Modern Vespa

As I take things apart on my scooters, I usually make a note of parts I’m going to need. A few weeks ago I ordered bearings, seals, and gaskets along with a bunch of other stuff for my 71 Sprint which also has a 74 Veloce motor.
Today I rebuilt the Cush drive and I checked to see if the bearing was included in the set. I looked up my previous order and that’s when I noticed the bearings were listed for Sprint V(1) and V(2). Damn!
I checked my engine serial number and I have a V(1). Luckily I ordered the correct bearings. But I also ordered the incorrect seals and engine gasket set.
I double checked the engine gasket fit and it’s slightly off. 2 of the engine seals are the same but flywheel side seal is a different size.
So live and learn, write down your engine serial number and order the right parts the first time!

I get 90% of my parts from Scooter Mercato. The website is easy to use and if you have a question, you can call and talk to a real person (usually David) as long as it is Monday thru Friday. On weekends I just use email and get a response back by Monday afternoon.

I agree with Tierney. Scooter Mercato is a great place to order parts. David is very helpful and if he doesn’t have the part, he will try to get it for you.

And you can order parts from SIP thru scooter mercato and save on shipping .

+1 for David and Staff at Scooter Mercado.

I've ordered parts books for every scooter I have (ebay/scooterwest). When it comes time to order, I can add the Piaggio part numbers to every item. It also helps if I need to show someone how the scooter internals work.

It cuts down on errors and helps the guys filling out my order. The scooterwest computer system needs a part number, then quantity. I save them time by adding #123456 instead of saying something generic like a gasket. That makes them have to get the book, look it up, type it in, waste time, waste time and it might not be correct (ie. carb gasket instead of air box gasket.)

I've also took the extra steps to order through domestic shops. (Scooterwest/ Mercato/ Scooter Speed.) SIPs system is pretty good, but sometimes their pictures dont match the item listed. Im paying a little extra for their services, but it definitely has helped cut down on order errors having someone local to speak with and make sure I get the correct item.

Turns out the local scooter pros are SIP dealers. I don’t think it’s that uncommon worldwide - just have to order enough per month. Worth always checking if you can get SIP stuff locally.

Hope it’s ok to give them props. But tops blokes who are very knowledgeable and experienced. Ordering from them means being backed up by that experience. And steered in the right direction plenty of times too.

And a cool website...
https://retroscooter.nz/

af1 racing has all the parts catalogs online, no?

also, how does 1 order SIP parts through Mercado? Call in w/ SIP part # ? Or? TIA.

http://www.scootermercato.com/Scooter-Parts/Vintage-Vespa-Parts/SIP-Part

Anybody has an idea what's the difference between V1 and V2?
Years? Model differences?
When I search, I only find first series Sprint and later Sprint Veloce.

VP, let me guess. The problem with the gasket set was at one of the studs. As I learnt, early Sprint V. cases were basically 2 port Sprint cases converted to 3 ports. Then they changed the layout of the studs and made them the same as on all of the later models (Rally, P, PX). I had the same problem on my friend's Sprint V. I rebuilt a while back...


Old stud placement

New stud placement

Sprint v1 gasket set

I had the same issue on my sprint v engine..

That's what SIP describes as Grade A - for a perfect repair! I did the QLD Mille with Christiaan. Really nice guy and just as sick as the rest of us here!

You are correct, and in a pinch the Sprint V2 gasket would probably work. I will say that the SIP ordering experience is far and away head and shoulders above anything we have here in the states. It’s the shipping coupled with the minimum order rules that are a pain. Their prices, product descriptions, ease of ordering are just better.

I just tell Alexa, always the right part the next day coz I have PRIME.