Modern Vespa

CLASS

Bill, I understand. You should have gone with some Skokers, we'd have taken the light-hearted piss out of the whole scam scene, though I confess I'd have probably been imbibing a tipple or two.

Do she-males get erections?

I'm glad you asked about the ride up because it went very well and I was quite proud of myself for not getting lost around the Antwerp and Breda ringroads while glancing down at my directions taped to my clocks.
The Hornet is such an excellent tourer but I did take a gamble on taking my half face with me. As I was about 40 miles from Amsterdam I rode into a headwind though 5 miles of roadworks and the huge dunes of sand/earthworks were being blown into my face which stung just a little bit.
Jim I agree with you, if the DSSC had all come along I probably would be having a better time but I can't really complain because I'm staying in a lovely flat just North of the canals for free with a dear friend who is a good listener. It could just be my frame of mind that's making me all crabby.
I'm not having any regrets about coming home a day early either because after the canal trip this morning there's not much more I want to do here.
My buddy leaves for the UK in the morning and the forecast is for heavy rain in Northern France and Kent tomorrow so I'd rather do a runner than ride in all that crap.
As you said the city itself is beautiful and the people so freindly it's hard not to like it it's just all of the cliches that the people come here for leave me a bit bemused but hey I knew that before I got here.
More in a sec.

Bill X

This place is over run with LX50's and ET2's with those tall screens with one or two Yamaha X Max's but I couldn't find any dealerships but I did find a brilliant helmet shop called Fashion Helmet who sell really well made custom made open face lids as well as custom built ones.
All of thier stuff is made in Italy. Have a look at ww.fashionhelmet.nl.
I bought a pair of goggles there that fit flush to your face so that they can't steam up.
One of the highpoints was doing all the leather, rubber and pvc shops just behind the main drag and I "just had to " buy a top from Mr B's whose logo is a pair of wings with a cock ring in the center.
They thankfully put a condom in my bag free with my purchase which was very thoughtful.
I may have to go back there to get some presents just before I leave.
For me it's the bars , resturants and people that make this place special as well as the amazing buildings and plazas not all the crass rubbish that it's famous for. I should present a Holiday show.
You are right it's not my scene, it's excessive and everything that turns me off but I had to see it for myself. Cut and shut sex, heavy drinking and getting stoned off your face - I missed the bus on that one.
As you walk by the "coffee houses" you almost get stoned on the smell that wafts out . Great fun to look in and see so many monged out faces trying to a construct a conversation.
Don't get me wrong for that it's brilliant because availability isn't a problem it's just something that I don't and want to understand.
I don't think I've got the mindset for it , simple as that.
Someone's going to call me a control freak in a minute I can feel it.
Right I'm on a ramble so I'll end my rant there.

Ride safe all

Regards

Bill XX

HI guys what's the latest!!!
I haven't been here in a while, but I hear from Bill that you met up with the our American friends the other day?
I missed so much!

Husky - I like your pages, just left you a wee comment
where are you hosting?
Marc - I will go to one.com, just shopping around

watching the F1 anxiously now as I sip my coffee, will try and find a quality place to give Velma a proper bath and wax treatment today

what's wrong with ET2's???????????

There's nothing wrong with ET2's there were just alot of them.

I've just got back in from Holland and if you fancy I'll bore the pants off you with the details.

Good to be home.

Bill X

Bore us with your details, you control freak.

Sincerely yours,
OCD wench

Oh its not very interesting but the route home was an easy one if anyone is thinking of doing the journey. South out of Amsterdam on the A2 and head down to Utrecht and pick up the bypass which takes you down to Breda and look for the link road to Antwerp and use the Ring Road which isn't for the faint hearted and head for Gent where you pick up the Ostende road then spear off for Dunkirk.
I think it took me around 4 hours with one fill up and a comfort break.
The only think that unnerved me is that the Dutch drivers tailgate you alot and get so close to your arse before they overtake which is a little annoying especially when you are looking out for road signs and going as fast as you can.
I'm glad I did the journey yesterday eventhough the weather forecast in France has changed. Although I'm not one for seeing how fast things will go the Hornet seemed very comfortable at 80mph yesterday but I didn't wring it's neck it anymore.
For those who have used the coastal road from Dunkirk to Ostende they'll know about the awful headwind that you have to ride into on the way up but the odd thing is when you return it's exactly the same. Does it follow you ? The petrol stations on that stretch of road are mostly prepay incase you turn up and can't figure why you can't get the pumps to work.
For a few moments I thought about getting a tall screen and then I realised it's not a sexy look so I'll put up with a crooked neck rather than have a huge perspex wing on the Hornet.
Yes I really enjoyed the ride there and back eventhough there aren't many corners.
The only slip road I lined up to really enjoy was spoiled by a van which tip toed around the bend. Daggnabbit.
I feel a bit bad that I gave Amsterdam a bit of bad press earlier on which looking back was undeserved. I think it had alot top do with my state of mind on that day which wasn't good. I was a bit miserable.
Before I left yesterday Andrew and I took a canal boat tour then did a couple of specialist shops with hosted by some pretty miserable staff until we found one with a very cheerful owner who we bought from.
Customer Service is everything. Talking of which check out www.misterb.com great shop with some really great gear.
Amsterdam a city that has everything for everyone.
I should be in marketing but then again I should be in Greece.
I'll be back in November.

Regards

Bill

I checked the googles which pair did you go for? I do like the look of the Pele's and the Nero best. 8)

I went for the wrap-a-round ones that are about £ 25 in blue.

They were only cheap ones because I was running out of cash at that piont but they work really well.

They sit really close to your eyes but prevent a draft that seems to make them water.

I liked them so much I wore them all the way home.

It's a great little shop with really friendly staff.

Bill XX

i use that road A LOT and know what you mean about the wind prepay petrol stations can be a pain if you get folks who aren't up to speed but it doesn't need to be a pain as you just tell the kiosk guy your pump number and grade required, overpay prior to filling up, take receipt, fill tank, back to kiosk, present receipt, collect change. 8)

Daggnabbit. Is that a Dutch porn star?

So my dear Billy, and no time to make a stop in Gent ?
From the exit on the Motorway it's les than 3 min. to our home here....

As I went by your junction I thought - I know a nice couple that live in Gent and if I'd planned it better I would have visited but I didn't give it a thought. Sorry.
If I'm going that way again I promise to visit you have my word.

Bill X

Didn't you know Bill, it is not allowed to ride a moped on the highway

Oh you are so so funny !

Bill X

I nearly did the same route as you, Bill. In 2004 I arrived in Arnhem from Emden and couldn't get on to the campsite, wanted to see the Airborne museum, had to travel to Near Nijmegan, Actually Grave. So I got to see a bit of the Operation Market Garden area.

After that I went towards Eindhoven and on towards the coast. I stayed for a couple of nights in De Haan where I stayed as a child on holiday and then went on to the Chunnel. The road to the coast definitely had a headwind!

rescued from page 2!!

not long now until the NBSC HIGH VOLTAGE tour of germany/holland 8)

Part of that tour is a visit at the Dutch Lions Rotterdam Run, isn't it?
Thats were the Yorkshire clan is landing for a beer/scoot meeting

spot on correct, we have more of NBSCmembers meeting us there for a weekend of merriment

Erm old my Nokia has finally cried enough and died in my arms last night and seem to have taken all of my MV contacts with it.

Could the people who know that I had thier numbers please pm them to me (which will be cheaper than texting me ) so I can fool myself into believing I have friends ?

Thank you nice people.

Bill X

I can't stop the desire to buy another new helmet. Yes my new Airoh TR1 is lovely but there's this open face helmet on Ebay that has a Union Jack (not flag) slapped all over it and I want it very much.
OK it's not going to match the Hornet or any of my jackets (me vain?)
but God it looks so good. I wonder who makes it ?
My El Cheapo open face Takachi has served me very well and is easily the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn but it's time to move on.

It's not you it's me so can we just remain friends ?

Watch this space.

Bill XX

I recently bought a BMW helmet for leisure riding (I'll be keeping my el cheapo job for the commute because I'll care less if it gets pinched). Super comfy and the colour almost matches the GP800.

Thanks for the comment, Dessa! My site is hosted by the company my dad used to run and the blog lives at LiveJournal.

today's purposeful plan:

walk down the beach one mile, run back, throw self in sea, float - check

return to hotel pool. immerse self - check

afternoon plan - ride into chora (main town on naxos). purchase soap and cheese. visit archaeological museum.

evening plan - eat.

day after tomorrow - head back to where you all are and it's pissing rain. does anybody want to come and collect me at the airport?

No, it's raining

Glad you're looking forward to being reunited with us just as much as you're looking forward to the rain

I will if you don't mind public transport

Rescued again from page two! Bad form.

Finished off my 'project' 'W' reg Aprilia SR 125 that a neighbour's son acquired for GBP120 as a non-runner, complete with unblemished helmet and riding gear.

Total cost to him was GBP35 for a new (pre-owned) CDI unit, GBP35 for a new rear tyre (Sava Sporty), and GBP30 to me for a *very* nice bottle of malt. Being MOT'd in a day or so, it'll pass with flying colours.

I thought there was a transmission oil-seal problem, but a brisk and long test-ride (125 strokers are FUN!) didn't show a recurrence of oil getting past the final drive bearing. Perhaps the hub had been over-filled at some pint (edit!) point, as all the gunk I cleaned off was old, old, old.

It was great recreation fettling that, even gave it a clean while it was up on the lift.

Neighbour's son now has to get his CBT, but boy has he chanced on a bargain!

Impressive - I wouldn't dare buy a non-runner, unless perhaps I lived next door to you! Fingers crossed for a successful MOT and CBT (FBI, KCMG, ETC).

On my way home last night I noticed the ET4 seemed to be vibrating rather a lot and when I stopped to investigate I found both the bolts that hold the silencer on at the side had vanished To lose one may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.

I've had both bolts go AWOL from the exhaust mounting bracket on the Fuoco! And recently (in Arras) found two of the four windscreen mounting bolts had disappeared, and the other two were holding on only by a thread and a half. All now sorted.

Oh, the GP800 has been finally sorted wrt the stalling on throttle-off. After (naming no names) showing them the contents of an email I had received from Cheekythomas with notes on some updates, Walton Road Garage picked up the gauntlet, bought into the new Navigator diagnostic unit (not cheap!), found and cleared some error codes not seen on the old one, did the updates, and gave it two good test rides (different riders just to double-check).

It has transformed the effect when throttling off, no hint of hesitation or going to too low revs, but still idling at the correct 1,200 (or so it says on my rev-counter).

So hats off to Walton Road Garage - they did all this without any quibble or further charge, I'll be using them again.

Genie and I are back soon at 9 pm at 29 May dans la Heathrow. We've missed you all but have lots of good stories of open roads, twisties that need to be ridden to be believed, and wonderful seas....

Perhaps we have both been addled by the sun... Donkei Skok in the pub when we get back soon?

Tschus

Kate

Yes please!

You betcha! We need to hear all the juicy gossip that was too hot to post online

GP800 serviced. No gross errors that I could spot, but it'll be a while before I trust these guys. I'm glad your local came up trumps after their beating with the clue stick, Jim.

ET4 news: the lower bolt had broken off and the thread for the upper one was worn away. £20 for a new insert for the top bolt; lower one to be drilled out next time it goes in for surgery (probably brake shoes and cable pretty darn soon).

i'm back

i'm a bit drunk, and much more tired than i thought. cheers again to bill for making the journey from heathrow to acne pleasureable for a change.

DSSC debrief in the pub soon. i want to show off my tan before i revert to my pasty white colour

Reference the Airport collection saga in the Greece thread.

Bill X

Glad you're back. This thread has been pretty dead since you and the others went away.

Bill's hardly posted. LIke me, I think he must have been getting withdrawal symptoms.



p.s. I hope you put sunblock on.

lashings of sunblock kate and i must have used a gallon of SPF 50 between us.

unlike the radioactive lobster lady that we saw at dinner one night..... Al described her as a 'melanoma waiting for a place to happen' ouch.

Yeah I'm not sure why I went all stealth while the crue were all away enjoying the Greece trip.

Maybe it was because I simply had nothing to say which, let's be honest would be a first.

It's Saturday night and I'm staying in. Party to the max.

Bill X