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If you want a truly portable computer, you’ve got to stick a gasoline engine and two wheels on it. This casemod by René Grau is a fully-loaded gaming computer that can reach 40 MPH. Racing simulators must be very realistic on it. -via Make
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Ruger the Australian Cattle Dog is pretty good with a scooter, but in this case he was distracted, and the cat paid the price. See more at his Facebook page. Link -via Arbroath
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In the 1960s, Harley-Davidson was struggling. Honda, with its line of popular scooters, was not. So Harley-Davidson tried to break into this market starting in 1960. The “Topper”, powered by a 165cc two-stroke engine, was marketed as a recreational and utility vehicle, useful for fun excursions and package delivery. It even came with a sidecar option for people or cargo. The line never took off, though, and Harley-Davidson ended the experiment in 1965.
Link | Images: Modern Vespa and Motorcycle Info
Terry Hope was presented with a challenge. He was working aboard an 88-foot sailboat and the captain would not let him bring a standard electric scooter on board. The only way he could have one is if it were to fit into a suitcase, and it had to be rechargeable off the grid. So he developed the Hybrid Electric Kinetic Photovoltaic Vehicle you see here! The battery is recharged with both solar and kinetic power -and it folds up. Get the specs at his website. Link -Thanks, Terry!
Instructables member Shawn Melito designed and built a special “water scooter” for his then-5-year-old daughter, who has Cerebral Palsy. This gave her buoyancy, mobility, and independence on the water -under supervision, of course. He explains how he he built at at the link. Then comes the kicker:
BTW – After two seasons of use my daughter has grown out of this, but it still works great. It is free to the first person who has a disabled child the right size that can use it safely. We live near Toronto, Ontario.
Link -via NeatoBambino
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There’s a store in Clearwater, Florida that has a unique sign. It reads “DUI Scooters”. This scooter dealership caters to people who have lost their driver’s licenses, but need transportation. Under the law, riders of low-powered scooters don’t need a license:
They have pedals, which may or may not be used, and run for up to 25 miles on an electric charge. They fit a state and federal description of “low-speed electric bicycles.” Sunset Scooters gives customers copies of the law, recommending they laminate it and keep it with them.
“At first, we had some trouble with law enforcement basically not understanding what these were,” Vitello said. “Even some judges were completely mystified. But now they all seem to be on board.
Link via Marginal Revolution | Photo: St. Petersburg Times
Now That’s Nifty compiled 41 pictures of custom scooters trying to shake the nerd label. As you might have guessed from their cool and quirky style, many of these custom jobs are Japanese. You’ll definitely notice some Akira inspired scooters in the mix, though most are just trying to look like motorcycles. Link
(Image source: AutoBlog Green)
Inspired by the armadillo, designer Marc Graells Ballve made this retractable armored shell for his scooter to protect it from theft. Do you think that it will work?
via OhGizmo! | Designer’s Website | Image: Marc Graells Ballve
Charlie Martin’s van broke down and she really wanted to play some slots. This strong willed senior took to her motorized scooter and hopped onto the freeway in hopes of reaching the casino. She had to pull over because her oxygen tank was low. As she got up she tumbled into the bushes and had to be rescued.
She said she took the fastest route possible, which is Interstate 25.
“I only had one person yell at me and it was a kid,” Martin said. “I told him to shut up.”
She was taken to the hospital to be checked over. Even after all that she was still hoping to get a ride to the casino.
Colin Fruze was tired of drivers following his scooter too closely, so he developed a flamethrower to ward them off:
‘The flames are pretty big and up to 15ft long so you could definitely set fire to someone’s car if you wanted to.’
‘The only problem is it can get rather hot if you are riding the moped and blast the flames when the wind is in the wrong direction.’[...]
‘It was quite tricky to make and the first version wouldn’t fire the flames when the moped was moving,’ he said.
‘My second attempt kept setting fire to itself, but my third version works really well and I’m very pleased with it.’
But sadly Colin, who built the moped in his spare time in his back garden, will not legally be allowed to use it on the road.
Link via DVICE | Photo: Goeff Robinson Photography
Vespa’s South African division had this stretch scooter made as a promotional gimmick. They refer to it as a family-sized vehicle:
According to Vespa, here’s a list of uses for the stretched scooter: it’s a sensible family car on two wheels and kids will look forward to going to school on it. You can be the designated driver and still park outside the front door of the party. When you make new buddies, you can take them home with you – and you save money on fuel.
It’s a custom job, so don’t rush down to a dealership expecting to find one.
Link via CrunchGear
This would be the vehicle of my dreams: the Hover Scooter, a mix-up between a motorbike, a scooter and a hovercraft. Seen here on a test run in 1960. Tweed jacket and tie are optional.
– via diskursdisko
From the Upcoming 
ueue, submitted by diskursdisko.
After World War II, the French could not afford the most sophisticated military equipment, and so improvised with what they had on hand. Hence their production of scooter-mounted 75mm recoilless rifles. Blogger James R. Rummel offers more information and photographs of this vehicle.
Neatorama reader Mark Schuette told us of his invention: a new mode of transportation powered by … dogs!
Though dog mushing is an old sport, Mark’s new twist lets you have your own urban Iditarod on a dog-powered scooter, trike, or skateboard.
Link – Thanks Mark!
Hey, it’s a win-win scenario. It’s exercise for the dogs and fun for you (Better than this form of doggie exercise!)
The “Quicksilver” is a retro-future scooter made from appliances and scrap metal.
I am a metal sculptor, and have absolutely no experience with scooters at all. What follows in this instructable is my experience of stripping down a mid 1980′s Honda elite 125cc scooter, and totally redesigning it with aluminum scrap metal. For the curious, please visit my web site: www.nemomatic.com to get a look at my other work and see how this beast fits into the bigger picture.
Link – via Boing Boing Gadgets
