Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

What is the Vespa Scooter Lifespan?

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Vespa GTS scooter in service bay at Kissell MotorsportsService Time for Vespa at Kissell Motorsports

The Vespa at Kissell Motorsports for its annual Pennsylvania Safety Inspection.

As the odometer ticks toward 35 thousand miles on the 11 year-old scooter I’ve been thinking about what to expect for the future.  The new thumps heard and felt when encountering a rough spot on the road suggest new shock absorbers aren’t far off if not overdue.  Another belt change is just around the corners and some aging hoses on the engine call out for replacement.

All of this have me wondering — How long with a Vespa scooter last? What is the Vespa scooter lifespan?Continue Reading

No Vespa Riding

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No Vespa riding while scooter awaits rust repairsAwaiting Tender Loving Care

Stopped by the body shop today to see how things were coming along on my Vespa scooter.  I didn’t expect anything yet and was not disappointed.  The scooter sat among other parts, pieces and vehicles awaiting transformation, much like droids in the original Star Wars where we first met R2D2.

As I looked around the shop I could see that body work is nothing like mechanical repair.  It’s more of an art where the craftsman must find the path that best suits the situation.  It’s sort of inspiring to see all the custom metal work, fabrication, welding and other activities going on to restore old vehicles.  And brand new ones too.

I was told that they have a plan to do the work without pulling the steering column.  The scooter would be hoisted into the air on the lift and they think they can access everything without any disassembly.  That would save a few dollars.

Not being able to ride has led me to surf Craigslist and eBay for a used scooter.  Found one exactly like mine with less than 3000 miles on the clock for $3000.oo.  Same color too.  As much as I daydream about motorcycles I should probably just buy a backup machine.  With that in place maybe I can entertain some repair and maintenance myself when I retire.

Right now though, wish I could ride…

Rusty Vespa Scooter

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Vespa GTS along rural road in snowWinter 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.

Vespa GTS scooter at Roan's Body ShopRoan’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…

Living Without a Scooter

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Belgian Sheepdog meditating in gardenDaily 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.

hydrandgea climbing up a postThe 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.

dog running through wooded gardenRemain 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.

Two Belgian Sheepdogs in garden

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.

Required Vespa Maintenance

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Kissell Motorsports signKissell Motorsports

Arriving at your local motorcycle and scooter dealership, in my case Kissell Motorsports, I can be in one of two distinctly different frames of mind – the bliss of fantasy or the anxiety of the technician’s verdict. The yin and yan of the two-wheeled life for those of us who are not committed wrench turners.

So begins the story…

Reflection of Steve Williams and his Vespa GTS scooter

Confessions of Vespa Abuse

Reflecting on my poor scooter – nameless, subjected to indecent conditions, ridden hard and put away wet – is it any wonder it doesn’t feel well? I don’t care for machines very well. My friend Paul commented over the weekend that my van is the dirtiest vehicle he’s ever been in. (He must lead a sheltered life – my van seems spotless compared to many vehicles I ridden in.)

Regardless, I confess to abusing the Vespa through neglect and indifference using it only for my own selfish, personal pleasure. In return I offer the minimum of care – fuel, lubricants, and the occasional bath. The Vespa has held up remarkably well considering nearly ten years of hard use.

Still, I approached the service department with a sense of dread.

Sales tag on a brand new Vespa GTS300The Verdict

With the help of the kind community of Vesparados on ModernVespa.com I had tracked down why my engine warning light was coming on under power. A quick voltage test at the battery revealed a failed voltage regulator. Echoing deep in my subconscious was a nasty voice telling me, “there’s more son, you need to spend your money on something…”.

As I thought about the cost of repairing my aging scooter I began to wonder if it would be better to buy a new one.

Madness. I know.

Triumph Street Twin motorcycle
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”

As the Cheshire Cat said in Alice in Wonderland, I found imagining life with the Triumph Street Twin helped await the verdict on my scooter.  The funny thing about imagination — it’s fickle.  Before long I was riding a Triumph Scrambler, then a Ducati Scrambler.  I even imagined a few miles on a URAL.  It was about then I heard the call from the service desk.

One thing is for certain.  When I think something needs fixed I’m usually right.  And it’s usually far more than I anticipated.

My 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie is sitting quietly at Kissell Motorsports awaiting required Vespa maintenance. I was right about the voltage regulator.

And then some.  But that’s a story for another day.