Scarlet is sick & not running

On Saturday I took a run up the highway out to Costco to get chicken wings and a few other goodies.  On the way back Scarlet was lugging and not holding the revs and then would break through and come back up to speed & revs would be fine and then she would drop and lug again.  This was on the way home and it was a little unnerving being on the highway.  I babied her home and gave her to Motorcycle Man, who took her for a ride and confirmed everything I was experiencing.  Now the fun part begins, he took Scarlet apart and was cleaning contacts, petcocks, draining carbuerators, checking spark plugs and coils.  He had a hellacious time getting the seat off - at least we know no one will steal the seat very easily.  She is only running on 1 cylinder.  Motorcycle Man has been googling and researching all the forums of what it could possibly be.  It is looking more like the CDI or maybe not.  He went to Victoria Salvage and they had only 1 CDI in stock and let him try it and even with that one it still fires only 1 cylinder - so I am thinking it is something else.  Blown valve perhaps - I have to say I know nothing about engines, I just happily ride the bike and leave all the wrenching to Motorcycle Man.  I just want my baby back!  Motorcycle Man is loaning me his bike, but I drive it straight to work & then straight home, no tootles. I am a sad panda :(

So now we are in limbo and I have a bike that isn't running.  Any ideas? 

RIDING SEASON IS HERE!!!

We tootled up the Malahat & stopped at 'The Hat' to turn around and go back down.

I have been away from the blog for the last 2 weeks.  I was feeling a little out of sorts and combined that with a very busy schedule it sometimes makes things wait.  In this case it was the blogs turn to chill on the back burner a bit.  Spring has finally decided to come to the Island.  Oh! Miss Spring you are gladly and heartily welcome here by this winter worn Princess Scooterpie/Moto_Diva.  I have officially commuted all four seasons and think of myself as a rider now (I felt like I was a pretender there for a bit or poser if you will)  I am an All Season Road Warrior Princess!

This weekend had a little bit of riding in it, a little bit of family stuff, and a little bit more riding! Motorcycle Man, Scooterpie Jr and I took to the road on Friday as a family unit.  We road some twisties and then out for a bite of lunch in the GORGEOUS sunshine!!!!!  After Scooterpie Jr nestled in for the afternoon, Motorcycle Man and I went for a ride up the Malahat and I GOT TO RIDE HIS 750 MONSTER!!! YEAH BABY!! I am certainly glad she isn't my bike, because I could see my self getting into issues with speeding.

   Motorcycle Man and Scooterpie Jr. Notice her new bike jacket - Happy Easter!  Fully armored & cute.

Easter Sunday dawned and was spectacularly sunny and warmer than it has been for the last few days.  After church we were going up Island to have a family supper with my folks, my sister and her beau.  When I pulled up in front of the house after church Motorcycle Man had Scarlet out on the street, he was checking her oil, adjusting her tire pressure and making sure she was road ready.  I had only given riding to Nanaimo a passing thought because the weather was supposed to change to rain, but all it took was an encouraging nod and smile from him and I was off!  He followed behind with Scooterpie Jr in the car and she was shooting video and pictures of me riding over the Malahat and up the Island Highway.  I was happily cruising at the speed limit and it felt really comfortable riding Scarlet, I could have ridden for 1,000 miles.  

I saw a few other folks on bikes, got the wave and it still makes me break out in a goofy grin. There was one doofus on a sport bike  who snuggled up close behind Scarlet in our lane and then decided to pass on the right - it is jerks like that who give the rest of us a bad reputation and he decided speeding was a good thing too.  Whateva! just stay away from me and we are all good.  All I have to say to him is -"GRASS HOPPER, you will learn that speed does not always get you to your destination and sometimes it takes you to places you do not really want to go."

Scooterpie Jr, had the camera hanging out the window on telephoto, so its a little blurry.  BTW I was well back from their car, I was using all my road tools and making sure I had good space margins around my bike and using the 2-3 second rule.

Thank goodness for great gear!  It still is a little nippy this time of the year and I was toasty as a bug in a rug on a winter night. Speaking of bugs, I am glad I had my visor down, I got smacked with something ginormous that splatted - ICK!

Motorcycle Man is really thrilled with my bike, he is very happy with its performance and that it fits me like a glove.  I love Scarlet she rocks!  I kicked her into overdrive and just cruised, I am quite content  doing the posted speed and it is definitely not about speed for me.  The best part was when people went by and saw me riding a couple of them smiled, a few little kids in back seats waved and pointed.  So I guess an old lady on a bike is a cool thing. 

Rider Superstitions ~ Gremlin Bells & other such things

              Motorcycle Man & Scooterpie Jr, brought me home a bike farkle for Scarlet today!
Bike lore & Superstition  I have never really thought of myself as superstitious, a little quirky maybe, but not superstitious, that is until I thought of some of the things I do.  I don't walk under ladders and I avoid black cats and I do throw salt over my shoulder if I spill it, so I guess in the end I am superstitious.  When I first got Vixen a friend sent me a Gremlin bell for her and it is mounted on the back.  I love hearing it tinkle when I hit a bump. Scarlet has a bell now and it is already on the bike!


Legend of the Bell ~ Legend has it that Evil Road Spirits like to hitch rides on your bike and cause mayhem.  The sort of mayhem that gets riders into trouble like flat tires, electrical issues, mechanical problems.  The legend goes that when one of these nasty little buggers decides to hitch the ride they get trapped inside the bell and the constant ringing makes them crazy and they lose their grip and let go.  It is also thought that when a bell is given to your by a friend or family member it carries twice as much good luck or power to throw the little beasties away from your bike.

Vixen's beautiful bell.

 Scarlet's new bell that says
 "Lady Rider"

 Motorcycle Man found the perfect spot for the bell and installed it.  Sorry about the picture being fuzzy, it was a little windy and it was moving the bell around.

                            What the bell looks like from the road up - Watch out Gremlins.....

I also wear a St. Christopher medal attached to a tab on the collar of my jacket.  What kind of things do you do for good road Ju-Ju?  

#26 #29in29 Wax on - Wax off & no flying crane pose either

                                  Wax On - Wax Off.  

So what does a girl do on a brilliant sunny day instead of riding? She cleans her bike of course! I really wanted to go riding today, but I needed to pay some attention to Miss Scarlet.  I haven't had a chance to wax her since I got her for Christmas, its been too cold - I have to say I did entertain the thought on Christmas morning.......

Motorcycle Man couldn't believe his eyes when he came around the corner and saw me comfortably perched on a rubbermaid stool polishing Miss Scarlet.  I have waxed and polished just about every inch of her.  When Motorcycle Man and I were dating I used to help him detail his bike, it really wasn't much fun, but he told me for every hour of riding you seriously need to give attention to cleaning and maintaining the bike as well.  Well taught Master Sensei.  The only problem was Motorcycle man used to sneak into the house on a quest for toothbrushes, he used those for all the little nooks & crannies - and it was usually my toothbrush that was sacrificed.  Bwahhahahah!  Today I almost had my evil revenge!  I decided against using the hub's toothbrush however, because we have a sonic care tooth brush and I wasn't willing to sacrifice a $15 replacement head.  But I thought about it - evil grin comes across my face! 

See how Scarlet is gleaming!  I cleaned and waxed everywhere my little fingers could wedge themselves into.  I was running out of time so I didn't get to detail the wheels, but that is on my list for the next shine session.  (I also have a toothbrush ready for this) Someone was coming to look at Lucy today to see if she might be their first bike!  How exciting!  I sure hope she loves Lucy.

I even waxed the kickstand.... Yup I've got a bad case of moto love, I can tell you I have never ever willingly waxed my car or even Motorcycle Man's bike.

This nasty little piece of business is on the pipe coming from the engine right up by the foot brake.  The gal who owned the bike before me had a habit of resting the toe of her boot against the hot pipe and melted the boot onto the pipe several times.  At first we thought it was rust, but upon inspection Motorcycle man knew we could get it off with a little elbow grease and Autosol.  It was actually about 7 inches long give or take and the hubs worked on it for a little while.  Today I took a run at it and sat patiently working away at it and now it is all gone and gleaming in that spot.  It was a good day to be out in the sunshine cleaning the bike, although it was a little chilly when the wind picked up.  Tomorrow if it is sunny I think I am going for a ride with Kiwi Deb.

Yup it was a good day, in fact it was pretty relaxing.  Scarlet is gleaming in the sunshine.  I did however hear a few grumpy whispers coming from underneath the motorcycle cover on Vixen who was parked nearby, there seems to be a bit of moto jealousy going on.  But she can't complain because I have waxed and detailed her quite a few times and on the next sunny day I am sure she will get her turn.

#26 #29in29 - Click here for ** Fuzzy Galore's blog photo challenge