Modern Vespa

We're finally getting sun here in the PNW and this week marks 6 months I've been riding my Vespa GT 200 (and riding in general

It's the beginning of riding season and I'm ready to put some serious miles on this scoot! I've never done any wrenching, but I have to start somewhere, and would like to get to know this scooter inside and out over the course of this year.

So my question is, what all tools should I start putting in my brand new toolbox? I only own a hammer and a Phillips head screw driver at this point and I'd like to collect everything the GT 200 will ever need, along with some common replacement screws, bolts, O-rings, grease, and the like. I'm going to make a run Harbor Freight this week, and do my first ever DIY oil and coolant change!

Thanks for your time and recommendations!

For starters, you'll need a metrics socket set, torx wrenches, a filter wrench, a torque wrench, and an allen key set.

Do I only need Metric sockets? Will I ever need SAE or is it not worth getting both sets?

Thanks for the reccs!

I have a suggestion for you that might help you from ending up with a bunch of crap in your toolbox you will never need. 1. decide what specific service you want to tackle. 2. watch robot's video on this service. 3. pay attention to his list of tools 4. head to Harbor Freight, and buy those tools. Why on earth would you need SAE sockets for an Italian made scooter?

You don't know what ya don't know. I didn't grow up with fix-it people in my life and don't have any now, so I'm kinda operating on the "only stupid question is the one you don't ask" theory

I've seen a handful of Robot's videos, but got overwhelmed at so much new info at once. I'll try going through and making lists though, I can definitely handle that! Thank you!

do you currently have any tools or are you starting from scratch?

no, an Ikea tool kit does not count.

and no, you will not need anything SAE

Yep! I'm starting from total scratch; I wasn't kidding about the hammer and screwdriver. I think I might have an eyeglasses repair kit lying around.. But seriously, I'm a newbie-newbie.

I got a nice wheeling toolbox a few years back, and it's sat empty until now. I want to convert it to my Vespa first-aid kit

Even though this is for a GTS (which doesn't have a carb), it will definitely get you started: https://250superhero.com/2018/09/11/gear-talk-gts-touring-tool-roll/

Wow! Yes! This is great! And the links are very helpful and will definitely be a resource I come back to as I put together my tool kit. Thank you so much!!!

Also a service manual - not the factory one (too much detail for DIY). In the UK we have Haynes manuals - I'm sure youll find one for your scooter.
I agree that Robot and SW have so much great content it can be overwhelming - try Mitch's Scooter Stuff on youtube - each service video has a list of essential tools!

here's a list I wrote about 16yrs or so ago. it still holds up pretty well I'll add some more granular detail and GT200 specific stuff here in a bit.

what's your budget? are you looking at tools as an investment or more along the lines of I need something decent that'll get the job done and if I buy a shitty 80's European car I can use them on that too, because it'll be broken all the time.

I LOVE mitch's videos! His content is what had me confident that I could start trying this stuff myself

I didn't know there was a factory and service manual - I have a PDF for both the Service "Workshop" manual and the Owners manual bookmarked - is either of these the correct one or do I need a different manual on hand?

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but tax refund season has me in a comfortable spot to make some nice investments. Ideally, I'd like tools that will last at least a decade or so. I got a Harbor Freight Membership and am hoping when Father's Day rolls around I can score some good deals. I'm not opposed to picking up some thrifted/marketplace general tools, screwdrivers, wrench sets, etc. nothing that safety would hinge on like a torque wrench.

Speaking of torque wrench, do you recommend getting individual pieces, or would a digital adapter suffice?

you only need two torque wrenches, a 3/8" and a 1/2" (well, technically you need three, a 1/4" that does in/lb but we'll get to that later), so I would buy really decent pieces that you know are good quality and are going to last a long time without losing calibration.

really you only need one that will do up to 100 ft/lb but herein lies the problem, a unit that meets the criteria of the upper threshold almost never does or will be accurate in the lower torque values (in the teens & 20's) that we need on these bike. oh, to be sure they exist. it's just that good ones cost eleventy billion dollars and require white glove treatment and constant calibration.

so anyway, get a 3/8's that'll do 10~50 and plan on spending something like 100~200 bucks on it and then just get a whatever from harbor freight for the 1/2" one that you'll need for the axle nut when you do tires and the crank shaft nut.

besides NOT a beam style (aka pointer one) it's dealer's choice on what kind you should get. just expect all of new fangled gadgetry you want on the wrench to break later-- led back lit screen, beeps when close to torque, shakes when torqued, tells you you're smart, and handsome, and funny. don't come crying to me when it takes your mother out for a nice seafood dinner and never calls her again.

I'm old school and like micro clickers and split beam. I have a precision instruments split beam with a flex head that's been with me for years. still works awesome and hold calibration like a mofo.

here's the link C2FR50F torque wrench

Oh I see! I'd for sure rather have two wrenches with accurate calibration rather than one that doesn't do either job well.

I'm sure a simple click will be fine with me, I don't anything screaming at me

here's how I'd build out a decent set on the cheap

1/4" flex head ratchet. if you're going to make one vanity purchase make it the snap on TF72. yes, that is a $138 ratchet. trust me, you will use it more than any other tool in the box. not only is it absolutely a top ten desert island ratchet, it's number one with a bullet. or pick up the icon pro one from harbor freight for $35. either way you need a flex head 1/4" ratchet.

1/4" other bits:
>you'll need extensions. I like the "wobble" style ones that are dual function where you can seat the socket down further and it becomes fixed as well. bonus if they have a knurl on the shaft. there's sets on amazon that have all three drive sizes, I bought one from vector (00249V) and it'd be about all you would need, but really any decent set will do ya.
>you'll need a 1/4" u-joint. this, with the wobble extension will allow you to get to anything. especially the exhaust header nuts. buy two.
>HF's Pittsburg pro color coded short and deep 6-point sockets are fine. if you want to pop the loot or don't like the color coded ones, grab the icon's instead. they're more money than the chrome Pitts, but they won't flake off.

3/8" ratchet, get a fixed head and a flex head with a long handle. HF icon professional is more than adequate here.
>short well, you want 12pt sockets and deep you want 6pt. again, you can go low rent HF Pittsburg pro chrome ones or color coded.
>allen sockets. you won't need torx on a GT unless somebody replaced a grip of screws. I've had fantastic luck with craftsman, they seem to be about the only thing they still make worth a shit.

1/2" drive, same same. HF and grab some shallow 6pt sockets. you *really* only need a 22 and a 24, but the rest are nice to have.

scewdrivers, buy a set. the Quinn set at HF is cheap and decent.
>you'll need one each of a super duper long Phillips and thin shouldered flat blade. if they're not in the kit, you can buy separate.
>add in one or two BFS that you can buy loosie. you never know when you need a persuader or a pry bar or a punch.

wrenches, again. just grab a set from HF. icon or Pitts pro, standard combination.
>add to that one each of a ratcheting flex box end 8, 10, 12, 13 & 14

pliers, get a set that has: needle nose, slip joint standard, diagonal cutters, and slip joint channel locks.
>add a set of the little mini pliers from HF
>add in a pair of duck bill (aka flat nose)
>add in some vice grips of different sizes, get the 3-pack set.
>you'll need snap rings pliers, so just buy a cheap pair of reversible with interchangeable heads
>spend the money on some cobras. this is a smoking deal. like the snap-on ratchet you will find yourself using these ALL the time. you'll come to wonder how you lived with out them. you may even name your child after them, and if you think about it "cobra" is a pretty bad ass middle name for a girl.

misc other hand tools:
>T-handle allen keys. buy a set from somebody decent, park tool, craftsman, etc.
>T-handle 8mm fixed or a 1/4" drive T is super nice. motion pro makes nice stuff.
>hammers: regular sized ball peen, a 2-ish lb brass, combo plastic/hard rubber unit, a 3lb or so dead blow
>if you plan on doing your own tires, you'll need tire spoons and rim protectors.

speciality things and stuffs:
>feeler gauges for setting valve lash. I have these from lang and they're awesome
>you'll need a clutch holder and front pulley holder for the transmission service. scooter parts co has you covered there: https://scooterpartsco.com/tools-c-22/
>get a decent digital multi function multi meter and a test light
>mighty vac if you are working solo and need to bleed brakes.
>you absolutely need a stubby 15/16 or 24mm wrench to get at the oil sump plug. I like the craftsman 44102 you can pick them up on ebay pretty cheap. or just buy a standard wrench and cut it down.
>you'll need some punches, just get the HF set

highly recommended:
>electric impact. unless you have air. then get yourself a full complement of 1/4, 3/8's and 1/2 air guns.
>center jack
>socket organizing racks

highly highly recommended if budget and space allows:
>motorcycle lift.

there's a bunch of other specialty stuff that you may need down the line. but that's more of let's cross that bridge when we get there.

I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting because I'm not staring at my tool box right this second.

anyway, these are my recs. people love to crap on harbor freight, but their hand tools aren't terrible so long as you stay with Pittsburg pro and the new icon stuff is about on par with kobalt and older craftsman.

tools are also a deeply subjective thing. what wrench feels good in my hand you might not like the finish or the balance of. some people buy on name only. every ratchet has different action, choose the one you like.