. Sure made it difficult for the people at my local DMV. Their computer kindly informed them that Sears never made or sold scooters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FSN74zepLls/Tpd-iYRgP4I/AAAAAAAAAW0/39UHceN6T0g/s1600/IMG_8103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FSN74zepLls/Tpd-iYRgP4I/AAAAAAAAAW0/39UHceN6T0g/s400/IMG_8103.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> Last but not least, a happy man making sure the light is on and someone is home. No that is not a helmet, that is my head!!!!<br />
<br />
So.....opinions please. To paint or not to paint, that is the question . Surely a Vespa of any other colour would smell as sweet.<br />
<br />
All the best.<br />
Sir Paul Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-53891482516367715032011-10-14T12:33:00.001-04:002011-10-16T21:39:52.853-04:00Coming home from work.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Cheri just happened to be in the front yard with her camera as I arrived home from work the other day. As you can tell it was a wee bit cold, but it takes more than cold weather to wipe the smile off your face when you ride a Super Scooter.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1JNF9DnmWNs/TpuGxfEk-AI/AAAAAAAAAcs/QGUmrD5OUag/s1600/super+scooter+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1JNF9DnmWNs/TpuGxfEk-AI/AAAAAAAAAcs/QGUmrD5OUag/s320/super+scooter+2.bmp" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is a close-up of my shiny United Kingdom sticker, right next to my all original Sears Bluebadge sticker. Any offers on the Sears sticker , anyone, anyone,?????</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5mqZ10G69A/TpuG8fuSjBI/AAAAAAAAAc0/BNDV8pkq8To/s1600/super+scooter+1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5mqZ10G69A/TpuG8fuSjBI/AAAAAAAAAc0/BNDV8pkq8To/s320/super+scooter+1.bmp" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I suppose the final picture should have been the first one shown, but hey what the heck, we'll save the action pic for last. In case any of you are wondering, the blue strap around the headlight is/are the handles of my shopping bag, which is where I put my lunch and extra clothes when I am riding. I was going to go with the old"milk crate " method, but I live too far away from the beach to justify that.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jepgIKuIAL4/TpuHMFujokI/AAAAAAAAAc8/v9BC4dMU9z8/s1600/super+scooter3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jepgIKuIAL4/TpuHMFujokI/AAAAAAAAAc8/v9BC4dMU9z8/s320/super+scooter3.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Bye for now.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Sir Paul</div>Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1807333722025660222.post-59069039634199428852011-10-13T20:34:00.000-04:002011-10-13T20:34:49.331-04:00<div class="flippy"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="postContents"><div _loaded="true" class="entirePost"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One hundred Smiles to the Gallon.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I have a new toy! </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I know, I know, why would I need another toy? Well this one is something I have been lusting after for about 4 years on and off, with some six or seven month periods when I never even thought about it at all.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> My new toy is a VESPA scooter. Not just any Vespa scooter though, but an antique. It is a 1966 Sears scooter (made by Vespa but sold through Sears stores in America). Whilst riding home from work one day I happened to pass a metal building that had all it's doors open, through the open doors I could see lots of old American cars. As most of you know, I am not shy about pulling over and talking to almost anyone about anything at the drop of a hat. That is how I got to meet a fellow called Bobby McClain. Bobby was an older fellow, sad to say he is gone now {summer of 2011} but not forgotten, and he and I walked around his building talking cars and such for 2 or 3 hours. On this first visit I did not see his little scooter as it was being screened by a 57 Chevy and an old Harley Davidson motorcycle. Anyway, 2 or 3 visits later I came across the wee beastie you see below. Sophia, for that shall be her name from this moment hence, was all dusty and a bit bedraggled looking but I could see the potential for a cool looking ride under all the dust. Fortunately for me I live in an area where everyone wants to be seen in a truck or on a fast motorcycle so I was the only person making any serious noise about purchasing "Sophia".</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJXIiNr8ztI/Tpd6CChkpmI/AAAAAAAAAUw/9HDTIbZqUUA/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJXIiNr8ztI/Tpd6CChkpmI/AAAAAAAAAUw/9HDTIbZqUUA/s320/IMG_8124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> After being in a warehouse type building for 20 odd years she was a little rough around the edges. A few little bumps and bruises here and there, and a tank full of gas that had turned into a really thick furniture varnish/wood glue looking concoction. Honest....when we cleaned the gas out it actually hung from the cloth like honey or Elmers Glue!!I later found out from Bobbies wife Thelma, that Sophia had not been ridden in at least 6 years.Now for the really good bit.....for 46 years this scooter had hardly been driven AND still had the original tyres on it "CEAT Made in Italy" So, what, you might ask, is the mile-age? Take a look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EVEkeDMAeA/Tpd5_ddR29I/AAAAAAAAATk/XwhFk2LnVBk/s1600/IMG_8109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EVEkeDMAeA/Tpd5_ddR29I/AAAAAAAAATk/XwhFk2LnVBk/s320/IMG_8109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Yep that actually is 1700 miles..........<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the exchange of a sum of money which I later found out to be about a quarter of the actual value of this bike to most scooterists, I took Sophia home.Here she is at home with me pretending to ride her. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVs8B7V-Y80/Tpd6BLzUG2I/AAAAAAAAAUI/hk2gcgKQtq4/s1600/IMG_8112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVs8B7V-Y80/Tpd6BLzUG2I/AAAAAAAAAUI/hk2gcgKQtq4/s320/IMG_8112.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fortunately I have a friend, Mark Cornell, who used to work as a BMW motorcycle mechanic. He cleaned the carburettor for me (I can do it myself now!), and we put fresh gas in the newly cleaned gas-tank, crossed our fingers and worked the kickstart. Miracle of miracles, she started up on the fifth kick, (Okay its not up there with turning water into wine but Mark is only human, just). Massive humongous mucho thanks to the best Vespa Mechanic in Avery County North Carolina............Mr. Mark Cornell. Of course I let Mark be the first person to ride my new toy, it was only right. He took it up his driveway and back and dismounted with a big grin. "Cool" he said. High praise coming from a man who drives Buells, BMWs and other fancy schmancy bikes! Here is a pic of me with Sophia actually running (you can tell 'cos the light is on)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7A_uUs3tyMw/Tpd59f5wyzI/AAAAAAAAASs/Kzx0R3vPjvg/s1600/IMG_8104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7A_uUs3tyMw/Tpd59f5wyzI/AAAAAAAAASs/Kzx0R3vPjvg/s320/IMG_8104.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Yes I do look a little bit over the moon don't I.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now then, back to those 46 year old tyres. I was told by a Very nice fellow called Paul, who runs a website called "Den of the Vespa" that the best insurance I could get if I was to ride "this old scoot" would be new tyres. The obvious inference being that the dry rotted old tyres would just disintegrate under the strain of the high speeds and heavy loads I was going to put on them. Being the kind of guy who laughs in the face of danger, I proceeded to ride the heck out of those tyres. I put over 300 miles on them going at mad speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, and leaning daringly into curves and corners like a latter day Barry Sheen. (The only motorbike racer whose name I know. Plus, he is English) Eventually age and strain did get to the tyres and I had a nice gentle blow-out at 45 mph on a smooth straight stretch of road. Lucky me!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Below......Old tyres and old wheels.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div></div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRonPO6Ujc4/Tpd-6C4HMgI/AAAAAAAAAb4/e_Uywe8BlAw/s1600/IMG_8139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRonPO6Ujc4/Tpd-6C4HMgI/AAAAAAAAAb4/e_Uywe8BlAw/s320/IMG_8139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front wheel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7KN77BDsLY/Tpd-5yg21eI/AAAAAAAAAbw/cPp6k3zxnjc/s1600/IMG_8138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7KN77BDsLY/Tpd-5yg21eI/AAAAAAAAAbw/cPp6k3zxnjc/s320/IMG_8138.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back wheel.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Well that is all for now folks, hope you enjoyed the pictures and story. There will be more to follow on the adventures of............. SUPERSCOOTER.Sir Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07845451591926939837noreply@blogger.com3