Modern Vespa

The planets have mysteriously lined up for a change, and a no-doubt brief 'window of opportunity' has cracked open, and I find myself having a few extra bucks laying around to blow on frivolous stuff...like scooter 'stuff' perhaps?

But there's really not much out there being offered for the bike that has any appeal to me, probably because the Vespa is functionally quite satisfactory as it is for my purposes, and there's only a sparce few items that have much chance of enhancing that functionality in a meaningful way.

Heated grips might be one, and there were times that I would have definitely used them, but I have a pair of rechargeable-battery heated gloves that work well enough for rides of not more than 1.5-2 hrs.

I don't have any interest in windshields for the Vespa, and in fact gave away the tall factory windshield that was on the bike when I bought it, and never regretted doing it.

I have never liked the appearance of that light tan
seat that comes on the deep metallic blue GTS300, and have been considering one of those nice Cheeky Seats seat covers, but cannot decide which of them would look the best on my Vespa.

There were times when a decently-sized rear chrome parcel rack would have come in handy, but the ones I've seen look rather smallish, and I'd rather it was flat, and not curved downward as some of them are.

I already have a chrome 'hump rack', which I installed (with extraordinary difficulty, I might add) last year to better facilitate strapping an extra gallon of gasoline somewhere on the bike for extending the range of that itsy-bitsy 2.25 gallon fuel capacity when occasionally trundling across those vast South Dakota prairies.

I've never been very big on adding much stuff to my bikes that didn't come on it, so I have to push against my natural resistance to just leave things alone.

It' not a direct accessory to the bike, but there is a new, gloss black Biltwell Gringo S helmet that I spotted on eBay that's discounted down to under $150 from their usual $220.

I had one before, but it was one size too small, and as a result was literally painful to put on or slide off without tearing my ears off, but a size up would have solved that issue. It ended up in 'the bin' as they say.

I suppose it might be wise to order a spare drive belt (or two), a variator rebuild kit? Maybe an entire spare clutch assembly?

Maybe I'll just go buy another guitar, after all, I'm down to only about twenty of the damn things.

Another scooter. One can always use another scooter.

Buy a good helmet , Arai or Shoei

I went ahead and bought the Biltwell helmet, I only had seven other helmets, and nothing new since early last year, so this is a welcome addition.

I like it's clean, smooth, retro styling, which reminds me of the Bell Star I wore back in the olden days, and it should look bitch'n with the Triumph Rocket 3...and occasionally with the GTS, of course.

It would be nice, but I keep buying only 'pretty good' helmets.

Hopefully, I'll only have 'pretty good' crashes that don't exceed my helmet's 'pretty good' capabilities.

Well that was quick. You didn't even give us all a chance to spend your money for you.

I found Suzy at Cheeky Seats to be very helpful in design of the seat covers, considering fabric colors, stitching, and other bits. She has sent fabric samples and lots of images from covers she's done for others over the years that provided good inspiration. If you've any "extra bucks" remaining, maybe check it out.

Cheers,

Bob

Since all the essentials are covered... Aftermarket exhaust!
Brap brap.

I woulda voted for a contrabassoon but I just kinda like saying contrabassoon.

dashcam. I just installed one myself (front+rear)

Well, forget the helmet.

I looked at my purchase on eBay and hour ago and it said that the seller had cancelled my order and refunded my money, which is fine, but something of a mystery.

I messaged the seller (Biltwell Co.) to ask why the helmet sale was cancelled, out of simple curiousity more than anything else, so will wait to see if they respond.

Oh, well!

I'm thinking of getting one - what did you get, and do you like it?

just started this thread Dashcam on GTS

Obviously they did some checking up and think you'll be an embarrassment to the brand.

Thank you!

Now you can acquire a woodwind instrument as the good lord intended. You've got strings, brass, and whatever an accordion is. Are you just gonna neglect woodwind and percussion?

Ya think?

A few bananas short of a loaf for sure.

I would order some spare consumables like belts, exhaust gaskets, tires (if you go through them quickly),brake pads, rollers, oil filter. I have most of these parts for mine and it is nice to know they are readily available when I need them.

^^^^^Agree - I also keep a supply of spare parts on hand

Think they you to buy a Shoei Glamster , same typ helmet about 4 times the price , but much better

You might be better off. I've owned two Biltwell helmets and they are .. well, not built well. In both cases, the lining and foam just felt cheap and was not very comfortable. I stick with Bell helmets now.

How about a Classic Rack? https://www.classic-racks.co.uk

Also, I like many like a 7-8" screen to direct the breeze up.

Those look like the small racks that curve down the back to the taillight. I'm not really a big fan of those types.

I already have a chrome hump rack, and tend to avoid windshields on my bikes. I think the last bike I owned that had a windshield was out 2018 Honda Goldwing, but it's a bit of a bother to remove them....but on that bike, I liked it's windshield anyway.

No, wait, wait, the old Honda PC800 I had a couple years ago had one too.

Seller somehow found out how much help you were getting on MV and decided to let us empty your wallet for you instead.

Personally I buy Nolan helmets. They fit my head and are ECE which is my preferred helmet safety standard.

JBlack - Scooter Curmudgeon,

I really like the Cheeky Seats. They can add much to your 300. You can look on line and see all the styles available. I went with the black and white checkered.

I really do not like full helmets. They are to claustrophobic for me. I am a fan of the Flip Front helmets. When I slow down for small towns, I like to flip the front up.

Bob Copeland

How about a pair of large plastic pieces that stick out the sides of the legshield? They're all the rage in France.

Could be useful - until the scoot falls over...

Hey, it'll save the legshield trim!

Good point!

I could use new legshield trim on the left side. The original owner managed to drop it on it's left in their garage.

In doing so, she also did a job on the lower plastic skirt too.

I've been meaning to replace those 'tweaked' parts since I bought the thing, maybe get them in the works and coming my way.

After all, I already have seven helmets, but only one banged up body skirt.

I wonder if I could get that checkered seat cover with blue piping instead of red?

Almost certainly. Shoot Suzy an e-mail (info@cheekyseats.com), and let her know what your trying to do with your design. She will probably offer you two or three alternates from which you may end up having a hard time choosing.

My GT200 is the verde vintage, a color similar to copper patina, and she suggested matching it in the piping on a dark brown leather-looking fabric with French seams. I was sold.

Cheers,

Bob