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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 6, 2018 21:14:10 GMT -5
Gotta Love Colleyville TX, that whole Southlake, Keller, Westlake, Roanoke, Trophy club area is like the new California only without the price tag. Looks like we sold out to soon in 09, the place is in the Southwest corner of Milton and Savoy off Tennyson Pkwy and thats on the left going south on 26.. if ya wanna check it out, didn't even bring $500,000. I miss it but the traffic. holly schmolly, 114, Southlake blvd and 377 were all two lane roads when I moved out there. Now there some kinda toll road on 114, kinda confusing.. It IS confusing. In the last few years, most of the main highways have been torn up, re-routed and I don't even recognize where I am in the Metroplex... and the signage SUCKS! Directs you all around numerous exits and access roads, like a mouse in a maze. The funniest thing is all these modern electronic gurus with their positioning systems are getting directed into the river... parking lots, dead-end streets... the technology doesn't keep up with the monthly changes in the roads... LOL!
And, yeah, the DOT is putting toll roads in the middle of existing highways (requiring the original roads to be torn up and completely re-done...). Cheesh! It really IS a nice area... But I'm afraid the prices ARE getting into the California "rarified atmosphere". Affordable areas don't stay affordable all that long these days... The majority of 2 and 4-lane surface streets around here have been "improved" with limited-access entrances and exits all over. Speeds are ridiculous, with little enforcement... That is the main reason I traded the old 150 on a 250. Still not enough speed for really safe highway cruising, but if careful, I can still sneak onto the freeway and live in the slow lane. And at least I can keep up with the 65-70-mph traffic on the 40-45 limit streets...Even local hwy. 26 "Colleyville Blvd." where my dealer, Moxie Scooters resides WAS a sleepy 4-lane 35-mph surface street last year. Now, I find it's all being torn up and many lanes added, cement divider so no left turns into businesses (oh, yeah, they LOVE that...). The sleepy little roads I used to enjoy cruising on even with the old 150 are now like Boston, or LA... WAY too many cars, too many lead-footed drivers continually texting... Not so much fun anymore. I suppose it's "progress" but I suspect it's more about kickbacks and laundering a boat-load of drug money. OK, I'm finally old enough to look where something's GOING, not where it appears to BE... Ride safe!Leo |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 6, 2018 2:19:14 GMT -5
Shinko has come a long way from the nickname STINKO they acquired early on,,,they make a good solid long lasting tire at a great price too,,kenda also has come along long way but getting back to shinko I run a side brand of theirs (Full Bore) at 7000+ miles no wear on the front and rear little bit less than 1/2 on the rear,,and no weights to balance,,,and I told the shop to spin em to 100,,,no weights necessary ,,,a good solid tire,,and got both delivered with tubes for a tick over a hundred bux,,,not too shabby as a side note I believe almost all of Vespas lines run 12's now if I'm not mistaken I do believe Shinko tires are very good values for the money. And one of the very few makers who offer any selection of factory whitewalls.
I've had very good results with my Shinko front (120/70-12. The second one. The original front (nobody noticed including me... Duh...) was NOS but around 10 years old. It was great for two seasons, but then began to dry-rot and split badly. No complaints, just an OLD dried-out tire. the replacement has been on now for the fourth season and is like new. Holds air like crazy too!I went today to my dealer and he ordered the tire. He's getting "big time" now and is also a VESPA dealer in addition to Buddy, Stella SYM and Kymco... Those new Vespas are PRICEY!He's in a high-income neighborhood, which worked against him for a while. Now, he's amazed at the upper-income crowd who pay up gladly for the Vespas! He's selling two $6K Vespas for every $3K Kymco!
Seems Vespas are "the bomb" for 30-something business gals to attend hen-parties in local multi-million dollar homes... And their men (husbands?) to ride to the gourmet wine shops for upscale "beer-runs"...I just haven't lived until seeing one of those new "Red" $10.5K Vespas with full-quill ostrich seat... and $800 plastic trunk... Cheesh! I knew SOMETHING had changed when his parking lot was full of new Beemers and Mercedes cars... One local "enclave" of homes has a welcome sign boasting "custom-homes and properties from $1-Million, to $100-million AND UP"... And lucky me... living in a $3K trailer house just a scant 3 miles away... Ain't this country grand? 
He's getting away from scoots over 300cc. Says they just don't sell well. He's also trending away from the slick little SYM 250 clutch-n'-gears motorcycles. They are neat, but just don't sell. He sells the bejeebers out of the Genuine Buddy 125-175's and the Kymco line from the 300cc on down... And, all sizes of Vespa. They are nice, but c'mon... Some are OVER $10-grand!
Oh well, to each his/her own...  He'd make me a killer deal to trade "Minnie Mouse" on a NOS Kymco 400... Just too big and cumbersome for me nowadays, and still more than I can spend on Social Security... LOL! Besides, the old Grandvista seems "tailor-made" for this old geezer's needs. I'm happy as long as the Mouse remains trouble-free!
Guess I'll hang the venerable old Michelin with its many coats of white paint on the living-room wall for posterity... Ah, maybe not... the missus may veto THAT idea... LOL!  Ride safe!Leo |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 6, 2018 0:05:30 GMT -5
What a classic! Have a bone on the Old Chopper guy!
I've never seen a Stella 4-stroke with clutch and gears. Very unusual, and very neat! That old gas MUST be bad... EEEEWWW! Do take Cyborg55's advice and clean the tank and fill with fresh gas and Seafoam. Good gas might cure most of the problems. That bike warrants a fresh paint-job and a good old total all over "freshening". It should even be fast enough once running right to use for most any riding you need it for. I'd say it's a keeper!
Do keep us posted...Ride safe!Leo in Texas PS: I just can't help thinking how sweet a "rat-scoot" it would make! So few miles, manual tranny... Old-school Italian looks... Painted satin-black, a little tasteful checkerboard trim, whitewalls, red wheels... Woo-HOO! Be still my beating heart... Oh, and a nice, wide-open exhaust for that sassy pop-n'-cackle backing down through the gears... with just enough minor back-pressure to run well... Welcome to "back to the fifties"!
Here are a few pix just for concept ideas... One similar to yours in flat black there too... SHARP!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 4, 2018 23:49:32 GMT -5
Personally, I totally agree!
However, just how many scoots actually do use that 140/70-12 size? The 12" wheels have mostly been replaced by 13" or larger. I think some of the other Kymco rides use 12" and maybe some other older scoots... Lots of 10" whitewalls on Genuine Buddy and some other lesser seen models... 10" and 11" are more common than 12". Found on some Vespa and other classic scoots. 12" is just a "forgotten" somewhat "oddball" size! 
for whatever reason Shinko finally offered this one, I'm VERY grateful!Wheel and tire appearance is a small thing (though not to Buddy...) but one that probably makes more difference in cosmetics than anything short of paint... Just a simple way to personalize a ride, especially for us old geezers! I didn't get to ride much last year due to health issues, so I'm looking forward to spring and summer... Ride safe!Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 4, 2018 23:33:45 GMT -5
Congratulations! I know this makes you happy... 
Yeah, but probably not quite as happy as your new 300 makes you... LOL!  I guess I've been pro-whitewalls ever since the 1950's. They just make a whole lot of difference in the general "look" of any ride. Ride safe! Don't bend that sweet new iron! Summer's a comin'! |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 3, 2018 22:18:06 GMT -5
Common safety sense tells me it's about time to replace my aging Michelin rear tire with painted-on whitewall, and at long last (5 years waiting!) Shinko FINALLY makes a P-rated WHITEWALL in the proper 140/70-12 size to compliment my 120/70-12 front tire.    Thank you SHINKO!
So... after FIVE seasons, I can say farewell to my painted rear whitewall... which was never really practical or attractive... And any of the other three or four riders out there who have been wishing for real high-speed whitewalls for their Kymco Grandvista or Bet & Win 250's can have their wish! I dunno, does ANY other scooter use a 140/70-12 tire?
These are good, road-speed rated tires. I've been running one on my front wheel now for five seasons (replaced last year when dry-rot began to show) and have been very pleased with its performance on all surfaces, wet or dry, up to 80-mph+.
These swell tires are available in many sizes, but until recently, NOT in 140/70-12.So, goodbye painted whitewall, and hello to a real old-school "Vespa-style" street-tread classic! I'll be having my B&M dealer replace the old Michelin as soon as possible, and look forward to finally having FACTORY whitewalls at BOTH ends of "Minnie Mouse"! Again, if you're one of the VERY few guyz or galz (yeah, not many of us... LOL!) out there who have a "Jones" for 1950's style real whitewalls, check out what Shinko has to offer! These are good, affordable tires, and even if mounted on scoots that cannot take advantage of their high-speed rating (like ME; the Mouse tops out about 80) or those riding 125/150's, the higher quality P-rated tires offer markedly improved handling at ANY speed, even around town... And, cost only a little more than the cheaper J-rated Chinese tires. Ride safe!Leo (ridin' old school) in Texas PS: For those who like modern black tires, my old Michelin Power Pure provided a full five seasons of great handling and still exhibits no dry-rot or cracking and only modest wear. A good tire for all around riding! |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 30, 2018 21:16:37 GMT -5
Floridagull,
Great post for a swell dealer! I'm sure those other 300's will go with your encouragement! Have a bone on the Old Chopper Guy...
It's wonderful to hear about a really good B&M dealership. My dealer where I bought "Minnie Mouse" is likewise... EXCEPT they're only a mile down the road from my house... LOL!
Those leftover NOS scoots can be a REAL bargain! I couldn't afford even a bargain new one, but I appreciate a deal when I see one! My dealer (Moxie Scooters) had ONE of those fabulous Kymco "My Road" 700cc twins they let go for something around $5K. Whew! THAT was a bargain. Those big boys never did catch on, and it's a shame. Probably one of the best large-displacement touring scoots ever!
Enjoy that new 300!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 28, 2018 20:52:51 GMT -5
Absolutely amazing! Safety equipment and crash-resistant vehicle design really paid off big!
This SHOULD (but probably won't) be a wakeup-call lesson for riders and ESPECIALLY car drivers with vehicles that can approach and surpass 200-mph. That includes some "crotch-rockets" and a few new cars from Dodge, and foreign makers.
Everything can be just fine, and in an instant the vehicle can go airborne. After that, it is totally out of control and the landing won't be pretty.
We've seen NASCAR cars do this and they are designed for such speeds. I don't know at what speed this phenomenon is likely to take place, but I suspect it's anywhere after 140 to 150-mph. IF you get a little air underneath, OR if your vehicle body-style generates a little lift, once you hit the right speed, you WILL become an airplane... Piston Guy's suggestion to include air-stabilization of some kind is a good idea on these mega-fast vehicles.
When I was young, such speeds with street-driven bikes was almost unheard of, and never seen in cars. Today, several factory-made vehicles and numerous hot-rods ARE capable of such speeds, and riders/drivers need to watch out. These rides can go fast enough to fly. Literally!
Ride safe, and keep yer' wheels on the ground!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 27, 2018 23:24:06 GMT -5
Terrilee,
You'll get Chrissy going OK... Change out the fluids, drain the old gas... Clean out the fuel lines and replace any fuel filter... Spray carb cleaner through the carb (you may or may not have to dismantle the carb to get it cleaned out). Carb cleaner can do wonders cleaning out fuel lines and carb interior... Get a fresh battery. Check for spark: after so long, you MIGHT need to replace the CDI or coil but probably not.
The brake fluid may be pretty bad and need changing... I just HATE changing brake fluid... LOL!
When you get her going, for safety, it would be wise to replace the tires. Check them for dry-rot and if at all questionable, replace. Also, valve-stems. Those can be a problem if rotted.
It'll take some work, and maybe a few bucks but she'll be running again in no time!
Have a bone for "getting back on the hoss"...
Ride safe! It's been a while and you may be a tad "wobbly" at first.
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 25, 2018 22:33:00 GMT -5
"I love the "kitchen-chair" on/off of the flat floor."I put a 1 gallon gas can on my flat floor today to go get some fuel for the lawn mower. Much more fun than jumping in my truck to fetch lawn mower gas. The weeds are growing much faster than my grass.
One thing I miss about the old Chinese 150 is the larger flat floor... My Kymco has a much shorter floor area, so bags of kitty litter have to be set "on edge" with my feet up on the bag... Not as handy as the Chinese design, but still works out OK... LOL! How my bike use has "devolved" since my chopper days when it was all horsepower and cool, with ZERO ability to carry ANYTHING but a small passenger... Admittedly, scoots don't foster the charisma of fire-breathing, earth-shaking big bikes, but they sure are PRACTICAL... and a lot of easy-to-ride fun! Two years back, while "Minnie Mouse" was having her coolant flushed and changed at my dealer, I test-rode a People 300. Floridagull is in for a REALLY pleasant riding experience! Not to mention the scoot is about "bulletproof" in typical Kymco fashion! I truly felt that the 300 combined some of the BEST features and feel of full-sized motorcycle along with the best features of a nimble step-through scooter... A really nice and PRACTICAL compromise!
Here's to 75-mph kitchen chairs!Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 25, 2018 19:39:05 GMT -5
You will enjoy a good windshield! And your ride has the ponies to push it through the wind at good speed! I'm not at all familiar with windshields for the People, but my old Grandvista has a GIVI that resembles the stock shield but has a wider base that keeps my hands out of the wind. That is really nice when it gets a little chilly!
I don't like looking through them, but windshields make the ride so much better that it's worth it. No buffeting... And no blowing my glasses all over my face... LOL!
The old "purists" liked to get the windshield "just right" where the rider looks OVER the windshield, but remains protected by the bubble of calm air behind it. I did that with my old Harley bagger... The factory Hog windshields were adjustable for height for that very reason. Most scooter windshields today are "fixed" with no adjustment and I got used to looking through it. I can relax slouched down and totally out of the wind!
You're going to LOVE the "grooving" ride those big wheels provide, and the power to keep up with traffic...
Please keep us posted and get pix when you can!
Ride safe... You'll NEED that windshield to keep bugs off your teeth because you won't be able to keep a big, toothy grin off your face!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 24, 2018 15:17:49 GMT -5
Double "OUCH"...
The quads probably shouldn't have been on the road anyway, but... The biker goosed it just as the quad changed lanes in front of him. The bikes are so quick that it's hard to slow or swerve to avoid the "obstruction" in this case, the quad.
I'm not sure just WHO is the most brain-dead here... The whole bunch was acting the fool and pushing the envelope. Sadly, I've seen this happen with a bike and a car (which the bike did NOT fly over).
The whole video shows why so many car/truck drivers hate bikers and feel no remorse when they cream one.
Even if young and quick, a rider MUST use his/her brains once in a while or he/she will end up like that or worse.
And, YES, Ricardoguitars: You NEED to keep those mirrors, AND you NEED to use them. And YES, Pistonguy: You are right... THOSE guys are classic "squids". Have a bone for the good post!
Ride safe... At least a lot safer than the stars of that video!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 23, 2018 23:21:08 GMT -5
OK, now I'm jealous... LOL!  Have a bone for making a great choice! I don't know squat about the X-Town except it looks great, but... I've test-ridden the People GT 300i and I indeed LOVED it! To me, it is a very much improved and updated incarnation of my old Grandvista, but LIGHTYEARS ahead in design, technology and performance. It features everything I love about my oldie, only ten times more!
The only ones I ever saw were painted a copper-orange metallic which is pretty, but I prefer the white. Modern and you'll never get tired of it. (easy to keep clean too)... LOL! The trunk on yours is WAY bigger than the ones I saw. Kymco must have increased the size on the newer ones, and THAT is a MAJOR goodie. I firmly believe you can't have too much storage space on a scoot that's used for everyday errands! Only negative I can see is that I don't think anyone makes whitewalls to fit those nice big rims... LOL!
I don't even have to "hope" you enjoy THIS ride. I KNOW you will!!!Ride safe, and do enjoy the ride! Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 21, 2018 21:53:18 GMT -5
Guess I've gotta go with Oscar... Some of the actors receiving Oscars did some pretty macho stuff in the movies they made... Especially the old greats! Lots of doing their own dangerous stunts, etc.
"Golden Age" films incorporated VERY little concern for safety, even for "A-List" actors. Pretty macho stuff. They deserved those Oscars.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 20, 2018 22:18:07 GMT -5
Kat, I guess I stole that line from George Carlin... You just have to envision a tiny field-mouse with his silky little fur, rubbing against a pussy-willow with similar characteristics... Sorta like a chinchilla backing into a cotton ball... or something... maybe? That's just gotta be smooth! I do understand about our heavy-handed friends who virtually "attack" rather than "open" packages... LOL! Some folks would use a sledge-hammer to crack an egg...  Great weather here for the first day of spring... I snuck the old Mouse out again just to get some wind on my knuckles... I GOTTA get her cleaned up though... My feral-cat friends were EXTRA dirty this winter... LOL! Ride safe!Leo |
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