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Post by SylvreKat on May 22, 2015 13:39:07 GMT -5
Just back from ScooterWorld. Changed the oil and oil filter. Checked everything else including battery and tires and coolant etc etc. My air filter doesn't need replacing but they made sure it was clean. I think he put in a new spark plug. Adjusted the something--variance maybe? That sound right? Tire pressure was a tad low so filled them. Otherwise, guy said nothing was wrong and my scooter looks good. Mech was a bit freaked I think 'cause my oil filter was too clean. Front guy explained I'd only driven maybe a couple hundred miles on it. Total with tax--$100.  . >'Kat |
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Post by SylvreKat on May 22, 2015 13:42:55 GMT -5
lain, the benefit for me in having the pros do this, is they looked over everything. Not just changed the oil, but made sure everything else is sound and in good condition after sitting the winter plugged into the Battery Tender Jr. It's why I didn't just take Peej to my car mech. They said that sure, they can pump out the old oil and replace with new, plus new filter. But they couldn't make sure nothing had gone bad while sitting. That alone is WELL worth them doing it instead of me learning. It's the diff between driving there beforehand tense and noticing every single little twitch and lurch, and driving home afterwards comfortable and relaxed and confident my scoot's all good for another season. Now if only the rains go away so I can scoot to work....  >'Kat |
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Post by rockynv on May 23, 2015 6:34:41 GMT -5
OK you prototypical blond female non-mechanic. You don't really think the big, hairy chested, begrimed hands, axle grease inside his underwear mechanic was born with the knowledge and skills needed for working on their machine, do you? No, they paid tuition. No grease on underwear if you don't own..... How do you think they could afford the tuition? |
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Post by rockynv on May 23, 2015 6:47:00 GMT -5
Just back from ScooterWorld. Changed the oil and oil filter. Checked everything else including battery and tires and coolant etc etc. My air filter doesn't need replacing but they made sure it was clean. I think he put in a new spark plug. Adjusted the something--variance maybe? That sound right? Tire pressure was a tad low so filled them. Otherwise, guy said nothing was wrong and my scooter looks good. Mech was a bit freaked I think 'cause my oil filter was too clean. Front guy explained I'd only driven maybe a couple hundred miles on it. Total with tax--$100. . >'Kat Remember coolant and brake fluid gets changed every two years regardless of mileage on the Piaggio while the gear lube is changed every 6,250 miles. Throttle cable should be checked and adjusted every other oil change (12,500 miles). When an oil change is done a new O-Ring ($ 0.79) needs to be installed on the drain plug as they get brittle tending to crack and drip when reused. The crush washer ($ 0.79) on the gear box drain plug also should be replaced at every gear lube change. AF1 Racing BV200 Parts Page |
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Post by SylvreKat on May 23, 2015 7:35:01 GMT -5
rocky, I will bet they did that too. They are specifically scooter mechanics rather than motorcycle ones. And listening to their shop talk, they do know what needs done. But I'll call them Tues and check for sure.
As for coolant etc, I believe Custom last year said they had done everything in addition to the oil.
Heh. Gear lube at 6250. At the rate I'm going, that'll come along in about 15 more years....
Thanks for the info!
>'Kat
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Post by lain on May 23, 2015 9:58:10 GMT -5
lain, the benefit for me in having the pros do this, is they looked over everything. Not just changed the oil, but made sure everything else is sound and in good condition after sitting the winter plugged into the Battery Tender Jr. It's why I didn't just take Peej to my car mech. They said that sure, they can pump out the old oil and replace with new, plus new filter. But they couldn't make sure nothing had gone bad while sitting. That alone is WELL worth them doing it instead of me learning. It's the diff between driving there beforehand tense and noticing every single little twitch and lurch, and driving home afterwards comfortable and relaxed and confident my scoot's all good for another season. Now if only the rains go away so I can scoot to work.... >'Kat Did they do everything in front of you? You should know how to change your air filter and oil now!  So now for little oil changes when there are no problems you may choose to do it yourself now if you want. |
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Post by bandito2 on May 23, 2015 12:50:54 GMT -5
Learning something has an emotional element to it. Strong emotions work best; good or bad. It also comes easier when driven by some motivation. One is not likely to learn well if not motivated. So far, it seems Kat has had the means to get things done. Which is fine; that works. One doesn't necessarily need to learn something when there are others that do know and can do what is needed and the smart thing is knowing how to find that skilled help.
Up to this point there has not been the motivation for her to learn scooter maintenance. But the possibility of loosing the availability of that skilled help is worrying her and maybe having her re-evaluating her motivations. She would learn out of motivation given no other choice since the motivation to ride her scooter is there and seems as though there is an emotional element to drive the motivation as well. (pleasure of freedom and the act of riding itself... among others)
Don't fret too much Kat, if need be, you could learn. (and maybe even find that you would enjoy it; satisfaction and pride of not being dependent and doing it yourself... and saving yourself the frustration and inconvenience of waiting for it to get done by somebody else and saving $$ as well.) Getting coached through a couple simple oil changes, air filter change, spark plug gap & change really require minimal skills and would boost your confidence.
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Post by cyborg on May 23, 2015 15:14:39 GMT -5
Hey SKat,,,next time it's time for service check craigslist,,,there's more than one mobile scooter mac in there,,,they come to you and bring all the stuff they need to do the job if you give them a headsup on which bike you have and what you want done,,,easy peasy baby
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Post by SylvreKat on May 25, 2015 23:24:47 GMT -5
lain--not really. I could see into the shop, but he worked off to the side. Then again, my next oil change will come next year at spring tune up/pay the pros to check over everything still being in good shape. If I drove more, and actually needed an oil change before winter, that might be different. And my Harley friend does his own so would help. But I don't, so I'll stick with the full service. bandito--I think you nailed my situation perfectly. You see clearly through the internet. Oh, wait, let me put a robe on over my pj's  .... Seriously, I do think you're right and if SW goes away (they are not expecting that for any reason, in fact are making arrangements to buy their own building a mile from the current shop) then I would have my Harley friend bring his tools and knowledge. But it is *so* much more confident for me having folks looking at everything besides oil and saying, "Yes, her belt is still good, yes her rollers haven't flattened yet...." They know what it looks like when something starts wearing out; I don't. I would either end up changing out parts that are perfectly good still, or having a failure on the road from underestimating wear'n'tear. Thanks for putting my feelings and situation so clearly, better than I was doing! cyborg, the trouble with going the CL route is that once again I have no knowledge of their skills. They might be awesome and can do exactly what SW did for me. Or they might have no experience at all with a Piggy and I might as well do it with Harley-friend instead for all that the CL guy could check out everything else. Or they might be out'n'out morons that screw up my scoot. >'Kat |
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