Modern Vespa

Ah yes. Starting to vaguely recall this bit of fuckery. I probably have the fuel tap wrench somewhere, wish I could have sent it along.

doubt you had one. if you needed it would probably have used mine.

The Funny thing is I think I had one for the Primavera or the rally 180 iirc ...but I lent it to my friend Nick a few years back. Seems like a good time to call Diamond Dave at Scooter Mercato to grab one.

What will be your approach to address the rust in the tank? I am about to tackle this on my SS tank.

Well... less is more in this case. For the record, I have never seen anything good happen with coating a tank, so avoid going down that road.

Luckily this one’s so clean that it doesn’t need a serious acid treatment ...all it needs is a very light treatment. Probably just use a vinegar soak and then a well cushioned tumble in the dryer with some BBs.

I did a VNB tank that was worse. I used navel jelly (phosphric acid), water and black rocks. After shaking and draining the acid wash, I used degreaser, blackrock, and water. Dry immediately with a hair dryer or heat gun and then tumbled with more blackrocks in the dryer (wrapped in towels, no heat, wife gone for the day). then rinse with degreaser again, dry, and a quick coating of oil and gas to prevent flash rusting.

Wondering if electrolysis rust removal might be the safest way to go? Played with it on small parts but never a tank.

Oh yes... that’s an idea!

It doesn’t look that bad, I’d prob go with phosphoric acid on this one.

Totally forgot to look at the tank I have, but I’ll def have a peek tomorrow!

-g

Unless you’re in a big hurry, I’d be tempted to just fill it with a gallon of vinegar and let it sit while you work on the rest of the scoot. Use the gentlest method first.

used rusteco in the past on and old BMW /5 toaster tank, worked out quite well

http://rusteco.com/

Mark hooked me up with a regular fuel tap [wrench] And then he went all WWE on it with the vice and bent it into shape for the SS tank. Thanks man!!!

Gonna go ahead with the electrolysis plan. More soon(ish)

Last edited by Birdsnest on Tue Dec 22, 2020 7:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

I've done the electo' route on a fuel tank before and it worked out great. Your tank doesn't even look bad at all, so just about anything would quickly clean it quicker than the electro' route. But if you decide to try it, the floating residue will look like a moldy rootbeer float.

pics or it didn't happen!

https://images.app.goo.gl/vA8Hem2oSZWaJ8p47

8/10

no doggos.

Random intern pic:


Big Mama Lu

your interns are much better than mine! or at least more supportive and cuddly!

SoCal... I’m not in a rush, but I do wanna run the bike as is to see what needs sorting before tear down.

So, after Xmas festivities today I made the sodium carbonate and distilled water solution and attached my 12v battery charger to the anode and the tank.

Waiting to see results in the next 24 to 48.

Science FTW!!


Gas tank root-beer anyone?

Seriously!

I wasn’t getting a good reaction and noticed my battery charger wasn’t pushing juice. I looped my p battery in for a load and then the reaction started as intended.

This is probably the mildest way to treat rust as it will not damage metal like any acid treatment would.

Will post follow ups.

Plan is to treat post electrolysis with water and soap, followed by acetone.

if the top of the tank is rusted then you may need to submerge the whole thing

The top had very little rust although it did have some strange crusty business going on that i had to clean.

Electrolysis worked a charm. Only one issue... I forgot to unplug the charger when I went to reposition the anode. Had gloves on but it touched the side of the tank and we had sparks, smoke and a brief moment of panic. Melted the jumper wires in a flash. Eeek.

Careful out there kids.

Fuel tap reinstalled and testing for leaks... off to clean the carb now.

After cleaning the fuel system we got life on the second kick!

youtu.be/jYE1iYCyE-U

Always heard how smooth these machines were for piston ported scoots... was not disappointed!

So sweet.

Second kick after sitting for 9 years or so? It doesn't get much better than that!!

Hot damn.

It’s like a Christmas miracle!

Good going!

-g

Woooohoooo! Right on!

Listening in class certainly paid off. Nice job.

100% badass

Fuckin-A!

I mean!!!

So, I was just trying to prime the carb. I expected to turn it over 5 or 6 times before *really* trying to start it. I thought I heard it fire on the first kick and yarped an audible "No way!". Next kick it chugged to life like it had been eagerly waiting around for a ride. Bonafide.

Awesome, congrats!!!

https://youtu.be/jYE1iYCyE-U

quick pic of the anode after the electrolysis...

in other news... while hunting a gas leak with Mark today I noticed a flat spot on the rear rim.

Then ... I found a similar spot on the front rim? Weirdness. Like it hit a giant pothole or dropped off a ramp... or a flat landing of a sweet jump...


rear rim

front

(or sat for 20-someodd years at one point with flat tires)

New rims ordered.

Got to start the New Years with a ride on a legend...
Jeff let me take the SS for a spin. WOW is all I can say.

Smooth and torquey. The rumors are all true and the reputation well earned.
Thanks for a great start to the New Year!

Y’all a bunch of jerks.

But also, it’s a good thing we’re not within striking distance. We’d all be trouble all the time!

-g

the new rims are not as nice as the originals, so don't ditch the old ones. the section where the bead sits is still round, the lip can be repaired.

Good to know. Will try and salvage for sure.