Modern Vespa

Hi all!

Purchased a Vespa ET4 last weekend just for a run about, haven't had two wheels for a couple of years so its been a nice return! I used to own 1000's and 600cc bikes but the mrs isn't to keen on me acquiring another one of them for some reason?

Anyway there's some pictures attached, ones of my air filer, looks worse for wear and has a fair bit of oil in it, would this be a major issue or just a replacement?

Thanks! [/img]

Here's the air filter

Shalom and welcome to MV from Israel.

If the air filter doesn't clean up easily, spring for a new one. They aren't that expensive. I think Malossi makes a performance filter that lets a bit more air in... but OEM is fine too.

That's normal for an air filter - mine have been a lot filthier than that! Just clean it and all should be good.

To clean, just pour some petrol in a zip-lock bag, squidge it around, empty, add a 50:50 mix petrol and oil (engine oil is fine, though arguably not the very best stuff to use), squidge, remove, squeeze dryish, allow the petrol to mostly evaporate then install.

First of all


As for the filter, it's cheap enough to replace if it appears damaged at the gunked up end. I don't know the position of the filter in the ET, but if it slants to the gunky end the oil (added to the filter) could have made its way to the corner and that's why it appears extra black. The rest of the filter looks dry.

If the filter is okay, I'd wash it out with a detergent or Simple Green, let it dry a full day and oil it up with a gas/oil mix (50:50) or use a spray can of filter oil. It might be a good idea to get a second filter anyway, and have it clean and oiled, saved in a Ziploc type bag ready to go next time you clean your filter. Then prep the dirty one and be ready for the next service.

Stay tuned for more advice; I don't think I'm too far off the mark.

I have absolutely no advice regarding air filters but...

WELCOME to the joy of riding a Vespa

Thanks for all the replies, just dropped past my local mechanic, priced up a new filter, cheap enough so I've gone ahead and ordered one, along with a new belt and some standard rollers! It's all so cheap compared to my previous rides, can't complain! I'm going to clean up the old one too as advised for the next service, doesn't look in too bad a shape. The picture may not show it but the little scoot is quite battered externally, I'm more focused on it running right than cosmetics.

Once again thanks for the warm welcome!

Great looking scoot!
Welcome to the forum

Lookin' good! At least from here.... Glad you got things easily sorted.

Welcome to MV!

Sounds like you've got it under control. Welcome to MV. Get ready for fun!

Cheers guys, should be getting stuck in with some maintenance today, been years since I worked on a scoot!

How refreshingly positive. Welcome! Nicest looking modern 150 IMO.

<pedant>
It'll be a 125.
</pedant>

Another foreigner?

I read Bedford and thought MA, USA. Still a class ass of a scoot.

G'day from down under, my old man used to own a pub near Bedford and I lived my first few years in Flitwick (silent W for those who don't know!)

That looked more like roadkill than an air filter

What pub was it in Bedford? Flitwicks literally 6-7 miles from Bedford, nice place, though im sure Oz is heaven in comparison!


Yes it is a 125, not the 150

Quick question, a cordless impact gun should be enough to get the variator nut and clutch nut off correct?

Yes - but you should have decent locking tools for when you torque them up again. Overtightened by impact wrench is not a pleasant condition.

Welcome to the greatest show on earth.

Welcome!! Nice scoot. Have fun!

I have nothing to add either but I like Jim's use of the word 'squidge'.

Great looking scoot (love the clean ET4 lines) and welcome!

Can't for the life of me remember the name of the pub and yes Oz is heaven in comparison

"squidge" A technical term - straight from the manual.

Right, belt rollers and air filter changed, seems to pull a lot cleaner and quicker for now, it backfires on the overrun, only little pops when cold. The previous owner had the carb cleaned because the tick over was poor, still is . I pulled the seat bucket out and the rubber piping from the engine to the carb seems a little cracked, with some grey/silvery gunk on it, any ideas tech heads?!

Thanks in advance!

Any signs of crazing or cracking on any of the rubber bits connected to the carb means they're near or at end of life - best replaced now than be stranded later.

Ordered and should be here by the weekend, £18. Bargain IMHO. Is the fitting easy? Seat bucket out, unbolt old, bolt in new?

Aloha and welcome to the forum from Hawaii. I'd get a new air filter. Their cheap. change those lines and at least on my LX the clamps are a one time use. Any hardware store should have them. Fine looking scooter you have and have fun with it.