Modern Vespa

Thank goodness the rain seems to be letting up for AmeriVespa here. Already seen quite a few scoots out and about including an old relic of a Vespa. My buddy says he saw about 50 down on the Access road. I'll try to take some pix this weekend and hope that work doesn't totally screw my entire weekend!

Yep - rode home in it yesterday. I enjoyed it as it gave me a chance to evaluate the handling in something less than a downpour. Very good stopping. *sigh of relief*
Work was trying it's best to keep me away from AmeriVespa - some infrastructure issue keeping final validation. I finally told 'em I'd put myself on call. The grumbled but agreed. Got to meet Rolf and Sean from Vespa America. What a pair of great and knowledgable guys! Rolf retired from Porsche and Piaggio talked him into working for them on a consultant basis - he had some killer stories to tell. Apparently there were a few other notables there in the scooter world. he was telling me about the last Cannonball Run - he finished 4th and two other guys that finished were here at AmeriVespa - finished 1st and 2nd! I asked him about the 2 "No Age Limit" guys and he just waved it away as PR. Being as a Cannonball Run is about time I'm guessing it's more than the almost casual 30 days Lincoln Highway run.
They looked at my bike, rode it and they feel like it may be variator, clutch or maybe fuel pressure issues. He's going to go over it with teh dealer tech who they are training. Got to watch them pull out a variator on one of the participants bikes. That was interesting. Met one of the forum members here - fuzzybear or something like that - the guy with the worn tire issues. We were talking about it with Rolf and he said in way of a tip that the 140 tire would be a good replacement for the rear (normally a 130). More rubber and a slightly increased top end. He said it would also wear better. Hung around for the Gymkana - that was a hoot - some of these folks have some pretty hopped up scoots! One guy went over the see-saw and wheelied offf the other end! Li'l bitty scoot too...
Was pretty dang cool being around so many scooter people. I mean there were alt/punk types talking to old farts and everyone was just having fun and sharing. They had this one BMW with the roof - sorta like the one they have for the MP3. Wild! Thing even had seatbelts. Matt from ScooterTrap had his 500 parked in the middle with some business cards but I didn't spot him - must not look like his avatar! Quite a few custom scoots. One guy had a Vespa called Navy Blue Angels. Blue and yellow paint job, tail fins (!!!) and tiny models fixed on the sides with airbrushed contrails.
I'll have to see what's on teh agenda for tomorrow and try to pop in...

PS: Oh yeah - Rolf was asked about the "gasoline debate" He says to use the mid-grade.

BubbaJon is this you in the "spotted" section of the Chattanooga paper web site?
http://spotted.timesfreepress.com/photos/index.php?id=1625993

It was great meeting you at Amerivespa and comparing notes on our MP3s. Have you had success in correcting your MP3 problem yet?

Naw that was a kid named Shawn from Spring City. Nice kid - he was eating up the attention being given his 250. The Prebul people ought to be happy he parked it there for a bit as they had no MP3's to field. I went home and brought my 400 back had Sean and Rolf take a look at it. Sean said he'd make sure the Prebul folks knew what to look at but we have to wait for their tools to come in. It was good meeting you too! Wish I coulda spent more time with the scooter folks. I told my boss I'm getting tired of missing on the fun stuff with Murphy making the schedule...

Naw that was a kid named Shawn from Spring City. Nice kid - he was eating up the attention being given his 250. The Prebul people ought to be happy he parked it there for a bit as they had no MP3's to field. I went home and brought my 400 back had Sean and Rolf take a look at it. Sean said he'd make sure the Prebul folks knew what to look at but we have to wait for their tools to come in. It was good meeting you too! Wish I coulda spent more time with the scooter folks. I told my boss I'm getting tired of missing on the fun stuff with Murphy making the schedule...

Hey BubbaJon,
First, thanks for calling me a kid, . I'm a young looking old fart lol. It was nice meeting you and Fuzzy and everyone else at the rally. Yeah, and I got a free future detailing outta helping the Prebul guys . So now you know my handle on here - Shawn.

No grey and yer a kid! Can't join the old fart club until you get some.
Seriously - folks were eating your 250 up. Glad you were there for the Prebul folks to show off. Have any problems coming down 75 on your 250 - especially those steep hills by Cleveland? Glad to put a name and face to the handle.

Well, i guess I'll have to post a close up of my grey haired goatee . I came down highway 27 and avoided 75, though I've been over that way by Cleveland and it handled 75 with no problems. I used to ride an old Yamaha bike, many, many years ago, so it took me about 2 weeks to feel comfortable on the Interstates. Now I scoff when I hear some folks saying the mp3 can't 'really' do interstates like advertised. I'm frickin speed racer on 75. As for riding home from Amerivespa, had a very "interesting" moment. Started raining cats and dogs, and luckily I saw an overpass ahead with two bikers under it where I could change into my raingear. Found out the hard way, that lil tires and wet roads make for longer stopping times. I ended up on the side angled part of the overpass, and avoided the two bikers who were too caught up in the "3 Wheeled Hypnosis" to notice the sheer terror in my eyes behind my visor lol.

I plan on doing some commuting to and fro Nashville. I confess the thought of Nashville interstate traffic terrifies me - and that's behind the wheel of my SUV! lol - seriously - those cagers drive like fools. Seems everytime I have some event in my SUV so the thought of the bike just makes me shiver. I'll be tooling down the back roads thank you. Only place I figure I have to interstate is by Monteagle - going around that mountain would just take too long. Other than that I should be able to go the distance staying off the interstates - prettier ride too which is the most important thing. The ride is all!
Watch them wet roads hoss - TN is bad about using worthless blacktop to patch holes and such.