Modern Vespa

So a couple of questions for the group. I have only owned my Vespa for about 14 months. I enjoy the hell out of it and I am always looking for things to do to it. I see so many threads about aftermarket exhausts, such as agranox, etc. and wonder if they make a big enough difference if your current exhaust is good, as my scooter is fairly new. My review of the internet has not blown me away that these are so amazing but I am curious what you all think especially those that have made the change.

Also curious did anyone in the Chicago area do toys for tots? I had wanted to do it but was unable to secondary to another engagement, but it sounds like fun if the weather is ok.

Hope all had a nice weekend including Thanksgiving and Hanukkah

Larry

I can only recommend Dr Pulley sliders...not too involved for the installation, not too expensive...great smoothness.

Of course, a medium or tall windscreen would be neat there in the Chicago area. And, handlebar muffs or heated grips would be very good also.

Karlu
Las cruces, nm

If you search on the forum here I think you'll find the general consensus is that after-market exhausts do NOT improve performance. They look neat, sound louder/deeper, and are more reliable -- no gasket to blow out like on the factory exhaust, are usually stainless steel instead of iron so no rusting.

I guess that's not quite true, they generally are lighter in weight than the factory exhaust so I guess you get a little better performance from that, but probably not noticeable.

I was thinking of getting one mostly for the reliability aspect (right after I blew out my gasket the first time). Plus my stock exhaust was getting rusty looking on the outside. But in the end I just sanded and repainted the original exhaust, and spent my money on other mods instead!

-Dan

Thanks for the reply. Tell me about the sliders, not really sure what they do, as not too informed about scooter mechanics. Actually if anyone knows of a good scooter book or reference would be grateful for the name.

I have a large windscreen which is great.


Larry

Thanks that's what I was sort of finding from my review

Dr. Pulley sliders are to replace the rollers in the variator (that is a variable width pulley on the front end of the drive belt) that come standard on the Vespas. The sliders replace the rollers in the variator and slide very easily as power is applied. The rollers usually develop flat spots, as they really slide rather than roll, but they do not move as easily as the sliders. The true explanation of how they work is a bit more complicated than that, but this is enough for right now.

The main result of installing the sliders is amazing smoothness of power. I have them on both the Vespa GTS300 and MP3 500, and they really work.
My MP3 had a lot of "shudder" at about 14-15 mph with the rollers, and the Dr. Pulleys got rid of that as well.

Well worth the cost ( 30-40 dollars + installation) in my mind. Check on the weights of the sliders. And, if you're so inclined, you can install them yourself.

karlu
las cruces, nm

ps the Wiki site here in Modern Vespa has a lot of information about the mechanics of the Vespa

Thanks for the info

Larry

so I went on the wiki and watched a few you tube videos and now this Dr. Pulley stuff makes more sense. thanks for the tip.


larry

I installed a 9 roller complete variator assy and its perfect.
The Akrapovic silencer is very quiet as I have the kat installed / the stock is a boat anchor to me.

I will remove the kat tomorrow and advise the difference
Either way I will not remove the DB tip on the silencer, too loud for my tast.

What weight sliders are best for the 300GTS thanks