Modern Vespa

Today was a bit warm(5ºC) day and roads almost dried.
So I done a little ride.
Not push it hard but it seems there isn't any problems with primary ratio. On the contrary, I really like how works 23/65 and short 4th gear!
Want to say thank you to all of you guys who helped me with decision.
Also very happy that there no any leaks on exhaust/cylinder joint.

First ride in 2024.

Still cold, rainy and snowy weather. So I decide pay attention to the front brakes. The most weak and annoying part of my P.

Very dirty.



Before and after sanding.






New


Grease grease grease!




Done.

Just after wash - fresh and shiny.

This nice ride was also good test for AC 110 which I put in earlier. I gave it lot of full throttle times and also hold it for few kilometres, sometimes it was up to 115 km/h.
Sometimes it feel bit rich but on the other side scoot runs perfect and what is most important the temperature was noticeably lower than before.
Was hold 100 km/h for 3 km and max. temp was only 155º C(311º F).
Here is how spark plug(number 8) look.

The black looks all business!

Yes. But always PITA to keep it clean

8 plug should look dark. What's all the jetting now?

Glad the changes you made are working out. The 23/65+short forth seems like a good combo for your open road kind of riding. Temps seem quite good too. 115 kph is plenty speedy.

How did the front brake service work out? My P series also has a front drum brake. Hoping it will be enough. Kind of got spoiled by the Stella.

AC 110
BE 3
125
55/100
Mix 2.5 out

Here you said that it was done with:
AC 120
BE3
125
55/100
Mix 2.5 out Brake comes much better than before. But still very far from EFL brake.
I need to push brake lever with 3 or sometimes 4 fingers.

So it was nice adventure but on the way back noticed that some strange hard knocks appears on the chassis on even not big bumps.

When I got home I saw this.



From outside bushing looks ok but metal tube move freely in almost any direction.
So I decide to try BGM mounts. Earlier I put the same on customer's engine and noticed that even in hand the quality looks noticeably better than SIP ones - this or this.



Engine out!



Done!



I also changed o-ring on the clutch lever and inspect the clutch. And was very happy to see that tabs have no any wear after 8000 km. It is CR80 kit.

Looks good. Hope the new engine mounts help. I'm getting used to the front drum brake after being spoiled by the disc brake on the LML. I found that adjusting it often so that it starts out with the shoes having a slight drag helped. Repeat until the shoes bed in and the cable stops stretching.

Few days later I went for 500 km road trip. I was very exited how P will perform on the highway with 23/65 and short 4th.
And everything was wonderful. It easily sits on 90-96 km/h(6000rpm) for hour. Temperature is 160-165º C, sensor tapped into cylinder head.
And can easily accelerate up to 120 km/h if needed.

Glad it's going so well. Temps on my VMC 187 are similar to yours. I have considered going from a 22t to a 23t clutch cog but I'm leaving the 68 primary. Something I may try next season. As there is not much left of riding season and it's running well as it is, I'm not going to mess with it.

To be honest now it seems that 23/65 and short 4th is bit long for aggressive city riding. If just a little calm then all ok. And absolutely nice for cruising out of the city.
Now I think that 23/68(or 67) and short 4th is right choice for my setup. Or 23/65 need a bit more power .

On the other side maybe this doubts is because after riding on smallie with Egig 170 . It is really rocket and very elastic engine.

AND FINALLY! After three long months I received package from chandlerman! I already thought that it was missed somewhere on its way. But no.
Thank you a lot Chandler! It is absolutely cool pack of surprises, some of them I already gave to other guys.

Hell, yeah!

Glad to see it finally made it. I'd also given up hope and begun accumulating more stuff for another attempt, so there will be another mystery package sometime in the future, too, I expect.

The 23/65 in my 200 is not at all aggressive. It's actually quite mellow. Even at higher speeds it seems slower because it's revving lower. I'm thinking it's the stock tractor cylinder. On some days its relaxed personality feels just right.

It might be the VMC cylinder that makes it feel that way. My 187 would probably be a bit lurchy for city riding, but there are only 2 traffic lights in my town. Then it's all open road.

Some time ago I noticed that engine won't rev above 6500. Problems appears on 6000-6500. Feels like spark missing or fuel starving, lose power and speed, jerking, etc.
Checked and cleaned carb(despite all was ok). Nothing changed.

I tried few spark plugs, caps, HT leads, and CDI's. And it seems that problem is CDI. I have this "original Piaggio" on my P.

Two black is old original ones from PK's, all turned worse with any of it.
So I borrowed old original blue from the PX 200 E. Things got better. Engine can do 7500 now. Obviously not perfect - it done up to 8500-9000 easily before.

I also will try other stator plates. My current is CiF and I have Piaggio Cosa 120W in spare. Which absolutely not look like original Piaggio part and I don't like how it was work few years ago when there was DR177 cylinder on my engine. And ofc original one from PX 200 E.

Is it worth to try different flywheels?

And again - penny wise and pound foolish.

Due to I bought all this parts:
- Stator plate Cosa
- Flywheel SIP
- CDI
- Stator plate CiF

Now I understand that the right way was to buy Vape ignition and forget about it. The prices is the same.
Oh and also now it seems that I need another new CDI

Now it is time for the new tyres.
Bridgestones done 10000 km and out now. Really good allrounder tyres.
But I'm riding 95% on the asphalt roads so I don't need that much off-road capability.
Also 110/80 seems not very stable after 105 km/h and higher.
Now it is Mitas Touring Force SC 100/90.