Assuming you've already retired your Salt Lake City scooter to rest for the winter, and the snow is melting, then it's time to get your hog back on the road! It's time to get your scooter ready for the spring, summer and fall. For a few of you, that means pushing those last icy days all the way to December.
The steps down below work for anyone that has retired their scooter for any time period (if you are looking for help winterizing your scooter checkout my other article). Not all of the steps below are necessary every time your store your scooter. Consider it more as a recommended list.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 1: Spark Plug
If your spark plug looks just about new, then you can already check this one off the list. But if it's showing any sort of wear, or it's been a little while since you've changed it last, then you might as well switch it with a new one - they are really inexpensive.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 2: Fuel System
Check all of the fuel lines and fittings for cracks and replace the fuel filter. Ensure there is no rust or particles in the tank, lines or fuel filter. Switch out the fuel filter with another one. If you see any gas dripping from the carburetor, remove and clean the scooter carburetor.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 3: Air Filter
If the debris is stuck to the filter, or it has been awhile since the last change, change your air filter.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 4: Battery
Check the fuse on the line that is coming off your battery - confirm it is intact. If you used a trickle charger to keep your battery fresh, then your battery will be safe and secure irrespective of everything else. Charge your battery (follow the instructions on your battery for amps and the quantity of time to charge). Brush battery terminals and the connections if any corrosion debris exists.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 5: Electric System
Ensure all lights, horn, signals and switches work correctly. If you have got a difficulty with one of them, check the line with an amp meter and find out where the connection was lost and isolate the problematic line. If you are feeling extra manly, fix it. Or you can always it to a solid scooter repair shop.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 6: Tires and Wheels
The tires are a critical step for your riding safety. Fill both tires to correct air pressure (check the side of the tire for the mandatory PSI amount). Check the tread on the tire and ensure it is not worn down or showing too much wear on the tread. Check for cracks or slices. Check valve stem for cracks or leaks and confirm it's got a cap. Tighten the bolt that holds the tire on (if the bolt feels loose, get some screw tape to make sure it doesn't come loose). Stand the wheel up and spin the tire to make sure the edge isn't damaged, and the tire hasn't got any bulges. If you happen to have got a problem with a tire or one blows out, you can pretty much count on experiencing an accident. It's difficult to ride a scooter with one tire. Seriously though, be extra safe here.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 7: Transmission and Oil
Check the fluid levels, and if it has been a bit, replace the oil and fluid. Your instruction manual will show what type to use.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 8: Chain
Clean, lube, and adjust any looseness in your chain. Check sprockets for wear and damage.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 9: Brakes
Adjust brakes to be tight. Check brake pads to work out if there is a sufficient amount of brake pad left. It is tricky to stop your scooter if you don't have brakes.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 10: Nuts and Bolts
Go over the whole scooter and tighten any loose nuts and bolts, particularly around engine mounts, handle bars, exhaust, and the rear and front suspension points.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 11: Appearance
Ensure your scooter looks and rides great. Keep it fresh. Take pride in your scooter. Regardless of how old or new, she definitely deserves to look her best.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 12: Scooter Laws and Legal
Are you current with your registration and Insurance? Do you need a motorcycle endorsement on your license for your kind of scooter? Check your local scooter laws.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 13: Be Prepared For Road Repairs
Always ride with the tools and parts necessary to fix typical issues - like the classic spark plug, fuel filter, fuses, and whatever else that you think you could need. Wrenches and screwdrivers usually do the job, but sometimes you'll want hex wrenches. And most scooters will have a handy spot to store them in the storage compartment. Also, it's a great idea to have an emergency blanket and a little food and water just in case something occurs and you cannot solve the issue. You can laugh at this one, but 2 times I have been stranded, and boy was I glad to have it.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 14: Warm Up
This is the 1st time the scooter has run in a while, so don't jump off the starting line at full speed. Start slow. Keep it slow and get an understanding of it again. Additionally, if you have been living in areas where it snows, the snowplows build up a lot of gravel in certain spots. Keep a look out for these gravel places (it is very perilous to stop or turn on gravel). And lastly, keep an eye open for new pot-holes and damage on the road.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 15: Be Safe and Have Fun!
The steps down below work for anyone that has retired their scooter for any time period (if you are looking for help winterizing your scooter checkout my other article). Not all of the steps below are necessary every time your store your scooter. Consider it more as a recommended list.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 1: Spark Plug
If your spark plug looks just about new, then you can already check this one off the list. But if it's showing any sort of wear, or it's been a little while since you've changed it last, then you might as well switch it with a new one - they are really inexpensive.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 2: Fuel System
Check all of the fuel lines and fittings for cracks and replace the fuel filter. Ensure there is no rust or particles in the tank, lines or fuel filter. Switch out the fuel filter with another one. If you see any gas dripping from the carburetor, remove and clean the scooter carburetor.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 3: Air Filter
If the debris is stuck to the filter, or it has been awhile since the last change, change your air filter.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 4: Battery
Check the fuse on the line that is coming off your battery - confirm it is intact. If you used a trickle charger to keep your battery fresh, then your battery will be safe and secure irrespective of everything else. Charge your battery (follow the instructions on your battery for amps and the quantity of time to charge). Brush battery terminals and the connections if any corrosion debris exists.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 5: Electric System
Ensure all lights, horn, signals and switches work correctly. If you have got a difficulty with one of them, check the line with an amp meter and find out where the connection was lost and isolate the problematic line. If you are feeling extra manly, fix it. Or you can always it to a solid scooter repair shop.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 6: Tires and Wheels
The tires are a critical step for your riding safety. Fill both tires to correct air pressure (check the side of the tire for the mandatory PSI amount). Check the tread on the tire and ensure it is not worn down or showing too much wear on the tread. Check for cracks or slices. Check valve stem for cracks or leaks and confirm it's got a cap. Tighten the bolt that holds the tire on (if the bolt feels loose, get some screw tape to make sure it doesn't come loose). Stand the wheel up and spin the tire to make sure the edge isn't damaged, and the tire hasn't got any bulges. If you happen to have got a problem with a tire or one blows out, you can pretty much count on experiencing an accident. It's difficult to ride a scooter with one tire. Seriously though, be extra safe here.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 7: Transmission and Oil
Check the fluid levels, and if it has been a bit, replace the oil and fluid. Your instruction manual will show what type to use.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 8: Chain
Clean, lube, and adjust any looseness in your chain. Check sprockets for wear and damage.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 9: Brakes
Adjust brakes to be tight. Check brake pads to work out if there is a sufficient amount of brake pad left. It is tricky to stop your scooter if you don't have brakes.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 10: Nuts and Bolts
Go over the whole scooter and tighten any loose nuts and bolts, particularly around engine mounts, handle bars, exhaust, and the rear and front suspension points.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 11: Appearance
Ensure your scooter looks and rides great. Keep it fresh. Take pride in your scooter. Regardless of how old or new, she definitely deserves to look her best.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 12: Scooter Laws and Legal
Are you current with your registration and Insurance? Do you need a motorcycle endorsement on your license for your kind of scooter? Check your local scooter laws.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 13: Be Prepared For Road Repairs
Always ride with the tools and parts necessary to fix typical issues - like the classic spark plug, fuel filter, fuses, and whatever else that you think you could need. Wrenches and screwdrivers usually do the job, but sometimes you'll want hex wrenches. And most scooters will have a handy spot to store them in the storage compartment. Also, it's a great idea to have an emergency blanket and a little food and water just in case something occurs and you cannot solve the issue. You can laugh at this one, but 2 times I have been stranded, and boy was I glad to have it.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 14: Warm Up
This is the 1st time the scooter has run in a while, so don't jump off the starting line at full speed. Start slow. Keep it slow and get an understanding of it again. Additionally, if you have been living in areas where it snows, the snowplows build up a lot of gravel in certain spots. Keep a look out for these gravel places (it is very perilous to stop or turn on gravel). And lastly, keep an eye open for new pot-holes and damage on the road.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 15: Be Safe and Have Fun!
About the Author:
This final step had to make it into the official steps, because this is the most important one when all is working correctly on your scooter. Remember to wear appropriate scooter riding clothing, and remember to have fun! Scooters are the best! Click to check out more scooter Salt Lake City tips. Well that's a wrap. If you have covered all of the steps above, you're now prepared to get on the road and ride that beast. Tell me if you have any other questions or you can click now to see what people are doing with their scooter.
