Tool Box Audit.

I touched on the subject of my tool bag and have since done an audit on its contents, this topic is discussed occasionally on the forums and most tool kits are similar. I have run with the " if I used it in the workshop then I should carry it" theme, omitting big ticket items of course, like a torque wrench, angle grinder or welding equipment.....
So here we go.

Apologies for the fuzzy shot.
So top left is small square box, it has 5 jets in it , a couple higher and lower to what I have in the carb. along with some assorted nuts and washers, next to that is a rectangular container it has 4 spare spark plugs in it, two sevens, a six and an eight. Below that is a home made fuel tap lever, why? well I have since found out that I installed mine incorrectly and it rattles off and just hangs in there meaning everytime I stop I have to try my luck to connect it up to switch it off, a pain yes but the upside is that I can pull it out and it becomes an anti theft device, no fuel no go, of course if someone wanted the bike they'd take it anyway...moving down an assortment of spanners mm- 6, 7, 8, 10, 13 ,17 & 11/32, 1/2. also a small shifting spanner, under that is some emery paper, across is two small plyers and some side cutters, up again plug spanner, up is a small wire brush and a punch and a U bolt, not even sure where that came from, electrical tape and the red thing is a first aid kit, up from that is my oil measure cup, bike tyre pump, 2T oil rags, a set of spare cables, below them is a container of washers and nuts, cable ties some wire and spare globes, below them is a socket set 4-13mm, a Swiss army knife and a leatherman and finally a purple pen and 4 screwdrivers a big and small Phillips head and flat. So there you go, I have lined the bottom of my tool box with carpet and all these tools go in a red material shopping bag and roll up nicely, leaving enough room for my beer run gear when I need it, that consists of three pieces of 19mm decking taped together, perfect height to prop a box of beer on the floor and centre rib, and an occy sprap that I run through the bag hook. nice, I did a run the other week and was strapping the box of beer on the scooter when a tradesman pulled up beside me in his work ute, as he got out I heard him laugh and just looked at me and said "Fuck yeah" and walked off.
On a different note, on the way into work today the speedo clicked over the 6000km mark, 1580 on the new DR Kit. This photo looks all out of whack, just a screwed up angle.....

Next weekend will be a maintenance day on Saturday, Sunday is the Vespa Club of Melbourne Geelong branch breakfast, so I'll be hitting the open road, it's a 150km round trip, should be good, weather forecast looks good too, about time.

Check your nuts!

Another brilliant day so I took the old girl out for a spin, after I rolled her out and kicked her over I went back into the workshop to get my gear and noticed a small pool of oil, by small I mean about a bread and butter plate size, I knew I had a slow drip there at the bottom of the case and I was just keeping an eye on it, I hadn't riden for a few days thanks to the shite weather we are having and having checked the oil last week and topping it up a little more than I needed to so I wasn't concerned about the level. I cleaned it up and all around the lower half of the case and took it out for a good run, I have circuit I do around town, it is about 50-60 kms and it takes in the sites and also give Gloria the chance to be seen and admired. The SPV didn't miss a beat, I took it along a long straight flat section of road, it's at least two kilometres long and really opened her up, The needle on the speedo was hovering on 105kmph and there was more there, given the speed tests I did with a GPS that would be about 94ish in real speed, I kept it WOT for the best part and other than the points bouncing once or twice, causing a slight stutter, she ran well but I always have the clutch ready to go and I must admit once the needle hits 100 I start to get nervous.

Once back home I parked outside in the afternoon sun and began to investigate the location of the leak, there was no oil there so I just started checking the nuts, the drain plug was tight and I couldn't move the top up screw, I worked around the case nuts and they were all good, I always forget the lowest and with the nut on the wheel side because it isn't sticking out in your face....ah ha the culprit, it was quite loose probably a full turn before it started to bite!! I plan to do a full check at the 6000km mark which is less than 100kms away anyway so I'll just be mindful and vigilant until then. I've added a photo of my tool bag, I have all sorts in there, I might get it all out and do an inventory, more out of interest, its a hot topic on most forums and everyone has an opinion.

On a different note, I park outside if it's not going to rain and it's only 20 metres to my office and right in the middle of town but back one street from the main road, very prominent spot, but not at 8am like when this picture was taken, and the whole population of town would have seen the scooter there at least once. There is an optometrist right where I park and one day one of the girls came out and said that at least once or twice a day people ask if anyone in the office rides it, and the fact that they could have sold it at least half a dozen times.....most days when I am on my way home someone stops and comments or asks questions, She is very popular, kids still wave, I'd toot them if the horn worked, I get a double thumbs up from a guy I pass each morning on his way to get his newspaper, the Sito plus exhaust has people turning around to look at what is making the noise at 200 metres away, I always get end up with a smile on my face.
Off topic, I found out my five year old son has an imaginary friend, that's fine, shows he has some imagination and he and his 3.5 yo brother both play with him so he doesn't feel left out, my concern is that his name is Leon.....