Modern Vespa

Let's rewind a bit, to May 21st, when this latest debacle began: a kid blowing a Stop sign, just as I'm entering and accelerating through it; me, braking hard, but still hitting kid's car, thankfully not at high speed, but hard enough to knock me off bike; going through the usual post-crash motions (exchanging insurance info, filing police report, and so on); managing to limp home, further assess damage, then call my dealer, when a flashing red light goes off in the back of my head, with three words flashing above it: peak riding season. The repair queue in their service department will be huge. And I went to bed envisioning my Summer riding going up in smoke.

Sure enough, this would be the case: it would take weeks for them to just evaluate the damage to the bike. Insurance adjuster had long since inspected the bike, made an estimate, and cut a check, with the proviso that I'd have to file for any additional damage the dealer discovers, which was thought highly likely. I also got my helmet replaced during this period. But I also had work to do and clients to see in Gotham, and Melody had become incredibly important in getting more work done in far less time-besides making commuting way more enjoyable-most of the time, at least-Mel saved me a ridiculous number of hours over public transportation, never mind the obvious and ever-important physical-distancing aspect.

There were phone calls during those weeks, of course, and the story was the same: they had forty bikes in the service queue, but know my situation, and were trying their best to get to Mel ASAP. And i know these folks well enough to know they weren't just feeding me a line: they'd been one mechanic short for a while, and besides the bikes in for service, they were almost literally selling more new bikes then they could get their hands on, meaning bikes that needed to get prepped as well. Le Wife let me hitch a ride for her forays into Gotham, and between subway rides and hopping on Revel bikes, I've been trying to get to as many people as possible, but it's been a poor substitute.

Finally, I call the dealer today. The good news is that that finally got to the bike for a look-see. And that's where the good news comes to an abrupt halt:

- Front fender needs replacing
- Front wheel removal/front-end check
- Rear wheel requires removal/inspection for noise
- Coollant leak (hose)
- Oil leak
- Valve check for potential issues (including the "cold start/stall" issue I inquired about)
- Crash bar/side-curtain replacement
- Loose battery terminals
- Moisture under instrument panel glass

Some of this is relatively minor, but half of it ain't. I'm not worried about cost here, since most if not all fo it should be covered. It's about time: ordering parts, waiting for said parts to be delivered, Et Cetera.

So...I wait, again. The shop will have the (re)assessment written up tomorrow or Wednesday, and either they or the Talking Lizard will give me a ring afterward. Yes, Im in a bit of a funk right now: Thumb-twiddling has rarely been so awful. But I'll live.

I love the way you share!

I also just remembered: When I made an inquiry regarding helmet replacement, there were a few more questions regarding the accident. I think this sums my answer up:

Easy answer: Multiple scooters.

I already know the usual answer. "I live in a big city and don't have a garage"

Big deal.

Buy a spare regardless.

Find a way.

Bill

The thought has crossed my mind a few times. The "big city" issue's a non-issue here in AP. No garage, but a driveway, so that's...fungible.

Other issues emerge: from a cost standpoint, about the only thing I can (barely) consider is maybe a slightly-worn-around-the-edges-but-rideable GT200. Otherwise I'd be looking at a generic 300-400cc UJM of some sort (and getting used to rowing a manual again, being only 40+ years out of practice). And convincing Le Wife of the efficacy of the idea. And then, the process of registering the thing...the local MVC is still a bit of a mess, post-COVID.

Ideally, I could go with the bike I had in mind in the first place, pre-Melody...

I agree with Bill, especially since your livelihood depends on it. This is the third time in a brief amount of time you have been scooter-less. If nothing else keep up on Craigslist, know the whereabouts of a cheap motorcycle on a regular basis to buy, use and sell once the scooter comes home.

that's why I ride a Vespa and refuse to get a bike

In the process or replaying to you, I read my response to Bill to Le Wife: while she isn't entirely against the idea, she agrees that getting a second bike on the road now before Melody gets back in my hands is close to impossible. I will put this in mind for the future; hell, maybe I will get that murdered-out SV650 after all. (Or a GTV...I'm open to possibilities, given the money.)

Generally, particularly in light of my experience with Melody, that's mostly my bias as well.

You have the answer right there.

Two of my three GTs are a bit more than slightly-worn-around-the-edges, but man, do they run well.

You could do much worse.

Bill

Easy answer, buy another Vespa but different; take a used LXV 150 and use it as an alternative to Mel also to change your driving style.

Here.

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/mcy/d/brooklyn-vespa-gts-black/7343259917.html

Many thanks for that...however, as mentioned earlier, even if I pulled the trigger on that ride, by the time I managed to get it legally on the road across the river here, Melody would likely have been back on the road for a little while: NJ's MVC is still a mess here, post-COVID (Le Wife's younger son, who's still living with us till late this year, went through hell getting his car registered here (he's still running on Virginia plates). I'll likely pursue this next year, although I'm still up in the air as to what kind of two-wheeler that might be (although I'm still leaning toward another Vespa, but obviously nothing less than a 200cc, four-stroke large-frame). Borrowing somebody's bike would be a much-speedier proposition, but I have no hope for that at the moment.