When scooter news breaks, we put it under a tarp in the garage.
ScootRS has introduced their third-generation tubeless rims for 10″-wheel Vespas. The new design improves on earlier designs for Lambretta scooters. As big fans of the convenience of the Vespa split-rim design, 2sb would ask: “Why tubeless?” ScootRS, of course, has an answer:
A rim that requires a tube, as all Vespa rims do, means your tire suddenly and dangerously blows out when punctured. On a tubeless rim, however, you merely have a slow air leak, as on a car. No blowout means no danger.
The Vespa Club of Vietnam celebrated the beginning of World Cup with a parade in Ho Chi Minh City featuring 32 Vespas painted to match the qualifying teams’ colors.
A sign of scooter rallies to come in the U.S.? I could only hope. Also, I could only hope to not stick out like the creepy old guy hanging out near the playground.
From the Scooter Center scootermatic news letter:
The Whitsun bank holiday weekend is over and so is a superlative Scooter weekend! Despite of two accidents on Saturday morning it was a great weekend with lots of joy for everyone – custom scoots, racing, sprinting and meeting great people! Thanks a lot goes to our customer MCE Sport Matthiesen for the invitation as well as for the properly organised Run. We are looking forward to next year Whitsun – a day off and awesome good scooter meeting!!! What else one can want!?
 Small, grainy, but none the less interesting photos here.
I’ve really dropped the ball on World Cup coverage this year, so rather than try to catch up, I’m going to refer you to John O’Neill’s commentary at 146 Degrees, and throw in a few of my own comments here once in a while. Cy’s putting down £5 on Croatia for me, so if they win, I’m going to England to pick up my money (and then use it to pay for my plane ticket home). If England does well, I imagine we’ll hear from Cy as well. One more note: I’m not bothering with “spoiler alerts” this year, the matches are on at decent hours, if you don’t watch it live, just stay off the internet until you know the score.
Just to keep it interesting for 2sb readers, let’s play a game… Pick a country (while they last) in the comments… first person to call dibs gets that country. (I get Croatia, Cy gets England). I’ll post a list of which reader is representing which country, and the winner will get a cool prize from 2strokebuzz. Ready? GO! Be careful not to pick a country that’s already been picked.
2sb reader, Wezul, reports:
I just spoke with Sam [Tomaino]. Vespa Chicago has relocated to Roselle on Lake Street. Phone number is (630) 936-7980. Helpful? I hope so. Enjoy your ride!
Thanks, Wezul! Vespa Chicago‘s website has removed all references to West Suburban Auto Group, and lists only the Boutique address (557 W Diversey Pkwy.) so apparently, Tomaino has parted ways with WSAG but kept his Vespa dealership. Presumably, the boutique will stay open, with service and sales support from the Roselle location. We reported last month that Joliet-based MotoplexUSA and their Chicago location, Old Town Motocycle Shoppe, were to become Vespa dealers, but they have yet to return our emails to confirm or deny the rumor. It’s unclear whether that deal was Tomaino’s backup plan, or if Chicago may yet still have two Vespa franchises.
I wrote a review of my favorite marginally-scooter-related book, Colin MacInnes’ Absolute Beginners, for Coudal Partners’ Field-Tested Books feature, in which famous-ish writers (like me, ha) write reviews of books related to their summer vacation. The good news is, it’s finally back in print, if you’ve never read the book, forget you ever saw the movie and read it! (it’s part of The London Trilogy, which costs $1 more than Absolute Beginners by itself.)
Screw City Scooter Club will continue the Slaughterhouse Rally tradition this Labor Day weekend with Slaughterhouse XII. There’s a planning meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 6/6/06) at 8pm at the Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave. Stick around to hear the cheery melodic tones of Cealed Kasket, Soul Collector, and Crunch the Clown (Can you tell Kathy planned the meeting?). Note: If you’re new to scootering, nothing can build up your scootering street cred like helping to plan Slaughterhouse.
Scott Baxter noticed that Motorcycle Superstore has Michelin scooter tires at ridiculously low prices: Our favorite tires, the S83 and the S1 (usually $40 and $50) are $10 and $12, respectively. Stock up! Nevermind, they’re rejecting orders and saying it was a “pricing error.” Whatever. The truth is that some jerky blog posted about it and they couldn’t keep up with demand.
A reporter test-rides a Yamaha Vino for the Toronto Star and outlines Canadian scooter regulations.
Yamaha have released a new scooter prototype the ASV-3. It features a multi chambered airbag which upon impact opens up from under the seat between your legs. From Taipei Times
More photos from the Piaggio museum, taken when the Giro d’Italia bicycle race passed through town. (check out some photos from the race, too). Thanks, Lu$.
Italian twin brothers Jack and Cespu decided to ride their Vespas around Australia to celebrate their 30th birthday. For some reason, though, they went in opposite directions. Thanks for the link, Ryan.
The Allez Cats Reunion at Delilah’s Thursday night was a successful start to the ModChicago weekender, don’t miss the rest of the events. It was neat to see some old “faces,” in person and photos, the music was great, and the booklet the ACSC put together is a fantastic reminder of the era before the internet and twist-and-gos changed scootering forever. Sun-Times music critic and author Jim DeRogatis was there, so look for a story tomorrow.
Today is your favourite scooter blogger’s birthday!
Happy birthday sir, have a great day!
Vintage Lambretta rider and ex-Mod Bernard Judge was named mayor of Oldham, England this week. Judge, who is also a huge Motown and soul music fan says, “Music has the power to change things,” and is already being called “The Musical Mayor.” An old photo of Judge in his mod days adorns an album by L.A. band The Jamie Lamb Quartet.