The GUNNY'S SACK

July 2001

MEA CULPA: Let me start off with answering a letter. A Sack reader from Britain felt that I had done him a disservice with my piece about the new Vespa scooter on the market in the US. Now I know for sure I have at least one reader, bless him.

I was unaware there were several models of this fine machine available here, and so did not comment on that. I just yakked about how I'm too big a guy to ride one! Well this led Paul Blezard to send me a pointed e-mail and I'm glad he did. My apologies have been sent and I figured I oughtta apologize here in the Sack, too. I would never knowingly talk down any two or three wheeled methods of moving from one place to another.

I've been on bikes longer than most, and I value every wheeled entry into our world. There are in fact several versions of the Vespa scooter. I'm just not entirely sure which are available here in the US. If you're interested check out the Vespa website on the internet or your local dealer. Thanks to Paul for bringing me up short.

I do know a little: Piaggio manufactures Vespas since they were invented in 1946. They recently re-introduced the Vespa to the US after a gap of over 20 years. The new generation of Vespas LOOK kinda sorta like those of the 60s and 70s, are a lot different from the old machines inside their guts.

The Vespa that only does 30mph is the 50cc ET2 two stroke (there's also a new 50cc four stroke). There is a 150cc four stroke which uses an identical bodyshell but goes faster. It can cruise at 60 and will do 65-70mph flat out.

For real muscle, check Piaggio's new X9- 500 with 39 horsepower, which means it's capable of nigh on 100mph; it also comes with intercom, radio and get this: an electric center stand, all standard.

I hope this has opened your mind just a little to one European perspective. It did mine. And best regards to Paul Blezard. Readers should never hesitate to quack at the Sack. My email is AIMGunny@aol.com. For LEGAL matters or accidents, email m'boss Sam Hochberg, at SamBikeLaw@aol.com.

NCOM CONVENTION REPORT: This was the 16th Annual! As we all know, NCOM and AIM are supported by AIM attorneys returning a big chunk of their fees, when earned in injury cases, to the motorcycling community, without added cost to the client. The money comes out of the attorneys' own pockets. Our attorneys all over North America ride. You get to talk to em free, at 1-800-On- A-Bike, or go to www.on-a-bike.com.

This year we were in Orlando, but there was nothing Mickey Mouse about it. Too much to list it all here, but here's some: We had seminars for all walks of motorcycle life and even a minority biker caucus and a woman's seminar. My wife attended that one, and told me she would not miss another convention because she learned she is really an important part of the biker world.

There was a mock legislative session done by the NCOM Legislative Task Force (Oregon's Butch Harbaugh Chairs the LTF) that illustrated what happens in state and federal legislatures and how different bills are handled. By the way, our mock helmet bill lost it's mock fight there.SLIDIN' DOWN THE ROAD: A biker named "Slider Gilmore," an EMT who trains other EMT's, did a whale of a seminar at NCOM on the "GOLDEN HOUR" after an accident. We found that what happens in the first ten minutes after an accident could make the difference of whether or not a victim survives the trauma of a wreck. It made me and a lot of others realize how important first aid and CPR training is to riders. Think about it: We're the first ones on the scene because we're riding in the group. Watch for Slider's presentation at NCOM and other biker events. Might save your life.NEXT YEAR, the 17th NCOM Convention will be held in New Orleans, right across from the French Quarter. Don't miss it if you value the right to ride. I'll be there if I have to crawl. NEWS BITS'N PIECES: CHICAGO: Officer Maurice Burks' radar gun registered a bike at 160 mph. He couldn't believe it. But the gun was working right. Burks stopped Daemond Rogan, 32, and cited him for speeding in a 40 mph zone. Burks chased Rogan along Chicag

o's Lake Shore Drive but couldn't catch him. A road block gott'em.

The cops contacted a Honda shop to find out if the 1999 CBR 600F4 model Rogan was riding was really that fast. Police said they were told the top speed for that bike is 165 mph. Officers, in the radar unit over 20 years, say this is the fastest speed they can recall.

Rogan, was also cited for running a red light and weaving. When yur goin that fast on city streets without running someone down ya better be weavin. WOW! That's scootin!

BOLOGNA, ITALY: Bruno Cavalieri Ducati, the last surviving founder of the motorcycle company that bears the family name, died in the northern town of Ispra. He was 96. Cavalieri designed the factory where he and his brothers Adriano and Marcello started out in 1935, making condensers and radio equipment.

They switched to motorcycles in the 1940's and the company enjoyed success in the 50's and 60's, before its fortunes fell. American investors bought the company in 1996 and turned it around.

There must be some history books about these people. They gave us our lifestyle.BIKER BOOK SNITCH: Well this fellow Jim Redden here in Portland has written one cracker-jack book about just how far the Government will go (and that's TOO far) in his new paperback, "SNITCH CULTURE: How Citizens are Turned into the Eyes and Ears of the State." It's published by Feral House, and you can find it in your bookstore, or online at www.feralhouse.com . The website has more detailed info about the book. Runs $14.95. Our Oregon AIM lawyer Sam Hochberg says the book is about more than just Feds -- it's about how snitching has become such a part of people's lives in these here United States. Redden's a reporter, and he's done a hell of a job of documenting this. It's a shocking story, and I'm afraid it's all too true. Pick up a copy for yourself, or get your bookstore to order it. GUNNY AGAIN: WATCHING WHERE YOU'RE GOING: And it's Big Brother who will be watching. This news has been out there for a few years now, but for you folks who don't know about it, listen to this: Certain models of General Mo

tors cars (and many of their Saabs and most Cadillacs as well) now have this "OnStar" system: Your car is hooked up via satellite link to the central office, and then GM always knows where your car is! It can even call for help. HEY, GM, give 'em CB radios instead!! Please, I hope there's a way to turn those damned things OFF if you drive one. Watch 'em try 'n put on one a scoot next. I think they ARE in parts of Japan, I read. Some smart American wrenches would have that gadget taken down and sold for parts, and would have a long line of customers!! Thanks, and a swing of the Gunny's Sack for that info to Jerry Edgerton, author of Money.com's column, "On Wheels," online at

www.money.com/money/depts/autos/onwheels/

 

Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon A.I.M. Chief of Staff