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Supertech Chrome delete Project updat #1: Picked up my first Vespa GTS 300 Supertech a week before stay at home order. Was only able to put 100 miles on it. Issue is the Vespa is in San Francisco and I am in Seattle suburbs. Thought I would start a chrome delete project. Only items I was not able to find in the correct Black are the Badges and Speedometer frame. So ordered some new parts and watched a few youtube videos on painting plastic. Counting the minutes until I can get back to San Fran for the installation. All other parts new shocks and exhaust are waiting for me in San Francisco. Will post project updates as I progress.
My before image
My before image
New badges. Had to trim the backing paper so the paint did not pool
New badges. Had to trim the backing paper so the paint did not pool
These are the products I used. Watch this you tube video for the technique:  https://youtu.be/-yFlGJwdO_s
These are the products I used. Watch this you tube video for the technique: https://youtu.be/-yFlGJwdO_s
After primer.
After primer.
After 2 coats of adhesive promoter, 3 coats of primer, 4 coats of paint, 3 coats of clear-coat, polish and wax
After 2 coats of adhesive promoter, 3 coats of primer, 4 coats of paint, 3 coats of clear-coat, polish and wax
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Back in San Francisco getting ready to start project.
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Front and Back Shock upgrade
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GTS300 Super 2015 Blue, GTS300 Super 2023 Beige
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A very good beginning. My first mod would have been a Bitubo front shock too.

Then there are the Brembo or Frando brake callipers (but the nuisance of having to bleed an ABS brake system), and a Kubler tone ring for the rear wheel, to eliminate the speed restriction and make the speedo accurate.

I'm keen to see what you will do next, and pictures of the final product.
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I'm interested to know if the shock swap really improves the suspension.
I think the suspension on my 2020 GTS300 is way too harsh.
My low back is in agony after a ride, I have experimented with adjusting the rear shocks and changing tire pressure .
But so far it's not making me happy.
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Replacing the front shock makes a big difference. It is the first mod I would make to any new Vespa. There are many options, but Bitubo and BGM are two of the top ones.

I fitted Malossi RS24 rear shocks to my one scooter, but they only made a small change. Maybe I should have gone Bitubo there too.
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I'm fairly handy with a tool box , but am concerned that my tired old body would not like crawling around on the floor to do the job .
Unless that is , it's an easy job.

On a scale of 1 to 10 , ( 10 being the harder end) what would you rate it to change out the front shock assembly ??
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I am 81 and 10 for me would be pulling the engine out to install a Malossi cylinder and head. Done that about 5 times, and now I pay someone else to do it. My back can't take it anymore. On that scale, replacing the front shock would be about 1 or 2, but it does involve a bit of work down on one's knees to fit the top bolts under the mudguard.
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Mike Holland wrote:
I am 81 and 10 for me would be pulling the engine out to install a Malossi cylinder and head. Done that about 5 times, and now I pay someone else to do it. My back can't take it anymore. On that scale, replacing the front shock would be about 1 or 2, but it does involve a bit of work down on one's knees to fit the top bolts under the mudguard.
Thank you , I'm not as spry as I once was ( 75 stroke survivor) so I will look into this mod.
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Nice job so far.the excaust .......which brand 🛵🛵
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color choices
I know that one should not discuss the tastes, but must admit that do not understand painting Vespa nor some other modern, premium cars in such a grey color

may I ask what led you to this?

Wha? emoticon

do not want to be offensive, just am struggling to understand
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Re: color choices
PreddyBaer wrote:
I know that one should not discuss the tastes, but must admit that do not understand painting Vespa nor some other modern, premium cars in such a grey color

may I ask what led you to this?

Wha? emoticon

do not want to be offensive, just am struggling to understand
No offense taken. The Original Color is that gray. I did not paint the body that color. I painted the badges black from chrome to contrast the body color. The color has historical relevance to Vespa. The color is called Grigio Materia. It was explained to me that this was the color used on all ships of the Italian Navy. Vespa now uses this color to signify the first of a model generation. As the Supertech is a new edition of Vespa it qualifies for this color. They also made the Supertech in a gloss black in Europe/Asia. However that is not available in the United States yet. It does look better in person. I understand you point the on some cars it looks milky and dull. But I have grown to like it on my Vespa or maybe I just got suckered into the story....


I am still doing my mods and have not finished yet. This was the video that gave me the inspiration to do the chrome delete. To me the Black and Gray contrast make the Vespa look more masculine.
Happy Ridding and stay healthy,
Michael
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335Rick wrote:
Nice job so far.the excaust .......which brand 🛵🛵
akrapovic
⬆️    About 1 month elapsed    ⬇️
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DandyDoug wrote:
I'm interested to know if the shock swap really improves the suspension.
I think the suspension on my 2020 GTS300 is way too harsh.
My low back is in agony after a ride, I have experimented with adjusting the rear shocks and changing tire pressure .
But so far it's not making me happy.
So I installed these In phases. I did the back shocks myself and drove a few hundred miles on them before getting the front shock installed professionally. With just the back shocks I notices a more comfortable ride but no noticeable improvement to handling. With just the back shock it was a bit stiffer with more travel. Before installing these my spine would sometimes be the shock absorber as the Stock rear shocks bottomed out. I just had the front shock installed and rode 80 miles on it today. The improvement in handling is significant. Mush smoother and I feel more confident at higher speeds.
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Almost done with my Mods
I don't have a workshop in San Francisco so had to do most of these in my apartment. Thinking I might swap out the grips again, get rid of the lollipop mirrors and do some handlebar end mirrors.
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Super! Black is the new chrome. 😀

Thumbs up 👍
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Greetings:

Quoth Mlforrest: "I don't have a workshop in San Francisco so had to do most of these in my apartment." That made me giggle! I had the same dilemma fixing up my 1987 Honda Aero and later 2001 Elite 50. Used to CARRY them up 19 stairs. (I was younger, stronger then, and scoots weighed under 140#) Probably wouldn't have tried with a GTS! Black looks great!
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Black chrome was De Rigueur on German cars..... in the 80's.

O.S.
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Nice job,what,s next
A custom soloseat😉
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Can I ask where you got the parts for your mods? I'm specifically interested in the floor pan rack, headlight ring, passenger foot pegs and the kickstand "foot."

You've done some nice work there. It looks great.
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Jim McClain wrote:
Can I ask where you got the parts for your mods? I'm specifically interested in the floor pan rack, headlight ring, passenger foot pegs and the kickstand "foot."

You've done some nice work there. It looks great.
The Floor pan Rack I got here: https://www.classic-racks.co.uk

Passenger Foot pegs, headlight ring I got from SIP: https://www.sip-scootershop.com/

Kickstand foot is a Rizoma and I got it from scooter west: https://www.scooterwest.com/rizoma-sidestand-support-gts-gtv-aluminium-cnc-black-anodized.html

Let me know if you have any further questions: Happy to help.
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Re: color choices
PreddyBaer wrote:
I know that one should not discuss the tastes, but must admit that do not understand painting Vespa nor some other modern, premium cars in such a grey color

may I ask what led you to this?

Wha? emoticon

do not want to be offensive, just am struggling to understand
I just got a Vespa in same grey. It is absolutely gorgeous colour that gets a lot of admiring glances and comments. Pictures do not do the colour justice.
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The 300 looking great with the black trim. Planned to do the same on my Grigio Materia Sprint but liking the chrome surprisingly and just changed exhaust shield and mirrors to black for now.
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looks great
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Looks sooo clean definitely the mirrors has to go, I went with the Rizoma Spy-Arm End Mounted Mirror.They also comes in black so it would go with your theme.
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evil monkey wrote:
Looks sooo clean definitely the mirrors has to go, I went with the Rizoma Spy-Arm End Mounted Mirror.They also comes in black so it would go with your theme.
Those are beautiful, thanks for the recommendation. Will look into it.
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Looks great!

What do those grills do on the back? Do they help keep the engine cool?
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joe register wrote:
Looks great!

What do those grills do on the back? Do they help keep the engine cool?
It is part of the standard design to give airflow to the engine compartment
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joe register wrote:
Looks great!

What do those grills do on the back? Do they help keep the engine cool?
FWIW: this is how you can quickly tell a GTS250 from a GTS300 (the 250 doesn't have the grill).

The gas tank is located behind the majority of the grill. It's purely a cosmetic feature.
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Pim wrote:
http://members.modernvespa.net/mlforrest/uploads/28793661_b7ca_4508_aacd_caecb678d0a1_17532.jpeg

Did it leave the living-room yet ?
LOL! Yes. Brought here up to Seattle WA

Also just finished a few more upgrades that I will post.
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A few more Rizoma upgrades. Grips, brake levers, mirrors and front shield.
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Mlforrest wrote:
A few more Rizoma upgrades. Grips, brake levers, mirrors and front shield.
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Mlforrest wrote:
Mlforrest wrote:
A few more Rizoma upgrades. Grips, brake levers, mirrors and front shield.
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Did you paint the bar ends and windshield mounting hardware or did you buy them like that?
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joe register wrote:
Did you paint the bar ends and windshield mounting hardware or did you buy them like that?
I bought them like that. The only thing I painted was the badges and speedo trim
⬆️    About 28 days elapsed    ⬇️
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I replaced stock suspension with Malossi RS24 front and rear, replaced all shock bushings with Claus Studio's urethane bushings. Replacing shocks without bushings doesn't cure the ass chasing the front seat of the pants feeling when cornering at speed. Doing so completes your upgrade and rids the rear sway. I replaced the tone ring, installed Brembos front and rear, sintered pads up front, Akrapovic exhaust, Zeloni bag hook, grips and bar weights, Rizoma billet side vents and replaced City Grips w/Pure Powers. Anxiously awaiting release of Malossi Forcemaster 2 to raise rev limiter. Bike runs a strong 80mph before rev limiter starts in. Having a similarly equipped GTS250 w/Malossi cylinder and head, my Super Tec is too slow on top end. I'm guessing there's another 6 to 8 mph to be had by installing the Forcemaster. I didn't weigh the City Grips, but have read they weigh an additional 2 pounds per tire which is going to hinder acceleration and throttle response, plus the Pure Powers are much more confident through the corners. I have Heidenau K61s on the 250, but couldn't readily source them when purchasing tires for the Super Tec.
⬆️    About 1 month elapsed    ⬇️
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I envy the whole build. Beautiful and gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
I am wondering if Bitubo front shock is better than the Malossi. On my 2010 GTS i had replaced both front and rear shocks with malossi's along with clauss bushings in the back
It felt firmer and cornering felt like I was in control through the curve.
Was a pain in the butt to get the top bolts in on that GTS.
Now I will be getting a 2018 GTS 300 and I am thinking about the mods to be made to make it better than it is.
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Not sure if the Bitubo is better than the Malossi. I am sure both are great. If you love the ride feel you have just stick with it. My next upgrade will be to 13" Wheels. Will let you know how that goes. Have fun, stay healthy and ride safe.
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