Modern Vespa

Just got an Et4. Need to change speedo cable, oil and filter. Think I can do them myself. Any hints and/or tips. Are they difficult jobs

Im talking blind here as I have never had a ET, but if its anything like the LX or GTS, those are both pretty easy jobs.

the cable screws into the back of the dash. The hardest part is getting to the back of the gauges. I cant say where all the screws and whatnot are but if you look around you should see them, just dont force anything.
The other end simply runs down to the front hub.

The oil change is totally simple. Unscrew the filter, clean the mating surface, moisten the new filter gasket with fresh oil and screw it on by hand 1/4-1/2 turn past contact. Of course remove the drain plug and use one of the triangular catch pans to drain into. (easier between center stand) Fillerup, run it for a few seconds and top off. Always check the levels on the center stand.

Have you done the rear hub fluid? thats just a touch more tricky getting to the drain bolt. theres a picture on here somewhere showing it. Its a allen head that you access through the rear wheel from the right side. Use a extra long allen or a allen socket on a long extension.

good luck

here:
ET4: Gear Box Oil Change

And the spark plug trick:

ET4: Easy Spark Plug Change

And your new bible is in here: (Service manual)

[topic630]

I've moved this thread to General Discussion for more visibility. Project Reports is for completed projects and their related documentation, such as photos or instructions.

Thanks for contributing,
Steve

Changing the speedo cable on an ET is as easy as changing the headlight. Unscrew the cable from the back of the headset and remove the bolt securing it to the fork, then yank the cable out with a pair of pliers. Get a new cable and thread it through, then resecure everything. Pretty damm easy.
Changing the oil may require you to loosen up the muffler, but I get around that by purchasing a very short 24mm spanner. If you use a socket wrench, you'll have to move the muffler.

i've got zero mechanical experience and it took me about half an hour to change the oil and filter (well, plus one day because i put the wrong size o-ring in the oil filter cover the first time ). mine's got a different engine than yours and luckily the oil drain plug is much easier to get at in the earlier models, but there are some threads on this forum (with pictures!) that show how to do it on the LEADER engine. i was a bit anxious about draining and replacing betty's vital fluids but it was actually a lot of fun

p.s. have a look through all of the threads on oil changing even if they are not for your model - there are a couple that have some really useful suggestions for not flooding the entire neighbourhood (or soaking your centerstand) with used engine oil. i also found it useful to jam a rag up into the area under the filter cover when i took it off, to absorb any oil that runs out. you kind of need three hands to hold a funnel up under there.

... and one more thing (sorry!) ... if your scoot is in a filthy disgusting condition like mine was, make sure you brush off any loose dirt and crap before starting, otherwise it'll get inside when you start undoing bits. luckily i figured this out before starting the procedure...