July 27, 2010 by bcrdukes.

…I saw a “Wanted” ad for a Vespa smallframe on Craigslist. I e-mailed the interested party to see if they would pay the pretty penny for my Ace, and unfortunately, the joke’s on me as the interested party did. I was given an offer I could not refuse. As with all things material, they come and go - at a cost. This was one of them. I’m going to miss my Ace and it was nice to have her around while I did. Maybe I’ll see her around someday…

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July 17, 2010 by bcrdukes.

…Well, looks like Ace got the best of me. The intake manifold came off again for the third time and luckily, it happened not far from home. It stalled out at Broadway and Nanaimo, right outside Bon’s Off Broadway. I couldn’t fire it up so I parked her to the side and walked home, only to come back several hours later to pick ‘er up in mom’s van.

The rear tire became deflated again. It’s definitely the rim so I have to get new ones as there is more rust than it can handle. Also, we gotta dial in the rear shock to be more stiff as it’s probably causing the tire to go flat and perhaps causing the intake manifold to wobble off. Sigh

Otherwise, I asked the guys to put in an order for a Sito Plus exhaust for the PX150 and a pillion peg for passengers. Should be good.

A tired Zoe

Scooter Hive Office

How Many Nammers Do You See In This Picture?

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July 13, 2010 by bcrdukes.

…so I decided that my Ace deserved a new look.

Gene Coffee Bar

Intake manifold got loose again thanks to all the excessive rattle and shake. All fixed up and good to go again.
Such trouble.

But awesome trouble.

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July 10, 2010 by bcrdukes.

I woke up to the buzz of my Nokia E71 this morning after a groggy morning cutover activity with Ericsson. Jumped onto a scheduled 1pm conference call with the folks back east which ultimately became an utter waste of my time. I hopped into the shower and just absolutely had to shave my damn face. After that was done and over with, I managed to find enough motivation to dress myself after reflecting upon how my time was wasted thanks to work-related matters. I shuffled into the garage in the back, kicked my Vespa smallframe to life and decided to head down to Gene to grab a coffee.

While riding down Grandview Hwy, I noticed this buzz and shutter somewhere along the headset where the speedometer sits, only to realize as I cracked the throttle back to about 1/2 throttle, I hear something go *CLANG! KABOOM! CRASH!* I look at the ground to realize my headlight lens exploded in motion. Thanks to all the unnecessary shake, rattle and vibration from the motor and chassis, I suppose the lens could not take it any further and decided to end itself, exploding into I think a good 23 pieces onto the hot smeltering asphalt.

Poor lens. It was probably an OG lens too. It lived a good 36/37 years

Until I came around and started to ride the snot out of it.

R.I.P. OG Lens. 1973 - 2010. You lived a good life. (I think. Sorry.)

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July 6, 2010 by bcrdukes.

A good idea to check your tires on a regular basis.

This is a result of hot weather and years of a Vespa sitting around, doing nothing but rot in its demise.

I noticed Ace tipped over to the side in the garage. Luckily, the ladder was keeping her up. I didn’t think of it much, even after hearing something go “PSSSSHHHH!!!!” (Talk about a red alert.) I took it out anyway and was riding down Nanaimo when suddenly, I felt this weird wobble which kept on getting worse. Pulled over to realize my tire was low on air. Fuuu! It kept on getting worse so I got off Ace and had to push her all the way to the Chevron on Grandview and Renfrew. I filled her up with 35psi and managed to make my way to Scooter Hive. By the time I got there, it was at 28psi. Yeah, something was really wrong. Christian pulled the wheel off and noticed the tube was leaking air, paired by destruction of our good friend, rust.

I’m lucky to be alive. I guess God hates me. (But I think I kinda already knew that.)

Hmm…Time for a Pilsner Urquell.

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