Modern Vespa

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation comes to your house if you need a replacement VIN.

The woman who certified my GL for the new title was super cool and excited to learn all about my vintage fleet and their various VIN quirks.

This looks like a pack of wild boars thought it was food…..

Little duct tape and that'll be like new

I washed it in the parts washer and looked at it and wondered why I hadn't just thrown it out.

I think the one on the bike is OK.

No no, needs part of a liquid laundry detergent jug fit over the hole, then some sheet metal screws to hold it together. Jeez what happened bro proper bodgery.

Sheet metal screws? I'm thinking color-coordinated Zip Ties if we're going to get all fancy with this repair!

this Stella had some stories to tell, I imagine...

Stator wires need extension due to different wiring hole location on Stella cases…. Bummer

also looks like I'll have to custom make a CDI bracket because the cases are modified for the starter and the CDI holes are gone. probably should use the starter studs to mount it.

My Stella cases all had a flat spot to mount a CDI, but no holes. I just broke out the drill and went to town.

I will go hunting, thanks for the tip….

Maybe on the case radius below the wiring exit rather than the back but not with the stock bracket…

Post up a pic chandlerman!

I guess here's one of chandlerman's pics . It's a coil in this pic but easy enough to apply the same idea with a CDI. Not a tough bracket to make and will be done easy enough...

LML's had the CDI on the battery side and HT coil was mounted on the frame, above the cylinder. That's why there are no holes for the bracket. Here's how the holes look and links are the necessary bits...

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/bracket-electronic-unit_17950400 (x1)

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/junction-box_17989500 (x1)

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/rubber-cap-electronic-unit_17950300 (x1)

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/washer-electronic-unit-o-5-3x20-mm-th-1-5mm_60180000 (x4)

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/rubber-support-electronic-unit_14159000 (x2)

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/bush-rubber-buffer-holder-e-unit_14158900 (x2)

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/screw-headset-cover-m5x25-mm-cross-recess-raised-head-o-10mm_15597000 (x2)

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/nut-m5-mm-sip-floor-board-handlebar-lever_39150000 (x2)

That's the spot

You saved me a trip out to the workshop to take a picture, too!

I also made a bracket that fits a Ducati CDI back there pretty much stock. Was a little more cutting, but a lot less bending and works great.

thanks guys

so safis is that a conversion bracket to use the Ducati cdi on the engine side? I know about the separate cdi and coil setup, but I'm wondering if those bits are made for what I'm trying to do, which is run the Ducati cdi in a close to original location. maybe they are for Piaggio electric start models?

Yes, it's the original Ducati CDI bracket for the e-start cases...

You are the man, thanks!!!

This is how it should look, apart from the rubber "boot" that's for a non e-start motor on the first photo. And one of my P (unfortunately no close ups)...

Very useful phots , thanks safis!

My other cylinder cowl had a busted wire clip so out came the epoxy and a plastic clamp liberated from work, this should do. The rest of the piece was in good shape, $15 saved.

so while I wait for the parts to deal with the CDI mounting, etc. how about some guesses for jetting, since I need to set up a carb?

-stock P150 3 port top end
-premix
-stock 150 exhaust (no catalyst or anything, stock P150 exhaust I guess I mean)
-20.20 carb
-stella reeds

it's basically a stock stella, I guess, with the exception of the premix. If I can get this dialed in I can play games with exhausts later (I have a few options).

I have no feel as to whether to take stock p150 Vespa jetting and adjust for the reed or find Stella jetting and adjust for the non catalyzed exhaust or ? Does the mazz crank also skew things a bit? Maybe…

It's kind of what I'm going through now, as I'm still not quite happy with the jetting on my ET3 with its new pipe as I ride it around in more circumstances - but there's no clear "this should be your target". I guess I'd take Stella jetting, go up 10 points, and work back down. Might wind up back where you started, but at least you feel comfy about it?

I'd be cool with that but my search effort for "what is stock Stella jetting?" have thus far been fruitless. Anyone know?

40/130 idle
140-E3-94

Is allegedly the stock Stella stack.

I don't recall what was in mine back when it was stock, but I'm pretty sure it had a 55-160 idle.

I'd start with a 98 or 100 main, I think.

As the owner of a Stella that was bone stock when I got it, I can confirm they were jetted for catalytic converters. They also had crappy airfilters. Jetting was 40/130 idle jet and AC140/E3/MJ94 main stack. The E3 is similar to a BE5 in performance.

For your setup, I would keep the 40/130 idle jet and go with an AC140/BE5/MJ100 main stack. You probably will have to walk that main jet down a few points for a noncatalytic stock exhaust, but better to start too rich than too lean.

So the Jets in my px carb which I was going to use on the Stella turn out to be:
140ac
E3 mixer
94 main
40-130 idle

Weird how that works out, coming off a 125 of unknown history….

I have a be5 around I think, would it be better or e3 is good enough as a guess?

Looks like just check my main supply, most of it is 120+

Make Spaco
Model/Type 20/20D, Down draft
Slow running jet 40/130
Starter jet 60
Air metering jet 140
Defuser E-3
Main Jet 92
Slide 7.5 x 7.5 SCOOP
Mix.screw setting Spaco ½ to 1½

Specifications out of service manual

Sounds like your carb was taken off a Stella. If you have a BE5, use it. If not, the E3 is close enough.

I'd swap the idle to a 55/160, if nothing else.

This is where my doubts about reed vs rotary come in - should the idle jet be leaner on a reed than a rotary? The atomizer and main jet? I think the main is a yes (downward) but I'm not sure about the rest.

I tried a 55/160 when I put a Polini box on my stock Stella and it was way too rich--to the point excess fuel was popping off in the exhaust header. Went back to the 40/130 and all was well.

Well I just ordered the bgm jet kit for the 90s and 100s, the rest I have. I think we can figure it out with the right jets available.

You know the drill for dialing in a carb. Just start with a reasonable initial setup and go from there.

Yeah I'm not too worried, just need a solid launch point, I think we have it now.

On the way, in shipment:
-floor reinforcements
-SIP main jet set
-oddball PX drum parts that don't match early P so I can have a front brake (currently no brake arm and no cable!)
-CDI mount for late cases

Gonna be a party soon!

Brakes are totally overrated.

I mean yeah, I have one for the rear, isn't it enough already??