Modern Vespa

Today, June 23, I spoke with Vespa Canada (Canadian Scooter Corp Tel (416) 537-3001)

Told them about loosing my rear brake and spark lead (melted) while doing 100 kph.

I was told that a letter of recall is being prepared to be sent to all owners. The gasket will be replaced by the dealer. Expect the letter within 2 weeks.

Hi Jana, thanks for the information. We have been anxiously awaiting this recall. My understanding is that they made the application with Transport Canada sometime ago and have been waiting for the paperwork to go through.

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock ......



This was the reason I rode the MP3 to Amerivespa - oh, the MP3 doesn't have the same exhaust set up does it ? *gulp*

I don't think so, doesn't it have an exhaust that is more like that on a BV 250?

Thanks Jana,

I think I'm going to buy a Moto - Amore muffler bearing just the same. From what I have seen the recall adds a deflector for the exhaust gasses and does not actually address the problem of the exhaust sleeve being a weak link in the chain.

Dave

Thanks for the update! Can't wait to see exactly what the fix looks like. If the remedy is just to replace the same fibrous gasket that seems like a waste of labour. That gasket if it is similar may not last but another 4K to 5K kilometres before it is toasted as well. Time will tell. Will stay tuned.

See the pics in the GTS Owners Club link above. This is supposedly the recall fix in the UK, I don't want to say it is or it isn't the fix for Canada.

Chet

we have bronze gaskets in stock in our shop

i'm surprised that mine haven't melted thru yet...
come on fix...

Just recieved a letter from PGA/ Canadian Scooter Corp. about the exhaust gasket recall (dated 07 Aug. 2007) So, seems like Piaggio is responding in a reasonable fashion.

I'll have mine done at the 1000 km service.

Any new stories about the exhaust issue?

No new stories but I did buy and intall one of the 'muffler bearings' from Vespa Burlington. It was a relatively easy job and took about 45 minutes. I'm happy with the result.

Dave

Hi. I have found a few items about problems with the GT250 and the exhaust gasket. My husband was coming home from church a couple of Sundays ago on his GT200 and his rear brakes went out on the top of the Cooper River bridge. He coasted about a quarter of a mile to the foot of the bridge and pulled over. He noticed smoke and got off and the bike bursted into flames. The fire department had to scape parts of it off of the road. He was very lucky. Only lost glasses, wallet and cell phone. Does the GT200 have a similar exhaust gasket as the GT250? Has anyone else ever had this sort of an incident? Thank you for any help you can give.

Christine who is one of the moderators here did have to have her exhaust gasket replaced on her GT 200. It didn't cause any rear brake failure as she noticed the change in timber of the exhaust sound and got her bike to the dealership for repair prior to any incident. The GT200's exhaust isn't quite a hot as the GTS's. As such, I think there have been fewer failures with that model. Sorry to hear about your husband's major failure with his GT 200 thank goodness he was OK. Was the scooter still under warranty?

I was with Jana when his GTS exhaust gave... But I was on a GT200. My exhaust collar was going as well but had not burned through. Yes, it is the same gasket/collar.

Your hubby should have noticed the first sign... a huge increase in exhaust noise as the exhaust blows hot out the gasket/collar. Most likely your hubby's hot exhaust burned through the brake line and caught it on fire. (if he has just kept riding it would have never caught fire)

It's much rarer to occur on the gt200, but it can. This is the second 200 I've heard of to completely go. Mine was close but no cigar. The gasket/collar should have been changed during the last service/tire change.