Modern Vespa

This year's Mille was based in Mudgee, a large country town around 4 hours N-W of Sydney.
We drove up this year as we didn't really have enough time off work. So we crammed mine, Speedy and Hanoi Jane into the Sprinter on Monday night and set off. We arrived about 4 the following day, when Callum started his Process of Elimination, trying to decide what bits and tools of his vast reserves to leave behind.




Dark Lords on the road again

Unfortunately Craig was not riding this year as he had some wrist damage that he didn't want to make worse. So he volunteered to drive backup... not exactly a lonely occupation on these things.




50 starters this year!

10 minutes up the road on day 1 Speedy broke down and we spent around 40 minutes trying to coax it into life. Eventually I had to go on my own but 20 minutes later Callum found the needle and seat had come unscrewed...



As Callum and I were the last to leave town I was in a hurry to catch up to the rest and hopefully finish day 1 near the front. There were some fantastic roads and the weather was good and I made pretty good time. I passed the free casmpsite where Callum was tasered at 3am a few years ago. Ah memories.




Bo at the task at the top of Thunderbolt's Way. A fantastic road.

Another task photo

I saw this photo in the group and thought it was a good one. A few days later I realised I was in it (left, the only one who had a 19mm socket). Thanks Phil Warhorse for this pic!


Think I got in 5th on day 1.


Thanks for this photo Craig Gt6MK3

Rolf on his Wideframe and Marc on Hanoi Jane

Lars on his 208 SS180 and Brendan on the Maicoletta

Callum was still removing melted wire from under the tank at the starting time of 6.30am, so day 2 was another solo day for me. The last 300km were very open roads, so I went fast and came in first. I said to Craig on one of our calls during the day that I felt like I was cheating with the Quattrini 252, leaving people behind is what it does very well. And still used 2/3 of the fuel that Speedy did with the Polini 177.


Task at 'The Black Stump'

Finish Line with obligatory clock photo to prove arrival


A few bugs left to iron out



Dark Lords and others at the presentation lunch

I borrowed most of these photos as I was in a bit of a hurry. Thanks you guys. Special thanks to my awesome team mates Craig and Callum. We're already planning an autumn equinox tour. Always something to look forward to!

Awesome write-up. ThAnks for taking us along. It looks like a lot of fun!

Just to clarify: Speedy made it 24.3km Before stopping!

I ALSO carry a 19mm... plus a 22mm & 24mm... also; a flywheel puller, 7,8,10,11,12,13,14,15,17,18, 21mm & a few others

Grand Adventure. Thanks for the report!

Also... I don't recall the taser story? Linky please.

I don't think it's been told on here...

That was awesome guys

I miss these kind of adventures as well

Its like a time trial, i imagine i was there with my slow punk vespa, i'll be dead last but even here i can still cut time by riding night when other folks were a sleep

Thanks for the pics and it sure does inspire me to ride the vespa again

Old models & small cc get a far better handicap, so being slow is generally an advantage.

I was unable to finish day 2 until day 3 (or a 2 day ride) due to the sun going down, as I was not allowed to ride after dark due to the high volume of Kangaroos, Wombats, plus a few deer, goats, boars, rabbits & other mysterious carcasses on the roads after dark

Cheers to Ginchi for (yet again) restraining his frustrations with the Reliability of my Steed "Speedy" & Craig for getting us there & being my personal tail-man due to me generally being the last on the road, or with the last group.... then letting Ginchi & I abandon him (again) roadside while heading home.as the mighty Merc "Support1" had decided to help the localised plants by watering them with the contents of its radiator

Here are a few of my pics & numerous borrowed pics (cheers Sunny)

More Mudgee Mille 2025 pics

Sorry these are not in order... but they sure explain a few things

Even More Mille pics

Then came the A.N.C.S.R. (Australian National Classic Scooter Rally).

Then it was time to head back to reality in the trusty Merc Support Van... off we go...

Then about 50km or so later...

Every time I see a list of tools people carry, it causes me to start carrying more.

I also carry enough spare cable inners and pinch bolts to re-cable my entire herd, but that's mostly because it's easier than sorting through them and one more doesn't make a difference.

What I'm most amazed by is the number of spare parts the Lammy tourers carry. Like "luckily I had a spare stator and CDI with me..." or "fortunately, Craig had a spare gear stack in his bag" levels of spares.

These posts/threads also make me want to get out and do some miles like crazy, so keep 'em coming.

I'm trying hard these days to cut down on the number of tools I carry. Well perhaps not tools but weight at least. I recently bought the spanner set from aliexpress and they are really good. Thin and flat and strong enough to do most stuff. I need to fill in the gaps though so I can lose the bulkier ones. I like the tiny 7 and 8, hope I don't lose them as I can't find them any more. And the screwdriver set is great. Not quite long enough for some specific jobs but very compact. The cable cutters are a must and these are the smallest I could find.
Only thing missing here is a 19mm socket (see post above!)

I don't think I've ever used those vice grips, but I can just imagine them holding something together on the scooter to get me home. I also need to find a ratchet handle that's more compact as well. I did find a small one that was both 3/8 and 1/4 but it fell to bits within a couple of weeks.

The 1/2" drive angle thingy is to be able to tighten the rear wheel hub night by standing on it.

Now I have the smallframe I need a dedicated set that is even smaller again, there is just nowhere to put anything!

Significant tool kit - even a third hand tool!

If you need the cables, you'll be wishing you had it. I carry one, too.

But nobody brought tools for the rescue truck

Actually they did! Just didn't bring one of these!

Looks like a fantastic ride.

Sorry Ginch, Calums map gets my vote. It's dual purpose for emergency roadside relief.

Love this ride you guys do. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. The bugs on your scoots remind me of my Mexico adventures.

You must be tougher than me. That map is laminated!!

"Laminated" just means "re-usable" in this case.

You guys are one bunch of tough assholes!!

Much easier than using a piece of cactus!🤣