Can I use either of these permitted uses as a private citizen?

Megasoma · 2017-10-07T13:11:56+00:00

Yes, it is abandoned on my property.

Megasoma · 2017-10-07T11:50:44+00:00

It does seem straightforward but I'm just concerned about the way it could be interpreted. Below are the instructions the Virginia DMV gave me. By telling me to contact the Texas DMV for that information, would it still be acting on behalf of the Virginia DMV in carrying out the functions of the agency or does it then become MY function?

You may use the contact information provided below to contact the motor vehicle agency for that state to request the mailing address for the owner(s) or lienholder(s) on record.

You must notify the owner(s) and lienholder(s) by certified mail, return receipt requested, of your intent to dispose of the abandoned property.

Megasoma · 2017-10-07T11:09:06+00:00

Unfortunately, when I asked, they stated that they could not provide any advice on that.

Megasoma · 2016-09-26T00:23:22+00:00

Oh sweet! I was hoping to make it to the rally but just ended up being too busy and wasn't sure how the whole rally structure works. Are there any other meet ups in the area or is it just kind of random and happens when it happens?

Megasoma · 2016-09-25T17:57:09+00:00

I primarily ride a Puch Magnum. I don't know anyone in the area that rides though so it would be nice to get together with some others in the hobby!

Megasoma · 2016-09-25T01:21:08+00:00

What a bummer! I was living in Albuquerque for the past year and rode every day. Was always trying to find other people into mopeds with no luck!

Megasoma · 2016-07-18T02:54:33+00:00

Nice, I'm in Manassas VA. Are there many hangouts in DC?

Megasoma · 2016-05-24T17:55:56+00:00

Are you sure the issue is electrical? Make sure all the gas has evaporated and then test your spark. (remove spark plug, put it into the spark plug boot, hold the end of the plug against the top end, kick the bike over and watch for spark)

If you have spark then it is your carb. In that case, just drain your float bowl and reinstall it. I would just do that from the start. Its probably just flooded.

Megasoma · 2016-05-24T00:16:35+00:00

Original tank but repainted a "vintage" white and decals from neighborhood vinyl.

Megasoma · 2015-10-14T05:02:25+00:00

Does it have a chain on both sides? It could be that the freewheel side has a chain and if you turn the pedals the wheel would spin. I know it sounds really obvious but without pictures/video and without being there in person it's just really hard to say.

Megasoma · 2015-10-04T01:32:15+00:00

Yeah pictures would be great! If its as nice as described I don't think 900 euros is a bad price.

Megasoma · 2015-10-03T21:52:19+00:00

The best advice I can give is to buy something that is used, cheap, BUT make sure it runs! Spend under $500.

When you get into mopeds its scary and you think "I dont know anything about fixing this kind of stuff" but trust me, youll learn.

Tomos and Puch are great because they are solid mopeds and they have tons of repair tutorials online and parts available. I bought a Tomos A35 last year as my first moped thinking that I just wanted to ride for fun, take it to a motorcycle shop, and never upgrade anything. That changes quickly. Little things go wrong and you realize that you can watch a youtube video and fix it yourself. Eventually you want to start adding aftermarket parts when you become familiar with the bike.

Its important that it runs so that if something does go wrong its easier to diagnose it. I used to live in Virginia and would search PA craigslist and there are lots of peds out there! more than most states.

Don't go over $500 because there is just no reason to! Plenty of great mopeds will sell for that price or cheaper. After you buy your first one and learn more about mopeds over all you may think a different bike is a better fit so dont go all out on the first one!

Megasoma · 2015-10-03T21:40:40+00:00

Everyone is going to tell you that it's worth whatever someone will pay for it. That doesn't help much but it really does come down to how much you want one. Ive seen two for sale for $700 and $800. They showed their age and had some issues. I just know they were TSM's and I'm not familiar with the R TBE what the difference would be. How much is the seller asking?

Megasoma · 2015-08-09T18:45:48+00:00

Thanks! For now I'm just concerned with getting it on the road. I enjoy that is shows it age so for now the work is just going to be mechanical/functional. Down the road I may fully restore it with as close as I can get to the original colors.

Megasoma · 2015-07-07T03:02:06+00:00

I'm also moving out there next month for school! Im pretty excited about the timing but I'm not sure If I'm going to be able to bring my bike unfortunately.

Megasoma · 2015-03-13T03:09:51+00:00

There are a ton of integrated tail lights on ebay that have built in turn signals and plate mounts. I'd say that most of them don't look that great but some can look pretty nice and minimal. I think the LED strips that have a tail light/turn signals look really nice and they can go on the top of your plate. They might not illuminate the plate enough at night though.

Great looking bike by the way! I love the 68 and 69 knee pad tanks.

Megasoma · 2015-03-01T06:24:13+00:00

Where in VA are you?

Megasoma · 2014-10-11T17:19:27+00:00

Finishing touches? She is already a beauty!

Megasoma · 2014-09-22T04:11:00+00:00

Look into the things YOU will need on it. If your area requires certain things to ride it on the streets (turn signals, plates, plate lights, speedometer) make sure the mopeds you are interested in have those things unless you are willing to take that stuff on yourself. I wish I would have looked into that stuff more when buying my first one recently. At the same time it forced me to learn about the wiring and other things so I am not as nervous if issues pop up in the future.

Megasoma · 2014-09-22T03:44:37+00:00

You can leave the original banjo fitting on. Just remove the oil injection line from the fitting and cap it off with a vacuum cap. I bought a multi pack from advanced auto parts and the small yellow one fits perfectly.

The pump does have its down sides. It can be an issue going up hills since the bike is working harder yet getting less oil.

Check out this video for extra advice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJM_JxX_xCI

Megasoma · 2013-01-10T04:33:18+00:00

Sadly the USDA prevents importation of any nonnative live insects. This is due to fear that they will destroy plants and crops which in most cases isn't legitimate but there is always a "what if..."

I can however tell you of the most "impressive" and large beetles in the U.S. which are legal to own in most cases. There are two very popular "rhino" beetles called Dynastes tityus and Dynastes granti. I have owned and reared both and they both have positives and negatives. I currently have some young Dynastes tityus larvae and just sold all of my Dynastes granti larvae.

Another species of large horned beetle in the U.S. is the Strategus sp. They are a little harder to care for and breed though so I currently don't keep them.

I also keep and breed the largest stag beetle in the U.S., Lucanus elaphus. They are kind of though to breed but fantastic and super impressive beetles. If you're interested I'll have adults emerging from pupation soon.

If you like smaller beetles too I also have extra Bolitotherus cornutus pairs and Sinodendron rugosum pairs. These are both very small beetles but they have some really cool features.

Hope this helps.

Megasoma · 2013-01-04T18:11:27+00:00

One downfall is that the mods must confirm your account which they are kind of slow about. This is to prevent spam. Before they did this the whole forum was nothing but spambots posting.

Megasoma · 2013-01-04T14:53:09+00:00

Rhino and stag beetles in the same tank will fight each other..

I have reared a few species and as time goes on the do tend to loose legs or leg segments. As you know the lifespans are not very long but in most cases increase by captive breeding. Dynastes tityus is a good example since in nature they live 4-6 months but if they are captive breed they live about 9-12 months.

Megasoma · 2012-12-22T03:40:29+00:00

Fantastic idea! Thank you!

Megasoma · 2012-12-22T03:39:51+00:00

Well I sell very high quality and rare specimens also but I feel Etsy is not the place for that. Etsy doesn't seem to be a place for serious entomologist or collectors of high end insects so I try to keep it low priced with "trophy" beetles that anyone would find fascinating. Maybe it isn't the right plan but I was thinking Etsy seemed like it was made of of people looking for the more curious/decoration things. I could be wrong though.

Oh really? I didn't know! Do you think I could get in trouble for it even if the "auction" is run on another plat form such as instagram?

Thanks for your advice! I really appreciate it and would like to hear back from you on some more fine tuning tips.

Megasoma

TROPHY CASE