Month: July 2006

What Rocks Us: Beats International

threelions.jpgSince Norman Cook has given up scootering, here’s a track from his sort-of-forgotten days between the Housemartins and Fatboy Slim: “Won’t Talk About It” from Beats International’s 1990 album “Let Them Eat Bingo.” The song features Billy Bragg, not only in a far-out-of-context sample from “Levi Stubbs’ Tears,” but also on falsetto lead vocals. Don’t ever say Billy is not versatile. The rest of the album’s a treat, too, if you can find it, notably the remix of “Dub Be Good to Me” with the bass part from “The Guns of Brixton.” Both these tracks were popular during the 1990 World Cup (note the “No Alla Violenza” slogan in the video, which sadly does not feature Billy Bragg or his guitar sample).
Won’t Talk About It (mp3)
Won’t Talk About It (Bragg-less video)

Business Standard interviews Rajiv Bajaj

Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, talks to the Business Standard about his plans for the company, which include a big push in Mexico, cooperation with Kawasaki, and breaking the 200cc barrier. Rajiv practices yoga, runs the company “holistically,” and drools over new technology, yet we sort of miss his Harvard-Business-School, sentimental, right-wing dad Rahul Bajaj (and the Bajaj Chetak).

Virginia bans pocketbikes

While pocketbikes (the miniscooters and tiny motorcycles sold at auto parts stores and in gas station parking lots) are theoretically illegal on public roads anyway, the State–er, Commonwealth–of Virginia has banned their use on all public roads. Such bikes are almost universally ridden (helmetless, even) by children and teenagers and cheaply made with little provision for safety or reliability. Hopefully more states will follow their lead, or enforce existing laws. The ban will not affect street-legal, titled and plated motorscooters operated by licensed drivers. Google News usually lists a couple stories a day regarding deaths and serious injuries of children as young as eight, there’s no reason people, especially children, should be riding these deathtraps in traffic.

Piaggio, Vespa scooters arrive at Old Towne Moto

2sb’er Matthew reports

Piaggio USA was just dropping off new Vespas and Piaggios at Old Towne Moto. Included in the mix was one of the Police stickered BV250s.

So despite any official word from Old Towne Motocycle Shoppe (1421 N. Wells, Chicago) or PiaggioUSA, it appears certain now that Old Towne (and presumably parent company MotoplexUSA) are Chicago’s new Vespa/Piaggio dealer. it’s still unclear whether the ex-Maywood “Vespa of Chicago” operation (now in Roselle) is an officially sanctioned dealer or service center, though 2sb reader Wezul reports they serviced his bike to his satisfaction.

Open track day at Norway

Ryan tells us there will be an open trackday this Saturday (July 8, 2006) at Norway Kart Track (the map looks vague, but you’ll see it). The track opens at 9am, and $30 buys you track time all day for scooters, pocketbikes, motards, and such. Safety wire is not required, but lights must be taped over. This is a perfect opportunity to try your bike out on a track.

Denver Post: 600+ scooterists at Amerivespa?

A column in the Denver Post is projecting Amerivespa/LammyJammy/Stellabration will “more than double” the size of Denver’s recent 300+ Mile High Mayhem rallies. If you’re planning on coming, PRE-REGISTER NOW to make sure you’ve reserved your place at all the events, especially the banquet at Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, which is limited to the first 500 registrants.

2SB Cup: The Final!

  • M1 (ITA) 2:0 Brooke (GER)
    vs.
    Spiny Norman (FRA) 1:0 Kilotravis (POR)

M1, who doesn’t even “get” soccer, finds himself in the finals after beating Brooke’s favored World Cup hosts in the semis. Surely this is not the same Italy team who drew against the USA. Spiny Norman’s Bleus won a beautiful, evenly-matched game against Portugal. Surely this is not the same French team that drew against Switzerland and Korea. Who will maintain the charade and take home the 2sb Cup this Sunday? France! (Just kidding, we don’t actually know yet.)

Lambretta outsourcing?

The Indian Financial Express reports on the woeful state of vocational education in Punjab:

The curriculum, for instance, has not been updated since it was introduced. In the motor mechanic’s course, students are still being taught about the components of the Lambretta scooter, whose production was stopped over a decade ago.

There are few skills more useful in life than Lambretta repair, send some of those guys over to the United States.