Day 06

I know I promised an update yesterday but I wasn't in much of a mood to blog.... so here goes.

To start, let me say that I'm home. :(

Here's a quick recap of what went wrong over the last couple of days.  As you know the clutch cable snapped.  My first reaction was "crap, that's no good."  The good news was I know how to shift without a clutch (but I wouldn't recommend it) so I was able to get it pulled over safely.

I've replaced clutch cables before on my '64, so I had a good idea on what to do (granted I've never done it on the side of the road before).  So I found a patch of gravel and got to work.  A very nice man (Jason if I remember correctly) stopped over to see what was going on and asked if I needed assistance.  We chatted for a bit and I got to work.

After about an hour I realized I was not going to be able to get the new cable down the sheath, it felt like the cable was getting caught on something.  Jason offered to run to his house and pick up some oil to see if that would help.  Another hour or so passed and we still had no luck.  Jason graciously loaded the Vespa into the back of his truck and drove me to The Chop Shop in Casper WY (about 45 miles away).

I would just like to say that Wyoming is an beautiful state with awesome people in it.

With professional help (no, not that kind of help) I was able to get the new clutch cable installed, but not very well.  We're guessing the sheath must be bent or damaged in some way that is causing the cable to crimp and birdcage.  Also, due to the age of the cables, it doesn't look like sheath has an inner nylon sleeve.  So basically, the metal of the cable is rubbing on the metal of the sheath.

While working at The Chop Shop, I was talking to the mechanics about why it might be running so sluggishly.  (see, back in CA it had quite a bit of pickup that seemed to have gotten lost along the way).  One cause could be the jet size on the carb, and I didn't have the correct one with me (apparently you need to put in a bigger main jet as you increase in altitude).

On top of that, I also took note earlier in the day there was a vibration in one of the wheels, and I have no idea what that's all about.

Since this was my first few days with this bike, I really didn't want to take another chance at breaking down someplace else.  (I got lucky this time by breaking down in a populated town with helpful people).  Oh, that was another thing I learned.  Wyoming is very, very spread out.  With 50-100 miles between towns, I didn't feel like taking that kind of risk.

Needless to say, I reluctantly rented a truck and strapped in the Vespa for the voyage home.  Now back in WI I plan on replacing the sheath for the clutch and break cables and checking into the wheel issue.  I should have it up and running within a day or two.  The carb should be fine since CA and WI are about the same height above sea level.

I also plan on recapping what I've learned from this trip and what I'll be doing differently next time.  Oh yes, there will be a next time.  Come hell or high water I'm making a Vespa cross the USA.

- Michael

Day 05 update

Vespa broken and now on a truck.   News at 11.

Day 4 update

Broke the clutch cable in Douglas Wyoming. On my way back to Casper to get it fixed. 

Day 03

Sadly the Vespa started the day strapped in the back of the truck (and is still there), however the day wasn't a total lose.  I was able to make it up to Casper WY, so the truck driving part of the trip is now over.  With the heat, and those pesky mountains behind me, I can get back on the Vespa to finish up my trek.
Since today was spent driving the truck and not the Vespa, there's not much to recap.  I did stop off at the Salt Flats, made it through Utah, and most of the way through Wyoming.  I did have plenty of chances to pull over and take some great photos of the landscapes.  Here are just a few.
I'm sure tomorrow will be more adventurous, so I hope to have more to talk about.
- Michael

Day 02

Today was a very interesting and intense day to say the least.  I started out around 6:30 AM (PST) and headed East.  I had a great ride through the mountains and into Lake Tahoe.  I made it to Lake Tahoe around 10:30 AM (PST) and filled up the tank and grabbed some food.  I then headed to Carson City, which is a nice place by the way.  I stuck to Hwy 50 into Nevada since I knew I couldn't keep up with traffic on I-80 (the speed limit out here is 75mph).
I pulled into Fallon around 1:00 PM (PST) and by that time I was burnt out (the Vespa wasn't enjoying the heat ether).  No mechanical issues to speak of, I could just tell it wasn't happy.  So, reluctantly I picked up a U-hal.  I know what you're thinking (but that's not the point!).  Yep, I get that, but I also don't want to trash the bike I just bought.  So the plan is to truck it out of Nevada and over the Rocky Mountains, once on the other side I'm dropping the truck off and ridding the rest of the way home.
I love the Vespa and I love driving it, but these things aren't built to take the heat and the stress from the mountains.  Oh well, I tried it, and to me that's what counts.
Here's a few pictures from the day.
- Michael