Modern Vespa

hi there,

Im the new owner of a 1986 PK50XL, as i recently sold my 1977 Ragtop VW Beetle and always wanted a Vespa. I looked around for a while and chose this one as i like the colour (blue/white) and the chunky 80's style. Also, it has some of the more modern conveniences like 12V battery etc.

Anyways, I can't seem to find much info about this model, I did come across something that said this was a European only model (greeeatttt). Some q's:

1/ is it a European only model? If so, is there a comparable north american model that I can use as a guide for maintanence/ repairs?

2/ It runs well, except that I seem to get an unusual amount of oil/gas from the oil drain pipe on the left side of the bike when I kick start it. Why?

3/ Where would I find some help with the ratio of oil/gas and how you do it?

Thanks!
Ryan

Please post pics, you'll get better advice & less confusion. You probably have a PK50XL as this is a small frame & largest factory motor was a 125 (Unless youmeant a PX model I'm unaware of, that's possible)

Mine's a '92, so a PK50XL2 but mostly the same. It's a great bike but only a few showed up here.

1 sorta

2 again, pics. not sure what you mean. Could be the fuel overflow & you have a leaky float valve. The float needle tip was black rubber stock, needs to be red rubber to tolerate ethyl alky in the gas.

3 2% , Just add in the tank after filling nearly full.

ps I have a buttload of pics I can send you if you want.

1. Canada got more PK's than the US did but still not a whole lot. Best thing to do is search ebay for a manual. SIP will be your best bet for parts, order their catalog.

2. are you turning off the gas after you are done riding each time?

3. yep 2% any scooter shops sells an oil measuring cup. if you don't have a scooter shop near by most motorcycle shops have some kind of measuring cups, esp. ones that deal with a lot of dirt bikes.

1. ah forgot, here's the manual

2. I'd check that rubber tip anyway to be sure.

OK sorry for the late replies and lack of pics. I'm all set up. yes, sorry it's a PK50XL. Not sure where I got the 150 from!

Here it is:



I have two q's and excuse my ignorance as this is my first Vespa...

1/ I am having trouble starting it. Basically, I'm turning the key to the on position and kick starting it. Yesterday, it started up on the first kick, but then quickly died. After that I couldnt get it to start after about 10 kicks and it smelled like fuel (like I flooded it). Key was in the off position before I started.

What am I supposed to be doing with these buttons/ pulls and which is the choke (and what's the other?)



2/ An unusual amount of gas/oil seems to be coming from this tube. Why? And, what is causing it?

The top one is the choke. You pull that out to start and push it back in once it's idled for a bit.

The second is the on/off/reserve for the gas. You need to turn it to on when you start it and off once you're done riding. The manual that was linked above should state which way is on/off/reserve.

That tube is the exhaust. The gas was probably left on and the engine got flooded.

When the "R" on the fuel tap is showing, it is in reserve, when the C is showing it is closed.

OK- followed your instructions above and got it started pretty consistently on the first try, so thanks!!

Thing is, I have a lot of white smoke. What up with that??

Is there a lot of smoke after the bike is warmed up? I find that its pretty normal for my bikes. After all the fuel/oil is burnt that was lingering its all good. Also could be your mixture or the kind of oil you have. Next time when you turn off your scooter, turn your fuel to off and leave the engine running until it burns all the fuel and it dies. The next time you start your bike, you shouldnt get all that white smoke from unburnt oil. Just my 2 cents. Check it.

Common to smoke a lot after sitting a long time then problems getting it started, it's flooded with oily gas! The muffler can also be mucked up & need cleaning/decoking (search).

Think I see repaint, so look under your plastic (ugh) floor covers to be sure there're no rust worms hiding under there. I replaced the attached plastic with a removable 1 pc rubber mat to avoid the problem.

[quote="V oodoo"]Common to smoke a lot after sitting a long time then problems getting it started, it's flooded with oily gas! The muffler can also be mucked up & need cleaning/decoking (search).

from what i know its been sitting a few years, so maybe that is the issue.

instead of starting a new thread, I'll keep this all together. I will need to change the oil. I know how to change oil in a car, but not a Vespa. any guides out there for newbs?

thanks!

I posted the manual above. Don't tell me it's not in there? Check one of the other manuals listed if you have to, the procedure is the same.

And yes I know how & will tell you if you find it's not in the manual.