...Meanwhile Back In Paradise...

While we freeze our butts off in Japan, some of us are getting busy in Hawaii.  Old school Puch tuner Lance is in the middle of a sick Maxi Rigid build.  If he builds bikes like how he builds his cars, we are in for a treat.  Can't wait for the finsh product:

Hawaiian Chopper!!

In the middle of Winter...

We are currently in the middle of Winter season here in Japan.  All moped production are currently on hold.  I am not accustomed to shelving projects because of the weather.  Unlike in Hawaii, you can wrench and ride all year long.  I can't even hook up the new d-restricted Estroil pipe on my ZA50 Gila!!  Got to wait till Spring I suppose....zanen :(

European Blog Site

A friend of mine veedubh20 turned me onto this blog site called TuningMatters.com.  It's a European based blog about scooters featuring product reviews and event happenings.  They have tons of videos of their drag circuit, events, and custom shows that take place all over Europe.  Their scooter building community is huge with top notch bikes and events.  Also check out the other blogs listed on their site.  They're kick ass too!!

Tuning Does Matter!!

We made the mag!!!

Another Kick A$$ Issue!!

December 2012 edition of Moto Champ Magazine reviewed last month's 16th Scooter Meeting 2012 at Akigase, Japan.  It was an awesome event with lots of fast bikes and fun people.  A great experience overall (check out my previous posts for a full review).  AND LOOK WHO MADE THE MAGAZINE:

Happy New Year 2013

** Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu **

 

Happy New Year From Japan!!

 

...May this year bring two stroke fortune and fame... 

 

Back In Paradise

Back in Hawaii for a short vacation. Aside from soaking up some sun and surf, I checked up on some bikes I left behind at my family houses throughout the island:

Mopeders

Mopeders is a moped group here in Japan.  Majority of their members are based around Tokyo and Osaka.  They hold meetings and rallies similar to those from the States.  I hope to join up with them one of these days.  For more information check out www.mopeders.com.  Here is a video of their latest rally in Tokyo:

Looks like a lot of fun!!

16th Scooter Meeting 2012 in Akigase (Part II)

Moto Champ Magazine's 16th Scooter Meeting 2012 in Akigase featured a 1/32 mile shoot out.  Pros and amateurs alike were welcome to test their bikes and tuning skills down the track.  The entry fee was 5,000 yen (about $60).  Each competitor had five runs throughout the day.  Best time wins and featured in the next Moto Champ Magazine.

Overall it was a great event.  There were a lot of incredibly fast bikes.  And a few just for looks and fun.  I only wish that there were a similar event back in Hawaii.  We islanders need an outlet to exercise our speed demons and motor bike tuning skills.  Better a track than the local roads and freeways.

16th Scooter Meeting 2012 in Akigase (Part I)

Best Mag Ever!!

This is a two part series of an awesome scooter event I attended this past Veteran's Day weekend.  It was Moto Champ Magazine's 16th Scooter Meeting 2012 in Akigase, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.  If you remember from my previous post, Moto Champ is a magazine devoted to all kinds of motor bikes especially scooters like the Honda Monkey, Dio, Zoomer (Ruckus), and Yamaha Jog.  This event was one of many happenings Moto Champ Magazine sponsors throughout the year.  The 16th Scooter Meeting 2012 in Akigase featured a 1/32 mile shoot out as well as a skills course and parts swap meet.  Along with my moto-crazed friend Soma-san, we traveled about 2 hours to Saitama to see what it was all about.

For Otaku Use Only

Japan Street Legal

My Puch is finally Japan street legal!!  Got my Japanese license plate, insurance, and registration from the local city office this past week.  So get ready for the misadventures of Moped Luau in Japan!!

STAY TUNED!!

Kanji Plate desuyo!!

Puch ZA50 21 Tooth Sprocket Fit Up

I wanted to share my experiences on fitting up a 21 tooth front sprocket onto a ZA50 motor.  I know a lot of Hawaii tuners like GotRigid? been using them for years but I never got a chance to run them because they weren't as readily available back then as they are now.  I did some research on the normal forums and asked our local Puch community on methods used for fit up.  Here's my lessons learned:

Soma-san's Corner

The two-stroke obsession spans across the globe. When I moved to Japan, I met my friend Japanese Soma-san.  He is a fellow two-stoke head like me!!  Like most Japanese, he is crazy into his hobby.  He owns a good amount of bikes.  He has:  two Honda MB5s, a Honda MB8, a Suzuki Z, and Yamaha 250Z.  He has tons of parts.  He even has parts under is desk in the office.  When I say parts, I mean two engines, a frame, a fairing, a exhaust, etc.  This guys is crazy!!  Like me!!  I turned him on to Treatland USA and now he is straight up lost his mind!!

Honda MB5 in its natural habitat