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I just peaked at the community map, so I know you're all out there. I'm suffering from rally-envy...seems our eastern most contemporaries are having all the fun, comradery and making lasting friendships & memories. Let's celebrate the end (hopefully) of all this covid madness with a rally of our own! If you are in the western part and interested in a rally to meet other venture riders (non-venturers welcome too!), please respond with location, how far/long you'd be willing to travel time frames that work and if willing to help plan/organize. Also, if you have any locations in mind, even better. I'm in San Jose, CA and willing to go ~7-800 miles (two days of travel). Late spring through the fall works for me. Thanks!

A 1961 Sears-Allstate Compact scooter (aka Puch DS 60). A 60cc 2-stroke with a 3-speed gearbox. I picked it up about a month ago. Everything was seized up. The motor, the wheels, the chain was rusted solid and the cables were all seized. It was about a 5 hour wrestling match to get the wheels off, open up the drum brakes, clean everything out and get them to the point that it now rolls! Chain has been soaking & getting regular 'massages'. It now moves freely, but I may end up replacing it as not terribly expensive to do so. Soaked the cables with penetrating oil, they are all free now, clutch works, gearbox will move through the gears (fresh oil to replace the gunk that was in there). The last registration tag was from 1982, so I'm assuming its been sitting since then. The piston was seized solid into the cylinder, assuming someone ran it w/ regular gas until it seized, then parked it. After a couple hours of wrestling it, with the aid of a block of wood and mallet, was able to free the piston. It did not come with a carb, the original was a Bing 17mm. Rather than chasing the internet to the end to find one, I bought a repop chinese carb, which looks to be fairly good quality for the price, surprisingly. With the engine free, I had no spark, so opened up the flywheel/magneto. Heavily corroded points, cleaned those up and now have a strong spark! Tried to fire it up the other day and nothing....got fuel, got spark...did a compression test and of course it was not good, less than 50psi. Rings are shot, so managed to find some and they are on order. Amazingly enough, there are groups and companies out there dedicated to keeping these old puch scoots running. Many, many parts are available. I don't plan to do a restoration, just a preservation. Get it running, keep the patina and do some scooting on it! Wish me luck! (please)

Have in there, Boss!!

I appreciate the positive comments and encouragement. About a week ago I was considering just selling it as-is and letting someone else take it over the finish line. I've got a full head of steam now and looking forward to riding it someday.

Looking good. I saw one of those for sale nearby recently. Considered it briefly but decided that I just didn't have the time or energy to mess with it.

If Yamaha had refined the Gen II bikes, I think it would have sold much better in its later years. Eliminating that annoying clutch basket whine, adding fuel injection and a modern stereo would have been a great start. But nope, they wouldn't do any updates. I don't think the Goldwings have an annoying gear whine.

My riding buddy and I are going to Daytona this year. It's been 11 years since either one of us have been and are looking forward to it. We have ridden down several times and tent camped a few times. This year we are trailering down and staying in my RV. I've learned the 12 hour ride isn't much fun anymore so I bought a RV so I can travel more comfortably and still enjoy riding when I get there. Steve

Me neither! My thoughts would be to meet/stay at one location (or all nearby in the same town). My idea of camping is a 3*, or less, hotel... But to each his own. My vision of the rally would be a long weekend; day 1: Meet & greet at the end of our ride in at a set location from afternoon into evening, put real names and faces to our stage names, ogle over each other's bikes, etc. Day 2: Group ride to a couple of locations to take in some local scenery, then find a local park to have a group BBQ/picnic (or restaurant) & enjoy some refreshments. Day 3 and/or beyond is whatever each of us decides to do, individually or in groups. And a thought that just popped into my head....If we have a sizable group, let's do some kinda raffle, pass the hat or something, and find a charitable group in the town we descend upon to leave some goodwill behind. As far as drinking AND riding goes. If that's your thing, please go do that somewhere else. To each his own, but I personally do not wish to ride with anyone who is not 100% sober. There are enough variables to contend with already. So, we are up to a count of 3! Any others? Non Venture riders welcome too!

My experience?: It's good for a couple or three days, some may have organized events or places to go to, others not so much, with VR it usually is not an expected thing to join in whatever may be planned, but it's enjoyable to participate. Mostly things are quite safe, except when Canucks show up, then the table is open.😁. In Oregon you should be fairly safe though. It's a great time to get to know other folks that you only have typing experience with, although there may even be some surprises. Nice thing is, there is always somebody else to talk to when the subject turns to matters of unexpected interest. Sometimes a communal meal is organized, sometimes not. These meals are also a good time and helps you to learn more about others, especially when they buy you too much beer. You can come and go as you please, come as late as you want or leave before you get there. Sometimes there are spontaneous rides or just a ride to get ice-cream. Occasionally there might be a mechanic available and if not there is at least one or two who think that #3 is good choice for messing things up. If it is anywhere near me,,,,,, I'm going.!! VR meets are GREAT!!

Good times.

Oregon is doable for me. I'm in Northern California (SF Bay Area). Venture West 2022! Anyone?

Well, that picture was actually taken after my haircut.

Hey, Marcarl , don't you accuse me of not being a long haired hippy. I did get a haircut last week though.

I use the Ram X cradle https://www.rammount.com/shop-all/motorcycle/phone-mounts