Bringing the scoot out of hibernation. By DrRocco (Read 660 times)

[DrRocco]

Well, I bought all my tomato and pepper seeds today.  It's time to get the garden started.  It's my first spring with my scooter, but I'm guessing it's probably also time to start prepping it for spring as well.

I didn't really do anything in the way of winterizing. I start it up every week or two and let it run for 20 minutes or so just to run a little petrol through it, but that's really it.  I'm certain I could put some air in the tires and hit the road and be okay, but my guess is that it's probably not wise to do so.

My plan is to re-accomplish the same PDI steps I performed when I uncrated it almost a year ago: Take off the body panels, inspect the frame, set the valves, change the fluids, torque the bolts, check the screws...  You get the idea.

Is this overkill?  Underkill?  Anything to which I should pay special attention?

[jct842]

You got it covered. Belt, clutch and variator probably would benefit from cleaning and inspection too.

[jerryscript]

It's never over kill to double check things, especially when your life could depend upon it. I personally do a complete tear down and check 2-3 times a year, and I usually find something that needs adjustment or shows I may need to repair/replace it soon. I don't like surprises while I'm riding, so maintenance is one of my main priorities!

[cyborg]

It could be a little overboard but I'm in jerrys camp on this one,,, I'm a hyper freak when it comes to maintaining the vehicles,, the idea of me doing a faceplant at 50+ mph is not in my normal routine,,, the way I look I can use all the help I can get

[dmartin95]

Inspecting your scooter for the new season is an awesome way to get started. I'm a safety nut so I think what you're doing should be mandatory...

I'm so jealous! Dr. Rocco is sitting there talking about Garden Seeds and his scooter as I'm sitting here in single digits in the day, negative digits at night.

This is my forecast for the week:

[richardv]

A good once over is recommended. Back in the spring of 2006 if I had done so instead of just taking the bike out of the barn and going for a ride I may have found the rear wheel bearing going bad. That led to a nasty crash that nearly cost me my left leg.

[Bashan]

RV, I don't think anybody could get more meaning into so few words. Well said and everybody listen up to the voice of mega experience. Nuff said. Rich

[DrRocco]

I'll knock on wood here, but it looks like my spring break and the weather might just line up enough so that I can spend a Monday and Tuesday next week on a scoot inspection, then ride the rest of the week. If that plan holds, I'm going to record the process.