Modern Vespa

just about every other week...

Christopher_55934 I've actually found a UK supplier now, same quality parts, free shipping and will have the parts next day so it's all a win win.

@orwell Yes, I can relate to all of this. Well not the single parent part luckily so can't imagine how hard that is. Fair play to you.

Slow progress over the last two weeks. Lots of work and kid related stuff that kept me very busy.

I managed to get the front mud guard cleaned, prepper and sprayed. Then of course the usual paint issues of runs and the silly move of getting a near perfect session before tipping over my fan on the way out that shot dust and debris all over the place I swear there is no such thing as a perfect (or even closer) paint session, no matter how hard you try.

At the same time I got all the front end cleaned up and sprayed, a new speedo cable run and lots of cleaning of the hub and axle and regreasing.

I also got the leg shield beading on and the wiring loom back on the bike. This felt like real progress and a good psychological step.

Next was the suspension. I'd been toying with the idea of a blast cabinet for a long time and with the amount of work recently, I decided to pull the trigger. It's a game changer for sure. I've been cleaning everything in it with great success. It's one of those pieces of garage equipment that I wished I bought years ago.

Next todo is get the front end on, new cables run and then I'll start cleaning up the engine. This is going to stay as is for this summer, then I'll plan some mods for the winter.

Oh, and the floor runners. I made a little attempt at these a few days ago but was too tired and gave up as it looked like it was a job that needed maximum patience and attention!

Video looks crap quality at the moment, hopefully will sort it's self out.

A fair bit of progress over the last couple of weeks but still slow going. So many small jobs that hold things up! And then the inevitable 1st, 2nd and 3rd order to get bits needed.

I've got most on the main bits together as of tonight. What an absolute bugger it is getting the right hand cowl hook through the hole past the choke tube. I had to end up heating and bending the hook to get it through.

Not exactly easy getting the fuel tank in either, lining up the fuel tap was the hit that took me ages.

I still need to paint the new sip tubeless rims and get some new tyres, hopefully at the weekend. I ended up deciding to lacquer the rims and hubs as they will get more abuse than the rest of the bike and will also have to put up with the tyre shop man handing them putting the tyres on.

Oh and I forgot the steering lock so I get to remove (well partially anyway) the steering tube and headset that I just got fitted 🙈

Finally got most of it together and even managed to go for a quick ride. What a joy that 2 stroke is I really had forgot how much fun that power band is.

With that said I do have some issues.

I have a leak from somewhere and it smells of fuel but I can't figure it out from a quick look tonight. It's not a lot but would be good to know what is going on here.

The second issue that only happened once after going WOT for 10 seconds or so was that when I came to a stop the engine was revving pretty high with no throttle on at all. Really odd, lasted about 10 seconds I'd say then returned to normal idle speed.

The third issue is starting. It wont start on the choke at all for some reason. The way I've been getting it started is throttle fully open and then kick lots of times until it starts and then back off the throttle and then just use throttle control for 20 seconds or so and then it's fine.

I did have a quick play with the air/fuel screw but this didn't appear to do anything when either fully in out out?

I did take the carb partly apart and change all gaskets so it shouldn't be those. I also removed both jets which were perfectly clean.

Any ideas?

your drip is likely fuel coming down the back of the case from the carb box, since you are already so rich it is likely. smelling like gas is another clue.

the can't start with choke on and have to kick with throttle open confirms rich at idle. maybe check if your float needle is sealing.

the high idle shows air leak, better get after that.

Thanks John. I took it all out, tested the float valve which works well and seals good, tightened everything and have put back together.

Still can't start on choke which obviously makes it a pain to start at all. I double checked all the jets and they are standard.

I also had a go at adjusted the air/flow mixture screw which really feels like it's not doing anything either fully in or out.

I would have expected my test ride to not work out as well with the issue it has but it flew along with no bogging and seemingly great performance.

What is next to check?

When you try to start it, does it not even pop and try to fire? If not, either no gas or it's likely flooded. Next time try pulling your plug out after you've tried starting it and see if it's bone dry or soaking wet to figure out what to do next.

No it doesn't even try unless I open the throttle wide open and coax it in to starting.

Spark plug is wet and even after drying it gets wet very quickly again.

I think it's getting too much fuel when cold. Choke in or out doesn't seem to matter. Just seems to get flooded.

Uploading 2 videos now.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-iEpHZJGzDg?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/LPaHD4AVNQk?feature=share

That doesn't square with this: I think you might want to test your float valve like this:





hang your carb up level, and connect to a fuel source. Watch for drips on the paper towel beneath.

If it's leaking, try this tip to help your float valve work as it should if the problem is there: https://modernvespa.com/forum/post1823915#1823915

Thanks, will give that a try. I did it by blowing through the fuel hole as hard as I could with it closed and couldn't push any air through it. Is that not the standard way

From the vid, does that look like way too much fuel for startup, it does to me but I have very little experience in diagnosing problems with carbs.

I suppose it could work IF carb was assembled and float bowl full of gas thus closing float needle valve and it's level... , not so much if you are holding float closed with your finger - THAT'S just cheating!

It sure sounds like it's leaky from your description.

I was definitely cheating 😂

Thanks, I'll try your fix later and report back. If no joy I'll rig up a test.

Well it's been a while. Pleased to say I managed to get nearly everything back together!

Got a pass on it's inspection and so now she is back on the road and legal!

The rest of the putting all back together was fairly uneventful so nothing much to report there.

Got her out for a 10 mile ride yesterday. Pure joy after all the effort! I did forget how bad the handling and crashing over small holes in the road was though

Still the last 10% to do but that can wait until winter

Bike looks amazing! So glad you're able to get out and ride.

Did changing out the float/needle fix your issues? And did you ever resolve your potential air leak? That's a bigger risk than a floody carb, IMO.

Thanks man, I really couldn't have done it without everyones help, support and guidance here. In fact the skills I have learnt on this bike are going to be very helpful on my next project.

I'll get some more pics of the bike up soon.

Items still todo are:

Tubless SIP rims and decent tyres that are sat here curing after paint. You can see the oringinal silver rims still in the pic.

Refurb or replace clutch and brake handles

Refrub or replace kick starter

Flat the red cowl and polish

And various other snags

No, unfortunately not. I didnt have a chance to setup a test but did change the needle valve with no change. I think it's where it sits on is the problem and even after trying Voodoo's trick it was still the same so I'll order a new float chamber. The wierd over revving has not occured once since so no idea what happened there.

Hopefully the over-rev was just the throttle or slide sticking and won't repeat. For the levers and kickstart, those will polish up better-than-new without too much effort.

3M make a marine aluminum polish that's effing amazing on oxidation.

Excellent, will give that a go.

A few more pics. Hopefully some more riding at the weekend. Will be more confident when I'm on the tubeless and better rubber though.

Also need to decide on whether to bother putting the glovebox back on.

It IS a beauty, you have a good eye and you've done top work! I'd put glovebox on just to cover the untidy backside of your turn signals, plus they are often so handy.

I'd put the glovebox on just because you're going to want to carry something at some point. Like tacos. Or booze.

Or is that just me?

Thanks Voodoo 👍

Yeah you are probably right. Pretty sure a burrito and booze will need to go in there at some point.

Sightly off topic but I saw this today, looks like it's going to sit there rotting away. Definitely not been used in a long time. Maybe I should make an offer?

I'd love to have an Ape, even though I know for a fact that I don't physically fit into the cab. It's like they weren't even considering the 6'2" crowd when they designed it.

What are talking about??? I'm 6'2" (or was, more 6' 1 1/2" these days) and
I just drove an old one several blocks on a test run last year, and I didn't notice any fit problem.

Perhaps you are a seriously chubby fellow as well?



J/K, not likely on a smallie, eh?

So YES, OP should make an offer! Looks like the latest model in pretty good shape.

I could stand to drop a few, but nothing like that! Y'all see me on my OnlyFans YouTube videos.

Ahh yes didn't think of that. I'm also 6'2 so maybe not best to buy something I can't actually drive after 😂 Although my son is looking to expand his lemonade selling business, hmmm. The MRS may actually kill me as well.

I also just bought this that she doesn't know she's going to kill me for yet but it'll take 2 months to get here so I have enough time to lay the groundwork 😄

That poor fucking bike. That's worse than a Vespa being put into service in Pakistan carrying tons of bricks and cement.

You did great mate!!! Looks awesome!!!

P.S. I've seen "professional" work that was miles worse…

Thanks! Really did take a long time but learnt so many skills along the way.

I'm going to miss working on it for sure.

1. You DO plan on riding it I hope!

2. It IS a Vespa...

Oh yes, definitely won't be a garage queen.

Plans are for a 177 kit in the winter.

We should start debating your options now, then.

Hopefully an easy one with just two choices? Polini or BGM.

or VMC. Or Malossi. Or...

Vmc…

BGM.

Chrono

And this, Japtastic, is why I said you should start debating now

60mm cut crank, extended intake timings, and a BGM. Pairs beautifully with a Malossi box, too.

Need 1-2 more suggestions to make it extra difficult to choose…

Could keep it old school, too. Malossi 166 cast iron or maybe a Polini 177 cast iron.

And of course there's always the Parmakit or Quattrini M1XL option. Need to decide on static or variable timing, too.

and are we keeping it SI, or going side draft?

Was that more than 1-2?

Ahh jeez, I thought this was going to be the easy bit :what:

Wont get much of a chance to look for next few weeks as got a manic work and family schedule but I'll be back with many questions I'm sure