Modern Vespa

Ok, so I've been riding a lot lately -- really loving being able to jump on the GTS and go wherever I want. Two 250-mile round trip weekends in a row -- one through the pouring rain -- and I was loving every minute of it.

Then today I go out to get on the Vespa to go to work, and the rear end sagged like a worn out mule!

I immediately figured that the shocks had simply decided to change their adjustment (even though I already had it at the softest setting). So I checked, and they were still where they were supposed to be.

It seems, instead, that the shocks just gave up. I have no clue as to what may have caused this, and I rode home last night with no incident. The only other symptom is a mild 'clunk' when rolling the bike. I thought I might be imaging it, but when I sit on the seat, even with the preload at the stiffest setting, the handgrips now feel "uphill."

Anybody ever have this happen before? Is this a known issue? I already have to go to the dealership an hour away, but I was planning on riding there.

Shock came loose at the top?

I looked at the top, and both shocks are still firmly attached to their moorings. This is one of those things where I almost think I am going nuts -- until I sit on the bike and just know something is wrong.

You need Greasy,Gary,Smorris, one of those guys.
Only other thing I know is you blew a shock.

I just had to have my shocks replaced. they blew after about 15 months. I don't know why. But I am glad I bought the three year extended they were replaced for free (just some PBR). Get it looked at quickly ot it could cause exhaust issues. On mine the extra travel of the rear end put extra torque on the exhaust manifold bolts and snapped it off. That was a huge project and more PBR.

Man,
ET4s must be tanks because(knock on wood)
I've had no real problems with 13,500 miles

Same with me man. ET's are the small frames of modern vespas.

Springs are springs and springs will 'settle' over time. Give them a click or two and away you go. It is a very common problem that affects virtually any spring activated device. Every bike, atv and snowmobile I have owned has done the same thing. A high end shock should hold it's spring tension longer than stockers, but don't hold your breath on that one either. I have read over on the GTS Owners Club Forum that there is a fellow in the UK who sells after market springs for the GTS shocks.
Bottom line is that you aren't experiencing anything abnormal.

Dave

and because of that, vintage.
Don't tell Eric

Let me mention that I only have about 1400 miles on this GTS.

I don't think it would be "normal" for shocks to last that brief a time.

It does sound like the consensus is "wait for the dealer to realize they get to do some warranty work."

How much do you weigh and do you ride two up at all? The softest setting is for the lightest loads. When you sit on the scoot do the shocks 'bottom out'?

I had to bump mine from 2 to 3 at less than 1000 miles, I'm about 200lbs. I consider the shocks front and rear to be pretty much bargain basement items.

Dave

I weigh about 160, and I never ride two-up, though I usually have a duffel bag or laptop case with me. Aside from that, I did take one trip with about 6lbs of extra gear.

The dealership set up the shocks at the softest setting for me, and I kinda just left it there -- it was a little softer than I wanted, but not enough to cause a problem.

After this morning's sudden change, even on the 4th position the scooter bottoms out.

You know what, with such an abrupt change in ride height, I'd have to say that an internal part in the coil over shock broke. You can check the spring itself for a break, and look at the shock for hydraulic fluid wetting the outside of the housing, but if neither of those signs are obvious, take it to the dealer and have them troubleshoot it. Something ain't right!

I took advantage of warranty work when my bike was new. If I remember correctly, I got myself a new front shock, which I still have, just before I installed my bitubo. With that said, it's kinda weird to have a rear shock go out. Get on that before you lose it making a sharp turn or something.

That "mild clunk" that you get when you roll it... I assume that's new since the problem occured, right? I wonder if maybe one shock actually broke, so now the other shock is doing double duty. That would explain how you are able to still ride, but are experiencing that "uphill to the handgrips" thing. I'm doubting the explanations that have to do with seals blowing and so on. The hydraulics in your so-called "shock absorbers" are all about damping the rate of spring compression/expansion. The weight of the bike on the springs compresses the spring until an equilibrium is reached. This equilibrium sets the height of the scooter. If the ride height has suddenly changed, then something has affected the equilibrium. My guess is the shock mount has broken at one end or the other, or the spring inside one (or both) of the shocks has broken.

Of course, it goes without saying, that I am always wrong. It'll turn out that your preload is not set high enough. It'll be interesting to hear what you find out. Please be sure to check back in and let us know.

First an apology, I didn't read the very last line in the first post about the clunk.

Have a look under the left side of the scooter. You will have to lie on the ground and look up. just ahead of the variator housing you should see a spring. Is it attached? Are all the parts around tight to the touch?

See this thread that just kind of twigged my mind:

Whats purpose of silent block hellllp

This is an Aprilia Emmett is talking about, but the Vespas have the same design.

Dave

Took a closer look earlier today, and I was able to confirm that the spring is still there & attached.

I was also able to confirm that the problem is the shocks -- the "clunk" is coming from one (or both) of the shocks when weight is applied.

Guess I'll be calling the dealership on Monday to let them know they will need to have shocks on hand as well.

Ouch...I know of problems iwth aftermarket exhausts, but that aint right.

Thank god for warranties.

It must be karma -- just the other day I posted mocking the warranty, and pretty much though it was unneccessary. What could wrong, this is a wonderful machine!

I was quickly reminded why Italian engineers have the reputation that they do.

That extended warranty might not be a bad idea, either....