Modern Vespa

Does it say Oprah on the other panel? What's going on out there? I thought she lived north of me. 🤷🏼

As a matter of fact, it does. Why? I have no idea. Maybe things got a little wild and she decided to go tag some stuff last time she was in town.

ROM begins.

That's awesome - too bad I'm not there. Keep us updated!

Back in use to commute to work.

I'm bummed I'm not there this year.

That makes two of us, Chandler

Soft marker: Dave is going to ROM next year

I blame Ned

Ode to ROM, the Rally I'll Miss
Oh, Rides of March, you vintage delight,
A scooter-packed dream I can't chase this night.
My heart's in the lot where the kickstands gleam,
But fate's left me sidelined—here's my funny dream.
Chandlerman, SoCal Mike, and me in a pact,
Planned for months like some grand Scoot-Attack.
We rolled in early, an hour to spare,
ROM's never on time—chaos fills the air!
Yet an hour late, the pack's set to ride,
Chandlerman bolts for a pee-break aside.
Out he strolls, slow as a sloth in a suit,
Dressing so dainty, we near missed the hoot.
Engines roared, the pack peeled away,
I gunned it fast, yelling, "Not today!"
Caught the tail as the scooters flew free,
The lone hero of our daft trilogy.
SoCal Mike? Off through wine country he cruised,
Solo, sipping the breeze, mildly amused.
But Chandlerman—oh, the tale takes a turn—
Eighty miles per, his engine did burn.
Wrong way he sped, a blaze of despair,
Smoke and a sputter, parts flung through the air.
ROM, you rascal, you split us apart,
This year I'll mourn you, with a laugh in my heart.

Wait, you mean The Dave?!

Yes, the Dave. I figured that should be enough runway to get it autopsied, make multiple parts orders and get it into a running and hopefully rideable state.

Some of us here in TX got a little ride together for the weekend. Rides of March, TX if you will…

Is that scoot periwinkle with a purple seat?! What an awesome color scheme. I love creative paint jobs. Would be nice to see some different angles.

Rob beat me to it. That color scheme, while not my cuppa Joe, is pretty great.

The purple P belongs to Phil and Anita. Bought around 1980 when they were still in the Uk. Early non-autolube P. Phil painted it in the…. 90s? 38K + miles, 1 owner, well tuned… what's not to like?!

Thanks for that. Loving the black accents. I'd rock it. The seat is bitchin.

+1

This one was from the weekend. I forgot I'd taken it until I went looking for a different picture.

I'm not sure if Dream Catcher is just a new tagger or this is some sort of existentialist commentary on the state of the world.

Probably the ladder.

Doing my best Top Gun re-enactment.

Nice touch!

I try.

Top gun of a different era but a plane nonetheless (and yellow!)

Dig it!

When I first paused to take this photo, I thought my cowl had fallen off. Channeling my inner Lammy, I guess. But I just left it at home.

Still gave me a brief moment of panic.

Took Orange out today. Clutch still slipping even after oil change.

Quality

Are you overpowering it? Time for stiffer springs?

Forgot I got out on Tuesday.

Seems like it. I'll have to loosen the cable tad more to make sure. Gears 1-3 are fine, but on fourth there is noticeable slip. It's funny how it's possible to just feather the throttle and have 100kmh on the speedo (shows about 10kmh too much though). Around that speed the engine really starts to get on the powerband and speedo needle goes incognito mode.

Three out of four already ridden under their own power. The -59 still has some trouble getting fuel past the float bowl so I have to take the carb off for thorough cleaning. White GL is waiting for CDI mount bracket to be whipped up and connecting the cables.

What a fine collection.

Thanks! Just realized that there is a quarter millenia of scooter age in this one picture

The blue -59 without license plate is waiting for clearance from Sweden that it has not been reported stolen since second part of registration was missing. Takes couple of weeks and the inspection station does the query for free. After that it is just matter of registration inspection and registering, which will cost around 100eur in total.

I've been reading horror stories of titles across the pond and I have to say we are pretty lucky over here

Boring photo, but this is about 500 (city) miles after my (first full) rebuild over Christmas. New crank and top end, I broke it in a little with just normal riding, but since the weather has been better I've been really revving it out and generally beating it and she's continuing to run perfect. This will more than likely be my Corsa race scooter as it's the one I ride the most and has been the most trouble free. If I posted a photo for everytime my Vespa left the house I'd be posting here everyday.

You could never bore me with a scoot photo. Post on! I miss the city and need to get back there for some good eats. Your scoot looks really clean and the BBQ rack doesn't have an awkward up angle to it like others I've seen. I'm craving some Peter Luger's!

….

I feel like I'm in the car with them! 😂

Only intersection I don't mind getting stopped at, always good for people watching.

^^^
Nice! So bad it's good.