Category: 2sb Archives

Scooter taxi drivers in Colombo, Sri Lanka are throwing nails on the roads to disrupt bus service and force commuters to hire their services. Eleven cents for a bus ride? I’m moving to Colombo!

Why is it that everything named after Chicago is dissapointing? First the band, then the musical, and now the motorcycle. I guess it’s kinda neat, but they obviously don’t know Chicago very well. A motorcycle named “Chicago” should look like a 70s Suzuki scrambler, spraypainted matte black, with rusty chrome and a seat made out of duct tape. Italians are probably equally upset that their Flying Tiger’s sister company TN’G calls their retro scooters “Milano” and “Venice.” Oh, well.

Tracie:
Several months ago, when we learned that the dryer set on low could melt the waistband in Bryan’s boxers, we knew we had a problem. Bryan took the dryer apart, cleaned everything, and announced to everyone in the Shakespeare Compound that the washer and dryer were on their last legs. He advised that we do not run the dryer when no one was home. He moved the fire extinguisher to a more prominent place in the basement.

We had begun to consider how we were going to come up with the cash to get something safer. I cried, picturing our baby sitting around in a crusty 2SB onesie. I was convinced something would work out, like perhaps, a year-end bonus. If not, I told Bryan I was fully prepared to sell Breaky, my 1973 Honda CB350F.

In October, I learned I was getting laid-off. Alas, there went the bonus. I knew Breaky was gone for sure.

On Saturday, when I opened the box from our “scooter trash” friends, I didn’t realize what was going on. Those in attendance can attest to my “Holy Shit!” reaction – I think there’s even photographic evidence. As Bryan said, we both started to cry. We certainly weren’t expecting something so awesome. Bryan stated more than once, “Our friends fucking rule.”

I wish we could have invited everyone to the shower. Just know that you “scooter trash” have a place to crash and wash your soiled underpants whenever you’re having construction done at your place, attending a rally, or just passing through Chicago.

We can’t thank you enough.

Bryan:
We are the luckiest scooter dorks in the world to have friends like you.

I still CAN’T EVEN BELIEVE you all chipped in to buy us a washer and dryer
for the baby shower. When we opened the treasure chest full of cash, we both
cried, then we cried even more, later, in the car on the way to dinner. I’m
about to cry now.

That was WAY above the call of duty, I’m still just totally dazed.

Over the past seven months or so, I’ve read the news every day and sometimes doubted that bringing a child into this world was a good idea, but your act of kindness proves that whatever happens, good people will rise above, and
our baby will always be safe.

I love you all. Real, big love. I don’t even have any idea how to thank you.
OK, now I’m crying again.

PS: Here’s the card Grace made and gave to us with the treasure chest. Special thanks to Grace for organizing it and keeping everyone quiet, and thanks of course to all of you that gave us other gifts, but this one deserves a big public thank you.

Ryetronics is once again sponsoring the Cold Weather Challenge, a winterlong contest with rules only Ryan understands. He’s organizing the kick-off ride on Sunday, November 30, leaving at noon from Cozy Corners at California and Milwaukee Ave. The ride will end at “the asian soup place.” Ryan is much more detail-oriented in his electronics work than he is when planning a ride. Keep an eye on ryetronics.com for contest info and updates.

Gabriel Sanchez, proprietor of Monarch Scooters in San Francisco, was convicted in Los Angeles yesterday for 33 counts of mail fraud and 10 counts of money laundering related to phony charities and churches. Note: trying to sell a Vespa SS90 with a $14,000 reserve on Ebay is perfectly legal.

In response to the Chicago Parking Letter, Ryan sent this site listing Moped Laws by state. No idea how accurate or up-to-date it is, but it’s a nice quick reference.

In keeping with the spirit of All Hallow’s Eve, we present the Haunted Motorycle, a photo which GhostStudy.com claims captures “the presence of a disembodied person”. Wooo! Scary!!

Mototek/Butler Racing team members Van and Cathy Butler set three new production class speed records at Bonneville this season. (MPS-G 82.55mph, MPS-F 83.98mph and APS-G 84.36mph) Their next goal is breaking 100mph on their custom RS50s in race conditions. Landracing.com lists all motorcycle records for Bonneville. 2sb is setting its sights on beating NSU/Happy Mueller’s 1956 50cc record: 121.7mph.

This is a letter I sent to Chicago Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Gerald J. Roper. Matt Siegel informed us that Mr. Roper will soon be meeting with the regional sales manager for Aprilia Scooters and the Chief of the City of Chicago Department of Transportation. 2sb assumes Aprilia is investigating the matter as they plan their boutique at Marshall Fields.
Continue reading “Open Letter regarding Chicago Parking”

Anyone that’s ever been to a rally in the midwest knows and loves Chris Winters of Rockford IL. Chris is making his stand-up comedy debut Halloween night between bands at Club 505, 505 East State Street in Rockford. Egans Rats, a great band who played at the most recent Rockford rally, will also appear. Chris will do a few shows in Chicago and Madison soon, we’ll keep you posted. Please email Chris for booking info. Mr. Winters also tells us that Screw City SC will host a rally for his CD release party in April in addition to the annual Scooter Piracy rally in July. Be afraid.

Laid-off man tries to help mom buy furniture for her condo, puts a shload of dinero in the pocket of his jacket, takes off on his Ninja. Sadness all around when the jag forgets to zip his pocket and unwittingly distributes cash to motorists on a San Francisco highway.

Crain’s Chicago Business reports: “Continuing its mission to attract urban shoppers who have strayed from traditional department stores, Marshall Fieldis has opened a boutique selling Italian motor scooters on the ground level of its massive State Street flagship.” Thanks Phil Pace for the link. Coming soon, a Malaguti Boutique in NikeTown.

At the Scoot Quarterly bag-stuffing party on Monday, Barry and Casey announced that the current issue would be the last. I remember getting an email from them in 1997 or so asking for advice for their new scooter magazine. I wrote them back a short stupid note, then a couple weeks later I got a glossy sales kit from them, they were way ahead of me from the start. SQ had its detractors (and its flaws) but overall, it was a great magazine, the best magazine any of us could have hoped for, and it will be sorely missed, even if it somehow continues without Barry and Casey. NOTE! The post to the BBS was removed, it’s unclear to us what’s going on, this might be some sort of hoax or prankOe more to comeOe

Elliot Smith is dead. Calvin’s in the hospital. Incriminators, you keep an eye on Mac and we’ll protect Albini. Stranglers, you’re in charge of Lou Barlow. Someone track down Malkmus and Kim Deal. Agents, you need to make a road trip to Dayton, quick. Oh no! Kim and Thurston aren’t answering their phone! IT’S HAPPENING! RED ALERT!

In other ass news, a little Rye-bird tells us he’s heard rumors that the ultra-modern-looking Sachs MadAss moped might be coming to America. Not sure if they’ll be keeping the name, but I sure hope so. Here’s a nice big photo you can print out and frame.