Modern Vespa

LOL - You guys are all wrong . . . All you need is a good can of "Old School" STP to keep these old junkers going!

Mike

LOL, true...I had forgotten about STP "the racers edge"

Yeah, if you replace the piston, then you'll essentially have a bike that will go an additional 50,000 miles. If you like it you might as well keep it- scooters make good commuters, and once the piston is replaced, it can be as reliable as anything. Except maybe a 2012+ Burgman 400 with ABS. Now that's a nice commuter bike.

Burgman 650 Executive for me please. Oh wait.... I already own one

I dunno- I don't like the 650 as much as the 400. It's not as nimble as the 400, gets worse gas mileage but has about the same amount of storage. I think of the 650 as more of a cross-country cruiser than a commuter bike. Plus I fear the 650's CVT- after about 50k miles, you're living on borrowed time. On the 400, you can inspect and refresh the belt and rollers when they get worn.

On the other hand, it is mighty smooth and comfortable, and still weighs less than an MP3 500, and a real lot of folks get 80,000+ miles on their CVT.

You've got to use the compression in a can treatment.

Very true...I'm on the fence regarding trade or keep. At the moment, my requirements are not a "need" its more a want and that can get you into trouble

They have a Synthetic Oil Version...

Where'd you get it from? I wouldnm't mind seeing the old girl again - does it have the Giannelli muffler? If so then sounds like you got her - around 44,000 miles?

I got her from a car dealer near Braker and I35, forget the name. I always wanted an MP3, and she was a bargain since some of the plastics were cracked and she looked, well, a bit tired and the car dealer didn't want to deal with her. About 42,500 miles. Giannelli exhaust, Bitubo shocks, LED taillights, Stebel horn, a few Italia stickers here and there, and a PVC drain pipe as an airbox mod (that was the thing that made me suspect). I haven't opened the variator yet since it all works really well, but I bet I'll find a fuzzy washer and some DR pulleys in there- everything about her was well-maintained.

I did a few updates, wrapped in vinyl, fixed the body panels, got a new airbox and put in the clamshell airbox mod, added a USB power and voltage monitor unit in the dash for a camera, new piston and rings and of course new fluids everywhere and new brakes and a new mirror, LED headlights, new brighter LED turn signals with load resistors to slow them down, modified seat by Nikita's Upholstery, new legshield, various other bits and pieces like the Piaggio badge instead of the Gilera. I may need a new back tire soon, but she rides like a dream now- plenty of power, good compression, no airbox oil, no notch in the steering.

She looks a little different since her vinyl wrap:

I've same problem mate took engine out today ready for new parts I think it's disgusting that piaggio can sell a bike knowing about this problem bike only done 8k so not even run in in my opinion total crap

Another engine out ready for re build I find it disgusting that engine has only done 8k piaggio should pull there finger out

Outstanding! The only cracked body panel when I had it was the left side rocker panel under the floorboard. Jackass jogger on Cesar Chavez and Lamar caused me to swerve into the curb.
I traded her in at Woods Fun Center at Braker & I35 - so that's likely where you got her.
Enjoy! Her name was Brutto Moto which in Italian is loosely bad motorcycle.

Brutto Moto- it fits. I think I'll keep her name. Especially in light of seeing novak0797's problem- the 493 engine needs a piston redesign. Maybe longer skirts to keep it more stable in the bore or something. Add a little more space for more metal between the rings. The 460 engine never had these problems, and it was only a slight bit smaller in diameter and had a tiny bit shorter stroke, but it sure seems that the 493 has considerably more problems.

I got her from a used car dealer not far from Woods, and she had smashed plastic on both front side panels at the mounting screw as well as a cracked lower rocker on the right side. She went down slowly at least twice more. I think somebody got her from Woods, dropped her a few times in their driveway thinking that she was a trike, then said no more- traded her in on a well-used Hyundai at a severe loss.

@novak0797- I'm sorry to hear about your scooter's top end blowing up. Is it the same piston problem? Cracked land between the first and second ring?

It's been a while since I posted but decided to not fix the MP3. Combined with the sale of my Aprilia Caponord and purchased a Concours. For the amount of miles I'd be putting on the bike(s) everyday let alone every week, it just didn't make sense. So now down to two bikes vice 3.