Modern Vespa

Hello all, new member from Melbourne, Australia. I couldn't find a current introduction thread so just created a new post. (Apologies to all if one does already exist)

Newbie to forum and to Scooter / Motorcycles. A lover of Italy and Italian things in general I have coveted a Vespa for a decade or so, but problem was I didn't ride motorcycles.

A year ago, halfway (we hope) through this blasted pandemic, Melbourne lockdowns, and into my 2nd half century I decided to take the plunge and get my motorcycle learners. I love the style of Vespa bikes but in particular I love the retro look of the GTV Sei Giorni. Ordered one in September and finally took delivery this week. Early days but it is an absolute blast.

Experienced my first dreaded refueling incident this afternoon with the petrol splashing up and over my lovely paintwork. Fortunately I had taken advice from this forum and lifted the under seat storage tub.

A snap of my new ride.

Welcome to MV! Nice introduction....you're fine starting a new thread.
Yeah, bit tricky filling the gas...bit of a learning curve. Do what you can to keep it off the lenses as it can make the plastic brittle.

Nice looking scooter!

Beautiful machine. Welcome!

Welcome from The Salt Lake Valley in Utah. Ciao

Nice looking scooter. Welcome from across the ditch.

G'day and welcome to MV. I like your new ride, she's a beaut.

Welcome form elsewhere in Melbourne.

Tip: don't forget to check your engine oil every 1000kms

Welcome to you

Welcome Graham! What a nice scooter you got there. Enjoy your Australian Summer!

welcome !!!! and bienvenue .
Beautiful vespa enjoy!!

Welcome from another pretty new member! That is a beautiful scooter. Classic never goes out of style!

Welcome from a snowy New England, very nice looking scooter.

welcome and a very nice scooter. I have had my Vespa now for about 10 years and also was my first PTW experience and love riding it. The gassing does take a bit of learning, and everything I learned about it I got from MV. What I do is lift the pet carrier and place my gas cap to keep it up, face the gas machine and have the spout pointing toward the front of the scooter and fill slowly. Also I have an idea of how much gas I need. That usually works. Have fun and stay safe, and by the way I love Australia, visited there a number of years ago when my daughter was doing a semester in Adelaide. We took her there to get set up and spent about three weeks touring around.

Welcome to MV and the Wonderful World of Vespa! Every ride can be a great adventure.

Regarding refilling, as mentioned above, propping up the seat bucket and filling slowly will eliminate a lot of issues. Another tip I can offer...if your filling station has paper towels by the pumps, you can take several of those and wrap them around the filler neck to absorb any spillage as it escapes. This can help keep fuel from spilling down the bodywork.

Good luck and enjoy. Take pics of your adventures and share.

Look at the picture in this thread for the proper pump handle position:

When refueling, stick it in all the way or just the tip?

Fill slowly holding the handle--don't use the lock. Do not top up. Hold the pump handle in the position in the picture with the hose over the engine towards the front of the scooter. It works, though I have no clue why it should matter. When the pump clicks off the first time, you are done. If you do this, it is likely that you will not be spilling fuel. Congrats on your new scooter and welcome.

Welcome from Frostbite Falls Minnesota.

Great looking classic Vespa. Welcome to the fun.

Bob Copeland

Welcome, That's a fine looking Bike .

Welcome from Oregon in the US. Good looking scooter! I see a couple of other members have given you good advice on filling. It does work, and I am able to consistently refill my GTS without spills by following that drill.

Howzit from the sunny Southern Tip of Africa .
Happy rides !

(I have a son in Melbourne.)

I actually lived in South Africa for 8 years until my mid teens. Germiston, Dundee (Natal) and Kempton Park.

Fud,

Great looking changed avatar - Ukraine is something that should not be
occurring.

Bob Copeland

Nice ride. Welcome to the club

G'day from across the ditch. Yep! the petrol thing catches us new to Vespa but the propping the tub edge on the filler cap and filling from the front trick ensures splash free fills.
If you'd like a bit less wind blast, without replacing the screen, one of these little deflectors make quite a difference, and look ok too, clipped onto the original screen.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32692679323.html?spm=a2g0o.9042311.0.0.27424c4dCdqXIk

Welcome