Modern Vespa

So some of you may know about 5 years ago I got my very first Vespa, which was a '1966' Super 150. about a year after owning it to my disregard my local Vespa mechanic had told me it was a bodger from Vietnam.

Ok perrrrfect, Just what I wanted to hear! (I had Troy at Fada Scooters do his best to try and salvage the botched engine to which turned out to be an expensive disaster. Would have costed just as much for a brand new LML engine!

After selling it ASAP, I decided to get a 2013 SYM Wolf Classic 150. This bike was absolutely fantastic, it was fuel efficient, fun, and was retro-stylish!

....unfortunately my time with the Wolf was short lived, after a year of ownership some young woman cut me off on a 3 lane raod during rush hour and I hit the back left corner of her bumper. The bike was badly scratched, the frame had a crack in it. (Was a write-off). I came out with a few bruises and a badly sprained ankle (needed physio for 4 months!)

Great, just my luck right? You would think by now maybe this would be a sign to stay away from 2 wheeled vehicles.... But i think not!

So i decided to go back to Vespa once again! But this time around I had done extensive research and low and behold... I got a lightly used 2005 PX150 with 2,200 KMS. Mint condition, fell in love with it. I've had the PX now for almost 3 years now and I can say what an amazing scooter! Super reliable and fun, I get complimented almost every time I take it out.

Aside from regular maitenance, the fuel line was replaced (gas leaked everywhere due to a crack) its been a blast driving it, starts up everytime no matter what the temp outside. It now has about 5,100 KMS and still drives like when i first got it.

Can someone please move this one to the NSM side of life, cheers

Nice ride! I do like a PX me.

Nice PX. I`ve just sold mine after few months of owning it. May be i wouldn`t if it was 150 or 200

I am also debating on adding a Polini Kit or D.R Kit 177-180 cc along with a SIP performance exhaust down the road... and the icing on the cake would be a Cosa 2 sport clutch

That will give it that nice extra oomph currently i get about 80 KPH (50 MPH) top speed and its just lacking a bit

You can't go far wrong with the Polini 177, SIP Road 2, and si24/24 carb. I up- geared and went with the factory 7 spring clutch because it was way too stout for the stock gearing. I can do 62 all day long and top out over 70.

Best,
-Slashy

I was thinking more along the lines of a SIP racing exhaust or maybe a Pinasco racing exhaust

Or is that too much? I haven't really really figured out the perfect combination yet, of course I want more top and low end power but considering price a factor (not looking on spending $2,000+ in parts alone)

So long as I can reach 65-70 mph I'm happy

Super15066,
The exhausts are tuned to work with the cylinder ports in a certain powerband. If you put a "racing" exhaust on a touring cylinder, you'll lose a lot of torque and not gain any noticeable top speed.
The SIP Road 2 is a good match with the Polini 177, and will get you 65-70 no problem... Provided you're geared to run that fast.

Fair warning: Make sure your jetting, timing, and cooling are up to the task. If you overheat and seize the motor at 70, it'll set you up for a *very* bad day. I know this from experience...

Best,
-Slashy

What do you guys think of this deal:

https://www.readspeedscooters.com/products/3572311-vespa-px125-150-177cc-upgrade-kit.html

You only need that CDI if yours is 2012 onwards. If it's earlier, you don't have a restricted CDI.

I've got a BGM 177 kit, a SIP Road 2 and a 24/24 carb and the scooter goes really well. I also upgeared to a 21 tooth cog. Some will advocate a 22, but most of my riding is 2-up and on hilly terrain, so I'm OK with top end being sacrificed for more pulling power.

Btw (for the OP) - don't late-model PXs already have a Cosa clutch?

johnymoore,
I don't know what the CDI is worth or if you actually need it. Without the CDI it's not a very good deal.

HTHs,
-Slashy

If you decide to go with a cylinder kit I would highly recommend going with the poling instead of the malossi. I had them both and the malossi in my opinion is a very weak kit. The website advertises 15hp on the malossi 166cc kit. I have a expansion chantre and a bigger carburetor and I am not impressed with the power delivery or torque output.

Don't get me wrong, the Malossi made my PX significantly faster, I picked 12mph combined(cylinder kit, expansion chamber and carb) but compared to the Polini there is no comparison.

The poling that I had on my Stella was very noticeable, it always had great torque and great top end. My current PX feels very weak.

I don't want to mislead you, Malossi makes good products, I have two malossi 210cc on a couple of other vespas but the 166cc aren't worth it in my opinion.

i'll throw out another option...how about turning your common PX150 into a rare (at least rare for the US) PX200?
You'll need;
-PX 200 cases
-200 crankshaft
-200 piston, cylinder, and head
-200 primary gears
-23 tooth clutch
-200 exhaust
-24/24 carb
-200 plastic engine shroud

The EFL 150 transmission, auto lube, starter, stator, rear brake, and all the wiring will swap directly into the 200 cases. You can sell your old cases, cylinder, carb, clutch, and exhaust to recoup some of your money. There's nothing like a stock 200 that you can hop on the highway and run it at max speed for a 90-100 mile stretch at a time without fear (or a CHT gauge) of a seize.

I was wondering about the PX200 route. The rarity seems to add value. These guys are selling one for near 6K!

https://www.rondaleyscooters.co.uk/scooters/vespa-px-200-conversion.html

No need for the 200 in my opinion. I have a PX200e and they are fantastic engines, but it'll cost you big to go that route. I also have a late PX150 and went with a full engine rebuild and upgrade. Once you've ported it (easy to do) and added the requisite kit and caboodle, the small block PX is a great motor. You'll also be keeping the original factory engine in the scooter, albeit upgraded. Good provenance will be important in years to come.

johnymoore: Typical for Ron Daley scooters. Overpriced, so called "limited" PXs. It's not worth it...

If you have a 2011 onwards PX you'll need these to go to 200

Cases
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/PN26482021/

Crankshaft (there are cheaper options)
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/BGM031800G/

Cylinder
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/9020017/

Cylinder Head
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/9020003/

Cylinder cowling
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/4350039/

23 Teeth clutch sprocket
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/BGM6523S/

65 Teeth Primary
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/BGM6565KT/

Exhaust
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/P2002022/

Carb
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/BGM8570/

And a de-restricted CDI if you don't want to change your stator and flywheel to a DUCATI ignition
http://www.scooter-center.com/en/product/3331766/

The input shaft (tree) is the same on the newer PXs so you don't need to change it. Your EFL gearbox will also play well with the advantage of the shorter 4th. Of course, new gaskets, seals and bearing are also needed...