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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
Hooked
@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
So I've been gone a year or 3. My 300's been pretty much sitting all that time. Had a flat where the patch failed and it had an accident. In probably to stupidest things I've ever done I knocked it off my bike stand and it fell flat on the floor from an elevated position. I refused to look at it, just parked it where I could ignore it.

Fast forward a year or three. It's getting resurrected. Once I got the 2mm layer of dust off I went over it real well. Looks like the grab rail took the brunt as it's bent. The dent is on the side is not nearly as bad as I'd remembered. Ran like crap due to neglect even with new gas. Seafoam at 150% recommended had it purring in less than 10 minutes. I'm a believer for sure since it did the same thing for my Harley that's also getting new love.

2 orders from Sip, 2 from ScooterPartsCo, 2 from Scooterwest, 1 from EBay, and 1 from The Scooter Republic and it's well along. Sure wish I was organized enough to get my orders right. Pics to follow as this comes along. So far I've replaced every light on the bike. By the time I'm done it'll be as blacked out as I can make it and it'll be loud, like I like it.
OP
@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
Hooked
@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Painting tires tonight
White lettering for the pop
White lettering for the pop
OP
@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
Hooked
@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Here's the rear after adding Switchbacks, chrome bezel delete, and led tail lamp
LED rear
LED rear
UTC

Member
Vespa GTS SS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 41
Location: Bradenton Fl.
 
Member
Vespa GTS SS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 41
Location: Bradenton Fl.
UTC quote
Cool seeing it make a comeback, I just got one this last week and studying to make a couple orders myself...Post pics when you can
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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
Hooked
@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Some parts arrived today. Spent a little time installing.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Changed out the seat
Changed out the seat
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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
Hooked
@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Got my brake levers in
Out with the stock levers and in with black
Out with the stock levers and in with black
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
And I added a new exhaust. Didn't have much to go on with this one. Only knew I didn't like the look of the Malossi or Arrow and I hated that the Akropovic has really quieted things down with the new model.

There are 2 videos on YouTube to make decisions off of but I rolled the dice. This thing sounds awesome! Had to get it shipped from across the pond but for me it was well worth it. Sounds great. I've run it with both db killers in and with the rear removed. It has two. It's deep and sounds friggin great. I have not tried it with the front db killer out yet but I probably will at some point. This exhaust looks good and sounds good, glad I rolled the dice.
New Odyssey exhaust
New Odyssey exhaust
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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Last pics to share are of the new rear rack. I may be most happy with this mod. I never liked the stock chrome one. This one is sweet!
Upgrade to black
Upgrade to black
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Now just waiting for my black bezel to come in for the dash, my black leg shield trim to get here from ScooterPartsCo (who went the extra mile to find them for me), and my rear tire. Apparently it's coming on a ship from somewhere distant via Amazon and will take another couple weeks to get here. In the meantime I've mounted the new front tire on my new front rim (I hated the polished lip on the stock wheels) and painted the important parts.

Last week I installed led lighting. Don't have a pic of the projection front lamp yet because the front end is taken apart waiting for that bezel.
Front
Front
Rear
Rear
And my paint job
And my paint job
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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Like to add that I mounted that tire myself. Watched a couple YouTube videos, one from the guy that never talks and another from someone using zip ties. Between the 2 videos I learned enough and now I'm proud to say that this front tire mounting is better than anything I've paid for in the past. I didn't leave a mark on my wheel. At all. It looks brand new and that's better than the results I've always gotten at tire shops. And the bonus was it was free!
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@rob_g avatar
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Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Painted the hubcap and suspension cover. When my rear tire gets here I'll plan on painting the tone wheel since all that has to come apart.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@sadragna avatar
UTC

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GTS SUPER 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 118
Location: NYC
 
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@sadragna avatar
GTS SUPER 300
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Posts: 118
Location: NYC
UTC quote
Looking good OP.
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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Sadragna wrote:
Looking good OP.
Thanks Sadragna. I'm very pleased with how it's coming together. I started in the Harley world where they like to say make it yours. I've changed the sound and looks pretty far from how this one was born.
Now the wait for my black beading
Now the wait for my black beading
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@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
This project is almost complete. Bezel came in today and that's what I needed to get this thing back in the road. Once I had that I put the entire handlebar cover assembly back together, checked all my work, and went out for its inaugural ride.

Currently running the Odyssey with the front db killer but the rear one removed. Not loud at idle but the volume picks up leaving every light. I need to try it with the rear db killer back in and then with both out.

Very pleased so far and all I'm waiting for is my rear tire that I'll need to mount and paint. Planning to paint the tone wheel to darken up the entire rear rolling parts. Once that all done I'll likely start thinking about taking the variator cover off and painting all that.
Almost done. Just need the black legshield trim
Almost done. Just need the black legshield trim
OP
@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
So my rear tire finally made it here from wherever in Europe it came from. It's a trip Amazon didn't have one here local. Mounted it using the zip tie method and it went fast. Spent the afternoon painting it like I did the front.

Disassembled the rear and took off the swing arm because I decided to paint it. It'll sit up overnight and I'll put it all back together once I make sure my paint job is ok since I painted it in the dark. If this turns ok good I'll likely be painting the other side next.
Rear tire almost ready
Rear tire almost ready
⚠️ Last edited by rob g on UTC; edited 1 time
OP
@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Swing arm complete. Glad I did this.
Before
Before
And after
And after
@abrugge avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2016 Sprint 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 78
Location: Langley
 
Enthusiast
@abrugge avatar
2016 Sprint 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 78
Location: Langley
UTC quote
rob g wrote:
Got my brake levers in
I got the same ones and just swapped them out about 2 weeks ago. They look much better and are a little shorter. Love that they are a bit shorter because someone tried to steal mine and bent the rake handle trying to move the locked wheel. With it being a tad shorter it will be harder for them to do again.
OP
@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
They've also got some very fine texture to them, fine ribs cut that give good traction when grabbing them. Right or wrong I typically brake with a couple fingers. They provide great grip.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@abrugge avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2016 Sprint 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 78
Location: Langley
 
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@abrugge avatar
2016 Sprint 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 78
Location: Langley
UTC quote
rob g wrote:
They've also got some very fine texture to them, fine ribs cut that give good traction when grabbing them. Right or wrong I typically brake with a couple fingers. They provide great grip.
Totally agree. better grip, better feel and better look than the stock Vespa brake handles.
UTC

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2007gts250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 228
Location: n. carolina
 
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2007gts250ie
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Posts: 228
Location: n. carolina
UTC quote
So many ideas. So much attention to detail. kudo's to the work done so far. How do you like the new seat so far, it looks like it would give me a few more inches to allow more comfortable riding positions for not so short riders.
OP
@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
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@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Thanks Frank. Yeah I've put some time in on this one but I'll tell ya, every time I go into the garage and see it a smile pops onto my face.

About the seat, it's a one-up seat but the sitting area is unchanged. The seam is in exactly the same place. It's easy to slide over and I often sit behind the seam as I'm 6'1".
UTC

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2007gts250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 228
Location: n. carolina
 
Hooked
2007gts250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 228
Location: n. carolina
UTC quote
It looks like I will have to do some modifications to my seat to allow a comfortable sitting position. I am contemplating reducing the high of foam enough to a medical gel cushion under the factory cover. Could there be a "cheeky seats" cover in my future?
When smiles arrive before one has even stated the motor, you have achieved what many strive for but few accomplish!
@bearcat avatar
UTC

Hooked
Primavera 150, Honda NHX110
Joined: UTC
Posts: 135
Location: Olympia, WA
 
Hooked
@bearcat avatar
Primavera 150, Honda NHX110
Joined: UTC
Posts: 135
Location: Olympia, WA
UTC quote
Nice work Rob G, I like the raised white letters. It really makes it pop and ties everything together. My FJ09 is gray & black, for me here in the PNW the slightest rain makes road grime show everywhere. Your 300 looks good in those colors.
OP
@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
Hooked
@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
Thanks guys. The only thing I haven't shown yet is the damage from its fall off my stand onto the left side. It's not too terrible but it drives me bonkers seeing it. I know people say "oh that gives it character" or "just put a sticker over it" but that's not how I roll. I like my bikes to be perfect or close to it.

Visited a body shop on Friday and they told me they could do it but were apprehensive about the masking, said their guys were good but had no experience with anything like this job. That didn't surprise me. For as big as this city is Vespas and most any other scoot, are rare. We don't even have a dealership. People in Houston drive cars. I told them I'd bring it to them stripped so they wouldn't have to worry about that part and now I'm just waiting on their estimate. I plan to visit a second place tomorrow. It's just difficult getting these things worked on. Glad I can do most things myself.
@bearcat avatar
UTC

Hooked
Primavera 150, Honda NHX110
Joined: UTC
Posts: 135
Location: Olympia, WA
 
Hooked
@bearcat avatar
Primavera 150, Honda NHX110
Joined: UTC
Posts: 135
Location: Olympia, WA
UTC quote
You'll definitely want to find a body shop that does the work. It's not as easy as it looks if you've never done it before. My 150 has been an eye opener in those regards. It's a salvage/rebuild so I'm doing the work myself but am not under the pressure to get it perfect. I now have a healthy respect for folks who do it for a living.
OP
@rob_g avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
 
Hooked
@rob_g avatar
2008 GTS250, 2009 S150, 2017 GTS300Super, 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 348
Location: Houston
UTC quote
I've read your posts. That is quite the undertaking and I applaud your success so far. Bucket list item for me is learning to spray paint. I don't have the damage you're having to deal with but I have two bikes that need freshening up and I want to paint them myself even if it takes 3 years
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