Modern Vespa

that feeling of saying to yourself "F' it I'm riding tomorrow regardless that I'll no doubt freeze my arse of for half the day"

Getting bikes and scooters back on the road. Having a half sorted garage thats at the house gives me the opportunity to do stuff when i finish work. And theres pretty much the space so i can leave a job while in-progress and not have to worry if its going to rain.

I have an opposite issue...it's gonna be 113 F -- again! -- today. But I'm gonna take the scoots out for a spin even if I DO sweat my cojones off!

BTW -- We're at well over 30 days of 100+ F and we just ended a 22-day streak of 110+ F. Gotta love the desert! 😉

Victor

I can only dream of such weather.

nope

I experienced that frustration years ago trying to bleed the brakes on a 1990 Dodge Shadow. The bleeder valves were both seized, I tried brute force, penetrating oil, and heating them, but couldn't budge them. I called a friend who was a mechanic at a Dodge dealer for advice, and he told me what to try next. Then he added "don't worry too much if you break the valves, I can get you rebuilt calipers for that car for $20 per side". "Hold on a minute" I told him. Then I grabbed a hammer, smashed both bleeder valves off, picked up the phone and said "order me a pair of those will you?".

It was money very well spent.

I played hooky from work today and rode in the Thursday ride with the 7 Bridges Scooter Club.

The ride was to Steffens, a breakfast and lunch place in Kingsland, GA, 40 miles north of Jacksonville.

There were ten riders, including a new couple from Yulee, FL and a woman, riding her Can Am Ryker.

She was on her fourth ride with the group and sat next to me for the breakfast.

That let me talk with her and get to know her and her riding history.

I enjoyed the conversation very much, finding out that she is from El Salvadore and has lived in Florida for several years.

She started riding outside of New York City, finding a motorcycle to be easier to get around the area than a car or public transportation.

She was smart, friendly and a pleasure to be with.

A fine addition to our old riding club.

Bill

A few days camping and kayaking always cheers me up. This was at Alpine Meadow Campground near Martis Creek Lake (Truckee, CA).

Nope.

70F (~20C) is about the top end of my range. After that, I'm all about ice tea in the shade.

Bob

After 36 years in the Phoenix area, I feel your pain! I would get up at 5am to ride with the plan being to be home by 9am. Stay safe and hydrated while you thumb your nose at the heat.

I fully understand. I'll think about you, though, when I'm floating in the pool on New Year's Day...



Victor

Spoken like a true (former!) desert rat!

Victor

70F? I wish. When I was commuting, I took two pics, posted below. I have shown these pics to friends, who then replied, well that's on the asphalt! Yeah, right.

I really do love Arizona. It's a beautiful state and my 36 years living in Chandler where great years. But I admit I'm enjoying a cooler climate in north western Nevada. The brutal summer heat in Arizona wore me down and seemed to be getting worse.

The radiant heat rising up from the asphalt. The asphalt is actually a bit hotter.

After spending an hour and a half mowing the lawn in increasingly stifling heat and humidity, I was dripping with sweat, soaked with it, and needed to cool off. What better way than with a nice breeze? So I took the Vespa out for a ride around the neighborhood. The headlight is finally properly assembled (though I need to flip the bulb, I guess). As I was riding down one street, the engine faltered and stopped. As it turned out, I needed to switch to the reserve, then she kicked right back to life. I got home and mixed up a couple more gallons of gas and refilled the tank.

I honestly wasn't expecting that. The gas mileage I get on this thing is atrocious for a Vespa. I suspect that's because most of the time I'm riding it's full throttle, just trying to get a 1955 2-stroke to haul my fat ass around the neighborhood, including up hills.

But I got to ride a little today, and that cheered me up.

I can't tell you just how much I want to ride in hot temperatures.

This year has turned out just like last year. It's almost August and it's still cool and raining so no long rides have been lined up.

I'm aware, but the asphalt is what I was just above, With helmet, mesh jacket, gloves, boots and jeans on. I'd take riding in Feb over riding in summer every time.

The only limit I have is when it goes below 40 degrees or so. I hate the cold. I'll ride in any sort of heat now as it does not get as hot where I am here in South Carolina as South Florida when I spent most of my life. Early morning rides are the best at this time of year. But I get it, when it's hot, it's a bit miserable to ride - especially in slow traffic.

Grumpy Biker,

You really have a great set up for camping adventures. Super photos. Thanks for sharing.

We have had 4 months of constant rain here in Lake Wobegon Minnesota. A bit tough on the campers. The State is so green it looks like Ireland.

Bob Copeland

Cops found my scooter while executing a search warrant on a nearby house.
It's been impounded for fingerprinting so I haven't seen it yet. Some ignition damage apparently.

I'll raise a beer to that 🍺

Great! I hope there isn't too much damage.

Wishing you continued success! You found her...now here's hoping for an easy return to the road!

Victor

So, now you know where they live...........

Wha ha ha ha.......

Nope. Still don't know if it's kids or junkies. Might do by the end of the week.

I think that you should give David Byrne a call.

Yesterday I was returning to the shed to put my mower away, on a path that's about 3 feet below grade. I looked to my right, and was about eye level with about 30 dragonflies zooming about. I had thought there were none around here any more, so this was a delightful surprise! I shut my machine off and sat there for a while taking the spectacle in. One would occasionally head right for me, then dodge away at the last moment. It was a treat to be savored, and cheered me up immensely.

I get that but with women.

nope

Once in a lifetime!

beaming with happiness today because i'm getting my A2 license as 24 year old and its gonna open me to a whole new world of memories , lessons and worldviews ... it will be awesome

please excuse my dry english i'm just nervously happy !

nope

Congratulations! But just what is an A2 license?

well its a license in some countries mainly european that allows you to ride bikes segmented to 600cc and a hp cap

there is 125cc for A1 must be 16

there is 600cc for A2 must be atleast 18

there is unlimited power and displacement for A License must be atleast 24 or must have atleast 4 years of riding experience

i'm a new rider but i can get A2 since i'm 24 but i ain't getting A License since i'm specificaly getting A2 Automatic because exam for that one is easy and i'm only into scooters ... ooh that was hard to write given my non nativety to english

Dude-- first off, congrats on your A2! Ride safe! (SCOOTERS ROCK!)

And as for your command of English, I know native speakers who'd like to be as fluent as you are...

Victor

yeah they do rock and i thank you dearly and kindly

btw the quote "The street giveth...and the street taketh away." is soo rad

Thank you, and yes, your English is indeed excellent!

CBT = Certificate of Basic Training, required for all categories.

AM = Moped licence = <50cc, <45kph, over 16
A1 = Light motorcycle = <125cc, <11kW, <0.1kW/kg, over 17
A2 = Medium motorcycle - two years of A1 or over 19 = <35kW, <0.2kW/kg
A = Full motorcycle licence = over 24, unrestricted.

Each stage requires a test, which may include a compulsory amount of supervised training, a theory test, a hazard awareness test, and a practical on-road test. The age requirements can vary from country to country. The costs can, too. Gaining a full motorcycle licence in some countries can cost the equivalent of over USD 2,000.

hopefully i'm not flooding the tread but how long you fine people been riding and what are your words of wisdom ?