Do you still have your scooter ?

I have not thought about it much but the other day when I arrived at work, one of the girls asked if I still had my scooter and whether I would consider selling it. You see that gas prices have skyrocketed and it is a cheaper alternative to use as a commuting vehicle. I said it had been stored in the garage for a few years and I needed to get it started and the battery charged.



I thought nothing about it but after work I decided to go and visit a friend who is in the scooter business. The first thing he asked me was if I still had my scooter and how much I wanted for it. He knows that I take care of things. I told him it had been parked for a few years and probably needed a carb clean but I had already replaced the rear tire and new rear rim, and also I would probably need to charge the battery. It is one of those type of batteries which cannot be put on a battery tender. It requires continuous amperage.



He wanted to come by after work to see the scooter. I went home, dug the scooter out and started to work on the kick starter, just in case it would start on its own. I remember vaguely charging the battery last summer and starting the engine. I was going to insure it for use around town

Wouldn't you know, after a few kicks I decided to try the electric starter. It hesitated for a second and started a slow chug, THEN . . . it gasped to life and maintained a perfect fast idle. I let it warm up and then blipped the starter. It was smooth and worked perfect like it always has.

I then got out my air compressor and filled the tires to spec; 25 psi rear, and 22 psi for the front. I shut off the motor, then turned the key and it started again on the first kick, just like it was yesterday.



The scooter is like new with GIVI rear case and small windscreen. Even the original decals are intact, exactly like it came from the factory. I notice from the license tags that the insurance ran out at the end of 2008 .

The odometer has not yet reached 4,300 kms. The engine has barely been broken in. Mrs Skoot used this scooter for a couple of years and then I got hold of it and did some engine modifications and it was me that rode the last 2,500 kms . It is perfect for city use. It has no problems to maintain city speeds and you can park nearly everywhere in bike racks. I was actually thinking of insuring it again to use myself.



It probably has more utility for me than the meagre amount I would get from its sale.

Things have been going very slow for me these past few weeks. In the beginning I was hobbling around just trying to get to work. Even driving my car was painful as I had to manage the clutch pedal. My next vehicle may have to be an automatic. I was supposed to lay low and raise my foot and not do too much walking. I was taking Celebrex but sometimes it causes more problems than it cures. There are side affects which may or may not affect you, but it did to me. I had to get the swelling down on my foot so I had no choice but to take the pills. Use of Celebrex can cause stomach irritation and bleeding, which it did so I was anxious not to use it more than I had to. Even the instructions said that you had to weigh the benefits against the problems it would create so needless to say I probably stopped taking it too early. When my foot started to feel nearly better I stopped taking the pills. Then I proceed to mow the front lawn, and the next day I mowed the back lawn, then did the weeding, then cleaned my car, then did some gardening etc. The pain slowly came back until a few days later I was nearly crippled as I was in the beginning.

To make it short, I started to take the Celebrex again and now I have taken it more than a few days longer than I think I need to so today I am stopping again and hope the pain does not return. Last Sunday I stayed home all day with my foot elevated, which is rare. Since I have not ridden my bike for a week or so I have not posted much.

About a week ago when my foot still hurt, I thought it would be easier to ride my bike to work as moving the gear shifter seemed less painful than pushing the clutch



After work I decided to take the long way home and try to visit my riding buddy. I notice her Vespa double parked in her shared spot but my foot didn't feel like climbing up the long staircase

So I did what anyone else in my predicament would do, I found a nice spot in the sun to sit and wait, and wait, and wait . . . and still wait . . . and wait . . .



I don't know how long I waited but perhaps half an hour, or so. Everyone leaving the complex gave me the "eye" and stared at me as they drove past. Eventually I gathered my things and headed for home

I don't know what is happening but a couple of weeks ago I went for a little ride and stopped at the local dealer to look for another pair of riding boots



I just couldn't help myself and had to look at all the machinery parked on the main floor.



Lately I've been enamoured with the look of the R1200R, but I would get a small windscreen. I just love the look of those two jugs



I also love the R1200RT . I think that this bike feels lighter than my V-strom. It seems to have perfect balance. If I were going on a trip across the continent, then this would be the bike I would have



I just love the instrument cluster



Almost forgot, they didn't have a very good selection of riding shoes