OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
I am a first time and new owner of a Vespa. I purchased a used 2007 GTS 250ie. The man I purchased it from was court awarded this scooter from a tenant that abandoned it.
It was in pretty rough shape. The wiring harness was fried, and it obviously had a spill or 2.
But it was being sold for a ridiculously low price and I looked up how much they were worth, so I jumped on it. (In fairness, I told the seller what it was worth, but he insisted on selling it cheap because he wanted it gone). Needless to say there were many interested buyers.
Anyway, I thought about getting anew harness but instead I gambled and bought a used harness on EBay. This may come back to haunt me, but thats what a gamble is all about I suppose.
Ive pulled apart parts of the scooter and I don't see any other issues, but I won't know until I re-wire it and crank it.
It hasn't been running for a long time.
Im hoping there are no serious problems.
Im also concerned about the immobilizer. Not sure why but Im nervous.
It only came with a blue key, so I may eventually have to replace the ignition/immobilizer to get a new master key. Does the ECU have to be replaced too?
The harness arrives today so I'll update this once I begin.
Here are some pics.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
UTC

Molto Verboso
Vespa GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1229
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
 
Molto Verboso
Vespa GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1229
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
UTC quote
Welcome aboard and best luck with the scoot'!
Take advantage of YouTube videos whenever possible, they are very helpful.
@bluecloud avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2018 GTS Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2195
Location: Googleville
 
Ossessionato
@bluecloud avatar
2018 GTS Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2195
Location: Googleville
UTC quote
mrt6644 wrote:
But it was being sold for a ridiculously low price and I looked up how much they were worth, so I jumped on it.
Doesn't look too bad, can you say how much you paid?
OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
500
OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
The new (used) harness arrived today.
I spent a couple hours working on it.
I started at the front because that looked more confusing.
I decided to run the new harness parallel to the old harness so I could go plug for plug, unplugging the old harness plugs and immediately plugging into the new ones. It made it less confusing, but running both side by side was difficult to fit.
There are some wires that I couldn't figure out.
They look hard wired to a speaker looking thing.
Not sure if this was the alarm, but one went into the right brake lever switch.
Does anyone know what this is?
I'll post a picture soon.
OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
Ok, I finished pugging in the new (used) harness last night.
And by that I mean that every plug and terminal is connected to something, aside from the accessory plugs that were already unused.
I still have to go back and make sure all the wires/cables are routed properly. I need to add insulation and a ton of zip ties to secure them all too.
I want to prevent any future shorts.
My first test was to turn the ignition on and look for any shorts, as well as hoping the dash display would function.
All ok so far.
Today I will actually try to start the engine.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
It started right up!
There was some rattling noise from the drive area.
I'll do a full service on it next and check the condition of the belt.
@bluecloud avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2018 GTS Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2195
Location: Googleville
 
Ossessionato
@bluecloud avatar
2018 GTS Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2195
Location: Googleville
UTC quote
Sweeet!
@greggy avatar
UTC

Hooked
Sprint 125 2014 (Sold GTS300 2012)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 142
Location: Surrey, England
 
Hooked
@greggy avatar
Sprint 125 2014 (Sold GTS300 2012)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 142
Location: Surrey, England
UTC quote
Sounds like you've had a result 👍
UTC

Member
Sprint 2015
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21
Location: Jakarta
 
Member
Sprint 2015
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21
Location: Jakarta
UTC quote
fantastic find, and turns out relatively easy to fix.. sweet deal for you
@lisantica avatar
UTC

Hooked
LX150, GTS250, GTS300 HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 381
Location: Banning, CA
 
Hooked
@lisantica avatar
LX150, GTS250, GTS300 HPE
Joined: UTC
Posts: 381
Location: Banning, CA
UTC quote
That's great news! A little spit shine and that little fixer will look great!

I might have a left brake handle, but mine was bent, but still functional.
You're welcome to have it, must make sure it's the left side.

**It's a right side.
****Just looked at my invoice for the new one and apparently they are the same, just flip 'em.
OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
Thanks so much for the offer! I bought one on eBay for 7 bucks. Supposedly it's oem.
So here's the status. I did the following so far:
-replaced wiring harness
-changed motor oil and filter
- changed gear oil-
-replaced spark plug
-new air filter
-flushed and replaced brake fluid
-flushed and replaced coolant (see below for issues)
The scooter started up and I let it run here and there. No test rides as I needed to secure the harness, etc.
While letting it run on Thursday night I noticed the yellow warning light on. I looked at this forum and thought it might be the voltage regulator. I connected a multimeter to the batt and I got readings of 15+ volts at idle and nearly 17 when revving. Note, that's without a headlight bulb and the 2 other small bulbs connected.
I bought new bulbs and the reading at idle came down but the rev reading was still high.
So I concluded it is the voltage regulator (with much help from the forum).
So, now I am waiting for the regulator.
I do have a broken mirror at the bottom, the threaded part broke off. I need a new mirror.
There is no ice coming from the belt area, so it could be the rollers? I hear the typical rattling noise.
Also, when I was flushing and replacing the coolant I discovered the not so rare coolant bleeder leak. I think this was done before me.
But thanks to the forum once again, I learned that it is the thermostat housing that gets damaged, not the bleeder. So I ordered a new housing.
I should have waited as I found used ones on eBay for much cheaper.
After the voltage regulator and therm housing I will secure all the harnesses and wires and begin to put it back together.
Hopefully by next weekend it will be road ready.
@melk avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
GTS 300 (2012)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 98
Location: Charlotte
 
Enthusiast
@melk avatar
GTS 300 (2012)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 98
Location: Charlotte
UTC quote
Very exciting Great little project!
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7358
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7358
Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
Cheap parts on Ebay are not the good way to go. they will come back to haunt you, usually at the worst time - like being a long way from home. My I suggest that you try a local shop, or if you don't have one, try Moped City who is a member on here and probably the closest to you. AF1 racing is another member.
Congratulations on a job well done - not everyone has the perseverance to see it through. And you are part of the solution here. Good man.
OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
Project status:
I replaced the thermostat housing tonight and bled the cooling system.
The voltage regulator was replaced last week and it tests well.
You are right about gambling on the used part. It will eventually fail.
I'll keep an eye out for a good price on a new regulator and keep this one as a spare.
I also replaced a mirror.
Glued the glove box door back together.
Changed engine oil
Changed gear oil
Replaced air filter
Replaced spark plug
Flushed and replaced coolant system
Flushed and replaced brake fluid

I put most of the scooter back together.
The only issue I have is what screws go where, I guessed on most and I'm sure I put the wrong ones in some places.

Now I will spend some time on cosmetics and try to get everything fit properly.

The next project will be to look at the belt and rollers.

But first comes the road testing.
OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
Here is the latest status:

I installed the battery, tray and strap, but have a couple issues.
The manual or videos Ive seen shows the POSitive post and lead on the back side of the compartment, with the NEG in front.
However, the battery cable leads don't allow for this. The NEG is shorter and will only reach the back post on the battery, so I have the battery positioned in the opposite direction as Ive seen on the ScooterWest videos.
This causes a couple issues. It places the positive post a little too close to the side of the compartment. I think that the original harness meltdown was caused by the post of cable hitting the chassis.
Not sure if the 2007 configuration was different? Or maybe the used wiring harness I bought was later taped in a way that allowed the positive battery lead to extend further.
Anyway, my solution for right now was to set it up in a way that the cables allow, meaning the Positive post up front. I used a piece of plastic and a lot of electrical tape to insulate that positive lead and post.
I got a battery strap on Ebay. So I was able to fasten it down.
The previous owner had a battery tender socket installed on the battery compartment cover. I don't think this is good as it hovers over the batt and there is very little clearance. Again, this could have been the melt down cause as both pos and neg socket wires are routed basically on top of the battery post.
So I removed the socket and patched up the hole with plastic epoxy putty. Not pretty but it's closed now.
OP
UTC

Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
 
Hooked
GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 193
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
UTC quote
Project Update:
Well, the scooter runs just about perfect.
Its amazing that after years of sitting in the yard, 1 block away from the salty ocean, that it runs like new (Im guessing how new feels).
I think this Vespa was abused. It has a bunch of cosmetic issues, a flat rear tire, etc.
Yet it runs perfectly. I have had it up to 70mph but it still feels like it is accelerating strong.
All broken issues (minus cosmetic) have been fixed.
I even started on accessory and customization.
Inside the glove box I have a dual USB socket, and a switch that can power the USB with the ignition on, or with the ignition off, or an always off position. I put the switch inside the glove box so no one can mess with it and kill the batt.
Inside the panel I have the turn signal beep setup.
On the left knee panel I installed a new 12v socket, a dual USB socket, a BMW type power socket for the battery tender, a switch to activate the turn signal buzzer, an LED to indicate the turn signal, an LED to indicate the internal USB power, an LED to indicate the accessory sockets on the knee panel. I also have an LED that I will eventually connect to the radiator fan so I can see it while running.

Future work:
-I have 2 new Michelin Pure tires on order.
-I plan on installing a fuse between the engine compartment ground and the body. So if by chance the battery or cable ever touches the chassis again, the fuse will pop and not melt the whole darn harness like before.
I will also probably run power to the top case and pet carrier.
I would like to install lights on the top case, turn signals and maybe brake light. However, the Vespa kit is a bit too pricey.
Eventually I would like to fix the dents and have it painted. But I don't have the budget to have an auto paint shop do it. I'd like to either do touch up work or paint the whole thing myself.
There are other issues that I need to get to eventually. The handlebars appear to be a fraction off to one side.
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