Assuming you already retired your Salt Lake City scooter to rest for the winter, and the snow has finally melted, then it is time to get your baby back on the road! It's time to get your scooter prepared for the spring, summer and fall. For some of you, that means pushing those last freezing days all the way into December.
The steps down below work for anyone who has retired their scooter for any time period (if you want help winterizing your scooter checkout my other article). Only some of the steps below are required each time your store your scooter. Think of 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 type of wear, or it's been a small while since you have changed it last, then you might as well switch it with a new one - they're extremely inexpensive.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 2: Fuel System
Check all the fuel lines and fittings for cracks and replace the fuel filter. Make sure there is no rust or debris in the tank, lines or fuel filter. Switch out the fuel filter with a new one. If you see any gas oozing from the carburetor, remove and clean the scooter carburetor.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 3: Air Filter
If the dust has gathered around 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's coming off of your battery - ensure it is still working. If you utilized 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 directions on your battery for amps and the quantity of time to charge). Brush battery terminals and the connections if any corrosion build up is there.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 5: The Electrical System
Make sure all lights, horn, indicators and switches work properly. If you have a problem with one of them, check the line with an amp meter and find out where the connection was lost and isolate the problematic cable. If you're feeling extra manly, fix it. Or you can take 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 scooter riding safety. Fill tires to proper PSI (check the side of the tire for the mandatory PSI amount). Check the tread on the tire and ensure it isn't worn down or showing too much wear on the tread. Check for cracks or slices. Check valve stem for gaps 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 be sure it won't come loose). Stand the wheel up and spin the tire to be sure the edge isn't bent, and the tire does not have any bulges. If you have a difficulty with a tire or one blows out, you can pretty much count on experiencing an accident. It's tough 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 some time, change the oil and fluid. Your owner's manual will show what type to use.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 8: Chain
Clean, lube, and adjust any slack in your chain. Check sprockets for damage.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 9: Brakes
Adjust brakes to be tight. Check brake pads to see if there is a sufficient amount of brake pad left. It is difficult to stop your scooter without 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, especially around engine mounts, handle bars, exhaust, and the front and rear suspension points.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 11: Appearance
Ensure your scooter looks and runs well. Keep it shiny. Take pride in your scooter. Regardless of how old or new, she deserves to look her prettiest.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 12: Scooter Laws and Legal
Are you up to date with your registration and Insurance? Do you need a motorcycle endorsement on your license for your kind of scooter? Double 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 needed to fix typical problems - such as spark plug, fuel filter, fuses, and whatever else you think you could need. Wrenches and screwdrivers usually do the trick, but there will be times when you will want hex wrenches. And most scooters will have a convenient place to store the tools in the storage compartment. Additionally, it is a smart idea to have an emergency blanket and a little food and water just in case something occurs and you can't solve the problem. You may laugh at this one, but 2 times I've been stranded, and boy was I happy to have it.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 14: Warm Up
This is the first time the scooter has run in a while, so do not jump off the starting line at maximum speed. Take it easy. Keep it slow and get used to it again. Additionally, if you have been living in areas where it snows, the snowplows build up a lot of gravel in certain spots. Watch out for these gravel places (it's extremely deadly to stop or turn on gravel). And finally, 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 who has retired their scooter for any time period (if you want help winterizing your scooter checkout my other article). Only some of the steps below are required each time your store your scooter. Think of 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 type of wear, or it's been a small while since you have changed it last, then you might as well switch it with a new one - they're extremely inexpensive.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 2: Fuel System
Check all the fuel lines and fittings for cracks and replace the fuel filter. Make sure there is no rust or debris in the tank, lines or fuel filter. Switch out the fuel filter with a new one. If you see any gas oozing from the carburetor, remove and clean the scooter carburetor.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 3: Air Filter
If the dust has gathered around 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's coming off of your battery - ensure it is still working. If you utilized 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 directions on your battery for amps and the quantity of time to charge). Brush battery terminals and the connections if any corrosion build up is there.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 5: The Electrical System
Make sure all lights, horn, indicators and switches work properly. If you have a problem with one of them, check the line with an amp meter and find out where the connection was lost and isolate the problematic cable. If you're feeling extra manly, fix it. Or you can take 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 scooter riding safety. Fill tires to proper PSI (check the side of the tire for the mandatory PSI amount). Check the tread on the tire and ensure it isn't worn down or showing too much wear on the tread. Check for cracks or slices. Check valve stem for gaps 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 be sure it won't come loose). Stand the wheel up and spin the tire to be sure the edge isn't bent, and the tire does not have any bulges. If you have a difficulty with a tire or one blows out, you can pretty much count on experiencing an accident. It's tough 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 some time, change the oil and fluid. Your owner's manual will show what type to use.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 8: Chain
Clean, lube, and adjust any slack in your chain. Check sprockets for damage.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 9: Brakes
Adjust brakes to be tight. Check brake pads to see if there is a sufficient amount of brake pad left. It is difficult to stop your scooter without 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, especially around engine mounts, handle bars, exhaust, and the front and rear suspension points.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 11: Appearance
Ensure your scooter looks and runs well. Keep it shiny. Take pride in your scooter. Regardless of how old or new, she deserves to look her prettiest.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 12: Scooter Laws and Legal
Are you up to date with your registration and Insurance? Do you need a motorcycle endorsement on your license for your kind of scooter? Double 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 needed to fix typical problems - such as spark plug, fuel filter, fuses, and whatever else you think you could need. Wrenches and screwdrivers usually do the trick, but there will be times when you will want hex wrenches. And most scooters will have a convenient place to store the tools in the storage compartment. Additionally, it is a smart idea to have an emergency blanket and a little food and water just in case something occurs and you can't solve the problem. You may laugh at this one, but 2 times I've been stranded, and boy was I happy to have it.
Preparing Your Salt Lake City Scooter For Spring Step 14: Warm Up
This is the first time the scooter has run in a while, so do not jump off the starting line at maximum speed. Take it easy. Keep it slow and get used to it again. Additionally, if you have been living in areas where it snows, the snowplows build up a lot of gravel in certain spots. Watch out for these gravel places (it's extremely deadly to stop or turn on gravel). And finally, 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.