Modern Vespa

I had a problem turning into my steep crumbling driveway, and I dropped my bike on its left side. I left a puddle of oil where I dropped it, and now it's dripping oil from this tube.

Did I puncture something? I feel like a complete idiot. I know I can't ride it until I put more oil in it, but what should I be looking for to figure out what I did?

I don't know the parts of my bike (a GT 200). I don't know what to do.

Thanks in advance.

Robyn

I just checked it again, and I think perhaps it's gas that leaked out because when I turned on the controls, it seems to have gone down about 1/8th of a tank, and when I started it, my oil light didn't go on.

Nevertheless, any thoughts, whatever would be appreciated (besides never driving into my driveway again. I think I get anxious trying to drive past my car and end up misjudging the whole thing. This is the second time I've dropped it, and there have been a few near drops as well).

Robyn

Robyn i am certainly no mechanic but maybe i can get you to look at a few things that may help you until one of the guys chime in. Check your oil level with the scoot on the center stand. If it's low fill it. go to the tech forum and find the oil hub section. Is this where the oil is coming from. Did you somehow knock it loose? Also find the air filter and take the cover off. The oil and gas may have gotten in there. Hope this gets you started. Sorry about your mishap. We have have our moments. Hang in there.

It is a closed sump and therefor will not leak oil, unless the sump is broken,
or the machine is completely inverted. Even then, an oil leak is not much of a possibility.
Look for gasoline leaking from a loose gas cap.

What does it smell like??

I think it was gas. It has since stopped, and it looks as though a little has leaked around the cap. Later this afternoon, I will take the booklet with the diagrams and check to see that nothing has leaked into the air filter, etc.

Also, I had just filled my tank (to the top) and had only driven about 5 miles, and now it's at 3/4.

It doesn't smell like anything, and it didn't smell like oil. I was kind of upset (hooray for crash bars) and banged my knee, so I wasn't thinking that rationally.

Anyway, thanks for your help, Judy and carrelo.

Robyn

In a tipover, it's very common for gasoline to make it's way into the evaporative system and the air cleaner. You should remove the small plastic bubble on the bottom of your air cleaner to see what comes out. Normally, there's a small quantity of oil in there from your air filter. This is normal (see [topic3956]).

Very likely, some gas will come out along with the oil.

You may also have issues starting your scooter or keeping it idling. Or not. If you do, though, see this thread for information on disconnecting your EVAP hose.

Good luck.

Some suggestions:

Find an empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice riding your scoot. Especially practice braking to a complete stop and planting your feet quickly (and surely) down on the ground, left foot first! -Because it reads to me like you have yet to gain control over your scoot here...

Also, can you ride around the block and approach your driveway from the opposite direction? I sometimes do this to avoid crumbling concrete on the entrance apron into my own driveway, or when a car is parked too far back on it.

And when one of our cars is parked too far back on our driveway for me to cruise easily past it, I'll ride up onto the apron and STOP and quickly put both feet down! I hit both handbrakes quickly and bring the scooter to a complete SAFE stop first, and then slowly squeeze past the offending car by slow walk-riding....
(And I also avoid riding on a street near my house that has hugmungous potholes!)

Remember, no one is watching and judging you as to how slick and accomplished a rider you are. If for your own comfort level you have to make a few extra stops to pull into your driveway, then do so! (As long as it's traffic-safe too..) IMO it's a lot better than dropping your bike!

drummer

A couple more suggestions I just thot about:

Do not brake your scoot (to a full stop, or otherwise) if it is leaning over into a turn. If you need to stop while entering your driveway, always bring the scoot back quickly upright first, then stop quickly and firmly plant your feet...

Try and take the MSF riding course.

If you cannot do this, then at least get a copy of "Profficient Motorcycling" and read it from cover to cover. It could save your neck...

Namaste,
drummer

without trying to be a know it all. I would suggest taking the MSF course. My wife and I just did it last weekend, it has made a big difference on our riding skills. THey take it from the very beginning. I did the parking lot training when I first learned. Now after last weekend I feel like a new rider.

I did take the MSF course (and scored really high) and read the book Proficient Motorcycling. I don't have a problem with my bike 99% of the time. It's just my driveway, which is on an incline and is crumbling. It requires a sharp turn or the ability to go in straight, which in my neighborhood in Los Angeles is risky in its own right.

Sorry to be defensive - I'm in a crappy mood with a swollen knee - but the advice I need is more technical in nature, such as what Jess, Judy, and Carrelo described.

Also, Drumwolf, I do need to practice getting into my driveway and putting my feet down. Obviously I have a problem with that, and I plan to follow your advice.

Robyn