Modern Vespa

when tinterweb goes off i plug in me dongle and scan the neighbours

.... which i've just done thank you upstairs neighbours. now i can waste time again. yay.

I have a cunning plan....

ingenuity

Welcome back you.

Bill XX

just in time to say goodnight

i've got a microwave yoga class at 7 tomorrow morning so it's going to be a really sad friday night for me - no drinkies and early to bed

WEP encryption is your friend. My father, who is paranoid about identity theft, has his wireless network wide open. I've told him to encrypt it for two years now...some people have no clue.

i encrypted and stelthed mine so no freeloader was getting in ... my son bought a new laptop and it took me a month to figure out what id done

i've hidden my modem in the cupboard 8)

All arrive about 12:00 midday, Spider gets bike-lift loaded by others more join(t)ed-up, do scoot-exchange stuff, then we all go off to my local (highly recommended for many things) for lunch. You'll all like it, promise.

Can't see a downside to this plan.

I can't see a downside either Jim. Yes we'll be there in full effect around 12.00.
The V5, manual, service book, spare key and code card are all here together with all it's receipts so it's ready for somebody else to enjoy.
Great idea to all go up the pub and make a social event of the occasion.
One thing I know I'm going to do this weekend and that's to ride the Hornet very very carefully which will probably be a first.
Just kidding.

See you Saturday.

Billy No Scoot

Scoot sold to a courier and his friend who are into their PTWs of all kinds (including modern and classic Vespas).

We are again a 2-PTW household.

if ya have no scoot for a while and your girl does why not just ride bitch as some people call it [not me though never]

I suggested he ride cupcake instead of bitch.

I am pretty excited today. I ordered a new exhaust system last month and I will finally get it Monday. I have been riding my scoot with this really 'attractive' Harley-esqe exhaust. If even loud with my best ear plugs. It also means it will idle again. YEAH!

Stealth is good TechGuy. Don't tell the Police that you are coming.

To be fair after the to Hornet goes to Jim there will only be one weekend when I'll be missing it and then it's the Greek Islands Rally so after I return I'll be looking seriously for another ride because on the 25th of June it's Amiens and I must have my own ride for that.

Riding Genie bitch ( God that feels so wrong to say ) is pleasure because she is easily the best pillion I've ever had.
Her balance is perfect and she very rarely connects with her helmet but I do have to adjust my riding style somewhat which says something.
There isn't any rock when you pull away either so having her on the back is a joy.

Billy No Scoot X

hi guys

just wanted to share this moment with you.

Velma was sold to the first person who saw it, I liked him and we shook hands on a deal.
Michele is an italian gentleman with Vespa experience who lives in Chelsea.
He wanted a red LX125 and appreciated Velma for all her might and glory.
He let me keep her until yesterday, my last day at Bhs too...

it was an emotional day but I didn't cry, I'm crying today alone in the flat though...
looking at all my stuff from my desk from the nearly 4 years I worked there and reading everyone's cards, I'll miss my colleagues so much and they will also miss Velma

I posted an ad at the canteen and had people in the lifts for 2 weeks going "is that your bike that red Vespa?? It's beaaaautifull....ohhh I wish I could buy it" etc etc
Michele is a nice guy and will look after her. (he answered my Gumtree ad)

Last night after drinks at the pub with my ex-colleagues Alex picked me up on George and parking it in the front garden right in the middle using up all the space and leaving him alone dug a hole in my heart.
I'll miss Velma very much and having my own Vespa in general.

I'll definitely get one as soon as the slight need is found and cash flow gets back into track.

I got my Ford Ka though - his name is Ringo.
He's no Vespa though, but has behaved himself very well.
I'll go for a drive with him today to practice for my test.

Velma left with her DSSC sticker on.
I couldn't peel it off, it was too sad.
I told Michele he was welcome to join MV and he was my guest for the DSSC.

If anyone has a spare DSSC sticker I'd love to stick it to my car if I'm allowed.... you guys do the referendum and let me know the outcome...

take care you all - we tie the knot next Saturday.
I'm spending a weekend of solitude and rest after 15 months of non-stop planning and working.

much love from Dessa, Alex, George and wee Ringo xx - the Favoritos! (hehe we need one of those american holiday cards)

Good luck with the knot-tying, and a virtual glass raised to Velma and her lucky new owner.

*wipes away a tear*

Let her go Dessa. She's going to a good home and to someone who you liked so cut the ties because there's no need to worry about her welfare.
You shared good times and I'm sure you'll grow very fond of Ringo very soon.
I'm sure one of us will be able to get you a DonkeiSkok sticker soon to compliment it's paint work.
I hope that everything goes to plan next weekend. You'll be in our thoughts no doubt.
We'll raise a glass to you in the pub on Saturday afternoon.
Cheers to you both.

nor can i. have you cleared out a space in your garage for the hornet yet?

@Dessa - sorry to see Velma go, but I'm sure you'll forget all your pain with the joy of your upcoming wedding! make sure to post some pictures. and the DSSC will be delighted to make a wedding present of a brand new sticker, even if it is for a cage (you wouldn't be the first KA to sport a DSSC sticker)

So yesterday I took the Hornet out for a solo ride and it was eventful.
I took it to Canterbury along my favourite route A20 from Maidstone - Charing then pick up the A28 then back out of Canterbury on the A2 only to come off at the A251 at Faversham towards Ashford which is a brilliant road then turn right at Challock back towards Maidstone.
I managed to dodge most of the showers but in the final 5 miles the road was becoming damp and greasy so I had to slow through the Leeds bends where many years ago I had my most spectacular accident.
Eventhough I'm pretty careful on that section of road I find it very hard to resist going through them as quickly as possible and on the way out I broke "our" record.
I'm not going to disclose the speed but bugger me it was fun and I may have well found the limits of that scooter but to it's credit it didn't weave or wobble which is more than my BMWK100 used to do at the same speed.
The only problem with the corners is that there's a pub entrance in the dip of the fastest section and the people pulling out can't see you coming.
Anyway on my return journey I dropped into the services to full up with muffins and latte and got tipped the nod by some Dutch Hells Angels on Harleys returning to the ferry.
They were very pleasant indeed.
Because of the showers the Hornet was filthy by the time it got it home so sorry Jim but I had to give it a full valet and a buff using AutoGylm Polish.
Within miles of home I filtered to the front of some lights and timed it just right as they changed.
The driver in the Porsche Boxter who may have had a small penis tried to race me which was quite funny but at that point I was in such a good mood I just waved politely and encouraged him to let me in which he did !?
Maybe he was laughing so much he missed a gear change ?
Like you Dessa I'm still quite attached to the Hornet and this was great way to send it off with a memory of an excellent ride out.
God I enjoy riding scooters. I doesn't matter that they havn't got much of a top end because they really are supreme on the corners especially when you have got confidence in the tyres.

Big Sigh.

Billy No Scoot.

+2 points to scooters today: 1) easy to clean, 2) no chain.

Ick.

Thanks guys, it's letting go of Velma and being full part of the DSSC
but delighted that I might get a sticker!!!
Yes I'm liking Ringo he's sweet
and well happy for Velma.

So Jim and Hornet is that right?
Bill do you still have a Ka?

I beg to differ

I have only given the GP800 chain a full deep clean once and it was a vile job. I probably still smell of paraffin.

Yes I still have the Ka and I'll have it for the next 2 and 1/2 years.

Where as the Hornet.....

Talking of which Genie and I had some fun on it on Monday morning by riding it bitch down to Hastings early in the morning for the May Day Run/Jack in the Green Festival.
We were blessed with empty and mostly dry roads but more about that later.
We met up with my mate Jenny whose flat looks over the beach and met the last remaining members of a Rockabilly Party who had a bit of a late one the previous night.
Once we dumped our stuff we walked along the seafront and met up with Genies Capoeria troupe and then joined the parade through the town making lots of noise much to the pleasure of the crowd but the displeasure of the Morris Men whose instruments were getting drowned out by the drums.
Once the parade had moved on we dined then took a tour of the car parks pointing at stuff- namely hundreds of bikes.
It was like a trip down memory lane because there seemed to be at least 1 of every bike I'd owned in the past.
Then I heard my name being called and there low and behold was Mr Wonder and his Kamasami 650 Trenchdigger which we made cooing noises at. It was big and black and quite sexy if I'm honest.
Then we rode home fairly slowly giving all of the power rangers plenty of room to over take on thier way to warp speed.
We came across 4 Harleys which we tailed for while but bugger me they were slow in the corners but I couldn't quite bring myself to overtake them.
I must be getting old.
Just outside Seddlescombe there is an amazing corner which turn 90 degrees left and down a hill but I totally messed it up on the way in much to Genie's amusement.
I went in too fast with the braking all late and on the wrong line then totally lost my nerve when I realised the road was damp under the trees.
Had to remind myself about 1 my precious cargo and 2 I'd recently sold what I was riding.
I have to thank Doug at this point for suggesting the hardening up of the rear suspension which has made carrying a pillion alot nicer.
Less rebound and bounce.

More.

So is it me or are new buildings in London looking like other things ?
There's one in the East End that looks like a huge lipstick and another that on the South side that looks like a flat head screw driver bit with 3 holes in the tip.
And it's not just me either.

Who should beep behind me as I exited a roundabout last night but Wonder Machine? We rode in convoy as far as Elephant and Castle, snatching conversation at red lights.

The South London commute is obviously agreeing with you. I feel a bit haggard and worn out after a decade of it!

"I probably still smell of paraffin."

Much nicer than 'sweet essence of giraffe', though.

Aahahahaha! Another Bonzo fan!

Oh good!
I didn't think I was the only one but hadn't met another for many a long year.

tadpole farming, the idiot's guide, chapter two: how to determine the optimum number of tadpoles for the size of the tank. 1. fill tank with water 2. add tadpoles 3. wait a few days. observe colour and clarity of water. green cloudy wåter indicates severe oxygen debt, as does the presence of dead tadpoles floating belly up on the surface



4. bail tank frantically, refill with fresh water. any tadpoles still exhibiting signs of death to be put in main pond for newts to deal with [*shudder*]

my only comfort is knowing that life would be even crueller for them in the wild

Oh well, chin up tadpole murderess. Your greek islands t shirts arrived today!

i always thought tadpoles lived in wellingtons

Maver I have to say your Henry Hoover Video cracks me up every time.

Billy No Scoot

Seriously that hoover reminds of the dark times. .. .

"i always thought tadpoles lived in wellingtons"

Yes but I think they take them off before they get into bed.

Anyone fancy a ride to meet MV'ers?
Anyone in the Midlands UK...

Marc

Ahaha, I shall send that Henry gif to my friend who works in an electrical goods shop

Praise for Scootech in Clerkenwell in servicing my 300 in two hours, for a very reasonable sum.

More to the point, they WASHED it. Thank you, Scootech. After a certain point I had decided to see if I could make it into a brown scooter.

Good Old Scootech, they washed it! My scoot hasn't been washed in weeks, not even when it was at the dealers all day (8 hours) whilst it was serviced.

I now know every dead bug by name. 8)

They've done a tip top job - replaced the belt and wheeeee!

It's running really well and has got that rocket take off again that it had been lacking recently. I am in love with it all over again.

excellent [*rubs hands together like montgomery burns*] will have to arrange collection time, with added ambulance service for post-recreationary repatriation.

drastic action in tadpole tank has seen results. installation of a solar-powered aerator this morning saw further improvement. tank is now filled with lively, non-dead tadpoles. newts also very pleased about added variety in their diet (like vultures, they are not fussy about whether their meal is served live, or deceased).