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Post by davidrally180 on Nov 16, 2005 20:01:07 GMT -5
I'm the proud owner of a 1974 Rally 180. Bright orange (original paint colour) so hard to miss. Its been my daily ride to work all summer long. Still riding when I dont think its going to rain -- nice and fresh out at the moment. I am completely hooked. I wish I had bought one 20 years ago.
Have you thought of picking some centrally located cafe, perhaps on College Street (little Italy and the proximity to Motoretta feels right) and some day/time, like Sundays from 3-5 pm, and telling everyone that this is where to go if you feel like meeting up with other enthusiasts. I would imagine it will take some time to catch on and participation will vary, but its the way to build up a SC.
Just a thought.
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Post by smd on Nov 16, 2005 20:42:02 GMT -5
Why not aproach Motoretta and ask to start a Sunday ride from there?...if your whether is still permitting
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Post by bugerdup on Nov 16, 2005 20:44:18 GMT -5
Hey, I'll be ready this spring for rides and meets. Have you checked out the T.O. Vintage scooter club, They meet every dry Sunday at 1pm at Cafe Faema on Christie at Dupont. Might be worth checking out.
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Post by wheels on Nov 17, 2005 1:19:58 GMT -5
And it would be great if someone could talk up the start of a branch out there. The downside to the vintage club is it is not inclusive of those with the new bikes. And we do have a bunch of new members who have purchased new Vespas this year.
Please if anyone is interested in making a go of a branch...talk it up, and message me privately so we can get things moving.
Thanks!
Curt
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marvin
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Post by marvin on Nov 17, 2005 1:57:13 GMT -5
I went to Toronto this summer and met a great bunch of people, checked out Canadian Scooter corp and got the grand tour from Morey, caught a concert at the Mod Club... long story short... put out the word and meet up with them. Definately worth checking out their Yahoo group. Say hello for me while you're at it.
Mark
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Post by bugerdup on Nov 17, 2005 8:28:45 GMT -5
I would love to take charge, but I am way too passive and shy. I would like to be part of a team to get this going. I am unsure of how things work with starting a chapter, I could use some help please. I'll go back to Motoretta and talk to them and see what they think. I have not met any of the Toronto scooter club. Maybe I'll try and contact them? I'll contact the Burlington, London and Kitchener shops as well. contact me with some advice, and I'll be more than willing to help out. thanks
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Daisy
VCoC Members
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Post by Daisy on Nov 17, 2005 10:44:53 GMT -5
I am way too passive and shy. It doesnt appear so from reading your posts. Who says the President of the Club has to be anything else than who you are? We have a great Pres here (Curt) and he is not an agressive type or anything, just a nice guy willing to spend all his free time for us..... Go for it!
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Post by smd on Nov 17, 2005 14:32:11 GMT -5
We have a great Pres here (Curt) and he is not an agressive type or anything, Just you wait until he's in a spanking mood. Then you'll know the meaning of aggressive.
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Post by bugerdup on Nov 17, 2005 16:52:40 GMT -5
I have emailed four shops in the area about the VCoT chapter. I will contact them later to find out if they will help get things going. The shop owners should know about this site, So it will be getting old and new owners involved in the chapter. I do have past club experience with my VW. The club would hold shows every summer and scavenger hunts and cruises throughout the year. It was open to club members and non club members. Club members did get discounts at the shows and a 5% off new parts at the shop (John's Bug Shop). I wonder if being a club member, we get a discount at Vespa dealers across Canada? I'll try my hardest in the next few weeks to get some reply from the dealers. P.S. Ms Daisy, I really am shy
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Roy
Presidents Club Member
Posts: 1,400
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Post by Roy on Nov 17, 2005 19:38:05 GMT -5
hey bugerdup,
we definitely don't want to push you in doing something you are not comfortable with.
We would like to encourage anybody like yourself who shows so much enthusiasm in scooters to become part of the club and have fun coming together and riding your scooter (or soon to be scooter) with other people in the same area.
Maybe davidrally180 would be interested in helping forming a branch out in the Toronto area with you?
And I know it may sound intimidating, but forming a branch is not all that difficult. Curt will help get anybody started who is interested.
By the way the VCoC had a few branches starting this year and in one case it started with 3 guys at the first branch meeting. That shows you that you don't need a big goup to get things off the ground.
Once you go out and people see you riding together this will create more interest and people will start joining. Could take a bit of time, but the club will be there for them when they decide they want to join.
Don't expect too much in terms of help from the stores. They will encourage you, maybe offer their location as a starting point for rides, and you might be able to post a note there about the branch and where you guys meet. Maybe even some of the people working in the store might be interested to join you, but the initiative and organizing of meetings and rides will be part of the branch to do....and that can actually be a fun thing to do as a group.
By the way, as marvin already mentioned, Canadian Scooter Corp and the Motoretta guys have always been very good to the VCoC. I am sure they would love to see somebody starting a club in TO.
Spread the word and the more people in the Toronto area will come across our board the more likely we'll have a running VCoT branch next spring.
I'd love to see this.
We really encourage for a branch to be open to all scooter riders, regardless whether they ride a vintage scooter or a new scooter. Doesn't matter whether you ride a Vespa, would love to ride a Vespa, or would love to ride together with Vespa riders. That's where you might see a difference to the existing club scene in Toronto and area.
However, check out the existing clubs as well. We definitely would like to see a branch that will co-exist with the current clubs and maybe even organize rides or even a rally together.
....one last word: Don't get discouraged if it takes a bit of time.
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Post by smd on Nov 17, 2005 20:18:34 GMT -5
The entire VCoCanada was started by three or four guys. Look what happened. Bugerdup, are you a club member? If not I suggest you become one. You'll have access to the club site and be able to see the members address list. Sending a simple 'come join us' email to the people in TO is a start.
Dennis
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Daisy
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Post by Daisy on Nov 17, 2005 20:25:16 GMT -5
We have a great Pres here (Curt) and he is not an agressive type or anything, Just you wait until he's in a spanking mood. Then you'll know the meaning of aggressive. What do you know about spanking Curt? ;D
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Daisy
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Post by Daisy on Nov 17, 2005 20:29:40 GMT -5
I have emailed four shops in the area about the VCoT chapter. I will contact them later to find out if they will help get things going. The shop owners should know about this site, So it will be getting old and new owners involved in the chapter. I do have past club experience with my VW. The club would hold shows every summer and scavenger hunts and cruises throughout the year. It was open to club members and non club members. Club members did get discounts at the shows and a 5% off new parts at the shop (John's Bug Shop). I wonder if being a club member, we get a discount at Vespa dealers across Canada? I'll try my hardest in the next few weeks to get some reply from the dealers. P.S. Ms Daisy, I really am shy You are exactly what a new club needs...ENTHUSIASM and willing to actually communicate with people. Believe me....you will meet some nice people and they shyness will wear off and you will have a lot of fun. It is well worth it. Good luck to you Delia
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Post by smd on Nov 17, 2005 20:50:39 GMT -5
What do you know about spanking Curt? ;D I've never spanked Curt.
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Post by smd on Nov 17, 2005 20:52:48 GMT -5
.you will meet some nice people and they shyness will wear off and you will have a lot of fun. Delia was shy...once upon a time.
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Post by bugerdup on Nov 17, 2005 21:45:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll try my best. I have allot of free time, so this should keep me busy. I figure that winter is a slow and quiet time for scooterists, but if your not riding, your talking about riding on VCoC. JAY
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Post by davidrally180 on Nov 17, 2005 22:03:07 GMT -5
What's all this talk of spanking? I'm hoping its some obscure reference to carb tuning and not that I have strayed onto the leather-men club of Canada..... I'd be happy to meet to talk through what could be done to get a local chapter going. I've been in car clubs before (some of my more interesting rides - vovlo p1800s, honda s600, merc 230s, merc 300CE, bmw 635). It can be real hit and miss. No one has much free time, so there has to be some value so people will make the effort to participate. Technical/mechanical advice is the easiest place to start because its something we all need and have in common. Meeting up and all riding to a new cafe each time is good because you start to learn the city and new places. While discounts at stores are okay, I think what is more valuable is a large group with buying power. The best way to approach a mechanic or shop is to give them repeat business. If they know you are going to come back regularly they will never gouge you. If there is an entire group of you treating one person badly leads to a large drop in business. Forget the discount and let them earn a fair wage, but also keep them honest by our patronage (can you tell I have had very expensive cars to maintain since the mid 80s).
Our receptionist dates one of the djs from the mod club and they have a pair of lambrettas. I'll talk to her tomorrow to see if they have any interest.
BTW, with Toronto making it legal for scooters to park on city sidewalks for free, look to see a huge jump in ridership next year.
So yes I'd help get it going but I've got negative free time these days so there is a limit of what I can do. David
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Roy
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Post by Roy on Nov 17, 2005 22:47:20 GMT -5
bugerdup / davidrally180, glad to hear you guys want to give it a shot. David, I agree with you 100%. You are absolutely right. We have a great mechanic in SMD. Be nice to him and he is nice to you. He's got repeat business from a lot of members out here. Hope you guys can find a good reliable scooter mechanic in TO...and if you have a problem finding parts locally, check out SMDs web site ( www.scootermd.com). He ships across the country...comparing prizes doesn't hurt either. David, you got excellent ideas. Have a chat at the Mod club with the 2 Lambretta riders...and talk to scooter riders you meet elsewhere. Also send joestrummer here on the board a Personal Message. I think he might be interested joining you guys. Dennis' idea is also very good. If one of you is a VCoC member you have access to the memberlist and you can email the TO members. You are on the right track! And again ..... THANK YOU.
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Daisy
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Post by Daisy on Nov 18, 2005 3:07:55 GMT -5
What do you know about spanking Curt? ;D I've never spanked Curt. I need proof
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Daisy
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Post by Daisy on Nov 18, 2005 3:09:17 GMT -5
.you will meet some nice people and they shyness will wear off and you will have a lot of fun. Delia was shy...once upon a time. Yeah...I was shy and sweet and nice...and now....muahahahahaha
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