"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
05/06/2020 at 17:24 • Filed to: two wheels good
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"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
05/06/2020 at 17:24 • Filed to: two wheels good | 12
| 26 |
I spotted the ad for this scooter on FB Marketplace yesterday. It’s a 2014 Genuine Hooligan 170i, with only 858 miles, but no title. As the designation suggests, it has a 170cc fuel injected engine . Now, I know the Vermont trick, so I don’t really care about the title. The price was listed as $1000 firm.
Now with a title, a grand would be a fantastic price for this scooter. They sticker for $3400 new , and the only other used one I found for sale anywhere near me, was $2k from a dealer . Without a title though , is another story for that price. I figured I’d let the ad languish for a few weeks, and then offer him $750. Well, last night I noticed the price had been changed to $800 obo. I guess that $1000 was as firm as a bag of bread (that term was stolen from lapsed Opponaut Birddog).
This morning I worked up the courage to show the ad to Mrs. Shop-Teacher. She loved the color. I said between the $400 I got for that dirt bike, and if I sold my little 50cc Kymco I bought for a project last summer, that would pretty much pay for this one, and it’s a way better scooter. She gave me the go-ahead to make an offer.
I offered him $700. He said he’d take it, if I could come get it right away. I grabbed an apple for the road, threw my ramps in the truck, and headed to the seller’s house 20 minutes away.
I arrived and he gave me a little tour of the features. The scooter was in pretty good shape. It has some paint scuffs, and a crack in the front fender. The passenger side mirror was missing too. But, it has both keys, the owners manual, and it really did only have 858 miles on it.
I took it for a little test ride, and immediately it was clear that something was very very wrong. It did not want to steer where I pointed it. I pulled over after a block and inspected it closely, wondering if it had been wrecked harder than it appeared, but didn’t see anything that looked out of whack.
I rode back towards his place, and gave it a bit of throttle, wondering if it was better at speed, it wasn’t. I went about a block in the other direction past his place again, and decided to turn around and head home. The rear end started wiggling. I was going very slow, so there was no danger of crashing, but again something was deeply messed up. Then I heard a *pffft* from the back tire. I stopped, and that’s when I realized there was basically no air in the tires. The rear had come right off the bead.
I pushed it back towards his place. When I came into view, he started walking towards me. I told him what had happened, and he helped me push it back the rest of the way.
“Do you still want it?” he asked.
I did still want it, but I smelled blood and went for it. I offered him $500.
“Nah, I’d come down to $650. A new bead for that tire is only going to be like $20.”
Side bar: What the hell does that last sentence even mean????
Not wanting to point out that this statement was nonsensical, I said, “Yeah, but the labor to get it off will be $100. Make it $600 and I’ll take it.”
He agreed, I paid the guy, and we rolled it into my truck.
When I got home, I was able to pop the rear tire back onto the bead with my little air compressor , no problem. I then juiced the tires to the recommended 30 psi, and took a test ride. It was glorious! I’m used to a 10 horsepower Zuma, so 15hp feels really fast to me. It soaks up bumps really nicely, and the dual disc brakes are wonderful. The only problem I’ve found, is the fuel gauge doesn’t work.
This thing is a keeper. I’ve put about 40 miles on it already today, and I’m about to go put some more onto it . I just need to send my registration and my check to the great State of Vermont. Oh, and order a passenger side mirror. I hate not having both of my mirrors.
CB
> shop-teacher
05/06/2020 at 17:30 |
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As is tradition for new scooter purchases.
AestheticsInMotion
> shop-teacher
05/06/2020 at 17:31 |
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I like that quite a bit. Nice find!
Mercedes Streeter
> shop-teacher
05/06/2020 at 17:37 |
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I wasn’t even aware Genuine had models bigger than 150s, fantastic find!!!
Let me know how the Vermont thing works out, I haven't used the ol' trick since 2019. lol
Darkbrador
> shop-teacher
05/06/2020 at 17:49 |
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What’s the “Vermont trick” ?
Chariotoflove
> shop-teacher
05/06/2020 at 17:56 |
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Nicely done!
jminer
> shop-teacher
05/06/2020 at 18:00 |
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I have a buddy that bought one of those used last summer. It’s a really nice scooter for sure.
That’s also a killer price on it, the one I helped my friend buy had a clean title but was $1500.
RacinBob
> Darkbrador
05/06/2020 at 18:22 |
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http://www.chinonthetank.com/2014/04/get-a-title-with-a-vermont-registration/
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shop-teacher
> CB
05/06/2020 at 19:22 |
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Lol!
XJDano
> RacinBob
05/06/2020 at 20:04 |
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Holy shit dude. It’s may be the answer to the F-ed title I have from My rabbit with previous owners owners friend that had an Illinois title and didn’t want to pay the <$500 to title the car.... I’ve had it over 10 years and putting it off for longer.... what seams.
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XJDano
> shop-teacher
05/06/2020 at 20:06 |
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I need a scoot for the wife. She can ride-along, but I wouldn’t put her on a motor with a clutch until she can balance powered wheels. Yah know?
.... my beers aren’t rooted..
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shop-teacher
> XJDano
05/06/2020 at 20:13 |
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Yep!
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> XJDano
05/06/2020 at 21:07 |
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I’m trying desperately to convince my wife that she needs a moped. I found a great little Honda Metropolitan, white and blue with a brown seat, for 500 bucks and her response was “I’m just not cool enough” which I’ve translated into “I’d be so nervous I don’t think I could have any fun”
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HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> shop-teacher
05/06/2020 at 21:08 |
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That’s a pretty cool looking scooter
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shop-teacher
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
05/06/2020 at 21:55 |
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It definitely makes sense to start her on a scooter.
Not cool enough? You don’t have to be cool! The whole point is to not care about being cool!
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shop-teacher
> Mercedes Streeter
05/06/2020 at 21:58 |
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I’ve been wanting something faster than my Zuma 125, but not really bigger. The only scooters I could think of that kinda fit that are the old Elite 250's and Riva 200's. Both carb’d with dual drum brakes. Or Vespa 300's, which cost real motorcycle money . This thing hits that sweet spot. I’m loving it. I’m so happy I found it.
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shop-teacher
> jminer
05/06/2020 at 22:00 |
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I’m very happy with it. I have now put 55 miles on it today, and I’m not home right now. Should hit 60-65 miles today before I get home.
$1500 is fair market value for a clean private party one with a title. I like buying scooters without titles, because I’m a cheapskate.
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shop-teacher
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
05/06/2020 at 22:01 |
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Thanks! I’m really liking it. Back before I bought my first scooter, I really wanted a Genuine Roughhouse in this same mat green. This Hooligan is basically that scooter’s big brother.
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shop-teacher
> AestheticsInMotion
05/06/2020 at 22:01 |
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Thank you! I’m quite pleased with it!
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shop-teacher
> Chariotoflove
05/06/2020 at 22:01 |
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Thanks!
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Darkbrador
> RacinBob
05/07/2020 at 08:22 |
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Thanks
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XJDano
> shop-teacher
05/07/2020 at 12:36 |
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Hmm I don’t think I Have a bill of sale. Do I just make one up at this point?
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shop-teacher
> XJDano
05/07/2020 at 13:01 |
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Yep. I don’t have one either.
Only Vespas...
> shop-teacher
05/07/2020 at 13:58 |
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I like the color! No worries about the inop gas gauge. I had a S tella with a dead needle and would just peek in the tank and give her a little shake. Slosh.
Steve McQueen does the same in The Great Escape right before he puts his motorcycle into the wire.
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shop-teacher
> Only Vespas...
05/07/2020 at 15:32 |
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It’s a little tougher on the Hooligan, because the tank is in the floorboard. The gauge has started to come to life a bit. I wonder when I burn off all the old gas, some fresh gas and some seafoam may clean off the contacts.
I’m not super concerned though.
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XJDano
> shop-teacher
05/07/2020 at 15:42 |
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I wonder if it works for cars too or just motorcycles.
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shop-teacher
> XJDano
05/07/2020 at 15:50 |
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I just forwarded you the documents, but it should work. Vermont doesn’t title anything older than 15 years old.