Modern Vespa

Hello,

In preparation for the steering greasing, I went to Harbor Freight and found this grease. Would you recommend it? Do you think it will be sufficient? On the back it says to not mix; would it be a problem if I do not take out the existing grease?

Thanks,
-Stan

> Probably Ok; I've used same stuff for swing arm and stearing head bearings on other bikes, and no problems after 50k miles > You'll probably need more than 3-tubes, the first time you do the steering greasing... the stock bearings are pretty dry, and take a lot to fill. > Probably Ok, especially since this is your first fill of the bearings, and therefore will be filling, filling, and filling the empty bearing cavity until the grease flows out... there's not going to be much "mixing" going on.

yup you will be just fine using that.

Thank you guys.

Since the bearings are static and not spinning you should not have any problems with the grease even if it was mixed, there is no heat produced by them.

One word of caution.


Using light marine grease in warm weather is a challenge.......... it will slip in back of the plunger. It is some slippery stuff

I recommend Schaeffer 238. It is the highest viscosity, stickiest grease I know of.

Why does this matter? Because there are no seals on these bearings to retain the grease. Consequently, gravity will pull whatever you put in there out, and you run the risk of having it contaminate your disc brakes, not to mention being a general pain to keep wiping up.

So yes, almost any wheel bearing/marine grease will work, but with Schaeffer's 238 you will have less to wipe up and need to re-grease less often. And really, even premium grease is still cheap.

Cheers!

John

I appreciate your comments. Indeed, it the bearings are not sealed, I will probably be better off with the thicker grease.

I found Schaeffer 238 online, and there seem to be several different temperature ranges:

#1 has an operating temperature of -10ºF to 350ºF
#2 has an operating temperature of 0ºF to 350ºF
#3 has an operating temperature of 30ºF to 350ºF

I guess that #3 will be the thickest. Should I go for it, or it might be too thick? My grease gun hose is rated at 3000 psi, would that be enough?

Thanks again,
-Stan

and you run the risk of having it contaminate your disc brakes, not to mention being a general pain to keep wiping up.



No way this could happen because any dripping grease just goes on the top of the front wheel fenders. I'm using black moly GP grease and yes, some of it drips out if it's hot enough. So I just regrease as needed.

#2 is just fine. I ride below 30 degrees...

and Randy, you are right about where it usually lands when it sits in place. Unfortunately, some of it drips occasionally while you're moving...

Anyways, you're the one cleaning, so enjoy!

<grin>

John

Anyways, you're the one cleaning, so enjoy!

<grin>

John[/quote]





Really no big deal, scewter. I hardly ever clean my MP3s as it is.

Touché!

But for our original poster Stan, who is new to the MP3 saga...

Everybody rides differently. I use my bike to commute every day of the year, rain or shine. Even marine grease will wash out in the rain; but when it is contained by seals or bearing buddies etc. it puts up a pretty good fight. When it isn't, like in our MP3s, it washes out much quicker than I would prefer.

So, if you ride rarely when it is wet, don't mind the mess, and have the skills to pay attention and regrease and/or clean, then really, this is a low-stress application, and other than mixing incompatible greases, you can use almost anything. I prefer to repeat maintenance as little as possible, so for me, the optimum solution is the Schaeffers.

Ya pays yer maney and ya takes yer chances...

Cheers!

John

Sorry, I just realized I didn't answer your last question. Extreme pressure refers to the lubricants' performance under load and is not related to how hard it is to squeeze out of the tube. Your gun and hose will be fine!

Cheers!

John

Thanks guys. You all made excellent points. My question about pressure was mostly about the application -- if the grease is very tick I expect it will have a higher resistance getting in.

I ride year round. My previous scooter was Aprilia SR50 and I rode it rain or shine, except in really bad whether. In Seattle, the not-so-great days are common, but really bad days are not so common. So very frequently I ride through mist and drizzle. I am usually good at cleaning the scooter. I wipe the underneath with a damp cloth to remove dirt and oils. But I would certainly prefer not to have messy grease spots on the floor of my garage.

I've been reading about the Shaeffer 238, and on a heavy machinery forum someone mentioned that 238 has become runny after sitting in his grease gun for a year. Have you ever encountered such problem? I guess that he riding will give the grease a moderate stir and will not let it separate... I rarely leave the scoot to sit for more than a week.

Thanks to all for their input. I am glad I found this forum, which is very much alive and with excellent members willing to help a newcomer.

I used the grease they had at Harbor Frieght, and as with all grease, it will squirt out some globs, on your fender, and then nothing. Just don't pack it in so that you have it coming out for weeks. Once you see it squirt out stop!

No matter what you have done more than the factory, which I believe left those puppies dry.


Both standard grease, and marine grease seem to be working well. I drive year round too, so some level of protection is better than none!

Steering preload adjustment and greasing done.

The left bearing had some lithium grease residue on it, and the right was completely dry. The steering seems a bit lighter now, although I can't really tell a big difference. My scoot was almost new anyway, but I am glad I did this preventive repair.

Now, I have 11 cans of Schaeffer 238 #2 grease. I only found it sold by case, and bought a case of 12 cans. A friend of mine will use 1 can, which leaves me with 10. If you live in the Seattle area and need some grease, let me know.

Best rehards, and thanks to all who have contributed to the knowledge found on this forum, and to Dooglas for sending me the instructions.

invite all the MP3 riders over for a grease party. just break out the boom x and put some oliva and john music is as well