Vespatude - A Vespa Blog: I don't need to worry

I was just thinking the other day, "I don't know if people will even want my blog if the scooter starts working right." Well, I needn't have worried. Heebie is giving me plenty to write about.

Things had been going so well, I thought I would take a longer ride today. It would be about 45 miles up to an apple orchard. My family was coming along so they followed me in the Suburban.

Right off the bat, things did not go well. I couldn't kick start the bike. I had to roll start. Getting out of town I had to restart the bike numerous times as it stalled at intersections. I didn't worry about it too much because I knew I would get out of town and then things would be less stop and go.

I was right. However, that is when the worst thing happened. I was having a blast riding along and then all of a sudden the engine started sputtering. I was able to get it going again several times, but then it just would not start.

I pulled it over and tried to do something to make it work. It simply would not fire. I could tell that fuel was getting into the carb, but nothing would burn. Was it flooded? Typically when it is flooded, I can roll start it. No way this time.

My wife then convinced me to ask the folks whose house we had stopped at, if I could leave the scooter there to come back for it. So, I pulled it behind the house and got in the truck to go have some fun with my family at the orchard. We did have fun, by the way. I didn't let the scooter problems keep us from enjoying it.

On the way back, we stopped by to see if after cooling down, the scooter would start up and get home. It didn't work. I pulled the plug and took at look at it. The plug was white. Now, doesn't that mean that the plug is burning too hot? Is the engine running too lean? Help!

I'm going back tomorrow with some new spark plugs. I'm hoping that the plug is just burned out and I can at least get the scoot home so I can try to nail down the problem. I don't have a truck or trailer to haul it in. So, if I can't get it to roll home, I'll have to borrow one from somebody.

May, it felt sooooo good to be floating down the road in northern Greenville County. It is some beautiful country. Hope I'll be able to enjoy some more of it on my way home tomorrow.