Modern Vespa

F*cking iphone!

JimT has always "pushed" me to prepare as if there is no support truck. Hard to do but a good way to approach it.

Wait, you mean you were carrying?

Can't keep my eyes off this thread.

That would be a challenge to figure out the PA conceal carry reciprocity laws across and entire domestic cannonball route! http://www.pafoa.org/law/carrying-firearms/concealed-carry/reciprocity

There we're unconfirmed rumors of an arms display and shoot out of sorts in the area 51 portion of 2008 cannonball!

Yes, I did hear that somewhere.

I took that photo. 8)

That's such a great photo.

What fine gentleman.

Bill xxx

Lianna should be on her way home today. Got a call from her the other day. sounds like she had a blast. Thank you everyone for being so gracious to her. Means a lot to us over here on the rock. Were going to have lunch next week where i'll get the 411. 8)

Very sad to say it but...the 2014 Scooter Cannonball Run is almost over...

Yanobobano is almost home! (She will be the last to make it back home, right?)

The good news - that should mean we get a new batch of pics/vids to gawk at!

I have a couple coworkers and a couple friends who I'm trying to persuade into getting Vespas & this is one of the threads I'm asking them to read. Some people have told me this may not be the best thread to use to entice new Vespa ownership. As potential 'turn-offs', they cite - parts being shaken loose by dirt roads, daily wrenching to keep scooters running, accidents from avoiding wildlife *cough* looking at you lostboater's bear *cough* and the bewildering array of modifications...all potentially negative things in the eyes of prospective new Vespa owners.

I've prefaced their reading by explaining that this thread is focused on the 'lunatic fringe' of the scooter world. I've explained this is not riding to the corner store for milk & eggs (or beer & pizza). This is not a leisurely tour through their local state park or even a long-distance, long weekend trip around the state/province/country. This thread is about life's extremes, on scooters ridden to the extreme by extreme people. The 'lunatic fringe' is the best of the best. - Shake your parts loose on washboard dirt roads? They'll find a way to get it back together...kindness. Break or wear something out & need a replacement? They'll help you wrench it & even donate parts...camaraderie & helpfulness. Take a dive & bash up your bike/self? They'll pick up your bike, body & spirits and encourage you onward...cheerful & respectful. These are the reasons I believe this thread is one of the best for future Vespa owners, it shows that no matter how bad the situation may be with your scooter, there's always someone willing to help out if they can.

MV proves that buying a Vespa is not just obtaining a motorscooter...you're instantly inheriting an entire family of friends looking out for each other. Tough to put a price on that. I can't think of a better way to promote Vespa than to show it at it's most extreme which is when the Vespa community is at its best.

Alright, I'm sitting in the Portland airport using the WiFi, and sipping a delicious coffee. Dad and I are finally going to be home today!
Back to reality we go...
Thanks to everyone back home and on here that supported us in our CB effort. I'm happy to have been a part of this year's ride and to have been able to do it with such a wonderful group of people. You all are amazing! I truly hope that I will be lucky enough to do it again. Now that I have something to ride here on the mainland, I hope I won't be too much of a stranger.
2015 Amerivespa Indy ride anyone?

Well if you ride from Portland and take a dip south to Breckenridge I might be available to join the rest of the way. I'm sure there will also be a California contingent.

Don't be a stranger.

I wouldn't mind riding to Portland first. That would be taking the long way around.

I'm pretty sure that'd get you the furthest ridden award...

Optional survey on the back of the state of Hawaii agriculture forms you get on the plane. Just thought they should know why I've been gone so long. :lol:

Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone

FTI, when we went over Hoosier Pass earlier there is still snow on it!

needed to also mark , sporting event, visit friends, incentive trip, pleasure/vacation and convention/conference.

Yano you actually fill those things out? I don't. I think they just throw them away. Glad your home. Just in time for the hot weather.

Got the Sports City back from the shop on Thursday and found out what the problem with the speed sensor was. Turns out that it wasn't the speed sensor but the rear wheel rim I bought off eBay for the K66. There are 2 "buttons" on the original rear rim and 5 on the eBay rim. The speed sensor on the Sports City reads the buttons as they go past it. On the 2008 I have the speed sensor expects 2 buttons per revolution but apparently the scoot that m rim came off of reads 5 per revolution so 2.5 times actual speed plus whatever error is already in the speedo. On this Sports City that has been about 4% also times 2.5 which is how my 4,000 mile trip became 11,000.

Finally back in Breckenidge, sitting at the French café having crepe and coffee. Looked up to see an aquamarine LX pass by. Ah, it I good to be home.

Please forgive this hijack but I've just found this pic of my 2012 ride.

I miss it.

Gone now.

Bill

MB - Can anyone spot the sponsorship from the Sex Shop ?

Does anyone remember the older gentleman with the white hair and beard who I chatted to at least twice at Abita ?

I don't think he was involved in the Cannonball but I remember him being very pleasant to talk to and very inquisitive.

Anyone ?

Bill xxx

Santa?

He wore a black mesh jacket and not a white trimmed parka.

At no point did he say Yo ho ho.

Bill xxx

Edit What's Binh's full name please.

Bihn Cheung.

That would be me, Bill. And thanks for calling me a gentleman; my wife blew coffee onto her keyboard when she saw that one -- Ha!

Cheers, Johnny

Thank you both for clearing those mysteries up.

Is that proper English ?

Bill xxx

I think so, but then you're the native English speaker, so I defer to you. Sounds good to me; I shall endeavour to follow your example...

Don't.

Seriously...

Don't.

It was requested that I post some of my pictures up from the ride and I completely forgot because I posted them all on FB.

I think you should be able to see all 112 of them if you use this link. You shouldn't need FB to view them. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154246611695128.1073741834.705875127&type=1&l=36db264184

Sorry for bringing this up again.

Yesterday Steve and I rode to Cripple Creek and some other parts of the Colorado Gold Trail. On our way back home to Breckenridge along the Hwy 9 in the opposite direction of the Cannonball we were racing to beat an incoming storm when I took this photo using the same camera set up as on the cannonball - Cannon D10 mounted to the windshield of the BV instead of the Sports City. It was almost like being back on the cannonball.

This funny , if a bear smells that stuff your vespa will be stolen by yogi

This one from Amerivespa is for you LC.

Lance Cali Classic 125/150 (no floor hump).

NICE! Thanks for granting my request...you're the best genie ever!

Thank you VERY much for posting & for the non-FB-friendly link (no FB for me). Your pics are absolutely beautiful. (You're not so bad yourself either .) I only lived in NOLA for about a half a year after Katrina but your pics brought back some pretty strong feelings & memories.

Your states/provinces map has got to be the most unique one I've ever seen. I freely admit I'm going to stalk your pics for quite some time...every time this Vegas heat starts making me crazy, I grab a beer & browse your glacier pics. Thanks again!

I like this

Just an FYI, this week is the 10th anniversary of when we pulled out of Virginia Beach on the original scooter cannonball. Time flies! Lotsa fun from then til now, huh?

Who knew you were starting an institution.

Who is that masked man? Dog you the man!

If anyone is thinking of entering Scooter Cannonball in 2016 and they don't have a scooter and the regs stay the same please pm me.

Bill x

Except of course that you bailed in Chattanooga and mysteriously showed up again at the finish line in NOHO.