After weeks of grey, gloomy skies, the return of the sun and the thermometer soaring to 39F could only mean a wonderful opportunity to go for a ride. And with the recent addition of heated grips and Tucano Urbano muffs there would be a cosmic alignment of solar and electric heat to produce the coziest of rides. With an entire day open the last thing on my mind was what to do when the Vespa won’t start.
After weighing geographic options I headed south towards breakfast at the Spruce Creek Bakery. The light was dazzling and the air seemed swept clear of any dense or negative energy. Gazing into the distance I entertained a rush towards the Maryland border and on into Virginia — just because I could and because I haven’t gone for a long ride in awhile.
The Vespa now has Koso heated grips and Tucano muffs installed to keep my hands warm. Usually at this temperature I would have my electric gloves on but instead opted for my LL Bean deerskin field gloves — light, supple, and comfortable. They’re similar to the Aerostich elkskin ropers that I wrecked in the garden.
While it wasn’t that cold (39F) it was obvious that the muffs did a great job offering protection from the wind. The heated grips weren’t warm, they were HOT. So hot that I had to run them on half power. As the weather gets colder I’ll experiment with the need for heavier gloves.
I was also surprised how quickly I adapted to my hands being inside the muffs. No issues at all save for a need to be deliberate with any thumb actions — starter, kill switch, horn, turn signals — since your hands are inside these big, fixed muffs.
The bakery was closed so I continued on towards Sinking Valley and another place to eat. Twenty-six miles from home and the scooter died.
This is as far as I got. Stopped to make a picture inside the underpass, got back on the scooter, started the engine, it ran for a few seconds and it died. I’ve been here before and some will probably say I should have gotten it fixed already. Try again, runs for a second and dies.
My best guess is the fuel pump is failing. When I turn on the ignition I don’t hear the pump running which is a bad sign. It’s done this twice in the past year. Each time I’d wait a minute or so, try again and it would start right up and run all day.
After about a half-hour I decide it’s time to get someone to fetch the scooter.
It’s always something when the Vespa won’t start. Having no cell coverage doesn’t help. At least the sun was shining and the temperature was in the low forties as I started pushing the scooter back towards Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania in hopes of a cell signal. It’s less than a mile.
A half-dozen vehicles stopped to ask if I needed help. Not a single Vespa technician among them. Nice to know that people care about an old man pushing a Vespa along a road.
In the parking lot of the Spruce Creek United Methodist Church I was able to get one bar of AT&T coverage to reach out to my friend Paul. He was available and would bring his truck to haul the dead scooter to Kissell Motorsports and most likely a new fuel pump.
While I waited I watched the fisherman work their way along the Little Juniata River just a few hundred yards from where Spruce Creek dumps its water and fish into the river. This is a popular spot for fly fishing. Not far from here is the club where President Jimmy Carter was a frequent fishing visitor.
Now, on to the dead scooter. I wish it would stay dead because it would be easier to diagnose and fix. As luck (bad) would have it the Vespa started. And more bad luck showed no cell signal again. So off I went with an eye open for Paul’s big blue truck.
About five miles up the road I saw him, we coordinated plans, and headed to Kissell’s to drop on the scooter.
After checking the Vespa in for repairs Craig Kissell showed us a 2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer that was just traded. Amazing bit of engineering and I could see Paul wanted it. Craig was ready to make it happen but Paul was too close to a recent Ducati acquisition. The more amazing part of the story was what the owner traded this motorcycle for — a new Vespa Sprint 150.
Go figure.
Anyways, I won’t see the Vespa again until after the new year. Until then I can focus on other projects like getting my darkroom rolling again or clearing the basement so a new gas fired boiler can be installed and the smelly old oil fired one (and the storage tank) can be carted away.
Always things to do, especially when the Vespa won’t start…
To many electronic things on the Vespa and not talking about the new heated grips…
I end up running my heated grips on the lowest setting out of 5 even at negative temperatures. I’m not sure what the highest setting is for.
Compared to a lot of modern machines the Vespa is still relatively simple. The computerized fuel injection system being the most complex part. The dead fuel pump is a mechanical beast and probably doesn’t even throw a fault code to read.
If I really wanted to keep things simple I would opt for a Vespa GT200 which still has a carburetor. Or a Honda Ruckus 50cc.
BTW, I do like the underpass photo.
The railroad architecture in Pennsylvania is amazing. Even these little rural bridges show how much money the industry once invested in infrastructure. Not just function but architectural artistry.
I have been lusting after the V7 myself. Good luck with the repairs.
While the V7 isn’t my cup of tea I can appreciate the remarkable engineering and construction in the machine. This one had a couple thousand in aftermarket items. And the exhaust tone — reminded me of the deep, low rumble of a late 60s V8 engine.
It’s amazing to me when it’s nice and sunny, there is nothing to do but ride. When it’s cold and raining, I can find lots to do. A new winter jacket and heated grips helped lower my cold weather riding to about 45 degrees but I prefer over 50 degrees. Hope you get to ride again soon.
My daughter’s Yamaha Vino is sitting in the garage. Maybe I’ll take it out to circulate the fuel a bit…
Regarding your daughter’s scooter, better throw in a fuel stabilizer out something like that of it will not be ridden for a long period of time…
I love Guzzi’s, returned to where I live just recently and I’d love to get one too.
Too expensive, though 🙁
Fuel injection is a wonderful thing….when everything cooperates. I had a similar thing with a car. $500 to drop the tank and replace the pump.
I bet it will be at least $500 to replace. The pump itself is over $300. Oh well, money is for spending right?
So the voltage reading was fine when the scooter wouldn’t start? First thought that came to mind was the alternator couldn’t keep up with the current draws involved.
Hopefully, its just a loose power connection to the fuel pump.
Good pics….
dom
I couldn’t check the voltage but the technician will. My guess is that it’s fine but you never know. Cranks fine. Would be nice to have a simple fix like a loose connection but I don’t feel that lucky.
Check with your Vespa dealer, the fuel pump on some machines has been recalled and can be fixed for free.
Hello Kevin,
My Vespa was made just before the recall. I checked on it in the past but will have them double check just in case. Thanks for the reminder!
steve
Fuel pump failure was a known issue on GTSs of your model year. Piaggio canned a lot of their OEM suppliers after the 2007 model year due to crap components. You’re actually lucky… the fuel pumps gave out fairly quickly in most cases.
Happy New Year!
I have been lucky in regard to the fuel pump — if that’s what it is. Didn’t start having issues until this past summer once, once in the fall, and now this one. From what I’ve read as the pump fails the impeller expands and binds. That makes sense since once it cools it seems to start running again.
Unfortunately mine wasn’t part of the recall.
Electrical problems are the most feared incident on my GTS300 which is why, like you, I always carry my cellphone. You are so lucky to have nearby friends in the trade.
I have heard somewhere that a brake light failure can cause system shutdown ….please tell me this is an urban myth?
I haven’t heard of a brake light failure causing a system shutdown. That seems more myth than fact.
My GTS has been remarkably durable considering the hammering I have given it. And pretty much everything that has gone wrong falls into the maintenance category — things that wear out and need replaced. 27K miles on the fuel pump maybe is ok.
Still, I carry a cellphone.
Some goofball had told me the brake light issue was a safety feature…whaat?
You confirm my thoughts. Thanks
27 K sounds very impressive. My GTS is just a baby.
Steve – that’s always the way. Glad you were able to take advantage of your disadvantage and enjoy the scenery around you. Hooray for friends with trucks – friends with trucks are always good to have once you have a cell signal. (Hope the repairs are quick and easy.)
I keep thinking I should get a trailer hitch for our van and one of the little, single track motorcycle trailers just so I don’t have to impose on others. Or just call a tow truck. Last time I did that it cost $150 to have a flatbed truck haul my Vespa 25 miles.
Hopefully it’ll get fixed soon and we can all look forward to plenty of introspective, observant and poetic writing and pics. My favorite picture in this one: The deserted Spruce Creek church parking lot with just the scoot and the Merry Christmas sign…
Happy New Year to you and yours, Steve.
I expect I’ll have the Vespa back in one to two weeks. Things grind to a halt in a college town during the break so I don’t expect much action until next week.
Thanks for your kind words about observant and poetic writing. At the moment I don’t feel either…
Happy New Year!
Steve,
Love the photo showcasing the lone tree…and not a single electric pole or wire in sight, love that! The fly fishermen are stellar too. You followed the light so nicely in both photos.
About the Vespa, always a bummer when that happens! Happened to me several days before Christmas. We had a few nice days and riding would have been sweet but I, fool that I was, had not checked that the plug to the battery tender was fully in the outside socket. Something about best laid plans and holidays…
Here’s to 2015, hurry, because I’m so done with 2014! 2015, I resolve to ride more and firmly plug in the battery tender 😉 At least I hope that is all that is keeping my Vespa from starting…crossing my fingers anyway.
Happy New Year to You, Kim and Junior.
I’m a sucker for lone trees. Have quite a few photos like that. Perhaps someday I’ll have a big show…
As far as not having the Tender plugged in — it’s the little details that trip us up. I’ve done the same thing.
Have a great New Year and ride safe!
Good read, Happy New Year. Scoot on over sometime
Mike,
I’ll give you a call and maybe we can have breakfast or lunch. Best to you and Elaine for the New Year.
steve