The Vespa is perched in the garage sans front tire. Hope the motorcycle jack doesn’t fail. Cleaned, balanced and mounted the rear wheel and tomorrow will retrieve the front from the service station.
Spent an hour troubleshooting the non-locking seat latch. The latch appears to function properly but a tiny little spring that pulls the latch closed when the seat is down may have lost its ability to do its job. Or the cable it has to pull has started to hang up somewhere. Either way the repair is tedious. It may have to wait for a new part.
Tomorrow I’ll clean up the muffler and start applying high temperature enamel. It will look good from the road.
Have a few days vacation ahead so I can approach these mechanical activities with the proper sense of nefarious laziness. At some point tomorrow morning I’ll be at Kissell Motorsports buying a new battery.
The garage is a mess, almost something that location scouts from Hoarders might be interested in. When I think of organizational strategies fire and theft always seem to be at the top of the list. Fortunately the warm weather motivates and bit of action and I anticipate more organization and function in the workspace.
I just wish this stuff was finished and tomorrow was a prelude to a ride.
Was it Jack R that suggested the ceramic coating? That sounds like a durable solution for your harsh, chemical environment. Plus, someone else gets to clean the muffler.
For now I’d rather do the work on my bike myself in part because I can. The Prius always gets taken to the shop as there is very, very little that an owner can do on their own…
Steve:
I have no where to work on any vehicle, except outside in the cold. Plus I can’t leave things apart, or tools lying around. Everything has to be put away every time.
If I work on a vehicle that cannot be moved, then it prevents me from getting another vehicle out
so count yourself one of the lucky ones
bob
A weekend photographer or Riding the Wet Coast
I put new tires on Brigitta today….didn’t put the actual tires on the wheel, rode Scarlett with the old wheels/tires in the tub….
Steve,
I have been following your inspirational blog for many years. I ride a BMW as well as many other makes but have the most fun on scooters(Stella 150 2stroke and many Ruckii). I’m setting off this Saturday for a cross country ride on my 2012 Ruckus for an unknown duration. I don’t have your email/contact but wanted to share my site: http://www.lostwithmike.weebly.com
You have been an inspiration over the years and I look forward to all your future rides and photos. Life is just better when you stop to smell the roses and listen to yourself think.
Keep up the excellent work sir.
Mike
(hbn on advrider.com)
Ah, scooter maintenance… an enjoyable project when it goes well, a frustrating and potentially ruined day (or week) when it doesn’t 🙂
RichardM: Yes, it was Mr. Riepe. I need to give him a call and see what he’s been up to.
First round of work done and on the road. Still need to attend to rust…
bob skoot: The garage has become a storage area. No more cars in the garage, just stuff and the Vespa. Working on it is a chore. I keep telling myself I’m going to get organized.
What a bore…
Charlie6: Tub. That doesn’t sound right. Not nearly enough majesty…
MikeS: Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate them. I’ve been to your site and am intrigued by the Ruckus trip. Will post more on your site.
ScooterMadness: Exactly!