Modern Vespa

My 2005 Gt 200 just started doing this. When you accelerate from a stop, you get a hard shifting feel on take off. It used to be a smooth, seemless take off, but now it's got this rough shifting feeling. Is this my weights and rollers? The bike has 7500 miles on it.

It debris build up on the clutch bell. Remove the clutch bell and scuff up the inside surface with 120 grit sandpaper.DO not scuff up the clutch pads. Takes about 20 minutes. I have to do this every couple thousand miles or so. Most of that time is taking the transmission cover off. And don't strip the transmission cover screws. I replaced them all with hex head bolts. Remove them and put the back on with hand tools, not power tools to preserve their integrity.

The procedure is pretty straight forward. YOU can watch the scooterwest GT250 transmission service video to see the procedure. You will likely need a special holding tool. Some people have used a u-bolt instead of the special tool.

Best
Miguel

Thanks Miguel! I was hoping it wasn't anything more serious. I'll do a belt change while I'm in there.

Hi Mopedia, my wife"s LX 125 3v had the same issue since we bought it at 1000 km. Three weeks ago I did a 15000 km maintenance and changed the belt, which was actually in excellent shape. Clearly no problem there. However , when I cleaned the clutch with compressed air there was a lot of dust coming out. After putting all back together the acceleration was no longer abrupt and remarkably smooth and even.

Dirty clutch was clearly the culprit. I don't know what the previous owner had managed to do within 1000 km, but her vespa now runs far smoother. As always, anything clean always works better...

Good luck with cleaning!

Thanks FW for your reply! I'm gonna undertake this job as soon as it gets a little warmer here in NJ. I'm sure the clutch is way overdue for a good cleaning. I doubt it was ever done since new. Thanks again!

Sorry to threadjack here but can you elaborate why you should not scuff up the clutch pads? I've read a few posts on other forums/watched youtube videos where they specifically hit the pads and bell housing with 220 grit emory paper.

Update: I ordered the clutch holding tool today from Scooterwest and watched the video of the GT250 transmission service. I just have one question. I can see all 10 of the 8mm bolts I need to remove that are holding down the pulley cover. Do I also need to remove the two phillips head screws at the bottom of the air box? I can't tell if those screws hold down the pulley cover as well. Thanks for your help!

Yes, you have to remove the two (originally three, but the front one always gets thrown away as superfluous and almost impossible to replace) philips screws holding the airbox, and move the airbox up out of the way so that the cover can be removed.

Do NOT undo any of the bolts holding the oil pan cover on.

Thanks for the quick reply!! That's exactly what I needed to know. Not to worry, I won't touch those bolts. Thanks again!

Let us know how you get on with it.

Good on you off DIY'ing it. Its good to know how you bike works. Miguel

Update: I performed the recommended service and now she accelerates very smoothly from a stop. The whole job took me about an hour and fifteen minutes to complete. I had to order a new belt cover air filter as the old one disintegrated in my hands when I tried to remove it. The belt actually looked fine, so I'm gonna leave it for now.

Great to hear you got the job done with good result

Enjoy the rides!