Scooters as business decorations
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- BootScootin'FireFighter
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Scooters as business decorations
Has anyone seen this? In my area alone, I know of 2 business, an Italian restaurant and Italian deli (notice a pattern?) using scooters as decorative pieces. At least the one in front of the deli doesn't have mirrors all beat up and twisted looking. This kind of thing bothers me, how do others feel? Are they trying to capture the feel of Italy by this? And how can the police write anyone else a ticket for parking on the sidewalk and give these business owners a free pass? One other thing, the Piaggio in front of "Vapiano" is always blocking access to get into the joint, it makes NO sense! And when they're closed, it is rolled into the foyer of the restaurant. First order for the busboy, open the umbrellas, unlock the chairs, and roll out the Piaggio. I'll try to get a better picture to post tomorrow.
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- jasondavis48108
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I've seen them used in window displays in downtown ann arbor. I don't really care as they are the ones who purchased the scoots so I suppose they can do what they like with them. I, for one, wouldn't have the self control to just leave it in the window. I'd want to take it out for a spin and if it wasn't in working order I'd want to get it running, but thats just me.
"Only the curious have, if they live, a tale worth telling at all" Alastair Reid
Re: Scooters as business decorations
Places that sell food?BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:In my area alone, I know of 2 business, an Italian restaurant and Italian deli (notice a pattern?)
- Kaos
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Re: Scooters as business decorations
I was going to say both in his area was the pattern.TVB wrote:Places that sell food?BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:In my area alone, I know of 2 business, an Italian restaurant and Italian deli (notice a pattern?)
- ericalm
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Kind of ironic that the Vespa screams bodge.JHScoot wrote:a cafe on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica CA, has this vintage Vespa inside. its an Italian joint, strangely enough
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- Kaos
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Yeah, its a Vietbodge reject. But the best thing about them is that they look pretty. Much better that they're window dressing than on the road.ericalm wrote:Kind of ironic that the Vespa screams bodge.JHScoot wrote:a cafe on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica CA, has this vintage Vespa inside. its an Italian joint, strangely enough
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how can one tell these things? upon closer inspection of the pic i think i see some imperfections in the sheet metal on the scoot, but i would take it this could be of any older scooter, not just a "bodge"Kaos wrote:Yeah, its a Vietbodge reject. But the best thing about them is that they look pretty. Much better that they're window dressing than on the road.ericalm wrote:Kind of ironic that the Vespa screams bodge.JHScoot wrote:a cafe on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica CA, has this vintage Vespa inside. its an Italian joint, strangely enough
how does one tell a "bodge" from a non bodge? and what the heck is a bodge, anyway?
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A ticket for parking on the sidewalk? Guess you don't live in South Philly. Around here, if you stop it, put it in park, and leave it...it's considered parked. No questions asked.And how can the police write anyone else a ticket for parking on the sidewalk and give these business owners a free pass?
I think everyone who's ever visited me has parked on the sidewalk across from house...cars, trucks, whatever.
- Kaos
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A bodge is a bike thats been poorly rebuilt and is generally extremely unsafe.JHScoot wrote:how can one tell these things? upon closer inspection of the pic i think i see some imperfections in the sheet metal on the scoot, but i would take it this could be of any older scooter, not just a "bodge"Kaos wrote:Yeah, its a Vietbodge reject. But the best thing about them is that they look pretty. Much better that they're window dressing than on the road.ericalm wrote: Kind of ironic that the Vespa screams bodge.
how does one tell a "bodge" from a non bodge? and what the heck is a bodge, anyway?
Usually these are reconstructed in Vietnam and will be several frames welded together, the motor will have parts of coffee cans used for gaskets and often bits of wire and random screws holding things on that should be much more securely attached.
There's at least 2 signs that I can see on this bike. First off is the yellow kickstand boots. These are basically only made in Vietnam and you never see them on a bike that's never been outside the states.
The second is that this is a Vespa Super. It SHOULD have 8" wheels on it, this one has 10" wheels on it and they're sitting fairly far out of the fender.
This is also a common mod. To weld the end of a 10" fork onto the 8" fork so they can mount the larger wheel.
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ScootLemont wrote:there is a "hip" clothing store in my town that has a semi-retro looking Chinese scooter parked in it
Check out Scoot Richmond's new site: My awesome local shop.
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Nah, it's from that new "hip" clothing store. Zombie sheik; it's all the rage this time of year.Kaos wrote: LMC: Not that this is on topic at all... But your new avatar reminds me of 'The sad sad tale of chickenfoot' from Invader Zim.
Check out Scoot Richmond's new site: My awesome local shop.
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My kid has played so much plants v. zombies that I could recognize that zombie face anywhereLostmycage wrote:Nah, it's from that new "hip" clothing store. Zombie sheik; it's all the rage this time of year.Kaos wrote: LMC: Not that this is on topic at all... But your new avatar reminds me of 'The sad sad tale of chickenfoot' from Invader Zim.
"Only the curious have, if they live, a tale worth telling at all" Alastair Reid
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- Kaos
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Yep, there's at least one more I followed the artist(Jhonen Vasquez) with his comic "Johnny the Homicidal maniac" before Zim.KRUSTYburger wrote:HA! I love Invader Zim! Probably the only adult I know of that has ever watched it... Now I know there is at least one other person!Kaos wrote:LMC: Not that this is on topic at all... But your new avatar reminds me of 'The sad sad tale of chickenfoot' from Invader Zim.
The boot logo on my phone is the Irken Armada logo. And I used to have the armada logo in the rear window of one of my cars too.
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Also, the paint and accessories. As weird as this sounds, bodges are tarted up on the outside to look really good. So there will often be a non-original paint color, lots of chrome and accessories and non-OEM seats, etc. Just like this one has! The poorly-cast wings on the legshield are another telltale sign.Kaos wrote:A bodge is a bike thats been poorly rebuilt and is generally extremely unsafe.JHScoot wrote:how can one tell these things? upon closer inspection of the pic i think i see some imperfections in the sheet metal on the scoot, but i would take it this could be of any older scooter, not just a "bodge"Kaos wrote: Yeah, its a Vietbodge reject. But the best thing about them is that they look pretty. Much better that they're window dressing than on the road.
how does one tell a "bodge" from a non bodge? and what the heck is a bodge, anyway?
Usually these are reconstructed in Vietnam and will be several frames welded together, the motor will have parts of coffee cans used for gaskets and often bits of wire and random screws holding things on that should be much more securely attached.
There's at least 2 signs that I can see on this bike. First off is the yellow kickstand boots. These are basically only made in Vietnam and you never see them on a bike that's never been outside the states.
The second is that this is a Vespa Super. It SHOULD have 8" wheels on it, this one has 10" wheels on it and they're sitting fairly far out of the fender.
This is also a common mod. To weld the end of a 10" fork onto the 8" fork so they can mount the larger wheel.
Rover Eric wrote a pretty good bodgespotting guide here:
http://www.rovers-usa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1938
ModernVespa Bodgespotting thread:
http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/topic70412
Bar Italia's Bodge Guide:
http://www.baritaliaclassics.com/Site/Vietbodge.html
And:
http://www.scooterlounge.com/Vespa/Asian/Asian.shtml
http://www.thevespawizard.com.au/the_black_vbb.htm
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
- Skootz Kabootz
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Wikipedia wrote:Bodge: A clumsy or inelegant job, usually a temporary repair.
Check out Scoot Richmond's new site: My awesome local shop.
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I put that in the buying FAQ... damned good info there.ericalm wrote:HUGE MULTI-QUOTE IN DEPTH EXPLANATION FROM ABOVE
Check out Scoot Richmond's new site: My awesome local shop.
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Invader Zim is one of those weird properties that somehow got discovered by the Hot Topic crowd years after it was originally aired. I think they've made more in Zim merchandising in the past 5 years than when the show was actually on TV.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bodgeSkootz Kabootz wrote:So what is the root of the word "bodge"? )I keep thinking of a badly restored Dodge being called a Bodge, but I know that's not it.) I haven't found the root of it online anywhere. It is a word that seems to exist in and of itself. An enigma.
There's also "bodging," a type of woodworking. Wiktionary lists it as a related term, but Wikipedia says the etymology of "bodging" and "bodger" (in the woodworking sense) are unknown.The term "bodge" derives from Middle English boccen, which means "to mend."
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Well don't I feel silly. Why didn't that come up when I Googled it? Exactly what I was looking for. Thx Eric & LMCericalm wrote:http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bodgeSkootz Kabootz wrote:So what is the root of the word "bodge"? )I keep thinking of a badly restored Dodge being called a Bodge, but I know that's not it.) I haven't found the root of it online anywhere. It is a word that seems to exist in and of itself. An enigma.
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DM Store?
You have probably seen the black Vintage Lambretta in the Dr Martens store on Broadway?Kaos wrote:There are at least three places in Portland that I know of that have them in the windows, and 1 Gelato shop that uses a LX50 for a menu holder just inside the door of the shop(They're in a front basket).
It's a really genuine British import with it's original license plates and tax disc....
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Re: DM Store?
I have, and if memory serves its a Jet200 to boot(Not 100% sure of that, been a while since I've seen it)superseagulls wrote:You have probably seen the black Vintage Lambretta in the Dr Martens store on Broadway?Kaos wrote:There are at least three places in Portland that I know of that have them in the windows, and 1 Gelato shop that uses a LX50 for a menu holder just inside the door of the shop(They're in a front basket).
It's a really genuine British import with it's original license plates and tax disc....
I've spent many hours trying to come up with a solid plan to liberate it from the window
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Legshield trim running to the end of the floorboards (instead of ending where the legshield meets the floorboards) is another common bodge giveaway. Sure, some do this in the states, but it is not correct to the bike and nearly 100% of viet bodges do it.
Seriously, once you get used to looking for these things, you can spot them from 15 miles away.
Seriously, once you get used to looking for these things, you can spot them from 15 miles away.
Valves are for wussies.
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