Modern Vespa

I've just added two PDF files to our list of manuals and parts books. The two new files (found at the bottom of the first post) are specific to the GTS exhaust, and detail both the older gasket re-installation procedure and the newer recall procedure. The latter document also details the VIN range of affected units in the US.

Thank you Jess.
Finally an official statement.

Thank You.

Since the early GT200’s are affected, has anyone heard if they are going to be recalled as well?

Thank you, Jess.

I don't think GT200's are included. They don't burn as hot as the GTS.

But they do have the same gasket design, and do blow the gasket.

One thing on this note, however, is that they don’t have the rear brake line near the gasket (I think) which burns and then is a safety hazard.

May be a reason they are ignoring the GT.

I asked a Vespa dealer today about the exhaust recall and they showed me a stack of paper that had just come off the printer. It was recall-related, and they haven't had time to read it yet.
That would explain the situation that dealers had no facts yet themselves.

Has anyone of you in the US actually received a recall letter yet?

Last edited by windbreaker on Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:06 pm; edited 1 time in total

Bought my GTS on April 1st, 2006

Took over six months for the regular warranty info to be delivered.

The roadside assistance card came in the mail March 31st, 2007

Still have not received extended warranty info yet, dealer helping out now on that.





I would say they are a little SLOW!!!!

Riding through the desert today on my way home in tempatures reading 114 degrees, (yeah right), my cooling fan kicked in. As I rode up the twisties towards my mtn home I thought I smelled something burning. Then a couple large puffs of smoke came from underneath my scoot.
I pulled over and opened the seat and dove under for a look. No smoke but I did see some insulation burned away from my electrical wiring. I waited til it cooled then started it again. It was still too hot to tell if my replaced gasket was leaking. I did get a half turn on the clamp nut. Rode home okay and will dig in for damage assessment.

ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO GET THE RECALL WORK DONE QUICKLY.

I will call my dealer and see if he can do the repair. He's pretty much on top of all things Vespa so I imagine he can help me. I'll let you know.

Thanks for posting this. It is really helpful and clarifies who’s affected.

Question about the VIN hierarchy:

How does the 9th digit from the left increase (like the X in the ZAPM459LX75004164)?

Numbers first, from 0 to 9, then followed by alphabet letters, from A...

Or letters first, in this case X, Y, Z, then numbers 0, 1, 2...?

My VIN has a 9 as the ninth, and I can't tell whether that is in or out of the range (ZAPM459L975003xxx)

This is great....

They are finally gonna fix my exhaust.....

Course it may leak again......but at least it won't melt precious bits......

So they say......for the most part.....

So now if it sounds like a Ducati it will be okay because important things won't melt...for the most part......

Glad I own a welder.....

Problem solved.....

R

The 9th digit from the left is a checksum digit in North America. The checksum is found by turning all letters into a numerical equivalent, multiplying by a position weight and then performing some math on that sum. The checksum can be 0 through 9 and then X for 10.

Edit: the 10th digit is the model year, the 11th digit is the plant code, then the last 6 digits are the serial number. Digits 4-8 are the vehicle specific attribute/configuration identifiers. Digits 1-3 indicate Piaggio/Vespa. My assumption would be to look at everything but the 9th digit when looking at the VIN ranges for the recall. However, they should note this somewhere, perhaps the dealers can confirm.

Sounds like most GTS to me, from what I've heard, unless their new

-Vinny

Mine has a number which is a couple hundred points higher. Cool, no issue, but I am curious what the change on the newer models was/is. Do I have the replacement part already or some other design?

No big deal, Just curious,
Bob

The new models, outside of that VIN range, have what look to me to be identical parts to the ones being installed on recalled models.

Jess, I agree - for my 2007 GTS at least. The exhaust setup on my GTS with a Vin # a few hundred numbers higher than the high number on the recall notice appears to have parts that look just like the replacement parts in that notice. Large flange above the clamp and the new clamp.

The links to these don't work anymore. Anyone know where they've been moved? Same for on the GTS Wiki page...

Thanks.

-Dan

I am not getting it either. Called the dealer and he says my 2009 is not on the recall list. For some reason I don't trust him as the dealer in Reno who changed me tire on the cross country said it was.

I did find it here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/17723848/Vespa-GTS-250-Service-Bulletin

-Dan

Here's a pic showing the difference:


It's not too hard to see if which one is there by following the exhaust pipe up to the joint and checking for the flange.

Thanks! I did notice on mine that it has a flange, but seems much smaller than the one in the picture. But I assume that any flange will do...

-Dan