Modern Vespa

Dang, going as fast as I can...I do have a day job! My wife thinks I've got a mistress in the garage so gotta keep her suspicions down. Trying to be slow and methodical about the bolt issue as I usually make things worse when I get desperate/rushed. I'm not seeing an easy way through this. Is a helicoil an option here? I do have a kit handy....

Weekend's unfortunately kinda packed socially, so don't give up on me! Maybe if I wake up at 5 again......

Helicoil?
...wow, things just escalated....

It's just a reflection of my pessimism...plus it's comforting to think there still might be a fallback position.

It doesn't seem right that your tap doesn't easily thread into a known good hole.
Have you tried swapping bolts? (Maybe the "perfect" mate is having an illicit affair next door.)

Are you sure the tap is the right diameter and pitch?

Yessir..they line up pretty well, though I could check a third time.
Thought about tapping a hole in some scrap aluminum just to be sure.....

phaskins....damn, leave 'em alone in the dark for a month or two and God knows what happens.

Hey, I'm having trouble tracking down the correct torque for the bolt that holds the engine assy to the frame. The terminology is pretty weird. "Swinging arm to engine" sound about right?

Also trying to confirm rear shock alignment....replaced top bushings with polyurethanes and may have twisted with installing the tops.... is the main part of the shock offset toward the wheel?

I know! I was going to pm you with a pic of a metal piece that, literally, fell off when I pulled the engine and ask you if you knew where it went—it's a bit of wire that looks like it would hold a couple tubes apart.

Well, I had at the bad screw. Had a few ways to go, and went with greasy's ground down sacrificial screw. It was pretty firm resistance, but I kept going, a bit against my better judgement, but eventually the bolt was all the way in and tight, so well enough. Would have loved to try a thread chaser in it, but with none handy I passed for the time being. Clipped the injector and snugged up the gas line, took a breath and turned the key. It started! HOORAY!

Sounds a heck of a lot better than the last time it ran. Still has that weird, faint high-pitched rattly sound, but having had a look at most of the engine I'm not as worried about it. I still suspect something in the clutch area, but that had looked good and I wasn't (and am less so) willing to pull it apart. For the time being I'm going to ride it and see how it goes.

Thanks all for your input and suggestions. it's been an interesting journey. I'll be happy to just get back to riding and give wrenching a break. It's been a long summer.

Last edited by fledermaus on Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:02:35 +0000; edited 1 time

Bravo!
Thanks, I have learned a lot from your adventures

How NOT to do things?

Learned a lot about "The anatomy of these machines" and us average home gamers 🛠️ can pull off some large repairs when necessary.
BUT I'm kinda ruined and less ambitious after recently having a good scooter shop mount and balance a new back tire.

Woo-hoo! Have fun riding!

great job! top marks all around!

now go ride!

I did! Felt great to have it back!