Modern Vespa

What carb is that ScooterRaton?

DellOrto PHBH 30mm side draft. Reeds are new to me so I have stuff to learn. Need to fit a filter or go buy pantyhose!

This scooter was one of those things that was just too good a deal to pass up.

The wire choke was messed up so I just changed it back to a flip choke.

I'll get a few more photos tomorrow if you want.

I've been following this broken clutch cable subtopic here and I am wondering how you guys do it w/o using first gear? Maybe my technique is totally different and there's a better way? I think we are all trying to match speeds shifting when there's no need to stop, but starting from a light is the biggest challenge.

I do it w/ motor running in neutral, idle set as low as possible. When it's time to go I push the bike as fast as I can then gently drop it into first and rev match best I can to change gears once I'm rolling, very light throttle when changing. Well adjusted shift cables pay off bigtime here. But how are you guys popping launch wheelies?

Uni sells offset filters that might clear the frame. And don't forget to oil it.

i don't really claim to have a technique, but the wheelies are from preemptive throttle use to avoid a stall. Throttle up just a bit and bang it in. I like your push off idea. 2nd just offers the chance for less speed change as opposed to first. Maybe Jedi modkuo can further enlighten us .

Seems like a wheelie is more likely in second if you are gassing it. If the idle is set low enough, I can just run alongside it idling in first gear but no way I could do it in second. So if you push fast, drop into FIRST without gassing it, you should be much closer to rev matched and you can just ride away w/ no wheelies. This is easier w/ a smallie and works great until you come to an uphill stop which is a problem. Find another route.

Want, but step back a little so we can see your whole cheap ass scoot.
And please make the pics smaller, those huge motor shots are hurting my eyes

Voodoo, it's the math of the gearbox. Wheelies = lots of torque at the wheel, right? In first, you are multiplying the speed of the engine by 14.74, but in 2nd you are multiplying it by 9.73 at the wheel. To your point, for any given speed, 2nd gear needs less RPM. As an example, pick 6 MPH. You need 2000 RPM in 1st or only 1500 in 2nd. But the thing I think that matters is that you need to traverse the wheel from 0 RPM to 29000 RPM or from 0 RPM to 15000 RPM. From a standstill, 2nd will be easier to do, less abrupt. From a push, I think you're on to something.
primavera_gearing by john.headley, on Flickr

Anyone ever had to replace the bronze small end bushing on the connecting rod? Vespa 90 would be close to what I'm dealing with.

I'll need/want to do it in the bike or at least with the crank still in the case. been thinking I could make a fixture that mounts over the studs to keep everything true.

At least they were in focus!

You can see I ran a new green wire.

So today I drained the gear oil. Wasn't too bad looking but looked low. no obvious metal. Refilled with Redline, lubed levers, tubes, linkages etc.

Clutch plates were stuck so I just got going as if no clutch. duck paddled a bit then dropped into first and was able to hit second pretty easily. Held the clutch, let it warm up worked the clutch and they loosened up after a couple of blocks.

Ran great! When this thing hits 5500 to 6000 rpm...hang the freak on! I didn't see anything over 220 F on the SIP speedo CHT I installed. Got some ethanol free gas, went for a ride...and smiled.

Yeah...the seat cover is funky. But it is comfy and growing on me! It still has the original dealer sticker and came with the original key tag as well as a Vespa air pump too.

Few more!

For some reason I really dig that goofy tail light.

Yeah...there's some things that at first I was kinda "meh" like the lens grilles but they have been growing on me.

I'm not used to having keys so turn signals are new!

Hit 132kph the other day on the flat so I could show a Gilera runner who is boss. Not bad with no expansion pipe. Still wish I could get her Dyno'd. M244 for the win.

Found an air filter to fit that carb. Also found a headlight grille that didn't sell at the last swap meet and of course I had some flat black paint so...why not!

Also found a dyno for that PSP 2000 with a Malossi 210.

Looks like about 23 hp at 6K rpm

7th one downhttp://vintagescooters.free.fr/tuning/px200_exhaust/px200_exhaust.htm

Rebuilt my crappy lathe today so I could make some tools to remove the small end bushing on my MotoBi Ardizio.

Nice job Patrick...I was wondering how that was coming along!

I 2nd that...... it's always nice to see you using your engineering skills to make tools and make custom parts i.e. your velocity stack.. how'd that turn out.. was that stack able to fit within the confides of the carb box top?

the bell fits well, have a ton of jets on order to dial it in but here's a shot of the clear cover to check the fit.

Fine Italian replacement center stand feet....

Yesterday I got around to fixing that broken clutch cable on the smallie. Tried to do it with what was in the bike, to see if I would have gotten through it at the roadside. Problem 1: the clutch cable spare I had was really a front brake and would never have worked . Problem 2: I find it easier to remove the rear wheel and do it from the left side with less stuff in the way. Can you do it with the wheel installed? I'm assuming you'd have to come from the right (same as cable adjustment), but with the wheel on the ground it seems like it'd be a cluster. Anyone have tips on how they'd do a smallframe clutch cable without the convenience of a jackstand to hold up the rear and the tire off?

When I finally found a cable in my stash to work, it was like 2 feet too long - I think I remember ordering it when a vendor was out of stock on smallframe ones and just order a largeframe one. Thinking maybe it would be good to carry a cable cutter in my spare tools stash.

Moved the scooter out of the garage for 30mins so I could tidy up a bit and it pissed down, that counts as washing it surely?

I hope that's a pre-tidy up photo.

Unfortunately not

Saw this today.

Www.mostexpensivethingz.com/oldest-vespa-world-auction

Manual assembly and machining of the parts? The third vespa made ever? Check it out and....if it is legit....

Let the bidding begin!

I was actually "Caller #28" on a radio contest!!!! I WON! shitty movie tickets but I'm trilled! LOL Whooooo Hoooooo I never win anything! YAAAAYYY


Oh sorry.. this in NSR.. but I feel like I won the lottery... about 20 bucks worth but it feels great! HAAAAA

What shitty movie?

So it was YOU who answered that tough question about Hanson's third single!

Picked up a CSA rear rack today!

I pulled out the head off the stuck p200 I picked up back in January. Doesn't look too bad in there except it is coked up.....and seized at the bottom of the bore. No houses or scuffing. It looks like it is from condensation in storage. Started soaking it it with pb blaster and whacking it with a one pound dead blow. No movement yet.........

I don't even know.... I was just stoked that we were caller 28 and won something... I don't care if it's "LIFE" (which we saw last night.. :/ ) but I won a prize!!! lol I'd take a free bag of popcorn... the point is.. I won something!

Cheeky Monkey!

I hate to do it.. but use the double nut method (unless you have a stud puller) , pull the cylinder studs out of the case and then you'll be able to remove the cylinder..

I don't have one.. but something like this will save you the "double nut" method


http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/331996273724?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true


and it looks like you either need to replace those studs.. or at the very least run a die over the threads... the shorter threads go in the case, the longer ones go up into the cylinder (I know you no doubt know this.. just saying)

gave it a 'yad think I wa gonna sell it' wash........

Looks Beautiful B... nice work!

Yep. Top shelf.

Not enough pics of that one Bitz. It's gorgeous.

Looking good bitza ... one of my favorite scoots