Peej update  By  SylvreKat (Read 1,386 times)

And why I'm not quite ready for the season, and why I'm a little less pleased with ScooterWorld right now.

First, they left my scoot outside. Either that, or they have birds inside. There was a big spot of bird poop on one of the dash-dials to where it got under the edge there. And another down the side of my seat. And it didn't happen while towed 'cause that poop is straight down. Peej has NEVER been outside uncovered. Had they told me, I would've sent my bike cover with them. Not happy about that.

Second, they left me with maybe 1/32 of a tank of gas. So, basically none. I got all geared up and was admittedly apprehensive and sent a thought to Dan my Harley friend that he was very def' right about not driving home from the shop. Got on the bike and apprehension went away and excitement took over 'cause I was about to drive for the first time in approx 1.5 years. Turned him on and he didn't respond well, stuttered some and also idled like crap, even dying the first time. The second time I kept the throttle up and then noticed there's no gas. So hey, I got to let him run then turn him off then ungear and go inside 'cause I'm not getting the gas can and driving newish car to the gas station still tonight 'cause it's too dark at that point to scoot. They could've so easily have filled him up and charged me the $7 or whatever premium costs. Instead they ran him empty and left him. Very less happy about that.

I'm calling tomorrow to point out both. If it was only the poop I wouldn't bother. But they really need to engage a common sense brain cell and look at the gauge and think "Oh gosh, it's right at empty, let's put some gas in there for her." ESPECIALLY when I've told everyone there I've talked with that I haven't driven much and need to get back into it. VERY especially 'cause what if I don't happen to own a gas can? We were going to sell it when we moved and sold Mom's little John Deere, or even considered including it with the mower. Luckily we decided to keep it, "just in case you know." Well, it's just in case now.

Not. Happy.

>'Kat

Ok Nuff talk get on it and RIDE!!

Oh, and I called ScooterWorld. The guy got out my ticket and said I didn't get my carb cleaned and that's usually when they drain and replace gas. I said that's not the point, the point is apparently nobody ever looked at the gauge to see they'd run me nearly empty. I admitted that in Jan (the last time I idled Peej, due to the battery being dead a couple weeks later) I noticed I had a bit over the last dash (a 1/16 ?) It never occurred to me the techs would drive enough to use almost all of it. I said that yes, I understand they need to drive around to make sure everything's working fine. And that's totally great with me. But someone should've noticed how low the gas had gotten, and at the very least called me to let me know. Or just taken the initiative and added a little. It obviously doesn't take much gas to get to a less scary level!

The guy finally understood. And he totally agreed that it was something they should've noticed. And will mention it to the techs. I said that's all I wanted, to make them aware of the spot they'd left me in.

And I'll know for next year to say something about "ok to add gas if it's too low".

>'Kat

And the latest update.

I decided to scootie to the bank and library, and possibly to work. I checked my blinkers and brakes as always. I didn't see any red light behind me, but then again Peej isn't very close to the wall right now (Mom's been clearing, and putting the boxes in the garage). After I bought 1/60 of the car, I asked the lady not behind the counter if she was allowed to go outside and could she check if my brake lit up please. She said there were four lights, two on each side. I said those are the regular tail lights, and as I squeezed the brake asked if a bright light in the middle came on. Nope. Squeezed the other brake, now? Nope. Squeeze and squeeze and squeeze while asking now? now? now? No light.

I called ScooterWorld and told him. He said come on over and they'll look at it. By which he apparently meant "You'll have to leave it 'cause Piaggio made it a major hctib to get to the lightbulb back there." Why do makers do stupid-ssa design like that? Ford did the same with my Focus' headlight--if the light burns out, they'll pretty much have to completely dismantle the fixture to get in there.

So I'm once again sans scootie. I was all ready to go driving, to practice going to work tom so I can start scooting instead of carring. And for now I can't. I'm guessing they'll be done Mon, but I have Jazz that eve. Maybe Tues I can pick up Peej if they're done. I hope so, I'm ready to SCOOT!

>'Kat

My car-mech told me about GM cars (possibly Pontiacs?) of a certain year that you have to basically remove the entire front fascia to get to the headlights. My Focus took three mechs, with the owner looking on "supervising" (translation he got there after his minions were already fighting the headlight fixture, so instead talked with me HA!), the complete removal of the entire fixture, then a set of extremely long-handled or possibly long-nosed pliers of some sort, to replace the random amber bulb which isn't the turn signal so I'm not sure what it does. I AM sure that it ain't getting replaced again the next time it burns out. What the first mech said would only take a few minutes ended up taking about 20--including 10 minutes past closing. Then they didn't charge me, not even for the bulb. Said they'll write it off as training and "go away now, Kathy."

This, plus finding zero online re: changing the BV's tail light, plus watching a youtube on changing a Fly's assembly (its rear end looks very similar to Peej's), PLUS finding a warning that the fixture can crack easily while removing/replacing, all combine to convince me that this is worth whatever SW charges. And no, I will NEVER try doing this myself (my answer to my best friend's email which said "surely you can find instructions online and do it for almost no cost)!

>'Kat

Leo, I passed on a matching Vespa trunk with light for something fairly stupid-cheap like maybe $50 or $75 (forgive my memory, it was probably close to shortly after I got Peej 10 years ago) I found a box the same dimensions and strapped it to Peej's little luggage rack. And HATED how it looked, hanging off his rear like the afterthought it was.

I'll admit that today, I did wish I hadn't passed on it. But looking at some scoots there at SW with the trunk, I was reminded how much I really dislike the look of the trunk hanging off the backend. Just doesn't appeal to my esthetics. Nothing against Minnie's looks, and maybe in black I wouldn't mind 'cause it wouldn't stand out so much. But the white ones today just confirmed I did right not getting that trunk.

Although hauling around my helmet does sometimes sux....

>'Kat