Modern Vespa

Hi everyone -- wondering if you could help me diagnose a problem that's come up in the last few days.

When my '15 GTS 300 is cold, I'm noticing a pretty loud squeak/squeal... It disappears pretty quickly once I start moving... Maybe after a hundred yards or so and then re-appears after I stop and let it cool down.

Link to video: https://googledrive.com/host/0BxKv-fFv1MsMWkU4NWppX2ItS3c/IMG_1350.MOV

I first noticed it when I started her up Monday morning. The day before, I took a 200-250 mile ride out to Shenandoah National Park... the trip there and back (about 160 miles) was mostly WOT on the highway.

Any idea what this could be?? My scoot is only about 4 months old and has 3300 miles...

Sounds like one of the rollers rattling in the variator. Or possibly the belt slapping against the belt support roller?

I'm guessing the belt wheels. Spray them with a bit of lube and good to go.

Check clutch outer support bearing located in the belt cover.

The OP says it`s a 4 month old 2015 model, so isn`t it still under warranty?

DON'T SPRAY ANY LUBE OF ANY KIND INTO THE TRANSMISSION COVER
Yout will destroy the belt and cause horrendous clutch slip and judder, not to mention the premature wear of the rollers and variator when dust and grit bind to make a very good and effective grinding paste .
Andy

Hmm -- any idea why that would only happen when it's cold though?

Yeah, it's still under warranty but if it's something simple I'd rather just do it myself than have to ride out to the dealer (who I hate) and make an appointment and then take a cab back to work

Nothing wrong with lubing those bearings when it squeaks.
I wasn't recommending spraying liberally.

The belt support roller spins around on a bearing. This might be squeaky, which goes away once warm. The rollers can chatter and squeak, which would also go away when warmed up. I wouldn't worry about it.

Lube spray will wash the grease out and make the problem worse, a small amount of graphite grease should be but into the bearing directly, then re assembled.
Even a small amount of spray lube added around the roller will attract dust and grit.
You are quite right about lubing the bearings when they squeal, there is just a right way and wrong way of going about it.
Cheers Andy

....

UPDATE:

Well, the squealing went away yesterday... Now, a new problem.

When twist the throttle over half way open, the traction control light starts flashing and I lose power... Not all at once like I'm going over rough road, but it seems to go flat. I'm also heating a rattling, but I can't tell exactly where it's coming from.

Any guesses? Going to bring it into the dealer asap.

Update if anyone cares...

It appears the symptoms (squealing and traction control constantly going on) were entirely due to a slow leak in my rear tire...

Got it fitted with a new Michelin citygrip today ($200 -- is that about right?) and she runs like new...

Is the $200 for the tire,balancing ,removal of the old tire (getting rid of the used tire) and fitting of the new tire? Sounds about right. Glad your happy and the problem was a easy fix.

Yes thanks -- $197.50 to be exact