Modern Vespa

Hey, First post but long time vespa fan (have a GS160 1963, Spanish Super small frame 1971 with the rear frame spare wheel carrier, P200 91). I also am proud owner of a GTS 300 i bought four years ago from new and wow i love it. I know through my vintage Vespa appreciation they have a tendency to rust in certain areas and i have seen on YouTube the key locations for the GTS, battery tray and seams behind the front mudguard. I have now some bubbling at the front seam behind the mudguard, wondered if anyone else has this and what they may have done, i guess rusting from the inside out, I want to limit how far this goes. Trouble is i live 100 Meters from the ocean too. Appreciate any thoughts or advice. Reasonably handy but time short with three children!! Thanks anyone with any ideas.

Welcome to MV SCharles. You live in just about the only part of France I have never been to. We love France!

Might I suggest you add the Year of your GTS 300 to where it is listed below your name. That will help those who reply know your scooter without trying to find that in your posts.

Cheers

He did mention it was bought new 4 years ago Billrush

Welcome, scharles, to MV! We are a visual group and would love to see pictures of your rides and destinations.

Funny Coddy. Unlike your post to me, mine was not a poke at the OP. Had you read my post in full, you'd see mine was meant as a helpful suggestion to a new member that he add the model year to his avatar like both you and I have done. Just makes it easier over time for others to see the model and model year so they can help without looking where you might have written it buried in your post. And if you read the OP's post you'd see he didn't exactly give his model year. True, he bought new 4 years ago. I wonder what model year it was? Might make a difference in the future when he inquires and needs a part number.

Cheers!

I traded my GTS for a Triumph street twin, but I had read that bonnies had similar rust worries. I currently use Muc-Off Motorcycle Protectant and I plan on getting their HCB-1 anti-corrosion formula when I can find it. I had first heard of the protectant spray from scooter people... I just traded bikes at the beginning of the winter I learned about it.

Whoa, chill dude. I was not having a poke at you hence the wink smiley.

It's good you caught it early. All you can really do is clean the rusted areas down to metal, prime, and touch up the paint. The salt air will be a constant challenge, but at least you get to live near the ocean, which is a fair trade.

Hi scharles,

I removed the battery, glovebox panel and floor panel as soon as I bought my GTS300 new. I sprayed and brushed Tectyl 506 rust preventive wherever it looked susceptible to rust. The Tectyl eventually sets into a waxy layer that keeps water out. So far, so good.

That front seam is a real problem area. Two panels join and form a spot-welded ledge on the inside, which could hold water coming in from above. Piaggio have made cut-outs in the ledge to try to stop water sitting there, but I wasn't convinced that they were foolproof.

If your rust is full thickness, coming through from the inside, it may be difficult to get rid of permanently. I would suggest removing the glovebox panel and taking a look. You can brush off surplus rust, use rust killer and then a waxy protective layer (may be better than paint, as it will probably adhere better).

Same on the outside, except you'll have to paint it - that Tectyl is ugly brown, only for parts not seen! Best of luck, it's a fiddly job.