Modern Vespa

So, it's been way too long since I checked my oil. Checked it today and NOTHING on the dipstick. I am an idiot. I take the scooter to work every day, so about 10 minute runs 2x a day, and the occasional errand on top of that, but really I live in the city and only drive 20 mins tops at a time and rarely over 50mph for any extended period of time. Obviously I won't be riding it again until I top up. I have about 2400 miles on it, it's still fairly new in that regard. I probably haven't checked since it was around 1800?

So, the bike has been starting up and working, riding as normal, no weird smells or noises....Have I already damaged the bike, and if so, will I continue to do damage after topping up the oil? Is the bike okay but I just came too close to the danger zone? Eager to hear the response of people who know better. Clearly I've learned my lesson.


Edit - just to note, the oil light flashed for a brief second yesterday which is what reminded me to check, but outside of that one flash - on and off at a stop light - the indicator has not activated at all whatsoever.

The quick flash, on and off, of you idiot light might have announced that when you put your foot down at the light and leaned over abit, the pump sucked air.

You might be OK but I would change oil and check what comes out for shrapnel.

I would think you should be OK if the oil pressure light has not come on
Just make sure to fill to the normal level before resuming operation and all should be well that ends well

The HPE models are known to use oil early. Put in a little, wait, check the stick. When you get it full, or nearly so, check the stick every couple days, more often after longer rides.

You'll be fine - just top up and remember to check often. Eventually that HPE engine should bed in enough that oil consumption should be minimal.

Left the dipstick off on my 75K mile GTS250 and spewed half my oil out in 6 miles.

Changed the rest of the oil and its still going strong -

Hope that makes you feel a little bit better...

If you drain the remaining oil instead of refilling, you can see exactly how much is left in it. As already described, you can then immediately perform the oil + filter change (once a year according to the maintenance schedule). Filling quantity 0.34 gal (1.3 l)

Engine oil 5W -40
Synthetic based lubricant for 4-stroke engines.
SAE 5W-40; JASO MA, MA2; API SL; ACEA A3

That filling quantity is to fill a dry sump. There's nearly always 2-300ml of oil left in, so don't just tip in 1.3l ! Put in 900ml and then check, add 100ml, check, add any more if needed.

I'd personally fully drain it instead of topping up and also replace the filter.

oil type is in the manual.

when my hpe was new I wasn't checking frequently as my previous gts didn't drink oil so I wasn't in the habit. The dipstick did go dry but the oil light hadn't yet come on (I was checking before a road trip). Bike is still running fine. I now check about every 1000km or so.

I've just reached 44,000km and last week I took a 2,300km road trip - at the start it was at the max and by the end it was in the middle. So it still drinks but I haven't kept close enough records to say if that's at a higher or lower rate then when the scoot was new

It might be an HPE right of passage.

My HPE was my first moto, and one of the first sold in California.

I bought it over the phone and the dealer delivered it to my apartment one night. I told him I wanted to know how to check the oil. I got a "don't worry about it - I'll show you next time I'm in The City, and it won't have shed a drop."

There was a brake recall shortly thereafter; I don't even know if I'd owned the thing for a month yet. He came to pick it up, and sure enough the dipstick was bone dry. It came back from service with a quart of oil under the seat.

I think there are now about 25,000 miles on that engine with no problems.

I try to be in the habit of checking it every time I wash it. Gives me a chance to check it cold and to know I have everything I need to top it off if it's low.

I've toured from SF to Crater Lake and back on my HPE and have ridden another one around Switzerland and the northern third of Italy. They were both multithousand mile tours including both mountains and coastline. I didn't have a problem with oil either time. Touring seems to be better for oil consumption than commuting. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I've done that before. I didn't go as far. But don't feel like you're the lone ranger

You'll be absolutely fine. As long as you haven't put a drop of E10 in your tank.
If you're the curious sort I recommend changing the oil and getting a UOA from a lab. It's not expensive, and the results just might be interesting or useful.
Yay! An oil thread!

After reading this post, I have a question about what oil measuring container do members use? I have trusted the gallon container that has calibration on the side to be approximate what I need to add then add a bit more after I check the dipstick.

I got a large syringe from the pharmacy (100ml) and put a gasoline-proof hose from the hardware store on it. The hose is just long enough that I can get to the bottom of the oil bottle and simply pull the syringe. So I can measure exactly for refilling and come easily to the opening behind the exhaust.

My 2020 HPE had 350 miles on it when I got it last Oct. I changed the oil and installed an oil pan with site glass while I was at it. Now I have almost 900 miles (it's winter here!) and it is about 1/2 way on the site glass. I'll top it off before I start my 1800 mile trip in May, maybe even change it again before I go. Believe me, the oil pan change was worth it! I also use a long filler tube with a funnel and fill/top off with the pet carrier removed.

Do you mean the "FüllFreund" from the German Buchsenfuchs (same guy who make the oil pan with side glas)?
https://www.buchsenfuchs.com/shop/vespa-%C3%B6lwanne-mit-schauglas/

I strictly use the Martha Stewart's graduated kitchen container. As you can imagine it's just perfect and beautiful.

As you know smocks are so less decade. So I use a hand embroidered apron and one of her fabulous pair of gloves.

To those of you suggesting I do an oil change rather than a top off a) do you really think that's necessary, or just precaution, b) oil changes are at 6k, do you guys do it more frequently and c) I'm a guy who doesn't mind the occasional tinkering but I also tend to leave those types of things to professionals lest I screw it up - is an oil change really that simple in your opinion? (I'm sure it is, but again, I'm just worried about doing something incorrectly)

Thanks for all the helpful responses

a) Precautionary measure, but if there is too little oil in it anyway, then you can also let out the last residue to measure quantity and examine for possible residues.
b) Inspection intervals for Vespa are dependent on distance or time. An oil change is foreseen for Vespa at least every 12 months regardless of whether the next distance interval for an inspection is reached.
c) An oil change is not rocket science. But I don't feel like getting my fingers dirty either, so I'm happy about the espresso at my dealer while I wait for the oil change.

The scheduled maintenance calls for oil change at 6k, I wasn't aware.
Here is the way I look at it, if you do it yourself then the cost of the oil and the filter is relatively cheap and if you enjoy doing such things, then go for it more frequently. I do oil changes every 6 months, I don't look at the miles. Why? Cuz, I do most of the routine maintenance stuff myself as I enjoy doing it.
I change the engine oil frequently as even though I don't ride too many highway miles, stop go traffic makes the engine work and changing the oil helps keep wear and tear slower. I do a coolant flush every 2 years, replace the spark plug as well at that time and change the gear oil as well. Replace and bleed the brake fluid as well at the same time. If there are issues that I couldn't tackle on the sidewalk, then I'd be forced to take it to the shop.
But coming back to your question of how often to change the oil, as long as you follow the maintenance schedule you are fine, but if you dot more often you keep the engine running smooth...

Oil & filter change is at
1,000km / 600miles
10,000km / 6,200miles
20,000km / 12,400miles
30,000km / 18,600miles
40,000km / 24,800 miles
etc.

OR

every 12 months. Whichever is achieved first (distance or time) applies.

Graduated marketing on bottle and I pour about 2/3 of what I think I need before bothering to check the dipstick

Is it necessary? Who knows? I really doubt it, but why not get a kit from Blackstone Lab and have it analyzed? Peace of mind, etc. Just remove a little via syringe and then top it off. It's cheap and will yield a lot of info. Just my two cents.

It's not that cheap, twice as much as the oil and a filter at a minimum.

$30. I'm a cheapskate, and where I live, in Vespa land, that's not debilitating. Especially considering, you know, knowledge is power.

Plus, a VESPA. For a guy who lives in DC. But, yeah. Ultimate economy…

An oil change is probably the easiest maintenance chore to do after checking fluid levels and air pressure. Scooter west or mikebergsma has videos of procedure from beginning to end. Your bike will love you for doing it yourself.

Update - topped off today before work, bike didn't explode mid-commute. Guess I'm fine.

That dipstick is a bitch to read. Like, oil all up it so i have to do it a handful of times and I'm only 95% sure I didn't put too much in (only about 500cc for now, so enough that it's safe but not overloaded, I'd think). Probably take it for a full on oil change and overall "everything cool w my bike?" tune up in the coming months

I predict an oil sight glass is in your future.

No doubt!

It saves you a lot of time unscrewing the dipstick and wiping it off screwing it back on and then screwing it off again. That's a lot of work. I see you have a 300 which makes it a lot more burdensome than a 250.

In my view the oil change will allow you to inspect for metal and alloy bits that maybe the result of low oil level. Idiot lights are not infallible and that's why it's important to check your oil at every fuel stop.

Wow - do you? Surely the best time to check is before you start a ride, with the engine cold. I only check every few weeks...