Modern Vespa

Thanks, I was hoping the problem with the fuse blowing was a simple thing such as a 55/65 bulb in a socket that can only take 45/55 or something. If you are saying 55/65 is fine then that is not the problem :/ So far it has not happened if I keep high beams off so it does seem related to the highbeams for sure. I will probably try another bulb next before messing with wiring.

Regarding the oil, thanks for the info, you use Synthentic right? That is what the manual calls for IIRC.

Thanks for the tip on the air filter. I guess when I go to fill the tank I will squirt a little gasoline in the zip lock bag as I dont usually keep a can of gasoline due to my bikes being in a storage unit. The only thing is, you say to use engine oil? IIRC the manual says to use mineral oil with some special additives (some special air filter oil)

The windcreen I bought IIRC is not a FACO, it's prima brand. Perhaps the Prima is different? I believe I posted the manual which talks about hammering it in, in a previous post IIRC.

Thanks for all the help!

I've never seen a 5W/40 fully synthetic oil that doesn't meet the Piaggio spec. - so those are the salient points to look out for, and saves reading the small print.

Engine oil is fine for the air filter - it gets more engine oil mist on it anyway in use. However if you don't keep a can of petrol hanging around, then use the spray-on air filter oil, readily available.

BAND i have the Tire Gard one. Got it off of Amazon. I got my HID bulbs from Hidnation. You get 2 of them but their warrantied for life. If one blows you put the spare in and send the blown one back and they send you a new one. I'm running the ice blue/white type in mine. 8k i think. If you already have a HID ballast in there theirs should fit. You get a free one in the kit anyway. Good luck

You are correct that the openings under the headset are smooth tubes and are not threaded. The part you are not understanding is that the fittings you slide into the two tubes are expansion bolts. They expand when you turn the boltheads with a wrench or socket. "Hammering" them in is not what attaches them (I would have called that part "tapping" them in with a wood block in any case). As Jim said, you can squeeze the ears of the expansion bolts together a bit so they will slide into the tubes without hammering. That will not affect how well they actually attach when you tighten (expand) them.

I think I didn't make myself clear regarding the mounting bolts for the windscreen- as Dooglas has said above, the openings under the handlebars for the bolts are themselves smooth, so one taps in the mounting bolts. As there is a self expanding fitting on the mounting bolt, then one must tighten the bolt with a spanner (wrench) to cause it to expand and hold it in place.

You seem to be on top of things otherwise, as Jim said any oil that meets the spec will be fine regardless of the manufacturer. I wouldn't get too hung up on the headlight bulb, replace it with the recommended one and then see then does the fuse still blow.
have fun !!

I swear Judy-that's EXACTLY what my wife says about ME! It's tough being Italian and now these prejudices to deal with!

Seriously, looks like you are being taken care of pretty well here. Looks like you got a pretty nice deal on a pretty nice looking bike. The only thing you listed that would really worry me is the electrical issue and once that is sorted out-you should be good to go.

Sorry you got that nail in the rear tire. I've had the same nuisance to deal with and since it's a newer tire, I'd think about just using the string patch and riding the tire until it starts to show wear. I put an additional 2500 miles on a Sava that was basically new and had a tiny nail. Just keep a good eye on the tire pressure and devise a plan to limp back to safety. Not a fan of the Slime solution...

Good luck. Sounds like you are in a positive direction and not afraid to ask any question. That's a good thing to do here-tons of helpful, knowledgeable folks.

Thanks! I understand what you mean now! I want to be able to easily take the windscreen off if we dont like it or if there is times we dont want to use it.

As far as the oil I am going to perhaps try Shell Rotella or something similiar.

I ordered a new headlight bulb and will be replacing it.

I have the scooter at the dealer right now. The vespa guy there is going to patch the nail in the tire. He also said since the scooter is 5 years old that the drive belt should be replaced, so I am having him do that. I also asked him to do a general mecahnical check of the scooter to see if anything else needs to be done.

Thanks!

Hi guys some updates....

I brought the Vespa to the dealer to get the tire patched and drive belt replaced.

The tech at the dealer (who is AWESOME with Vespa's BTW, his name is Larry at Motorcycle Mall in Belleville, NJ) said the tire was already patched 3 times so he had me buy a new one.

He also replaced the drive belt and did a pretty large service on the bike. He cleaned out the airbox and filter, replaced engine oil/filter, replaced rear hub oil, and various other things like checking fuel injectors, replaced spark plug, lube cables, etc.

The service was not cheap LOL. It was $600 for the service plus the tire. I decided to let him do it as I didnt know how well the previous owners took care of her so I figured Id spend some money to get her in top condition so I have a known starting point to work from. I will do the oil change and filter cleanings myself down the road.

He said I could bring it back and he would try to fix the manual seat release if I havent managed to fix it myself by then, also he would investigate the fuse blowing when using high beams and also fix the ambient air sensor (no big deal but its locked on -4C)

Also I forgot to mention regarding my mods.

Larry (the tech) said NOT to install the side stand I bought
He said that since there is no sensor like on a motorcycle that its dangerous and if you accidently go with the stand down the scooter will flip over on its side really bad and abrubtly (or something ot this effect)

The thing is, I really want to install the side stand. It's such a hassle every time I get off the scooter for 3 seconds (like to lock my storage unit, etc) that i have to put it on the center stand. I am also concerned Jenny will have a mishap constantly trying to get it on and off the center stand.

Do you guys have a side stand installed? If so, did you install some kind of cut off switch for it? I guess unlike a motorcycle its not a simple process since you dont put it into gear. Any advice you guys can offer on the side stand would be helpful.

I havent installed the windscreen yet but after checking out the expanding bolts I understand what you guys were talking about with bending the ears in. I plan on doing that when I install it.

I also havent installed the cowl protectors yet but Larry (the tech) echoed what this forum has said regarding making sure it doesnt cut into the coolant hose. I plan on doing the cowl protectors and windscreen this week.

I'll have to respectfully disagree with Larry here:
Larry (the tech) said NOT to install the side stand I bought
He said that since there is no sensor like on a motorcycle that its dangerous and if you accidentally go with the stand down the scooter will flip over on its side really bad and abruptly (or something ot this effect)

The side stand for the GT flips out forwards from it's storage position, so you have to kick to forward. Hence, as it is spring loaded in this forward position, forward motion of the bike will cause the stand to automatically retract (flip backwards). Now, you could be really unlucky and the stand would remain extended if it was stuck in the ground or whatever, but I think this would be a rare occurrence.
I have one on my GT125 and it certainly is handy in CERTAIN situations, but not recommended for long term parking.
There never was a cut off/kill switch sensor fitted with this stand on any of these stands and I don't know of any people who have had issues, but am open to correction.
I would think that if it really is something you want to fit, go for it. be aware though that the side stand was not fitted on the larger GT's (200, 250, 300) from the factory due to what I would imagine are the increased weight considerations. It works fine on my GT125 but I'm not sure if any of the folks here have fitted them on the larger CC models.

Just to be clear, his explanation of how the side stand works was incorrect, however, his advice to not fit it is sound. The stand is not stable. If someone or something bumps the scooter, the stand will retract and the scoot will fall over. Repairs on the metal body are expensive. Just get used to the centre stand. If it is inconvenient or difficult, you are probably using it wrong.

When I got my gts 250 a few months ago I also had trouble with the center stand. What I did was I googled Vespa center stand use and there are some tutorials and YouTube stuff showing how easy it can be if you learn. Also consider changing brake fluid, valve adjustment, coolant flush, new exhaust bushing, etc...

Thanks guys! This forum is excellent!

I could be incorrect on the reasons Larry said not to use the side stand. I do recall him saying it was unstable but I thought he also said the fact it doesnt have a kill switch was also part of the problem.

I dont want to use the stand for more than quick jump off and back on. Anything more than a couple minutes (and me walking away from the scooter) would be the center stand. It's just a real pain to have to put it on and off the center stand when jumping off quick to do something like lock my storage unit, etc.

I will google videos on on how to use it. Maybe i am doing it wrong. Getting it off is easy, i just get on the scooter and roll forward and it goes off. Sometimes though the stand scrapes along the slick surface and i must jam my foot against the stand to keep it from scrapping and sliding. (i ruined my good tourmaster boots doing it too

Getting it on the center stand is the pain. I have to get off the scooter, carefully hold it up while I do that then pull down the stand, center the scoot and then powerfully rock it forward. Maybe there is an easier way to do it while still on the scoot?