Back after a long hiatus to support Bikers Against ACC Levies

Well, it's the spring season here in New Zealand it could be time to get back on the scooters. Neither of us has ridden much over the winter as we are fair-weather riders and Angelle has been occupied with the very important task of growing our baby girl who arrived on 14/10/09. Hopefully that explains the long hiatus.
We've been talking about getting back on the scoots lately and Angelle's ET has been getting a minute makeover which will be unveiled once everything is put back in place. One thing we must do before getting back on our scooters is get them "legal" again.
In NZ, you are required to have your vehicle registered and warranted as safe. Recently, it was announced that the cost of registration for motorcycles and scooters over 50cc was to be increased. The increased announced is overly dramatic and not appreciated by motorcyclists the country over. We were recently passed this link by Clunk S.C. on Facebook. If you are a motorcycle or scooter riding New Zealander and haven't yet become involved in any action against the planned ACC levy hike, please visit Bikers Against ACC Levies and see what you can do - many of the actions require very little effort.

Cold Week Ahead

With Angelle facing a cold week down in Invercargill, we thought it time to share a few of our photos from our recent trip to Bali. It was wonderfully warm there and there were scooters for Africa! About 80% of the traffic in Bali is made up by scooters - a lot of modern scoots but we managed to find some vintage scoots riding around and restoration workshops.

Waiting for Salvation

Scenes From the WorkshopVespa Garage with Ape's Out FrontShowroomShowroomCustomization ServiceTypical Street Parking

We have plenty more photos of interesting scooters from Bali to come. For now, however, it's back to packing and other errands.

Pre 1979 Classic Scooter Show

This looks like one for us! Sure, we own 2 modern twist and go Vespas, but there are 3 Pre '79 scoots lurking in the garage and just waiting for a chance to be admired. Perhaps we'll bring out the Maicoletta projects and the '61 Vespa 1:1 working scale model we've got...

Ride Photos

We've been busy and rides have been few and far between, but here are a couple from a ride to Kumeu River Winery shortly after Judas arrived.

Riding 2 Up

So, Simon's brother Tim found himself a Vespa. None other than JC, Simon's ET8. While trawling Trademe one afternoon, we came upon a bargain we couldn't resist and organized the sale so we could act.
Yesterday was spent zooming around, 2Up on our latest aquisition. Meet "Judas, the Betrayer":





So, Judas, as we are calling it for the moment, is a Vespa GTS 250 with a custom bright orange paint job. Sweet...

Welcome to 2009

After a nice beginning to the New Year and getting back to work for the past week, we are finally back. Today we went for a scoot up toward South Head to MacNut Farms for breakfast. There is a small cafe there and the food is decent. The service is only so-so as the people working there aren't really friendly and somehow make you feel as if you're inconveniencing them by patronizing their restaurant. The real reason to go here is for the view. We sat out on the deck which overlooks a large pond to the left, another smaller Lily pond to the right and a manicured garden leading off to a walk through the macadamia orchard. Sorry, no photos...D'OH!

In other news, Simon's brother Tim is looking for a scooter after being inspired by ours. He's very interested in getting a Vespa and came out for a jaunt on ours. At the moment, the market for them here in NZ is pretty competative and the prices have risen since we snapped up ours. Hopefully one of these days, we'll be able to post about a ride that we've taken with him and share his buying experience with you all.

Holiday Interlude

It's that time of year. That little week between Christmas and the new year where you tidy things up, eat leftovers, relish your favorite gifts, and go out to the sales to snag those things Santa forgot.

And sometimes, it's the week when wayward postal items find their way to you. Like today when we received a gift sent from a friend in Australia. A travel journal with this cover:
Now for that trip to Europe so we can properly use it!

PS - not sure where you can find this journal at the moment as on the online shops seem to be out of stock.

Santa Rides a Vespa

Merry Christmas from Simon and Angelle!

From the archives

Recently, we told you Simon had a visit from an aquaintance called Chris who has a Maico. Chris was kind enough to send us some old photos so we thought we'd share!

This Maico raced on Murawai beach in a 1/4 mile sprint. It took the 250cc trophy against motorbikes! Probably mid-60s when this photo was taken. The rider is wearing a very classy combination of socks with sandals and what looks to be a horse riding helmet or perhaps hardhat.

Chris' brother in law going down One Tree Hill in Auckland. The front end of that bike is in Chris' current Maico.

This guy used to race in Wellington in the early 60's. That thing strapped to his back is a petrol tank! YIKES!!

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave

On the last Saturday of the month, we went for a nice ride. Down to Waimauku Food Station to eat pancakes, up the back way to Simon's parent's Orewa Beach house, then over to Albany Mega Centre via the Motorway for some shopping, then back towards home. Around...120kms. Whew! All in a day's ride :)

View Larger Map

Now there's something you don't see everyday...

Last Saturday, Simon had the pleasure of having an aquaintace named Chris, from Rotorua, up and going for a quick ride. The real pleasure in this visit was seeing Chris' restored Maicoletta and knowing there's hope for the 2 we store in our garage after all!
Unfortunately, no photos of Chris' Maico with our Vespas, or of the ride, but here are several of our Maicos next to his. Hopefully next time he comes to visit, ours will be looking a little more respectable.



For those of you who are wondering what the heck a Maicoletta is, here is a quote from "The A-Z of Classic Scooters" which we blogged about here.

In 1955, the firm [Maico] brought out a real scooter, the Maicoletta, just as heavy and cumbersome, with a two-stroke, 175cc or 250cc engine with four speeds, a tubular frame, 14-inch wheels, telescopic front and swingarm rear suspension, a flat footwell, moving front mudguard and lift-up rear body. The very full equipment included an electric starter, double seat, break light, dashboard with a speedometer, clock, steering damper, and bag hook. Below the dash was a glove compartment with an anti-theft lock. [It was also] produced in a 277cc version more appropriate for use with a sidecar. ... The Maicoletta, according to it's publicity, 'feared no hill' and, better still, 'when it is fitted with a sidecar, the whole family can go on holiday'.

Magnetos Annual Ride - Sat 15/11

On Saturday, 15 Nov, we set off from home at 1230 and returned around 9pm and 160 or so kms later. The reason? The Annual Magnetos Scooter Club ride! What a blast. We joined 60+ other scooters for a ride through central Auckland and then along the harbour to a BBQ. We went first to Ponsonby for lunch and a bit of a shop then met the club at Scooter eMotion on Ruru St at 4pm. The ride commenced about 430pm once everyone had gathered and had been given instruction. We arrived to the final destination at Kohimarama beach around 530pm. Here are some of our favorite photos from the day.

Simon's bike with the Magnetos Annual Ride Sticker

Leader Bike

The DMW - a classic British scoot from the '60s

The NSU Prima - German bike from the mid '50s with really cool white seats that are blocked by the helmet in this pic :(

The ride leader explaining the route

Scoots lined up under the Harbour Bridge at the other Shelley Beach

The rest of the line up at Shelley Beach

Upper Queen St.

The corner of Queen St and Mayoral Dr.

Right in downtown Auckland on Queen St near Whitcoul's bookstore

At Britomart Place

The Deemster at a light on Quay St

Scoots stopping midway through the ride at Mechanics Bay - about 65 scoots on the ride!

Tamaki Drive

Yes, he is riding without any hands taking photos!

The trickster again taking a photo of Angelle taking a photo of him; this time over his shoulder with no hand on the throttle

Mission Bay

BBQ post ride at Kohimarama

Parked on the grass verge at Kohimarama

"Vesparate Housewives"

Just the two of us before taking off to get sushi and make the long ride home

Our favorite bike of the day was this rat bike with the mud flaps reading "Manic Mutha"

Playing Catch Up

Last Saturday we had a wonderful day. We went for a flight to Whangerei and had a pie and then came home and went out scooting. The weather was great and we had all the time in the world. It's not often there is no training on at the airfield on a Saturday morning or that we have absolutely no other commitments or plans and can spend an entire day pottering around enjoying the countryside.

Simon is a pilot of microlight aircraft and working on his instructor rating, so he needs to fly as much as possible. Although we had no specific goal in mind for our arrival at Whangerei and could have gotten a much better pie elsewhere, we went for it.

Simon re-fueling the plane in our "back yard"

Pie in Whangerei

Funny signs in the cafe at the Whangerei Airport.

Graffiti "SL <3 4 AL"

As you can see, we certainly weren't the first to leave our mark.

Ready for take-off towards home.

Pre-flight run-ups

Instrument panel

Scenery on take-off

So, after the flight, we got the scooters out of the garage and went for a burn. Again, no specific agenda which is usually the best way. We took the back road from Helensville down past Waimauku and on to the Riverhead area where we stopped at Hallertau Brewery for a pint. We were responsible and had only one and some chips alongside as well. In the past, Hallertau has been a dinner destination for us, so it was nice to sit out on their patio and see it in another light.

Out in front of Hallertau

After our brew, we went to Coatsville and stopped at this store.

We saw another scooter out with a larger motorbike and snapped a photo.

And we shared a thickshake.

The Longest Drink in Town cup our thickshake came in :)