Modern Vespa

I've been eyeing this since that guy destroyed my tires.
https://www.nomartirechanger.com/tc-ch100hd.html

Just an FYI, that thing is a little difficult with the 10" narrow rims.

Wider 10's are fine

Personally, I just use good spoons and rim protectors.

Much like a hot Saturday night. Lube, pressure, angle of attack and a soft touch.

Sorry to sidetrack thread further. I've tried that with these tires and nothing I did would get them onto or off the rims! So I must just suck at doing it. They were gonna tear up the beads if I tried any harder. But I guess thats what the guy I paid to install them did!

It's about time someone brings to light the problem with the SIP rims. They are NOT user friendy to install (or remove)! I do have 3 sets (total of 6) SIP rims, but i use them on my track bikes (and my pink PK 200). I still don't see them as a replacement for a standard OEM split rim. That being said, if you do plan to use the SIP rims, make sure the tire is good and hot. Put it out in the sun for it to warm up a bunch. Also use a tire paste when installing. Pro tip...aluminum tire spoons won't gouge the rims like steel tire irons will. If you do happen to nick or gouge the sealing surface on the rim, it can cause an air leak. Make sure to sand out any gouges. Also it's not too difficult to damage the tire's bead by over streaching it . Once that happens, throw away the tire! FYI, I still use the OEM split rims on all my road going scooters.

Well, no tutorial on this. It's just a two men job. One's working the machine and the other one pushes the tire bead in the small channel on the rim. Small steps at a time. The 2.10s are a pain in the ass. The 2.50s are easier. One thing that is crucial is that we spent the extra 180EUR for the "special" motorcycle mount / unmount head, when we bought the tire changer 10+ years ago. The one that comes with the machine is destined for cars and if used, it will f@ck up any motorcycle / scooter tire. Other extras are the plastic protections on the head and on the clamps (red arrows). I also use painter's tape on the rim, extra rugs on the clamps along with the plastic protections and lots of tire paste. Photos following, size comparison between the heads and a "nerve wrecking" mounting on freshly painted rims we did last year...

@Greasy: I actually found the Pirellis to be harder than any Michelins I worked with. Heidenaus were the worst though...

Safis, u use a machine so that must help along with second person.

Like i said I'm considering the no Mar changer, or a used coats 220 tire changer off cl, but agreed they can't be used without the hard plastic grips instead of the standard metal clamps..

Whodats, thanks for tips, yeah this guy did bead damage to brand new heidenau tires, both the ones he removed and three ones he replaced them with. And the rims even though brand new look like they are 15 yrs old heavy usage after one swap of rubber with that guy!

I never fought a tire like I fought getting Heidenau K-80's on the regular 10" split rims of the GL. Not looking forward to changing them. Anybody else running K-80's?

Cycle Gear makes a Motion Pro knock off aluminum tire spoon that works really well. The trick is to buy them when they're having a 50% off sale...and then buy a second set so that you have an additional spoon. Look VERY close at the picture in the link. The only spoon that's useful is the one that has a little lip at the end of it!


https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/stockton-aluminum-off-road-tire-combo-lever-set?sku_id=1124055


And i will say that mounting any tire on a SIP rim is child's play compared to mounting a knobby tire and bib mousse combo onto a dirt bike rim with double rim locks.

Is this the same lever?
https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/motion-pro-t6-tire-levers?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvaLBnIWw8AIVCo3ICh1fyQLcEAQYBCABEgK1sPD_BwE

Still working out of attaching it, then work on the engine as no way my strada engine (23 tooths clutch) with a gigantic rims will be manage to carry the weight, next on plan is building a strada engine with a sprint veloce gearing at the moment, so wish me luck and cheer


I need a bigger garage

Got a help from the kids around the blocks

Only some of those levers are the same. The levers that have a 10/12mm or 12/13mm ends on them are the ONLY ones that have the special little lip on the ends of them. The levers with the large ends (22,24,27,32mm) are just normal shaped spoon levers!

I don't know about yours but, my k47s did NOT want to seat the bead. Had to dismount and re-mount a couple of times to get enough stretch on the tire for it to pop on the bead. And a sorry "pop" it was.

These look interesting, when working by hand.
https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/motion-pro-rimshield-ii


I'm getting a Harbor Freight version, of a tire changer. Last time I had to get a tire off a split rim I got annoyed and had a workout. Bead refused to let go. The built in bead breaker would have been great.

Going to try Mojo bars and blocks to protect the rims.

https://www.mojotiretools.com/mojoweb.htm

Mojo blocks

https://www.mojotiretools.com/mojoblocks.htm

Any reason why no one is using SIP or FA Italia split rims? The 2 piece jawns?

I added lock washers and nylock nuts just to be safe with mine but the tire install took all of 5 mins with only one curse word...

Unless you're into S&Ming your wheels? I dunno what you dudes/dudettes do in your own time!

I thought that only Pinasco was doing the tubeless split rims. They're good (I have a couple sets), but pricy and heavier than the non-split versions if you're into weight shaving. Also, can only run 3.5x10 on them.

Do you have links for SIP of FA Italia's versions?

here's the ones I have, the picture shows a machined lip but mine are all black...

http://www.scootermercato.com/Scooter-Parts/Rims/5581

They didn't seem much heavier than the original 8" rims honestly. I didn't weigh them though.


Coulda sworn SIP made them too but I can't find them now. I may have fever dreamed that?

Those are FAs. SIP never did split tubeless..

must have been a wild dream I had then!
and yes the ones I have are the FA Italia ones.

No complaints yet. Set up was lightening quick.

I can't seem to find a wider split rim in tubeless, going with a 2.50 x 11 tubeless. Supposed to fit with no modifications. I want the wider tubeless as I've been told they feel more planted or stable at 60 mph.

As discussed in my other thread, the 120x70-11's feel a LOT more stable at high speeds. Less nimble at lower speeds as a result, but not enough it feels weird when you switch between them and 3.5x10's.

If I had it to do over, I'd go with 110's, but I'm certainly not feeling any need to switch them out before they're worn out.

That is the tire changer I use for motorcycles.

Done one of three, newer version chrome SIP tubeless (not the polished ones) for my friend's smallie (the green I did the PK fork for). He has a thing for whitewalls (I never liked them)...

What about the Pinasco split tubless rims and save all the hassle? Anybody here using? Seems like a well made setup, a good review can be found here : https://scooterlab.uk/pinasco-tubeless-vespa-wheel-rims-fitted-testedreview/

I have a set of Pinasco sitting on the shelf unused. the studs on the rally are not long enough to mount them, or any of the other aluminum rims.

I should try them on my small frame.

Out of curiosity, can you remove the studs for longer screws? My rear wheel was ridden with loose nuts by the PO. I was able to remove the damaged studs and replaced them with a longer socket head cap screw that I could use a nylock nut on. I liked the nylock nut because it had more actual threads, the nylon locking portion and a built in washer.

Last edited by Christopher_55934 on Sat May 15, 2021 10:51 am; edited 1 time in total

It's possible to replace the studs, but it's not easy. And when you do (I did it when I stripped a couple studs with my Pinasco split tubeless rims) it made changing the rear tire a major PITA.

A friend brought me this PX200 today, saved from the junkyard. He was going to keep it, but since it's a no e-start motor, he passed it on to me. For only 200EUR it was a no-brainer. Although engine is frozen, I don't believe it's going to be terrible inside. Whatever the outcome, 200EUR don't buy you new engine cases plus I get a complete front end. I'm going to strip it tomorrow and report...

If the cases are good everything else is a bonus.

Nice Chris! Another P saved from the boneyard. Looks like that one's got plenty of life left in it.

I changed over 300 sets of motorcycle tires with that set-up, and one set of Vespa tires. Works well.

Split the salvaged motor today. That thing run hot as hell before the big end bearing seized. First time I've seen a discolored piston and a melted seal (flywheel side). Good news on the rest. Looks like I am the first one in (except clutch side, boy someone was cheap with the reused nut) since it still has the "Rolf" seals Piaggio used ages ago. Cases are in great shape, no seized studs, rotary has only surface rub markings (no scuffs), no cracks on primary, I get a complete crossover, MK1 EFL tranny (outside seal) and a good stator. Flywheel is LML branded and not suitable for a 200 since it has the straight fins (less air volume). Everything going on the shelve for now. Frame is rotten as hell and since I have no papers I can't really make a use out of it (we can't reissue a license here). The legshield though is in pretty good shape, so I'm thinking in making me a Vespa office chair...

A few photos of the motor...

Painted a mudguard for a friend. After putting two coats of clear on, looked great but noticed it was suspiciously tacky 15 minutes later ... then realized I forgot to add catalyst. Uh oh. What to do?

Mixed up another batch and shot a third coat of catalyzed clear over the first two, and crossed fingers.

Success! The catalyst in the third coat set off the others, and finish is rock hard.

So Cal - I think you just invented a new process for a super thick clear! Looks amazing.

Safis - nice find. Gotta like the spare EFL gearbox alone. That motor looks like it got absolutely cooked - seat must be full of urine, just throw it away. 🙂

Love the offie chair idea. Yes!

After a 2-month long customs boondoggle

My SLUK Driver screen finally arrived.
Now to find some mirrors.....

Thing of beauty right there!

My Ratty old P200 won't know what to do with itself with nice new bling like that.

Had a new one happen. Had a cylinder mailed to me via USPS and noticed the box was pretty beat up. Went to run the piston through it and it got hung up. Took a closer look and noticed the skirt was dented in. Anyone care to guess how high it was dropped to dent the skirt?


Check the 11 o’clock position

At least it got to you. When QAScooter sent me a couple of two port cylinders, all I got was an empty box

Every time I see this thread I miss Bitza more

Same as me, to make him proud, this is what i do todag


Change a senior friend piston ring and fix a carb as well