Modern Vespa

so I tried posting this in the general forum and the only response I got was to try the "not so modern"- so here I am looking for sage advice from you bunch of wizards

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hey folks - I've been digging around to get a steer on setup for my scoot and have managed to overwhelm myself with the advice and options so thought I'd create a thread to help declutter my brain

I have a 2004 LML Belladonna / Star 150 2T with a Cozy "Rocket" sidecar. Apparently one of the previous owners installed the Polini 177. I've yet to check whether they also installed the crank or did anything to the carbs.

I just use the scoot for cruising down to the beach (lucky enough to have 3 within 15 minute's drive), summer-time commutes (about 6 times a fortnight) - for about an hour each way.

The only problems I have are that I'm hitting about 85 km/h tops and losing speed on uphills - plus some tank slap at certain speeds if I'm only one-handed. Apparently this is quite normal with sidecars and is down to the lean angle of the bike - while this can be adjusted, it seems that generally a steering damper is required so I don't appear to be a rude bar-steward who refuses to wave back to other people (for fear of losing my life) !!!!

I've yet to check what else has been done to the engine but would appreciate people's thoughts on the following setup and also how I would go about confirming the key components so I can see whether they've been upgraded or not:

- 24/24 or 26/26 carb
- SIP Road 2 exhaust (the local guy suggests that the fatter header pipe simulates an expansion chamber and has quite a big impact on power?)
- Long crank
- Cylinder and Engine temperature gauges
- Clutch?
- Ignition? Apparently this can help with keeping the CHT and engine temp down?
- steering damper (apparently the pragmatic / cheap way is to use a gas-ram from a car boot)
- gearing ... it's been suggested that dropping down will help reduce the speed loss on uphills. However ... there's no shortage of torque down low - in fact it will happily pop the front wheel - so I'm thinking maybe go the other way so I can increase cruising speed? Hopefully that then means that I'll be able to get closer to 100km/h which on the uphills will then reduce to 85 instead of 85/60?
- the current LML speedo is toast so I'll probably replace with a SIP digital that includes a rev counter etc., ...
- engine temperature gauge

What are your thoughts? Am I on the right track? How would I confirm whether I already have an upgraded crank and / or carbs, etc., ...

The aim is to just do some maintenance and keep it reliable but make some 'common-sense' mods to get the best out of the beast. I'm not going to be thrashing this but I guess that's the whole point: make some mods so that the engine can easily handle the sidecar with my 12 year old son and our greyhound in there

At some point, I'd be keen to investigate what else could be done - along the lines of maybe a complete engine swap - can a 300 be bolted in and modded?

I know that some people might be tempted to suggest just getting something different, but I'm keen to use what I already have as a base. If only for the character and charm

Thanks in advance for the advice

Kia Ora bro,

I guess you are a jafa? If not, whereare you from?
I grew up in Te Awamutu.

85km/his pretty good sith a sidecar &177 motor.
Try using the "SEARCH" function most of your answers... plus there is something great on sidecar steering setups, as the wobble seems common.

Heres a few potentially useless searches...
"Sidecar wobble"
"Sidecar setup"

SubEtherBASS - thanks for the tip. Amazing the difference a change from "shudder" to "wobble" can make!

More searching and reading over vino to follow ...

And yes - a jafa (honorary - born in the UK but whanau is from Kaikoura).

You seem to have gone off course a bit ... do we need to send food parcels? ;P