Don’t Commute … Scoot!

On the way back from my second trip to Home Depot yesterday my front brake went out.

I was riding on Brighton Henrietta Town Line Rd. at about 40 when the light ahead of me changed. I pressed firmly on both brakes when “FSSSTTT”, the front brake handle came all the way into the throttle grip. I gripped the rear even tighter, and wound up stopping part way into the intersection.

Fortunately it was a T intersection, and I was in the right lane crossing the T, so I wasn’t in the path of any traffic. While I waited for the light to change I tested the front brake. It seemed to work, but much softer than before.

After evaluating my options – how far to the shop, how far home, and the fact that the van with the carrier on it was parked in my garage at home – I decided to proceed cautiously back to the shop. The route back was all along South Clinton Ave., which is mostly four lanes, lightly travelled at this time of day, and only has two serious intersections to worry about, so it was a safe bet.

All the way back I kept testing the front brake. It felt like it was gripping, but wouldn’t stop the bike.

As I brought the scooter into the service area I told Gary about my problem. One look at the scooter revealed the cause – the right side of the front tire was covered in brake fluid. Looking up under the fender we could see that the brake line had gotten between the tire and the fork, and the tire had rubbed a hole in it.

How did it get loose? Well, it turns out that there’s no hose guide on the front brake, nor was there one on a customer’s Roketa that we just happened to be working on. We checked our Tank Viaggios and discovered they ALL had them. (The Viaggio is the same body style as the Roketa Sicily.)

I just checked ALL the scooters in the shop, whether ours or a customer’s, and they ALL have a guide of some sort to prevent the front brake hose from coming into contact with the front tire. All EXCEPT the Roketas.

Just something to think about the next time you’re shopping for a new ride!

I went out for lunch yesterday, around 2:00 as usual. It’s tough to get away from the store during the middle of the day – that’s when lots of people like to come in and shop. Anyway, I headed towards Home Depot to pick up some things, and tried to decide where to get lunch.

I finally thought about DiBella’s – a sub was SO appealing. I said to myself “Mm mm mm mm mm – tasty!” and just as I said “tasty” there was a loud SMACK as a honeybee hit my face shield. If the plastic hadn’t been there it would have hit square in my open mouth!

When I turned my head most of the carcass slid off in the wind, but there was still a smear that stayed there until I got to Home Depot and could wipe it off. I guess RainX works for bugs almost as well as rain!

I sell 1/2 and 3/4 helmets. I also have face shields that fit the 3/4s. People can buy whichever helmet they choose, but when they ask I always recommend a 3/4 with a face shield as the minimum to get (full faces are even better, if you can find one that fits you well.) That honeybee just drove home the point for me!

It’s finally happened. The weather gods have seen fit to bless us with warm weather, and for more than one day at a time, too!

Yesterday was the first time since the store opened that I felt comfortable commuting by scooter. My Roketa Sicily 150 has been sitting in the shop for the last several months, but I took it home Thursday night in anticipation of switching to scooter commuting.

Putting the van with the motorcycle carrier attached into my garage is ordinarily a challenge. Putting it in far enough so that I could also park the scooter behind it all was even more so. I had to rearrange the junk normally stored there so that everything could be shoehorned in. But I did it!

My criteria for commuting by scooter is simple: Over 40 degrees when I leave, and not raining. If it’s over 50 I’ll ride in the rain (I have a nice rain suit.) Yesterday met those criteria.

As soon as I was on the road I got all teary-eyed. (My first ride of the day usually does that to me. It’s not an emotional thing!) The Corazzo jacket is made for protection, not warmth, but I had prepared by wearing an extra layer of Under Armor. Even so, it was a chilly ride in.

My riding later in the day was both warmer and more eventful, but that’s another post (or two!) It’s just so GOOD to be riding again!

We may be donating a scooter to this. Watch and see!

The Skin and Steel Motorcycle and Tattoo Extravaganza is billed as “The Biggest and Best Show in the Rochester Area”. Lots of Harleys.

There’s a nice video of last year’s show on their website at http://www.skinandsteel.com/index.html. Check it out!