SEIZED & Seized again...

[Brockster]

Had my first soft seizure(s) on the Vespa's engine this past Saturday. I was rolling down SR 42 towards Waynesville and the engine started to slow down - at a rate faster than when I needed to switch to the reserve gas tank. Thought I needed to flip to reserve gas for a minute. Then the rear tire started going, "Sqeeee...." So the rear isn't rolling now, reached back up and pulled the clutch and got on the shoulder of Route 42. I stopped and let the bike start to cool. Took the HOT plug out to let the cylinder cool faster. The plug partially melted a plastic bag that I set it on. Put a few drops of two-stroke oil in the cylinder to help free it up. About this time, Mike, the son of the owner of the Valero gas stations in Bellbrook and Spring Valley stopped to off assistance. I bummed his cell - he's a good guy. Thanks Mike!

After about 20-5 minutes after the seizure, I was able to bump start the bike and get going towards home. A few miles later on 725, - same thing. Remove plug, oil, and repeat. Kudo's to the older guy on the black ST1300 that stopped to help at the second seizure. Bump started it again and this time (slow learner!) Kept the bike next to the shoulder and ran the engine at the lowest revs in 4th gear - just above bogging. That got me around 25mph or so and eventually home.

BTW, Just after the 1st seize, I noticed that one of the cruiser riders that passed me had his wife/girlfriend/sister following on a Honda Rebel. They looked over at me and just kept going (before Mike stopped). As I was limping the bike into the outskirts of Bellbrook, I noticed a police car with lights and the Rebel pulled over. The Harley was in a ditch almost turtled. I let the cop know I was just limping the bike home. She had crossed the road to talk to someone in a pearlescent Chrysler Pacifica as I pulled up. I asked the woman if she was alright - she said that SHE was fine. No sign of the Harley burrower and I didn't ask about him - I had places that I had to be...

Hope your buddy heals fast, lady. I didn't see any news of the wreck in the DDN, so he couldn't have been racked up too bad.