Hibernating

March 23rd, 2018. Its spring and today’s temperature is 6 degrees Celsius which is an acceptable temperature to go riding. Putting on the KLIM layer by layer would not be an issue at all. Adjusting the tire pressure, check all the lights and then just vroom (or what ever they call that unique Vespa engine revving noise).

So why is it that every motorcycle and scooter in my garage including the owner is still hibernating?

Yes we are all still in our deep rem sleep dreaming about those country roads, s-curves, hills, dips and turns, sunshine, lakes, rivers, crazy pit stops and more.

There is no alarm clock set to a specific date or time to awake from this hibernating state. If there were an alarm it would be triggered by the amount of rainfall, intensity of the rain and amount of days it rained while the temperature remained over 0 degrees Celsius without any further snow. Why you ask?

SALT!!!

Yes, salt is the culprit and until there is sufficient rain to completely wash the salt and salt dust off the roads, the Vespa and I will remain in our Rem Sleep dreaming about the weeks to come.

Often salt dust is not completely visible to the eye but trust me on this, if it is on the road it causes two very bad things to happen:

Salt dust sprayed all over your engine, brakes, parts and electrical connectors that will lead to corrosion;
Salt dust dramatically reduces tire traction and grip on the road, specifically in corners and when stopping.

So as much as I dream about riding once again, that Salt Alarm Wake-Up Call just hasn’t happened yet and I remain snuggled up in my dream sleep for another week or so.

5 thoughts on “Almost awake…”

David Reese said:

March 23, 2018 at 1:28 pm

My Vespa is at the Vespa dealer at this very moment. Getting a 25,000 mile update and some necessary repairs. Getting it in shape for Spring (alas, it snowed yesterday).

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Peter Sanderson said:

March 23, 2018 at 1:40 pm

So list out what they are doing to it. I would like to know what a 25,000 mile (or Kilometer) update is all about.

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- David Reese said:
  
  March 27, 2018 at 3:24 pm
  
  I just received the Vespa back a few minutes ago.
  
  Exact mileage is 22,599 (36,370 km).
  
  There had been a very, very slight oil leak. (“Found leak going into transmission part. Removed oil, removed oil pan, put better seal around oil pan ($50 charge)”).
  
  Replace belt and rollers ($243 charge).
  
  Other service: check valve clearance, replace hub oil, adjust idea, clear air filter, adjust acceleration command, inspect steering and adjust, lubricate brake command levers, check condition of brake pad wear, check brake fluid. Regreased upper and lower front fork bearings. Total charge: $767.
  
  I had asked them to flush the coolant system, but I don’t see any notice that that was done. It should be done every other year, but they apparently didn’t do it.
  
  I had also asked them to replace the spark plug. That wasn’t done (they said it didn’t need to be done).
  
  When I got the Vespa back (due to the weather, I had it delivered both ways), it wouldn’t start. It turns out the electrical connection to left brake lever was bad. It would not start if I squeezed the left brake lever. But it would start if I pressed the right brake lever. The brake light also does not work if I press the left brake, but will if I press the right brake level. I called the dealer back, and he claimed it is a brake sensor that is bad. He’ll send me another and claims it will be easy to install. I’m not so sure it is the sensor, because I didn’t have this problem before I sent the Vespa in for the upkeep.
  
  I’ve always had some question about the quality of repair work at my local dealer. I wish I lived in San Diego so I could take my Vespa in to Scooterwest.
  
  I took possession of the Vespa (250 GTV) on May 6, 2008; hence, it is almost exactly 10 years old. It has given me reliable service and tons of pleasure. It is my main transportation for 7-8 months a year.
  
  I have no intention of ever giving the Vespa up.
  
  I am planning on getting a motorcycle for longer trips, however. At this time I am seriously considering the BMW G310R or G310GS. I am 75 years old; I work out daily and am in excellent health but slight of build. I’ve read excellent reviews on the 310 (truly outstanding reviews), and one of its advantages for me is its weight (350 pounds). I could probably handle a much larger bike, but I think the 310 would likely be the ideal size for me.
  
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  - Peter Sanderson said:
    
    March 27, 2018 at 3:28 pm
    
    Hi,
    
    I would consider the F700GS. Not much weight difference and since the gas tank is under the seat it is very well balanced and not top heavy like many other motorcycles. It will be more comfortable on the highways and for carrying stuff.
    
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David Reese said:

March 27, 2018 at 5:08 pm

Thanks, Peter. I’ll consider that.

You might be interested in a Letter to the Editor that I wrote, about the Vespa. It appeared in the February 2018 issue of Rider. It’s probably available online if you don’t take the magazine Rider.

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