Greetings My new Piaggio Fly 150 did not come with a power outlet. I would like to install one in the glove box. Has anyone done this? Could you share your experiences with me? I would like to re-charge phone, run Ipod, maybe GPS, if that's possible. Thanks to all who respond.

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Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

Hold on there, Sweetpea! Your bike didn't come with a power outlet because it's generator / alternator isn't big enough to power a DC to AC inverter. Precious few scooters have the capability to run something like an inverter, although they may become standard equipment in the near future, with more & more people wanting them for their low-power devices such as cell phones & notebook 'puters.

If you try to hook up an inverter to power an AC outlet on your Piaggio 150, it's gonna do serious damage the electrical system. You're gonna have to get something much bigger than a 150 in order to be able to run something like that.

Foamynozzle: Thanks for the info. I have a lot to learn! I forgot all about my power inquiry when I didn't hear from anybody. I really appreciate your input. What kind of scooter do you have?

Sweetpea

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Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

Hi Sweetpea!

After I posted the info about the power outlet, I realized that you might have been referring to a 12 volt DC outlet, perhaps to power a cell phone charger or other small device that would normally plug into a cigarette lighter-type outlet in a car. In my previous post to you, I was referring to a 115 volt AC outlet that might be used to power a TV, boom-box radio, or who knows... maybe a blender? This realization bothered me all morning, because if this is indeed what you were talking about, then it's entirely possible, and quite easy to do as well.

If all you want is someplace to plug in a 12 volt charger for a cell phone (the type that plugs into an automobile cigarette lighter), then all that's necessary is to wire the outlet into the tail-light circuit of the scooter. Wire it to the running light circuit, not the brake light circuit, as the brake light is only powered when the brake is applied.

An even easier solution would be to wire it directly to the battery, and simply run the wires to wherever it is that you want to plug the charger into. The only draw back to this would be if you left the charger plugged into the phone for an extended period while the engine was not running, which would of course drain the battery. However, a device as small as a cell phone would probably have to be left charging overnight to draw enough power from the battery to drain it to the point of not being able to start the bike.

If you're going to wire it to the battery, remember to install an "in-line" fuse on the positive wire, just in case something would happen to short out. Run the striped wire to the positive terminal of the battery, and the non-striped wire to the negative terminal. Run the wires up to the glove box or anywhere else you want to plug in the charger. Try to hide the wires behind something or inside of openings for an aesthetically pleasing look. Also, try to pick a location to mount the outlet that will not be directly exposed to the weather. You can buy a 12 volt power outlet in any auto parts store for just a few dollars, and I imagine that it will come with it's own instructions.

This is an operation that's so simple that just about anyone can do it in an hour or less.

I like your idea of a power outlet, and I'm gonna do the same thing to my '06 Yamaha Vino 125, and perhaps my 1981 Honda Passport too!

To answer your question about what kind of scooter I have, well, you already know about my Vino & Passport. I've been collecting bikes for years, and I have everything from a 1958 Honda Cub 50 to a 2002 Harley Springer Softail, a few antique Triumphs, many classic Hondas & Yamahas, an ancient Kawasaki, and even a 1961 NSU moped. I won't even begin to list all the cars in my collection... If it has wheels and an engine, I like it, and if I don't already have one, I will someday! Hee-hee!

foamynozzle, that is what I meant. Just an outlet for a cell phone or my ipod. Thanks so much for the know-how. I don't unstand all of it but my husband will.

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Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

Foamy, how does she know all about your collection? Did I miss pictures somewhere? You sound like a woman with an unusual amount of technical savvy. And a great collection of vehicles!

Hi there, Happy Camper!

I mentioned my Yamaha Vino & Honda Passport in the next-to-last paragraph in my post to Sweetpea.

I wish I could figure out how to post some pictures of my collection on this site, but I don't have a clue. Although I can wrench on just about anything with wheels (I'm the best mechanic I know ), I'm pretty slow when it comes to computers & stuff like that. I even shut down my Facebook page last year because it frustrated me that I couldn't figure out how to post photos on it. Most 8-year-old kids are more computer savvy than me. I can't even figure out how to list my location in the profile section of this site. (I'm just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, if you're interested.)

Oh well... maybe someday I'll have enough time to sharpen my computer skills, but until then, I'll just keep on wrenching & riding. So many vehicles, but so little time to enjoy them all.

Darn. When you said "you already know" in reference to your collection, I was hoping you'd shown off your collection. I have an '81 C70 and am a Cub fan. I'd love to see a picture of the '61 NSU. I'll Google it and see what I can find.

You didn't correct the other part of my post, so I have to tell you I don't know if a dude joining a woman's forum, and using the screen name "Foamynozzle," is the best idea I've ever seen, lol. But at least I see it's a reference to your affection for beer. But maybe we'll have to call you Uncle Goober. He's about the only famous mechanic I can think of.

Hello again, Happy Camper!

Yep, I guess I'm busted. When I first found this site, I didn't realize that it was supposed to be only for women who rode their own two-wheelers. I was just looking for scooter info & possibly some folks to ride scooters with. Although I have many "big bikes", I love riding itty-bitty bikes as well. Onliest problem with that is that none of my "biker buddies" want to be seen with anyone riding anything less than a Sportster.

I figure that they just don't know that small bikes & scooters can be just as much fun, and often times, even more fun than a big ol' cruiser that weighs half-a-ton.

Also, I love helping others. When I saw the forum for people with questions about problems they were having with their bikes, I knew I was in the right place. I've been wrenching on engines of every imaginable type since I was in grade school, and I've yet to be "out-wrenched" by anyone. I'm also a PA state certified electrician, so scooters with electrical mysteries have a friend in me.

I've been restoring classic cars & motorcycles for about 25 years, doing everything, including paint & bodywork, mechanical rebuilds, suspension upgrades and interior & upholstery work.

So, anyway... "Uncle Goober"? Might you be referring to the gas-station attendant from Mayberry, RFD?

I'm surprised that the "Foamynozzle" handle gave me away. It's from a Frank Zappa song, in which he refers to the "foamin' yellow nozzle" in a song that mocks the disco clubs of the '70's.

Yes, you're busted, and yes, that's the Goober I was talking about and yes, I (think I can safely say we) understand the big bike mentality, for sure.

With your interest in vintage bikes, you'd be a natural for the vintage club there in Pittsburgh. From what I hear, they put on a good rally. For awhile there was a modern club, but it looks like there site is not active, unless they've moved it. Clubs also LOVE to gain a wrencher; there are ALWAYS people who need help.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pittsburg ... 8426527470

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pittsburg ... 8426527470

http://www.pittsburghscootercompany.com ... hp?album=7

What model is your NSU?

Hi Happy Camper!

Maybe I'll practice a North Carolina backwoods accent, and get myself one of those "Bazooka Joe" hats that Goober always had on his head. I already hang out with a guy we call "Gomer", so this whole Goober thing might just work!

My NSU moped is a Quickly TT, which, from what I've been able to learn about it, is extremely rare. It's in decent shape for being 50 years old, and it runs perfectly. The original tires are still on it, and it's not been restored. I've been tempted to repaint it, but the original red & white paint is mostly all there, so I'll leave it alone. I found it, along with a Honda Trail 90 in an abandoned house in Pittsburgh that was about to be torn down. I actually located the title for the NSU through a friend of mine that knew the previous occupants of the house. No title for the Honda, though.

The links to the vintage bike clubs you mentioned in your previous post are all Facebook links. Too bad for me, I guess, as I no longer have a Facebook page. And no, I'm not gonna create a new one. Trying to post pictures online is pretty much impossible for me, as I'm about as computer illiterate as a person can be. I can do email and buy stuff on eBay, but that's about the extent of my computer skills. I tried to learn how to download pics from my digital camera (which is now being used as a doorstop) once or twice, but lack of patience and a strong unwillingness to read directions thwarted my efforts.

Anybody out there know where I can find a Sunbeam motorcycle? Made in Britain 'till about the early '60's... and a Vincent would make me quite happy, too!

Here's a pic of the Quickly model he's talking about:

http://www.mopedarmy.com/photos/brand/142/3906/

The PVSC Pittsburg Vintage Scooter Club seems to be most accessible on Facebook. However, the last link is to the Pittsburgh Scooter Company, and that is a regular website. Here's another link to them. Just click on the for to the "Rider Cafe," and you'll find pics and info on the various scooter activities and groups in town. Calling or visiting the store should get you info on how to contact the group the old fashioned way.

http://www.pittsburghscootercompany.com/

According to one of the Facebook pages, an email for one of the contacts for the club is dj@steelcitysoul.com.

This is a link to scoot.net, also a regular website, with pics from their recent rally:
http://scoot.net/gallery/2011/06/pvsc/