Modern Vespa

Yeah, the crazy sh!t in the Stella electrics are maddening. Something I don't want to go thru again. If I was keeping one around, I would do what Chris said and tear it all out and replace, but good for you for putting it right. I sold mine to fund the P project and am not looking back.

First time split. Super crusty PX200, kickstart gear was skipping, turned to complete overhaul...

Ooo!!!...that P2 has a "Special Ops" tactical black crankshaft!

That's "Carbon Black."

The Edison Effect

Any idea how many Kms it's done?
Enjoy seeing work scooters used to this level .

Getting my VW bus ready for spring. Lots of slop in the steering box that will need attention. Aftermarket boxes are often crap, so finding a good part is the hardest part of the whole job.

My Stella came to me with a nonworking clutch switch. The root problem turned out to be defective casting/machining in the shifter tube. There was surplus metal at the base of the threads for the clutch switch that prevented the switch from screwing in correctly. The lads at LML just mashed the switch in anyway, damaging it in the process. It was a PITA to get the old, mashed up switch out, but after that retapping the threads and installing a new switch was easy. I was lucky to source a NOS LML switch. You may end up having to use a Piaggio switch. In that case, the connectors are different so you will have to do some splicing.

There have always been Monday morning and Friday afternoon cars. Imagine ongoing labor disputes, workers not getting paid, factory closing and opening again. Probably one of the biggest reasons for LML's crappiness.

Glad you are getting it sorted.

[quote="orwell84"Glad you are getting it sorted.
[/quote]

This was one of the first jobs I did almost 3 years ago.

I've made this Stella my own to the point that I wouldn't trade it for anything now, but, yeah, the built-in bodginess sometimes makes me nuts. Just saw a promising MacGyver for the shizz-ass fuel gauge sender that I will have to try at some point.

The joke has always been that LML only made two scooters per week: The first one on Monday and the last one on Friday.

That's definitely the case when talking about their electrical systems.

I'm not entirely certain what I'm going to find when I start digging, but I also discovered that the low beam wire is broken and the horn doesn't work, so I probably get to run another couple wires while I'm at it. Yay.

If there is one thing that sums up LML quality, it has to be all the lockwashers that crack in two after only one use. Very reassuring.

68k Kms on speedo and owner said he's been riding about 7 years with a broken cable...

Just amazing isn't it. Probably 50,000 miles without splitting the engine. Cruciform is heavily worn but not ruined.

Parts for my Scarabeo project shipped and nothing was backordered forever. By no means a comprehensive list, it should cover initial service needs. Then I can see if the Marvel worked.

Flying home from GJC on Sunday. Two quiet shop days, then back to the grind. Three weeks without wrenching or riding is a bit of a drag.

Crusty PX is ready for power washing. Looks like I'm the first one going in the clutch. Split and cleaned up the "carbon" crank. Big end and rod are fine, I'm only replacing the washers. I'm really surprised of the condition of the rod for that mileage...







Crank before...


Crank after...

Today's scooter adventure was taking the VBB to get gas and wine. I dealt with several punch list items, like getting the GPS speedo properly installed and fabricating a better speedo mounting plate, then set off to get gas.

About as soon as I left the house, the skies opened as a microcell thunderstorm passed over. By the time I got to the gas station, I was soaked. By the time I got gas, the sun was out again.

Then, on the way home from the liquor store, my exhaust decided to fall off, so I got to ride the last mile or so with no exhaust. Talk about loud. It was also interesting how the performance changed without the resonance from the pipe. Definitely would not recommend.

And I need a new exhaust bolt. Meh.

...discovered that the screws that hold the float cover onto the SI carb are 4.5mm

the hell? who does that?

Chandler, you don't carry baling wire in your tool kit along w/ zip ties & duct tape???

And those 4.5mm screws are for your convenience to tap out to 5mm when they strip! .

Trust me, I was definitely thinking about what I might have that would let me limp home with it in place. Some baling wire might have actually done it, too!

Now we know one reason for exhaust springs.

I suspect the exhaust spring had been the only thing holding it on for a while.

The exhaust grounded on the lip of my workshop entrance when I was rolling the bike out, but I hadn't given it any thought other than thinking, "Hmm...that doesn't normally happen," when I left.

I just hope I have a spare exhaust bolt roaming around so I don't wind up playing the Pay More For Shipping Than Parts game. again.

Time to level up folks….

The bar has been raised!

Talk about drawing attention!!

And yes, it is a scooter!

Nice looking race boat!

What kinda scoot motor you gonna put on it?.




wait... WHAT????

Honda PCX 150 scoot internals…

Bonus feature … has a water tank so it can squirt a rooster tail!!' I shit you not!!!

hahahaha! so dumb I love it!

perfect for flat, straight Texas roads-- can't imagine riding that thing in the canyons!

There is a local guy here that has been making those for a few years. It usually starts out with a donor Jet-ski with a blown motor and a Burgman 400 that was laid down. Then he somehow makes it work.

in today's episode of questionable life choices...




figured I didn't have enough holes in my head, irons in the fire, food on my plate, previous engagements, or already established commitments.

and when it's running:
https://www.faultline500.com
http://www.californiamelee.com
http://www.thesnowballrally.com
http://motherlode400rally.com

We are gonna have sooo much fun respraying that thing g … start picking a color

that's the plan. although, they might bristle at the power train choice, it'll look the part-- scored some bbs spiderwebs in the deal to keep it correct!

projecting October for the SoCal TT as debut...

I very much like this "we" you speak of!

funny enough I saw a color I liked on the way to the shop today. I'm kind of beholden to a specific palette, the interior is blue and it is mint so I have to kind of sort of operate in that confine.

but my brother was all: how much do you think the shop will charge to spray this? to which I answered- we're fucking shooting this thing. I know people that will help with it.

plan right now is just to rough out the bodywork, which there isn't much on truthfully. a get some primer on the fugly stuff. and set to tackle the mechanicals and suspension, then loop back on cosmetics.

end of the day it's gonna be a 10 on 10 car. not a resto cream puff

SBC swap?

correctomundo!

LS backed by an AT. penciling out the MT (T56/TKO) swap-a-roo was looking a bit steep for my cheap ass. and the car is an auto anyway so I'm not feeling tracking down swing pedals what with all the other stuff I want to throw money at.

and yes, I did measure for a G3 hemi. I'd have to section the shock towers and the exhaust situation is a nightmare. so pass.

Is that a 2002ti?

nah, I don't have 2002 money!

it's 72 E3 Bavaria

2 words...Motor rad

Swapped the stator on the Velocifero. Made better sparkles with the new stator and a borrowed plug cap from a Honda.

Carb is off, I was still de-crustying it. There were live spiders inside. Should have new bits by Friday.

My dumb ass had to know if the motor would at least pop, so I misted a bit of premix into the open inlet and booted the kickstart a few times.

It lit. And did a burnie. And tried to launch off the lift. I was holding the rear frame to stabilize it, so I lunged for the kill switch and luckily didn't miss.

Definitely a Foxworthy moment there. I knew what a carburator was for, could have passed on the demo.

Fortunately, nothing broke and nobody was filming, so sorry TikTok.