I believe it was Kenny Rogers that said, “you’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, and – central to my argument – know when to walk away.” When the weather turns south, that’s a lesson to be learned.

The importing of vintage scooters restored oversees has been a hotly debated topic with a lot of detractors, but it’s an arena in which Kevin has worked hard to prove the cynics wrong, working through several generations of improvements to get to the best restoration he can. We conclude our interview in part two.

Kevin Ochel is a New York scooterist who has spent the last ten years developing a very thick skin in response to criticisms while amassing knowledge of the dos and don’ts of scooter restoration. Last week Kevin kindly agreed to sit down with us and share his experiences.

A cream colored Vespa ET4 that has sat in the same spot through rain, wind, and snow on the upper East side over the past few months – without any form of lock or chain and the plate removed – sparked a mystery among local residents.

It started with the occasional sighting of a group ride in Bushwick or perhaps Williamsburg followed by hushed rumors in the back rooms of bars by local scooterists. The Moped Army is here and in full effect.

Given my recent ticket, and with both plates back on the bikes, this could be a risky move, but to start at least, 2011 will be the year of a new parking methodology.

Sadly, I must admit that I allowed myself to go MIA for a while. I let the cold weather and snow conquer my drive to ride.

Unwrapping the Vespa PX after three long months of winter, I was greeted today by a nice holiday present from the meter maids.

This my friends, is why New York scooterists get so pissed about parking issues in the city and in particular not being able to park legally on the sidewalk or have dedicated two-wheeled parking.

It’s pothole season again, but this year amid Bloomberg budget concerns, the DOT is not just upping the ante, they’re joining the world of blogging. Facts and figures inside.