Modern Vespa

That can't be right,can it? The way that the rear wheel leans like that. Also it is not centered on the bike. I lifted the body and pushed and pulled on the wheel and could move it about 1/4 inch in any direction. I put a jack under different parts of the motor and it did not move much at all. I know that there are rubber bushings in the swing arm pivot. I tried to look at them. The bottom half seems fine but I can't really see the top of the bushings. The pivot shaft does seem to be centered in the opening. I put a straightedge against the tire it seems to be pointing parallel with the body. The bike rides fine. It has under 6000 miles. It has the original paint and I'm pretty sure that the body is not bent or rusted. Any thoughts?

has that sidecar jacked the scoot?

Probably just worn swingarm bushings. Mine were not that bad, but it straightened out when I replaced my bushings.

Yeah, this is most likely.

I really don't think the body is bent. The car attaches under the floor and you can see that it's OK where it mounts. I was thinking that I could remove the pivot bolt and drop the swing arm enough to get a good look at the bushings without unhooking all the cables ad whatnot. I assume that the motor has to come out to replace them, right? Is there a tool for removing and/or replacing them?

it's not only slanted (which could as astro said be the bushings) but it looks like if it was straightened out, it'd still be offset to the right quite a bit.. is that rim on backwards?

Ya, the tire is most likely on backwards. I did that once and rode for a week or two before I noticed! lol

Regarding the tilt, yes, swing arm bushings are probably at fault.

Hojo

Majority of old Vespa looks the same. I am talking about, of course, those which sat in a barn or a garage for years or were poorly maintained. But it is easy to fix and is not a sign of malignant disease.

Since the seam between the case halves doesn't look plumb with the frame, I second that the bushings are probably shot, in addition to other possible issues.

Any cracks in the paintwork around the engine mounts?

Is that tire a 3.00 or a 3.50? Looks a tad skinny. Or probably my eyes just need recalibration? Maybe it's just a skinnier brand.

Wheel is on backwards, but maybe try putting on the spare, jack the scoot up and spin the tire by hand. The first rim may be bent a little from sitting with the hack on? Also, when setting up the hack, it has to be straight ahead, that is parallel with the scooter tires and the nose should be up in the air slightly. Good luck

Well, ya need a new tire, so while your at it...

New mounts atleast, I had mine fail to the point where the tire leaned into the shock and caused a sidewall blowout at 55mph. I was able to suspend the rear of the scooter hanging from a sawhorse with ratchet straps and drop the motor enough to get the old mounts out(difficult) and the new clauss mounts in(easy). Wasn't easy but got it done without disconnecting any cables etc. While at it, the top shock mount should be replaced as well. I have no faith in 32 yr old rubber.

I knew you guys would be a big help. I also knew that it was the bushings even though I couldn't get a good look at them. I was in denial. I am now past denial, went through fear and anger. Now I have reached acceptance. It's good to hear that they can be changed without pulling the motor but I will, I think have to remove the sidecar. It's not that hard. Are there any tricks that I should know about removing the bushings. TLS where do I get those clauss bushings? I would like some that are stiffer than stock. Polyurethane would be good. I don't mind if the ride is a little rougher. I did not know you could put a wheel on backwards but I'm sure you're right. You sure can't do that with an 8 inch wheel. There are no paint cracks around the pivot bolt so I think that's OK. I know it looks like the tire is bald but that's just the lighting. It has a good 3/16ths of tread left. Thanks again for the help I'm sure it won't be the last time.

Here!
http://www.claussstudios.com/id52.html

I hope that helps ya!

Cheers

VRM--

jamesjohn and tierney had a point. Since you gotta pull the sidecar, when you bolt it back on, be sure it's not pulling against the drive direction. If it is, new bushings are gonna wear out again really quick, and your tire's gonna go bald. Use a fixit laser.

I was going to check the alignment of the car but it's not adjustable and if it's off the only thing I could do is elongate the mounting holes. Not keen to do that.

When I ran my sidecar it took a fair amount of shimming. As long as the three wheels are parallel, you'll be fine. I remember getting mine set up on a lazy Sunday afternoon with help from another BMW buddy. He was the one who advised me to give the nose a slight lift in the front. Work out really well especially when the roads got a little slick. I know you will have fun with it. All the best.

Turns out that the wheel was indeed mounted backwards. The reason it was is because someone put a inner tube in it that had a straight valve stem instead of a bent one, which is required. If it were mounted properly the stem would rub the brake drum and would have failed within a mile. When the wheel was put on backwards it shifted the pressure over to one side, compressing the bushing on that side more. I put the spare on (corectly) and the wheel was centered and straight and everything was generally pickety boo. Don't you like it when you fix something?

Glad that worked out. Hope you get to ride it in the snow. Spinning around with a sidecar on is an experience not to be missed! All the best.

Oh man, now I can't wait till it snows.

I 've learnt something today...