Modern Vespa

the looks you must get when driving around with that...

nice custom mount you made for it though!

That's a genius set up!

I have a friend who rigged up something like that to take his mountain bike on his motorcycle. I'll have to see if I can get some pics of it

Yeah, lots of looks, but for some reason no glaring looks from the police yet. I guess they see enough crazy stuff on the roads, that they're willing to look past this contraption. It's super sketchy at 70mph. It's even more sketchy when trying to ride twisty loose gravel roads with the bike on the back!

It took me about a month to figure out in my mind how the BMX was going to be mounted on the scooter. All i knew was that i wanted BMX upside down. Once i figured it out in my head, i fabbed up everything in a day. I have a pile of steel remnants in my shop, so all the material was there to make it happen. It takes about 2 seconds to mount the bike in the rack, and it takes less than a second to remove it. I've modified it some since i took this pic, so that there is no need to strap the bike down. The reason i built is was because during the summertime, i do a mountain bike race series (yes, on my BMX), and since the races are Monday afternoon/evenings, traffic is super bad. I can easily lane filter on the highways and inner city throughfares. The race is about 30 miles from my house, and the scooter is a perfect way to travel! And yeah, i be snappen people's necks when they see me coming!

I know 2x2 Cycles makes racks for motorcycles. I also did notice that they came out with a new style of bike carrier about a year after i built mine. Most all cycling communities are farily tight knit, so it wouldn't surprise me if someone sent them a pic of my rig. Then 2x2 built something somewhat similar to mine, but could be univeral to fit many different bikes and motos.

That's a badass setup WhoDat!

This isn't actually a "Senior Riders" post, except that perhaps it is something that some of us Seniors might have done when we were Juniors. I just liked the pic and wanted to post it but I didn't want to create a whole new thread. I'm not worried about hijacking someone else's thread... I'm the one who started it.

when I was about 9 my grandfather took me to get a haircut, the barber shop was across the street from the bike shop. While waiting for my turn I was looking out the window and there was an older kid wheeling down the sidewalk out front of the bike shop. He's doing pretty well until, his forks fell right off and he hit the ground so hard I swear I could hear him from inside across the street. I probably tighten my stems to 40lb tq now lol

At 67 years old, I bought a Vespa in December 2020 and have only gotten to ride it for 4 miles.

I've been on motorcycles for 20 years, bicycles for about 3, which taught me alot about being on 2 wheeled things (pre-motorcycles).

My first scooter ride was when I was in 1st grade. I stood in front on the floor and held the handlebars while my dad took me for a ride! No pictures, so I understand it doesn't count on here! haha.... I credit my dad for the scooter bug. And I figured I could handle a scooter better than a motorcycle now. Getting kind of anxious to ride, and still waiting for 2 accessories.

With proper care for both of us (scooter and driver), I hope to ride for many years. I decided I am not crazy to do this.

Definitely not too old, and crazy doesn't come into it. Enjoy!

Well, i was with a whole group of senior this days

For truth they make me remember my times in high school when we were riding in group on a vespa (no matter what kind a vespa u have)

New member here. I'm 58 years old and have owned a couple of classic Vespas in the past. I'm expecting delivery of my first modern Vespa this week. A Sei Giorni 300. I'm pretty sure my family thinks I'm suffering a midlife crisis, but I look at Vespas every year when the weather gets warm and I'm tired of dreaming. Once a rider, always a rider.

I guess I'm unusual in that, at the age of 63, I bought my first scooter just last year. It was a nasty little Yamaha Neos 50, which cost me very little, and I spent about the same again getting it fit to ride. My son-in-law, who's a biker, did warn me that once I got the bug I'd be upgrading to something with a bit more muscle, so some months ago I bought a Vespa ET4 125, which was (literally) in bits for me to renovate. I'm hoping to get that on the road over the next month or so and in the meantime I'm sharing another Yamaha (YS125, geared bike) with my grandson and we're doing the Basic Training together.
It's never too late to get started on two wheels!

I'm turning 60 this year and this is my first Vespa. I still have yet to ride it or even get it started after rebuilding. I've owned a bunch of motorcycles in the past (mostly during the early 90's), including a Honda 550, a Norton 850 Commando, a Triumph Trophy, Yamaha rd 400, GPZ 750, Gpz 550, and a Bmw R65 LS. I have to admit I liked the Commando and GPZ 550 the best. I liked going fast. The GPZ was bored out and race tuned by a previous owner and would beat stock 750 Ninjas. Lots of fond memories.

Slightly oddball looks but I loved my GPZ 750 way back when during a 5 year break from Vespas. I've driven (but never owned) all manner of fast cars, but nothing will ever come close to the exhilaration of riding a powerful motorcycle. That said, nothing beats a Vespa for a leisurely ride in the sun

Well, I've just turned 77 so it's time for me to make my annual post to ask how many of us old guys are still out there riding. Unfortunately, this year that number is diminished by at least one… Me. I can't ride because of a damaged shoulder and No, it's not a scooter-related injury… and it's not permanent. Rather, I recently went through some surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and I'm going to be in rehab for the next several months. The timing is terrible because we have had some great scooter-riding weather lately and I have had to miss it. By the time I'm out of therapy it will be too cold (for me) to ride.

I have a few Winter projects planned for Spermy once I have enough mobility so I should be ready to go again by Spring. First on the list is installing a rivnut for my seat post. Much easier than pulling the gas tank and finding the nut that has worked itself loose… again.

If anyone is curious, I don't really know what caused my shoulder to go bad so I'm telling people that it was either an old rugby injury (could be) or case of excessive self-abuse (more likely).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

And have a speedy recovery for your shoulder. Before you know it nice scooter riding weather will be here again next season!

Cheers

Hope your recovery is speedy. You've already nailed what to do about it - winter projects! They can be just as rewarding. I'm really digging reviving my barn find px. It's not a sexy bike or high value but it's really rewarding to bring it back to life.

Stole my 1st in Paris in 1963.*
Still riding at 73...buying them now.....a lot less drama.
O.S.

...no, that is misleading. That was the only one I stole.....
in Paris.

Happy, happy Birthday Luckybear! May your day and year be filled with glorious rides through the countryside!

Maybe I'll get down your way and we can go for a ride!

Great to know it's only a temporary time away from riding. I feel like a youngster at 69, a bit like the group of guys I work with delivering cars around the North Island of New Zealand for the local VW agent and sometimes the Audi and Škoda dealers. Have certainly driven some interesting vehicles in the last 3 years right up to bringing an Audi R8 from Auckland to Hamilton. Only 150km but what a great experience.
Look after your "rugby injury", heal well.

65 and still scooting around Ceredigion. My wife and daughters shake their heads but grand daughters like going on the scooters. Shame I had to get rid of the sidecar.

I'm 60, been riding motorcycles, scooters etcetera for 43 years continuously. Usually have a couple of bikes licensed, record was five on the road with another eight in the garage. Mostly on small bikes, 250s, 350s...

I'm 68. I rode dirt bikes after I got out of the Navy. Then road bikes for a while, mostly smaller stuff.
I haven't owned a bike since 1982 or so. But truth be told, I've wanted a Vespa since I went to Italy back in 1970 on a High School trip: the darn things were all over the place (go figure) and I thought they were very cool.

So, after a few of my friends bought their dream cars and such, I took stock of what I really liked. I was born into a family that owned a bus company and I was pretty much raised in the garage. I was a pretty fair mechanic in my youth but got away from it as an adult. I hate working on cars, butI realized that I REALLY wanted a Vespa even though I'd never ridden one. I have ridden scooters while on vacation in Bermuda and Nantucket but they were small, non-Vespas.

I began looking seriously about 2 years ago. Craig's List and Marketplace and any other thing I could find. I bid on a few machines but nothing came to fruition. I was disgusted with the process and gave up the search this past August.

Then early in September I decided to check Marketplace one last time, and THERE SHE WAS! I called immediately, scheduled a time to see her, and I brought her home less than 24 hours later. Good things come to those who wait I guess. I put double doors on my studio and keep her in there with me. I talk to her and sometimes she talks back! Well, it's more like a groan, but it's pretty sexy.

I've since had a blast working on her and riding! I also realize that I need to brush up on a lot of things. Winter is coming, I'll have plenty of time to read up on things. Most maintenance items are done. Saving my pennies for a new set of tires. Next spring will be glorious!

And I've found this forum that contains SO MUCH helpful information. I thank all of you for it. Keep it coming, I've yet to begin asking questions. Then you'll all see just how stupid a 68 year old can be!<G>

Oh, by the way, her name is Mona.

Happiest 77th Birthday, FatBear! Hope you celebrated BIG!

Bad news about your shoulder surgery. I'm so sorry. But sometimes what we think is a set-back is really just a set-up for something even better. Good luck with your rehab and your winter projects. Love the pic of you and Spermy!

Thanks Kimono. My Big Celebration was watching Fresno State football with a couple of buddies but they stunk so bad (the team, not my buddies) that we switched over to the Oregon game... which was my choice anyway. Much better football.

Yesterday, my doctor gave me the Official approval to take off the sling while I'm doing simple things around the house (He's a little late on that) but Vespa riding is still a No-No. Too dangerous... I might get hit by one of the idiots in the 4-wheelers... which is the same thing my wife says.

Looks like it's going to be Spring before I'm back on two wheels... damn!

Go Ducks!

Belated! Quick mend and recovery! And…. Wow, that scoot looks so good. You did a fab job.

Thanks Birdnest. That was a fun project and I have to admit that I was surprised it came out as well as it did. That original paint is really tough.

Well Happy Birthday young man! And I wish you get better soon as well.
But that's a hell of a gadget on your arm there and I bet you are a right hander too .

I'm just a little senior to you, but not much and I find that it has finally begun to slow me down speedwise, shortened my usual rides and reminds me to focus 100% on DRIVING and what other cars and ppl are doing all 360 degrees, no more checking out girls excessively while in traffic.

After many dirt bikes in the past, starting again on a nephew's smallie in rural Greece and then in Athens traffic a dozen years ago sure helped me learn about scooting, BUT they do expect scooters on the road there! So nowadays I remind myself that if I'm not adequately prudent, my next scooter could be a mobility style instead of another beloved Vespa .


Not sure I'd dare ^^^, but there are a few novel alternatives and options when the time comes

PS: you are a bad man

Yeah, V oodoo, I know what you mean about slowing down. I got my first Vespa when I was 15 (see my profile pic) and I was pretty "Enthusiastic" in my riding. Now my riding style is more "Old Man Wimpy". But at least I stay alive.

I gave up riding when I went off to college and didn't pick up again until about a dozen years ago. Wouldn't you know... DMV made me reapply for my Motorcycle Endorsement... they wouldn't renew my old one even though it had expired only 50 years earlier. Damned bureaucrats.

Love the Gatsby

I think you need to start a "Stolen Scoot. Paris 1963" thread and tell the tale.
(Names changed to protect the guilty/innocent of course.)

60 in August 2022 ...

All I have to say is kudos to all of the old guys that are still riding and the brave new riders that despite being old they are still looking to having fun in life while age is not a hurdle.

You guys are making me feel young but also optimistic. I just turned 52. I got back on a scooter this past summer, the first time since the late 80's when I had a px150 clone. I rode it is fast as it would go, which gets faster every time I tell stories about it.

When I first got in the new to me VBB, it scared me. I told myself it was the slippy third gear and the wobbly 8 inch wheels. It was just plain legless fear, though I prefer to think of it as wisdom.

My girlfriend took a video of me riding down my little street. I thought I was flying, like 70's rocket car Utah salt flats fast. But in the video, I was just crawling down the street, birds chirping little old ladies getting the mail. But it sure was fun.

Yes, "Wisdom"... not "legless fear" sounds much better.

What is it they say... "When youth departs, may wisdom be enough."

You'll be going 60 mph on those 8's in no time!

Yes! After I build up my courage watching a few episodes of Matlock and putting on a fresh pair of Depends.

Been riding Vespas for 54 years.

Got my first Vespa in early Jan 1968, a 1962 125cc.

The 125 was quickly replaced by a 180SS, kitted out identical to Pete Quaife's SS (The Kinks bass player). It certainly pulled the Mod girls!

Then a number of Vespa's until my current 300GTS, a 60th birthday present from my wife. Still love riding, and never fell out of love with Vespas…nearly 71.

That's awesome David. I'd love to see a picture of it, if you have one! And glad to see you still riding!

I will say that by the time I was 23, I had watched every Matlock episode....in syndication of course.

Doesn't count if you weren't wearing Depends while you did it.