Modern Vespa

I have never really thought about doing something to stop corrosion on my GTS 300, until this ad was posted in the classifieds section here:

[topic188904]

I am not being critical of the owner, but I was shocked at the rust-through damage. This has me thinking that I want to do something to protect against this type of corrosion. I am thinking that using automotive cavity wax would be a good idea. What are your thoughts?

I was almost certain when I saw this title that this was going to be spam. I am pleasantly surprised.

Me too

If it doesn't work, it certainly won't hurt. When I got my GTS, I removed the floorboard and soaked the complete inside of the bodywork in two layers of cavity wax. At least no rust there, last time I checked.

My Vespa main dealer asked me to buy a can of cavity wax for £10.

Whenever my Vespa goes in for any work, if he opens up any bodywork, he'll spray some in and then return the can back to me.

With the battery tray, lead batteries naturally spit as they charge and discharge. I saw a Honda with an exposed battery and the spitting had rusted the frame - this isn't something unique to Vespas, but is maybe missed as it happens out of sight. As and when my lead battery has reached the end of its usable life - I'll swap it out for a lithium one for this reason.

I have often wondered if a fairly new bike could be taken to a Line-X shop and have the underside sprayed with bed liner material. They would scuff sand it before. I have had Line-X treatments to two truck beds and they still looked and protected for years until traded in. Waterproof and very tough.

I have sprayed the inside of my 24 gts with a corrosion inhibitor and also fitted a sluk fender extender to the front mudguard. Working on the principle of reducing the cause and preventing corrosion from the inside out.

Can that be legal to drive with such big rust damage?
Well, I got a -20 gts300 and driving in Finland, here we use roadsalt all year, so I think I have to do some spraying before getting all rusty

We do use a bunch of chemicals on the roads here in Minnesota that can rust you out. The difference, we usually put the scoots up in storage for +6 months during the Winter/Spring and ride after the roads have been cleared of these corrosive chemicals.

I also, wash my Vespa a lot. Good luck everyone. I have not had rust yet.
2013 Vespa GTS300 Super.

Bob Copeland

I have owned a few German cars and my current 911 is sprayed with Cosmoline to protect from corrosion during shipping to the US. That stuff last for ever, however it does have a yellowish look to it. You can find it in an aerosol spray. I believe the military still uses that on their equipment.

It's funny how vintage Vespas that are 30 to 50 years old have lasted more than a new generation Vespa that was also anti-corrosion treated during manufacturing...

I also use cavity wax on all my restored shifty Vespas...

As for the ad, IMHO it's overpriced. That frame is toast and doubtful if it's safe to ride...

In Florida, yes. while wearing a speedo, and nothing else.
It really does look like a hurricane bike that may have done some time under water.