Modern Vespa

Hello folks. I finally got some quality tech time with my new-to-me 2005 PX150 after a couple of days of honeymoon riding. Some questions for the experienced Vespa owners:

1) I can't find a toolkit. I never asked the PO about it. The manual says under the seat but there's no room for a toolkit. I took the engine and spare tire covers off and there's nothing there. Was there ever a toolkit shipped with this model?

2) Has anyone removed the headlight housing and polished the reflector? A close look shows some mild pitting. A very soft polish would take it off but I don't want to polish off the coating so I thought I would ask first.

3) The spare tire is mounted so that the valve is inaccessible. Any tricks to reaching the valve without dismounting the tire?

4) What's this hole in the front of the engine housing? Is it supposed to be there?

1. If a toolkit was suplied (as it should be), it would be in the glovebox in front ofyour knees.

2. Don't know. Never tried it, but you would want to polish it very gently, certainly nothing abrasive like Brasso. Trweat is as you would treat your glasses. In fact, that's a good idea. Use the same cleaner you use for glasses (assuming you wear them).

3. Never had this problem with my P200 of PX200. Sounds like someone has put the tube in the wrong way around, so the valve sticks out the wrong side.

4. That hole is for a peg on the side blister, to positon it correctly.

Mike

I would also advise you to check out the Not So Modern side of this forum. That is where the majority of the shifty riders hang out and you will find much more help, and a bit more snark, than you will in general Discussion

Moved to where PX techies lurk.

On the LX150, the toolkit is attached to the underside of the seat itself, wrapped with a zip-tie. It isn't much, but it is something.

I don't know if the PX was done the same way. A previous poster said it was in the glove-box, which is correct for his model.

1) Looks like the PO absconded with the toolkit. Is there a handy link as to it's contents?

2) Glasses cleaner is isopropyl alcohol. The pitting on the reflector will probably take a little bit of polishing not just cleaning. I just wondered if anyone has tried it.

3) I thought that. I will have to get it corrected.

4) I don't think so. There is nothing on the side blister that lines up with that hole. There's a only the peg for the taillight contact and that's further forward than this little hole. It's in the plastic. Only 1/8 or so in diameter.

Regarding the spare tire, I took a look at the photo I took of it and I believe it's mounted correctly. As you can see, the valve stem comes out of the rim and then takes a turn towards the bike. There's only one hole on the rim for the valve so I don't see a way for the tube to be installed any other way.

Any other PX owners around who could get a look at their spare tire?

with the spare tyre that's just how they are

Hello

The valve is like that and it is a pain,the toolkit is nothing special, advise leaving the reflector alone.

Good luck

Grumpy

if u flip it around the panel won't fit

Don't have a spare as my exhaust won't allow for it but it would only take you two minutes to dismount it and fill it if needed.

Tool kit has a crappy screwdriver that you'd want to replace anyway, a spark plug wrench that doubles as a wrench for your tire nuts and something else I can't remember right now.

One part of the wrench used to fit the gearbox oil filler cap which is now a screw.

Grumpy

1. My '05 PX150 came with a crappy screwdriver and an even crappier spark-plug wrench. You won't miss them. You'll want to build up your own little tool kit. A 7mm and an 8mm wrench are handy for field-replacing a clutch cable. For a spark plug wrench, get one of these or one like it and it'll double as an 11mm oil change wrench and an emergency 13mm lug nut wrench. If you're careful, you can even use it to not only loosen the rear lug nuts but also to slip it under the engine to hold it up while you change the wheel (I've done this it works).

http://www.americanscootercenter.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=104_155&products_id=47

2. I wouldn't polish that reflector. I haven't had mine apart for a while, but I seem to recollect it was plated plastic. Window cleaner and a soft cotton cloth ought to clean it, though mine doesn't get dirty.

3. It's supposed to be that way. The wheel is designed with one half of the rim deeper than the other half. The valve stem pokes out the deeper side then bends 90 deg to cross over to the shallower side, just like in the picture. The spare tire bracket on the frame only sticks out far enough to mount the shallow side, consequently the stem points inward. If you try to mount the tire with the stem pointing outwards, the bracket won't quite reach far enough into the deep side unless you seriously deform the tire up against the frame and/or let a lot of air out of the tube. Also, note that it's mounted so that the stem is directly to the right/rear of the battery. This position provides the best clearance to keep the stem out of the way of the battery terminals and cables, and to keep from jamming the stem up against the frame and straining the tube where it joins. Take it off and see for yourself.

4. The outboard hole in the cooling shroud doesn't do anything except leak a little air. Put some electrical over it if you want to cover it up.

Forget about that tool kit. It's shite. Assemble your own. As stated, it takes no time to remove the spare - two nuts and a bolt. Just be careful your wrench doesn't touch the battery terminals. I wouldn't bother cleaning the lense unless I had to change the bulb but I'm lazy. Have no idea about the hole in the shroud - mine doesn't have it.

Ive tried polishing the reflector of a lamp that had the plastic glass already off (it was munted so thought what the heck) It wasnt a good idea. The silver started to come off and its plastic underneath as stated. Likewise dont try to spray anything inside to get it clean but you may be able to jam a rag in and gently polish the inner lens.
If its really a bother its easy and fairly cheap to replace them with an H4 type. brighter and better than the standard bulb

that 'hole' provides power to your rear indicator ..... the toolkit was shit ... the spare has to be that way round ... its italian design ... crap the scoots second hand its gonna have blemishes

I wonder if hes referring to the hole in the plastic cylinder shroud? Maybe the previous owner put the spacer on the wrong stud that you screw it onto and just drilled a hole for a quick fix. Just leave it, i doubt its going to cause any over heating issues.

Yes, that's what I was talking about. It doesn't seem to be causing any problems. I'll just leave it.

Regarding the toolkit, the manual says the spanner is 13mm-21mm. What part of the scooter takes a 21mm wrench?

Finally, before I waste some electrons writing an email to Piaggo, does anyone know if replacement owners manuals are available from the factory?

http://www.scootermasters.com/manuals/px150workshop.pdf

Already have that thanks. I'm hoping to find an original owner's manual. For authenticity purposes.

Here's the owner's manual...

http://www.wotmeworry.org.uk/manuals/More%20Manuals/Vespa/

#4, the hole in the cylinder cowling is for a clip that holds part of the catalyzed exhaust secondary air system plumbing. Looks like yours has been removed or your exhaust replaced so you don't have all the extra gear.

Here's a picture of what it looks like:

The 2005 model for the US market didn't have that exhaust component. A hole for a clip makes sense, though.

as for your headlight dont polish it but put a aluminium foil in it, i did that to my excel