Modern Vespa

My GTS 300 HPE has arrived in New York! It was last serviced in April 2022 (belt, oil, coolant, and brake fluid), last ridden June 2023, and then parked with a full tank and an unclipped battery. It's picked up about 4300 miles since the service.

When I shipped it, it had enough power to draw the LCD and open the seat, but the ignition button wasn't working. Not sure if it's corrosion, a dead battery, or old gas. I suppose I'll fill the tank with fresh gas, see if it jumps starts, and then decide whether to get a new battery or charge the 5yo one it came with. (Corrosion is a possibility since the MODE button stopped working before I even parked it.)

NY requires vehicle inspections, so at the very least I need to do that. I emailed Scooter Bottega and Vespa BK asking about a 2y service. They each gave me the price for an oil change, which surprised me. The manual says you're supposed to replace the coolant and brake fluid every 2y.

What advice do you have for getting back on the road after being parked for the better part of 2 years? Should I insist they change the coolant and brake fluid? Just get it inspected and see what they suggest after?

Thanks in advance!

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Me - I'd change the battery anyway, get it running and just get it inspected. Two-year old oil that's hardly used does not need changing. Brake fluid and coolant? Again, if not used, I'd not bother. Check the tyres for cracking though...

My mechanic has said that some servicing items tend to be based on location.

As I'm near the sea, he will often spend time taking apart lots of parts that commonly seize in order to grease them - centre stand, caliper sliders etc.

In terms of brake fluid, he had a moisture reader to test this, and said that (at least where I live), brake fluid lasts a lot longer than 2 years.

Where was it parked up? Was it sat on concrete, was it undercover etc?

need more info

last service was 4300 miles ago but how many total miles?
Valve adjustment ever been done?

25,000 total. Maintained by the book. IDK if the valves have ever been adjusted, but I think they've at least been checked. The mechanic in California was very good.

It was in a literal garage in Oakland, on a concrete pad, and under a cover.

If it's sat on concrete in one spot, then I'd check the front tyre to make there's no flat spots or cracking on the area where it sat.

If it was on a centre stand, the rear tyre should be good.

Might be worth going round with some spray grease on the parts that are meant to move - front suspension joints, stand etc. Make sure you get no grease on the brakes though!

At 4300 miles since the last service, I'd be tempted to book it in now so everything is fresh.

Amazon had a deal on a well reviewed charger, so I bought this Foval and topped off the original battery.

As I feared, it still doesn't start. I don't know whether it's the year-old gas, or if the non-use has corroded the starter button. What's the best way to narrow it down (shy of walking to a gas station and buying a jerry can)? Is there a noise or other signal that the starter button is working, independently of the motor turning over?

With year old gas, it should still start.

If the starter doesn't run, you should still hear a click as the starter relay makes contact.

Check the brake lights come on when you pull either lever and try to start.

as jimc says. note the starter relay is the one under the seat on the righthand side of the engine bay

I sat on/wiggled the button for a few seconds and got it to turn over. Topped off the oil for long enough to last until I get it inspected and decided whether to get it changed now or wait until it's due.

Hopefully tomorrow I can put a fresh tank of gas in it and it'll run well enough to see how it feels in NY.

Thanks all.