You Can't Start a Scooter Without a Spark

Meet Tim, my scooter mechanic. We replaced the battery and spark plug. We knew the battery was not the reason why the bike wouldn't start, but replacing it would allow me to see the neutral light, and to try out the electric start. So, that would be nice. The spark plug, on the other hand, was our likely suspect.

And yeah, check it out:


The spark plug was indeed fouled (the area in the center is supposed to be a coffee and cream color... it's black). I'm pretty sure this happened when I dropped the bike. So, with the new battery and properly gapped spark plug in place, I turned the key, and tried out the electric start button. And... instantaneous ignition!!! Whoa! That's how it's supposed to work! And adding to my glee, the idle seemed nicer and more steady than it had before, too. Yay!

Only a couple days left to vote in my poll! Make your voice heard!!!

(Can't) Start Me Up

I tried getting on the bike again a week after "the incident". This time, were going to take her to a big grass field to practice... a more forgiving surface to fall on for all. But – big problem – we couldn't get her to start for anything. The electric start had never been an option, since the battery had been essentially dead since we got her. It was the ol' kick-start for Bruiser. So we knew the battery was not the issue. Still, we kicked it and kicked it, but got nothing. So, frustrated, I sat in the driveway, on my lifeless scooter. I practiced pulling in the clutch, shifting into first, and giving it a little throttle. Over, and over, and over, and over...

In the meantime, please take a few seconds to give me your opinion on my survey question to the right:

NEXT: replacing the battery and spark plug...

Back in Black (and Blue)

Well, actually, it's been over two weeks, and I am completely healed up by now... but I did have a pretty nasty bruise on my right shoulder... So, my first time riding it, I crashed the as-of-yet, unnamed scooter into the schoolyard wrought iron fence. The fence did a number to the front fender and I had several bruises of my own, but no big deal. I have no images of the devestating post-crash damage... only these photos after my friend's brother (Thanks, Tony!) bent the metal back out (yes, this is MUCH better than it looked before!):

Now, I'm thinking of calling her "Bruiser"...

Anyone wanna volunteer to scrub the whitewalls?

Hi My Name is __________.

So, here she is.
After months of scouring scooter listings on Craigslist and Scoot.net, I finally acquired myself a Stella. And in my prefered color, Ice Mint Green. First things first — I want to name her — but I'm having a hard time thinking of something that I really like. The contenders so far are: Julep, DoubleMint, and Peppermint Patty. Anyone have any ideas?