Comments on: Motorcycle Maintenance: Back on the Road Again

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:11:52 +0000

Orin: Have you tried posting on the Modern Vespa forum to see if any of the technicians who frequent that site have ideas that might help?

Nothing more depressing than undiagnosed mechanical problems—especially on a Vespa that really needs to be ridden…

By: Orin

Orin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:43:59 +0000

Glad to hear your GTS is back on the road. Mine is still laid up, the mystery of why the engine shuts off for no apparent reason still beyond the grasp of my local scooter shop. And this during a record-setting string of warm, sunny days in Seattle. Someone, somewhere, is messing with me, and I don't like it. But there's not much I can do...

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:05:16 +0000

Charlie6: Your pictures are great. I love the recent one of the bike with the cows in the mist. You have such lovely landscapes to ride in.

I think a spare scooter or motorcycle makes perfect sense.

jason: I'll be interested in following your blog about scooter experiences after years on motorcycles. I'll keep working to produce pictures here and give myself as many excuses as I can to ride.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:49:00 +0000

Chuck: There were so many tomatoes on that burger. It was far more than I ever eat. I'm still full!

pitchertaker: You need to stop by again. I was just talking about you this evening to Kim. I characterized you as the ultimate on the road photographer despite not being able to find any pictures in Pennsylvania.

Pvino: I'm struggling to get back in the groove in terms of black and white photography. I need to mix new chemicals and get my ass in gear. Four rolls of film sit here waiting for attention and I hauled the Leica around today.

Soon. soon.

I enjoyed watching Long Way Round but realize that kind of adventure is not something I would ever do myself (or want to). It is like seeing a dream coming to life but better a dream...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:44:19 +0000

anonymous: There is a lot to be said for a Honda. I've eyed up the Little Ruckus more than once. And my wife sees herself learning to ride on a Honda Rebel.

But all machines breakdown. I saw a brand new Honda Accord being hooked up to a tow truck along the road today.

Despite the brake problems I feel good about the reliability of the Vespa.

Baron: I'm glad I bought the extended warranty. It would be a bitter pill to swallow to have to pay AND wait!

I need two scooters.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:23:41 +0000

Jack: The complexity of even the simpliest machines today is kind of disheartening. My Vespa has some sophisticated electronics that scare me when I think about a failure on the road. It would probably mean trucking the Vespa home. On the other hand the modern machines are so much more reliable. So I guess the only option is to move onward, hope for the best, and if something happens use it as an opportunity to practice patience and personal growth!

Let me know when you are planning to ride this direction. If the planets align correctly we can cross paths.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:11:48 +0000

JIM: No plans to stop blogging. Just a lot of things happening lately that have kept my focus away from riding and blogging.

Patefermente: I have been thinking a lot about Pirsig the past few months and will be posting about it soon.

Wrench turning has some magic to it beyond the obvious. It's just taken me awhile to see it.

Thanks for your kind words about the post. It's always nice to hear.

By: jason

jason — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:05:43 +0000

I have read nearly your entire blog now. I kept checking back for another update, and I got lucky today. I am an avid motorcyclist, and have owned hundreds of bikes and ridden for years. I just recently purchaed a scooter so I could slow down and be comfortable – and began blogging about it. I found your blog and as an avid reader and former photography major (long time ago) please continue your wonderfull blog.

By: Charlie6

Charlie6 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:02:21 +0000

beautiful pic of the scooter bathed in warm sunlight and use of foliage as framing….very nice! Someday, my pics will be as yours…

and yes, get that spare scooter….

By: Pvino

Pvino — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:23:15 +0000

I am so glad to hear you back on the road and back on the photographic journey. Your B&W photographs are to me an enjoyment of the past when film photography was the main stay. But of course sharing your digital memories are fantastic. I have just finished enjoying "The Long Way Down" starring Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman - there unique adventure on the open road and motorcycle break-down. Now I don't have a big bike but I see no difference in those enjoying the same on a scooter whether its a 50cc or a 650cc scooter. Of course the road way will be different on a 50cc-150cc scooter but the scenery will be same if not better.

Ride safe,
Phil