Modern Vespa

Btw there is no way to remove a Malossi cylinder by pulling one end of the kingpin and tilting. It hits the body no matter what. Had to pull the pin entirely. Shoulda just done the studs again.

Mostly there, gotta finish up tomorrow with exhaust and other misc bits.

Left to right 7,9,11

Which one for Malossi 166?

Screw it, 9 it is. All the power and none of the piston slap.

Easy 60 on that kit without much effort. I'm not even thrashing it yet. I didn't port match, I didn't get a cut crank, didn't open the inlet, nothing but a sito plus. Great kit.

I used a #3 slide on a build with a Mazzy 60mm crank, a Malossi 166, no packing plate, relieved Stella head and SI 20/20 on an '08 Stella. It tapped out at 65, but could carry the front tire in second gear.

Glad you're enjoying the results!

I swapped carb bodies with a spaco that mjrally threw in with my last parts batch. The dellorto I had been using seems to be corroding with that white stuff on the carb body, I think it is part of my random starting issues. We're gonna do something new.

trying to take inventory on what I need to have a complete fork. since my vbb fork is in bits, I thought I'd take apart the allstate one for clues on how it works. unfortunately that one doesn't appear complete either. so i'm trying to piece it all together over here.

it's hard to decide what some things look like or would do just based on the parts diagram. questions to follow.


Allstate fork

VBB fork and bits from greasy

What I have and don't

Some mystery parts

Should I get one of these kits?


Last edited by sdjohn on Sun, 20 Aug 2023 22:32:38 +0000; edited 1 time

first, can anyone identify the mystery washers in the marked up photo above?

next:
part 2018 - what is that thing?
part 15982 - it goes on the inside of the bearing? what is it? i didn't see one on the allstate fork
part s.13810 - is it a seal or ?
part 32381 - what is that, a cover of some sort?
part 32386 - its some sort of extra flatt washer, but not the same as the one next to it s.3060?
likewise, what is s.3060?
part 32389, looks like an odd shaped washer, but i don't see one in my parts stash
part 8440, looks like the speedo gear rests against it, but what is it, where does it go?
part s.13853 - some sort of washers in between the speedo gear and the metal bit?

edit - I will ask more focused questions below, i found a lot on SIP

PS this sucks

Last edited by sdjohn on Sun, 20 Aug 2023 23:18:52 +0000; edited 1 time

I have some of those weirdo parts in my hoard. I'll take a look when I can, but it may not be for a few days. You're welcome to any of them I dig up.

Assuming you haven't washed away by then.

I seem to have found it all on SIP except for 15982 that goes inside the right side axle bearing. anyone know what it is???

Part

also - do I have to use the loose bearing setup or can I use a caged lower bearing? if i used a caged one, do I need to use a different dust shield? will it force me to update the race in the frame? what can I buy to avoid using loose bearings on top and bottom if possible?

i saved a cart full of stuff at SIP, will have Mercato order it but I needed to keep track.

found my mystery part 15982

https://www.scooterwest.com/spacer-front-axle.html

You can use caged bearings. I used these on my GL and I think on my VBB, too.

Way better than dealing with loose needle bearings.

But what about the fork to frame bearings, am I stuck with loose ones there?

No, you can use caged bearings there, too. I did it if my VBB. You can even swap those to angular bearings, too.

maybe this then?

https://www.scootermercato.com/90122600

Yeah, that'll work just fine. I think I might have ordered that exact set back many moons ago.

You can order just the bearings, too, if your races aren't worn.

I have the bearings already - they work ok on the races for the loose ball setup? I think at a minimum I'll still need a lower race for the lower bearing. Maybe I have one on one of my other allstate forks. that would save me $50.

I might have one banging around. If so, I'll send it your way. How much of a hurry are you in for this?

No hurry at all. It looks like the Allstate fork has one from my picture above. Oddly - no dust shield but yes a race. This is the hardest part of a bitsa bike - no model to work from and no tear down pics.

Yeah...race but no dust shield. I think the dust shield is considered a single use part, though, and super-cheap to replace. I can't say from the angle of that picture, but that race kind've looks like it's been through the wars.

I'm going to make a wild guess, but IIRC, you can't install the mudguard onto the fork with the dust shield in place, so I'm going to guess someone either ripped it off to get the mudguard on or removed it to put the mudguard on and damaged it enough that they threw it away and ran without it to keep the project rolling.

Like you said, though...you get a bitsa bike, you never quite know what went on before it came into your hands...

I have yet another pogo fork in the rafters, I will survey the horde and report back with lower race status.

Mercato order on holding pattern....

I didn't have a lower race in spares unless it's on a fork, but that's a rather distant possibility. I have both the frame races, but that's it.

thanks for looking chandlerman! i know of a guy who might be able to help....

I'll bet! Just say his name three times and he'll appear. (Not recommended if you're in the bathroom or otherwise indisposed)

I've got two lower races if you need one as well. How's the hurricane treating you guys?

Feels really strange to ask that about someone in California tbh

ooh nice, I will hit you up once i check the stash. hurricane for me was just a rainy day with a bit of wind, didn't live up to the hype, fortunately.

I've also got two dust shields as well in case you need one of them too

It is smooth, no pitting. It seems usable.

ohhh I wondered why my ears were burning...

race has been successfully removed from the allstate fork, saving me $50

scooter mercato order has been submitted

marketing pitches from Kajiit can be avoided at this time (but he always gets me sooner or later)

it's a long, straight road without a bend in it. kajiit sleeps with one eye open and one hand in your PayPal...

^
Snickered.

Looking good all around John!

Blasted and paint ready

should I paint it at all? is leaving it bare an option? it is aluminum, but it might get all corroded I think.

Paint it.

Yeah just a moment of doubt there

rustoleum pro or their "hard hat" line are great for suspension components. the "pro" you can get at home desperate and the "hard hat" they or Woes sometimes carries. if you care to wait, Grainger has it.

they also make a high performance wheel paint that dries hard as balls and wears well.

I used VHT Ford Argent Silver Wheel Paint for Chris's GL front end. It came out fantastic. Also put three coats of clear.

Thanks to ExMayor for the paint combo I used...


Here is the batch I bought at AutoZoner

Painting stuff

I'm not sure I like that so silvery. More gray might have been better.