Modern Vespa

Any experience with sea foam deep creep case and cyinder cleaning? I'm cleaning up a scooter that some what low miles at 550, with its last registration in 1979. What made me think of using sea foam was reading the owners manual section describing how to Lay Up the scooter. It instructs to introduce 40 cc of SAE 30 weight through the carb.

The motor is not seized and no leaks. a good scooter wiseguy advised seals may be dry and possibly may be shot & the clutch corks. ( the petroleum fluid in the gas tank is still liquid- it is not gasoline either)- so i am thinking their might be a possibility the seals could benefit from a Lucas or Kroil oil bath and cleaning. I'm thinking of applying deep creep once a day for a week. Give the oil time to penetrate. - I also considered - aero kroil as far as "bath" for the case and cylinder to clean out the old oil, and lubricate the seals. - I am checking to make sure these are non detergent - or if so what to use instead. If there is post on this I did not find, please direct me to it.

I'll know more when I get the carb off and get to look inside there and see what is going on - Thanks.

L

Welcome to MV - and I've moved your post to the 'Not-so-Modern' section as that's where the creatures that know about these older machines hang out.

not worth it. I would just enjoy the rebuild and get as much done as I could afford. then ride it for a few years worry free.

I believe some people have had experience with seafoam, you will probably get a load of answers.

So you have a "new" scoot.

Youre trying to get it running?

I wouldnt bother trying to rehydrate old seals. The layup method is good for making the seals last but it wont help if theyre brittle

Remove the carb and use crc carb cleaner or the such. New gasget new fuel and put an inline fuel filter in unless your going to pull the tank and get rid of all the drud. Run it and see how it performs.

Is putting a teaspoon of 2T oil down the carb w/ the filter off and another half spoon in thru the plug hole a bad idea in cases like this?

I usually do it but I'm not positive it helps - give those dry bearings & rings some early lube or maybe negative - could make it harder to start, assuming it's getting fuel.

I'll defer to others with more experience about the seals, but personally I wouldn't worry about it. Ours started up with minimal fussing after sitting under a tarp for close to 17 years. All we did before kicking it over was:

Drain the old gas and replace with fresh
Drain the old oil and replace with fresh
Clean the carb
Put in a new plug
Spray a boatload of Berryman's down the carb and in the tank
Put a little 2% mixture in the spark plug hole to prime

It started after 5 or 6 kicks and has run like a champ ever since.

If the outsides of the cases are oily I'd spray them down with simple green and pressure wash them. Maybe hit the heavy spots with a wire brush. Chances are if the fuel is that old you'll need to pull the fuel tank and replace the petcock. I believe there is a screen on the inside of the tank on the petcock valve. The gaskets (paper) may need replaced in the carb. I would change the case oil right away but if nothing is froze or stuck can't see a reason to use kroil oil on anything.

I would pass on the simple green. That stuff is tough on aluminum and will oxidize it. WD40 works just as well to break up old oil deposits and won't attack the metal.

Welcome to Modern Vespa! Good luck with your "new" scooter! I hope you find the forum as useful and as friendly as I do.

Thank you for the suggestions. I have planned on removing the fuel tank, washing the inside with acetone and a chain. Removing the carb and soaking it in a can with a basket of carb cleaner. I have a carb rebuild kit, may try running the bike with out a carb rebuild. I am also replacing the original fuel line and cleaning and rebuilding the USA version of the fuel control or switching it to the European with the plate and the gasket. I plan to clean the entire fuel system and replace the sediment screen. Last replace the dried out tires with a vintage set of Continentals. I have a set of clutch corks in case that is seized. I have a new spark plug as well. I plan to keep most of the original parts so If I sell it, I can include all the original parts. I'll keep you all posted with the progress. The scooter appears to have been garaged as the original Scooter Ville dealer stickers have absolutely no sun damage.

Picked up my 1980 P200 with only 69 miles on it about 4 years ago. Never split the cases. 13000 miles on it since. I put in a new Stella tank right after I bought, later a new stator and carb. I have always worried about the seals, but so far no leaks have appeared. Good luck with it. Any pics?

Simple green is an alkiline and should not be left on alm for a long time. I bought in bulk years back some 'exstreem simple green'. It has been rated safe to use on aircraft. Ive not had any oxidation issues with it. Most cleaners are alkiline like simple green I think the biggest thing is to rinse well. As for the carb you can remove the jets without taking the carb apart I'd only do a full rebuild if the carb leaks at the base or the bowl. Good luck.

yea.. I know I have not washed it, I have only added air the back tire. I'm enjoying just looking at it and surprisingly I don't feel any pressure to begin cleaning the last 34 years off yet.... Here are a few images from my phone. I added year of manufacturer plates. Thanks for suggestions and your experience. I have never done this before. It looks like its going to be fun. I don't plan to use simple green. The bike is terribly clean. No oil - just dust. Weird orange tag in the image of the battery look at about 11 O' clock there is an orange attached paper- not clear in this photo...Any one know what that is? I took this photo as someone posted on CL selling a scoot "when was the last time you saw original..... bla bla" , and Im sorry but I had to respond with that photo. mea culpa. L

PS I am considering just cleaning the fuel system and doing nosthing to it. This is Tucson and you know what we do with jets.

But where is the fun in that?

L

Dang man, that's beautiful. Nice find!

just friggin' beautiful, that is.

Awesome!

Gorgeous. Congratulations.

Its not perfect. The motor cowl has had a solvent burn in the paint. I'll take some scooter porn shots. I think I'll leave it, and just build a replacement cowl. I got introduced to scooters by accident. I appreciate this group for all the experience you offer. I'm looking forward to attending some of the events. There is a ride in Tucson this Saturday meeting at Makers House 9:00

I'm w/ the band.. great bike! like a time travel kinda thang right! like you got in machine then went back and got the scooter and then brought it back and just added some dust and a little dirt and took the air out of the tire! that's how I think if it anyway! Love it!

Wow. She is a beaut. Might want to try taking some rubbing compound to the paint in said area.

I need to take a good photo. It really looks like a paint stripier type chemistry. Its curled up and likely would brush off with just with one's hand. Yes I wish it was one of those wonderful paint blemishes that look reasonable after some rubbing compound. I would like to buy a pewter silver spare and match the color as well as possible. I like reading the restoration blogs. I wonder if the paint damage is from someone trying to add a "fuel - starter additive and spilled? The paint on the tank is perfect nothing spilled there.

Motor cowl paint damage. Yes those are pin stripes likely installed by Scooter Vile. There is oxidation on much of the metal and chromed plastic. I was going to try profiplast. I have seen this german stuff do amazing things. I plan to photograph the bike completely filthy first. I am in no hurry.

character

Yeah that's not going to buff out. Looks like someone spilled brake fluid on it. Or some kind of chemical paint striper. If you take the crowl into a paint shop they have a machine that takes a photo of the paint and allows them to mix a match. I use dupont paint and they call it chromavision. You'll need to repaint the panel but not the worst thing in the world. I've not heard of that cleaner. I bought 3m products in bulk back in the day. I use 3m perfect-it almost all the time. For things like the chrome I use a foam ball pad on a drill with the compound.

I think the lowest risk option is having Eric at 2nd Ave. reproduce the damaged cowl and store the original with the other elements like to oem battery, etc.

L

Eric is the best painter I have ever seen. He is also one of the nicest blokes you could what to meet.

However, your Rally is wonderful mate, I would not touch the paint at all. You are in Tucson, so rust is not really an issue.

If you ever do transport it again (on a trailer), try not to use the center stand, they can destroy the floor boards.

Again, great find mate. Enjoy it.

Cheers

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I approve of this message.

Rub it down and wax it, and tha whole chilada.

+1, I would leave it as-is for now and if it is bugging you after a year then take care of it. Spend your effort in the short term on getting everything tip-top mechanically.

i see no damage, that bike is awesome

Suffice this groups appreciation of old school is very much appreciated. I'm convinced I don' touch the paint on the motor cowl.. I will just have to invent stories to explain the odd paint when asked. That should distracting.
L