MODS - and it begins

Checkers and Wings

Today, I went to Motorsport Scooters to get a Haynes manual for my ET4 and decided to answer that nagging to Mod I've been lately experiencing. Several chaps were there I hadn't met yet and they invited me in for the nickel tour! I was amazed at the row upon row of vespa parts, new and old (and I didn't even take a peek into the warehouse).

The garage is clean and tidy, with a few bikes parked in a row for service, etc. They bought a GT 60 and have been working on it, getting to know what makes it tick and how to best enhance performance. Apparantly, they do that with all their bikes to get intimate with them.

Parked behind the garage were a row of the new Lambretta Unos, both red and white. They are ready to roll. The Lamby is a Tiawanese bike rebadged with the legendary scooter marquee, and have stirred up some controversy in the vintage scooter scene. By the looks of it, it is another very well made, quality bike similar to Kymco, Sym, etc. The price is ridiculously low, less thana used Vespa ET4 is good condition. 3K out the door will have you driving the new lamby!

In the garage, a Gilera Runner 180 was parked - it looks fast when it isn't even running! If the Lamby looked anything like the Gilera, I would have traded in my ET right then and there...

BUT... I do love the graceful lines on the ET4, and choose to have the Malossi 187kit installed next week. I can't wait to feel the acceleration improvements!

I do love my bike, but the new Lamby might have me making room for another!

Hollywood land

Stephie rubbing elbows with some of the locals.


Hollywood Boulevard symbolizes many of the hopes and dreams contained in the American experience. And perhaps nowhere contains those familiar movie images better than the Hollywood wax Museum.

The Mummy represented the best of the classic movie monsters to me. It's image takes me back to the early 1970's and the late, late, 'creature feature' on Friday night. No other monster terrified me more than the Egytian tomb dweeling undead mummy, shuffling relentlessly in pursuit of his victims. Dracula and the Wolfman didn't scare me like the Mummy did. Perhaps it was the ancient wrapping or the deadened stare he gave. He was slow, but never gave up pursuit. No wooden stake, no silver bullet would save you... if the Mummy wanted you, you were doomed.

Pinhead... a more current manifestation of the hellish creatures inhabiting our collective psyche. Unlike the mummy, Pinhead is an intellectual and at times articulate demon. Though not my favorite, he embodies the more current blood and gore movies so popular today. My favorite line from the Hellraiser series has got to be Pinhead stating, "I am exquisitely empty", ironically summarizing todays horror films.

Of course, I have to give nod to perhaps the greatest adventure and action series of all time... James Bond.

Parking in Hollywood can be excrutiatingly difficult and painfully expensive... in a car. Not once did I have any real trouble finding parking for the Vespa. Yet another benefit to riding motorscooters.

Stephie and me at the Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. Man, it was packed. Folks from all over the world were visiting, placing their hands and feet into the concrete molds of their favorite actors. I think we must have heard a dozen languages. For many movie fans, this is "Mecca". Stars adorn the sidewalks on both sides of the street for many blocks, some I recognize and some I don't.

Cruising around Hollywood on the Vespa is a great way to see the town; anytime we saw something we wanted to see up close, we just made a quick stop and hopped off... then hopped back on to continue our journey.


My cobalt blue ET4 at the Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. You might notice that I'm parked in a red zone... we just pulled up quickly, got off, took the picture, and sped off to find legal parking around the block.

On the road again. The trip home past the Beach cities, industrial wastelands, and Camp Pendlton went much faster. Despite the traffic (a lot of lane splitting) we got home in 3 hours. Once we got to Dana Point, we took Interstate 5 south to San Diego. The Vespa ran faster, the same headwinds that slowed us on the way North became a tail wind that helped to propel us at highway speeds of 65 and 70 Southward. Several times, I had to pass slower vehicles in the right lane, surely atonishing any observers.

All in all, it was a fun two-day trip. The ride up to Santa Monica, Hollywood, and home again allowed us the opportunity to see, smell, and hear the California Coast in a way we could not in a car with windows rolled up, radio blasting, air conditioner blowing. I can't wait for the next trip, perhaps to Mexica, Canada, Montana, or...where ever the wind blows me.

Santa Monica Cafe Chic

After a good night's rest, we found a hip little coffee shop across the street from travelodge. It was filled with old movie theater row-seats, eclectic souvineers and wall ornaments, and some of the most interesting art work (for sale) decorating the colorful walls. Articulating the images requires greater vocabulary than I can muster, but the pictures do some justice... but still don't capture the feeling and imagination of the real thing.



If I collected art, I would buy this fellows work. As the images show, a message of social complacency and apathy abounds. If interested, contact Pico Street and 31st street coffee shop in Santa Monica.

The Route to Hollywood

Heading South on Highway 1 somewhere in Orange County along the California Coast.

Hollywood is about 150 miles from San Diego... if you take Interstate 5 north all the way up there. And although I don't mind the occassional on & off freeway trips, a hundred miles or so on a Vespa Et4 is too much for me. As I planned our route, I thought of the beautiful coastal roads along San Diego and Orange counties. The photo opportunities abound... if you stop long enough to take a thoughtful picture. As it turned out, my girlfriend took most of the coastal pictures as we headed back home from Hollywood - I left the camera in the top box on the trip North - my thoughts were on getting a feel for the Vespa's long distance capabilities; my ears were tuned to every little gurgle; feathering the throttle to get every little bit out of her; keeping a close eye on the mirrors, cars in front, back, side, etc... Back to the route...

Since we left in the early afternoon, I decided to take the 5 freeway all the way north through Camp Pendleton. The marine base sits on the coast smack between San Diego and Orange counties. The only way through it is via Interstate 5.

The ride through San Diego County was characterized by short, fast runs of a few miles and stop & go traffic commuters moving 20 - 40 mph - no problem. Just past Oceanside, the traffic took off and the little Vespa 150 motor struggled to keep up. A stiff headwind, two-up weight, and a gradual climb through the coastal ranges kept us between 55 and 60mph nearly the entire 10 or so miles to San Clemente. More than once, California highway patrolmen paced me... but never pulled me over. At a minimum, the Vespa held the speed limit - for tractor-trailors.

Once we passed the marine base, we stopped for gas in San Jaun Capistrano. As I was filling the tank, (took all of 2 minutes), the attendent met us at the pump with a very determined look in his eyes,
"Couldn't help but admire the Vespa. You guys from around here?"
"No, we just came up from San Diego", I replied.
He thought a moment, mouth agape and arms akimbo.
"San Diego?" "How fast will that thing do? What size motor is it anyway?"
I explained that the 150 Vespa Et4 was freeway legal, although it does struggle to meet freeway speeds. He told me his 'Vespa story' from years ago, and shared his enthusiasm for the modern models. He insisted that we take his phone number, call his wife, and confirm Vespa suitability for urban commuting. This wouldn't be the last conversation initiated by the Vespa.
Vespa of Newport Beach, one of the beach cities we passed through on Highway 1.

From San Jaun Capistrano's El Camino Real, we headed north onto Highway 1. This fabled coastal road isn't really a highway at all. It is characterized by coastal stretches of several fast miles and punctuated by stoplights through the so-called beach towns. Some of the names are well known like Redondo, Santa Monica, Newport, Hermosa, etc. and all are quite beautiful if expensive communities. In spite of the gargantuan Los Angeles on their doorstep, the beach towns have maintained an identity apart from their giant neighbor.

The California coast in late afternoon.

Long Beach has been, as long as I remember it having lived there in the early 80's, an eyesore. Imagine the dissapointment of having just traveled through the beautiful and swank beach cities and abruptly being presented with an industrial wasteland. Petrochemical plants stretch from the coast and inland several miles, placing an ugly scab on an otherwise lovely land. The smell was nearly unbearable. I'm sure the residents get used to it, but I almost wished I were in a car to escape from the odor of multi-dozen oil plants burning their sulfurous mixures.
Coastal Eyesore.

Once through Long Beach, the scenary quickly beautifies and we scootered through Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Manhatten Beach before arriving at out hotel in Santa Monica. It was a long ride up from San Deigo. We left San DIego at about 3:30pm and arrived at Santa Monica at 8:00 for a total of 150 miles in four and a half hours. Of course, we could have shortened the ride by taking the highway all the way up, but that misses the point. Truly, the destination is only an excuse for the journey... at least this time. In the meantime, we needed to recover overnight from what can only be described as monkeybutt.

My sweetheart at the Santa Monica Travelodge.

Getting Away

I've been reading the blog, "Scooter in the Sticks", sole inspiration for this blog. Steve Williams writing and photography work in unison. His images and descriptions of riding in rural Pennsylvania create a longing in my heart for slower, simpler times.

I've yet to get away from the city on my Et4. It seems there is always something holding me here. Fortunately, I can read Scooter in the Sticks and experience some of what i'm missing... even if vicariously.

Though I've not taken a formal photo class, I learned to shoot using an old Nikon FE2. I loved that camera, easy to use, simple, taught me a little about how to take a good picture. I traded it for a Nikon 6006 for the auto focus (my eyes needed a little help). The auto camera just isn't as good as the old mechanical one. I miss it.
Taken with the digital fxo1, I probably don't have the expertise to take this sort of photo with a film camera. I miss the FE2, but not the cost of developing film.

After spending more money on film and developing than I can admit to, I finally left the film world. After much research on the internet, visiting camera shops until they started giving me dirty looks, and generally making myself a nuisance, I settled on a panasonic fxo1. I was impressed with the Leica lens (24mm - really wide) and a 16x9 size photo for landscapes. It doesn't do so well on auto, but allows me enough manual function and freedom to take better shots than I ever have.

Perhaps my favorite shot taken with the fxo1.

Steve's photography centers the reader. My senses are swept into the rural Pennsylvania he documents so reflectively. One can almost feel the cool, wet fog on their skin, smell the sweet river water, hear the buzz of cicada...

I'll be inspired to move from the city one of these days..perhaps this week will be my get away.

Windscreen Results

Before heading out today, I took my time along the San Diego River, where it pours out into the Pacific Ocean. It's a marsh land corraled by Seaworld Drive to the North and Sports Arena Blvd to the South. In the early morning, seabirds glide over the tidal waters as they move up the river until they find a spot of muddy bank or sand bar to flap and jump on. This picture is late morning, I don't know the tidal schedules today, but the river is only a thin blue ribbon making its way west. Tall march grasses provide cover for countless birds and others. But I should discuss my test.


Traveling south on the 163 from clairemont to mission valley, and then west onto interstate 8. The 163 south is relatively flat and then it drops into a valley. On the flatter part of the 163, my Et4 accelerated normally up to it's "plateau" speed, about 55 (indicated). After that, speed rises smoothly up to 65, acceleration slowly continued past 70mph. Once I hit the drop down into mission valley, speed increased until I felt what might be the rev limiter (someplace between 70 and 75). Maybe it isn't a rev limiter, but it felt and sounded like the motor stopped pulling until speed dropped just under 70, then the motor began pulling again.

Moving down into the valley, I had to brake for traffic.

The 163 ramp to the 8 involves a grade, I'm not sure how much. Traffic required that I slow to about 60 (indicated). The Et4 held that speed up the short grade and onto the 8 West. Speed climbed to 65+ and stayed there. An onshore head-wind held me at that speed. I exited onto Rosecrans street, satisfied with the run.

At the stoplight, a humungous pickup dually truck pulled up next to me and an older gentleman started shouting at me. I couldn't hear so flipped up my visor. He was smiling, "What size motor is that thing!", he yelled over the noise of traffic. I smiled back and said,"It's a 150 Vespa!" His smile broadened and he shook his head. The truck made a right turn on the red light (legal in California), and I could see the driver having an animated discussion with his passenger.

My light changed green. I was glad to be riding a Vespa.

Before and After

I got a call from Motorsport Scooters last week, the day they had scheduled to install the Malossi 187 cylinder kit. They had just completed another install on another bike and didn't have another kit. So, the windscreen and mirrors were installed and a regular service performed to make sure everything is in working order. I was a bit dissapointed to have to wait, but now the windscreen can be tested for top speed gains without the influence of the extra horsepower.

I picked up the scooter on Thursday, after my daughter and I rode the trolley and a bus to get there. The bus let us off right across the street. As soon as we entered the shop, she made a beeline for one of the Genuine Buddies they have for sale. I've ridden the Buddy, and it is probably quicker than my Et4. It's a light, attractive bike though rather smallish for the two up riding I often do. But I can see it being an ideal entry level bike for my daughter in a few years when I teach her how to ride.

The guys at Motorsport are well known in the Modern Vespa, Kymco, and Genuine communities. The Modern Vespa forum abounds with their expertise, humor, and wisdom.

The Et4 looked great! The Cuppini small flyscreen doesn't take away any of the curviness or the Et4, and the chrome mirrors add a vintage touch. Alex told me that the Et4 is in great running order. It sure seemed that way to me before I took it it in, but it's great to have confirmation from someone who really knows what they're doing.

After a stop at the Anime/Manga shop (my daughter loves Ranma or something like that), we headed home. A short trip, but I'm anxious to test out the windshield performance effects another day.