Modern Vespa

Well, I filed on the mozzarella and it came out pretty good! I'm still undecided if I'll use it or not.

RB, thanks for the details! The new needle bearings I received didn't have a ridge to stop the bearings so I pressed them all the way in flush. I didn't like that very much so I put my old bearings back in. Mine hold the bearings just fine while allowing the axle to be pushed through the bearing races.

I was short a bearing and Voodoo kindly supplied me with an assortment of needle bearings. None were the right length, but the right diameter, so I ground the end off to be the correct length.

The old swing arm distance, and the new swing arm distance are identical, after I ground off and filed the extra mozzarella. (That cracks me up Safis - I love it!)

Check it out!

One thought.
Have David open up another one and have a look - shoot a pic - and send it.
You might find that the others he has in stock are either the same - or completely cleaned up back to the steel like yours and RB Prior's is now.
In other words - the issue may be poor deflashing of the casting material - rather than missing casted material. Might be worth a quick call and a pic.

BTW - for the flux core welders - my experience was that adding gas
(making it MIG) allowed for the welds to improve significantly - and those pictures on prior page pretty well look like the difference. And of course - practice... but going to MIG if your machine will allow is a nice upgrade.

Thanks CM - this is exactly what David and I discussed via email. You never know what the others look like, and it could be more energy and effort for naught. We'll see Monday! Thanks for the info. Currently I feel Bill Murray point a finger at me

Gascooter:

Your machining looks superb and your swing arm looks great. I would use that swing arm as it looks just fine. Your original bearings look great too. You are now ready for the installation of that swing arm to the front fork. However, I would first press in the sealed bearings, install the large circlip, oil seal, brake shoes, new main axle* with spacer, greased speedo gear, and mount the spring to the swing arm. It is easier to handle without the fork attached to the swing arm. When that is finished, mount the fork to the swing arm and attach the top of the spring to the fork. Then run a new speedo cable down the fork and attach it to the swing arm. It is a lot easier to do it now than when the fork is installed. Attach the damper to the upper bracket and reinstall your fender. You are then ready to install that new modified fork back in the bike. Good luck.

*I found that my old axle did not work with the new sealed bearings. They would sit too far down on the axle. The newer axles have a larger diameter and the bearings will ride farther up the axle. This is the position they are installed in the new swing arm.

It's a steel insert placed in the permanent mold before the molten aluminum is poured in, just like your fork is a steel insert in the mold when they cast on that lump that carries your mudguard and lower bearing. Also how the brake pins are cast integral with your engine block. The extra aluminum isn't a "coating", it's called flash and usually removed by the foundry. More here: https://www.alcastcompany.com/tubeinsertaluminumcastings.html

Ahh, it's not Mozzarella? Heh heh... Thanks for the dirt on the "flash"! I learn something new every day!

And thanks for the heads up on the easiest way to assemble RB - much appreciated!

The large main sealed bearing will ride farther up on the axle as it is installed deeper in the new swing arm compared to the original one. A large circlip holds the bearing in place. I also used an oil seal to prevent dirt from getting into the bearing area. The old felt seal is not used. Below are some photos that show the bearing installation as well as the new axle.

Well, I received the new brake/spring shaft and installed the old brass spring base with new rubber grommets, and the washers. And cleaned up the brake arm actuator and installed the brakes. Also put in the bearings.

Now I'm waiting on more parts. Unfortunately, as RB explained earlier, the new bearing rides further up on the axle shaft compared to where the old bearing rides. And it turns out the axle shaft is a smaller diameter where the bearing now rides, which means there is slop, which means I need a new axle. Either that or shim it with a beer can. Naah, not going there, so I'm waiting on parts.

Gascooter you are looking good. Thanks for the update on your project. It appears you are using bearings that will need to be greased later on. I used the sealed bearings instead. Either way, it will work fine. Without the sealed bearings, you really want to put in that oil seal to keep dirt out of the bearing. Make sure that large circlip is in place. When you install the new axle, once it is inserted to where the large bearing offers resistance, put the nut on the other side and use it to pull in the axle slowly. If you try to install the axle from the brake side with force, you run the risk of pushing out the smaller bearing on the other side.

I really like your installation of the spring mount in the swing arm. It is nice to put back as much of the original parts as you can. When it comes time to press on the lower fork bearing race, if your original one including the bearings are okay, I would use them. Just clean off the fork paint where the race goes first. I left the original lower race installed in the frame and used it. If your upper race is still installed in the bike, I would also use the original upper bearings. Just clean and grease them well. I did just that when I saw the poor quality of the new fork bearings and races from India (see photo). My original fork bearings and races were in great shape and yours maybe too.

I finally - FINALLY - got the fork upgrade completed. I rode it around the block and it is night and day difference - now it feels like a proper front end. I can't wait to ride it around town - oh wait - maybe later this year. Might as well put on the rear shock and see about switching over to electronic ignition while I'm playing hermit...

oh wow that is superb qascooter!

Nice job, came out great. I don't know about the front brake cable though, kind of a tight looking curve there.

Gascooter - You did a magnificent job re-building that Allstate front fork. It looks great! Thanks for documenting the procedure as you did. It will be helpful to others who wish to upgrade their Allstate's front fork.

yeah you will want to sort that front brake cable outer - it makes quite a bit of difference to get rid of those bends. I had a weird bend on my P cable for years and only fixed it after a prospective buyer complained about the spongy front brake. I couldn't believe how much it improved once I trimmed it shorter and got the curves to be gradual and smooth.

oh man - Ruby (?) is lovely - but me thinks she's gonna get a little lonely when it comes to in-town errands.
B-62 looks superb!!!

Not sure what the etiquette is up there - but down here - tho we are on lock down - they encourage getting out for fresh air as long as we keep distance.
No better way to do that than on the scoot with face shield up.
Lots of waves and thumbs up from the walkers here.
Got same from police car today - as they were patrolling park to ensure people were keeping distance while walking.
Made me smile.
Lots of people out - doing a pretty good job of making space for ea. other.
Few cars on road.
Kinda perfect.
What's it like up there?

Thanks guys!

Yeah, I definitely need a longer brake outer, so I can leave the cable out in front of the swingarm. I'll take some measurements and remedy the issue.

And I need to shorten the speedo cable - the 180 bend is silly, but it's the first time it's actually worked consistently since I got the speedo. Go figure.

CM - the mood here along the Central Oregon Coast - The weekend of the 21-22 the coast was inundated with people coming over for the weekend from inland, emptying grocery stores and clogging the parks, which caused the governor to follow suit with California. Stay home when possible.

The coast here is a lot of small towns (5-10k people) spaced apart. Well, Friday about 6pm on the 27th I made a run to the store and the place was empty, the roads were empty, and all was pretty peaceful in Florence. Safeway put down tape for social distancing which was cool. A bunch of restaurants closed their doors and others are takeout only

Florence is 75% retired people. The population usually swells with snow birds during the summer, and vacationers coming down the coast, or coming over to play in the dunes, the beaches, or the lakes. It'll prove to be an interesting spring/summer. It feels like it's the calm before the storm. I sure hope not...

Stay safe everyone!

Gascooter - I think I know what your problem is with the brake and speedo cables. You have them backwards. The speedo cable is run down the fork and exits at the hole in the fork near the top of the spring connection. The brake cable is run down the inside of the fork all the way to the bottom. If you run them like this, they will fit fine.

Dooohhhh! Thank you RB! And I gotta say, I sure appreciate all your help (with pics). Without them, it would've been...difficult.... Thanks again! Now time to get those switched. Good thing I've got that clamshell headset. It'll be off in 30 seconds...

Sorted the cables, and also installed a new rear shock. Now waiting for a break in the weather....

Thanks for your help RB - I appreciate it!

Looks wonderful and original, especially love the rear lite and may have to see if I can salvage mine that's like that.

But I think you still ought to trim the brake outer until it makes a smooth large radius without dropping down and coming back up for a little firmer front brake action, YMMV.

Bike's gorgeous regardless.

Hey Brother T - I think I'll do just that - a little trimming on the brake outer will clean it up nicely. I hope all is well with you!

Looks so much better.

Thanks Lynn - But Voodoo's got a point - I'm going to shortening it by a couple of inches. - Even better now!

Its showroom - if they had made them like the real deal with from damper. Gracious that looks good.
Weather is gonna break.
Super nice ride.

Thanks CM! I've got a 20/20 carb and exhaust to install, but I want to do some baseline runs with what it is stock before I start swapping parts to make her breathe easier.

And why I haven't done that yet is because I'm working on passing a lodged kidney stone! It started towards the bladder on the 19th, then made some more progress on the 30th. Peeing through a strainer for the boulder that will emerge. Ha!

Naah, kidney stones are no joke. Fortunately there are no others in my kidneys it's only 3 to 4 mm. Had me puking from the pain - amazing.

All that to say, I've been banned from two wheel travel until Rocky makes an appearance. I have about 30 seconds when this thing starts moving to get into crash position, then all hell breaks loose (hot and cold sweats, involuntary verbal stream of profanities, flopping like a fish, etc.)

So hopefully it'll pass soon. I'm jonesing bad for a ride! Oh hey, does anybody have any advice on getting Rocky to move along? My regimen is tons of water, lemon water, apple cider vinegar, chinese herbs, FloMax, d-Mannose, Tumeric tincture, more water, put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up, Cat-Cow yoga stretch. I'm more of a "throw everything at it and hopefully something will fix it" vs "one thing at a time to see what fixes it". When it comes to my body anyway.

I'm thinking of watching exotic belly dancers so maybe I can pick up some of those undulating moves to move it along. Ha!

Ha indeed.

I know I shouldn't but honesty, policy etc.

Remember Stein's Law and ride soon, Mister!

Been there once myself qa, hopefully never again, feel your pain. Keep guzzling the juice ... you'll pee that little SOB out soon and all will be well.

Rocky made an appearance last night!

^^^ That came out of you? It makes me cringe when I think about it. Hope you are feeling better. Go for a ride ASAP!

Thanks guys - yeah, since March 19th that stone has been working it's way from my kidney through a 3-4mm passage (ureter) to the bladder, then out the pepe (urethra). Now I feel as if nothing even happened.

All's I could think when it made it's appearance is "I can ride again!".

Damn! I remember back when being Stoned was a good thing!

Luckybear

I went to install the 20/20 carb, replacing the 20/15 carb, and it doesn't fit in the carb box. So David at ScooterMercato was kind enough to hook me up with a carb and lid. I installed it yesterday - woohoo! I actually ported the carb to the box, and box to the inlet - slightly. After watching CharleyMan grind away - but I didn't grind where the Air/Fuel screw hole is.

So now it's time to get the jetting proper. Currently the engine is a 125cc but I'm going to put a 150cc cylinder on it after I run this for a while.

125cc - SR pipe - 20/20 Spaco carb
Pilot - 40-130
Main stack 140/E3/94
A/F screw 3 1/4 turns out

With the above setup it fired right up from cold with choke. I haven't had a chance to run it yet on account of the rain, but maybe tomorrow.

So what do you all think of the above jetting for the 125cc? I couldn't find any matches in the existing carb charts...

Oh, and I did manage to get out for a ride before I put the carb in. I went to the Shippin-Shack to drop off a box, then a 28 mile loop through town to the beach. If anybody asked I was on an important mission - to the Shippin-Shack.

Pics of the trip made my day.
Gorgeous.
As for the carb grinding... caused a full on belly laugh.
Have major jealousy every time I see that color blue, the clean gray rubber, that cool simple tail light. That is one lovely scoot.
Surprised you didn't decided to do the same loop a second time after getting home.

OK, so I had the following setup:

125cc - SR pipe - 20/20 Spaco carb
Pilot - 40-130
Main stack 140/E3/94
A/F screw 3 1/4 turns out

Ran great, but I wanted to ensure I wasn't running too lean. So I upped the main to 98, then 102, then 105 - still no sputter at WOT but more 4 stroking mid throttle.

Then I got back home and pulled out my printed chart with all the various scooters and their stock jetting. And realized that I should try to set it up like a P125x or a PX150. So I went this route:

125cc - SR pipe - 20/20 Spaco carb
Pilot - 48-140
Main stack 160/BE3/105
A/F screw 3 1/4 turns out

Ran, but sputter at top end, so put in a 102 main jet. Runs pretty sweet with this but it still might be too big. You see, I also drilled out the carb inlet to 2.0mm, so from CMs trials, I need a smaller jet to dial it in nicely.

I'm going to run it with the 102 for a while and check the plug, then make a decision. This all took a little over an hour, and the rain is back for tomorrow, so back to work on the motorhome floor.

Does anybody have any ideas or thoughts on which way I should go, or does my gameplan sound sound... Thanks!

Pics great inspiration.
Keep em coming.
Does this have a 3 speed or 4?
Must feel great - have roads largely to yourself!

Ride like a boss and fix it like a boss

Gascooter - I installed a new SI 20/20D carburetor on my 1963 Allstate and it fit just fine. I did put on a 150 cc upgrade so with a SIP Road 2 muffler, my final jetting was as follows:

Main stack: 140-E3-102.
Slow idle: 40-130

I got some mid range four-stroking and eliminated it by turning out the idle mixture screw.

The 150 cc bolt-on upgrade was a wise choice. David at Scooter Mercato helped me find the right one. In my 1963 Allstate, the connecting rod has a bronze bushing rather than the needle bearings so the piston and wrist pin need to match. I also had to purchase a new head to match with the 150 cc cylinder. Installation was rather easy with the engine still mounted in the bike.

I also turned the stator plate 4 mm clockwise from the original position. The photo below shows two blue marks at 3 o'clock. The original position is shown by the blue mark on the right. The blue mark on the stator plate shows the 4 mm change.

Final compression was just 72 psi but the bike starts on the first or second kick and runs great.

Lastly, regarding the 3 speed transmission, I love it. The 1963 Allstate was the last year they used a 3 speed transmission. For my roads, the 3 speed works very well. Look at the gear ratios comparing the 3 and 4 speed transmissions. In the 3 speed transmission, the 1st gear ratio is less and in the 3rd gear, the ratio is less than the 4th gear in the 4 speed transmission. Second gear in the 3 speed is very close to the third gear in the 4 speed transmission. The 3 speed transmission works very well for me on the roads and speeds I ride.

3 speed transmission gear ratios:
First - 12.2 to 1
Second - 7.6 to 1
Third - 4.85 to 1

4 speed transmission gear ratios:
First - 14.7 to 1
Second - 10.28 to 1
Third - 7.31 to 1
Fourth - 5.36 to 1

The bottom line is the early 1960s Allstate bikes, modified with a 150 cc upgrade and front fork, yield a truly classic vintage Vespa that is a pleasure to own and ride.

Thanks CM! 3 speed - and it is nice, but you'd be surprised - still a lot of traffic through town.... Thanks Brother E - I'm trying.

And RB - thanks for the encouragement and the pics! I'l go to the 150cc after Chris (scootnewb) and I go for a ride. Good to know I'll probably need a different head.

You see, he has a 64 Allstate, and we went for a ride together around town. His scooter is a four speed, mine a three. We found that they were pretty much identical when it came to top speed, power, etc. We're also built similar so it wasn't one of us is way heavier than the other.

So I want to wait until we can ride and compare again, now that I've got an upgraded pipe and the 20/20 installed.

Also, I think the final gear in both scoots is identical My 3rd, and his 4th. According to these docs, and the side-by-side comparison anyway.

And I've got to agree - this scooter has transformed since I first got it. The front end update, rear shock, pipe, and carb - it's fantastic!

Gascooter - I stand corrected on the gear ratios. I took the four speed gear ratios from a P 150 X spec. The four speed on the 64 Allstate is different. You are correct, the 3rd gear in the three speed transmission is the same as the 4th gear ratio in the four speed transmission for the Allstate scooters. I really like the three speed transmission as it involves less shifting with great performance. The three speed transmission with a 150 cc upgrade is a great combination.