Modern Vespa

I like the way you think Scott. May even have to put a new top end on it while the engine's out.

Never let a good engine pull go to waste, I always say.

After dealing with a (non scooter related) broken leg for the last 4 months, my Dr has cleared me start riding Spermy again (Well, in two more weeks) so I'm planning to go to Rides of March this year. Is there a particular hotel or motel where people stay?

Also, I haven't found a Registration site… do we just show op?

Great news! The main hotel is Avenue Inn, San Luis Obispo.

https://www.avenueinnslo.com

I'm not gonna make it....

Bummer! I'm sorry to hear it, Scott.

Me too. I was so looking forward to meeting everyone in person. I had it all planned out, but sometimes plans don't work out....

Same here

I'm still seriously considering a vaca day to at least hang for the pre-festivities.

Wait, Scott just checking in to see that the Shazam Caravan - aka qascoot's winebego - will not be making an appearance - and Ray and the Mooshead express are on leave this year?!
Seriously disappointed.
Was just building momentum for that Friday night beer with you guys!
Do I need to start a letter writing campaign?
Just lemme know where to send it.

I'm going to, so you might as well. You'll be cool...

If only a letter campaign could free me up... I'm super bummed....I was looking forward to shaking everyone's hand and seeing the engineering marvel, the Orange Unicorn, in person.

....Sigh.....

Looks like I'm going to make it this year. I'm just getting over a broken leg and I took my first ride in 5 months yesterday. It felt great but I'm going to have to build up my strength before I'm ready for a long ride. I'm really looking forward to it.

Terrific!
Will be good to put some names to faces over the weekend.

Holy Crap!

I just looked into accommodations for that Friday and Saturday night and found that The Avenue wants about $400 for a single! Even Motel 6 wants about $300 and Damn, that's a new top end! I'm going to have to rethink my taking part this year.

Try the Best Western. $200/night, which isn't great, but obviously could be worse.

Eh, top ends come and go. How often do you get to hang out, talk shop, and romp through twisty Central Cal canyons with a bunch of crazy scooter peeps?

^^^^THIS - PRICELESS!

Yeah, good point. I'm still thinking about it.

I may be able to make it down, the stars seem to be aligning! Anybody else from the BayArea going?

Awesome! You going to have the Rally rolling by then?

Fingers crossed but most likely I'll bring the s2.
Or maybe I'll bring the rally to the wrenching sesh!

That'd be a haul, but I can think of worse ways to do it!

Well - the eagle has landed.
John showed up at my shop at 8:30 sharp - in the pouring rain - and dropped off SoCal's smallie. It's shiny and red and looks pretty fab.

This is probably the last best photo the world may ever see of this particular scoot.
CM is just weeks away from "tuning it up" with 40+HP of grunt.

Hat tip to John for braving the harsh weather and putting up with all the wet work on delivery.

Johnny mule made it points north after his detour and I twisted his rubber arms with the addition some parts from Kajiit Speed & Machine to go with "the project from the other side"...

the weather somewhat held and we loaded up the magical minivan of holding while BS'ing about a bit. I temped him with the P project and he bugged me about the super mule again. one day... one day...

he also said that he expect further progress on my personal projects next time he comes by. which was just like the most dad thing ever!

"wet work" means something else on the east coast.

Well - John dealt with the strippers - so I gave him credit where due.

In the rain

I meant these…
Of course.

If that was what it took, that was what it took.

Thanks to SoCal, John, CM2, and MJ for all your hard work just to set the stage for the real adventure to come.

I'll be there with all the rally essentials in just a few weeks: helmet, jacket, motor, spare cables, bulbs, plate, concealable handcuff keys, electrical bits, etc.

Don't forget a front disc brake - to leave the loaner in better shape than when you borrowed it

I'm assuming that singles, bottle opener and bail money fall into the "etc." category...

Chin up, little red, chin up.

Singles...we don't talk about what we do with the singles. Bottle Opener--Ned has us covered. Bail Money -- Nope. That's what the concealable handcuff keys are for!

While I'm normally a Motul 710 purist, there's a part of me that wants to get some strawberry-scented Ipone 2t oil just to troll all those who will be following me.

I see you got the e-mail too

Reminds me of my childhood living on the edge of a NJ town that, in those days, was mostly dairy farms and alfalfa fields. Made for a nice little loop: cows eat alfalfa, cows give milk and manure, manure fertilizes alfalfa, repeat. The dairy farmers said the manure smelled like money. In fact, it stunk, but you got used to it. Incongruously, in the middle of all this, was a small factory that made artificial strawberry flavoring. As long as I live, I don't think I will ever get the smell of fresh strawberry scented cow shit completely out of my nose.

And they say no one looks at spam

You're from Hammonton?

This was Plainsboro, NJ back when central NJ was still pretty rural.