Modern Vespa

So because I usually read posts, I'm still a lurker after 2 years. Therefore I for some reason can't respond to posts.

Anyway I have 2022 300 GTS HPE. I've watched the Rocket among other videos and it seems pretty straightforward.

My question is how easy it truly is. I have a lot experience with tools because I diy. But my experience isn't in automotive or bikes. I've usually depended on the shops to take care of it.
But I really feel I could do this. Obviously I don't have the exact tools required and I'd have to get them, but my concern is not knowing if something is over tightened etc. Truly first timer!

Any response is appreciated

Changing coolant is relatively easy but can be messy. Just follow Robot's video and you will do fine.

One cautionary note is do not overtighten the bleed valve as you can crack the plastic housing it is in.

Oil changes are really easy. Set up to catch the drained oil, remove the drain bolt and filler cap, let the oil drain out, remove and replace the oil filter, replace the drain bolt, measure out the new oil and use a funnel to put it back in the engine, check the oil level when you're done, and clean up. The job gets easier and the mess smaller the more times you do it.

Changing coolant is about the same, except that it involves removing a few more parts from the scooter.

Good luck!

Edit: forgot about the filter. It's easy too, though it requires some kind of filter wrench.

Hi, 24mm socket for the drain plug (I've used a adjustable wrench before but it can round off the head), torque wrench (tighten to 24-30Nm), HiFlo HF183 oil filter, one of those strappy things that gets jam jar lids off - or a proper filter wrench, 2 litres of 5W/40 fully synth oil 👍🏻

So I have a PHD in bolting. No joke, as a quality inspector that worked their way up through the ranks it was my job to do the skidmore testing of the bolts before using them in the structure of the new power plant.

Very important to remember that a nut and bolt is a spring tension fastener. The most important thing is to get the correct tension which is almost impossible to measure...you need a skidmore. That's why we use torque because we can measure that.

So one foot pound of torque is equal to putting one pound of pressure at the end of a foot long wrench. After awhile of tightening a nut or bolt to a specified torque you get "a feel for" the pressure required to get the torque wrench to click.

A torque setting corresponds to a specific tension required for the fastener. The conditions of the threads can influence this relationship. If the threads are dirty or roughed up and ragged it will require more torque to achieve the desired tension. The more times a fastener is cycled the weaker it becomes however some are more critical than others. A head bolt on a cummins diesel engine can only be used one time. The bicycle axle bolt can be used over and over again.

All of the above is to get you to think about what some other posters have said about not to overtighten the plastic fittings as it is difficult to explain how it should feel. You should make sure the threads are clean and in good shape. It should go very easily at first with no resistance until it is snug. Then gentle pressure on the wrench stopping before it is too tight. If you make a mistake...especially at first it should be on the not tight enough side. If it leaks you will have to tighten just a wee tad more and every time you do this you should try to remember how "it feels".

I like to cook. I really like to eat but I enjoy the cooking. I found Kenji's recipe for chile verde on youtube and followed the directions. It took me forever the first time because I was constantly referring back to the video and replaying several parts. It came out really good so I made it again right away.

Finally after several times of making it instead of referring to the video for instruction I remembered what to do and as I was watching what I was doing instead of thinking about what I was doing I started tweaking the recipe and it just got better and better.

This is the path. You will make mistakes and if you compare yourself to others it may be disheartening but don't do that. Focus on one small step at a time and take your time with it. Take a break when you get frustrated and come back here and complain about it. You got this and we will help!

Robot doesn't sugar coat it ( well...I tiny bit sometimes), it's usually exactly like the video. He doesn't gloss over the tricky things, and gives an appropriate heads up.

Else1163 When is the last time you changed the oil in anything? There is probably a reason for that. Do you want to learn on your $9,000 Vespa. Fred changed the oil in his BV350. Wanted to save a few bucks. He put the canister filter in backwards. Seized the engine after 60 miles. Proceed with caution.

I recommended doing a second coolant bleed after a quick ride. Plus on an HPE it's not a plastic thermostat housing, it's aluminium and there is also one in the head. But as wbdvt said don't over tighten them

Go for the HiFlo HF197 with the nut on the end for a couple pennies more

my solution for the oem filters without a nut on them
3D printed oil filter tool

Im going to do a coolant and oil change in a few weeks.
If I can do it on a sidewalk in Brooklyn then I am sure you can do it where you are. I will be using a K&N oil filter[use a 17mm socket] and use Rotella T6 5W40 synthetic oil, will change gear oil as well. Coolant change I just remove the hose going into the water pump and then I go through about 2 gallon of distilled water ( get it at Home Depot), fill up the coolant tank, run the engine to circulate the water and then flush it out. Though one doesn't have to flush it this way if you change the coolant once every 2 yrs, I only do it cuz it doesn't cost me much.
I find that for me these tasks aren't that hard to do, whats harder is bringing the tools to the sidewalk and cleaning up.

I came here to make sure someone said that.

I checked on eBay and the 197 was $10 and the 183 was $11.50.

Good tip