Winter riding means salt and rust
After many winters of snow, salt and slush the underside of the Vespa was beginning to show signs of distress — namely rust. And the body seam behind the front wheel was showing rust coming through the paint. From a distance you can really see much wrong, but up close, there’s ample evidence of hard use.
Since my back has continued to limit my riding and my tolerance for cold has changed, I thought it might be a good time to drop the scooter off with a local body shop for some restoration work.
The ride from home to the shop wasn’t long — just six miles — but the 24F air just reinforced the decision to take a break from riding. With the Christmas holiday bearing down there’s a lot of things to distract me from the painful reality that I’m not riding.
Roan’s Body Shop — State College, Pennsylvania
Not sure how long the Vespa will be out of commission. The early estimate was a couple weeks but the first icy roads of the season brought a windfall of bodywork to the shop so I’m not sure when I’ll be riding again.
The repair request was pretty simple — get rid of the rust and repaint in some color that sort of matches. I’m not worried about a perfect match or if they use paint from Piaggio. Just slow down the rust so I have a few more years of riding.
An unexpected bonus — they’ll have to pull the entire front wheel and steering column assembly to do the job. When they reassemble they’ll be able to straighten out the bars which got twisted out of alignment when I made an unfortunate (stupid) move during a ride that led to me dumping the scooter in some steep, loose shale. Pulling the scooter up off the ground twisted the handlebars out of alignment and I’ve been riding it that way since last summer.
Not riding and posting new material will give me a chance to work on some of the ideas that have been rattling around my head.
The rattling noise is getting pretty loud…
Brent says
Steve. Good idea to give riding a break and repair both you and the scoot. I usually don’t get sick but a sore throat for the past few days has stripped the fun from my activities and work. I also look forward to my repair and reactivation. Merry Christmas Scooter King!
Brent
Steve Williams says
I’m still mending. Or trying. Cold has lingered, sinus infection, back issues. And more. Geez…
Merry Christmas Brent!
SonjaM says
If the ideas are rattling at your mental cage, it’s time to let them out. Enjoy playing with them while waiting for your trusty steed to be mended. Happy Holidays, Steve!
Steve Williams says
Those rattling ideas will keep the pen moving in my journal. Not a bad thing.
Happy Holidays!
Karl Stumpf says
In addition to taking good care of your Vespa be sure to take good care of yourself.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Steve Williams says
Thank your Karl. Will be heading (I think) to the Christmas eve service down the street. If I can stay awake to midnight!
Merry Christmas!
Bill+H says
Merry Christmas, Steve. Enjoy the holiday season at home and don’t worry about getting out there in the cold.
Steve Williams says
I’m turning into a slug…
charlie6 says
Hopefully it won’t be long before you get your Vespa back, coinciding hopefully with a better feeling back!
Merry Christmas to you and yours Steve.
Steve Williams says
I’m looking hopefully at a healthier and pain free 2017.
Merry Christmas Dom!
Mike Davis says
Earlier this year may Scoot was down for several weeks with repairs and re-reparirs, now I’m down wile on the mend, the whole time for both thinking of riding. Do you plan on going by to see the Vespa stripped for repairs, if so share some pix.
While celebrating, (I am finding there is no appropriate word for what a rider does when not being able to ride because of these circumstances so I will stick with celebrate) the riding hiatus don’t spoil the dogs too much, spoil the grand baby way too much, and try not to get in too much trouble with the SO. Otherwise enjoy your holidays and quiet the rattling.
Steve Williams says
I’m going to try and see the scooter during repairs. Once they get to it it will move quickly. I’ll see if they’ll call when they start work so I cam make some photos.
While I”m not riding I’ll be able to embrace a lot of the things you’ve outlined. Plenty to do!
Mike says
Happy Christmas Steve, and Have a Good New Year.
Steve Williams says
Merry Christmas to you and Elaine! Let’s catch up soon.
David Blackburn says
If you’re going to get paint work done, now’s the time. And if a rattle or two gets fixed at the same time that’s a bonus.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Steve.
Steve Williams says
Thanks David. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.
BWB says
Glad to hear the Vespa’s downtime will be re-invigorating, while allowing a bit of time for you to do the same. (Hopefully not taking too long for either.) This is also a gentle reminder for me to give Melody a good wash on a warmer day soon.
Meanwhile: merriest and happiest to you and yours, Steve!
Steve Williams says
Merry Christmas to you and your SO! And be safe on the road!
Bryce Lee says
“The rattling noise is getting pretty loud”
As you approach retirement date next year (yes next year) the rattless will increase!
Hopefully the rattles will subside over time, especially now.
You and Kim have a good holiday.
Steve Williams says
Retirement seems so far away even though it’s only six months now. The rattles are a good thing.
Merry Christmas!
John says
A safe and happy holiday season to you and yours.Any chance of seeing pics of the grand baby/ dogs in the near future?Peace.
Steve Williams says
I’ve not been a good dog owner or grandpa in terms of photos. Perhaps the coming week will reveal a few more pix…
Katerine says
Any tips or advice on how to pick a scooter-friendly body shop?
Steve Williams says
Don’t really have much in the way of useful tips. I took my scooter to a shop that does work for our local Vespa dealer. Figured they would know as much as anyone. You might ask your local motorcycle/scooter dealers who they use for bodywork.