Scooter Repairs: Some Common Problems Solved

I had a scooter in Florida when I went to college out-of-state. Handy and cheap, I made it to the head of the class in parking, and thriftiness while starting a trend in St. Augustine, Florida. As a poor college student, it was also my job to repair my own scooter. Mine was the basic run-of-the-mill gasoline scooter.

The most annoying and common problem you will run into is the flat tire. Since tires come in different sizes, and the variety encompasses a wide range of tires, the store I recommend is Northern Tool. Scooters' tires aren't the only part that varies in size. You will need the following sets of tools: Allen wrenches, socket wrenches, open-end box wrenches, and pliers. You will also need a notepad/pen set or a digital camera to document each stage of the repair. Take a set of two pliers and loosen the two nuts that hold the tire onto the fork. Then you mark where the wheel is aligned onto the fork for easier replacement. You take a screwdriver and slide off the chain as you rotate the wheel. You remove the multiple nuts that hold the wheel onto the axle. After that, you push the wheel out. There may be a gear that is attached to the rim - you take it off with the Allen wrenches. Set all parts aside for safe retrieval and replacement. Be sure to take care with removing tire stems. You have to carefully remove the nut(s) that hold the split rims together if your tire is contained inside a split rim. Various scooters require different tools because they use different parts for the same areas. Pop the tire out, replace it with a new tire, and follow these directions backwards. It is best that you practice ahead of time and take everything apart while documenting all of the steps. Adequate documentation prevents confusion later on and increases the resale value of the scooter.

The best place to buy tools for your scooter is any discount retailer if you like cheap, low-quality tools. For the better-quality tools, compare prices at Lowe's and Home Depot. Also, prices can differ between stores at the same chain.

Another common problem with scooters is that the seat and post are uncomfortable. My scooter allows for standard socket wrenches or open box wrenches to be used on the seat, as the post and seat have come from a bicycle. So I simply loosen the nuts that hold the seat together and pop off the seat to replace it with a more comfortable seat. To remove the seat on a motorized scooter with a built-in seat, Holdgate Enterprises, Inc. has a fact sheet available for your use at: http://holdgateenterprises.com/scooters/index.html

For starting hesitancy, sputtering, backfiring, and high fuel use, consider cleaning the hardened residue from your carburetor. You will need a pair of gloves, a coin, and carburetor cleaner.Take a coin and unscrew the screw from the top. Remove the top and take the sponge out. If you have rubber gloves, put them on and then take your carburetor cleaner spray and spray both the sponge and the air intake area. Replace the sponge into the cap and install your carburetor cap by replacing it and then tightening the screw with your coin. The scooter will run badly until you run the gunk out - rev it up several times to burn fuel through the carburetor and repeat the procedure if necessary. This simple scooter repair technique turned my no-go scooter back into the powerful little machine that I am almost afraid to use because it goes so fast. Another option is scooter-specific fuel injector cleaner. AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, PepBoys, and any other large auto parts store typically carries what you need.

For rust on an old scooter, it is best to use Naval Jelly. You will need heavy rubber gloves, steel wool or steel brushes, Naval Jelly, and a lot of caution. Put on the gloves and start by brushing off any loose rust. Scrape off as much as you can. Then apply the Naval Jelly to the steel brush and brush it in as thoroughly as you can, getting off as much rust as you can. Then you go over the rust with steel wool and Naval Jelly. Set everything aside, carefully take off your gloves, and let your work sit for 15 minutes. Then get clean water for rinsing off your work. Be sure to use a disposable container if you can. Don the gloves and carefully rinse off the rusty area. Repeat the procedure as necessary to remove all rust. Then simply rinse well and let your work air dry. If you want to paint over the area to protect it, use a paint that is suitable for the type of material that your scooter is made of. Some paints are suitable for plastic and some are suitable for metal. Naval jelly can be bought at most hardware stores, such as Lowe's, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware. Shopping results for Naval Jelly on Google reveal prices from $3.04 at Hardware World to $6.47 at Ace Hardware Superstore.

A useful tool to have for your scooter's platform or running board is a nail brush from the Justman Brush Company (http://www.justmanbrush.com/catalog/plugins/lineitems/browse.asp). This will enable you to quickly brush away dried mud that can cake on after riding in the rain.

Scooter repair for common problems can be annoying and sometimes unpleasant, but scooter repair is a necessary fact of ownership. When buying or building a scooter, it is easier to use standard parts from major hardware and auto stores. For the enthusiast, it is possible to turn passion into hard cash by knowing how to help other people who choose not to do their own repairs. One final tip: Keep sets of spare parts in stock just in case you need a part and the scooter is urgently needed for use. Scooter repair becomes easier with time and practice, so don't hesitate to have fun, practice, and have some fun in the sun as you build your owner's guide.

Sources:
Justman Brush Company: http://www.justmanbrush.com/catalog/plugins/lineitems/browse.asp
Holdgate Enterprises, Inc.: http://holdgateenterprises.com/scooters/index.html
Direct Bicycle Parts: http://www.directbicycleparts.com/
Interviews - various Lowe's and Home Depot employees
Personal Experience