Continental Motors, and more!

I took a ride to visit my good friend Kevin in San Diego yesterday, and on the way down I stopped in to visit Continental Motors, our dealer in Oceanside, California.  Oceanside is about 30 miles north of San Diego, and Continental Motors was an easy place to find.  I’d never been to this dealership and I was eager to see it.  I called first and asked to speak to whoever knew about the California Scooters, and I was quickly connected with Don.   Don told me he reads the California Scooter blog every day and he was looking forward to meeting me (he made me feel like a celebrity).

My new friend Don and I in the Continental Motors showroom.

Wow, what a place!   Continental Motors is right on the main drag through downtown Oceanside, they’ve been around since 1968, and Don runs a first class operation.  Continental Motors sells new Saab automobiles, and I spent some time looking at them, too.   They’re sleek.  Don told me that the Saab division is doing well, and they have a new 9.5 model coming out pretty soon.  My friend John had a Saab a few years ago, and he’s always said it was the best car he’s ever owned.  When it’s time for some new wheels, I’m going to take a hard look at these Swedish rocket ships!

I really enjoyed meeting Don. He’s a cool guy, and more importantly, he’s an enthusiast.  Don loves the California Scooter motorcycles, and he feels that way for the same reasons we all do – the style, the workmanship, and the memories they evoke and create.  

Don told me the first motorcycle he ever owned was a lime green ’58 Mustang.  He said that when he sees the photos of Steve’s Pony on this blog he wonders if it’s his original bike (it isn’t; Steve’s is a ’53).  Don’s heavily into older British bikes, he used to race motorcycles, and he’s an all-around good guy.   You’ll like him right away.   I sure did. 

So, this morning I pushed my little red Classic out of the garage and fired her up, and I had a great ride into work.  When I arrived at the Scooter factory, things were hopping along (just like they always are), and I saw that our new sidecar-equipped California Scooter was parked out front.  But that’s not all!  Somebody left the keys in it!    Boy oh boy oh boy!

Hey, I’m no fool, and opportunities like this don’t present themselves every day.   I saw Lupe admiring Steve’s latest creation, and I asked her if she’d been for a ride in it yet… you can guess where this story is going!  I tossed my Nikon to Tony and we were off!  It was a blast.

I can’t wait to see what this sidecar project is going to look like when Steve and John finish working their magic on it.  I just know that it will be very cool, like everything else they come up with.  It’s already cool, and they haven’t even started the styling work yet!

And speaking of new projects…things are moving along nicely in the California Scooter skunk works.  Yep, the land speed record bike is progressing well.  

I grabbed a cool shot of the LSR bike and some of its features, but when our security guys finished censoring it, there’s wasn’t too much left.  Take a look, and you’ll see what I mean…

This record-seeking California Scooter is getting the works…a lowered frame, clip-on bars, special brakes, a revised seating position, and engine work I can’t even begin to tell you about (other than to say we’re keeping the displacement at the stock 150 cubic centimeters, and the engine will be normally aspirated).  

But the other things we’re doing….all I can say is wow!  Wait till you see it.  Steve and John have lots of tricks and magic they’re working on this puppy.   Steve’s even working on a parachute.   Yep, a parachute!  I can only guess at what kinds of speeds Steve has in mind…it’s getting all the good stuff.

Late this afternoon, we had a visit from our good friend Walt (aka “Skyy”).   We get a lot of guys popping in here on Harleys and other bikes, but it’s not often you see someone as well dressed as Walt rolling in on a motorcycle.  As soon as I saw Walt on his Harley I knew I wanted a shot for the blog, and Walt was okay with that.  He’s the Sergeant-At-Arms for the Roll’N Kings and Queens Motorcycle Club here in the Inland Empire, and if you take a look at Walt, I think you’ll agree that his stature sure qualifies him for this position!  I grabbed a shot of Walt on his Electra-Glide (an immaculate, gorgeous motorcycle!), and then I had to get another on my red Classic.   Walt was happy to help me.

If you’re thinking that I’m having a lot of fun…well, I’m guilty as charged.  And do you know the best part?  

Yep, our Baja ride is only one month away!  Five folks are signed up for this grand adventure (including a world famous novelist and adventurer who’s flying in from the UK).   So, how about you?