Modern Vespa

I'm wanting to put a helmet hook onto my lxv. I've got the part, now I need to put it on. Should I drill, punch or just take a hammer to it? I'm going to put it where it would sit on my Rally. if you've done this before, I'd like to know what you did and how you did it. Maybe I'll make a how to out of it when I'm done.

http://www.scooterworks.com/Hook_Helmet_P1208.cfm

if you're going to use a vintage-helmet hook, just drill the two holes with the proper sized drill bit. measure and mark the holes first with a sharpie or something.

Tanya, be careful about exposing raw metal of the LXV's body to San Francisco's sea mists. I'm not sure if it's going to be a problem but remember, Exposed Metal + Salty Mist = Rust.

EDIT: Even if you drill a hole and screw a screw in it, salty air will find its way into it, especially if the screw is not rust-proof.

I'm planning to sand any rough spots and then use touch up paint to cover exposed parts.

Take the scooter upstars and have Tom do it....

Then buy him lunch....

.22 cal ought to make the right sized hole.

Definitely drill, and use plenty of WD-40 so that you don't succeed in merely dulling your bits. Then clean with degreaser and touch up. Should look nice! Don't forget to post pics!

~Drew

You might want to use a pointy punch to get the bit to start in the right place, and maybe drill a pilot hole first if the hole you're drilling is kinda big.

(Don't ya love it when I talk technical?)

Hi,

If you don't want to buy touch-up paint which may be too old and hard to use the excess later, just dress the drilled hole with some clear Nail Polish - that'll prevent any possible corrosion. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim

Nail polish. That's rad. I'd like to meet the tech that came up with that.

you've seen the top of my toolbox... lemme tell ya baby, them red and clear bottles ain't for my toes!

nail polish is an old racer's trick.
comes into play where you can't use loctite...

best,
-greasy

greasy125 wrote: Sure greasy, it's o.k. and a good color for you.

But man ... It should be! Just Nasty!




Sorry to go OT Tanya. I just couldn't resist posting that Greasy toe again!

Hey Greasy I hope it's finally healed up. Toes can be a bitch.

Don't post stuff like that till after lunch.

Hi Tanya! I too have an lxv -- just got it last week. The other day I noticed a small metal hook under the leading edge of my saddle. Someone told me that this was a helmet hook -- i.e. the helmet is locked in place when you close the saddle. Is this a helmet hook? Or is it for something else?

Thanks!

Can't believe no one mentioned that yet! Unless Inkslinger's looking for something a little more stylish.

[topic6755]

I can also recommend just dipping the screw threads into some silicone before assembling. The silicone will coat the threads as well as the hole and you can pull off any extra that squeezes out to the side of the screw head after it dries up.

Good luck,

Desi B.

couple things I'm surprised no one mentioned:

1) put a piece of masking tape down where you're going to drill, mark the holes on that, and drill through the tape, it'll help prevent the paint from chipping. Then pull it off very carefully.

2) obviously, use a bit that's smaller than the screw thread, start with a tiny bit to make sure the hole is centered, switch to one smaller than you think you need, then if you can't get the screw to dig in, drill again.

2a) make sure there's no wiring or gas tank or tire on the other side of that metal!

3) if you're worried about rust, paint it with rust inhibitor. If the paint doesn't chip somewhere visible, there's no point in sanding or touch-up paint, the holes will be hidden behind the hook, you just want to prevent rust.

I have an LXV too (actually I got it after looking at Tanya's at SF Vespa--it was the only one they had on display). I liked the hook on the LX, so was disappointed to discover when I picked it up that the LXV didn't have one. The helmet hook is fine for the helmet or even for grocery bag handles, but (a) you can't get to it unless you open the seat and (b) it's too small/skinny for a handbag or something similar. I'm very curious to find out how Tanya's hook works out because I'd like to get one too.