Modern Vespa

Stumbled across a 2009 LX150. Very very inexpensive - had to buy it. Remarkable condition - only 3k miles - original owner. But been sitting most of its life. Drained gas and put in fresh. Six year old battery pretty much worthless. Charged it and got scooter started but weak idle and dies with any throttle. Figuring carb needs cleaning. I've never gone that deep on maintenance. Do-able for a rookie? (As an aside, this is for my wife - she caught the Vespa bug when she was filming a documentary about the scooter cannonball this summer while I was riding in it.) Tips and tricks on bringing this LX back to running life would be welcome.

sounds like a carb clean for sure.

I'd go ahead and just rebuild the whole fuel system just as preventative measure. new fuel tap, fuel and vacuum lines. check the intake manifold for any cracks. throw a #38 idle jet at it while you're there.

then the usual maintenance: oil, filter, air filter. flush and bleed the brakes. check, adjust and lube what needs it. tires if they're more than 6yrs old or worn.

it low miles, but I'd still jump into the transmission and check out the belt and rollers. the belt may be fine, but more than likely it's on borrowed time. clean, an lube everything while you're there.

fairly straightforward work, there's tons of info here and tutorials on the tube and worst case we can always walk you thru it!

good luck!

Excellent video - Robot is the man! Appreciate the suggestions. Going to start digging in today.

*Use a sonic cleaner for the carb - they really work great!

My '09 150 (S model, but exactly the same as the LX in all mechanical respects) also had low mileage when I bought it but it quickly showed signs of transmission finickiness.

I replaced the belt and swapped out the rollers for Dr. Pulley sliders, 19x17mm, 9g (stock rollers are 10g).

Been a dream ever since. With a scooter of that age in great cosmetic shape, you might as well refresh all the consumable parts and fluids so you KNOW they're in good shape - belt, rollers, tires, gear oil, engine oil, brake fluid, and POSSIBLY front brake pads, where the braking material can separate from the metal plate it's mounted on from age alone.

Edit: also air filter as mentioned below! I believe with that addition, this is a comprehensive list of all the consumable and readily-DIY maintenance items.

Great info Juan. I've already drained gas tank and replaced with fresh. Just put in new air filter. Next week ScooterWest is going to go through the fuel system and clean the carb.

If you do everything mentioned, and check the intake manifold for splits, cleaned it a couple more times, dismantled it and sonic cleaned it, then cleaned it again, and it still won't run right, there's a new carburetor in your future.
There are two cable and one cable carbs. Match what's already in there.
A brand new OEM single cable carb will set you back $200, while the two cable carburetor will feel like highway robbery at $270, less your Cannonball Alumni permanent discount.

It has the two cable carb. Manifold looks very good as do the hoses. I was going to do the job myself as a learning experience but having ScooterWest do it, including ultrasonic cleaning and going through the entire fuel system, at a very reasonable price made more sense than me muddling through it. And if ultimately I need a new carb the scooter will still have been a screaming deal.

Decided to clean the carb myself. Now this $500 find is running great. I almost feel guilty… almost but not quite!

Congrats on your excellent find. I have the same year and color LX150 as yours and it has always run great. You have an electric fuel pump and high quality fuel lines so you can ignore suggestions to "change the fuel tap".