Modern Vespa

Hello dear Vespisti,

I moved 3 months ago from Boston to Chicago. My GTS 300 needs a belt replacement, and a general tune-up. There are several places that service scooters, it seems. It's hard to pick one just based on reviews from random people. So I thought to turn to you, an educated audience of Vespa-philes. Any recommendations for a Chicagoland place where to get my Vespa taken care of with courtesy and professionality--and possibly, without being fleeced?

Many thanks,
Franco

Ciao Franco, benvenuto in ModernVespa da Latina, Italia.
Welcome.

I am sure if you search for Vespa repair/service you will find plenty of options in the Chicagoland area. But I would say you can do a belt replacement along with roller/slider change yourself. That would be the best service cuz you would take your time doing it. As for how to do it or where to get the parts etc, there are how to videos and the member community can pitch in and help with any advice you may need.
If ya lived in NYC I'd have bring the Vespa over and we could do it all together or lent you my tools for you to do it yourself.

Grazie Attila!!

Hi Baba 12, thank you for your friendly advice. I toyed with the idea of replacing rollers & belt myself, but so far have been intimidated by it. If I understand you, the risk of having a trained professional doing it is that he would just change the belt, and not bother with adding grease & changing rollers, right? Thank you for your offer of live assistance in NYC, if only I could take you up on it !!

[quote="Vesposo"] Well lets remove that fear/intimidation you may have. Generally that comes from not knowing what is involved and or what has to be done etc etc.
Watch this video a couple of times and I will say that intimidation will be gone and you will do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdN7wu85po0
Also you can order the parts from Scooterwest or Scooterpartsco, both are wonderful. As for some of the tools needed, you can search the forum on how some have made their own tool instead of buying the special tool.
But I think there is no time like now to take on the challenge unless of course you don't have the time or it isn't easy for you to kneel and work sitting down etc.

Hi Baba, I already know Robot's excellent videos, and am an old customer of Scooterwest - I actually have ordered their belt replacement kit (including rollers and belt guides) months ago - maybe your encouragement will prod me to get the rest of the stuff I need, and take care of my horse.

On the other hand, if you do want service done by a Vespa authorized service facility, you are fortunate that Motoworks is right there and seems to have a very good reputation. And there are others in the area, so choices exist. Much better than so many places in the Country where people live hundreds of miles from an authorized dealer / service facility.

Welcome and good luck.

So I live in the Chicago suburbs and have a Vespa. I bought my Vespa 300 at Scooterworks Chicago and have had the first service done there but just routine stuff and have been OK, except they overfilled my tires which I was lucky enough to catch when I got the Vespa back. When I was looking at buying a Vespa I also went up to Lake Geneva and was very impressed with Scoot Jockeys but I have never used their service. I also heard good reviews on Arlington Motor Sports and Second hand scooters but have no personal experience with them. Not sure this helps but in the Chicago area you should be able to find good service. Best of luck


larry