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July 09, 2006
The Scooter and Gear
On What:
A 2003 2-stroke Stella scooter from the Genuine Scooter Company, almost two years in the making. I got the scooter in early 2004, completely disassembled it and had it repainted in a two-tone brown by Will Christman, a great guy that I went to college with. The paint work took about a year to finish (not a year of steady work, off-and-on) and the reassembly and engine work took me a good chunk of a year to finish. The scooter was built with touring in mind, it has a nicasil-lined Pinasco 177 cylinder kit HAD a Pinasco 177 kit, which got eaten at 500 miles by a wayward metal clutch-side seal...now it has a stock LML 150 top end, raised (22/65) gearing for less stress at higher speeds, a Mazzuchelli crankshaft for endurance, an HPC coated Sito Plus exhaust for more pep overall in a smooth powerband, TDR reeds for improved throttle response, and the stock 20/20 carburetor for better gas mileage (107/BE3/160 jetting). Not a racer, but good for cruising at around 60mph and not too much of a gas-hog (a stock Stella would get 80+mpg, I am averaging between 65 and 70mpg with this setup). The saddle is a custom seat by Pirate Upholstery based on my design. Chrome racks and accessories by Prima, courtesy of Scooterworks USA, and it rides on Pirelli S-26 tires.
The Gear:
Teknic armored mesh riding jacket, Nolan full-face helmet, Stanley steel-toe boots, lightweight riding gloves, Carhartt or TourMaster pants, rainsuit, a few changes of clothes, basic tools and commonly-needed spare parts for the scooter (spark plugs, cables, tires, oil, etc), maps, a few books and repair manuals, spare gas can for those long stretches, a small tent, sleeping bag, yoga mat (as a pad under the sleeping bag), a digital camera, an old powerbook laptop for writing and photo-wrangling this fell through at the last minute, wasn't working right, now I'm just relying on whatever internet I can find, cell phone, etc.
Posted by pj at July 9, 2006 07:41 PM
Comments
hey man, if you need a place between SC and Fla, you got us in Statesboro / Savannah Ga..
There are four vintage vespa riders in statesboro, and a few in Savannah that would love to put you up and show you a good time! Plus we live behind an Import repair shop, so we have tools!
Posted by: Josh at July 11, 2006 06:03 PM
Gimme a shout when you're rolling into Philly. If you need supplies we can certainly hook you up. Same goes for if you need a place to crash.
Posted by: Tedford at July 15, 2006 12:11 AM
hey pj,
we'll be in traverse city from august 4-11 if you want to get together. you could prolly stay at the cottage with us for a night. i'll talk to jami about it to make sure its ok.
dave
Posted by: dave johnson at July 25, 2006 06:45 AM
Give the Pens./Mobile crew a shout when you arrive at Destination #31
Posted by: eric at July 27, 2006 04:09 PM
hey pj, can you detail some more about packing and securing all this to the scooter? I get bewildered when trying to pack for my cycle trips..
Posted by: dannygutters at July 31, 2006 03:11 PM
Via Con Dios, Scooterman!
Posted by: niceguyjim at August 2, 2006 08:37 AM
P.J. :
Wow, I'm really excited for you on you upcoming journey throughout the Eastern seaboard and beyond. It sounds really cool.
I'll be seeing you upon your arrival in Michigan, and HAVE A BLAST!!!!!!
Love,
Uncle Ace
Posted by: Uncle Ace at August 4, 2006 10:35 AM
Hi PJ,
My name is Bill and I am a Genuine dealer in St.Petersburg, Fl. I sold Jake in Reddick his Stella and have ridden with him several times. I just wanted to extend an offer to you if you need a place to stay or any tech support when you are in our area, I would be happy to oblige.
I also am on good terms with the local media if you would like any exposure for your epic ride.
In any case, let me know when your passing by and
let's see if we can hook up.
Posted by: Bill Lynch at August 10, 2006 11:43 AM