The Scooter Cannonball Run

[doug hodder]

I just spent quite a bit of time checking out all the chat on the Vespa site regarding the Cannonball. It's kinda funny...go back to the early stuff and Lee catches some heat on his scooter. Now that the race is nearly finished, he has certainly gained a lot of respect from a lot of the riders and the "arm chair" types that aren't participating, but commenting.

Everyone had 2 years to build what they wanted, they all knew the rules way in advance, but he's the only one that said what he was going to do and then did it. Most riders are on factory rides manufactured since 2000. He is riding a true "Frankenscoot". While it seems that many have had exhaust system failures...his system with a "58 Bug Eye Sprite" muffler has held up well. He's handled any mechanical issues and kept on going.

It now seems that he has certainly EARNED respect from a lot of the scooter community that may have poo pooed him early on. He can run with the "Big Dogs" and apparently, can out run them when he wants, and they have the same sized engine.

I had spoken with him on his strategy prior to the race and he's sticking to it. Take it kinda easy early on to figure out what he's got...get it all dialed in and then kick butt in the end, kinda like a Nascar race. He hacked up a Vespa, Kawasaki Ninja, robbed a couple of different car parts, manufactured a lot of components, and stuffed it all into a 66 year old scooter frame/body and rode it across the country with only 50 miles on it prior to this journey. My hat's off to him....well done Lee. I'm proud to have my logo on the side of your scooter! Doug

[NutmegJoe]

Well said, Doug!

[doug hodder]

My favorite quote from the Vespa forum...."it's old and terribly fast"..... Doug

[Maureenm]

Agreed that you said it well,Doug! Lee is showing all of the scooter snobs what "eat my dust"really means!
He is pulling off an amazing feat.

[tupelosue]

What Shelly said!

What Maureen said!

Shelly and I are planning to be there when he comes across the finish line. I told him don't leave Parker so dang early on Sunday morning, or we might still be asleep when he roars in. He said he wants to be sure he's the first one in on the last day!

Hope we don't miss it!!

@ barbara, my original plan was to either ride down or trailer my scoot down, but the last couple of weeks a lot has happened, and my car has been in the shop getting a new (expensive) tranny, so I'd decided not to go. Then Lee asked if Shelly and I could bring his van down for the trip home, so off we go! When Lee asks, we jump!

[doug hodder]

As a scooterwife should!

[DragonFire]

That's right..hop to it!

I knew the Subaru had a mechanical issue, but thought it was solved already. Bummer it's so expensive. Had to do that to the Toyota about 12 years ago and it was expensive then. And a Toyota (manual tranny)

Makes sense to take Lee's van. I was hoping somehow someone could get it down there for him. I would have offered to haul him back in my truck except I can't take any time off work to do it..already taking off a day for the Dam and the Docs think the place will fall apart without me for one day.

Looks like Lee did a little site seeing this morning in Sedona..good for him!

Doug...Sue and I have the same scoot..Vespa 250. The 250 and 300 are plagued with exhaust problems..there is a 'bushing' as they have termed it..a graphite cylinder in the joint between the pipe from the engine and the tailpipe..burns out fairly often and needs to be replaced...those pipes get really hot on those Vespas, so I'm not surprised they are cracking on some with the heat in Texas and the pace they are keeping. If you don't keep your bushing intact and get the exhaust leak it will melt your brake lines. Some have welded the joint..not a good idea. It was meant to be a joint to take the vibration at that angle..and that may be another reason why some cracked..if they welded it to avoid changing that bushing on the race.

Bagel having to change his fuel pump is also a GTS issue. Some years had problems with them.

But yeah, people are finally getting the idea what Lee actually did by cobbling this bike together and riding it basically untested. It made me nervous the first few days because there are always problems that arise in anything like that. But he has managed a temp fix..or at least something to keep it going well enough.

I told you guys this was historic what he has done. And it will change Cannonball forever. People will have to build better to catch Lee, much less beat him. He outsmarted them. There's nothing wrong with that!

[cdfnchico]

This has been a hoot! Great fun to follow along...congrats to Lee for such a stellar performance, both before and during the race! Look forward to hearing the stories at the Dam!

[DragonFire]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWcgkwocB7Y&feature=player_embedded

If this works, you will see Lee come into view at 2:04. He's the second scoot..wearing blue. This guy passes Lee and the other scoot...best view I've seen yet of the Salsbury in action.

[DragonFire]

He's almost done for the day...hopefully he'll post here soon. I'll stand by and post pictures he might put up on facebook...you all need pictures of this craziness!!

Then rush out and buy scooters!! It's more fun than you could imagine!

[Wolffarmer]

Nice video Dragon. The Piaggio moves right along. Many other nice videos there also.

Now. Just so I don't get blamed for this idea. When are we going to have a Teardrop Cannonball Coast to Coast Dash?

I will let Doug take the blame, everyone will believe that.

Randy

[Mukilteo]

So, Lee got arrested but no one tells us why?

[Wolffarmer]

What, what? Where do you see that?

Randy ( Dazed and confused )

[Wolffarmer]

Hey, if lee is over heating the motor I would say he needs to take that air scoop off. Remember the 1967 and earlier VW buses that people would put air scoops on for more cooling? Did not work as back there the air flow was not along the side of the bus, It was way out. I would say that the same thing might be going with Lee's air scoop. He does not have his air flow atached to the side of the body. With all the leg and things i doubt it is attached past the front fairing.

just my 2 bits if any one can relay it to him

Randy

[Mukilteo]

The "Scooter Wives" are keeping a close eye on the action!!

Here's the story from today...

Maybe I jumped to conclusions?