My favorite farkles: Part I

One of the fun things about owning a scooter is making it your own by adding accessories (mods or farkles) to it.  It could be something purely decorative like a headlight visor or an item that enhances performance or comfort or safety.  It’s easy to get carried away with it.  If you’ve got deep enough pockets, there’s virtually no limit to the things you can add to your scooter.

While I was out riding a couple of days ago I was thinking about the various things I’ve done to my scooter and began to rank them in some sort of favorite order.

Utopia back rest: This one item is far and away the best addition I’ve made to my scooter.  I’ve had chronic back problems since I was a teenager and long rides really exacerbate the pain and discomfort.  This back rest has made my rides far more comfortable and I can stay in the saddle longer without having to stop to stretch.

It does make my Vespa look a bit like an armchair on wheels but I'm riding for pleasure, not to wow onlookers with my style.

There is one downside to installing this back rest - it leaves too little room on the back of the seat for a passenger.   That's not an issue for me but it might be a deal breaker for some.  Also, it is semi-permanent.  The bracket the seat back attaches to is bolted to the seat pan and comes up through the foam and seat cover.  If you don't like the idea of cutting a slit through your seat this isn't for you.

Anyone who has back issues and/or does long distance rides ought to give this some serious consideration.  When I began ranking my favorite modifications there wasn't anything else in contention for the top spot.  Get in touch if you have any questions that I might be able to answer for you.

“vespa” Museum Of Modern Art - Vespa Scooters

“vespa” Museum Of Modern Art - Vespa Scooters

Some nice scooter pics.

All work and no play makes me something something

On the Cannonball thread on Modern Vespa we've mostly been joking about things that have little to do with the run.  As one person posted the other day, "rather than planning routes and what tools to bring etc., you're discussing the logistics of riding in a kilt, with a spanking paddle on board a scooter decorated with the logo of an online dildo vendor, following the scent of a marmite-smeared exhaust with plans for further marmite spreading in private...".  [NOTE: she missed the lengthy discussion about how to pee while riding on a scooter]

I don't know about other riders (though I suspect they're doing the same), there's a lot of logistical planning going on.  When I'm not working or doing something else that requires my attention, I'm thinking about Cannonball.  I've got so many lists going that I need a list of lists to organize them.  I'm laying out turn-by-turn routes on my GPS program.  I'm finding fuel stops along a 2,500 mile stretch of road.  I'm looking for anyone who looks like they might be a scooter mechanic for 100 miles on either side of the route.  I'm drawing up lists of gear and clothing and the like and then sorting it into WANT vs. NEED.  And all the while I'm giggling and squirming internally like a kid on Christmas Eve because the anticipation is just too much.

I'd rather talk about kilts and dildos and Marmite in public since the nitty gritty details of how much shampoo and toothpaste to bring just aren't all that interesting.  Or are they?

Bamako by Vespa

The Budapest to Bamako Run - sort of a poor man's Dakar Rally - takes place every January.  This year three Norwegian guys are going to do the 16-day, 5,500 mile rally on Vespa PX200Es.  Their preparations have been exhaustive.  They did total teardowns of the scooters so they would know exactly what they needed for tools along the way.  They will be carrying about 150 lbs. each in gear, spare parts, food, etc.

Their blog and website - Bamako by Vespa - is a great read.  There's a tracking map set up if you want to follow their progress.

A Salute to the Scoot

I missed this back in June when it was published in the Times. The Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A. is running an exhibit through May 2012 called "Scooters: Size Doesn't Always Matter". I'll be in Los Angeles for a day or two at the beginning of May after the Cannonball ends, so I might try to see it. I'd love to hear from anyone who's already been - what did you think?

At Petersen Automotive Museum, a Salute to the Scoot (NY Times)

That is all

Warm hands

This year's Christmas gift for the scooter was a pair of Hippo Hands.  They are handlebar muffs that fit over the grips on the scooter.  Nylon on the outside and a deep pile synthetic fur on the inside, they should keep my hands toasty warm during my winter rides.  I have a great pair of winter riding gloves but they are bulky and they get annoyingly uncomfortable after half an hour or so.  With the Hippo Hands installed I ought to be able to wear my summer gloves and still stay warm.  My wife also got a pair and she plans on using Zippo hand warmers inside of hers.

1948 Salsbury scooter

Pretty cool looking machine. Salsbury scooters were made by Cushman. I’d never heard of them before but I’m reading a book in which they were mentioned. Someone will be riding the Cannonball on a 1946 Salsbury. Now that is something that I really want to see.

More info and great pix at International Salsbury Restorers Society.

Stebel horn installed. Get the hell out of my way.

I’ve had a Stebel horn just sitting here waiting to be installed for many months. Yesterday I took advantage of the warm weather to finally get ‘er done. There was no way I could fit that thing intact within the front of my scooter, so I split the compressor from the horn and linked the two pieces with a short length of tubing. It seemed like it should be a quick and easy install but nothing ever seems to work that way. I had to pull the leg shield off to run wire up from the battery and I had to attach a number of wiring connectors to all of the various bits and pieces. Nothing difficult, just tedious. But now it’s done and that sucker is LOUD. I almost can’t wait for some cager to do something stupid so I can give them a blast. Heh heh.

Winter riding

I've ridden several times in the last few days and it's been a real treat considering that it's nearly the end of December.  I moved from Maine to Virginia six months ago and I'm still adapting to the change in climate.  I'm just not accustomed to being overdressed while riding at this time of year but two days ago that was the case.  It's downright disorienting.

Among the several reasons my wife and I had for moving here is the longer riding season.  You can go for months in a row without riding in Maine because it's either way too cold, there's snow and ice on the road, or both.  So far in Virginia we've had plenty of nights when it's dipped below freezing but it always warms up enough to ride during the day. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be out riding in shorts and flip flops anytime soon but I'm also not sitting in my living room looking out the window at snowbanks and wondering how long it's going to be before I can get on the scooter again.

Cannonball dreams

I had a dream last night about riding in the Cannonball.  There was nothing quirky or fantastical about it - just a simple dream about a run of the mill ride - but it's a sign that my non-stop daydreaming about it has now seeped into my sleep.

I should back up a moment to explain...The Cannonball is a biennial coast-to-coast endurance run for scooters. As noted on the Cannonball website, it "will be run as a time/distance/regularity rally where points are awarded based on miles completed and the ability to maintain the standard pace." The 2012 Cannonball is scheduled for April 22-29 and will run from Savannah, Georgia to San Diego, California.

I first heard of the Cannonball in the summer of 2010 just shortly after buying my first scooter.  I was living in Portland, Maine at the time and was immediately intrigued when I learned the route that year was ending there after setting out from Vancouver, British Columbia.  Even though I was brand new to scooters I had a few fleeting days of believing that I could enter and ride, though it didn't take long for me to realize that I wasn't ready for that sort of a slog.  I was left to get my vicarious thrills from reading about it.

I followed the conversations and preparations of numerous riders through their blogs, as well as the discussions on Modern Vespa and the Cannonball forum.  As the race began and unfolded I checked in frequently throughout each day for news.  I was hooked.  My wife and I showed up at the finish line on Day 10 to meet some of the early arrivals and we were able to put some faces to the names we'd been following.  Standing there on the outside looking in I knew that I wanted to ride in 2012.

So here we are now, just under four months from the start.  While it's not the only thing I think about, it's getting damned close to it.  This seems as good a time as any to start this blog.  I learned a lot from reading about other riders' experiences.  Perhaps someone can pick up something helpful from my blathering.