I met a fellow scooterist (Keith) from Georgia on eBay who had requested that I make a custom size Top Box Cover so to fit his added rack and gasoline tank. At first I was more interested in the size difference until I suddenly realized the genius of this approach that may very well save me somewhere this summer.
Last summer I had mentioned in one of my adventures that I had learned while riding through the mountains to never turn down a gasoline station since the next one may be far further than expected.
Having an extra liter or two of fuel in case of emergencies while riding in these areas is a Great Idea. Furthermore, the rack and container used is a very clean installation. “Peter Likes!”
In fact, just before staring this blog entry I ordered a set-up for my own Vespa that will certainly be useful on my first long trip to Jacksonville. Apparently these are perfectly legal in the US. I will verify if they are legal in Canada.
I will show you Keith’s pictures since he gave me permission and then where to buy the goodies. The rack is actually from a Lambretta.
Links to EBay:
- http://www.ebay.com/itm/181058769373?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619
- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wolfman-Wolf-Bottle-Holster-/221186318612?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item337fbb6114&vxp=mtr
- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wolfman-Motorcycle-Dual-Sport-Auxiliary-Fuel-Bottle-1-Liter-A126-/270859016966?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f10749b06&vxp=mtr
I ordered mine, you all may want to order yours.
MG Driving/Riding Adventures 
Hello Peter, and Thanks !
I own a Piaggio MP3/250, and a Vespa GTS/300 Super, and 1L of Fuel will get you 10 to 20 miles. Just North of Atlanta where I live, we have some beautiful routes to experience in the North Georgia Mountains and Twisties. I often get caught up with the moments of creeks and water falls, and forget to check my fuel. This has saved me numerous times. If I know I am going far, I often carry 2 bottles. Take Care, Keith LaBorde, Marietta GA.
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Hi, the bottle by wolfman should be fine, right?
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The one Wolfman Sells is a 1L Bottle, but it is Green Color, but it is made for Fuel just a different manufacturer. Since I have two bikes, I ordered 2 of the MSR Bottles, they are Red in Color. I often carry both Gasoline and Water, and wanted to not take a sip out of the wrong one.
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Peter, you should also consider Rotopax modular fuel cells. Some folks mount them under their topcase, or even on, or under, the front rack. They’re pricier than the excellent suggestion you are considering, and I’m not sure I’ll do more than a Canadian tire gas can strapped to the top of the GTS battery compartment, but I really like the Rotopax system. Very cool. (www.rotopax.com)
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Here’s a link to a ModernVespa thread with pics of a Rotopax installation on a GTV: http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic66106
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Oops, make that a GTS, not a GTV.
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David, I have some friends with the Rotopax… What bothered me, they would find leakage of Gasoline inside there TopCase… It got all over there stuff… The Fuel Bottles that I use, are commonly used for Camping Stoves, and the Cap is very fool proof. You can also buy new O-Rings for them. So, I leaned on the safe side…
I was trying to explain to Peter when we first exchanged emails, I consider “Functionality” and “Cosmetics” on everything I do… So that is what attracted me to the TopCase Covers. I shared some ideas with Peter, so make something similar but different for me.
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A leaking fuel container is obviously a no-go. I was looking at the MSR bottles. There are also folks on MV that have that solution as well. If I recall one guy uses one of those metal straps to secure those bottles under the rear rack. With 4 MSR 1 litre bottles you could travel a very long way indeed without worries.
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Yes, I know one of those guys… I tried the Stainless Pipe Straps w/screw, and didn’t like them as they would scratch the chrome on the rack. A better solution is called a Cynch Strap (Purchased mine on Amazon.com) that you loop through it’s buckle, and then it secures to itself with Velcro. They are commonly used for Wire Management for Network Cables, but they make them as wide as 2″, and as long as 18″. I use this as a solution on my Classic Rack I have mounted above the Battery on my GTS/Super. I don’t see a way to attach a picture here to my response, but its a nice rack Didge makes. If you are on MV, then you probably know what I am talking about. Mine cost way to much money as I had it sent out and had it Chrome Plated. The Lambretta Sprint II Rack is a more economical solution.
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I needed to thank you for this good read!! I absolutely loved every bit of it.
I have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…
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