Modern Vespa

Quattrini kits use a crank with a longer conrod... 126mm from memory

Yes that is correct, I would have to rebuild the crank with a longer rod; which is still cheaper than buying a new one. Or just get a different crank, or different kit to fit the crank I already have. Thats for another time later down the road. I'm just focusing on my current build for now.

This tool is so awesome. We deserve good tools, right?

It really is awesome! I love having the proper tool to do a job right

It saved me.
Could NOT get a Femsa crank to release from a new P200 bearing.
God knows how that pull went

Five min setup with that 60 buck tool. That delicious pop in seconds.
Thanks for that post!

Lets build something fun, and maybe fast. New parts have landed!

Malossi 210 sport kit
MRP reed valve manifold
Vape DC variable ignition kit
various bitsNbobs for assembly

Very cool! Is your electrical setup currently DC?

Current has DC battery circuit. ignition is original Ducati, and wire harness is original.

Nice shiny parts. Careful grinding the inlet, the metal on the clutch side gets thin on the corner.

Already ahead of you. Material has been tig welded on backside of clutch side inlet. Lots of meat to work with here

The old flowed reed inlet. This will be opened up more to match the new intake manifold, and flowed accordingly.

I also had some other areas of the cases beefed up with added material. The cyl base for matching transfers clutch & fly side, and around the primary shaft inside and out. The cylinder base and inlet have both been machined true flat by Hot Rod AL.

Im picking up this project again after the holidays.

Thoughts and experience with this fancy SIP clutch? I'm curious how it compares to Molle and/or others out there. A friend has this SIP clutch and likes it alot. I cant help but wonder if its over engineered... but the idea of removing the rotating mass from the crank is appealing.

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/clutch-sip-race-supersport-23-teeth-for-primary-65-teeth-for-vespa-125-vna-ts-150-vba-super-180-200-rally-px80-200-pe-lusso-t5_9344023D

I'd love to here your report if you get one of those!

Oh you know it! The most 'upgraded' clutch I've had is the SIP Ultrastrong, so I'm curious about all the new and improved designs on the market now.

Meh! Get the VMC Molle 10 (Ergal version)…

This is the one I will get when I place an order. Our favorite Austrian MrFreakMoped did a comparison of the different new clutches and the Molle came out the best.

Yeah, I keep hearing this. However I want to know the Why. Why specifically is the Molle better than all the rest? What is it about the components, design, metallurgy, tolerance, etc that makes it better? Looking for real world experience, not speculation.

Also, does anyone have the SIP clutch above; and what are the pro's and cons.

I'll go find this Vid…

My current clutch works fine, so I'm really looking for reasonable justification for separating my money from my hands for a fancy new part

Found and watched the FMP vid comparing VMC clutch to SIP Ultrastrong. I see lots of small improvements in fit, material, tolerence, etc.

One limitation with the VMC clutches is they only use VMC friction plates. Other plates will go in but are a bit too loose. Why they changed this I have no idea. And since I last looked they may have fixed it. Otherwise great.

The VMC Molle is the best cosa style clutch available in the market. The SIP clutch above is not a cosa clutch, making direct comparisons difficlult, it is worth noting a key distinction- The cosa-style clutch supports the use of oil injection, offering comaptiablity for those who rely on this feature. For your use as i see you are going reed, then oil injection is not a possibility.

Yes I think that is an odd choice, but likely done so they can profit from selling their proprietary plates. Otherwise it seems great.

Thanks for pointing that out about oil injection. Good to know for future builds.

I've always liked the Cosa style clutch, and if it aint broke why fix it. Mostly just curious if all the 'innovations' or engineering of that other style clutch guves any major advantage.

I'll stick with the tried and true simple but improved version of the Cosa style.
I'll burn they my standard CR80 cosa plates, since I just got them; then see about upgrading for the Molle.

Thanks for the input everyone

I have been using the VMC molle clutch, its great. I love the no rivets, its a solid clutch all around. My buddy used the sip clutch you posted above and he put the stiff springs in, and that clutch pull is harder than any big harley ive ever ridden. Its horrible. He dosnt daily his bike, mostly just rides it at the track, so he hasnt replaced with softer springs yet. I guess that isnt much feedback, but ill conclude with I really like the VMC molle clutch with my use of it for my race bike.

Good insight for sure. I've done a Cosa clutch with 16 XL springs and it was stiffer than a stock 7 spring with heavy springs. No bueno. I like the simplicity of the VMC Molle design, with no rivets as You pointed out. The more I hear and think about it, that SIP clutch is over engineered; atleast for my daily rider application.

Not correct.

They use standard Honda CR80 demensions where the tabs are not machined down to fit classic Vespa clutch baskets. They just did what BGM was already doing and made the dimensions of the turrets the same as the factory plates.

Below is an example of BGM plates in a VMC clutch basket; blasphemous.

I added a third and fourth photo showing the SIP plates in a VMC clutch basket. This is what you are probably thinking. These plates will go into a 7-spring clutch basket. I use them on GS150 clutches adding a MMW basket.

My opinion- even better and easier to find.

Interesting clarification Gick! I appreciate you pointing this out.

I had forgotten that the original CR80 plates tabs are too wide for a standard Vespa clutch basket, therefore the SIP version made for Vespa's have a thinner width tab. It makes sense and is probably smart that the VMC basket is designed to fit standard cr80 type plates.

TBH, I dont look at BGM products very often; after dealing with a few different badly manufactured parts. Not that they are all bad, I just dont keep them on my radar. I should change that…

Well, that's good to know. Un-modified Honda plates are cheap too. There had to be a reason why the weird size. Obvious now. Well done.

The difference is on the metal plates, the teeth are laser cut and fit better in the cog…

They did though you could still run any Cosa steel plate in the basket; it's just not as nice.

GickSpeed am I right?

There is alloy and steel baskets versions of VMC clutch.
For alloy basket friction plates must be 110mm in diameter and 16mm wide lugs.
So only VMC or BGM plates will fit. Or also original Honda CR80 friction plates?

For steel VMC basket will fit standard Cosa 2 style plates, e.g. SIP CR80 with 108mm in diameter and 14mm wide lugs.

The last big piece of this puzzle finally arrived. JL RZ 2.0. She's a beut!! Now time to get back to work and make something fun

Anaconda FTW - right on!

We want video of the sights and sounds 🎥

+1 🍿

Sorting and Prepping for the build

Dang dude, this is exciting!