Modern Vespa

Rough go on the broken plug. I'm glad you got it sorted without having to replace the head. And speaking of head, i'm looking at where you have your CHT sensor location. It there enough space at the very top of the head to run the sensor wire out past (or through) the shroud? I'd like to see some pics!

Finishing that up will be this weekend's project.

There are some more changes to the head that weren't in that picture yet, plus I'm going to make some changes to the shroud as well.

Beat the last round of storms last night to get a couple coats of epoxy and high build primer on my bus door. I found high build a lot easier to spray. Some runs in the epoxy, but they will get block sanded out doing the guide coat followed by more high build (on the outside).

Also gave my 200 headset top the same treatment. The paint did not adhere well when I painted it with the rest of the scooter. This time I took it down to bare plastic and hit it with adhesion promoter before primer.

… Lost the back brakes right before the canyon ride at the mile high rally. (Oil seal)


What a kick in the bag.

Oof, that sucks. Sorry man!

Oh, bummer!!!!

That stinks! Hope your back on the road soon.

Bugger. 💩

I finally tore down the motor from my GL, which is the monster BGM that died on my way home from the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride this spring.

It had lost compression on the way home from the ride and then leaked gearbox oil all over my workshop floor after I got it home.

And while it was not good, it could have been a whole lot worse. As soon as I pulled the head, I knew it was Not Good. Shrapnel. So. Much. Shrapnel.

Pulled the cylinder, though, and there was not a single scratch in it. I have a spare head on the shelf, since it got chewed up pretty bad, too, so all I need to buy for the top end is a new piston.

The root cause seems to be a failed big end bearing on the Mazzi bell crank. That's the second or third one of those that's failed. I guess it's time to find an alternative, because that's some BS right there.

I'm amazed the cylinder survived all that. That's a real pisser about those cranks. Seems when I'm poking around doing research, people have issues with them. Great pics of the damage by the way. You'll probably have that scoot back on the road by this weekend. 😉

Ugh! And that the reason why my 2005 PX210 scooter is still under a dusty tarp in my shop for the past 4 years. It needs a new crank, and i refuse to install a Mazzy. The only problem is that quality 57mm and 60mm x 110 bell cranks don't exist.

Hah! I have to order parts from Germany, and if that doesn't happen over the previous weekend, there's not a chance of them getting there that fast. Yeah, that's why I went back to the Mazzi after the last one died on me. KingWelle make a 60mm bell, but it's perpetually backordered, probably because it's the only option.

I'm very seriously contemplating getting a 62mm Uncle Tom and grinding out the cases. I made the jig for it to do my P200 that I've never really done much with, then actually used it successfully on the Smallstate, so why not here, too?

I still need to figure out what happened with the oil leak, because I can't find any signs of cracks. ( ? ) I haven't gotten to the rear hub seal yet, so I'm now cautiously optimistic that's going to be the ultimate culprit.

Assuming the cases are usable, they're definitely getting a reinforcing plate welded in. Anyone have a link to that template handy?

Big end definitely gone. But looks like it was running very lean pre damage. Detonation blows big ends for sure. With the resulting mess, it's hard to say for certain what was first.
Sure it will be running again soon

I think the clutch side seal also failed, because what little gearbox oil was left definitely had a whiff of gasoline to it, but viscosity seemed about right, so maybe it happened about that same time. Combine that with lots of riding on the needle diameter (which is my achilles heel of setting up motors) on a hundred degree day and it was a recipe for disaster.

I did not win the raffle bike(s) at Mile High, but I did bring home a souvenir…

Oh, that sucks, dude! I picked up that same souvenir at Rides of March. Hopefully you get Corona Light and not Corona Extra.

Verily.

Also… sorry about the GL. Makes start wondering about the GT…. wondering if it's the mazzy crank in the Spanish that shit the bed on me a few months back? Will see shortly when it gets up in the lift.

Bummer on the Covid front BN. Hopefully it'll clear up quick!

Could be. At this point, I'm just done with Mazzi cranks. This is the fourth one that's died a premature death (two other bells in this motor, plus the great Smallstate explosion).

They have cost me literally thousands of dollars in collateral damage to other parts. You'd think I'd have learned before now.

Bummer to hear about this. Given that it looks like it was running lean, and possibly have an air leak; what is the real cause of this crank failing?

Failure of a good part due to poor running conditions
or
failure of a poorly manufactured part

What was your experience and conditions for the other failures?

R.I.P.

"Really I'm Pregnant"

C-man...

You could always try Pinasco:

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/long-stroke-crankshaft-pinasco-25080902-vespa-125-vnb-gt-gtr-1-super-ts-150-vba-vbb-t4-gl-sprint-v-1-super-1_46006100?usrc=longstroke%20crank%20vespa%20GL

I thought you were due for a break after working too much, hurricanes and the oil seal. You don't mess around. Hoping for a speedy recovery. Rob

Sadly, that's for small cone motors. I have a P200 crank in that motor.

It's probably going to be the 62mm Uncle Tom, I just gotta do it.

Also, anyone know how I might figure out which size piston I have, given that the crown is pretty well destroyed, which is where they barely mark them?

That must have been making some god awful noise. Takes a while to get to that bad.

There is a conrod kit for that crank. ~$80 cheap.
While saving money, there's an opportunity to straighten it, balance it and adjust the balance factor. More fun with engines.
Much richer next time. Probably more taper than mj.

Get well soon!!! Almost a month after I got it for the first time...

whodat said the same to me too...

(yesterday I…) had the chance to stop by Khajiit House of wares. Good times as always catching with Greasy125 talking life, scooters, cars, and all the rest. Always worth the pitstop. Thanks for making the time!

With Calipers at the pin

So awesome!

GL thanks so much for making time in your travels to stop by! it was so awesome chopping it up about bikes and builds and old cars and life in general.

a welcome distraction and it was a blast to see ya!

also, somehow he left without buying anything?!?? I must be losing my touch!

What? How?

I was somehow able to muster up a seemingly mystical amount of restraint and control. Don't ask how, cuz I dont even know. Its a mystery within an enigma inside a whoTFknows' puzzle.

I've seen only a couple of comments on here about the SIP performance clutch, not good ones from memory.
But just saw this tonight from a guy who does some lovely builds in the UK -

"I'm running one of these clutches in a 38hp quattrini 260 motor.
The best compliment I can give the clutch is that I don't really think about it… it just gets on with the job, fuss free & without drama… no drag or slip & it has a nice action to it too.
I initially I had the motor built-up using a BGM super-strong with the xxl springs fitted - and straight away that was just slipping everywhere. Then tried the VMC 10-spring job (again with the strongest springs fitted) but that just slipped constantly on the dyno aswell !
The SIP clutch is next level in comparison and it's good for 50+ hp apparently."

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/clutch-sip-race-supersport-vespa-125-vna-ts-150-vba-super-180-200-rally-px80-200-pe-lusso-t5_93440000?usrc=sip%20performance%20clutch

The traditional BGM Superstrong and SIP's version are both only good up to about 28 HP. It seems to be sort've a magic number with clutches, because the egig one-finger is also only good to 28.

I've been curious about these clutches for a while, since that's the basic design for smallframe, lambretta, and motorcycle clutches. Getting the mass off the crankshaft and onto the primary, where the clutch plates can do their job and protect it from shock only makes sense.

Maybe while I'm going crazy with my next rebuild/recovery project, one will fall into my cart.

SIP's clutch above is not a version of the Cosa II though is it? Or are you not talking about the one shown above?

I'm talking about their Cosa2, not the one shown above. I'll randomly guess it's good to the mid-30's without knowing anything else about it.

Right, that's what I thought you meant.

No need to guess, the guy above had it on his 38hp Quattrini and said it didn't slip like the BGM and VMC it replaced.

Welded some clips onto an old metal basket I had lying around and now I have a snap-on shopping basket for the Lammy.

[quote="chandlerman"]
Welded some clips onto an old metal basket I had lying around and now I have a snap-on shopping basket for the Lammy.



That would look great flat black. Nice job repurposing that basket!