Modern Vespa

After 7 years of Vespa ownership, 4.5 of which on my current s125, I decided to zen-up and do-a-bit-myself. Thank goodness for MV forum, YouTube and Google...

The 12,000 km service is due (well 1k km overdue), so I had a look in thee manual for what needed to be done. Also, the s125 struggles to reach the 100 kmh speed limit here, so I wanted to ring a little more top end as part of the work.

So, after much research, I've compiled the following:
- GPR Vintalogy exhaust
- Dr Pulley 19x17mm 8g sliders x6
- Dr Pulley SP1917N sliding pieces
- Malossi air filter M1414532
- Malossi oil filter M313382
- Malossi kevlar belt M6111437
- 1L 5w40 oil
- Air Filter Oil spray
- Denso Iridium IU22 spark plug
- LH brake lever

I'm hoping, the exhaust will give a little HP boost, the sliders will give a little better acceleration and help the top end too, and the Malossi parts will help compliment these. I didn't want to stretch my budget as far as the 170cc kit.

The oil, belt and plug were due to replace this service, and the air filter was down to clean. The brake lever was wobbly and broken after the last (and last!) time I used the side stand.

Being in NZ, I've had to get most gear shipped from overseas, which has added a lot to the cost, and needed patience for the parts to arrive.

I've planned on doing the oil, filters, plug, exhaust and brake myself, but after looking at what's required, will take the variator (sliders) and belt to the pros. Don't want to get too ambitious for a first time!

Stage 1: Oil and filter change

The wiki has a useful video for this here: LX150 Oil Change

Getting the oil tray under the stand was fiddly, not much clearance, with the drain being right above the stand. Had to have one leaf the stand in the tray. Ended up carefully lifting the scooter by the back rack, while my wife slid the tray under.

Was nervous about removing the exhaust, but it proved fairly simple. Encouraging, as I'm hoping that will mean replacing it won't be too difficult either.

Discovered I didn't have a 24mm socket for the drain, which meant an extra trip to the auto store. They didn't have a oil filter remover that would fit the smaller filter the scooter uses, so bought a 300mm groove joint plier to try and do the job.

Draining the oil was simple, although I skinned my knuckles removing the filter. There wasn't much room down there with the long handle of the pliers. The oil was very black, and looked in need of a change. A few flecks of metal in the drain filter, but I'm guessing that usual.

While waiting for the oil to drain, removed and replaced the primary air filter, and cleaned the secondary. Again, just followed the video in the wiki. Very straight forward. Fitting the new filter was the most fiddly.

Filling with oil, replacing everything was simple enough. Refitting the exhaust nuts by the engine were the most sweat provoking. I'm glad I have smallish hands.

The next difficulty was in trying to get the scooter off the stand. Again, the clearance to the tray was awkward. Ended up splitting the tray, which dumped most of a litre of dirty oil on the garage floor. <Sigh>. Lucky we had some sand to soak it up.

Tip: check the clearance, and get a shallow tray!

Washed hands, keys in, started up fine. Gear on for a quick ride around the block. Seemed smoother, but I'm sure that's my imagination.

Next up will be the brake lever, while I'm still waiting for the spark plug and exhaust to arrive in the post. Updates on how that goes to follow.

All in all my first experience at scooter maintenance was not at all bad. Watching YouTube clips was a good preparation, although it does pay to check you have all the tools you need. Extra trips to the shops are frustrating. After purchasing various tools, I don't think I saved money, this time at least, but I did get a nice sense of accomplishment.

The tools for holding the Variator and clutch are a good investment. Changing out the belt and rollers isn't really a biggie.

The 190 kit really is the way to go for performance. I think with the 125 you need an upgear kit if you want extra speed $$$

Several days in, is everything running fine?

Yes, it's all good. The scooter is running nicely, and haven't had any problems.

I've replaced the LH brake lever that was damaged after the scooter fell off the side stand. (Tip: always use the centre stand!). It's fiddly getting the cover off the headlight, with the clips. It feels like you'll break them, but after inspecting what way to pull them off, and looking at more YouTube videos, I managed okay. Having a non-wobbly brake lever is so much better, wish I had been brave enough to do it earlier.

Just fitted the muffler too, after a long shipping delay, and another wait for a sensor plug. I bought an exhaust with a lambda sensor for the more modern fuel injection models as it was much much cheaper. My scooter is carbed, so need to plug the hole, but couldn't find a plug locally (NZ market for you). Bought a 18mm diameter 1.5mm threaded plug off ebay, which are easy to find for about $15 delivered (postage cost more than the part).

Fitting the muffler was simple, as I already had to remove it to drain the oil.

For now I'm going to chicken out of changing the belt and rollers, and get the plug done at the shop at the same time as I don't have a socket that fits. May look to do it myself for the 24,000 km service though. That's a few years away though.

If you're thinking about doing it yourself, don't be scared, it's not that hard. I gained a lot of confidence just from the basic stuff I've done.

Finally got the rest of the parts I bought fitted:

- Dr Pulley 19x17mm 8g sliders x6
- Malossi kevlar belt M6111437
- Denso Iridium IU22 spark plug

Got the garage to do a tune up too.

- Before the tune up, the exhaust was very loud. Now it is just loud...
- I didn't notice much performance improvement with just the exhaust, but with the new sliders, it is definitely a bit peppier taking off. Haven't noticed any top end reduction either.

All in all I'm very happy with the slight improvement I've got, and like the look of the chrome exhaust.

Sound good have you picture?

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