Scooter in the Sticks

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

Avoiding Chores

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Vespa GTS scooter is self wash bayAvoiding the Obvious

Almost any chore can be undesirable or oppressive.  The difference between that and something that done with ease, or better, an action that provides a reward, is attitude.  At least I like to think of it that way and not just a matter of laziness.

Washing dishes, mopping a floor, raking leaves — just some of the activities that can provide, when my head is in the right place, a quiet meditative experience.

Not so washing my Vespa scooter.  I never enjoy that chore.  In a post titled Annual Vespa Wash I confess to a “…pathological disinterest in maintenance…”.

I can’t remember the last time I washed the scooter.

Vespa GTS 250ie scooter in snowWhy Clean When You Can Ride.

Riding is the important goal and there are enough things that intrude (health, weather, work) that I have no control over that I don’t want to manufacture more things that will keep me off the scooter.  At least that’s the delusion which animates my spirit. And I accept the genuine possibility that it is a profound character defect that exacts a price in dollars.

But so far, I just don’t care.

2017 Brave, Bold Blogger Challenge

This post is part of a month long writing prompt challenge conceived by Kathy at Toadmama.com.

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.

Mechanical Satisfaction

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Do you derive joy or satisfaction from working on your scooter or motorcycle?

Vespa GTS scooter in wash bayGrime and Crud

After an evening of wrench turning and and part changing the scooter is back on the road.  A new battery has the scooter firing up strongly and a new sparkplug and air filter has reduced the occurrence of the engine fault light coming on.  To celebrate I went for a test ride and decided to stop and spray the filth off the Vespa.  Being careful to not direct any high powered streams of water into the engine or other delicate places I was able to transform a mud caked, limestone dust coated, salt encrusted scooter into a reasonable handsome machine.

Can’t say the same about my grease stained fingers.  I remember now that I have latex gloves to keep my hands clean.  Sitting here now, tired after a long week and some work on the scooter this evening, I can tell I’m in a glow of mechanical satisfaction.  As much as I hate to admit it there is a tangible feeling of accomplishment from a few simple acts.

Strange.

Vespa GTS scooter along road at night with passing carsRoad Closed Ahead

Before I get lost in the mechanic romantic I still find riding more dazzling and rewarding than crawling around the driveway with a wrench and screwdriver.  Working on the scooter and knowing I can do a few things was fun but can’t hold a candle to the test ride.  Through the dark and on the way home the smile has returned.

You know the one, the big grin fueled by fun.

The mechanical satisfaction isn’t over yet — still have to change the engine and transmission oil and check the head bearings.  Another day, after a nice spring ride.

Trying to be a good Boy Scout I ordered a pair of Heidenau K61 tires today from Kissell Motorsports.  I’ll be needing them in a month or so.

Melting into the chair at the moment and dreaming of sleep.  That’s what Friday nights have become for an old Vespa rider…