Modern Vespa

Hello all!!!

I bought a Piaggio Typhoon 50 back in June. It now has just over 1000 miles on it. When I checked the spark plug, it was black with carbon crusties.
The scooter runs great, but I'm concerned about how it is firing.
Is this normal? The manual states that the carburetor is factory set to run lean. It doesn't look that way to me.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

personally i'd throw another plug in it and ride.

sometimes burn patterns on the plug are dependent on what type of oil is being used.

always be sure to use a high quality 2T oil, then check your oil pump injector adjustment and check the air/fuel mix screw on the carb.

put on a few miles and then pull the plug for a read.

remember, it's good to be rich. cuz if you're not rich, you're lean. and then you're gonna blow it up. and when you blow it up, you're gonna be poor!

best,
-greasy

Classic! Where do you get these gems?

Is it likely that most carbon deposits attract to the plug and not so much the cylinder?

That crap gets all over actually. The piston and cylinder would look pretty clean if you looked at it, but the top of your piston and cylinder head will have to periodically get "de-coked", because they'll look like that spark plug after a while.

If it isnt running rich (stock jetting with no mods?) then you need to switch oil. Use a top quality 2t synth or synth-blend. No lawnmower or boat lube (yes I have met people who buy lawnmower lube by the gallon because it is cheap )

I've been using Fuchs Silkolene Pro Scoot 2T fully synthetic since day one.

thats a decent oil...

Do you run it wide open at all? If not, then that can cause carbon to build up at a faster rate. Remember that you cant hurt it by running wide open. They designed it to run that way.

If the case above isnt true, then it sounds like it could be running rich. Put a new plug in and do a plug chop (run wide open all the way up to top speed, hit the kill switch at the same time as you let off the throttle, and stop as quickly as possible, pull the plug. Should be chololate-milk colored).

its still under warrantee right? have them look at it if you arnt sure.

I'm planning on buying a few new plugs. I'll try the plug chop. Is it okay to remove the plug when the motor is still hot?
Aside from the condition of the plug, the scooter really feels healthy. It's got quite a bit of balls for a 50cc. If I had never pulled the plug, I wouldn't have any reason for concern.