Modern Vespa

Hi everyone this my first time owning a scooter or even joining a forum, since owning my gts125 I have learned not to cover the headlamp whilst it's still running or stopped after a run. Just thought I would give some of you a heads up on the issue I encountered lol

Ouch! Sorry that happened to you. Thanks for the warning!

I don't understand what you mean by "not to cover the headlamp". Cover it with what? Sorry if the answer is obvious. It's early in the day here

I covered it with a very light scooter cover I put over my scooter, just to tick it over in winter I lifted it over the handle bars away from exhaust. I have also heard just putting a jacket over them after a run can cause a problem aswell … basically let it cool down 👍

I noticed when you are not moving, the headlamp glass/plastic heats up pretty quick. More than i like. I hope it'll be much less so with the LED headlight i still have to mount ...

Ok. gotcha. I'll remember not to do that. Thanks!

No problem happy to help 👍

Wow, that is as bad as I've ever seen.

I would be tempted to look for a LED replacementunit, not sure if the newest OEM will fit but you'll likely find a good aftermarket unit. LED will provide much better illumination.

I would start your search at SIP as they'll have the most options for replacement and expand your search from there as needed.

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/category/modern-vespa_3/spares_1751/vespa-gts-gts-super-gtv-gt60-250-300_T13/electrical-system-vespa-gts-gts-super-gtv-gt60-250-300cc_1789/headlight-unit-gt-gtl-gts-18_958?model=eyJzY29vdGVyVHlwZSI6IntcIm5hbWVcIjpcIlZlc3BhIEdUUy9HVFMgU3VwZXIvR1RWL0dUNjAgMjUwLTMwMFwiLFwic2x1Z1wiOlwiVDEzXCJ9IiwicHJvZHVjZXIiOiJ7XCJndWlkXCI6XCJiOTYyMzU0NS1kYjI0LTRhNjMtOWNjYS0xMTUxODdhYWZmZGRcIixcImlkXCI6NixcInByb2R1Y2VybmFtZVwiOlwiVkVTUEFcIn0iLCJtb2RlbCI6IntcIm5hbWVcIjpcIkdUUyBpLmUuIDI1MCBjY20gNFQgTEMgJzA1LScxNCBaQVBNNDUxMDAgLyBSUDhNNDU0MTBcIixcIm1vZGVsX251bWJlclwiOjE3NH0ifQ%3D%3D

Thankyou it is odd that the unit is plastic not glass 👍

Make sure you're not running too high of a wattage bulb.

Some people like to install higher wattage bulbs for more light, but they also generate more heat.

Good luck.

That was my first thought this morning when I saw this thread but didn't have time to respond. I'm guessing the installed bulb is higher Wattage than Vespa specifies; so the bulb puts out more heat than the headlight housing can dissipate so got too hot for the headlight lens.

Please let us know what the bulb Wattage was so we can all learn from this unfortunate incident.

I agree with others. Replace it with and LED "bulb". They are brighter, take less Wattage and generate much less heat.

Miguel

Thanks for replies , I believe it is a 12v bulb, when that goes led will be next as I have already replaced unit . Nice to hear feedback cheers all.

I have a $20 fix that could prevent this I will be sharing in a couple hours
Just waiting for North America to wake up.

Shepz. All bulbs are 12 Volts but that's not the important parameter. It's the bulb's Watt rating. If you've left the same bulb, you're likely to melt the new lens.

I suggest the following steps:
1. Look in the manual or online for the specified bulb Watt rating for your particular bike model
2. Pull the bulb and determine it's Watt rating. If it's higher that than specified in the manual, replace the bulb with the proper one or get an LED equivalent bulb.

Let us know what you find please.
Miguel

On my BV part of the reflector in the head lamp has lost the alu-mirror coating, it is the part above the bulb. It was like that when I bought it second hand.
It looks as if I have 2 half head lights, like 2 half moons that are set apart for like a cm or 2.
Does not bother me.

On the 20k km service I mentioned the bulb did not do it anymore on normal beam and it was replaced.
When I picked up the scooter after service the guy mentioned the missing coating and explained that it is mostly the result of hanging a coat over the front of the scooter.

So indeed, never cover the head lamp until it is fully cooled down.

I had a customer who kept having his V-Star 650 die out on him... AFTER he installed a massive light bar and stuck the brightest things he could find in there.

It wasn't until the second time I helped him out that he mentioned he had put on the bar, and didn't have this problem before it... We switched him over to LED and he got the brightness he was looking for without all of the draw.

Speaking of....


Here is my post/video on installing LED headlight. If you go for a lower wattage bulb you can get cooler temperature and more brightness:

A 300% brighter headlight for $20