Modern Vespa

Hey folks,

Any of you folks w oil injected vespas disconnect the autolube feature and simply premix your oil and fuel?

I’m breaking in my engine and would like to have a bit more oil in my gas rather than what the autolube mixes the gas at (assuming it’s 2%).

I was thinking of simply removing the oil pump drive shaft and premix my gas manually and riding it.

Thoughts? Things to look out for?

Thank you.

N

Why not just pre mix your fuel with how much extra you want?

I could do that. Add an extra percent in for break in.
I’m thinking longevity though. Just omitting autolube all together.

What tuning spec do you have? I don't see the need to add extra oil unless perhaps you have built a beast. I've rebuilt several P/PX engines, in most cases with different cranks, alloy cylinder kits, porting, bigger/upjetted carbs etc. Apart from those with side draught carbs, I've always retained the autolube and have never added extra oil to the fuel, even for the break in. I've never questioned the autolube's ability to deliver and I've never had lubrication related issues

Thank you for your response.

I rebuilt a px125e. Everything is new inside the cases. Added a dr 180 kit.

I figured I would add a bit more oil to make sure lubrication is at its optimal.

And again, I’m thinking long term. Omit the autolube and premix my gas for future use.
Just added

So the px125 autolube is geared upto a 150cc scooter.
One option is to fit the 200cc gearing autolube but that can be an exspense not needed.

My personal choice on my kitted scooters is to keep the autolube as is and add an extra 1% to the petrol this way you get the best of both worlds.
What I mean by that is when you come off the throttle either at speed or going down hill the petrol flow is cut off, which if you are going to add oil to the petrol only, this means no oil being sent to the crank, where as if you keep the auto lube then there will always be oil sent because its linked to the actual revs of the engine.

Thank you and everyone for your replies.
This is the option i am going to take.
like you said----best of both worlds.

I will tackle this in the spring since winter is upon us here in Ontario, Canada.
Cheers.

More oil doesn’t mean better protection, since you are removing fuel which leans your AF ratio. For such a basic cylinder just keep stock injection and don’t worry about it. I’ve built some big engines and never added extra oil as it’s more of a danger.

Noted. So much information. So many great points.
I’ll just ride it till it blows up. Lol.

The first notice you'll get when your autolube starts to fail is when the bike seizes up.

I went to premixing my own and that will ever happen.

Yes. And that’s what I would like to avoid.
What did you do to make the switch? Take out the drive shaft from the under the carb box?

The autolube system can't forget to add oil when you fill up. There are pro's and cons to both.

Forgetting to add oil is almost an impossibility.

My P200 is premix, its the only one of the four motorcycles I own. One day I'm going to fill up and ride away, just like my other three.

all you need do is pull the drive shaft, and also its best to remove the cog within the oil pump itself to stop the throttle jamming, then blank off the hole in the casing left behind by the drive shaft, Sip sell a plug, blank off the 2t oil pipe to stop air being drawn in too

I wonder how many people have had actual autolube failure? I'm not saying it's impossible, but think of the number of P and PX scooters that have been plying their trade around the world since the late '70s, not to mention the US spec oldies that also have autolube. If we were talking about an electric or electronic system, maybe so, but this is a primitive mechanical setup. I'd say there's an extremely slim chance of it ever failing, especially if basic maintenance/cleaning is carried out on a regular basis.

There has been probably one go through my garage that had a worn and chipped / cracked worm drive setup... very high mileage motor and not the most "regular" of oil checks in the gearbox to make sure it splash fed the lube to it

I think failure pretty rare. The vespa design a good one. Fully mechanical. Ive heard of maybe one around here over many years. Also figure in all the lmls etc.

Always jealous of those with it. Because its rpm, not throttle, you always get the oil the engine needs. Top of a big hill, engine hot and down the other side and dont need to fang it to maintain the same speed. The engine is still getting the right oil. On mine, not so much, and getting less oil with less throttle on the premix. Can be disconcerting when you check the temps.

I’d leave it alone and premix 1% if you think that is needed.

Luddites