Modern Vespa

For the 2008 Cannonball event, I spent about a year and a half working in secret, trying desperately to finish an ambitious project that ultimately failed. On top of that, most of you never got to see what I was up to. For the 2012 event, I no longer have any real to work in secret. What I'm up to isn't earth-shattering, and some of it might be of general interest.

But rather than be a one-man show, I'd like to invite other Cannonball 2012 members to post updates to this thread to show us what they're up to and what projects they're pursuing for CB2012.

Naturally, I've got a project lined up and ready to show.

There's an old adage that is often invoked WRT Cannonball: It's not how fast you go, it's how slow you don't go. To that end, auxiliary gas tanks are practically de rigeur on Cannonball, and I've seen quite a few different attempts at that. I'm a big fan of gravity-fed systems (since gravity never, ever fails) and so I prefer (by a wide margin -- don't try to talk me out of it) putting the gas tank on the rear rack. The weight isn't really that bad, but some reinforcement is a good idea nonetheless.

For Cannonball 2008, I had a very heavy, very overbuilt rack, heavily reinforced, holding up a four-gallon gas tank. For 2012, I've decided to go with three gallons instead, and have given quite a bit of thought as to how to support it.

I've opted for a lighter-weight rack than last time, using the Piaggio fixed top-case rack as my starting point. This particular rack is welded straight to the grab rail, with a short cantilever down to the support plate that screws into the back of the bike. In these pictures, you can see that I've added another cantilever to it (the square tube) which pushes down on the frame farther down from the usual mount point.

I think this will work well, and it's many, many pounds lighter than my previous setup.

Oh, and before anyone asks: yes, I'm using the cut-off rear end of a GTS as a welding jig. I kept it when I scrapped a wrecked frame specifically for tasks like this.


The starting point

Shaping the tubing

Positioning the tube in preparation for welding

First welds

Positioning attachment plate

More welding

Cleaned up and bead blasted

The finished product

Mounted to my Cannonball steed

Three gallon gas tank on top (not attached yet)

Cantilever detail

Jess, I'm glad you posted this. I have a tour tank ready to put on, but I've been wondering about the best way to support the added weight. I knew some reinforcing needed to be done, but I wasn't sure of the best way to go about it.

Other than the tour tank, I'm not planning much for mods. Because this is my first run, it will be a learning experience.

I'll start with fresh oil change, fresh transmission service, new Heidenaus on the scoot plus two mounted on spare rims on the sag.

Luggage: Since I won't have my top case, I'll probably run with saddlebags and a tunnel bag, or perhaps just the tunnel bag. Necessary tools will be with me and majority of the other stuff will be on the sag.

Electronics: SPOT Tracker, GPS, Drift HD on the front and the GoPro on the back and an SRC System for my C3 so I can listen to tunes when the road gets dull.

I'll let you know how that tour tank mounts. It's going on week after next. Looks like a keg.

This isn't the only option. One other way to do it is to add "struts" running up from a bar bolted to the tail, right above the license plate. There are two bolts there already, so it's a ready-made attachment point.

I'll see if I can dig up a picture. +1 on the tunnel bag. I keep my tools (which are heavier than the gas) down in a GIVI T444 tunnel bag, which served me very, very well on CB2008.

Here's my installation thread from way back: GIVI T444 Tunnel Bag Installation

K: your GPS wired? If not, do it. Or you will only have ~4 hrs of non-insanity.

It will be wired. I'm thinking of spending a few bucks on a new one. I have a Nuvi 650 and it's a little long in the tooth so it may be replaced. Once I decide what to get (if I get a new one) then I'll get it wired. I'd like to save the money, but the 650 is not weather proof and tends to shake off the mount I remedied that with a GIVI case but then I can't access the touch screen - doh! It may not be fun traveling with the 650.

I still trust my Zumo 550, rain or shine.

A pic would be great. Thanks. That's the same tunnel bag I have. For some reason, yours seems to fit a little better than mine. There is difference in the body from the 250 to the 300, right?

I'd love the Zumo 550 but I can't afford it prior to the trip. I'll be taking a huge financial hit on this trip; not just with the expense of the trip, but I don't have paid vacation so no income. My shop will close down while I'm gone, so no revenue either. Unless I find a sweet deal on eBay, the Zumo is out for me

I'd lend you mine. But you'd have to deal with loading all the maps yerself and whatnot; I ain't that nice.

Check out a Nuvi 550. Reasonably priced (less than $300) and waterproof.

Also, I found a RAM cradle from GPSCity for ~9 bucks.

Last edited by Grind on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:17:52 +0000; edited 1 time

P.S. Jess, your garage is looking great! It's lust worthy. Post pics of the new kitchen sometime on your other thread so I can drool over that as well.

Nope. The body is identical. Even the GT200 is (with the exception of a couple of extra holes here and there) identical to the 250 and 300 frame.

Is it the T444, or one of the other (newer) GIVI bags? I note that the T444 doesn't seem to be available anymore.

Also, mine is screwed down to the battery plate. There aren't any pictures of my garage in there. The first set of pictures (with the butcher block work surface) is my soon-to-be-ex workshop in San Francisco. I share it with a few other people, and we all have some large equipment there. My welders and air compressor are still there, so I took the rack up to work on it.

The second set of pictures (with the rack on the black bike) are my soon-to-be-remodeled workshop in San Jose, which is about the size of a 2-car garage. It's full of all the crap that won't fit anywhere else at the moment.

The garage, not pictured, is carpeted. It's where all the bikes are parked. We call it "the waiting room".

I'll have to check tomorrow. It's in the back of my garage. I've had it for a year and a half. Perhaps it is a newer one. I suppose the style doesn't change that much, but maybe just enough to screw up the fitment. Sheesh! I thought you weren't spread out all over the city any longer. I thought the butcher block bench was in your new garage I was going to comment on your need to tidy up a bit, but hey, who am I to judge

That price is much more agreeable. It's easier for Mr. ScootChef to not notice a $300 purchase. He's much more likely to wag a finger at me on a $600 purchase

So I'm not coming up with a lot. I've got a picture of the overbuilt rack with the ring to hold in the gas tank (though I added more to it later), and I've got a kind of side-picture of the bike after I wrecked on the Burr Trail. You can see the upright struts in the second picture.

EDIT: I found a picture of the mount point, where the struts meet the body.









Last edited by jess on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:23:50 +0000; edited 1 time

Reading this thread with venomous envy. Just had to say.... carry on.

Jess what model Vespa do you have for CB2012?

+1

Having gotten a tiny taste of endurance riding last year I've been truly bitten by the bug. I guess I'll have to settle for living vicariously via this thread. This time, anyway.

And when the CB actually begins, I'm sure we'll all enjoy tracking the progress of MVs 'Four (or five, six...) Scooterists of the Apocalypse' as they scorch their respective paths across the American highway system.

I just got a Nuvi 765T on eBay for Bill to use. It cost me $70. It's in like-new condition and has 2011 maps on it. I have a RAM mount and cradle already that it will fit so no added expense there. At the end of the run it's going back on eBay and ought to fetch the same price as what I paid.

Well I left a year to complete my CBR 2012 build. What I didn't count on was being sent overseas for work. So right now I'm up in the air. I have my motor coming and may stuff it into a 67 GT instead of my 64 GL rebuild, or run the 67 GT, or run the Buddy 161, or be really lazy and take the Burgman.

I'm leaning to the GT with the motor in it now. Will be adding mount for my Zumo 550 and using a small rechargable 12v battery strapped to the legshield tire mount. Tubless tires and tour tank. Will probably also upgrade the clutch and add a CHT.

The CBR is probably going to be a mad dash. Fly in, quick set up, trailer to Savannah, ride to San Diego and either fly back from San Diego or somewhere along the way.

Since my project has been extended I'm shooting for being out of country long enough for tax purposes.

I'm running the same bike as I did in 08: a 2008 GTS 250. It's been heavily modified since then, though.

I just installed one of Didge's racks to the lid of my topcase. It occurred to me recently that the curve of the rear fender (where this rack is designed to go) is pretty much the same as the curve of the topcase. Didge confirmed this with a tracing that I sent him.

The rack came with a backing plate for the inside of the lid that's in the same dimensions as the mounting plate on the bottom of the rack so it's attached very securely to the case. While I won't be able to carry a lot of weight on it, it will give me one more spot to lash things to.

For anyone not yet familiar with Didge's work, check it out at Classic Racks.

P.S. I owe some thanks to Randy Turk. I saw photos on here awhile back of the rack he mounted on his topcase and since then I've thought of doing something similar.

Yup, it looks horrid.

Bill X

I don't have much choice with modifications and all of the prep work will be done by someone else which is nice.
Don't get me wrong I'd like to get my hands on the "Sideways Transit" but unless I mail my digits to VSO I won't touch it until April 17th.

I'll be running with a Classic Rack, big spare fuel tank, fly screen, Rick's Nav,12v socket and enough decals to sink a battleship.

I'm also going to be bringing my ego which may cause a few problems.
Does anyone do a modification for that ?

Bill X

Last edited by Bill Dog on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:21:53 +0000; edited 3 times

That looks great, Rick!

Yup. All it takes is a couple of guys in a dark alley. Or a big stick.

Ohhhh a big stick. promises promises.
It sounds like a George Michael video.

Loving the rack.

A big stick and a nice rack. Things are looking up.

Ok, I know there are good intentions here, but I have had it! Everywhere I turn I see "cannonball" "Cannonball" "CANNONBALL," and now there are pictures too!

I can't come along, but I just can't get away!

*envy*



Those mods look really great! Well done!

Well, for a low tech modification on a not so modern entry (hopefully it's OK to post on the modern side) added tie down points on the floor board. The electrical system will provide DC power for a nuvi 1450 in a Ram Mount Aquabox, since the internal battery would not last for the time of a daily leg. Front and (hopefully if I can find one) rear rack plus floor for gear and supplies.

I like low tech. It's always good for me to be reminded that there can be some easy and inexpensive options. I've also been thinking of adding some tie down points on my rear cowls.

Wait, wait, wait! Are you looking for a rear rack for your rally? A club mate might have one. I'll check. He had it last week. Maybe he'll donate to the cause.

I agree Adrian. It's too much. Next there will be videos. Great mods guys. I was about to start a thread on older CB pictures wanted when I came across this one. I am living vicariouly thorugh it all. Am I the only one that wishes that there ought to be some kind of guest registration for those who cannot go the whole coast to coast itenerary? A non-competitive one? We could still time ourselves in preparation perhaps for a future complete run. I honestly think it would be kind of fun to go down to Texas and finish the run with everybody. But without registration I will feel like I will be left out.

I put the rear rack back on my lambretta today. I had already added eyelets to the floorboards to hold the gas can but I probably need to up the can from 1 to 2 gallons. My current GPS setup comes up from the spare tire behind the leg shield and is less than ideal but I may just run with it.

You want video? I can do that.

Truth be told, as excited as I am about this the prep can be a little tedious. I have so many lists that I need another list to keep them all organized. It's mostly things like remembering that I need to get some AAA batteries for my SPOT messenger or going over the possible repairs and maintenance to figure out which size sockets and wrenches I need to pack and which I can leave behind.

If you haven't already, you can wade through old threads from past CBRs on the Scooter Cannonball forum.

But I'm also taking this chance to try and finish my LX200L. After giving up on my engine due to a very very stuck oil drain plug, I had Jess bring me his GT engine. Got the engine in, rear hub pulled apart, and a new bearing installed in the lower section of the case. Jess is pressing the up gear for me and when I get it back the rear hub will go together all set for the 10in wheel.

Is that a big ol' leather satchel on the back?

Finished mine last week. Currently breaking it in. Probably won't run the front rack though.



p.

Heat, wrench & mallet.

I know where there is a tap for that hole.....

R

How was the oatmeal this morning, Patrick?