MY NEW OLD SCOOT - HONDA ELITE CH250

Amidst all of the political and social silliness, there's nothing like putting on a helmet and gloves, getting up on two wheels, and twisting the throttle. For the past three years, that means the 150cc Chinese scooter that I call Blueberry. But Blueberry is in hospital. Her clutch blew and took an oil seal with it.

I went up on craigslist and took a look around. What to my wondering eyes should appear? A 1985 Honda Elite CH250 scooter.

I know. A 25 year old motor vehicle? Well, that's the thing about Honda's, ya see. they're bulletproof. But $625? That's way too cheap for a good running Honda scoot no matter how old. So I called.

"What's the matter with it?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"So why are you selling it?'

"My dad says that I have to get it out of the garage."

Good answer. So I bought it.

It's got some problems. The panels are a bit scruffy...so I call her Scruffy. It rides OK. I've hit 70 MPH. I'd like better fuel economy...it's only getting about 55 MPG. And right now, in the cold cold weather, it's hard to start. But it's a fine old scoot. I'll sort her out. And in spring I'll ride the tires off her.

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