Daily Meditation
My dog Junior models the contemplative life for me — moments of quiet reflection coupled with simple acts of focus and pleasure; tennis balls, Milkbones, naps and walks. As I squirm with desire to be riding he reminds me that peace is a construct of the mind and I can create my own reality.
Even if means scooterless living while waiting for my Vespa GTS to emerge from repair world.
The Vespa Maintenance List
Each morning I wander through our garden with the dogs, stepping slowly into the day. The garden has maintenance needs, just like the Vespa scooter. As a living system I’ll never fully meet its demands or achieve all the things Kim or I would like to accomplish. The hydrangea in the photo will so reach the limits of the locust post its growing on. Plans are in the works to build a much taller structure for it.
The Vespa is completely different. It’s usually a fixed list. Currently a long one. For those of you wondering what you might have to do with a scooter at 32 thousand miles here’s the list:
- Voltage regulator
- Clutch and driven/drive pulley assemblies
- CVT drive belt, rollers and related parts
- New Heidenau K61 tires, mounting balancing, etc.
- Engine and transmission fluid and filter replacement
I had neither the time or inclination to take on the work. And I trust the technicians at Kissell Motorsports.
Remain in Motion
Over time we’ve created pathways and trails through our woodland landscape. After my heart attack last year it was strongly suggested I change my exercise habits including healthy doses of walking. Led by the dogs I can easily walk a half mile before breakfast doing a four or five circuits around the garden.
Beyond exercise I want to keep my mind in motion. Riding the Vespa helps as does writing and photography in not abandoning life to the easy chair and television.
In (temporary) scooterless living an easy walk is a blessing.
Why Didn’t You Buy a New Vespa?
More than a couple people have focused their attention my way in terms of buying a new scooter. I refused to believe Junior and Lily are wondering the same thing. But many question the expense of maintenance on a ten year old machine, especially when the expense may reach to more than half its value.
With plenty of evidence of the Vespa engine’s lifespan I’m comfortable I’ll be riding many more miles. And certainly for less money that buying a new scooter.
Until I get the scooter back I’ll be focused on other things. Garden renovation, construction or maybe another foray into my darkroom. The opportunities for non-riding adventures are limitless.
This is my first reply to you since I have been following your blog for the past several years. I know Craig Kissell from East Coast Fitness and I’ve been to several of the activities sponsored by Kissell Motorsports. He recommended your blog and I really eenjoy your posts. I will be 62 in a couple of months and got back into cycling in 2010 when I purchased a Sportster. I had gotten my license after high school and had a Honda 125 street. But marriage, kids and work took priority and After my son purchased a used Harley in 2009 I wanted to get back into riding. I too had a heart attack back in 2005 hence joining East Coast. I too have been experiencing many of the same things you have been with life in general. iWork in the kitchen at Rockview and I’m challenged by inmates and staff every minute I’ m there. I only have a short 3 mile commute one way to work but the joy of those few minutes helps make the day more bearable. I recently purchased a large Moto Fizz Camping bag on your recommendation from one of your ” camping adventures” with Paul. My wife and I stopped at Rothrock Coffee yesterday afternoon. for coffee. Nice place. I still have several places that you’ve shared in your blog, Tom & Joe’s, Mamie’s Cafe, Derrick’s in Dewart to visit this summer. I know Ken Hull and have his books and occasionally make to the Moto Hang get together soon. Sorry to be so long winded. I was scheduled to on a ride today and it has been cancelled because of the rain….
Thank you for your kind words about Scooter in the Sticks. Glad you find something worth reading here.
Sounds as if you and I have some parallel experiences in life — especially with the heart attack. And how a short commute makes things better. I’ve been experiencing that for ten years now.
The Moto Hang is tomorrow night — perhaps we’ll cross paths. If not, ride safe and thanks for sharing here.
If you learn anything from this, I hope it’s that you need a backup scooter!
Solid work. Love your blog.
I keep telling my wife I need a backup scooter. Or a motorcycle…
Steve I’m looking forward to hearing from you on how the bike performs with a new variator and clutch. I’m at 28,000 miles with mine and it is performing really well, as far as I know.
I’ll be posting something as soon as I get it back. Having new tires always makes the scooter seem brand new. Not sure what to expect from the clutch.
I met up with a Ruchard Kissell at Moab, wonder if your dealer and he are somehow related?
Life without one’s steed I thought would be an unbearable thing to endure…that was then…as you say it’s what you make of things as life hands them to you.
I’ll ask about the Kissell connection.
One steed is familiar now. I do have a bicycle in the garage. Could try that I guess…
For me the thought of life without two wheels appears lackluster to say the least. But in reality it’s a full life that I am living.
Yeah, the things that get in our heads aren’t often the truth. Still, I don’t like to think about not riding for long…
Steve: I have often wondered why you have not upgraded from the 250GTS to the 300. I had two 250GTSs (and an Aprilia 250 — which shares the same motor with the GTS) before getting the 300. I had heard that the 300 is not really much different from the 250. I now know that is not true. The 300 has a good deal more torque and is faster. I enjoy it more.
Mine is a 2010. I bought it used, as I do most things mechanical. Worth the expense.
I’ve not upgraded in part because my 250 hasn’t really been an issue and I’ve ridden 300s and the way I ride the extra torque and power didn’t seem to matter. Now that ABS is available there is a stronger reason for me to switch. Now I just need to wrap my head around cost…
Steve, love Juniors Zen like pose. You obviously speak Dog! Quick question if I may, why that particular tire? Another thoughtful post,thanks.
I try different tires from time to time. I’ve been really pleased with the Heidenau snow tex tires, have read good things about the K61s so thought I would give them a try. In reality because of the way I ride (not aggressive) tires don’t seem to matter much at all. Or so it seems to me.
It’s love. My R80/7 was 38 years old.
I love the old BMW airheads. If I was more of a tinkerer I would strongly consider one. Have a friend at work with a R75/7 (I think) and he always seems to be working on something. I’m not ready to become a mechanic…
Where’s the Vino? You used to ride it when your Vespa was down. A good, reliable used Japanese scooter would be cheaper than a new Vespa and you would have the peace of mind of knowing that a solid ride is in place while the Vespa is in the hospital.
Vino belongs to my daughter. It’s at her place. I have toyed with the thought of a 50cc Honda Ruckus. That would be an adventure!
MY Bonneville has 91,000 miles and still starts and runs like it did when I bought it, and I still ride it daily. It took me half a century of daily riding and hunting for the right bike to find it. I like the Street Twin and it’s extended service intervals and cast wheels and lighter weight but I’m not sure why I need to replace my perfectly functioning Bonneville. An attitude that would do KIssell’s no good…
Conch: More than once I’ve thought about your troubles with your GTS and your trouble-less life with the Bonneville. But how would it look to post on Scooter in the Sticks with no scooter????
Craig Kissell wouldn’t survive with guys like us. He needs the people who purchase something new a lot more frequently. Our purpose is to evangelize about riding!
Steve,
Your garden is beautiful and I am sure your beautiful dogs are more than happy to occupy your non-riding time with walks. I remember about two years ago I was ride-less for 6 weeks because of a mechanical issue. It only made the ride when it was finally running that much sweeter. As for getting a new one just because its showing a little age is a hard decision to make, these bikes are solid and eventually every bike costs more than what its worth to fix, but still cheaper to repair than buying new.
The garden is lush at the moment with so much rain and the plants out pace the dog’s ability to trample them down. So things are remaining lovely for walks and play.
You’re right about it being cheaper to repair than buy new when it comes to bikes and scooters. If I were a careful rider who cared for the machine I might be able to factor in some sort of investment aspect or resale value but since I beat things into the ground that’s not a factor. Repair, repair until it can’t be repaired…
You ride your vespa in the fashion it was meant to be and what every bike would wish to be. Resale smee-sale! Ride it i to the ground, adventure on it and keep telling us your stories with your blog and pictures for if you didn’t we’d all be the poorer for not having your blog posts.
I used to worry about clocking too many kilometers on my bike & resale, but then I thought “why” because if I am saving it for someone else then I’m not enjoying it! So ride it until it can’t be fixed, then get a new one!
I like the way you think Dar. I don’t run into enough riders who will stamp my seemingly poor moto behavior when it comes to maintaining the machine. I think I’ll open the garage door some morning and find I have a rat bike. Or rat scooter I mean.
I plan to ride it into the ground. The scooter that is, not me…