Modern Vespa

Hi all, I tried Googling this and came up empty-handed. The past few times I rode, there's a lag and a jump forward when I quickly open the throttle from a stop or slow speed.

If I ease on the throttle slowly, it acts normally and doesn't lurch.

This strikes me as something worth investigating. My scoot was last in the shop 6/2020 due to dying on me mid-ride and not starting back up, it was fully looked over and they replaced spark plug, ignition, and electric start.

Just wondering if this sounds like something you all are familiar with and perhaps might be able to take care of on my own (replacing spark plug, air filter, etc.). Thanks!

It sounds like a clutch issue to me. How many miles on the scooter? How long has it been since it had a new belt, and the transmission and clutch were inspected?

Dang. That's what I was afraid of, cause it reminds me of when a car clutch is going out. ☹️

It has about 7500 miles on it (I bought it in 2018 at 1800 miles) and while I've had a variety of things done, pretty sure no one did anything with the clutch/transmission/belt.

The guys at the shop gave it a thorough once-over that time that it died, because they were having trouble pinpointing exactly what the malfunction was. It was probably okay at that time, but based on the age of the scoot and that the first owner mostly kept it in a garage, I'm betting it's time for clutch/transmission work.

Thank you so much! 🙏🏻

That's what I was thinking. Being an ET2 with that many miles, and very likely never had a new belt since it was new, it's probably time for a new belt. And when the belt (and rollers) are replaced it's a good time to clean up the clutch and inspect for broken springs etc.

As for changing the belt, there's plenty of advice here about how to do it yourself, but it's not as easy as changing a spark plug or air filter.

Hi! I just wanted to thank you again for your help. You pointed me to the problem (which, after looking into it, seems very likely that it needs a new drive belt).

For anyone seeking to replace the drive belt on their ET2, there are no ET2-specific videos or photos on the internet and while Robot's ET4 video is extremely helpful, I got *almost* into the clutch box and ran into an ET2-specific issue.

There are two torx screws on the ET2 airbox/clutch cover that are seemingly not on the ET4. I'm not sure what size. The biggest I had was a T27 and it was too small. I had a square driver that worked, though.

You'll definitely want to get a longer socket or a T-handle wrench for the 8mm bolts. A standard ratchet worked for most of them, but there were two at the bottom that are impossible to turn. I'm now having to wait for the T-handle wrench I should've just bought in the first place. 😂