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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #16  
Old 28 Apr 2006
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  #17  
Old 28 Apr 2006
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That big "box" looks very useful. Does it have a provision to lock? How heavy is it? Is it homemade, or did you buy it?
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  #18  
Old 28 Apr 2006
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That is a 70 liter standard aluminum Zargas transport case. It is very light and strong. The latches have holes in them for pad locks, but latches with locks are available. I went for the padlock option incase I loose the keys, then all I need is a new pad lock (don't use combination locks as they get stuck with grit).

The box itself has a snug hard fit in the steel rack and doesnt need to be tied down. For security, securing to the scooter itself, I'll probably just use a chain or a bike lock, either accross the lid ot through the handles, and attach to the loops on the rack. I opted for a steel rack as it is easier to find a competent steel welder than a competent aluminum welder).
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  #19  
Old 29 Apr 2006
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Yeah Wheelie, I saw your scoot's picts on scooterbbs. It looks ready to roll. As for reliability, I'm looking into it right now. Going back to stock, probably add in a EGT, I'll probably travel light, spares, comprehensive tool set, minimal clothings, fuel and stuff. heh, I've been using the saddle seat since I started on a vespa.

Why on a vespa? I've got nothing against the big bikes, but It's the only scooter I know best, the temperament, mood, and I love it! Actually, vespa P200 is a pretty reliable machine. Just that you need to monitor the temperature of this 2 stroke scooter to prevent seizure. Hence, Wheelie, consider adding an EGT, especially riding in such a hot country like Africa. That said, it's still a piece of machine with 25 year old technology. Heh. Yeah, I'll look into the old seal, bearings and stuff before the big one.

Good luck Wheelie!
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  #20  
Old 29 Apr 2006
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The Vespa is an excellent choise for traveling, parts are cheap and repairs easy to do. It will need a lot of maintenance though. I travelled about 100 000km on Vespa's and only once was I not able to repair it. If I would go RTW I would problably choose my Vespa over my honda blackbird or Yamaha fazer. It would be a lot slower, but that can be an advantage, as you will have more time to look around. Accidents will also be less painfull, as you are driving slower and the vespa can take a lot of abuse.I crashed many times and usually you can pick it up, bend the pieces back into shape and drive on.

There are lots of scooter rallies and a big scooter-scene here in Belgium.
If you make it to europe you are always welcome to stay with us .

Just go for it, it will be the best decision of your life, greetings from a scooter-lover.
Tony
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  #21  
Old 30 Apr 2006
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edge-t, could you please give me some more info on the egt. ;amufactuerer, suplier, fittimg. costs, or the likes?
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  #22  
Old 1 May 2006
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Thanks, Wheelie, for the box information. I would like to try to adapt one to my Chinese made GY-200 series enduro if it is possible.

Edge-T, I think that you should try a good, long leg first, like you said you are. It sounds like you have the urge to go, and you might as well build up courage/experience and get out of Singapore for a while (I am not a professional counselor or psychiatrist, but it sounds like you have a little bit of "island fever"). Get out and see where you can go from there. The US is a fairly easy ride across if/when you get here. I cannot remember the post, but I put a link to an annual across the US scooter ride that a group puts on. Another link I put was about three men who rode TGB (a Taiwanese scooter manufacturer) scooters from New York to Los Angeles in 11 days. I will see if I can find the links for something to read up on.
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  #23  
Old 1 May 2006
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I found one of the links, Edge-T, and I think you might have read it as you had posted on that thread as well. Here it is anyway...

http://www.cobrasales.com/news/cobra...orts112004.htm
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  #24  
Old 1 May 2006
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Yuma simon: as for a motorcycle, I don't think the top case is such a great idea for carrying your main luggage. The reason is that centre of gravity will be quite high and far back. You will get a much better weight distribution with side panniers, which on your bike would involve strengthening the sub frame. The reason I chose the top case option for the scooter is that 1) the scooters side cowels would make the scooter very wide. 2) Access to the engine and wheels, etc, behind the cowels, would be difficult. The scooters low ground clearance and the wide panniers could easily make me ground the scooter in sharp turns.

Here are two pictures of some Australian's scoot, planning to ride arround Australia this summer (source: http://www.rightaroundaustralia.com)





Their rack looks great, but I'm not sure if I'd like to lean into turns on poor surfaces, or to go down with it as it looks difficult to repair on your own. The weight distribution looks pretty good though, but there will ofcourse be some extra drag compared to having a case hidden behind the rider.

Edge-T, here is another link for a trans USA scooter cannonball run: http://www.scootercannonball.com/
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  #25  
Old 1 May 2006
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Hey Wheelie, you can try Westach, I think its a UK based company for a 2" EGT meter. here's how it looks like:



Here's the probe, which you drill a hole in your exhaust, 6"(I think so) away from the mounting. Insert the probe into the hole and tighten the thing down.



From what I've read in scooterbbs so far, The redline for a vespa is about 1250 degrees F(650 degree C). Of course, it depends on how far you attached the probe from the exhaust mounting.

Here's how it looks like on a vespa(this one is a Autometer EGT tho'):



Here's a few links:

scootercannonball.com
http://www.scootercannonball.com/for...r=asc&start=15

Westach meters
http://www.westach.com/products.htm#AUTOMOTIVE

Do a search on scooterbbs too, type in "EGT", I think it'll come up with a wealth of information for installing an EGT meter on a vespa.

Cool Simon, there's quite a few people doing long trips on a scooter. Never saw that article before tho', thanks for the link. I'll definitely be going this year for a short trip. thanks for the encouragement guys!

And Titbird, ha, If I really get to Europe, I'll take your offer up!
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  #26  
Old 2 May 2006
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Use your tool
Hi Han Thon

Dreaming is THE most important tool of a member with HU.

I'm too from a tiny country, and really understand the "Jail Sindrom" I feel you come from
Chasing the horizon and going places, that are so simple to one that live in Europe America or Ausi, are projects we have to call " A life time trip".

Just hit the road. Things will happen, and that is adventure.

Yoni
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My ride from Dead horse to Ushuaia 2009 is at
www.harpatka.com
It's in hebrew but lots of pics and some translation

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  #27  
Old 25 May 2006
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Good thread, I like this guy! buy the way if you wait till you can afford something you'll never get it or do it. Life is all about risks like my friend cpt kirk ance said if you want to set in my chair Risk is part of the game. you never know when you last day will come so enjoy the day and do all you can now. i'd love to be in sinapore so i could go with this sounds like my kinda thing.
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