Modern Vespa

Took a trip to the store today, and noticed my Vespa was suspiciously loud on the way back. (I actually thought it was a truck driving next to me because surely this sound wasn't coming from my Vespa! )

When I realized it was my GT being incredibly loud, I pulled off the road and took out my seat bucket. I gave it a moment to sit, about a full minute, and then tried to start it again. It just did a "click" and then nothing. I took the key out, gave it a proper few minutes and tried again. It started up but sounded terrible ([?share=copy]attached video[/url]). I had groceries and couldn't leave my Vespa on the side of the road when I was less than a mile from home so I put the bucket in and rode it back. My driveway was just over a hill about a quarter mile away so it wasn't long, but going up that hill I was half expecting my Vespa just to explode.

The attached video captures the issue pretty well so hopefully it comes through okay. This is my only transportation at the moment, so I'm hoping it's not catastrophic. Any tips on what happened and how to fix it? Thanks!!

Notes of importance:
*Vespa has 25,000 miles
*Had carbs cleaned last in May 2021 (scoot was not ridden more than 500 miles since, but maintained until I bought it in November 2023) (also had clutch totally replaced, vacuum tubes serviced and re-routed, and new intake manifold)
*Speedometer cable went out last week, waiting on replacement cable in the mail
*Just did my first oil change on it myself 3 weeks ago but haven't observed any leaks and the dipstick is still within range.
*The vespa has been a little clacky and rough since I got it, but I chocked it up to being an almost 20 year old scoot that hadn't been ridden in a while. I had it inspected when I got it and they only noted a slight smell of coolant and advised a flush, which I did DIY but haven't noticed any leaks under or around the scooter ever

Through searching around, I (think) I've narrowed it down to either needing a carb cleaning or a new exhaust bushing. The bushing is pretty beat up so I'll replace that tomorrow and update here about if that was the fix or if I've got to learn to clean a carb this week!

That does sound a lot like the exhaust bushing is gone. A dirty carb doesn't make it do that.

I'm with Motovista on this. Get a new exhaust bushing. You can always clean your carb another day or not... .

Yep. If I remember right you should be able to see/feel exhaust coming out of that junction if the bushing is toast. I don't think it's anything terrible.

I'm sorta surprised it went 25k without going bad, though!

I agree. No weird mechanical noises. Only a too loud exhaust.

Bushing

It was indeed the bushing! I'd picked up an exhaust expander for the job but got the wrong size, thankfully my local Firestone was happy to expand the pipe and fit the bushing in for me in about 2 minutes.

Thanks for sharing. This was a logical case.
In fact in most cases what is the most obvious is also the cause.