Not the right day for a flat tyre

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It was at noon yesterday that I found that my scooter had a flat tyre.

If it was my car, I would have simply rung my clients advising that I would be a little late and changed the tyre then and there. The scooter is a different matter because you can’t carry a spare tyre, and because most tyre places cannot change it for you as they don’t have the correct tools.

I had two other appointments, so I walked between them, pretending that it was not really that warm outside, (luckily the town is not too big) and then managed to find someone who knew about such things as flat tyres on motor cycles. He bought me a can of miracle stuff that pumped up the tyre and sealed it against further leaks. He said the downside was that I had to ride it for 10 km for it to set. Luckily for me that was the exact distance home and I arrived there at 4pm.

Mr Johbot did not mind not being the one called to rescue me. He’s a builder and spent yesterday putting a Colourbond roof on a house. The dame weather is predicted for today.

Johanna

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Talk about a study in contrasts…

Cheers,

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I wouldn’t like to be in either!

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Sorry about your travails, Johanna. I can imagine what you went through. What’s kinda timely for me is that I’m in the “market” for one of these babies, come Spring weather in Kentucky. There are some who are laughing about the prospect of a 72 year old guy tooling around on the highway on a two-wheeled vehicle, so maybe I AM experiencing a “second childhood” event. At the nursing home where I go every day, it’s an 11 mile one-way trip on a pretty decent highway, so I thought an alternative vehicle for warm weather driving would be OK. There are a number of colleagues there who ride full-fledged motorcycles back and forth, but I don’t feel up to that challenge.

Anyway, my still anticipated concerns ARE scooter maintenance AND, as in your case, what to do in a road emergency! I have no idea how one gets “rescued” if you have a flat tire and you’re several miles out of town on a country roadway. So far my thinking is – I’ve got a mobile phone in my pocket and I can always call for a “tow truck” to come and load my scooter up to take to a repair shop. I’ll let you know how I make out come the warmer Kentucky weather.

Glad you’re OK and made it through the ordeal…

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Thanks Al,

Yes, the mobile phone is the best risk management plan I could think of.

I love my scooter. I use it as often as possible and its just fun to ride. I have had some hassles with it and am considering updating to a larger cc engine and a better known brand. The exhaust pipe cracked where it joined to the muffler. This was a warranty job, but it took the local dealer 9 weeks to organise the part (with a pittle prompting from me via the manufacturer and the local Dept of Fair Trade). I was not happy and they are aware of my feelings. The scooter is under warranty until April and then I will no longer have to use the dealer.

Mine is also 2 stroke. The one extra job of checking and maintaining the oil is sometimes one job too many (sounds lazy, I know).

And the other brands have better instruments on the ‘dashboard’. Mine has a speedo (obligatory, apparently). A light comes on when the fuel is low. I then have about 15 kms left in the tank. So living 10 kms out of town can make me think I am living dangerously when that light goes on on my way home.

Minor quibbles really. But I save so much on fuel that I am not concerned about the cost of upgrading the scooter at some time in the next 12 months. If I buy a new one I get to choose the colour! I know – just proof that I am female.

Johanna

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Since I’m still a shopper, if you don’t mind saying, what model do you have?

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Hi Al,

Sorry for the dealy in replying. Today Ihave the luxury of an airconditioned car to take me an hour to an airconditioned office. Been busy with the day job – but you get that.

My scooter is a Hyosung Rally in Sunbronzed Gold! They guy I bought it off swears that Hyosung come out of the same factory as Suzuki.

Johanna

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You need a Vespa! They carry a spare tyre ( http://www.ducatimelbourne.com.au/vespa/px200.html%5B/url%5D

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>You need a Vespa! They carry a spare tyre
She needs me.
*** I *** carry a spare tyre ……

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>She needs me.

Yes, I do need you Chris. You make me laugh

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Hi KiwiKeith,

Yes, a Vespa would be nice, and very Griffith. But when you buy second hand, you take what you can get.

I’ll dream about the Vespa while I ride my Giant MTB on your South Island soon.

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>The same weather is predicted for today
I have no sympathy whatsoever for you.(grin!)
I’ll Swap places any day.
Lady in the office this morning explaining that she had problems because her tyres were so cold that whey wouldn’t flex proper;y the first couple of miles to work …..

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Hi Chris

Quite balmy down there with the lake to warm you I see.

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I am freezing at our current temperature of 12℉ (-11℃). How do you cope with such cold weather!?

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Us Canucks strong… very strong like bull !!!

Cheers, Bob

Hmmmm, must go down to lake for dip…if I can find open water…

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How do you cope with such cold weather!?

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very strong like bull !!!

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[/indent] More likely the remainder of that adage “and smart like fence post!”

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> How do you cope with such cold weather!?
Vast reserves of fat.
(see also post 753,138)

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