Modern Vespa

On the upside, someone wrapped all the wire in electrical tape so that it's extra sticky and unpleasant to handle.

Had time today to do the pads on my GTS. Galfer has messed up the part code for the rear, pads need modifications to fit the newer caliper. On the plus side, more contact area since they are bigger. Bad news, I found a few loose bolts, one was on the rear wheel. Thankfully it didn't came out causing a massacre. I don't know what the hell did the dealer do during the mandatory PDI (if they actually did it)...

SaFiS,

What's you overall option on sintered pads?

I used a set of EBR HH series on my Kymco Yager/Frost GT200i in the past. They had lively bite and plenty of stopping power, but they seemed to significantly accelerate rotor wear.

I always used sintered pads on all my bikes / scooters over the years. I like the lively bite as you said, the difference in stopping power and that they don't fade easily. To be honest I never really cared for the rotor wear. I would replace them anyways when their time would come (min. thickness)...

What is that…a KLX or something? Crazy that someone would go out of their way to purposefully create such a mess of the wiring. Did someone try installing a dual sport lighting kit there? The BD lights are quality units. Depending which Squadron it is, (Sport version draws 30 watts, Pro version draws 41 watts), i would think that the stock lighting coil would produce enough watts, but you'll have to research what the stator actually puts out.

Yep, 2008 KLX 450R. Don't get me wrong, I have a good opinion of BD. I think it's the Sport. Stock lighting coil only puts out 28W and the total stator output is 40W. I thought it had an adjustable CDI since it had a selector pot on it, but I'm beginning to think it's an aftermarket regulator.

There's also a goofy switch block on the left bar that I think is an aftermarket add-on, based on the parts diagrams for this bike. That's just another bit of butchery.

I'm debating buying a new harness and then getting the proper connectors to add stuff in in a non-hacky way. The tank buffer on the right side of the frame was missing, so the big Acerbis tank was grinding the main harness into the frame. I'm checking for shorts/high-resistance first before telling the owner to pony up for a harness.

That looks like a really old dual sport kit that Baja Designs used to sell many, many years ago. I'm betting that someone has already converted the stator over to a full wave DC system (floated the ground). It also looks just like a BD regulator rectifier as well. The adjuster on it is probably for turning the voltage up and down. No worries about the exposed potting, it doesn't affect the durability of it whatsoever. I would use a bit more than two plastic zip ties to ground the reg/rec to the frame though.

And yeah, i'd be tempted to start over with a fresh wire harness as well.

Braking News!!! Breaking News!!! New PX Polini cases (both sizes) at EICMA!!! Photos are taken from FB and SIP's reels (guy needs to get a better phone). I can spot some really nice upgrades like the hybrid reed plate where you keep the autolube or go full reed block, clutch side bearing and seal that can probably be replaced from the clutch side and a really nice clutch cover with a proper ventilation system. Also noticed that the gearbox oil fill bolt is higher (hence the new ventilation)...

well that's a spicy meatball!

Good to have some potentially viable competition to Malossi for cases. Nice engineering improvements, too. 😀

Like the relocation of the oil filler. The ventilation thing looks like overkill to me, but perhaps a bit more foolproof than a hose. Seal replacement arrangement looks nice too.

Some competition for Malossi (couldn't call Pinasco competition) can only be a good thing.

Exciting stuff from VMC too. Cases made the right way, with the reed block in front of the crank and what it appears to be a direct induction Stelvio??

Oooooooh...

If you're gonna compete with Quattrini, you gotta get on the direct induction train.

Looks like the VMC 213 with the potential casting for direct induction might eventually happen.

Now that is cool!

In the wake of Safis' Eicma goodies, here's an interesting one I saw today on a FB group. I didn't know Pinasco were persevering with the 206, but here it is. Decent size transfers! Unlikely to be a M1XL beater but it does look pretty nice.

And then there's this from VMC. What a great idea. Gets rid of the PITA removal of the exhaust bolt that usually means removing the wheel or at least deflating the tyre. Also the removable/changeable outlet like on the Siluro is very smart.

Ranger 2.0 with direct intake.

And a Pinasco 251 smallframe cylinder.

Something like 22hp when fitted in largeframe config. Still less than an Egig 170.
How is it that Pinasco is still operating? They probably employ 30 in the marketing department and 2 in R & D.

Or a 33 HP Quattrini M1L60S. Or a 44 HP Quattrini M200S.

That direct intake Ranger could definitely be the next hawtness. VMC are raising the largeframe bar big time.

More info on the Polini cases and a video from SLUK. Cases will go for €800 which is a steal...

https://www.polini.com/en/polini-crankcase-for-vespa-px-and-pe/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL5BNhFyv4I

Cool. Good to see all these companies still developing/ improving the product.

And some more from VMC. 10 Molle clutch gets five discs and the Ranger gets the direct induction that was hinted months ago...

Build another set of 12" rims for my sprint, now i have 3 vespa with these 12" rims alongside the muscolar pink

Looking good!

What's up big E-Beth! Scoots are Looking good as always.

Today I…this week I….have been ogling the Polini instagram posts, not the weird AI chick though

Cheers from San Diego peeps

Doing great, i found happines once more while riding vespa every thuesday from jakarta to bandung (thats 350km) i lose weight and feel lighter again, feel like i am back in my youth
Thats the reason why i am active riding again, hope you all have a wonderfull day and enjoy life.. cheer

Wow that scoot looks sick! How is the handling on 12 inch E?

That is very good to hear!

'nother free puppy.

You are the king of the stray dogs!

Finally...
Assembled, first start, now for jetting....
https://youtube.com/shorts/uJQLsHQ4H_E?si=UHIKSuu2pZXLfCLi

Impressively tidy!

Scooter looks nice, too.

Looking and sounding great! Nice work

I hesitate to share this update, because I have a reputation to protect, yo, but...

Today, along with various Riverside Stuff, I finally pressure-washed the ramp into my workshop and put down anti-slip tape because I've almost slipped and fallen there one time too many.

Mine is similarly slippery when wet, I have to power wash it every other year. It's amazing how slippery it can get!

1) Acquire new workspace.
2) Damn near take a header multiple times during the process of rebuilding multiple scooters.
3) Apply anti-skid stripping to the workshop ramp.

Safety came third, in accordance with a documented standard. I see no issue here.

Found the shelves I was looking for in stock at a local distributor/installer. Great price and no freight charges. Picked them up on Monday, started installing them today

I have never felt so seen.

The safety thing became more of priority in my late 20's after getting a nasty gash from an angle grinder kicking back. As well as occasional trips to the ER for homeowner related mishaps. More recently a focus on ergonomics when welding under a car so as not to do 2 hours of planking…with my neck. And lastly my 7,400 mile bus trip leaving me with gas pedal knee. Which now prevents me from crouching on the floor like a 3rd world mechanic.

Chandler should appreciate my initial assessment of the latest "free puppy". I didn't really get to look it over when I collected it, as my buddy that had it had places to be and wanted it in my truck and down the road ASAP. That should've been a red flag.

Been busy with family tasks this weekend and did zero scooter stuff. Only unloaded the scoot so I could move furniture for my neighbor and then load up for a dump run tomorrow.

Gave said "free puppy" a quick look over without any tools this morning. Here's the first glance report:

Positives:

1) It has a key and a title.
2) The tires are less than five years old.
3) It rolls easily.
4) It's not a DiTech, so the engine's a carb'ed Minarelli.
5) It came in one piece, instead of buckets or Home Depot boxes.

Concerns:

1) The guy who gave it to my buddy signed the title, despite the title being in his wife's name. More paperwork will be needed.
2) Front brake is deader than disco.
3) Battery may be deader than the front brake.
4) Autolube is leaking everywhere.
5) Steering lock is inop. Chained it to the KLX until I can stow it better.
6) Kicker actuates with little-to-no action and doesn't return.

While better than some, it meets most of the criteria of a "free puppy". The biggest benefit is that the engine is good for making silly power and the front rotor is big enough to remediate most abuses of silly power (once it is fixed).

Tonight we were treated by Mother Nature and got to see Northern Lights!

Hec