Modern Vespa

Just got my first Vespa! 2005 ET4. Picking it up Saturday and I can't wait to take it for a spin.

Just returned from a week at a BSA summer camp here in Texas. Was REALLY hot only one day, no one got hurt, and watched a lot of underprivileged boys learn a lot of self-esteem building skills.

Now it's back to work. Oh yeah, this is the happy thread. Scratch that.

Is there a scooter badge?

After 2 hours, got the new rear tire on the MP3 to take air and got the bead seated.
The final resolution was to put it back on the tire changer, spray the rim and tire down with lube and use the bear breaker to push the tire bead over the seat on the rim so the tire would be over the hole for the air fill valve.

Been changing tires for over 40 years and never had this much problem getting a tire to take air.

Oh, and put 2,500 miles on the MP3 500 in just over a month.
Man I love riding this thing.

This bombing it along the M25 at Chobham today

Awesome pic!

My internal affairs dept are being investigated by another load of investigators. About time. I would love nothing more than to see these corrupt people being locked up. What goes around comes around. Hoorah you fu....😁

It is only one security guard and myself in the data center today. No facilities people onsite today in this building. Oh guess that makes me facilities too
So they left the gypsies in the palace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVRN2DcQHFo

England winning the Cricket World Cup.

It's like the condolence prize for loosing the women's World Cup

Still, congrats! I know cricket is a huge sport in many places. Here not so much.... however I'm sure you could care less about ice hockey so it all works out

Hell, I am in the US and could give a crap about Hockey. Well unless the Caps are ROCKING THE RED and kicking some Maples Leafs ASS !! hehehe

For those of you unaware, I broke my calcaneus (heel bone) on March 19th. Almost four months ago.

I haven't walked since then. I haven't ridden since last year.

Today I took my first steps without crutches or any other assisting device. My physical therapist will be proud when I see him Wednesday.

There is still a long way to go but I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Hopefully, I will get a few weeke riding in this year.

Hi Matthew,

Congratulations!

It took me 12 weeks to be able to walk on mine. I guess I was doing better than I thought. I didn't ride again for six and a half months, but that was partly psychological.

Dang guys, heel takes longer to heal then torn quadriceps tendon. I was only down 3.5 months and was riding sooner.

Feels great to stand on your own, doesn't it?

That's fine and I'm not a Leafs fan ;-p

College football media days this week. Games only 6 weeks away.

Summer Vacation: Cabo San Lucas in 4 days!!!

When I lived in Maryland in the mid 80's I was only about 10-15 minutes from the Capital Center where the caps played and Raytheon (my employer at the time) had season tickets, I was a big fan back then.
If sales dept was not using the ticket they would call and see if I wanted them for the night

I grew up and played hockey in Montreal including in the QMJHL (one step below NHL, Whalers farm team). My FIL however was the better hockey player, that is him on the left.

*EDIT* Seeing as how this is the happy thread here is another cute picture. Here he is a little older and my wife is seeing from the left. At that point he was a police chief (chief detective).

It certainly does but I don't want you to get the idea that I am back on my feet for good. I have good days and bad days. Yesterday was a good day and I was able to walk unassisted for about 100 feet. Today wasn't really a bad day but not good enough for any more walking.

Having said that it did feel good and I know that I will get there.

Australian scooter club makes the news ( in a good way).

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-18/scooter-riders-happy-to-stay-in-the-slow-lane/11317136

Bought the new 2019 15" MBP this weekend and after playing with/using it it for a few days I have to say I like it! Fastest Mac notebook I've had by far.

I always do a clean instal and migrate very little over so it can take me a bit to set everything up the way I want it. IMHO the Cloud isn't quite there yet but much of the syncing technology and password management software has made the move to new hardware much easier than it used to be.

Why would you buy a perfectly good computer and then modify its performance. Wait, never mind.

Took the scooter uptown today to buy a few things, hit the farmer's market and get some vacuum cleaner parts. I knew storms were coming, but it didn't look all that threatening. Mrs. fledermaus called me just as I was leaving the farmer's market, suggesting I abort and come home. Storm was in the north, I was eventually heading south.

Decided to go for it, bought my parts and headed off-a bit peeved
'cause the shopkeeper kept making jokes despite me making it clear I wanted to rush off. By the time I headed down the street, leaves were being blown off the trees. Turned south on the highway and opened up the throttle racing the clouds...which by then were starting to open up on me anyway. Worse than the rain was the wind....some nice crosswind gusts near the end that sharpened my wits and slowed me down a bit.

Got home without getting soaked, and though a minute or two sooner would have been better, I'm safe and sound. And Mrs. f was kind enough to have the garage door open for me. 8)

BOAC liveried 747 and the Red Arrows.

Got my old parking spot back at work. Had an ass for a security director for a while and I couldn't park my scooter at the loading dock.
He said I had to be in a parking spot.
Now have a new security director, she's from India. She asked me why my scooter was taking up a parking spot? 😄
Said I should park it by the loading dock out of the way And it would be in the shade then
I told her I totally agree with her and the smart she was.

Having a long week for various reasons but went to St Lawrence Market and my favourite grocer downstairs had these in stock. Pretty rare and now I'm just deciding what to make with them.

Shriveled up potatoes?
Not a clue what those are.

Truffles?

Is that you in the jorts?

I am cheered by my wife's planning a December trip to Thailand. Our son and his wife and two kids are moving to Chicago in November, so we will head up there for Thanksgiving, which is late this year, then head out for SE Asia on Dec 2. Oh, also, the second grandchild is scheduled to arrive in late August. That's pretty cool too.

That's a whole lotta cool!

Close but nope. Fresh porcini mushrooms.

Nah, that's my BIL. He went on to be the Chief Fire Inspector. Funny how serving the public seems to run in families.

Woke up this A.M. on the green side of the sod, always a good position.

Checked the guy in the bathroom mirror against my driver's licence and they matched.

That clinched my decision to jump on the BV500 and head for London, to Hully Gully to look at some toys. Some tempting goodies tickled my fancy.
Now just a matter of checking the vault.

The helpful folks on the Modern Vespa forum, who have been helping me with an intermittent starting issue for over a year. I think it is almost fixed!

Minnesota's Hands-Free law went into effect August 1. Since then I've seen significantly fewer drivers playing with their phones instead of watching the road. Hopefully this trend will continue.

I guess I'm happy that I'm on vacation so that's cheering me up. Getting caught in the pouring rain on the highway while my rain gear is strapped to the floor rack maybe not so much. I'm currently nursing one small pint while I dry off. No point in putting my rain pants on as I'm soaked already but the jacket I can toss on.