Modern Vespa

Anyone have more info on what engines are in the piaggio apes? Are they the same as the scooter models? I'm looking for service and parts manuals online for them and any info about them mechanically.

Really curious how they are similar or different from the scooters.

You buying an APE? I think it would be neat, I just don't have room for anything else.

I wish. Just been really curious for a while. If I came across one for a decent price that needed work and they are essentially the same engines then why not! I'd make space for it.

Someone a few blocks from me has one with issues running. Just contacted me looking for help. I'm really interested in taking a close look at it and if it's essentially the same engines then I may be able to help them get it running again.

essentially the same as a vespa. The later they are the more they deviated from the scooter. My '53 is the same as a '53 Vespa.

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALiCzsYb5LNzG8r_HVyDgfY7fjlYWDgvuQ%3A1656428559696&q=piaggio+ape+servicevstation+manual&oq=piaggio+ape+servicevstation+manual&aqs=heirloom-srp..



https://smallworkshop.co.uk/2018/07/09/piaggio-ape-manuals/

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.mondoape.com/manuali/Service-Station-Manual-APE-TM-EN.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwij8OWxs9D4AhVhJEQIHVqXDwkQFnoECAQQAg&usg=AOvVaw0RGloKyo_ZB3NOSkMp8Z4u

Service Station Manual for the 1984 Ape P 501 (MPR2T)

Still trying to find a parts manual or where spare parts are even available/sold.

Parts Manual:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EaFuoojJMss6MK85il_9BUbZ2r1vaRdu/

Popped over to the random neighbors place literally 1 block from my house (crazy there is an ape so close to me and I've never known before) today to check out this Ape that was having trouble starting.

1984 Piaggio APE P 501





No spark at the plug, but continuity at the HT coil confirmed because the starter button would work when both wires plugged into the HT coil, but wouldn't when the pink wire from the starter button in the cab was disconnected from the HT coil. Continuity from the HT coil to the points ignition, so I know that should work. Pressing the starter button, the starter motor would crank over and engine would turn over, but wouldn't start cause no spark at the plug!!! So what's up with the HT coil to the spark plug??

HT COIL:


Starter Motor:


I tested the resistance.. I forget exactly what it was.. I'll go back and check resistance again on the tabs for the ignition switch and to the points, I think it was something like 3 ohms but I'm guessing right now.

After an hour of digging around, testing continuity and following wires up to under the plastic dashboard, fighting to remove the windshield wiper motor so I could remove the plastic dashboard and get a better view of all the wiring under it.. I stumble upon this random ass radio shack looking toggle switch hidden under the dashboard. FUCKING KILL SWITCH! Problem solved!



Wouldn't idle well though no matter what I set the SHB 27-24 carb to.. so that means time to take the carb off and give it a nice ultrasonic clean. It needs it cause it was completely encased in crud as is every vespa engine that hasn't been cleaned in decades.

But as is everything piaggio... the carb is kinda a pain to access and remove! Gotta remove the engine plastic cylinder cover and exhaust heat shield to get enough room to barely get a 10mm wrench in there and struggle to remove the two nuts mounting it to the engine.

Oh boy this is fun! I need me one of these! I'll take more pics of things I should have taken pics of when I go back with the cleaned up carb to get it running again. Lots of cool stuff, under the seat, dashboard, etc. I'm also going to have to teach her how to drive it cause she doesn't know how. BTW, this thing has a reverse!!!! I can't wait to drive it around.

Some more pics for enjoyment:

Wow looks like fun from here!

Carb full of black sludge. Two cans of carb cleaner and 20 min in the ultrasonic later and this thing is spotless!

Pics of the carb:
SHB 27-24

cont.

Gonna have to drain, filter the gas and replace the inline fuel filter as that crap is full of sludge! Don't want no clogged carb in 3 days!

Now to figure out how to set this carb up properly. Not much info out there, and the service manual instructions are opaque!

You'll get it, your not trying to rejet, just clean it up. If the manual has float height your set. Everything else is pretty much generic.

https://www.allensperformance.co.uk/

I'd love to have an Ape. They look so fun to drive, and very practical for hauling loads, going to the beach, camping, etc. What more could one want? 🦄

More photos. Also confirmed the HT Coil pink (ignition) to black (points) resistance is 3.6 ohms.

Re-installed carb, replaced the fuel line, inline filter and drained and filtered the gas to clean it out. Finally, got everything running and idling well. Took it for a test drive around the block and this thing is scary as all hell! Its fun as well, but the gear shifting, clutch and reverse gearing is very stiff, clunky and hard to get into correct gear. It was tough for me to drive, having experience driving vespas when control cables are not set up properly. The woman that owns it was having so much more difficulty driving it.

I forwarded her to the local vintage vespa repair shop so she can hopefully get them to rebuild the clutch and refresh all the cables and set it up smoother.

My job is done in that it runs and is useable for them!

EDIT: just realized I installed the inline fuel filter backwards! ha

cont.

Video the owner texted of me driving it down a dead end street trying to make sure the gear shifting, clutch and throttle were working. Its extremely stiff and difficult to shift or get into reverse or back into forward gear.

BTW, its kinda insane, but you can literally drive this thing in reverse in 1st or 4th gear. So you could drive waaaaaay too fast in reverse if you were insane enough to try it! haha

That is so fricken cool!

I was wrong... Reverse is only 1 gear.. separate from all the other gears. I was thinking there was some external gearing that reversed the normal gearbox output, but there is apparently an actual reverse gear in the gearbox I'm guessing.. based on the service manual description of the gearbox ratios.