Modern Vespa

I don't know if you know this, but there is a thing called Youtube and it is the stuff of magic. It has transformed this mechanical novice into a master Vespa mechanic. After chiseling out and replacing the oil drain plug, filling the battery with acid, replacing an idle jet, putting in a new spark plug, installing a new oil filter, removing and cleaning out the carburetor, and changing the oil, my bike is up and running again. I can hardly believe it. *phew!*

I also want to credit all of you ModernVespa-ers who have given me advice over the years. You've made this journey so much easier. Thank you.

I agree cheezeblintz, it can be sometimes really helpful and informative, perhaps particularly so for complete novices. However, a word of caution, and like so many things in the modern world, do take time to cross-check (perhaps with a proper manual) any recommendations for maintenance or servicing that you see on there, as some can be downright dangerous and at the very least damage your machine.

There was one I watched recently about changing your oil. Very nice camera work and what seemed initially to be step-by-step instructions. Only to finish, after tightening bolts and replenshing the oil, having a fag and a coffee, to add, Oh, don't forget to replace your oil filter!

As someone who's put up about 170 videos aimed at helping motorcyclists and scooterists, I loved reading this thread.

Congrats cheezeblintz on getting the bike rolling again because yes, people can show you what to do and how to do it, but at the end of the day you still needed to put in the time, do the work, and figure it out for yourself. Way to go!

And Happy Wanderer is right, there is a lot of bad advice out there to watch out for too. When I'm dealing with bike specific stuff I always refer to the factory service manual for the bike I'm working on because I'm a stickler for that shit, but many don't care enough to do that.

Viewer beware, but yeah, good on ya! Complimenti

There are some videos that about 2 minutes in I know that it won't turn out well for the scooter. The one channel I always trust is Robot. He has good camera work and knows what he's doing.