Modern Vespa

Howdy All!

I recently purchased a 200GT with a salvage title. It has over 20,000 miles and and some cosmetic damages. I'm assuming it was previously stolen then recovered as the lock that attaches to the frame is completely cracked. The guy I purchased it from added a third party key to it allowing it to work with 2 keys (original must be used to allow CDI to work. I request help on the following:

1. I'd like to restore it to operating with one key has anybody had any experiences with cutting out the old fractured lock holder (the one welded to the frame) and replacing it? I've found the pieces at the SIP scooter shop. Just would like some insight if anybody has done it before.

2. The flood boards are bent so much so that the passenger peg does not fully extend. Anybody have any experience with bending pieces back? Perhaps tack welding a pad eye?

3. This thing has over 20000 miles. If I installed the 219cc kit would this rejuvenate its life? Or am I looking at the existing engine failing in the near future?

Thanks for any words of wisdom guys! Much appreciated!

-Chris

Lock cylinder[/img]

Posting some progress!

You have to grind all the welds and take out the whole cylinder. Fit the new one and reweld it in place...

Thanks!

Just bought a Lincoln welder (K-2185-1) and the extra pieces.

I've been using a dremel-like tool to lop it off but progress is slow and the angles are weird. Is there a different method or a different tool I should be using? I only have one weld left to get through but it's in a hard to get location.

Is fit up difficult? I'm assuming you tack in place until you get it just right?

Day 2 Scooter log, Earth Date 30May2018:

Today's progress, finally removed the key ignition cylinder. New pieces and welder arrive next week. Very stoked. I'll clean up the previous weld once I get the new cylinder. The dremel tool came in handy today, probably the hardest test I've put it through. Took me three blades to take it off entirely.

Any I ideas how I can bend the flood board back? It's bent about an inch inward on the port side.

After some thought I finally figures out how to bend the floorboard back to the original position. I had to get pretty creative. Initially I was going to weld a couple pad eyes to the board then ratchet it down, this was less intrusive and worked perfect.

Interesting project! Good luck with it!

Thanks Berto been fun so far.

Great! I had just wanted to let you know the posts are appreciated and people are watching, since the conversation has been one-sided so far

I was hoping so. Just got my welder in so I hope to patch everything up this weekend. Thanks for chiming in! I'll post more this weekend.... stoked.

Great work and very creative in your frame straightening methods. Who knew a telephone pole and bricks could be used for bodywork.

I got kind of desperate! Had to get creative. I finished up my weld job this morning. Pics this PM.

Did some heavy lifting today. Got the weld machine in practiced laying down some beads. Took a bit to get used to, I'm looking forward to more projects where I can use it. The ignition cylinder went in nicely, I was kind of worried about getting the right amount of power to get good penetration. Here are some shots of the finished product. Not the prettiest but they hold well and are aligned.

As I was putting it all back together I came across a couple new problems:

-The speedometer needle seems to be hunting (acting erratic) any ideas on why this could be? Everything seems to be connected properly but is giving a delayed and at times a false reading.

-The push function to open the glovebox doesn't seem to be opening, this should be easy to fix.

Will take any suggestions regarding the speedometer issue.

Thanks for looking folks.

Have you tried oiling the speedo cable?

I haven't tried that yet. The cable is brand new is that what you're supposed to do when you install one? I noticed it was difficult to take put in and take out of the speedometer itself.

Sorry, I didn't realize it was brand new. In that case, I would not expect you would need anything for the cable.

It sounds strange there would be any difficulty attaching the cable to the speedo. Assuming it's the same as the LX (and most other bikes I have seen), the assembly should just be a square cable that fits into a square hole on the back of the speedo. Then a threaded cap screws in to keep the speed cable attached to that housing. There nothing that should bind or need to be forced into place.

I did the same over here in the uk, I bought a 2005 gt 200 with similar batlle scars!
I removed my ignition lock tube and it is currently at my local scooter shop being refitted, when welding on yours did you make sure the plastic glovebox opener is in the correct place so when you push it it actuates the opening of the glovebox?
I'm sure you did but something so simple can be missed?

Good for you for finding and restoring it. The 200's are one of the best scooters Piaggio has made. They keep going and going. 20.000 miles is barely broken it. W Leuthold has over 80,000 on one of his 200's. I wouldn't kit it but that's me. It's not going to make the scooter go much faster. You can kit if if you want to. My mechanic wants to kit my LX 150. It has 49,000 miles on it. So it can be done even with high mileage scooters.Good luck. That scooter will last a long time if you keep up with the routine maintenance .