Modern Vespa

Hello! Is it still worth it to install the Malossi Multivar variatior upgrade if I can't replace the Clutch spring at this time (2014 vespa gts 300)
I don't have a 46 mm socket, and really don't want to buy one since I'll use it twice in my life - once now to change the spring out, and once in about 12,000 more miles (in about 4 years based on my current average riding) when it's time to disassemble and clean the clutch assembly.

How much of a difference does the clutch spring make? Is it enough to just change out the variator itself?
TIA!

nope

This works well for disassembling and reassembling the clutch assembly:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01GZVXX9W

There are double sided clutch nut sockets that pair well with this for maintenance, but you can use a Stillson wrench if you're feeling brave.

Do you have a 4-6" bench vise, and some bar clamps?

Mark the position of the nut with a paint marker, and make a mental note of how many threads you see outside of the nut. Set the nut in the jaws of the vice and loosen 1/2 turn. Take a pair of bar clamps and compress the clutch 180° apart, remove the nut, and carefully release the bar clamps. Do your maintenance, re-assemble with the bar clamps, screw the nut in until you have your desired number of visible threads. Put it back in your bench vice with the jaws on the nut and tighten until your paint marks align.

You can also do this by standing on the clutch wearing heavy boots. It's rather wobbly however and prone to explode all over your garage and put your eye out. I did this method before I got wise and started using bar clamps.

So I can't use the vice method, because of the metal fins on the clutch.

But I'll be doing the bar clamp part once I finally get the socket in, since it looks like that's really my "only" solution here if I don't want to break anything.

I'm at the "I know enough to be dangerous" level of knowledge about these things

Ahh... I guess that's why I remember the standing on the wobbly clutch with heavy boots on those fins. I likely put a shop rag on there as well. This was years ago when I had my GTS250.

Dunno if it will help, but I wrote a series of posts in another thread showing the process:

Shredded belt jammed into the clutch...thoughts? (Post 2642920)

If you're loathe to get tools but want to try the job, PM me.

Thanks! I'll have the socket tomorrow. Now I either need to borrow an impact wrench (that I should be able to rent) or just buy a vice and use my muscles.

A good bench vise, 4-6" is never a bad purchase decision.

This for sure^^^*^*
Find a Harbor Freight and wait for a sale. Use the sale and every coupon they have. You can stack them up.

I'd have to purchase a bench first

nope

you won't need the impact as once you take and compress it that takes the tension off the nut, and very important to paint the nut and threads so when putting back on its at the correct alignment. Hand thread the nut back on till you get close to the painted marks you put on, then adjust with a wrench if needed.

If you don't use the Malossi contra spring, you won't have quite the same acceleration, but it's not that much stiffer than stock.
I always use an impact wrench to take the clutch nut off and put it back on. Most shops you take it to will do it like that. Just don't go nuts when you put it back on, and don't use the sort of impact wrench you would use if you were trying to get the wheels off a locomotive.

make sure you put the nut back on the right way around. and I'd suggest the smallest drop of loc-tite as well.

nope

blue or red. it don't matter none.