Modern Vespa

I have a 2007 LX 15O that I picked up at an auction as a project. I figured I have an ET4 150 to keep stock and ride while I modify this one.

However after lurking and reading everything I could about upgrades people have done, I am overwhelemed with the wealth of information.

Basically I want a scooter that can maintain 100-110 km an hour on longer rides and handle better. for information purposes I currrently on a Dr. & wife ordered diet to drop to a final weight of about 220.

To that end I am considering the following at a minimum:

1. Mallosi Kit to get more power
2. Variator upgrade
3. Dr Pulley roller weights
4. Kevlar belt
5. Clauss components
a) front shock bushings
b)rear shock bushings
c)engine mount
6. Front Shock
7. Rear Shock
8. New tires

I am basically asking for those who have upgraded their scooters to give me their opinions on parts\manufacturers (good and bad) on the above.

I will be having a shop do the kit so am wondering if I should do any gearing changes at the same time while they are working on it anyway.

The weight of rollers has confused the sh*t out of me., so really need help with figuring out what size to get.

For shocks, I think my choice is Mallosi vs Bitubo. Are they similar in performance that I can go by price?

Thanks in advance

Duane

From what I have read, the stock OEM belt IS Kevlar and outlasts the after-market belts.

Stock belt is considered best. Forum users Bluecloud & Silver Streak both have kitted 150s. Hopefully they will check this thread out. Here is a thread on Bluecloud's project:

project S -- a hotrod modern smallframe

My LX has just about all the mods you are considering. I have it optimized as a long-distance tourer, and it has performed admirably in that role. Still works great around town as well.

As to upgearing, the choice of whether or not to do it depends on how you intend to use the bike. If you are looking to optimize for acceleration, you may want to leave the final gearing at stock. You won't see much of an increase in your top end speed, but the scoot will be a terror at the stoplights... as long as you get the roller weights right.

If you install the Polini upgear set, you can expect at least a 5 mph increase in your top end, maybe 10. The Polini set's ratios are optimized for the LX125's final gearing, not the 150's, and the total gearing winds up to be a bit too tall for the 150. It's not bad, but on-the-road acceleration would be a tad better if it were spot-on. Acceleration from a stop will be slower than a kitted bike with the stock final gearing, but still quicker than a stock bike.

The only way to really optimize the roller weights is through trial-and-error experimentation, as it depends on the steepness of the variator ramps, rider weight, and other factors. Get yourself an inexpensive digital tach and install it either temporarily or permanently so that you can monitor what the engine revs are doing as you accelerate. You'll get really good at disassembling your variator to try different weight sets.

I have Bitubo shocks on mine and have been happy with them. Haven't tried the Malossis. I'm using a Polini 6-roller variator with Dr. Pulleys in it. Can't remember what weights I'm currently using... maybe 11.5g? Stock belt.

From what I have read, experienced and discussed with friends who have in-depth experience.

Tuning Kit
a. The normal plug and play
or
b. The full work that includes port and polish, high performance valves and springs, high performance ignition and wiring, modified crankshaft, etc

The normal version is very adequate for (daily and or weekly) riders who want a simple solution to their needs, usually wanting more 'power'.

The full version is for those who seek maximum potential.

There is no better or worse. Both have advantages.


Variator, clutch, (kevlar) belt and rollers
Besides variator upgrade, you will also need to get higher quality clutch and belt. Some say that a kevlar belt is not a must, what you actually need is a shorter belt (please correct me if I am wrong).

Roller weight and clutch spring selection entirely depends on what kind of ride style you want to achieve. Are you aggressive? Do you want more top end? etc

Beside all of the above, an aftermarket exhaust is mandatory.

Ideally you will need to dyno (pre and post) to compare results and morte importantly to fine tune what you already have installed. This is not compulsory.


Clauss components
These components will enhance the 'feel' of your ride. You will feel 'planted' and more stable.


Shocks and Tires
Aftermarket shocks and premium tires makes a huge difference. Buying shocks alone is only one thing, what matters most is tuning it to accommodate your ridding style.


Others
Upgear / secondary gear totally depends on your needs.

If you want to add power, you will need to add braking power as well. You can easily install aftermarket brake pads and or shoes. Or you can upgrade to a premium brand such as brembo caliper and other branded disc.

Don't forget high performance oil and all sorts of filters.


Hope this helps and good luck with your new journey.

The stock clutch has worked out fine for me for over 15,000 miles since kitting my scooter. A "performance" clutch with stiffer springs on the shoes will allow the engine to rev higher before engaging. This may be useful for quick takeoff if the engine has inadequate torque at low rpms, but it can be a real PITA for smooth riding in heavy traffic.

The stock belt is Kevlar, and most who have tried the Malossi belt say the stock belt holds up better.

For the life of me, I can't see how a shorter belt would help anything. It would simply limit the range of gearing and the top speed.

Ha Ha.

I swear I spend more time taking it apart than I do riding. Once you deviate from factory takes a bit of tuning to get the most out of it. Just keep telling yourself "it's a hobby."

With a little work these things can be very fast, I now manage to scare myself with regularity.

If you want a good street setup, the following is what I've seen work very well:

Malossi Cylinder kit is the first thing to do.
PM Tuning exhaust (Loud but effective). Scorpion has a decent pipe, and the Sito Plus is a good replacement if you don't want to alert the local Gendarmes. Tecnigas makes a decent pipe, but I haven't used it for anything bigger than a 50-70. Arrow would also be one to consider.
Malossi Variator, Clutch and Bell, Torque Drive, Torsion Control, Contra Spring, and 9-10 gram weights. Malossi Belt. It's much better than the original, and holds up very well to the extra power. Most of what you hear about belts on the internet is a version of, "I heard someone say they knew someone who...." In the real world, the Malossi belt has a whole lot more Kevlar and Polyamide and holds up better longer. The Malossi clutch setup, with the white springs and white contra spring make for much smoother engagement in traffic, especially two up and eliminate a lot of the clutch shudder that happens when a hot bike with a lot of weight is trying to get up and going.
Denso or NGK Iridium plug, Malossi or Bando aftermarket coil, and NGK integrated Red wire and silicone cap that fits over the threaded end of the plug.
Malossi Final Drive Primary Gears, or Polini. The Malossi are slightly taller, and are straight cut, so they work better, but are a little noisier.
Malossi Air Filter, preferable the double foam one for the street, not the single. About 5-7 up on the Main Jet, but leave the idle jet alone.
Malossi whoop disc and Malossi pads and shoes and Malossi Shocks make a night and day difference in the handling and stopping of your bike.

Rear Passenger Footpegs are a must if you are carrying a passenger on the bike. Buzzetti makes the strongest of the folding ones, but there are some out there that are prettier. A medium screen will get you about two miles an hour on top, and adds to the comfort on brisk days.

15-50 or 20-50 full synthetic oil and synthetic final drive oil.

Stay away from Prima brand anything. It's cheap Chinese stuff and lasts accordingly.

Do this and the bike will perform better and last longer than stock.

I'll stick with Greasy's recommendation for the stock belt.

Do a search on "malossi belt failure" here on MV, and you'll find lots of reports of premature failure.

And -- no -- I don't buy the theory that it is due to improper installation of Malossi belts by the owner vs. proper installation of OEM belts by dealers.

I personally have never had a belt failure (knock on wood), but I change mine more often than the recommended service interval to be safe.

I meant polyamide. My bad.

You mean the one eight years ago? Check out the poll of belt failures on the MP3 side. But that doesn't really matter any more than what someone posted on a forum about a bad experience with a belt. . What matters is what people who have a vested interest in results use, and the people who race these and use them hard tend to gravitate towards aftermarket belts and other components.

Would there be much return for cost for upgrading to HT ignition?

You mean like the people who sell aftermarket belts?