- TIP OF THE WEEK -
If
you've had a Battery Tender on your scooter over the winter pat yourself squarely on the back. That doesn't garuntee
your battery isn't dead, but it sure does lessen the chances. Turn on the ignition and test the horn. If it beeps loud
and strong you're probably OK, if it doesn't you're going to need to get a battery tender or some other sort of
charger. If your battery is weak or dead, check your battery fluid levels. If they are low either add distilled water or electrolyte
(don't get this stuff on you or your clothes, if you do, flood the area with water immediately). Hook up the charger
at a LOW amperage, 2 or lower. Let it charge for about an hour and try the horn again. If it isn't any better than it
was before, your battery is done and needs to be replaced. If it is better you can go ahead and try to start the scooter.
Starting the scooter after it's been
sitting for a while.
a) if the scooter
has a kick-starter give it a few slow kicks (you may want to skip this step if you have a Vespa 150 with an automatic transmission
as the kickstart mechanism can be weak and easily broken). to spread the oil around the moving parts.
b) twist the throttle wide open to the stops 3 times quickly.
c) make sure the bike is up on the centerstand, the back wheel can spin freely and while holding
the rear brake press the start button.
d) the scooter may start for a few seconds then die. if that happens twist the throttle open then closed one more time and
try to start it again.
e) repeat this
until you get a steady idle. You may have to twist the throttle open while pressing the start button. Do NOT run your starter
for more than 10 seconds at a time.
f)
if your scooter is idling, you can try creeping up on the revs. A little at a time. Going full throttle right away will probably
cause the scooter to stall.
g) if your
scooter still won't start, make sure your kill switch is in the RUN position (smack yourself in the forehead repeatedly).
If it still won't start you have a dirty pilot jet and need to seek professional assistance.
h) if you've tried creeping up on it, and it's been idling for more than 3 minutes
(off the choke circuit) and you still can't get it rev up without dying you have a dirty main jet or mixer tube and you
need to seek professional assistance.
i)
Now that your bike is idling and revving nicely, go ahead and rev it up and back down again over and over again. Don't
try to race it, but don't be a wussy either. Be careful as some scooters like to wander around on their centerstands due
to gyroscopic effect of that back wheel. If it starts creeping, slow down, Mario.
j) test all of your lights, horn and both brakes.
k) shut the scooter down and check your tire tread and tire pressures. Don't go by what's
printed on the side of the tire, that's the MAX, go by the tag on your scooter or consult your manual. If you're still
not sure, call us.
l) Geesh, we're
already at L
m) put on your proper gear
and go out for a little ride, be careful, you've had a lot of couch time since you've last ridden and car drivers
aren't used to looking for us yet. Salty spots are very slippery and you'll need to take it really easy for a while.
n) bring your bike in for an oil change,
or do it yourself. That oil that's in the crankcase now has gone through many temperature changes and it's full of
condensation (water) and that's oil and metals natural enemy.
I hope you've found this helpful. If you get hung up on anything give me a shout. Don't
be embarrassed, I'm sure I've got a bike or two in my garage that isn't going to spring to life next time I try
to ride.
