So here is the latest:
1) I had to buy a new rectifier for the P200E, because the brake light was really weak, the blinkers would not work, and it turns out the battery was not being charged. After a few posts to Modern Vespa and some research, and an HP voltmeter, I found that the rectifier was not supplying proper voltage to charge the battery.
The lesson to be learned here: NEVER try to jump start your Nissan XTerra with your 1981 P200E, because the poor rectifier can't handle the damn juice...
Enough said...
2) On August 13th ,14th and 15th, the Royal Bastards Scooter Club rolled into town to visit the home turf of their Sonoma County Chapter, to which I belong. Camping, riding, eating and good music in Guerneville, California.
It all began with folks showing up on Friday, and an early ride (led by "Lofty Bastard", yours truly) of 30 miles looping back to the campground. We went through Forestville, Sebastopol and Camp Meeker on the circular route. I took the P200E with sidecar, because the pace could be nice and slow.
We then ate a good dinner (nicely worked up by some Sacramento Bastards) and headed out for the night ride, led by Sonoma County's own Wiley Bastard, a.k.a. Dan. We went out to the coast and headed south on Coastal Route 1. I rode "sweep", making sure everybody was in front of me, and that all were safe.
Unfortunately, some of the people were not expecting such a cold ride and did not pack/dress for such. And, a gal broke down on the side of the road. It seems her starter kicked in for no reason while she was going down the road, and made metal soup of parts of the engine.
We called the "rescue" van, a nice guy named Dmitri (with a very loud 2-tone air horn on his Vespa) got in touch with Dan who back tracked, and decided that I would take about 10 chilly folks back to the campground. It was fun, and cold, and dark. Getting into my hot tub after that ride was amazing. I love 104 degree water...
The next day I took my Silver '06 GTS to the big ride, because it was going to be a bit faster. We ate a breakfast and then promptly pulled out of the campground at 10am, led by Boisterous Bastard, a.k.a. Ray. We rode over Wohler Bridge, and on West Side Road up to Lake Sonoma.
We were met by the "El Colonel" catering van and all had the opportunity to eat some good Mexican food while taking in the view of Lake Sonoma and the surrounding hills.
Pictured above are JUST the Bastards - many others rode along, including some SOBs (Supporters of the Bastards).
We then rode west on Skaggs Springs Road to the coast, a road that winds quite a bit to Coastal Route 1. On this leg, I rode sweep again, and helped some 'timid' riders with negotiating the turns. It was a great ride through the valleys and forested areas west of Lake Sonoma. Time for a quick snack and gas-up, and off we went southward.
The coast was beautiful, the day was warm, and the riding was awesome. Unfortunately, one of the local scooter guys got pulled over by the park police for crossing the double yellow (SERIOUSLY?), and we passed a white convertible sports car that decided to go off the road and down the steep slope around a right hand hairpin turn. Oooops. Sucks to be that guy.
Anyway, we rode back through Jenner and turned on River Road to head back to Guerneville and the campground. We all got back safely without any incidents.
Next came scooter bowling. On my first attempt I scored a strike! I was the only person to do so, but they were counting the number of pins in a max of 2 attempts. An S.O.B. from Sonoma 'Princess Fruitcup', a.k.a. Patrick, got a spare and we had a bowl off. I got 8 pins, he got 7. I win!
Here is a photo of me in action. Notice the concentration of my follow through:
And here is a shot of my, atop my GTS, holding the 2010 "Russian to Ride" Royal Bastards Scooter Club Rally Scooter Bowling Championship trophy.
It was fun. Later that night, we had dinner (again prepared by the Sacto Bastards) and then proceeded to the mini golf place where we golfed and listened to 3 groups play some music. The last group featured Sonoma County's own Wiley playing the drums. He kicked butt!
I rode home again, and dipped in the hot tub. Man - 104 degree water feels good.
The last day featured breakfast and a raffle before everybody headed back home. Long story short, some gal from Auburn, California won the first ticket pulled and picked a pink jacket. She said it would match her pink scooter (which was the last prize to be raffled off). And she won that, too. Amazing, huh?
In between her winnings, I won a 3-handset cordless phone set for the house, 2 goggles, 1 pair of gloves (for Liz's use) a few shirts and scooter pillow cases (which I gave to Blue Ribbon Bastard)...
That was the weekend!
