A Decision Made
After months of trying to decide whether to repair or replace my Vespa GTS 250 scooter I made the decision to just have Tim Papinchak of Windber Cycle Works repair everything. Fixing my Vespa GTS scooter just seemed the right thing to do.
A long list of services and updates:
- Replace the upper and lower steering bearings and races.
- Replace the front shock.
- Replace the rear shocks.
- Check/adjust valves
- Replace exhaust manifold and O2 sensor
- Replace rear brake caliper
- Replace oil and filter
- Replace hub oil
- Flush brake lines
- Replace coolant
- Replace spark plug
- Replace drive belt and rollers
- Replace hoses/fuel lines as needed
- Generally check for other issues
Time will tell whether fixing my Vespa GTS scooter was the right decision. So my friend Paul and I hauled the scooter to Windber, Pennsylvania along with $750 worth of parts.
Full flounder ahead!
I’m glad the decision has been made. It’s nice to move through life without that argument going on in my head.
Scooter Love
That scooter has served me well for almost 17 years. Fixing my Vespa GTS scooter seemed the only kind choice to make. My fingers are crossed that it will take me on many more miles and years of riding adventures.
Mid-December Updates
Aside from scooter repairs, preparations for the Christmas holidays, dog action, and riding the remaining three machines in the garage there’s not much to do. This retirement gig is pretty nice.
I hope each of you reading these words is in a good place, having fun, and finding time to count the blessings in your life.
Onward!
I have a 17-year-old Toyota car that I bought brand new. Like motorcycles and scooters, I’ve found that most motorized conveyances will last a very long time with routine maintenance. It is much more affordable to repair and maintain, as opposed to replace any of them. I used to live in Europe and many owners there routinely keep their vehicles (2 and 4 wheeled) until they have many hundreds of thousands of miles on them. I plan on at least another 100K and ten more years with my Toyota – or more. My BMW airhead (an R100RT) had about 80,000 miles on it when I sold it, and many years later it is still going strong. I’m sure your Vespa will last many more years for you.
You’re right about vehicles lasting a long time if cared for. We keep our cars for a long time when we can. It helps though that we don’t have our identity invested in them. Otherwise it would be difficult to drive an aging vehicle.
I hope my Vespa takes me to the end of my riding days!
Relieved that you decided to keep your trusty GTS. In the video, you didn’t mention an emotional attachment to this scooter. I gotta imagine that it played a role in your decision. By the way, no one under 50 would know to what you refer using the term, “submarine sandwich.” Luckily, you cleared the confusion by also using the term “sub.”
It just seemed wrong to part with the scooter. Emotion no doubt.
The store called them submarine sandwiches so that’s why I called them that but I can’t remember the last time I saw it written out like that. Subs and hoagies seem the popular thing now.
Ah Steve…. You’ve hit a familiar note for me over the last 2 – 3 years. My 2004 BMW650cs now has 170,000 Klm. on her, and a few parts are harder to find. She’s my touring bike and perfect for me. I should be moving to a new lighter bike, still suitable for travel with Steve’s GS. I haven’t found one that makes me yearn for it. I have decided several times now that if I can repair her for less then the cost of the first year’s depreciation on a new bike I’ll do the repair. So far it is the right decision and my heart still sings when I take her out😀.
Enjoy your faithful steed. Happy holidays to you and yours🎄
Shirley
I too have an F650CS, Shirley, now 20 years old, running smoothly with 102,000 km on the clock and a few replacement parts. Let me just chime in to support your repair decisions. It would be hard to find a more comfortable or easy-handling or reliable, frankly, motorcycle; though of course its entire actual blue-book value is less than a first year’s depreciation on a new bike. Keep it running!
The math of repairs and replacement seem fuzzy sometimes. A couple mechanics have told me it is almost always less expensive to repair than replace. Even with big ticket repairs. The problem some people have I think is viewing their scooter, motorcycle, or car as an investment. It’s not. It is just an expense.
Anyway, I made my decision and I’ll see how it pans out.
Have a great holiday!
I must admit that $750 in parts sounds pretty modest. You’d spend a lot more than that on most other bikes given how many miles you put on the Vespa. Especially after riding it during the winter (salt on the roads).
Retirement is pretty nice!
That $750 number has swelled to $1000. And the repairs haven’t begun yet. I’ll just hold my breath…
Retirement is a dream!
Good decision, Steve. You two (you and the Vespa) have been through a lot together. No reason to break up the partnership quite yet, especially for that price. And don’t you get the impression that the machine (not quite complex enough to have achieved consciousness, of course, but still…) really appreciates and responds to the attention? Looking forward to your getting it back!
I have a sentimental attachment to the scooter for sure. But not so much that I give it a name. It’s just “the Vespa.”
But there is some growing sense of superstition or something that would make it difficult to let it go. The Vespa is part of the family now.
I’m such a tightwad I have done all the listed work on assorted motorcycles over the years. Though now I fear I have reached the point in my decrepitude that I would rather pay someone to do the work instead of me laying on the ground, kneeling for long periods of time, leaning backwardly….. It’s always good to make a decision and stick with it, I think you will reap further enjoyment from your scooter, on top of they many many miles of joy it has brought you already.
While I will still crawl on the garage floor from time to time but it’s not getting any easier or more pleasant. And I’ve already decided any big jobs will go to someone I pay for service.
I hope the Vespa returns “good as new” and will provide many more miles of joy. And if that’s not to be, I’m ready to buy a new scooter.
I hope you and the Chang Gang have a great Christmas!
Steve, I have also been on the fence a few times with regards to repairing versus letting go of our 2008 fast-red Italo-Canadian Scooter. It is still running great, and serves mostly for commute and small errands these days. However, there is more emotional attachment to this Vespa than all other two-wheelers hubby and I have ever owned. I fully understand and approve of your decision. Keep on rolling and happy Holidays. Cheers from good ole Germany, SonjaM
I probably underestimate the emotional attachment I have to my scooter. But the attachment is real so why not honor it?? I’m sure I made the right choice regardless of how things turn out.
Have a great holiday. And cheers from the sticks!
Very good choice Steve! Doesn’t sound like anything too serious, and if you really like this particular scooter, it’s well worth it, and it’s great to reuse as much as possible rather that to buy something new.
I agree David. It does seem worth it to fix, use, and move on down the road.
Merry Christmas!
Steve – I’m completely with you on the repair-not-replace for the GTS 250. I’ve got a 2008 GTS (bought new) that I consider to be like an old friend – a little beat up around the edges but faithful! Unlike yours, it’s NEVER stranded me but it has been in 3 low speed crashes (all due to driver error). While the new Vespa’s are beautiful – and have more power and ABS brakes, I’ll stick with mine for the foreseeable future. Best of luck with the repairs!
Crashes or strandings… neither seem good. But we won’t let either stand in the way of a good ride.
A few times I started thinking about traction control and ABS on the new scooters as a reason to “upgrade” but quickly dismissed it. I’m good with what I have. And I hope when my GTS returns it will feel like a new machine!
$750 in parts and maybe an additional double that for labor, but this endeavor is really only a fun/emotional pass time not an economical one. Given the head shake in your short video, I’d also gave the rear swing arm (equivalent) bushing examined/re-greased as this creates head shake in motorcycles.
I expect the total to be around $2000 for parts and labor but at this point I’ll pay whatever it costs. Still will be more economical than a new scooter.
The mechanic will look the whole thing over and I’ve given a list of things to consider. My fingers are crossed that nothing will be missed.
Steve, maintaining that GTS makes perfect sense. Reading this places my Vespa ownership experience smack in the middle of yours, and my friend Peter’s. I considered myself to be reasonable and more or less frugal because in the space of time (2010 – 2022) that I was a Vespa owner, I had a Vespa LX150, a black GTS 300, and a red GTS 300 ABS. Peter on the other hand had a Vespa GTS 300, and a quite a series of Japanese and BMW motorcycles.
Over a considerably longer time, that is clearly continuing, you are only on Vespa No. 2, by my count. Your other Vespa doesn’t count because No. 2 is still, based on my understanding, still your No. 1 ride.
You are an inspiration for all Vespa cult members.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for another fabulous Vespa new year!
The time sure has passed too quickly. And the Vespa community and its fellows have come and gone, changed rides, and transformed to new endeavors. I’m sort of just still doing what I’ve always done save for the addition of some motorcycles to my life. And making videos which you suggested I do a long, long time ago. I’m slow to pick up good suggestions!
Thank you for your kind words David. And best wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas and a fine New Year!