Post by motomech on Feb 15, 2008 3:03:35 GMT -5
Hi,
I owned and operated a Independent Scooter shop from 1984 to 1991. It was situated near a large university in the South West. I had been a tech in a large, impersonal Honda dealership, which after they sold them, didn't want anything to do with them. I was a good opportunity to strike out on my own with out stepping on any toes.
I must say up front, I didn't get rich doing it. College students weren't the best customers(although, many were cute!), They don't have much money, scooter maintenance is not much of a concern and when it breaks, I was the Bad guy(a few were appreciative).Since they were inexpensive to buy('85 Spree-$499, Elite 80-$899, elite 150-$1499), they were pretty much considered disposable and I would dumpster drive at the end of the semesters.
Payed the light bills with the service work, but any real money I made, I made selling used parts(Avg. 1/2 price of new) and buying and selling used models.
I collected all the very cool Honda posters and decorated the shop with them.
For me, 1985 was the banner year for scooters, Honda specifically. Although, I consider the '83/'84 Aero 80's as the most reliable scooter ever made, my preferred rides were the '85/'86 Aero 50's and Elite 150's. The Aeros just flew and the side trunk was very handy. The Elites were stunning in their candy apple or Chevy SS blue metallic livery. And the way the back-lit digital dash glowed blue at night was too cool(at least til the clear plastic cover became obscure from the sun). The styling changes of '87 meant the end of the wonderful flat floorboards and beginning of uncomfortable slopping and stepped seats.
I did No-peds like the Express 50, the QT50(Yamahopper) and Suzuki's FA(fag)50 since they were easy(A nice break from fighting plastic). I drew the line with Honda's Hobbit. That Belgian made POS was the worst thing that Honda ever put their name on.
Toward the late '80's/early '90's the scooter fad was petering out. The new model prices had risen to the point the students stopped buying them. Sad to think of it now, but I gave or threw away my used parts inventory and moved on to another vocation.
Many of the issues of scooters today, roller and belt wear, intake manifolds and mufflers were issues then as well(except the Aero 80, on which nothing ever broke). But electrical problems(with the exception of the Elite 125/150 pop-up headlite) were rare.
Well, i guess I will continue to lurk, maybe kibitz at bit and in general, reminisce.
Motomech in Costa Rica
I owned and operated a Independent Scooter shop from 1984 to 1991. It was situated near a large university in the South West. I had been a tech in a large, impersonal Honda dealership, which after they sold them, didn't want anything to do with them. I was a good opportunity to strike out on my own with out stepping on any toes.
I must say up front, I didn't get rich doing it. College students weren't the best customers(although, many were cute!), They don't have much money, scooter maintenance is not much of a concern and when it breaks, I was the Bad guy(a few were appreciative).Since they were inexpensive to buy('85 Spree-$499, Elite 80-$899, elite 150-$1499), they were pretty much considered disposable and I would dumpster drive at the end of the semesters.
Payed the light bills with the service work, but any real money I made, I made selling used parts(Avg. 1/2 price of new) and buying and selling used models.
I collected all the very cool Honda posters and decorated the shop with them.
For me, 1985 was the banner year for scooters, Honda specifically. Although, I consider the '83/'84 Aero 80's as the most reliable scooter ever made, my preferred rides were the '85/'86 Aero 50's and Elite 150's. The Aeros just flew and the side trunk was very handy. The Elites were stunning in their candy apple or Chevy SS blue metallic livery. And the way the back-lit digital dash glowed blue at night was too cool(at least til the clear plastic cover became obscure from the sun). The styling changes of '87 meant the end of the wonderful flat floorboards and beginning of uncomfortable slopping and stepped seats.
I did No-peds like the Express 50, the QT50(Yamahopper) and Suzuki's FA(fag)50 since they were easy(A nice break from fighting plastic). I drew the line with Honda's Hobbit. That Belgian made POS was the worst thing that Honda ever put their name on.
Toward the late '80's/early '90's the scooter fad was petering out. The new model prices had risen to the point the students stopped buying them. Sad to think of it now, but I gave or threw away my used parts inventory and moved on to another vocation.
Many of the issues of scooters today, roller and belt wear, intake manifolds and mufflers were issues then as well(except the Aero 80, on which nothing ever broke). But electrical problems(with the exception of the Elite 125/150 pop-up headlite) were rare.
Well, i guess I will continue to lurk, maybe kibitz at bit and in general, reminisce.
Motomech in Costa Rica
probably not.
