Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

Spring Vespa Tune-Up

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Vespa GTS scooter in driveway
With the warm weather comes plans to do a spring Vespa tune-up

Sing the Vespa Mechanic Blues

It was time to remove the Tucano Urbano apron and bar muffs and prepare for the spring riding season. The one with warm rains, flowers, blossoming trees, and no need for the heavy winter riding gear. But before that happens I need to do a little spring Vespa tune-up.

I pushed the scooter out of the garage during a break in the rain to start the engine and make sure the COVID19 pandemic induced operational hiatus did not adversely affect the scooter. The engine jumped to life immediately and a spin around the block did not reveal any outstanding issues. As soon as things dry off and I don’t mind laying on the driveway I’ll begin my spring Vespa tune-up

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Smooth and Silent Riding Partner

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Vespa GTS scooter on early morning wet roadMorning Glow

It’s difficult to identify the exact moment when my mistrust of a machine is born. It’s certain though to prey on the mind and from there the brain wanders toward thoughts of failure and catastrophe. And from that nervous vantage point I can see the purchase of something new. I missed my smooth and silent riding partner.

This has happened numerous times with cars and trucks. And a few times with computers and cameras. But it was something new regarding my Vespa scooter, the vehicle that transcended transportation to serve as a smooth and silent tool to see the world more clearly.

On a misty morning ride I could feel the machine interrupting, the road rumbling through the hand grips, the transmission rattling, the normally smooth and silent ride displaced by thoughts that something isn’t right. As the odometer approaches 38 thousand miles and the departure of the local Piaggio dealer I found myself thinking of machinery rather than the morning glow to which I was witness.Continue Reading

Vespa Exhaust Union Gasket

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Vespa GTS toolkitQuieting in the Noise

Tools on the floor of the garage isn’t my idea of a good time. Perhaps in time it will be. The scooter was getting louder and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. Noise chips away at the serene nature of a ride. One of the aspects of riding the Vespa GTS that I appreciate most is how quiet it is.Continue Reading

Basic Motorcycle Tool Kit – What You Need on the Road

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BMW F800 Adventure motorcycleFully Equipped Motorcycle

Saw this motorcycle (I think there’s one under all that gear) at our local BMW dealer (Kissell Motorsports soon to be renamed under new ownership) when I dropped my friend Paul Ruby off to pickup his scooter.  It got me thinking about the need to carry a motorcycle tool kit.  Along with all the other gear this rider had packed on his motorcycle, he had the tools necessary to do some work on the front wheel.

Do you carry a motorcycle tool kit with you on the road?Continue Reading

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