The first printings of Modwest Scooter Club t-shirts are finished. Get yours today!
They are $10 for any size!

We have assorted colors and sizes available to purchase today! Custom shirt/print color combinations available by request!!!

Shirts have Mod-style weathered checkerboard background and Modwest logo on front with www.modwestscooterclub.com printed on the back with scooter image.

Email us with to order!

OR

Shirts available at Green Tree Scooters. 7 S. Federal Ave. in Mason City, IA 50401.


*shirt sales help funding and organization of Modwest events and website.

 Tornado R'Alley VI

Fri-Sun, May 28-30, 2010

Kansas City, MO

http://www.madtoto.com/2010-rally/

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Bearded Lady Motorcycle and Scooter Freak Show

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

On the corner of University and 13th in Minneapolis, MN

http://www.beardedladymotorcycleshow.com

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Rattle My Bones

Thurs-Sun, August 19-22, 2010

Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN

http://www.rattlemybones.com

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Bike Night 

Fri-Sat, August 20-21

Central Park, Mason City, IA 

Where did we get the name Modwest?

Clearly it's a play on words from "Midwest" and "Mod".

What is a "Mod"?

  The Mods were a social group in southern England during a period from the late 50's to the later 60's. There were also "Mod" resurgences in England and California in the Late 70's and Early 1980s. Mods were known for their styles and exotic (for working class England) tastes. Mod's loved Italian Clothes. hairstyles from French film stars and American Jazz, R&B and Soul music. MOD was a rebellion against the class system and traditions that were prevalent in the UK at that time. Most importantly they loved Scooters.

The most prominent scooters at the time were Italian Vespa and Lambretta Scooters. Scooters. This was the first time that many people in the working class could afford personal, private transportation. Scooters made sense as parking was a nightmare in and around London and other British cities that were developed long before the advent of the automobile. The people of southern England have the ability to ride all year long due to relatively mild winters, although it can be a bit rainy. In addition to parking, scooters offer more protection from rain and mud than bicycles or traditional stepover motorcycles due to their legshield and floorboard. Scooters also had their engines and other working parts covered with body panels which prevented grease or oil from getting on the nice Italian suits. The Mod Scooters were noted to have as many accessories and modifications as possible. The wilder scooter meant the more "Mod" it was. When the UK Government mandated that every Motorbike needed one rear view mirror, Mods added 4 or 6! When they wanted a brighter headlamp, they added 2 or 3 more headlights and so on. Mods would also often put their initials or the model of their scooter in letters on the front legshield. Badges and chrome were a must, and often Mods would have whole sections of scooters chromed (such as the fender, headsets, horncasts or engine cowls). Mods were certainly the Pinnacle of Scooter Culture.

Scooter riding Mods were also noted for wearing Military Surplus Jackets. They preferred long "Flight Jackets" to further protect themselves from the elements and rainy English weather. Most Jackets came from the British Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force. The "Roundel" Target symbol used by the British "RAF" became synonymous with Mod Culture and style. (This symbol is used in the Modwest Logo and serves as the background for this site's main page.) Many Mods did not wear a helmet when riding but for those who did the half helmet or "Shell" was the preferred style. Scooterists worldwide generally prefer this type, however many designs are losing approval from various safety councils and governments. 

Mods left their mark on Music too. The Who, The Kinks, They Yardbirds and the Small Faces were the most noted early MOD music groups. As British groups made it big worldwide many were wearing MOD styles for the distinctive modern look. Bands like the Beatles and Dave Clark 5 were often dressed in Mod-like style but their northern England "Beat" driven sound was distinct from the rhythm driven MOD bands. As Mod bands became more popular and commercial many Mods got into music like SKA and Reggae, which was more underground and obscure in England at that time. Soon these mods morphed into other new social groups. Mods always wanted to be a step or two ahead of popular culture which eventually led to a stratifying of the group to the point where few traditional MODs existed anymore.

In the late 1970's and early 1980s Mod style had a rebirth in England and also in the United States. This rebirth was partially attributed to the release of the Who film "Quadrophenia" in 1979 which followed the story of "Jimmy" a young English working class Mod who lived on the edge in 1964. The other aspect of Mod rebirth was wider interest in SKA and Punk music. Many of the symbols of the Mod Scene we know now came from the 80's. Since that time there have been small resurgences and some interest in MOD culture. Some cities even host MOD vs. Rocker events, pitting Scooter riding mods against their leather clad motorcycling rivals the "Rockers". They don't reenact the brawls or violence, just the style and music.

So We're Modwest in homage to our home here in the upper Midwest and to the MODs who led the way in creating a scootering culture that we can enjoy.