SCOOTERCAST Episode 83 [25:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For two weeks my hands were tied by the crash of my main desktop computer. I spent most of last week trying to cobble together a variety of old hardware and coax it back to life. Finally decided to take it to the computer man, who confirmed I had a dead hard drive. So, problem solved. Since then I have been building my podcasting infrastructure back up and organizing my files so I can get another show out.

Marcel got me some sweet scooter related casual wear including another hooded sweatshirt. I can never have enough sweatshirts. I bought myself a Aiptek HD video camera to shoot the scooter events around the Richmond. I chose the Aptek over the Flip video camera, a very popular platform because it takes a large flashcard and offered more features. Watch for video from the next club ride, coming up this weekend.

Steve over at the ScooterScoop blogged about an Australian video that compared mid sized scooters. I like the SYM Fiddle.  There aren’t many scooters that work well in a variety of situation, but this is one comes close. I first saw it first showed up at my local dealer here in Richmond. Later when I saw one out of the warehouse and out on a ride I thought it was attractive and had impressive performance for a mid-size scoot. Not all of bikes in the video are really comparable in size or performance. The big wheel scooters have distinctively different handling properties than the small wheeled ones and I think it is not fair to try to compare the two. The test puts them all through the same paces on a closed track. .

This week’s scooter web picks

• An English site named Punks in Parkas and is authored by Stu who started scooting back in the 80’s.
• A website that is all about the Vespa GS. Clinton will jump start your search, talking about what to look for in a restoration project scoot and what you will be facing when you start into the restoration.

Music for this show is from the Pod safe music network and features  Leaving Town Blues Matt Thorpe , Novelty Act The Eisenhowers and Bohemian Financial Rhapsody Geoff Smith

 

 Episode 82 SCOOTERCAST [25:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I got the blue screen of death last week when I went to power up my main computer. I was trying to think green and powered it down for the first time in months. It is still down, so I turned to my laptop to produce this week’s podcast (sorry about the audio quality). I have gotten a few comments and emails about using the scooter forums and on the show talked about my point of view.

In the spirit of open communication most of the forums are very lightly moderated. This means you get all kinds of information and feedback, sometime very critical feedback. Don’t you love the ones that end with “you suck, die you idiot”. So who do I believe? I always suggest that you first develop friendships in your local scooter community. This is a significant for me to say, because I tend to be a real loner. But you need these contacts with people you can trust. I like the web and count on my internet friends, but it doesn’t take the place of sitting down with someone while you are stripping an engine.

As for the other big question, “do buy local or buy on the web?” I say, it depends. Since I have a local scooter shop I know from experience that I can trust their recommendations. I also know what they can’t do for me. Around here, it can take forever to get some things done or to get parts, so I have gotten comfortable in going to the web for things I know I can’t get locally. The trick is you must know your own scoot, do your research before you buy and never spend more on an internet purchase than you can afford to loose.

Scooter Web Picks

• The SCTRCST website store. You can find SCTRCST t-shirts and other good scooter junk.
• 2 Stroke Buzz lists scooter book picks for the holidays.
• April Whitney’s blog and Scoot Magazine has been posting scoot links to things any of us might like for Christmas.

Music for this show is from the Pod safe music network. Featured are Kick and Holler by Dare Dukes and Keep Movin Jaik Miller Band

 

 SCOOTERCAST Episode 81 [19:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I always appreciate the feedback that listeners give me regarding the show. Shortly after posting the last show I got a email from a listener saying that he didn’t like Uship. I went back to the Internet and began to search for Uship complaints. but the comments are mostly about the shippers. The rub seems to be that some don’t have the proper license to haul state to state. The implication is that if you have a license you are more legitimate and trustworthy. At a minimum, it means that you are probably running a real business. It seems to me that this is like most web deals and you should follow the age old caveat, “buyer beware.” Ask the shipper for their DOT number, then check on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Like other web transactions, never deal in cash or money transfers, especially before your property has delivered. You are always better off working through Paypal or using your credit card. And last, if you run into problems, meaning something fraudulent is done, report the shipper to the Uship and to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

I picked up on another posting that came through the forums talking about a Vespa restorer in Spain. The shop is called Harry’s Scooters. The shop is in Barcelona and it made me think about how we don’t get much negative feedback about resorted Vespas coming from Europe. I wonder if this reflects the fact that old school scooting in Europe is more of a passion than a business. Just look at the racing heritage and the kind of rallies and their club activities. It seems to me that our European friends are less concerned about making a buck and more interested in continuing the tradition.

Music for this show is from the Podsafe Music Network and features I Love You Honey But I Hate Your Band and Im Invisible by The New Duncan Imperials

Yes it looks pretty good, but it won’t start. You might remember that I began this restoration over a year ago. Tonight I went back and looked at the pictures I took before starting and I wondered how I ever thought it would be possible to bring this thing back to life. I am a persistent twit and haven’t given up and I won’t. The spark is weak, so my next move will be trying to locate a new stator. My repair of the old one was a little dodgy, as it looked salvageable, but may not have been. Enjoy the all the before and after pictures here and in the photo album. I will let you know more about bring it alive as soon as I track down some new electrics.