Retro-Futurist Bikes

For your Gernsbackian delight, Well Medicated blog has a post up with 45 covers of classic pulp science magazines. Check out the title link for all kinds of groovy domed houses, jet-packs, and flying cars. I have of course selected all the cycle related covers, for your immediate edification.via bOINGbOING

Solving Motorcycle Parking Problems

A Kent County man who got fed up with the run-around his requests for two-wheeler specific parking received from the local council, took matters into his own hands and painted the lines for a cycle parking spot himself. This story just made my morning.He painted a space for one motorcycle and carefully added the letters ‘MC’, only to realise there was no way he could park his bike in it. “It

Vespa Gang Mod Club em Novembro...

Mais uma noite daquelas, aconteceu no sábado passado. Numa noite fria, o ambiente esteve bem quente. Muitos habitués marcaram presença e ainda novos membros que nunca tinham posto os pés na nossa pista de dança e na festiva noite com mais groove de Lisboa e arredores. Cool but crazy, Crazy but cool.
O Vespa Gang Mod Club regressa em Dezembro com data a confirmar aqui neste espaço.

Marcus Dairy Prints

Since moving to Fairfield County, I've heard a lot about Marcus Dairy, a local diner which is something of a biker Mecca. "Will you be at the Dairy Sunday?" is the local motorcyclists' version of "See ya later." I hadn't really gotten a chance to go, until Oct. 12, which just happened to be the last "Bike Show" there. No scooters in attendance, but there was plenty of target practice for shooting

3D CT Animation of Unhelmeted Rider's Head

Check the title link for the most compelling argument for wearing a helmet you'll see this week.

Nissan's EV Strategy

This article on Nissan's plans for moving towards electric vehicle and zero-emissions vehicle production, and their maneuvering for the creation of infrastructure necessary for such a proliferation, is pretty damn interesting:Nissan is bringing the first of their electric cars to market by 2010 in many locations around the United States. According to Alan Buddendeck, Nissan’s VP for North

Cracked TV175 S.3 engine case

I must have the worst luck with engine cases. One of the cases on my wife's Vespa VSC was cracked at a critical point -- a seal. It would be very risky to save the case. She now has good cases, but the numbers don't match. I am now have a TV175 s.3 case with a crack in it. I need to figure out what to with this case. Click on any photo to enlarge to zoom in on the crack.I have no idea if this case was cracked in the move. I doubt it as we were so careful with it. And it was stored in a rubbermaid wrapped tightly in old clothes. I will see if I have any close-up photos of this engine from back in PA to determine if I am the one that cracked it or not.
I don't know if the cases for Lambrettas must match in order to secure a seal and correct compression. It's my novice understanding that the Li 125 & 15o share this same case as the TV175 and the difference is the other case which is stamped. If so, maybe for less money that a TIG weld I could purchase a new case.
If not, I will need a weld. I suspect a TIG weld is the best choice. Either way I will research this and report on what I find.
My father-in-law is a professional welder and knows TIG. If that's my best option than I may ask him to do the work for me at a family discount.
I suspect a TIG weld and a proper grind down could be done for under $100.
The final question I have is . . . is the crack at a non-critical point and can this case be saved?
Please post a comment and make recommendations if you can. I will email my mentors on this issue and post their recommended solutions.

Since this post I have learned:

1) I can purchase an NOS case around $100. Or used for less.

2) Mike Analt from LCUSA wrote:
"That's an easy fix and a common problem. What happens is the front sprocket is either not tightend down when the cover is put on or the sprocket bolt comes loose while running. It dosen't look like it was running when it happend.

Any good alloy welded can fix it, usually around 50 bucks.

When you have it welded be sure to check the crack to make sure it dosen't leak. Lay the case cover inside up and fill the repaired area with solvent (carb cleaner works too). If the weld is bad it will leak, if it's good it won't.  the only thing the case cover does is hold the oil in the case and hold the clutch arm (so it works)."

3) My mentor Christopher Markley wrote:

"Yeah, JB Weld would do. Clean her up really well inside, JB it, and presto.
If you have it welded, consider that it will likely warp the part a bit, and it would be wise to lap it on a nice granite kitchen countertop or thick piece of plate glass. Then, just make sure to use something like Yamabond when you put it together, for extra sealing protection. Plus it's nice to see an old part stay on the road."

4) Tom G. wrote:

"Jeremy, Don't sweat this too much. Its just a chaincase cover, so only that has to be replaced (or repaired). The main case component is the rare and expensive one. The chaincase covers are interchangeable between all Li models.  As somone already posted on your blog, all this cover has to do is not leak oil. You can epoxy it, weld it, whatever. Or replace it for about $35."

5) Stu Werner wrote:

"Buy a new one."

I have decided to have mine welded by a local LCUSA member and will post a follow-up after I have it done.

My workspace

Going from a full basement and a garage down to just one small garage really limits the amount of space I have to work, but hey at least my workspace is now set up.Above is my sorry excuse for a workbench, which I found thrown out with someone's trash. I removed the busted wheels and believe it or not this old butcher block is very study. Both my TV175 S.3 engines rest their heads on it.
Seeing as I am completely new to Lammy's I do not know how complete the engine is.  The cases were opened when I got it.  The case that is clean needs a weld job.  I just found that out today and am bummed about it.  A post to follow on this.
This TV175 S.3 engine is quite complete I hope.  The piston is still installed and I have no idea if these cases have ever been split.  I also do not know if these cases are cracked any where, since they are caked in crud.

Above is the original TV175 top-end for the piston pictured above.  The crank belongs with the other engine up top.  I am so hopeful that I have an easy rebuild with these engines.  One will be mod'd and installed in the bike and the other will be rebuilt 100% stock to manufacturer's spec and I hope to find a TV frame or body to install it into some day in the future.

A história do conta-quilómetros que servia numa P

Aqui há uns tempos, muito tempo, num terreno vago mesmo ao lado de casa dos meus pais, apareceu uma motorizada, penso que uma Sachs, já meio desmontada e com algumas peças em falta. Sem motor, etc.A minha vontade foi logo de atacar a sucata e desmontar e recolher o que achava interessante e reaproveitável. Mas controlei-me, deixei passar uns dias a ver o que acontecia; afinal tal como

Blog appreciation

Forever ago I ran a survey on this blog with the following question:

HOW HELPFUL IS THIS BLOG TO A NEWBIE RESTORER?

46 people voted with these results:

45% Extremely
21% Very
10% Moderately
17% Mildly

I have removed the survey.

Top end kit selected

I plan to make minimal mods to my TV175. The biggest one will be in the performance and reliability department. I am still researching my options, but I have pretty much settled on this set-up:

Casa Lambretta 186cc Kit
GP Crank
Dellorto 25 PHBL Carb
12V Elec Kit (may use Scooter's O)
Big Bore Exhaust

History on my TV175

Gene Meredith of Scooters Originali filled me on the history of my TV:

"History: the TV was imported directly from Italy, from a frenchman who lived there and would collect scooters and then sell them by the container. We only bought one container from him as his description of "all of them run" was far from the truth and there were issues with many of them. The Vespas were worse than the Lambrettas - it is nice to see that Lambretta finally being put back on the road!"

Chainless Bicycles

CNN has a story up about some new bikes coming to market, which utilize a belt, much like most scooters, instead of the traditional chain...kind of interesting...

Pub Vespa

Porque estamos na onda dos reclames/anuncios...e para os mais distraidos que ainda não leram o nosso mail.
Atenção que neste sábado temos festa! Vai ser no Europa e mete videos e projecções modernaças...

ScooterPT Camping na Motor Clássico

Na página 11 da edição nº 21 da Revista Motor Clássico, podem encontrar imagens do Camping ScooterPT. Para quem não sabe, e hão de ser poucos, o ScooterPT é o principal fórum nacional de scooters, o refugio pluralista de todos os apreciadores de pequenos motociclos carroçados com motor acoplado ao eixo traseiro.


A Motor Clássico teve por bem publicar agora as minhas fotos do memorável evento, (outras que não estas) bem como me foi pedido que fizesse as respectivas legendas, já que eles não só não tinham lá estado, como provavelmente nunca se apanharam em tais propósitos.


Aliás, esse era o meu caso até chegar o fim de semana de 27-28 de Setembro: nunca tinha estado num “rally”, nem num acampamento de scooters. Acho que nunca tinha estado sequer parado num semáforo ao lado de mais do que uma outra scooter... E aquele que era já o 2º Scooter Camping do ScooterPT contou com a presença de todas as lendas vivas do scooterismo nacional. Trago gratas recordações daquela viagem ao Outeiro do Louriçal, não muito longe da Figueira da Foz. O scooterismo português está vivo e recomenda-se.

Vespa Gang nos Media: Capítulo 1

Estamos na edição de Novembro da Revista DIF.



Vespa Gang TV



Foi um daqueles programas históricos, o Ready, Steady Go! recebia OTIS REDDING, estava-se a 16 de Setembro de 1966)
Eis uma parte do programa onde surge, Eric Burdon a cantar "Hold on I'm Coming" e
"This Is a Man's World" por Chris Farlow. Otis apresenta Burdon e depois lançam-se num dueto incendiário. Um momento histórico. Músicos ingleses e americanos em sintonia pelo rhythm 'n' blues...

All my Bikes and Scooters

ought

Today I found a picture of an old bike I used to ride on my grandparents farm and it got me to thinking how many 2 wheeled toys I had owned over the years, the different farm bikes, road bikes and now scooters.

Here's my 'Bikeography'

My very first ride, the Honda AZ50

What memories, learning to balance and ride when I was 3 in the Riverland of SA, my uncle Steve and Dad running along side to make sure I got the hang of it.

Hot days, red dirt, rows and rows of track in the orange groves to just
ride all day. I rode in shorts and tshirt and never remember getting hurt or burnt- ahh the good ole days :)

I was shattered when Dad took the engine out of the mini bike to make a go cart when I was about 5 or 6, the AZ was way too small for me by then.... but still!!! I never got over it..sob sob.. :)

HONDA AZ50

This next one was my toy on my grandparents farm. I started riding this model when I was about 9 or 10. I wasn't allowed to ride it until I could touch the ground. I remember running to the machinery shed every weekend when we first drove in the driveway, I'd jump on and stretch as far as I could groaning as I tried to reach the ground with my bare foot!! :)

On this bike I mastered dam bank jumps, skids and slides and was able to even pop little mono's by age 11. The friends I used to bring home for the weekend would be a bit white knuckled on the back for a few kms but soon starting grinning as big as me!

HONDA 100

SUZUKI TS 185

Back to the riverland for holidays, I'd jump on my uncles Suzi and race around the old familiar tracks in Loxton on the block

SUZUKI ER185

(I think?)

Another family farm rider

Vespa PX150 or 200

(can't remember which)

This was 'a Loaner'

This came about in a funny way, it belonged to the son of my very first next door neighbour in Mt Barker SA. He asked if I'd like to borrow it to get to work and back while I was saving for a car, I used to ride my pushy to work but I think he felt sorry for me one winter and said his son would appreciate it if i could keep it running for him while he was away.

Which I did, until he came back....from jail!!

He sold it for drugs I heard years later but I had the best few months ever on that old scooter- vowed there and then in 1986 that I would own a Vespa one day. I waited 19 years for that dream to come true!

YAMAHA DT250

Road/Trail

This was the first bike I ever 'owned outright' and had out on the open road (and bush-which was way more fun!)

SUZUKI GSX250

This was my first real 'road' bike, I loved it. I rode it from Adelaide to Victoria about 3 times, even moved house on it once! It had a quirk where I had to lift the seat before starting and spray some fuel down the top of the carby air filter just to get her going, I rode around with a Rexona pump action bottle filled with fuel under my seat for 3 years in all kinds of weather, now I'm older and wiser (and in the Safety Business!) I'd probably not do that now :)

YAMAHA XS650
Man, I LOVED this bike. When I owned it I was living in the Adelaide Hills before the tunnel went in and it was a joy to ride to "town" thru the hills. They were no match for the old girl, she was a beast- mine was chocolate brown (brush painted) with more gaffa tape than backstage at an AC/DC concert!!!

The back road from the Great Eastern Hotel in Littlehampton to Birdswood was my fave ride.

SUZUKI TS185

I didn't ride for many many years until I had the chance to buy a cheapo 'bush basher' from a family friend. It was fun for a while then gave it to my brother to have fun on.

YAMAHA 100 Ag
In my shed at the moment awaiting a rear tyre, was my brothes. This old beast will just be my 'camping basher' or for some rough fun in the paddocks next door.

and then the Vespa Bug bit me!

Lola VBC 150 Super Franki VBC 150 Custom Sophia SS180

I think there's a few farm bikes and rat bikes missing but this is the main list.

I've had some fun on 2 wheels, I think when you are bitten by the bug as I was at age 3, you are hooked for life!


Arabella, purchased Oct 2009

Some troubles with Lola

The weather has really warmed up now and we are into scooter season again.
I decided to roll Lola out for a little cruise the other day but couldn't get her started. I put it down to the old dodgey broken and regularly fixed fuel tap so I set about replacing it. That done along with a few other overdue jobs and I was ready to get going, but alas- still no go.
I worked back from the spark plug after finding an intermittant spark only and discovered a bad coil, new one fitted and all is great again, much more powerful ride...feels more 'gutsy'.

The Dragon's Unexpectedly Cute Spawn

Yes, I know I promised to keep the baby blogging to a minimum, but I've got relatives crying for blood over the lack of baby pictures.Besides, just look at this cutie! I know drag queens who would kill for those lashes.Amongst the overwhelming flood baby shower gifts, and even enough hand-me-downs to cloth an Appalachian village of infants and toddlers, was a 10 mega pixel DSLR.One of the other

Moving on . . .

Howdy folks. I have a little work left on the SS180 and will post my notes along the way. There's not much and my readers know exactly what is left. I will also do a nice post for the final unveiling. Vespa deadline is March 8th so my wife can ride it on her birthday.

In the meantime I am beginning the restoration of my 1962 Lambretta TV 175.

If you're up for this again, I will document the entire process of restoring my Lambretta.

Let's do again!

How to clean engine cases and guts

One important thing I learned when researching "how to's" with scooter restoration is people sometimes accidently mislead you and the affect on their instructions turns out to be negative; therefore I speak with multiple people before doing anything at all and I look for patterns. If 3 of 5 people tell me the same thing, I tend to trust them most and then take action.

From my previous restoration, I have collected a few mentors and I always ask them what their opinions are . . . more times than not they all say the same thing.

I make sure to always post everything that I learned so you guys know the options that are out there or can comment on which method to avoid and which you prefer and why.

I want to know the best way to clean the engine cases and guts of the engine to make it look as close to stock as possible and to be as gentle as possible on the cases. This is the question I sent them: "I wanted to ask you guys if using simple regular gasoline and a copper bristle brush would be the best way to clean the engine cases and the internals? Suggestions for cheap and SAFE way to do this?" Here is what I have learned so far:

Christopher Markley says:
"Get some reduced odor paint thinner. Works nicely. Some swear by orange cleaner or simple green. I've found they can be tough on aluminum. Maybe it's just the brands I've used. You don't want to pit seal surfaces. Try the paint thinner -- low odor variety (low odor is a relative, marketing term!!)."

Stu Werner says:
"I use kerosene and a five gallon bucket a third full. Not gas. I reuse it when it gets real dirty by straining it through a t-shirt. If you have the cases stripped you can get the case, case side glass bead blasted. They clean up real nice that way."

Tom G. says:
"But frankly, the solvent (gas is fine -- I keep a container of used brake cleaner hanging around for this purpose also) is going
to do most of the work, so paintbrushes and toothbrushes are good enough for this."

I posted this question on LCUSA as well and Mike Analt responded. He has given me some great information so far. This is what he recommended.

"I find the best way to clean cases is to have them soda blasted then follow them up with some white vinegar. The wash with hot water. You end up a very factory look about them.

There is a guy local to me that does all my blasting needs (baking soda or glass). I have him blast the cases, cylinders, frames, body work etc. he's really good. Soda for sensitive parts (all alloy) or just paint stripping. Glass for rusty cylinders and frames. For internal parts I use carb cleaner, compressed air and paper towels. I just posted a link to a glass blaster mounted to a pressure washer. When I get through the holidays I'll look in to picking one up. It should give the parts the freshly vapor blasted look."

For a deeper understanding . . . sodablasting is a process where sodium bicarbonate is applied against a surface using compressed air. It was first used to restore the Statue of Liberty. Sodablasting is a non-destructive method for many applications in cleaning, paint stripping, automotive restoration, industrial equipment maintenance, rust removal, graffiti removal, molecular steel passivation against rust, oil removal by saponification and translocation, masonry cleaning and restoration, soot remediation, boat hull cleaning, food processing facilities and equipment.

Another option from LCUSA member Brianxyl:
"After several engine rebuild projects I've kind of got a system now. Groaty engine cases and internals clean up great with purple or orange degreaser. Big positive for using this over gasoline or other solvents is that it doesn't stink, isn't carcinogenic or flammable, and you can use it indoors. Way cheaper than taking parts to any outside blasting service. Yes, it does tend to darken aluminum (only the outsides of cases for some reason) but my next step is to use a soft wire wheel on the cases to make them look just-cast fresh. I made a craptastic parts dryer by cutting two holes in a cardboard box and shoving a hairdryer in one of them. It'll dry the water out of cranks etc before anything can flash rust. Great for when painting small parts as well."

More to follow . . . pictures and my final decision on how to tackle this part of the job.

This official launch of this blog

This the official launch of this blog . . .

Up until now I have put little to no effort into this blog, because of a host of reasons, such as completing my the restoration of my wife's 1967 Vespa SS180 and documenting the whole thing over two years on this blog.

A little over two years ago I began researching how to restore a scooter. I spent hundreds of hours talking with people, using forums, reading books, etc. I was bummed that there was not a blog or website where a meticulous person documented everything s/he learned about restoration and presenting the different options to the readers -- something really in-depth. I could not (and still can not) find this website; therefore I made it. I documented everything I learned and called ATTENTION to all of my mistakes to take the frustration out of restoration for newbies and novices as well as to share technical information on the specific model.

So here I go again, beginning the restoration process of my 1962 TV175 S.3 a little smarter than last time. I will share each step of the way you with guys. As always I welcome/request comments.

T C and Me: A Little Rockumentary

Yet another documentary on the coolest little music scene you've never heard of, this one about the Rockingest of the Little Rockers, TC.I can't wait to see this one, TC is one of those characters that once you meet him, he's burned into your psyche. He changed the way I looked at Metal (the man is like a Man-O-War song made flesh) and the way I look at shoes. Plus in the above preview, there are

War of the Worlds II: The Steampunk Sequel

I just got a report on a new animated movie co-written by David Abramowitz, and using the voice talent of well, most of the cast of Highlander the Series, as well as Adam Baldwin, from Firefly. Sounds pretty cool.The Dragon's Highlander correspondent reports:War of the Worlds: Goliath that was co-written by David Abramowitz and is voiced by Adrian Paul, Adam Baldwin, Peter Wingfield, Elizabeth

Airbrushed Motorcycle Jacket

So, even though I haven't been blogging much since Zoe was born, I have found time to be a little productive. Take for instance the jacket pictured above.I picked up the jacket cheap, it wasn't new, but it sure didn't look used, except for the fact that the design seems more late 80's than contemporary. The jacket was purchased with the intention painting it and selling it. Having a new baby is a

SS180 has its first visitor

The SS180 was pulled out of the garage today for the first time in many months to welcome and meet Hiro. It was a honor having Hiro come, especially considering that Hiro lives in Japan. Hiro brought a co-worker, Ted, with him. Ted is British and owned a Lambretta TV175 in the late sixties in England. Hiro owns a GS160. He has been following this blog and sharing advice since the beginning and has been a huge supporter of this scooter's restoration. Thank you Hiro for coming! (P.S. We just moved into this house and need to buy curtains so please don't think we're the bed sheet type of curtains people).
Prior to the unveiling of the VSC today, she's lived a hidden and secluded life beneath a bed sheet in a city of boxes and Rubber Maids. Those days are over. She is completely accessible now and awaits to be finished up and ridden.

New Ride

So after the dust settled from my crash I was of course looking for a new ride. Like I mentioned in the post about the wreck, insurance paid off well. From that angle, the timing of the accident was good, prices for vintage scooters have been crazy this year. The flipside of that was that prices were higher on scoots I was looking at for a replacement. On top of everything else, some unexpected

World's Coolest Moped?

Wired is calling the above pictured Chicara Art IV the world's coolest moped.Perhaps, it is definitely pretty cool... but look at that riding position! It must also be the world's least comfortable moped, and that's saying something.

Radioactive Rat Bike

Now here we have a rat-bike of another color.I had been thinking lately about the mainstreaming of the rat-bike aesthetic. The Bonneville Black is one of Triumph's best selling bikes (the 2009 blacks are already sold out in the US), Harley's Nightster is getting quasi-favorable reviews even in the usually rabidly anti-cruiser motorcycle press, and matte black helmets are on every powersport

Really save on gas

A while back my friend and fellow Chetak owner, Dave Cicco, told me about these guys in Asia that were mounting lawnmower engines onto their bicycles.
I looked into it for the fun of it and found out that you can buy these kits for a standard bicycle for well under $1,000.  Seems like the perfect vehicle for college students living in a college town, like my college experience at Humboldt State University.

I love the miles per gallon I get on my Bajaj Chetak, but without a doubt something with a small displacement like this would give even more bang for the buck at the pump.
I was quite intrigued when I finally saw one these bike with a engine kit mounted to it and made sure to take a lot of pictures so you guys could check it out too.  Though it's nothing to do with Bajaj, it's pretty damn interesting.

Photos taken from the Nihonmachi Festival in Japantown (San Francisco) 2008.