I’ve begun to look more closely at the tools I carry in a small nylon bag under the seat of the Vespa — the right socket to remove a clamp, the correct extension to afford easy access to a bolt, an Allen wrench that will allow removal of the front wheel. Little things that spell the difference between an indefinite halt in progress or a seamless repair and return to the road. Spread across the driveway I wonder how much time I’ll have to spend with them before feeling mechanically comfortable if not competent. Embracing this new discipline shines a light on personality shortcomings — things like patience, perseverance and laziness.
Standing along the road in the freshly graded roadbed, grinding the soles of my boots into the fine limestone recalled the thrill of new clod-hoppers as a kid and the rush to get them dirty, see how they would perform in every dirty, dusty place I could find. Almost everything about riding (and moments passed along the road) brings a rush of well-being — physical, mental and emotional. Regardless of circumstance or location the energy turns up the corners of my mouth and sends me to somewhere good. For me at least.
The weather has been idyllic of late. Last Saturday morning was bright, cool and unfolded to give the most routine of rides an utterly unfettered, seemingly effortless quality of freedom — or something closely related. The weight of living is stripped away long enough to see why I’m here, standing on the earth. No small gift and reliably delivered for years now by a scooter.
No long ride this day. Just a trip to breakfast on the other side of the valley — just a 15 mile ride. I was surprised to see my daughter standing in the parking lot talking on the phone. She arrived by bicycle training for an upcoming race of irrational distance but did stay to take in some carbs before moving on. I used to ride a bicycle. It never delivered what I was after:
Flying — the world rushing by, eyes forward, wondering what’s ahead…
Steve,
I envy your ability to use tools. For Christmas many years ago, my three sons gave me a tool box, “for all of Mommy’s tools that you don’t know the names of.”
I also envy your elegant prose, your ability to capture the experience of riding so clearly and memorably.
Tom
Lovely post, Steve.
I use a tool roll from Duluth Trading Company, it works nicely and gives a false sense of organization. As a kid a bicycle was freedom! At this point it is something I should be riding to stave off effects of aging.
Mike D.
Nice posting as usual Steve….I believe you’ll find your comfort level rising the more you use the tools….
dom
URAL: Making mechanics out of riders since 1942….
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Steve, what do you think of the flyscreen?
Well I am mystified when I look at what is inside my little grey pouch of tools. I carry a cell phone because if I break down I call someone, someone who knows what to do with all of the little shiny metal things inside the mysterious grey pouch.
As for riding you nailed that description. It is like flying and the sense of freedom it brings makes me breathless at the thought of it.
I have discovered a new playground just 12 hours from home. The Smokey Mountains and North Georgia are a playground to rival your backyard. And I have found I have not yet forgotten how to ride through corners. I envy you less (plus I carry fewer tools on the Bonneville…).
Thomas Keene: I have a lot of tools but not a lot worthy of envy. I suppose the trick is deciding you want to learn to use them. Once that hurdle is made the rest comes over time.
I hope!
Thanks for your kind words about my writing.
claudia: Thanks!
Low Buck Rider: I’ll have to look for that. I get their catalog and love looking at all the things in it.
For me, even a false sense of organization would be an improvement. While cleaning up today after the rear tire change and an oil/screen/filter change I made a quiet mental commitment to organizing the garage into a Vespa shop. Time will tell.
Charlie6: When I imagine the skill and comfort level I would like to reach I imagine you in my head. I fear it will be many years until I reach that point though…
You have the URAL advantage!
Looby: I like the windscreen. Looks good and it really does cut down on the wind without stealing the feeling of riding in the wind. The real test will be in cold weather. That’s a ways off…
Dar: I know the mystified feeling. Tired of it and know I can change it with a little work. That way I can keep flying and not be so dependent…
Conchscooter: The Smoky Mountains would be a great place to ride. Someday I hope to get the Vespa there.
You’re obviously suffering from PTSD when it comes to a Vespa. You had bad mechanics — they just could find that loose throttle body. That Vespa is probably turning 60K miles now.
The Bonneville is an acceptable alternative though!
Such a nice images are display here.Spare part for the scooters are important to repair scooters when it was damage to find regarding some problems in it.
With all the tools present, it is not that hard to replace scooter forks especially if it is broken.