Tubeless perfection & Vespa service

The hunt for scratchless tubeless rims continues. This time I tried using shrinked thermoplastic on the tire-bars, and this actually seems to work! Expect to change the thermoplastic often though.

Second observation: Mounting the tire with some experience now only takes 5 mins. Practice practice!

Finished set of tubeless: Schwalbe Raceman on polished SIP rims. Only issue now: Which scooter to put these on? 

A new 180SS has seen its way into my garage, but this time it isn't mine. A local guy called me regarding getting the throttle wire replaced, so I ended up agreeing to look over the whole scooter and give it a general service. 

Another 180SS ready for the road here in Stavanger! 

Some ups & some downs

During the weekend I tried to install my first tubeless wheel. I must admit that I was expecting a struggle to get it to fit, but not as difficult as it actually turned out to be. Difficult as in "impossible"; at least with my tools. 

Result: After struggling for a day, going out for more & longer tire-bars and new rim protectors, I successfully destroyed both the bead of the Continental Twist & also the rim edge. (Rim protectors from SIP: Too soft. Rim protectors from Biltema: Much harder, to a point where they have to be pressed onto the rim edge. These were an absolute nightmare to work with on a 10" wheel.)

It started with a scratch, and then another one, and then the tire edge was damaged... and the rim edge. After some time I just gave up both the rim & tire. I figured I might as well use this wheel for practice, and started working without rim protectors. 

Tirebars of different lengths, rim protectors of different qualities, bead-breaker and a semi-mounted tubeless, but destroyed rim/tire. 

Lesson learned: right tools is at least 50% of the job. I need a tire changer, for example this tool to get this job done myself. No-mar tire changers are available on Ebay for a reasonable cost, I might be crazy enough to invest in one... 

Second work done this weekend can be read and viewed in my Rally and 180SS blogs. 

Third. To mark summertime and start of new scooter season, Roughnecks Scooterclub had its first rideout in 2011 today. If you wan't to read or view pictures from this, visit Roughnecks homepage (google translate available) and Roughnecks Facebook page (sorry, Norwegian only).

Autumn is here

For the first time ever, my 180SS failed me this morning. We've been on holidays for two weeks, and the weather back home has been cold and wet. The scooters are stored in my garage, but obviously, two weeks of neglect was too much for Regine, my 180SS. Running back and forth a couple of times in the driveway only helped working up a sweat.


Then it was pretty convenient to have Yosephine standing by, my 1973 Vespa 50S. Made it to work on a scooter today too... :-)

Starting off my blogging carreer!

Welcome to my blog!

Starting off my blogging carreer, my intention is to share with you my desire and passion for technique and things on wheels; more specifically cars, motor bikes and scooters...

Although I am Norwegian, I will blog in English to be able to reach fellow enthusiasts all over the world.
I am located in Stavanger, the oil capital of Norway. 35 years of age, I still have the kid in me... :-)

First off I would like to share with you my passion for Vespa scooters by introducing my rides. At a later stage I might want to share with you some of my other interests.

Enjoy!

...Turbojeger