Saturday, July 23, 2016

A Week Of Getting Acquainted

Last Sunday after our wonderful evening in Red Wing with VSL, the soft-pouched scooter and ziplock bag filled with mementos were both gently set down in the family (computer) room, unopened and left.  Monday was going to be an early start-long day for me and I needed to get some rest.  That day after 10 hours in the car to visit one of our customers for a 1 hour meeting, I was a bit late getting home.  My one and only goal for the evening was to get a very good look at BobScoot and the contents from all of the previous hosts.  I must say that it was treasured time; the places and personal touches in that little plastic bag made this endeavor truly come alive for me.  A sincere thanks to you all.

So that was Monday.  Tuesday plans were being conjured for scooter maintenance and repair.  By Wednesday, the plug was replaced, Neutral light fixed and a quick oil change accomplished.  In the ziplock bag of goodies, a note suggested, "....some damage has occurred, may be best to wait for repairs until the wooden scooter reaches the final destination....." to which Toad Mama (aka Kathy) wrote, "Repaired in Virginia....steering column not glued to handlebars, just make sure they face the proper way for photos."

This seemed like experienced, sound advice and was considered a long while but in the end I chose to ignore this very wise counsel.


I spend time, especially so on weekends, with some very First Class people and through time and enough exposure, they've come to expect a much lower threshold from me.  Even so, to show up and present BobScoot in this condition would be a Faux Pas not soon forgotten....or forgiven.

Where motorcycle parts and a lift now reside in my shop, there once were two CNC machines.  Those machines are gone but numerous chunks of metal, blocks of exotic plastics, etc. are still present.  The result, a brass rod now connects the handlebar bone to the wheel bone.  Alignment of the front end is still a bit wonky but I did the best I could with this wonderfully crafted, hand made machine.  Clearly not ready for Daytona banking, at least the photo ops will be much easier to pull off, the finished result being one piece instead of three.




To better protect these changes, packaging enhancements are underway and for the most part completed, both for motorcycle travel and for longer distance shipment ......(there's a short way and a long way to Denver on the ST2, am I right??....)

16 comments:

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    1. Dom, not sure what the plan is but you're my closest neighbor?

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    2. Coop, if it turns out I'm next, we could meet at a mid-point so the handoff is via motorcycle perhaps.

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    3. Wonderful offer, let's see what's ahead.

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  2. What, no nicely printed spare parts! ;-)

    Road trip time?

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    1. Richard, this made me smile. There is some new technology in the shop.

      Trips are excitedly being planned.

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  3. It's only a question of time before someone slips an actual engine in there. With some lights and a GPS linked to the handlebars, the little one might find its own way home.

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    1. David, now that IS something to look forward to if not expect!

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  4. That's some shop you have, I'm most envious!

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    1. Thanks Nikos, it was once far more capable than it is presently. It went from an after hours vocation shop to a weekend hobby room. I can tell you fun happens there

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  5. Such an interesting adventure this lil scooter is on.

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    1. Ct, a Danish couple visiting Wisconsin while we were on our 'rounds' yesterday were very curious about what I was carrying and photographing. The adventure's interest is contagious.

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  6. That lil' piece of wood will be better than ever after your maintenance job. Thank you for taking time and effort to make SB whole again.

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    1. Sonja, it was a task not taken lightly. The repair went well and I believe it to be sound. A little nervous about it being handled by my riding friends on Saturday, I needn't have worried. They understood and (can) have a delicate touch.

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  7. I'm looking forward to reading about the next hand to hand transfer and the journey it means.

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  8. Yay, a permanent front end! I was sad to see his wheel had come off. Hopefully, that'll hold for good.

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