Modern Vespa

I had wrapped the exhaust mid pipe on my Vespa but gravel rash killed it.
Exhaust wrap on GTS (Post 2645146)

The tail light on Rocket, my 2006 Vespa GT, was loose on top a couple of weeks ago.

I took it off and noticed that one of the tabs on top was broken.

I assumed that one tab would hold it in place, so I simply reinstalled the light.

Then I rode ten miles to a meet up with the club and found it to have come loose again.

I removed it on Sunday to find the other tab broken.

But both tabs were still in the cavity behind the light and there was lots of surface area to glue them back in place.

I let the glue set for a few hours, then selectively added glue to reinforce the attachment.

Tonight I reinstalled the tail light successfully, but with a piece of Gorilla Tape to relieve some of the stress.

I hope it holds. I have a spare European light for when I absolutely need it but they are getting hard to acquire.

Also this weekend I looked at the steering on Vanessa, my 2007 Vespa GT.

Her steering has been feeling stiff when braking for a while.

At the top of the front fender I found a heavy cable exposed in the gap to the body.

I checked Rocket and saw that the cable should be tucked into the bodywork.

I am quite certain that the fender was pushing against the cabling and the body, causing resistance, stiffening the steering.

I tucked it in and rode it on a short ride around the neighborhood.

I tested it many times. Neighbors probably thought I was crazy.

So far so good.

Bkll

Didn't do shit to it today.

I think it's still in the garage somewhere....maybe I should go out and check in it.

Nah...might try to find it tomorrow.

seemed to have cured the rattle in my front frando brakes. (Mostly)

patched the underside of the pet carrier to repair damage from piaggio's poor design.

Can you elaborate?

1)
problem: my frando front brakes always rattled when braking. generally not when not braking but had started doing that as well.
fix: stuck a strip of this on the edge of the pad that is top when the caliper is mounted. when the wheel turns this edge of the pad would tap against the inside of the caliper. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285399918873 (not sure the description is correct but this the item I bought from ebay)

2)
problem: [NSR] What's Pissing you off Today? III (Post 2722070)
fix: 2 part epoxy + a bit of light steel to create a patch that'll work as a 'skid plate'

Added some reflectors to my top-box. The earlier models (about pre-2018) came out with these reflectors on the top-box. They were not very functional, but looked nice, and I wanted them on my new top-box. The current models are very bland in their monochrome and need something to spice them up (if that is possible for a top-box!).

I bought two of the reflectors and ground/filed them down at the back to sit more-or-less flush on my box. They are each held by three recessed 1/8" screws, with a dab of Loctite on the nuts.

Because these red lenses are not really reflective, I added some bright white reflective tape underneath them (as I had done on previous scooters), but they are probably too high to catch oncoming lights. Also painted the heads of the screws red.

I am very happy with the result, just wish I had a carrier that positioned the box behind the seat rather than above it, more like the GT200 plastic top-box rack.

oil change + filter + oring.
air filter change + seal + remove and wash the box.
throttle body clean.
13g rollers (not malossi as malossi flat spotted real quick).
ordered new tires.
washed her.

Did the 11.5 Sliders not work out?
I'm still thinking about a set of Dr Pulley Sliders now that the snow is finally melting and temp rising

reply moved to 13g, 11.5g, 14g sliders in GTS 300 HPE (Post 2725717)

I have been very pleased with 13.5g Dr Ps in my 300 (plus extra washer). Manic acceleration and rev limiter kicks in at 82-83mph GPS. Throttle off a bit and it holds 84 happily - ~135kph.

ordered tires - second attempt.
Cleared the service icon.
Topped up tire pressures.
Checked hub oil level.
Reset adaptive params (she was a bit funny after the air filter change etc a couple of days earlier).

Most recently? Convinced myself my water pump was failing (I checked the reservoir and it was full so I have since unconvinced myself.)
Before that, reflective pink on the wheels, custom seat cover, chubby buttons media controls, flip out cup holder, front fender crashguard, canisterectomy and I installed the PMP!

Edit: Also the Kaoko throttle lock which is a godsend on long freeway jaunts.

love the funky colours

I didn't know these things were available for Vespa's. Wish I'd known sooner but I'm definitely ordering one ASAP.

Thanks Trenchleton

Honestly they're pretty easy to rig even when they don't have one to fit. I just did it with my Suzuki too, took a flat kit that was meant for a bike with specific bar ends and just added spacers and shims until the fit was just right.
The GTS kit works great right out of the box though! I have a few hundred miles or more of interstate 5 on it already.

The next "upgrade" I want to do is adding some LED lighting in the legshield to glow out of the vents / as sidelighting. I remember seeing a thread on here where someone had (though I'll be using - unsurprisingly - pink).

Turn indicator fail

Recently:
Put on 13".
Cancelled order for new 12" tires.
Swapped long mirrors back to original as the ball joint on one is fucked.
Replaced fucked intake hose (the short rubber one) with temporary custom.

Today:
14g rollers, really don't think i should ever waste my time trying anything else.
Replaced temporary homemade intake hose with new oem.
Inspected TB and swore at Magneti Marelli.

Next day or two:
Probably reorder new 12" tires so I can then remove the 13" - maybe - and if so post about my experience.
Do something about this mirror - I hate the short ones.

LOVE that green.
Really want that someday.

Also, could you specify where to acquire the cup holder shown?

Cupholder is a marine cupholder. Search that and you'll find a lot of them. I got a spare knee pad and mounted it to it (in case I decided to be rid of it I can go back to stock). It's not terribly practical, I think even that monster tries to bang against my windshield mount.

Went out to the garage and looked at the space along the South wall where the Vespa used to be parked, now being taken up by the R1200R BMW that the GTS was traded in on last week.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning your decision making but what does the BMW offer that isn't already catered for (at a much higher level) by the Triumph Rocket?

Took my LX150 out of storage (and replace the snowblower in the garage...thus snow flurries this morning ). Decided it was nice enough for a little joy ride, so went up the road a bit. Was already planning on turning around when the rear felt wonky. Looked down and the tire was flat. I of course should have checked pressures before setting off...

Had an issue last year, but seemed fine after reseating tire on the rim. In hindsight needed more scrutiny....

The BMW R1200R could be thought of as the 'UGM', (Universal German Machine). It's not specialized in any category, but excels in it's all-round refinement, competence, and what I would describe as 'real world' practicality.

It's not too big, it's not too small, it's, IMO, just 'right' for anything that I would use a motorcycle for. It can run to the store for cat food, or as easily run across the continent, it wouldn't matter to this bike.

At 110 hp, it's definitely no slug, is a real pleasure to bend through a curve, and in spite of it's 'raw power and presence', I think that the R1200R would, as they say, hand my Triumph Rocket 3R it's ass if both were seriously pushed through a relatively tight curvy section of road where power is secondary to excellent road handling.

The Rocket 3 is just an unrelenting blast to ride however, and a marvelous machine to behold, but is, in reality, much more of a poser's machine simply due to it's outrageous presence, it's always 'The Elephant In The Room' wherever it goes and cannot help but attract attention.

Although this model of BMW is still a bit 'quirky' in some areas, including visually in several aspects, it's almost invisible next to the big Triumph, and that's not always a bad thing.

My particular R1200R is just old enough (2013) to still use an ignition key rather than a fob, and the only 'rider intervention safety feature' it has is ABS, and hasn't been festooned with three to five engine 'power modes'. It just gives you what it has, depending on how much you twist the throttle.

It came with a pair of voluminous BMW detachable saddlebags and heated grips.

If I was made to choose one bike in our garage to keep, it would be the BMW for it's universal competence...and it doesn't hurt one bit that I think it's a very good looking bike as well.

A smaller top case

Replaced the mirrors (because floppy ball joint).

Black badges all round.

Sharp!

ordered yet another throttle body and did a valve check (were a bit loose).

Watched the USPS tracking for the last bit needed for the weekend projects.

Installed LV touring pipe and 80 jet, back shock and blue bushings. New rear brake shoes. Did not get the front shock done as the lower bolts did not cooperate and will need to be removed with medieval techniques. Suggestions welcome. They will be replaced, so I'm no concerned about ruining them

Checked tire pressure,and fluids gave it a mini detail and rode to work 40 miles down the infamous Ortega hwy 74 in southern California it was a blast and I was smiling all the way something I don't seem to do much when I'm driving on 4 wheels. 🛵🙂

Dusted off my S and did a pre-ride check for my first ride of 2025!
It was sunny and 15*C. Got to test out my new 3/4 helmet.....

Glad I ran across this thread w/ the recent updates. I had actually searched and wasn't able to find this or a similar thread--not sure where the problem was with that, but probably involved alcohol. My PTW is a BMW R NineT, and I created a thread on the equivalent bimmer site and used it as a poor man's "build" thread, documenting the mostly-maintenance work I do as I do it. I'm going to do the same here, so please feel free to disregard this, plus future updates/edits. Obviously this isn't what I did today, but captures a lot of recent work. Hopefully editing an old thread won't bump the post....


2009 LX 150, purchased ~2020ish with ~8000 miles. When purchased, it was not running and possibly neglected, so there was a bit of deferred maintenance that I initially did to bring it up to snuff. It was an outdoor cat in San Francisco, and this took a toll. Work definitely included, but was not limited to:
oil/filter
front brake pads, clean/sort caliper, bleed
replace damaged mirror
various bulbs, reflectors
kill & starter switches--were corroded and not functioning correctly

More recent work:
4/25, 9800 miles
oil/filter
adjust valves
new piaggio belt
new piaggio rollers (OE weight)
clean/scuff variator and clutch pulleys
remove, clean, lubricate (needle bearings) clutch
remove, clean, lubricate Bendix
remove, clean, inspect gears/gearbox
replace clutch and crank (transmission cover) bearings
flush gearbox
repair, clean, lubricate kick starter mechanism—it now works!
replace rear brake pads, adjust
bleed front brake
remove/rebuild/re-install carburetor, lubricate throttle cables
remove/repair/paint front dash cover panel
purchase/cut/add blue key to existing master key
clamped rattling exhaust shield (the smaller, more forward one). Can't get the screws out. And of all the work listed here, the biggest improvement….


To get done
Shocks?
Tires?

Put the toolkit in the pet carrier and filled it up with 93. Heading to Skyline Drive this weekend.

Today I replaced the brake fluid ,which was easy this weekend I probably will replace the coolant that looks pretty straight forward.

New throttle body (again).

Assembly of V meter with USB charger.

I took her in for a major service, new tyre fitment and installation of the speed ring JBuckland kindly posted across the Atlantic free of charge.

On the way back I dropped into the nearest motorcycle accessories store and purchased a new pair of riding jeans and a flip front helmet.

Today installed USB charger.

put the standard 12" wheels back on.

scrubbed the baked on mud off the exhaust header.

topped up oil.

washed her.

kissed her.

calibrated asr.

listed 13" for sale.