Modern Vespa

On my ride home this evening I noticed a noise coming from somewhere at the bottom of my scooter whenever I was stopped at the lights.

When I got home I managed to pinpoint the noise to the transmission area, almost certainly the clutch area. I can recreate the noise by rotating the wheel so I recorded a short clip to see if anyone can identify it. I haven't noticed any performance issues, other than some slight clutch slip at take off but fine after that

Is it anything to worry about and something I need to look at immediately? The noise sounds almost spring like to me if that makes.

I'd prefer not to have to work on the scooter with our current temperatures but I will if its a must.

Apologies for the camera work, I was holding a touch at the same time and lacked a third hand.


Thanks in advance

That sounds very much like something's come adrift in the clutch. I fear you'll have to open up the transmission case to find out...

I suspected that would be the case.

Thanks for confirming.

sounds like a brake pad worn down to the metal rubbing on the disc.

look at the rear disc and see if your rubbing.

Clutch falling apart or rear brake pads falling out.

Just checked the pads again and its definitely not that. They're only a couple of months old too so wear isn't an issue.

The more you try to pinpoint the area of the noise the more it seems to move!

Definitely going to have to open up the trans and see whats going on.

Thanks again.

Ok so I finally had the chance to get the transmission cover off today and investigate the noise.

It appears as if the fins on the clutch are slightly rubbing on the inside of the clutch bell and making the noise. I've attached a photo of the inside if the clutch bell and you can just make out where its rubbing.

The question is why is it rubbing now all of a sudden and how do I fix it?

Thanks again.

The thin 46mm nut has come undone a little. It may seem tightly on, but it's being pushed by the strong contra-spring.

You'll need to tighten it up, preferably with a dab of blue Loctite. It's best to make some sort of jig to compress the clutch - a couple of plywood sheets, one with a big enough hole for a 46mm socket, and some studding will do it just fine. You do NOT want that clutch to spring apart uncontrolled!

Or, just take the clutch into a friendly dealer and ask them to tighten it for you - they may not even charge, but it's worth ten quid into their biccy fund.

Thanks for that.

Is it a case of tightening it as far as it will go or is a danger of over-tightening it?

You need to have the clutch fully compressed (a jig or a strong friend) and then tighten to the specified torque (45-50Nm). The nut is thin and the threads aren't that strong, so over-tightening is a real danger. Using blue Loctite helps, as it'll lubricate the tightening and also prevent the same thing happening again.