Modern Vespa

I went up to visit V oodoo on Sunday and look what followed me home! A 62 VNB with a 150 cylinder, SI20/20 and a V oodoo special P200 pipe. Had it out for a rainy day ride today during my lunch break, this time with proper gear and air in the tires, and it goes pretty good. Had it up to 49 mph on my GPS.

Rad!

Looks great.

First one follows you home. Then another one turns up, and pretty soon, you're telling you wife you don't know where that one over in the corner came from or why SIP keeps sending you boxes...

Rad looking scoot. I dig it even if I'd put a bench seat on it because I'm too big to ride comfortably with the saddle.

This is my second. I told my wife that this one is for her. But I have to finish my other one, and she needs to learn to ride her Honda Hobbit first. She said "But the Vespa looks easier".

Class. Nothing modern compares to that

Love it.

I started cleaning out my workshop so I can have room to sneak another one in the stable one day.

I don't really have to be sneaky, but even so, I have another garage a few blocks away, and my wife doesn't actually know how many motorcycles I have, so if something just appeared, no one would even notice.

I do need to do some cleaning though. Starting last summer, I started inviting friends over for a monthly garage night. That was a strong motivation for keeping things tidy, but now that it's cold and gross out we haven't done it for a couple months. I hope to start up again in January.

That VNB sure found a happy home, I was surprised it started right up 2nd kick cold when we pulled it out of the shed! And I had no idea it was so fast with that tired top end and old seals! I'm sure that ratty P200 expansion chamber pipe grafted on there must help. Is that staying perchance? Could we have a picture at least, I forgot to grab one.

It was a pleasure to move it on to you, it's a solid little bike that just needs some love. Maybe a little work with a friendly kit & little friendlier pipe - next thing you'll be getting one of those official 60 on 8s decals to prove to your motorcycle pals that this thing ain't no toy.

Nice! Good to see an old bike like that staying in the "family"

great solid looking scoot lots of potential

Nice!! Congrats!! Terry is trouble

I got you some pictures Terry.

Video

Whelp, I should have bought bulbs in bulk. My tail light lasted about 10 seconds.

I guess I have some trouble shooting to do.

When should the pilot light be on?

I'm guessing you still have the infamous "balanced AC" electrical sytem.

Once one bulb in a circuit goes, they all blow as the load concentrates further and further.

You have a three-position switch on the handlebars. I believe it should give you:
- Off (nothing on)
- Center -- Pilot & tail light on, brake light when activated
- On -- headlight, pilot, tail, brake

Best bet is to get the wiring diagram off Scooterhelp and make sure, though.

Yep, no regulator, just AC. I replaced the pilot with a 6v5w, headlight with a 6v25/25w halogen (everything is metal or glass, so I should be fine) and tail light with a 6v5w and brake light with a 6v10w.

The headlight and tail light work (until the tail went pop). The pilot doesn't work, and the brake is missing a switch, so it doesn't.

I'll have to trace the wiring for the pilot light and find a brake light switch.

What is the other switch for?

Right side button is kill, lower front round button is the horn, above that is the rocker switch that controls the high/low beam , the last toggle switch turns the headlight on or off.

I don't think anyone leaves Voodoo's place empty handed

Ok, so on the three position switch, middle position should have pilot and tail light. Pilot light isn't turning on, so that's where I'll start my troubleshooting.

Someone here posted a 6 VAC regulator to eliminate high voltage from blowing bulbs. It's a really simp!e install, who was that? Made a nice looking bracket etc.

That was me.

6 volt AC regulator for no-battery scooters

The only way I ever got my VBB to quit blowing bulbs when it was still 6v was to put a regulator on it. Eventually, I did a 12v conversion and went on with my life. I think the cost of the regulator was less than I was spending on bulbs.

Nice. I just ordered a couple.

I was reading an article on this issue and it mentioned today's technology and RPM's being higher etc. Basically motors rev higher than back then and it's causing some of these issues.