The Scooter Cannonball Run

[Wolffarmer]

Looks like quit the project and well done. I would like to see more of the bug eye. I have long lusted for a bug eye. The closest I have come is a 67 Austin Healy Sprite. That car was like putting on a pair of socks. I fear if I ever got into a bug eye they would have to cut it up to get me out.

Randy

[doug hodder]

While it's only day 1 of a 8 day ride....Lee is #1. He has 164 more points than the next rider. Lee is riding the oldest scooter in the group. The deal is...everyone had a chance to build what they wanted..a lot of them talked the talk, but Lee did the walk as well...the others didn't. He has had an issue with overheating the brakes, but it's very heavy scooter and the wheels are both under a body wrap so don't get much air to them. 3 out of a field of 51 are out. Go Lee Go! Doug

[DragonFire]

Thanks for the update, Doug!

Hope the brakes hold up...the scoot weighs 400 lbs. I think you hit the nail on the head with the breaks being enclosed. 'Regular' Vespas get plenty of air to the brakes, and they weigh about 350 dry. So Lee's scoot isn't that far out of the ballpark. And our brakes work just fine. Maybe he can get those scoops off the side of the bike and ride 'naked' and get more air to the rear brake. Dunno. But he'll figure it out....he's an incredible rider, so he'll be able to downshift just fine to ease up on brake use.

I think tomorrow's segment is 304 miles. No real elevation change. That's later on....so he should have a good day tomorrow...

[doug hodder]

Just got off the phone with Lee....it sounds like he had a dragging rear brake. He thinks he's gotten it taken care of, bought some new bolts and nuts and took care of it, his rear hub has 4 bolts to hold it all together, different type hub, than I'm used to and it overheated and the nylocks on the bolts melted and the nuts loosened. Sounds like he is having a good time. He's taking the scenic tour, seeing things off the beaten path, and having a good time with it all. He didn't sound tired. He says the seat that he had custom made is working well for him. I suggested a cardboard wind fairing duct taped on to the steering head, but that wasn't well received. Doug

[canned o minimum]

Best of luck to ya Lee !!

[Lazybones]

Well the ride went well today over all. Barbara and Doug have filled you in on the brake issue I had and it seems to be fixed. We started out with a little rain this morning and then it cleared off in the afternoon. The engine is running great and it tracks down the road nice.
Here are a couple of pictures from today.

Here is the morning riders meeting at 6:30 am.


This is our second check point of the day. President Carters Boy Hood home.



And the hotel after the 330 mile ride today.

[doug hodder]

Wow Lee...the paint didn't fair very well on the first day! You must've been really moving! And who are the Scooter Wives? Doug

[canned o minimum]

WOW ! Pics are certainly worth a thousand words !

[campmaster-k]

Super. Keep the pics coming and see you at the Dam. Good luck.

[DragonFire]

Really glad to hear the brake issue is solved..not just temporarily patched until you need them again..the way you travel, I thought you might get stopped by the cops and have to wear out your brakes again..and just how long can you keep patching things up?! Like what Doug said..look what you did to the paint the first day out!!!

glad you are having time to see the sites. I was able to check in on the ride tracker..I was wondering what was going on when you were off the beaten path, but I know you have an agenda and won't get distracted..

Good to hear the seat is working out. Really important!!

Sounds like things are going smoothly...keep us all posted. Keep the pictures coming. Ride safe and win it!

[DragonFire]

Plenty of air getting to that rear wheel...hopefully it's all fixed..the Vespas (250, 300) have a problem with the exhaust pipe...long story I'll skip, but could the exhaust or muffler be creating too much heat? Just throwing it out there.

[Lazybones]

I havent had internet until now. But it;s too slow to post picutres. will try tomorrow.

The rear brake hasn't been a issue and is working fine. I've ridden about 950 mile so far and am in Lufkin Texas tonight. I plan to be on the road about six fifteen in the morning to try and beat the heat. It's forcasted to be 102.

I decided to pace the super fast scooters today when they passed me. these guys have been giving me sh#$ about not really racing. When they tried to leave me behind I just kept right up with them untill they were toped out for speed and then put on the power and blasted past at 89.3 MPH . I installed my larger front sprocket tonight to try and keep my RPM's down during the hot day. Plus I plan to blow by those guys again at an even faster pace.

Lee

[Kevin A]

GO LEE GO Seeya at the Dam.

[DragonFire]

Dang, Lee..you have it all worked out. I'm curious about how your scoot will do when you hit New Mexico..I saw that you will climb to over 8000 feet. I'm sure you've got it all worked out..it's going to be hilarious when that old Salsbury goes flying by the crap talkers...everyone had the choice of what they rode. Just nobody had the, um, guts to do what you did.

Kill them with kindness and strategy. Karma will bite them..maybe in NM or AZ! Take the high road and keep one step ahead. You will win.

[doug hodder]

Lee....with a 6 speed gear box... and depending on how tall you geared it, I'd think you can go ahead and grab one more gear when you pass them. Just kinda lets them know that there's more in store. Since you don't really have any paint on it...get a great big Sharpie and write "bite me" on the rear body.... Doug

At this point though, the damage has been done...they know you can outrun them....just do your own thing, if you get a chance to pass one while pulling a hill, that might mess with their heads.