The official useful life of a motor vehicle is 15 years.Even insurers try to avoid the renewing the coverage after 15 years of a vehicle.
I have been thoroughly enjoying the ride of this legendary scooter for last 26 years.
It became a prized possession in 1984 after a waiting period of one year , paying a price of Rs 10, 000 approximately.
It was of Cream color which was craze during those days. My father used to shine the scooter at least once a day and handling too, with a lot of care.
The Scooter was of 145 cc, four gears and 7.5 BHP – a real powerful scooter. I have seen when a person Could not control the Accelerator in fist gear and the scooter, in no time, was many feet away after a high jump!
I have a flair for driving since my childhood. I kept learning the theoretical part of the scooter driving till I was given chance to drive the scooter in 1987.
The scooter was so user friendly that I started driving , without any hitch. I even taught the driving to few uncles! On this scooter.
The scooter used to give 35-40 KMPL. The maintenance was easy .Spare parts were easily available at any roadside local repair person.
It was a two stroke engine. I needed to mix 2T oil whenever Refueling was required. We were(Father and me) so conscious of adulteration that we always took petrol from the best outlet of my home town Ranchi (Lalpur Petrol pump, HPCL).We used to carry Mobil sachet to mix into petrol.
The scooter needed some regular preventive maintenance. The spark plug needed cleaning every fortnightly.
The tyres of any scooter being very small, is considered unsafe for front braking. We needed to take the Front Break shoe out , as not using it for long time, was creating obstruction in free movement of the front wheel.
The spare tyre came handy every time we had puncture.
The breaking needed little practice as any abrupt harsh break would turn the scooter 180 degree!! Breaking is little risky during rains.
The speed beyond 55 KMPH was not` feel easy` as it seemed unsafe in the absence of effective breaks. The long distance drive beyond 40-50 Km was little tiring.
The design of the scooter made it a workhorse in true sense. Be it carrying a Gas Cylinder in the front space or carrying a 50 kg wheat pack. My father has carried all six members when required in extreme case – Me (10 years old) standing in the front and my mother carrying three smaller kids at the back. I miss those golden days.
The additional vegetable basket and a diggy were handy for any requirement of additional space.
The scooter was bored for the piston once after 14 years of use , for a nominal cost , at a roadside repair shop. It was repainted also with brinjal color in 1998.
I keep saying dad to retire this scooter and replace with a bike. He says, ``My dear son, this scooter has witnessed this home construction, your education and marriages of your all sisters including yours. I shall keep it as long as possible.``
I am fully convinced to keep the scooter. 3 cheers Bajaj Super.