Modern Vespa

Thank you for the nice words and photos, Bob.

Yes, I was riding Nora’s GTS.

I have put almost as many miles on it as she has.

I am looking forward to Wisconscoot next month.

Hope you will be there.

Bil

I want photos of Bob and WLeuthold at the rally.

What is funny about oil changing on Rocket is that the first oil change was done by the long ago, justifiably, closed dealer.

On the second oil change, I couldn’t get the drain plug off, so I took it to Boris, my friend and mechanic.

He got it off, but with the plug came the crankcase threads.

We chose to JBWeld the plug in place, and change the oil by pumping the old oil out through the filler hole.

It never got fully drained after that, and the little strainer never seen again.

Oil and filter got changed roughly every 5000 miles until that engine got taken out at 76,000.

Bill

Heh, it's true.

Though of the three of us (you, me, and Nora, that is) I have put at least a few miles more than anyone.
At the current rate, it may just see 100k miles sometime around 2075.



I'll keep changing the oil.

Seriously, good show with Rocket, congrats.

Attila,

It is nice to see photos of the good folks that frequently join us in posts on ModernVespa.
The States of Minnesota and Wisconsin border each other. This allowed me to join
Dave Langholff (Fledermaus) and his crew for the Wisconscoot Rallies. They have always
been welcoming to us rascals from Minnesota.

Per your request here is some more photos. I am not in many of the photos because I am always taking the photos.

Bob Copeland
Frost Bite Falls Minnesota

Rough crowd there, Bob.

I think Bill is growing fond of Hawaiian flower stickers....

Wow this is an amazing achievement, congrats!!
Care to share some tips on how to mantain a Vespa so that it last that long!?
You know, I once read an article on an Italian motorcycle mag stating that modern Vespas's mileage expectancy is about 40-50.000 kilometers - I've never truster mags much and I suspect they're doing terrorism paid by Piaggio just so they can sell the newest models THIS!
I have 6 bikes now but (still) a single butt so I find myself doing some kms on one, more on another, fewer on the third one, etc etc.
My Suzuki is going to turn 100.000 kms soon. I'll then sell her and start looking for a Kawasaki W650....

It is with great honor, pomp and circumstance that I present you with the Max6200 Award of the year.

*** crowd cheering amidst falling colorful confetti***

Thank you, Max!
I have many to thank for this fine award. Russ for leading the scooter club, Boris and Chris for being great mechanics, Lostboater for the best rides ever……..”get him off the stage”………hook from stage left…..gone

Mighty fine thread this! Nice to put faces to the names.

Y'all be careful if you see a low milage GT for sale.

Rocket is a beloved part of the family, like a dog.

It won’t be for sale, at any price.

And the mileage won’t be low for long.

Off we go....

Bill

You can see Kraig Jones on the far left. From the right is Bill Leuthold, Nora, myself and Robert Sullivan (Madison Sully)

To the right of Kraig is Warren McEwen. (wmak around here)

One more for name you to see.

Bill

Recommendation number one is to ride the scooter.

They hate to sit.

Number two is to change the oil and filter at the prescribed intervals, using quality oil.

And fix them when they break.

Rocket wasn't babied at all. It has been ridden hard it's entire life.

Many long, fast highway rides.

Bill

Thanks Bob and thanks to the others, you are as I imagine.

Completely right in what you say. The more you use them the better they are.

You know, Bill, this reminds me of Emily, our church organist when I was a kid, who drove her 1940's era car to church every Sunday.

You're no Emily.

Sweet! Roll it 100k again!

An old bachelor at Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville drives a mid 1960's Ford Galaxy to church every week.

He bought it new.

Bill

https://www.dueruote.it/news/attualita/2021/07/14/le-moto-dei-lettori-oltre-100mila-km-con-una-vespa-et4-150.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&wtk14=amc147878748512582#Echobox=1626313684

The story of Luca Bertelli: purchased in 2003 but registered in 2000, it is still today a formidable machine for traveling.
(over 100,000 km)

"Juliet was baptized in honor of a traveling companion on a motorbike named Giuliano. But beyond the onomastics, this Vespa ET4 150 is truly remarkable. Our reader Luca Bertelli, 56 years old from Guastalla (RE) testifies this who, after a life on a motorcycle, converted to what he calls "slow travel", developing a special passion for the Vespa (to which he has also dedicated some books written by him). In fact, he only uses this Vespa for long journeys around Europe, especially France and Spain. "

+1!!

That's why I'm planning to sell all the bikes I don't use and keep the Guzzi and the Vespa. Plus a W650 just because. But my main rides're going to be these two!