Wed, 27 Sep 2023 04:07:17 +0000

Molto Verboso
PX 200
Joined: Wed, 25 May 2016 16:14:28 +0000
Posts: 1902

 
Molto Verboso
PX 200
Joined: Wed, 25 May 2016 16:14:28 +0000
Posts: 1902

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 04:07:17 +0000 quote
Glad the rider is ok.

Can't tell from afar… silver and grey are the most forgiving I think with scratches.
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 06:53:20 +0000

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 06:53:20 +0000 quote
mannnn... super bummerz. glad you're none worse for the wear!

I lost my super off the lift a few weeks back and I wasn't even that mad about the damage. I was more mad at myself, I've never lost one before and I *knew* how tippy that stupid thing is with the p2 motor and wonky stand.

and I spilled my beer.
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:21:37 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:21:37 +0000 quote
greasy125 wrote:
mannnn... super bummerz. glad you're none worse for the wear!

I lost my super off the lift a few weeks back and I wasn't even that mad about the damage. I was more mad at myself, I've never lost one before and I *knew* how tippy that stupid thing is with the p2 motor and wonky stand.
Let's not even talk about dumping bikes off lifts at least until I get the wider base installed!

I have a decent scrape on my knee, starting right at the end of the Great Scar, so now it'll be even longer than it was. It'll be fine in a few days, though.

Repairs-wise, I need to see how much of the damage I can buff out. Like I said, I think the scratches on the cowl will at least mostly buff out. I have a vague recollection that the instructions for the Summit Racing clear coat said not to color/wet sand it, but we'll see.

For the mudguard, if I can't fix it in place, I'm just not going to fix it. I'm not dropping the fork if I don't have to. Meanwhile, the bare metal gets some Ospho and a dab of primer to keep the rust out, and if I'm honest, by the time I get around to it, I'll probably be used to it and no longer care.
greasy125 wrote:
and I spilled my beer.
Party foul!
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:40:54 +0000

Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
Joined: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:23 +0000
Posts: 7881
Location: San Diego, CA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
Joined: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:23 +0000
Posts: 7881
Location: San Diego, CA
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:40:54 +0000 quote
Looks like I spoke too soon on the knee.

Bummer!

I bet you can do something without dropping that fork.
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:55:06 +0000

Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:07 +0000
Posts: 7460
Location: Hustletown, TX
 
Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:07 +0000
Posts: 7460
Location: Hustletown, TX
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:55:06 +0000 quote
Gah! Sorry man.
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:02:26 +0000

Addicted
PK50XL, PK100S, ET3
Joined: Wed, 26 Aug 2020 14:45:29 +0000
Posts: 540
Location: UK
 
Addicted
PK50XL, PK100S, ET3
Joined: Wed, 26 Aug 2020 14:45:29 +0000
Posts: 540
Location: UK
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:02:26 +0000 quote
I was going to say at least it wasn't the smallstate because you would have been gutted to get a scratch on that. - tongue in cheek obviously.

Then I was thinking - At least it wasn't the smallstate, god knows what sort of carnage you'd have caused.
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:43:48 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:43:48 +0000 quote
Matchlessman wrote:
I was going to say at least it wasn't the smallstate because you would have been gutted to get a scratch on that. - tongue in cheek obviously.


That's the beauty of the ugly that is the smallstate: Once your scooter has been run over by a truck, you really quit worrying about the aesthetics of it.
Matchlessman wrote:
Then I was thinking - At least it wasn't the smallstate, god knows what sort of carnage you'd have caused.
Perhaps, but so long as the carnage wasn't to my person, I wouldn't have really cared! .
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 20:25:26 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 20:25:26 +0000 quote
Wife brought me back a gift from the UK. An old garage/dealer Vespa sign they found in an antique shop out in Devon. The thing is 8"x10" cast iron and weighs about five pounds.

I have no idea if it's an actual antique or not. There's definitely some old schmutz on the white paint that didn't fully clean up, but there are no manufacturer's marks on it, either.

Any Brits out there know one way or the other?
Tue, 03 Oct 2023 04:22:08 +0000

Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
 
Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
Tue, 03 Oct 2023 04:22:08 +0000 quote
Okay Greasy and Safis, I just finished a full service, fork rebuild and electrical mods on my buddy's 2007 Burgman 400. I figure I'm in the right frame of mind for the Beo, since I used up so much vitriol on the Suzuki.

Wish me luck.

And yes, that's a partially disassembled Velocifero in the background. Still hunting parts and documenting the wiring harness, since a diagram doesn't exist
And so it begins...
Tue, 03 Oct 2023 05:48:31 +0000

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
Tue, 03 Oct 2023 05:48:31 +0000 quote
godspeed and good luck my man, we'll be rooting for you along the way!

if you get stuck or have a question don't hesitate to reach out. I don't think I have much to offer parts wise, but a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on is all yours if you need it!
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 01:52:38 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 01:52:38 +0000 quote
The JBWeld fix to the Grabor turn signal switch I added to my GL broke over the weekend. Naturally, it did it when I turned the signal ON, so I got to ride for a while until I could dig my keys out and use them to turn it off.

So I fabricated a new one that's not going to break, but has some rather material design defects I'll need to address sooner than later...like choosing aluminum...

For now, I just put electrical tape on it and the cover to prevent it shorting out, but my grander plan is to do it with a JBWeld top that the contact point and spring sit in. The JBWeld will act as the insulator and be more than strong enough, especially being mostly cupped by the aluminum.

It's not pretty (or finished), but it gets the job done nicely.
Try to break off on me, will you...
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 01:55:04 +0000

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 01:55:04 +0000 quote
finished product looks shocking...
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 02:00:17 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 02:00:17 +0000 quote
greasy125 wrote:
finished product looks shocking...
*un*finished, but minimally functional. And less shocking, more shorting, but yeah.
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 02:49:18 +0000

Nedminder
62 VBB1T Round Tail W/ leaner sidecar
Joined: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 09:50:15 +0000
Posts: 3868
Location: california
 
Nedminder
62 VBB1T Round Tail W/ leaner sidecar
Joined: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 09:50:15 +0000
Posts: 3868
Location: california
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 02:49:18 +0000 quote
It may be time for a Bridgeport
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 03:20:26 +0000

Ossessionato
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: Tue, 07 Dec 2010 04:44:45 +0000
Posts: 4028
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
 
Ossessionato
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: Tue, 07 Dec 2010 04:44:45 +0000
Posts: 4028
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 03:20:26 +0000 quote
greasy125 wrote:
finished product looks shocking...
I was once accused of making something that was highly polished but deeply scratched.

The thing in question isn't even finished.
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 03:52:51 +0000

Nedminder
62 VBB1T Round Tail W/ leaner sidecar
Joined: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 09:50:15 +0000
Posts: 3868
Location: california
 
Nedminder
62 VBB1T Round Tail W/ leaner sidecar
Joined: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 09:50:15 +0000
Posts: 3868
Location: california
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 03:52:51 +0000 quote
The 7mm case bolt lock washer was a particularly nice "touch".

This ensures continuity, for the shock, which runs from your right hand touching the brake lever, to your left hand, no matter what position the switch is in.

Well done sir.
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 04:42:32 +0000

Molto Verboso
PX 200
Joined: Wed, 25 May 2016 16:14:28 +0000
Posts: 1902

 
Molto Verboso
PX 200
Joined: Wed, 25 May 2016 16:14:28 +0000
Posts: 1902

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 04:42:32 +0000 quote
Shocks following a blinking pattern of a human pulse?

Tactile feedback… solves the problem of knowing if the blinker is still on without the little red light.
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:45:56 +0000

Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:07 +0000
Posts: 7460
Location: Hustletown, TX
 
Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:07 +0000
Posts: 7460
Location: Hustletown, TX
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:45:56 +0000 quote
charlieman22 wrote:
The 7mm case bolt lock washer was a particularly nice "touch".

This ensures continuity, for the shock, which runs from your right hand touching the brake lever, to your left hand, no matter what position the switch is in.


(I got a real charge outta this.)
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:03:18 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:03:18 +0000 quote
First off, to all of you. I figured I'd get some good responses, but was shocked by the punniness of this crowd. Well done, everyone!
charlieman22 wrote:
The 7mm case bolt lock washer was a particularly nice "touch".
It's a 5mm washer, I'll have you know!

There was a circlip on there that I lost during disassembly the first time the switch broke. The circlip might have been gone, but I had that lone lock washer, which is in turn held in place by the screw you would use if you had a wire run into the center of the switch.

For the turn signals, positive comes in from the two outer posts and the signals are the inner posts, so once I actually insulate it in version 2.0, it'll be just fine.

For now, though, yes, I'm livin' la vida electrical tapero and hoping that my blinkers don't leave me short before I can get the improved iteration completed.
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:59:19 +0000

Jet Eye Master
PX221 MHR, O tuned PX200, PX181 Quattrini and some motorbikes
Joined: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 05:16:54 +0000
Posts: 4211
Location: London UK
 
Jet Eye Master
PX221 MHR, O tuned PX200, PX181 Quattrini and some motorbikes
Joined: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 05:16:54 +0000
Posts: 4211
Location: London UK
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:59:19 +0000 quote
Shocking, yet ingenious
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:15:50 +0000

Ossessionato
1979 P150X, 1983 P200E, 1987 PK125XL Elestart, 1988 T5, 1995 PX200E, 2011 Yamaha Fazer 600 S2
Joined: Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:39:51 +0000
Posts: 3918
Location: Veria, Greece
 
Ossessionato
1979 P150X, 1983 P200E, 1987 PK125XL Elestart, 1988 T5, 1995 PX200E, 2011 Yamaha Fazer 600 S2
Joined: Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:39:51 +0000
Posts: 3918
Location: Veria, Greece
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:15:50 +0000 quote
Pimping my Meggy. New spoiler for the front bumper…
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:47:35 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:47:35 +0000 quote
SaFiS wrote:
Pimping my Meggy. New spoiler for the front bumper…
Can you electrocute yourself with it, or does it just look pretty?
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:21:24 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:21:24 +0000 quote
For the record, the new turn signal lever worked perfectly today. Neither signaling failures nor electrocution vexed my rides

I'm still going to do the JBWeld insulator fix, but probably won't die in the meantime.
Fri, 06 Oct 2023 06:01:55 +0000

Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
 
Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
Fri, 06 Oct 2023 06:01:55 +0000 quote
greasy125 wrote:
godspeed and good luck my man, we'll be rooting for you along the way!

if you get stuck or have a question don't hesitate to reach out. I don't think I have much to offer parts wise, but a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on is all yours if you need it!
OK, Scarabeo bodywork is annoying.

What really boggles the mind is all the evap and EGR bullshit. Seriously, someone was on something when they designed that hot mess.

Carb was clean-ish. Tank is hella funky and needs a good cleaning. Several broken junctions in the vacuum system and since the pump is vacuum operated, that would explain the hard starting. The retaining rib for the bystarter was almost completely broken off, so it was flopping around. Fortunately, I have a decent spare.

Marvel did it's job. Piston moved with almost no effort and the engine rolls over easily with the plug out. Cams looked good with no real wear.

Transmission looks decent at first blush, but there are some cracks visible between the belt ribs. I have those service parts.

Engine oil smelled like Marvel and came out looking decent. Filter was used up, so I put a new one it. Gear oil was stanky and had a bit of a sparkle party going on. Flushed it all out and refilled it.

Need a battery and I may try firing it off tomorrow with a gravity feed fuel supply.
Trans looks decent.
Cams look OK.
Lots of broken couplings in the evap.
Damaged bystarter.
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 17:43:20 +0000

Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:07 +0000
Posts: 7460
Location: Hustletown, TX
 
Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:07 +0000
Posts: 7460
Location: Hustletown, TX
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 17:43:20 +0000 quote
Weekend feelz…
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 20:22:10 +0000

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 20:22:10 +0000 quote
birbs: opens garage door, pours a tall beverage and settles in, gazes upon this beautiful sight and smiles knowingly at the hard work and the basking in the out come of a well done job.

greasy: opens garage door, grumbles, walks back to fridge for beverage after forgetting it. returns and gazes at the dystopian scooter graveyard, curses under breath and then decides to work on something else instead.
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 21:21:00 +0000

Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
 
Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 21:21:00 +0000 quote
Didn't get to the garage last night, but I did get a battery and some incidentals for the Scarabeo. Went over this morning, bypassed everything vacuum related and set up a fuel supply. Found the true problem with the scoot: the coil wire had broken off at the coil end. Swapped in Buddy 50 coil and sent it.

Fired up immediately and idled fine. Smoked a bit due to Marvel in the exhaust. Temp came up one click over the middle of the gauge and sat there. Still needs a coolant flush/fill. Brake bleed too.

Now I need to address the fuel and vacuum bollocks, clean the fuel tank and order a few small parts. Ordered new tires at the local real shop after I closed up for the day.

At the local shop, they asked me if I was taking public work due to a bunch of people with weird scooter problems. I declined as it would suck the fun out of work and I know scooter customers are the worst.
It's alive!
Temp seems OK, but coolant will be changed. I'll need to replace the polarizing filters on the dash too.
Piping bollocks
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 22:50:03 +0000

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 22:50:03 +0000 quote
az_slynch wrote:
.... I know scooter customers are the worst.
from the mouths of babes, truer words, etc, etc, etc




just kidding I still like working on scooters, for scooter people
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 23:37:42 +0000

Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:07 +0000
Posts: 7460
Location: Hustletown, TX
 
Not So Moderator
VNB VSC 09C VMA VSX - vbc vmb
Joined: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:07 +0000
Posts: 7460
Location: Hustletown, TX
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 23:37:42 +0000 quote
greasy125 wrote:
…gazes at the dystopian scooter graveyard, curses under breath and then decides to work on something else instead.
That's me going to my storage space!
Sun, 08 Oct 2023 18:04:52 +0000

Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
 
Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
Sun, 08 Oct 2023 18:04:52 +0000 quote
Quote:
Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:18-20
Decided to address the cooling system on the Scarabeo today. It didn't go well. Radiator has a leak and there wasn't much coolant in the system. By coolant, I meant rusty water.

Guess the prior shop hadn't gotten this far down the rabbit hole to find a cooling system issue. Time to look for a radiator and then hope it doesn't have a blown head gasket.
D'oh!
Rad out.
Sun, 08 Oct 2023 22:49:41 +0000

Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
 
Addicted
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
Joined: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:53:03 +0000
Posts: 788
Location: Tucson, AZ
Sun, 08 Oct 2023 22:49:41 +0000 quote
After this morning's defeat, I resolved to sulk a bit and watch some porn:

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 22:45:32 +0000

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
Mon, 09 Oct 2023 22:45:32 +0000 quote
I cleared out my inbox...
so much room for activities now!
Mon, 09 Oct 2023 22:57:12 +0000

Banned
3:5
Joined: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:38:46 +0000
Posts: 8805
Location: San Francisco
 
Banned
3:5
Joined: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:38:46 +0000
Posts: 8805
Location: San Francisco
Mon, 09 Oct 2023 22:57:12 +0000 quote
Finished my un-lift
Mon, 09 Oct 2023 23:45:08 +0000

Ossessionato
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
Joined: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 15:25:08 +0000
Posts: 3993
Location: Florence, OR
 
Ossessionato
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
Joined: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 15:25:08 +0000
Posts: 3993
Location: Florence, OR
Mon, 09 Oct 2023 23:45:08 +0000 quote
oopsclunkthud wrote:
Finished my un-lift
Ohhh, I like that! Drop in a lift to make the floor level and like magic, floor space AND a lift!
Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:56:35 +0000

Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
Joined: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:23 +0000
Posts: 7881
Location: San Diego, CA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
Joined: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:23 +0000
Posts: 7881
Location: San Diego, CA
Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:56:35 +0000 quote
greasy125 wrote:
I cleared out my inbox...
Is that a performance gts exhaust in that pile?
Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:19:02 +0000

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:59:19 +0000
Posts: 14130
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:19:02 +0000 quote
sdjohn wrote:
Is that a performance gts exhaust in that pile?
yes, right next to the 404 trims, an SS case and some GS carbs.

I figured no body wanted any of that crap.




I'm kidding, it's all Bajaj or china scoot stuff
Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:53:41 +0000

Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
Joined: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:23 +0000
Posts: 7881
Location: San Diego, CA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
Joined: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:23 +0000
Posts: 7881
Location: San Diego, CA
Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:53:41 +0000 quote
greasy125 wrote:
yes, right next to the 404 trims, an SS case and some GS carbs.

I figured no body wanted any of that crap.




I'm kidding, it's all Bajaj or china scoot stuff
I figured anything worth anything wouldn't be there but it intrigued me
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 23:51:59 +0000

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
 
Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate
Joined: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:35 +0000
Posts: 8715
Location: Nashville
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 23:51:59 +0000 quote
Today, I finally resolved what was one of my more frustrating, and definitely my dumbest, scooter tuning mistake ever.

The smallstate had developed a bizarre habit of suddenly losing power, possibly even stalling out entirely, when hitting high revs at full throttle. It first began about a week ago after I changed the needle in the carb. I went to go get tacos from my now-former taco truck and every time I tried to accelerate, it would suddenly lose power at about 8,000 RPM's. Like serious fuel starvation, but even more violent. Sometimes it would stall entirely.

So I went through the entire fuel system checking for flow, even going so far as to clean the carb and then confirm flow into the float bowl by removing the drain plug from the bowl and measuring fuel flowing out the bottom of the carb through the float passage. All was well.

Running it on the stand, it would rev out fine. The issue only occurred when the bike was under load.

It wasn't the air filter, because I don't use an air filter since it impedes airflow and I wear out bearings and other bits of my motors long before dust in the air might affect them.

So then I considered the old adage that "90% of all carb problems are electrical." I pulled the ignition out and went through it, checking that all the wires had good continuity. Even though it would rev on the stand, I tried a Known Good CDI off another bike in case the CDI was failing despite only being a year old. I checked timing...the whole nine yards. Nothin'. Everything looked good.

Finally, put my AFR gauge on it to check for certain if I was losing fuel or losing spark (the tach showed good spark, but I wanted to be 100% sure). So I literally welded on a bung for the AFR to test this. That should give you some idea of how frustrated/at a loss I was by this point.

Take it out for a test run and the AFR shows that I was getting fuel up to and through the point of failure. WTF??? So I turn around to head home.

As I got close to my house, I hit the throttle, it revved up and, once again, it choked and died as it got solidly into the power band. It was so sudden, I assumed the carb must have fallen off the boot.

Since I was almost to the house (and on the downslope), I just coasted it home, looked into the frame to reattach the carb to the motor, and realized that the electrical junction box, which I moved from the motor to inside the frame when I rebuilt the motor this spring, was sucked into the carb mouth and had the air intake almost entirely blocked.

The whole time, that junction box was getting sucked into the carb once it was drawing enough vacuum and blocking the carb mouth, then falling back out from the bumps in the road once I was off the throttle and had eliminated the suction.

F M L
Like that, but jammed into the mouth of a PWK carb
Thu, 12 Oct 2023 00:21:47 +0000

Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
Joined: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:23 +0000
Posts: 7881
Location: San Diego, CA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
Joined: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:23 +0000
Posts: 7881
Location: San Diego, CA
Thu, 12 Oct 2023 00:21:47 +0000 quote
epic, chandlerman!
Thu, 12 Oct 2023 00:35:48 +0000

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:23:21 +0000
Posts: 6221
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:23:21 +0000
Posts: 6221
Location: Tega Cay, SC
Thu, 12 Oct 2023 00:35:48 +0000 quote
Almost unbelievable, but no one could make this sh!t up. Good man for figuring this out.
  DoubleGood Design  

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.


Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

All Content Copyright 2005-2023 by Modern Vespa. All Rights Reserved.

[ Time: 0.3450s ][ Queries: 4 (0.3198s) ][ Debug on ][ 297 ][ Thing Two ]