OP
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Member
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Hello all,
My name is Justin and I'm the new owner for a 1980 p200e. Having not ridden a manual transmission bike since my early teenage years, I can honestly say this is the most fun I've had in years. I bought the bike running as is- I am hoping to eventually replace all the seals, gaskets etc.

I wanted to introduce myself today because I do want to learn to work on this myself. I grew up without a man in the house so I am very mechanically challenged. This forum has already provided a wealth of knowledge but I am POSITIVE I will need more assistance and guidance.

For now, let me show you my gorgeous, new to me, Vespa p200e.
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@v_oodoo avatar
UTC

Style Maven
'74 50s x3 '87 PK125XL '92 PK50XLS Plurimatic - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
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'74 50s x3 '87 PK125XL '92 PK50XLS Plurimatic - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9748
Location: seattle/athens
UTC quote
Damn, that thing looks mint! Lovely color too. How many miles?

Welcome, and more pics plz? Eyelashes emoticon
@chandlerman avatar
UTC

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate, 66 Lammy S3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10518
Location: Nashville

185 Days Since Last Explosion
 
Lucky
@chandlerman avatar
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate, 66 Lammy S3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10518
Location: Nashville

185 Days Since Last Explosion
UTC quote
Welcome! You've come to the right place for getting your hands dirty working on these beasts.

That's a phenomenal looking bike and one you can ride with pride for many years to come.

Given that you're new to both wrenching in general and Vespa's in particular, where are you located? Meeting up with locals will help you out a LOT on getting up to speed, both with know-how and vespa-specific tools.

The PX motors are the easiest to work on, so you have that going for you--I started out with a VBB and not enough tools and it was challenging, to seay the least.

Changing the seals on a P is relatively simple (of course, it's all easy if you know it), but you'll definitely want some guidance the first time around, especially little stuff that's not in any manual, like "remove the clutch castle nut, then throw it in the trash because we have proper hex nuts that work just as well now and aren't pure misery to get on and off."
OP
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Member
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Member
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V oodoo wrote:
Damn, that thing looks mint! Lovely color too. How many miles?

Welcome, and more pics plz? Eyelashes emoticon
She's got 13,000 miles on the odometer. Odometer is running so id assume it is accurate. No idea if it's been rebuilt etc. I would love taking some more pics a little later today. I'm in Fresno, California and I've gotten connected with some folks locally that have a lot of experience.
@qascooter avatar
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Ossessionato
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4466
Location: Florence, OR
 
Ossessionato
@qascooter avatar
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4466
Location: Florence, OR
UTC quote
Welcome to MV Marshall - what a beautiful scooter you have!

We'd all love to see more pictures of your new ride, of course. And any questions you have, you'll probably find the answer here.

Again - welcome!
@max6200 avatar
UTC

Banned
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
 
Banned
@max6200 avatar
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
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Welcome to the gang!😀
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@hjo avatar
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Molto Verboso
Scattered remnants of (two!) 1974 Rallys
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Posts: 1847
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@hjo avatar
Scattered remnants of (two!) 1974 Rallys
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Posts: 1847
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
It's beautiful! Love the color.

Welcome!
@popgunandy avatar
UTC

Hooked
61 VBB 76 Rally 200 79 P200 80 Sport 100
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Posts: 288
Location: Folsom CA
 
Hooked
@popgunandy avatar
61 VBB 76 Rally 200 79 P200 80 Sport 100
Joined: UTC
Posts: 288
Location: Folsom CA
UTC quote
welcome! I think I saw that scoot for sale somewhere...it's sweet looking!
@v_oodoo avatar
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Style Maven
'74 50s x3 '87 PK125XL '92 PK50XLS Plurimatic - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
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@v_oodoo avatar
'74 50s x3 '87 PK125XL '92 PK50XLS Plurimatic - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
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Location: seattle/athens
UTC quote
1st thing, does it run OK, usually start easy enough? We'd like to know before you think about tearing into it. Ride it this summer and get acquainted for a bit, tinker and fix as you go. Make sure tires are good and brakes work then go have some fun, see what this old timer beauty knows how to do. I'm guessing it was likely well loved and cared for...

If you have autolube make sure it works, there are a few easy ways to tell.
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V oodoo wrote:
1st thing, does it run OK, usually start easy enough? We'd like to know before you think about tearing into it. Ride it this summer and get acquainted for a bit, tinker and fix as you go. Make sure tires are good and brakes work then go have some fun, see what this old timer beauty knows how to do. I'm guessing it was likely well loved and cared for...

If you have autolube make sure it works, there are a few easy ways to tell.
Seems to run good to me.. it had been sitting for a bit, I got it home and it fired right up. Changed out gear oil, gas smelled fine and oil site glass is still full. I've been riding it daily, short commute to work and have taken it for a couple longer rides and errands. Ive been keeping an eye on the sight glass but it's stayed full. If autolube is not working how quickly will the engine seize up? Would I know already?

Edit*spelling
@scootnewb avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
P200
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Posts: 80
Location: Springfield, Oregon
 
Enthusiast
@scootnewb avatar
P200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 80
Location: Springfield, Oregon
UTC quote
Nice looking scoot!
@christopher_55934 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2007 Stella 225
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Posts: 3547
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
 
Ossessionato
@christopher_55934 avatar
2007 Stella 225
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3547
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
UTC quote
Jmarshall11 wrote:
Seems to run good to me.. it had been sitting for a bit, I got it home and it fired right up. Changed out gear oil, gas smelled fine and oil site glass is still full. I've been riding it daily, short commute to work and have taken it for a couple longer rides and errands. Ive been keeping an eye on the sight glass but it's stayed full. If autolube is not working how quickly will the engine seize up? Would I know already?

Edit*spelling
Quickly, think in feet of travel or idling on the center stand. The only oil a two stroke motor gets for lubricating the motor side is the oil mixed with the fuel.
@chandlerman avatar
UTC

Lucky
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate, 66 Lammy S3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10518
Location: Nashville

185 Days Since Last Explosion
 
Lucky
@chandlerman avatar
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate, 66 Lammy S3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10518
Location: Nashville

185 Days Since Last Explosion
UTC quote
Also, if there's no 2t, there will be no gray smoke in the exhaust. The autolube on one of my bikes failed a few years back and I managed to get about a mile and a half at low speeds before it seized up.

Good news was that I added 2t to the tank and let it cool down for a few minutes, then rode it pre-mix for like two years before I even bothered to fix it.
@fatbear5 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
1977 P200, 1980 P200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1322
Location: Fresno, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@fatbear5 avatar
1977 P200, 1980 P200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1322
Location: Fresno, CA
UTC quote
You're in Fresno? We need to talk.

I'm always happy to meet another Fresno Rider so I'll PM you shortly.

Did you take part in the Tiny Mountain Ride last weekend? It was just over 100 miles to Millerton Lake, Bass Lake, Prather, etc and I understand that everyone had a good time. Unfortunately I had to drop out when my clutch cable failed but I hope to be able to ride in the next run. Damn!

I'm riding a 1980 P200 called Spermy and here is his story: Rebuilding a Spermy Vespa


Fatbear aka Lucky Bear aka Jeff
@nickton avatar
UTC

Hooked
GS-150 VS4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 172
Location: Vallejo, CA
 
Hooked
@nickton avatar
GS-150 VS4
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Location: Vallejo, CA
UTC quote
Great choice for a first ride. Wish I had gotten one.
@v_oodoo avatar
UTC

Style Maven
'74 50s x3 '87 PK125XL '92 PK50XLS Plurimatic - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9748
Location: seattle/athens
 
Style Maven
@v_oodoo avatar
'74 50s x3 '87 PK125XL '92 PK50XLS Plurimatic - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9748
Location: seattle/athens
UTC quote
nickton wrote:
Great choice for a first ride. Wish I had gotten one.
Put out the word. I think there are ppl here who would swap you a nice looking, well running 'modern' P200 for your stubborn old bike!
@max6200 avatar
UTC

Banned
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
 
Banned
@max6200 avatar
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
UTC quote
I really like the angle of the headlight. Your bike is a true beauty.
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