Modern Vespa

This turned up in another thread (or possibly this one). It's to stop people taking over threads by declaring that they like pie. Who'd do such a thing?

GP800 service for me too next week. I'll ask them to hang on to the old rollers so I can see what sort of a mess they're in. Portsmouth this weekend to see some friends and their doggie

If they're anything like mine were at 12,000 miles they'll be down to the metal! Noticed no difference in performance after the service though.

Mine is really groaning and grinding away from the lights at the moment - I hope that gets fixed. New rear tyre incoming too. My poor wallet!

Is anyone going to Brighton on August the 31st Bank Holiday ?

Count me as 1

Bill X

I found that with the stalling issue and no rear brake the bike was bloody dangerous to ride - so collected the new master cylinder from the dealers yesterday, as there was no way I'd ride the bike to the dealers. Fitted and now all good with the rear brake. Glad it happened under warranty - the new one is priced at GBP191! Comes complete with brake-handle, switch etc. A bit of a bugger to bleed, but got there in the end.

back safe and sound from a thoroughly gorgeous ride to cornwall and back. busy unpacking at the moment but stay tuned for a full rundown in the 'ride reports' section

Welcome back the pair of you.

I spent my afternoon at a friends place who has had experience of restoring paint work on two Rolls Royces that he owns .
One is a Silver Ghost and the other a Camargue which has just had a £10,000 respray. The latter looks like Lady Penelopes FAB 1 from Thunderbirds but in the most amazing metalic maroon colour.

He showed me a trick where you mix Vienna Lime with either 3M's Finesse it or Fareclea's Gold Top and gently apply to the paint work with an old sponge and gently rub using circular motions.
Polish off gently then apply Swiszol paste which feels like peanut butter. You warm between your fingers then apply with the same aforementioned digits.
This stuff is about £120 a small tub but needless to say the Hornet has had it's paintwork "reconditioned"and now looks amazing.

I'll try and get some pictures.

Bill X

the interloper looks like a dirty tart apart from the dent where i dumped it in a gully full of mud, my cargo net seems to have scuffed the clearcoat where i had it tied to the floorboards. and the entire scooter is covered in mud. and there are scuffs in my custom seat cover, and dead bugs all over the legshield and windshield. and rocks in the pet carrier

Where as mine looks totally stunning with it's new highly polished surface.

I've decided I need 2 scooters. One to ride and one to polish.

Bill X

Tailor Mark and I are meeting up either before or at Brighton on the 31st of August.

Anyone care to join us ? May go looking for Christos as well.

I may well do Brighton on the 31st - but going down the back roads. There'll be loads of awful riders out as it's a Bank Holiday.

I know If you see me wave

Yes you *are* awful, but I like you! You're riding isn't that bad though, be fair to yourself!

oh. oh. oh. i've been waiting ages to do 'grammar police' on jim....

'your' riding

Good spot, guilty as charged! Doh. Sackcloth and ashes for the next week. Oh, no change there then...

Met the royal bastards (absolute and sneaky) at lake tahoe last night. Those guys know how to camp in style.

Had the most amazing ( and slightly scary ) drive through the tioga pass today at yosemite. 3 hours of driving with the outside tyre of the rv only inches from the edge of the road which was often a massive unprotected stomach churning sheer drop! When the road was downhill and bumpy ,and a large vehicle was coming the other way, it was like threading a needle whist surfing a huge wave.

Stunning scenery all the way. Would be amazing to do it on a vespa some day.

Hope blighty's treating you all well.

Hope you're bringing photos when you return!

I was very tempted to join Tailor Marc on his run to the IOW but then realised that I was commited to a 40th Birthday Party on the 30th so I'll be taking it easy from Maidstone to Tunbridge Wells and then on to Brighton on the 31st to possibly meet up with Jim, Christos and Marc on his return journey.
I'm going to leave fairly early to avoid all the idiots.
May see you there.

Bill X

Kam, Sounds like an amazing trip! It would be great to see the pics!


My bank holiday weekend is looking good! Saturday work but it is my birthday, so I will no doubt get some special treatment from the kids at home
Sunday, up bright and early race down to Lymington and over to IOW. Ride around the island, there is a short walk I promised I would do. Maybe meet up with any of the guys from the GTS forum. B&B for the night.
Monday, bright and early again, race back acrosss to Lymington and on to Brighton.

I am really looking forward to it, it will be longest ride I have done. It will also be good preparation for next April. In preparation I have installed a 12V socket for a GPS (which I haven't bought yet ) and a rear rack (sorry Genie)

i took the dirty tart to see Dave at London Scooter Body Shop today, and got some very good news ....

for the total sum of about £600 (ouch! but i have been saving pennies for a few months now) he will sort out.... the few small scratches and dings that were put there by the previous owner. ... the twist in the legshield left over from when the lane-changing muppet hit me back in december ... the various cracks and awkwardnesses in the glovebox and steering lock ... the big dent in the cowl that i acquired whilst on holiday (plus the little scuff to the front fender) ... and he will respray the whole works in the lovely purpley-blue colour.

if i'm feeling particularly financially adventurous i may enquire about a custom olive green with a gold fleck - as the floor pan is the only part of the scooter that isn't going to have to be repainted.

the bad news: from next monday i will be scooterless for two weeks. am seeking pillion opportunities.

Genie, I have never carried passengers before but you are welcome to be my first.

I need to visit Dave too, that nasty scratch is annoying me and I have managed to somehow accumalate more smaller scratches. It is getting to the point where I avoid washing it, in case I find more! I am going to get it all sorted after the summer, maybe October.

Bum. I always had a spare 'spare ride' available. No longer so - I wish I had one such for you right now Genie.

However, should you need wheels for a ride-out (as opposed to daily use) then I can probably provide.

I'm always happy to help with a lift if you need one at the respective scooterless weekends Genie.
Vacant pillion 29th/30th and on the 6th/7th of Sept but Brighton is booked on the 31st incase anyone fancies an Ice Cream.
Just ask eventhough I'm a really awful pilot and I'm rubbish in the corners.
Sorry.

Bill

So what's the deal with Brighton then?
Is it a ride out? Stopover? What?

Bill's buying ice creams!

cheers all for the pillion offers. i've been told i'm a good pillion so probably good for a learner to practice on i quite fancy brighton if time and weather permits.

and jim i may just take you up on that offer of a ride-out scooter if i decide to do any of the upcoming ones

Very helpful.......

If you wanna borra the SHitty (if you don't mind being seen on such a dumping scorpion), let me know. You'll need to insure it fully comp tho' if ya do...

I'm hungry... what is everyone having for lunchies?

2 day old leftover lamb iskander... I hope it's still good.

Corned beef sandwich and a packet of Wheat Crunchies

I have fruit cake for later.

I'll post in the Rides and Rallies section as well, but the X9 Owners and Riders Club 7th annual Kent ride is now declared an open ride, DSSC members especially welcome. This is not a particularly progressive ride, more a bimble through the countryside, all types of PTW welcome.

Sunday 20th September.

Departing from Pratts Bottom (opposite the petrol station) on the A21, London/Kent Border at 11:00.

From there we'll ride up to Knockholt, then through:

Badgers Mount
Shoreham
Otford
Chevening
Brasted
Westerham
Crockham Hill
Four Elms
Toys Hill

To Ide Hill

For our first stop
Great Views and good toilets

Down to Bough Beech
Hever
Markbeech
Chiddingstone
Chiddingston Causeway
Penshurst

Where we'll stop for Lunch in the grounds of Penshurst Place

We'll then go via the Bidbourgh Causeway to Southborough
Tonbridge
Shipbourne
Ightham
Borough green
Wrotham
West Kingsdown
Farningham

Possible stop at Enysford

Chelsfield

Back to Pratts Bottom by 16:00 Hours

That sounds cool, I'll come if the weather is good and I'm free.

that's five days away from a conference for which i have yet to write the paper, so i'll see ....

i am having beer for lunch.

Ah, the Lunch of Champions!

Just dropped the GP800 off at the dealers ready for them to service it/hopefully cure the stalling problem. They've agreed that changing the chain and sprockets religiously at 18,000 is just plain daft, so should be a cheapo filters and oil service - plus rollers if necessary.

Loaner bike is a demo black GTS250 with only 1015km - I'd forgotten what fun they are to ride. I think I might take it out on some of my favourite twisties tomorrow.

If I had the day off Jim I'd join you.

Bill X

Anyone have any idea how Genie can borrow the SHitty and insure it?

She can't add it to her policy as it is not registered to her. I cannot add her to my policy as I have a multibike and, therefore, cannot ride two bikes at the same time.

You could make Genie the Keeper, and then she can take out insurance for a month or so while the 'loper gets sorted. Then she makes you the Keeper again - no change of ownership actually takes place, just a bit of V5 paperwork.

Sorry to be so fick but how does that work? Doesn't that mean docs to the DVLA and then an additional keeper on the V5C?

Yes - but the new Keeper starts from the moment it is agreed between the parties, so you could just be tardy in sending off the V5 - maybe only send off if there's a reason (which one sincerely hopes there isn't).

So, you verbally agree Genie is the new Keeper. She gets a month's insurance, and can hand-on-heart assert she is the Keeper. You forget to send the V5 off (or even to fill it in), you naughty boy. The 'loper comes home, you verbally agree that you are now the keeper again.