Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Boalsburg Moto Hang at Kissell Motorsports This Week

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Woo Hoo!!! It’s time for another Moto Hang!

Paul Ruby leaping in the air by a Vespa GTS scooterIt’s Exciting, Surprising and Delightful

Well, not everyone may be as animated as my friend Paul Ruby, there’s still a thrill attending the Moto Hang.  This week it’s moving to Kissell Motorsports in State College, Pennsylvania.

Kissell Motorsports signShiny Objects and More

Here’s the note Moto Hang founder Ken Hull sent out announcing the next “hang”.

As you know Moto Hang 2016 will be changing venues every third Wednesday of the month. Originally I was thinking of member homes only and not commercial locations. But when Craig Kissell of Kissell Motorsports graciously offered to host us, I couldn’t say no! How fun will this be!!! Moto Hang at an awesome moto shop! Just think, you can come with your old tried moto and leave with a brand new one! Haha, just kidding. Or am I? :^) Either way, Craig and Josh have very kindly stepped forward and offered their space. How cool!

This Kissell sponsored Moto Hang will take place Wednesday May 18th starting at 6pm.  And get this, Craig offered to fully fund the food and drinks!!! We will still have the donation jar available so we can keep funding future Hangs but a big thanks to Craig for this generous offer!

Let’s make this Moto Hang one of the biggest! Let’s fill the Kissell lot with bikes, people, laughs, and loitering (like we do best)! :^D

See you at Kissell Motorsport!

Ride On!
Ken

Craig Kissell, owner of Kissell MotorsportsCraig Kissell, Owner of Kissell Motorsports

Craig will be happy to see Moto Hangers come out tomorrow.   I always enjoy doing a little dreaming in the showroom.  Should be even better with food!  While not exactly balmy, the weather tomorrow evening should be dry and cool.  Perfect for the adventuring Moto Hangers.

Below is the address, phone and map — everything you’ll need to get there.

Kissell Motorsport
101 Hawbaker Industrial Dr, State College, PA 16803
Phone:(814) 861-7890

 

Boalsburg Moto Hang

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boots in water with reflectionRain for the Moto Hang

Rain throughout the day made me wonder whether the first Moto Hang of the 2016 season would be cancelled.  To make matters worse I was walking to the event in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania because I didn’t have time to pick up my scooter from the dealer — repairs are complete and it’s ready to roll.

motorcycle exhaust pipesA few good motorcycles

Unlike the normal crowd of machines seen at a Moto Hang the turn out was light this evening.  It was some of the Aerostich and Klim crowd making their way in the rain to Ken Hull’s “shack”.  The shiny pipes on a Suzuki Boulevard was the only cruiser to appear.

2016 Boalsburg Moto HangClearing skies over the Moto Hang

By 6:30pm the skies cleared a bit providing a glimpse of sunshine — momentary relief from scattered mist and drizzle.  Not the sort of weather for a lot of shiny machines.  The two motorcycles on the left belong to Ken.  By the end of the evening four riders made their way to Boalsburg.

framed portrait of past moto hang membersMoto Hangers of the past

On the wall of the shack is a portrait of Moto Hang members from the past.  This was before my time.  There were a lot more women in attendance in the old days…

Steve Williams and his Vespa scooterVespa art

Also on the wall was a representation of my Vespa experience.  I guess I’m always at the shack in spirit.

Craig Kissell of KIssell Motorsports talking at the Moto HangMoto Hang storytelling

Craig Kissell of Kissell Motorsports shares a story of riding through a hurricane with 100mph winds and blinding rain.  Actually I think he’s talking about one of the new electric ZERO motorcycles he has in the shop.  I’ll have to check those out.

John at the moto hang with his Yamaha Tenere 1200Riding characters

John arrived on his Yamaha Tenere 1200 — a machine you expect to scoff at rain.

Ken Hull at the Moto HangKen Hull, founder of the Moto Hang.

Paul Ruby at the Moto HangDespite the “Alan” label, this is Paul Ruby.  He arrived by truck this evening.  During a discussion of a Moto Hang presence in the upcoming Memorial Day parade it was determined Paul should lead the group in his 3-wheeled Cushman Police vehicle.

Dennis at the moto hangDennis, another sometimes character at the Moto Hang.  He arrived without his Harley (still in pieces) and his Honda Magna at home.

Moto Hang group photoFirst Moto Hang group photo for 2016.  Happy campers.  I should have adjusted the mirror on the Suzuki so I could be in the picture.

Talking at the Moto HangAlways some storytelling going on at the Moto Hang.  I almost bought one of those bright Aerostich Darien jackets.

Paul ruby and Ken HullPaul always has something unusual going on in his life.  He just shared a picture of his latest purchase — some sort of street sweeper he found at an auction.  The discussion of how it might fit in the parade was underway.

KTM at the Moto HangAs things wound down people started to leave.  The departure of the KTM signaled my own trip toward Duffy’s Tavern where I picked up a cheeseburger for my wife.  Seemed the least I could do since I was walking by on my way home.

For a more typical look at what goes on at these events have a look at a past Moto Hang.

Boalsburg Moto Hang

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Steve Williams at Boalsburg Moto HangRiding Season Kicks Off in Central Pennsylvania with the Boalsburg Moto Hang

Get your motorcycles and scooters out of mothballs and ride on down to the Moto Hang in Boalsburg on Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm. To find your way check out the Google Map to the Moto Hang.

Here’s the message I received from the founder of the event — Ken Hull:

Ladies and Gentleman, Start your Engines!

This Wednesday will be our first Moto Hang gathering for 2016! Please come with your bike and help get things rolling! This year we will have some basic snacks and refreshments for you along with the usual fun and friendly atmosphere that’s the hallmark of our events. Hope to see you all this Wednesday!

Ride On!
Ken

Moto Hang 2016
Wednesday May 4th
5:30pm to 7:30pm

To see some of the past doings at the Moto Hang check out some of the Boalsburg Moto Hang photos.

Boalsburg MOTO HANG

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Boalsburg MOTO HANGThis coming Wednesday evening at 5pm is the next occurrence of the Boalsburg MOTO HANG. The weather forecast promises a fine ride so there should be lots of riders on hand.  If you’re within riding distance stop by. A wide range of machines comprise the collective machine show including Harley, Triumph, BMW, Ducati, Honda, KTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki and of course, Vespa.

It’s not a club — just riders who like to get together to look at machines, share stories, and have a good time.

For a quick look at a past gathering check out the Boalsburg Moto Hang.

The MOTO HANG takes place at the barn behind the log house at:

203 East Main Street
Boalsburg, PA 16827

Night at the Opera (I mean Moto Hang)

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Hot dog at the Boalsburg Moto HangEach of us have our own priorities at event.  Doesn’t matter if it’s a wedding, family picnic, or a motorcycle gathering, something will catch our attention.  This evening at the Boalsburg Moto Hang I was obsessed by what I cannot have — a magical, delightful, soul soaring all grass fed beef.  Figures Ken Hull would raise the hot dog bar just when a heart attack rules out any such sweet obsession.  This one was destined for home and my wife Kim.

Young man with hot dog at the Boalsburg Moto HangSeems like yesterday when I was a kid with few cares and space to enjoy a soda and a dog.  This young man arrived at the Moto Hang on the back of a Vespa ET4 and quickly found the refreshments which included homemade chocolate chip cookies.  He passed on the beer.

For the rest of those in attendance I think other things drew their attention.  Like motorcycles.

1940s style Triumph motorcyclePaul Ruby seems to always show up with something unique.  This time with a 1940s style Triumph built from a 2009 machine.  Solid rear end now along with a lot of other “vintage” modifications.  It’s going up for sale on eBay.

Vintage Honda motorcycleLots of other machines on display like this vintage Honda.

150603_moto_hang003I have no idea what this is.  A guess would be Yamaha.  Looks tall.  Looks complicated.

shiny chrome on a Harley Davidson motorcycleLots of shiny chrome around too.  Good for photos but not sure what else.

vintage Honda GoldwingI’m not sure when a motorcycle falls into the “vintage” category.  I tend to use whenever something is older than my kids.  Not sure where this Honda Goldwing falls.  If it’s a pre-1980 version then it’s vintage in my book.

modified Triumph Bonneville motorcycleThis Triumph Bonneville appears from time to time.  I told the owner if I was going to steal a motorcycle at the Moto Hang, this would be the one.

guys talking at the Boalsburg Moto HangWhen I arrived there were only 15 or 16 motorcycles and two scooters.  The night was young though.

ken hull showing pictures on Scooter in the Sticks of the Boalsburg Moto NangKen Hull was showing Mark (left) a picture I posted of him on his Vespa smoking a cigar.  A lot of motorcycle gatherings offer the fragrance of petrochemical fuels and lubricants.  The Moto Hang has the sweet incense of a cigar.

motorcyclesNice to talk about a wide range of subjects and motorcycles without anyone ringing the “we don’t talk to you” bell.  The Moto Hang has something for everyone.

round the world mileage chartThis is the front fender of Robert’s dual sport Suzuki that he recently rode around the world — 20,902 miles.  Impressive ride.

Motorcycles at Boalsburg Moto HangBy 6:15pm there was no room for motorcycles in the alley and they started lining up along the street.

motorcycles at the Boalsburg Moto HangBy 6:30pm they were lined up almost to Main Street.  I even saw a trike this evening.

Three Vespa scooters at the Boalsburg Moto HangThree Vespa scooters made the trip this evening — evidence that all are welcome.  So if there are any shy scooterists in the area there’s no need to shrink before the motorcycles.

It was a good night even without a hot dog…