A VERY long day

[scootnwinn]

So I put a new drive belt (supposedly an upgrade as the old one looked new still) on the scoot today and went for a shake down ride only I went a little too far and the dang belt catastrophically failed after 11 miles. Who would have thought a brand new belt would fail so quickly. I got to push the bike 2 miles up and down rolling hills to the local gas station and then hitch a ride to my house to get my truck. Thank God the loading was easy as I saw a friend of mine at the store when I needed to load it. When me and my 14 year old son got home to unload it though, he forgot where the brake was and dropped it on himself. He ended up ok and the bike only had a tiny scratch. I put the old belt back on in the fading light. I guess its good I got to do the operation twice in a day because now I am a pro at it.

Anyway cooked dinner late and got kids to bed then went for another run in the dark to make sure the old belt felt fine and that I wasn't jacking up the belts when I put them on. I guess I wasn't as this belt came off and back on and I have almost 20 miles into it this go around. Back to the ride as I was cruising up and down the only paved road near my house that isn't a highway I had a GIANT dog ran top speed in front of me. I hit the brakes and angled around him but there wasn't time to miss him. I braced for the crash and praise God I had slowed enough to just brush him and not crash. I am happy to report I maintained the bike upright and managed to keep my wits about me. It was a scary end to a long day but in the end everything ended up fine and I learned a couple of things.

I took this gorgeous pic just about 1 mile before the belt exploded.



Its great to live in the middle of no where even if it is a long push to safety. SCOOTERS ROCK!!

[inuyasha]

Hi
Sounds like it was a rough day indeed
The most important thing is you are well and werent injured and the issues were not to hard to resolve
Im very relieved
Beautiful view ,quite awe inspiring
Take care dear friend
Yours Hank

[scootnwinn]

Thanx Hank

[Pony66]

I know what you mean about the big dog. I almost hit a huge deer the other day. I was so close I was worried he would come after me. He had a huge rack but still in velvet.

[bobbyb]

scoot

I've been over that bridge a few times myself. Thats the Chama River bridge on the road to Tres Piedras, correct.

Sorry to here about your breakdown. Never use a crappy belt. Stick to the name brands. I bought a supposedly Gates belt online. It's an imposter. I tossed it in the trash. I won't even use it as a spare. Nice pic. Pretty soon the Chama River valley will be golden, eh. Nice scoot.

[scootnwinn]

Ya that's the Chama River bridge in Abiquiu. I live just down the road. I thought I was buying a Gates Powerlink Belt. Maybe I didn't. How do you tell the difference? Besides the quick shredding and detonation of course. It would be nice to know before its installed.

We are just around the corner from the beauty of fall up here. I promise to get another pick.

[bobbyb]

scoot

Google Gates Powerlink xxx xx xx. The x's are your belt size. Parts For Scooters or Scrappydog should carry Gates belts. Good luck.

If it's a Gates belt, it will have Gates printed on it. If it smells real funky, it's Chinese and belongs in the trash. IMHO. I don't know why the Chinese make crappy rubber products. It all deteriorates so fast.

[TERRA NUVO]

scootnwinn

your a great dad man! so good to hear stories like this, do post more and thanks for keeping this country in the healthy direction you point.

bobbyb hahahahah thanks for a very funny thread, and a true one.