Modern Vespa

Motor City Shakedown 5, July 31-Aug 2nd, is going to be bigger and better than all the previous years. You've been to the rally, drank our beer, slept on our floors, and made out with our attractive cousins. Hell, you may have even been the winner of a vintage scooter for $1.00, as we've given one of those away every year since we started! This is a big year for us; we're bringing something to the table that no other rally can offer, and it's going to knock your socks onto your ass.

Working in tight coordination with Squared Circle productions, and the Detroit Theater Bizarre, we've managed to combine our rally with an already insane all-night party, complete with burlesque acts, wrestling matches, DJ's, bands, and the closest thing you can get north of n'awlins to a twisted version of Marti Gras. Go to this myspace page and just look at the videos from last year - it's pure insanity.
http://www.myspace.com/squaredcirclerevue

Now, imagine that being the Saturday night of the scooter rally. Salivating yet? If you're not, there's something wrong with your face - you should get that checked out.

In addition we've got all the normal good times our rally offers: a saturday long ride that's around 60 miles this year, food + beer, dancing and entertainment, AND we're giving away an all original US-spec 1974 Vespa Super 150 in the stock rosso corallo paint. Win that bastard for just one frigging dollar. What's the matter with you? Too many scooters and you don't want another one, particularly a nice original one? I've seen the one you ride and it's a turd.

So, set your iCal and your facebooks and your interwebs to remind you to drive your ass to Detroit on July 31-Aug 2nd. Spending another weekend at home, masturbating on the couch to the Food Network isn't going to win you a scooter.

Hit us up on the forum and we might even be able to find you a floor to sleep on if you're on a budget.

[url]Www.motorcityshakedown.com[/url] for details and accomodations.

Here's a pic of the bike we're giving away before we cleaned it up, and replaced the turn signals, stand boots, and other little bits it needed.

That is a pretty damn clean Super to just giveaway! I would love to go..do they put scoots on airplanes?

We can work out shipping if you won it.

You should just check and see how much it would cost to fly into Detroit. It can be VERY cheap as it's a Northwest air hub, so there's regularly flights for like 60 bucks all over the place.

That's cool. I was wondering how I would get MY scoot over there?

in previous years we've had enough spare bikes that we've loaned them out.

AW MAN! I'm flying home the next weekend for a wedding, can't do it two in a row! Just as well anyway, I only know how to ride an SS180 an I doubt anybody would be willing to loan me one of those to ride. Do you have to be there to get in on the $1 ticket drawing?!

1) Yes, you have to be present to win.

I picked up the raffle scoot yesterday from a clubmate who was storing it. My job is to finish up the electrics and put the turnsignals on, etc.

Here's some more pics of this beauty. Hopefully it will inspire a few of you to make the trip. One thing to make a serious note of .... look at the last pic. This thing has the original, factory battery cover in it. I've NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER seen this present on a bike before. They are usually the first piece to be removed and lost. If you've got one of these, you're one lucky sailor.

I checked flights...they are over 200 bucks

i really really wish i can be there and win that super...

but my vespa cant swim or fly

About the same here. There's plenty of flights, but they're all $198.

I would go...just wrong f*ing timing right now. Got a P200 to buy, JimmyB's Malossi 30m carb/intake, Max's Riva's front forks, AND gotta have $$ for my buddy's batchelor party is in Vegas on the 17th next weekend... My $$$ is else where right now.

Eric, just keep us posted on events...one of these days I would like to make it out there.

The admission for both nights combined is $25?

Both of my shifters are acting up and / or not running, and not likely to be; are MV's welcome?

no...i don't think so. If you pay the 10 bucks or whatever it costs to go to the rally, that's all you pay all weekend. If you want a rally t-shirt, then that's another 10 bucks ... but we try to keep our prices low. It really just goes to pay for the breakfast, the patch, and whatever other things we give out. The money made from raffle bike tickets funds the rally, and the purchase of next year's scoot as well. It's a good model, because each year we make a little more than the last ..to the point where in a year or two we'll be able to afford to give away an SX200 or something similar... or maybe 2 bikes ?


We'd prefer you show up on vintage, but ride whatever you want. Modern rides are welcome.

While we're talking about the rally, i have a question :

Do you get the reference to the MC5 ...to detroit ... and to the "Kickstart the Jams, Motorscooters" tag line?

I had no idea who the MC5 were until i moved to Detroit. People in Detroit sorta credit them as being as big as anybody.. sort of the beginning of the Punk movement to some extent ..

but, i don't know how much of that is a Michigan thing, or if people really know much about them who aren't from the area.

-Eric

That Super is AutoLube?

Yes. I think all US largeframes were from like 1971 onward.

Definitely got it and thought it was nicely done.

Kick Out the Jams, Motherf^&(% !

Big fan. I think most of the ol' school punks know that MC5 and the others likes of the Stooges, etc. were a foundation for what happened circa 75, 76.




Nice play on that one....

Likewise...

A friend of mine told me about this rally awhile ago and I thought it was a great idea for a name.

I like how you even replaced the panther with the old vespa w/ wings and lightning bolts.

MC5 rule.

Good good. I was hoping it wasn't lost on people. I'm glad you even recognized the panther image with the GS in there. That was done by a clubmate, Craig Macintosh, who previously ran the entire advertising campaign for Mazda in Canada. I'm sure you've seen some mazda ads there, Chris ...and he's the one responsible.

-Eric

I think it would take too long on a 150, here's my route
http://maps.google.com/maps/empw?url=http:%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2Fmaps%3Ff%3Dd%26source%3Ds_d%26saddr%3D4801%2Bwisconsin%2Bave%2Bnw,%2B20016%26daddr%3Ddetroit%26hl%3Den%26mra%3Dls%26sll%3D38.958408,-77.078705%26sspn%3D0.024962,0.054331%26ie%3DUTF8%26ll%3D40.642045,-80.298605%26spn%3D3.37927,6.43433%26output%3Dembed&hl=en&gl=us

very compelling invitation but I'm afraid it's the couch and the food network for me

Dude..if you're in DC, there's already at least 4 kids from DC going ( the NOS Scooter Club, who won the raffle bike last year ). Why not hook up with them and try to ride along ? Those guys are the best... hardcore.

It's definitely a Michigan thing, unless you happen to be into the protopunk movement. If you aren't, you probably don't give a shit. Kinda like people here still cream their shorts over the Replacements. People elsewhere like them, but probably don't cream their shorts over them like we do here.

Still, it's your rally, and MC5 is dear to that area of the state. I think it's cool. Any band that can take out a full page add in a local newspaper saying, "FUCK HUDSONS!" (i.e. Macy's) because said retailer won't carry their record is worth crediting for the birth of punk. It doesn't get much more punk than that.

Cool! I'll check it out.

If you need contact info for them, i can forward it along. They have a forum / website, i think.

Most of NOS hangs out at www.wmasa.org, which isn't technically our site. At least three of us (myself not likely included, work) are planning on going to this rally.

If you want to meet us, we are going for a ride up Rock Creek on Monday 7/13, meeting at Murphy's near Calvert and 24th St.

The other guys are most definitely trucking scooters there.

And, yeah, the MC5 thing came off loud and clear.

What time?

Meet at 7 p.m, ride at 7:30 p.m.

Sweet! See ya then

MC5 yes.. I remember . I just saw the New York Dolls played here last weekend.

Eric sombody should get some T Shirts made up. That logo is BOSS!
I'd buy one...

We are doing t-shirts with the logo. We typically do a limited run of like 75-100, which always sell out. If there are any left, i will put the sizes up here if anyone wants to purchase one. They are typically $10 @.

-Eric