Modern Vespa

Here's a long intro, skip to "QUESTION" below if you want to get right into it. I have been having an issue with battery draining and I'm pretty sure I've narrowed it down to the stator. I've worked on cars before, and this is my first time working on a scooter. I've been searching the forum and YouTube videos for over a week, and need a bit more support because I haven't quite found what I'm looking for. There are a few reasons why I think that I've narrowed it down to the stator:

- Brake light works correctly. Kick stand is up. I'm holding the break when I try to start it. These are the most basic things, but worth saying.

- All fuses checked, even the "hidden fuse" that I have seen come up in discussions.

- The voltage regulator appears to be good. After charging the battery, voltage was:
* off: 12.3
* idle: 12.7
* throttle: 13.2
* I pulled the voltage regulator out and tested the flow of the current to make sure the current was not running in any directions it shouldn't be.

- Parasitic drain. Difficulty starting, but runs fine once it's going. Headlight dims when I'm hitting the throttle. When I turned it off, the battery drained so quickly that I couldn't start it up again. I hear a rapid clicking when the battery is dead and won't start up.

- Overheating / burning smell (coolant and oil levels fine. No leaks. Temperature goes up to 65% on the gauge when riding for about 20 min.

- Disconnected the light under the seat and battery still drains.

Keeping it on a battery tender is not an option, as I live in the city, on a busy street, without access to an outlet. I'd like to fix it so that I can let it sit outside for a few days at most without draining. I don't plan on letting it sit for extended period as of time.

Resources:
- looks like the stator could be behind the water pump housing: - BV 500 engine 2006-2012: - Someone here with a similar problem almost 15 years ago: BV 500 voltage regulator or alternator problem
- "Hidden fuse": Hidden Fuse DONE - pictures and all
- BV 500 Workshop manual: https://absolutelyscooters.net/manuals/Piaggio_BV500_Service_Manual.pdf
* Removing the stator covered in page 30-33 of engine section
- Removing a stator on a scooter: QUESTION:
Where is the stator? It looks like it's so simple on most scooters. But, if my understanding is correct on this model, I have to drain the coolant, remove the water pump, the casing, remove the side panel. When I went look at doing this this, the exhaust pipe is in the way, so I would have to remove that too. I feel like I'm looking in the wrong place based on everything I've read and seen about changing a stator. One post (that I can't find now) someone said it's so simple on this model. I don't see how that is so when it feels like I have to tear everything apart to get to it.

I called the local dealership asking about part number for this model, and one part I needed but can't get is the removal tool. But again, it looks like that tool isn't needed based on the workshop manual above, making me think I'm looking in the wrong place.

Working on it has been frustrating because I live on a busy street the job keeps getting bigger and bigger. I have been getting up early to work on it, but I'm close to throwing in the towel and just taking it to a shop, giving them the part, and asking them to do it because it seems like a big job the more I take the scooter apart to get to this stator.

Should it be this difficult to get to this part, or am I looking in the wrong place?

Easy solution for a sacrificial draw. But not the best.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hla-002843011?seid=srese1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvpy5BhDTARIsAHSilyk3asbRKDn6SDjdG0Bre9UZTIyakdhYNtmUcnas7eiji9uVZdgz9XQaAs51EALw_wcB

Drain the oil first. Part of the oil pump sump is sealed by the water pump housing. I thought I could skip this step. Robort didn't elaborate on why. I ended up with a mess. I'd use a hand impact driver to remove the 3 screws for the water pump cover. Getting the hose clamps just right was a bit tricky. Watch Robot's video. It is very helpful.

Who is Robert and where can I find his video?

samsamsam
Don't know the specific video, but Robot has many how to videos on Vespa et al.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sE0JGaPrIRI

He works for Vespa Motorsport in San Diego.
https://vespamotorsport.com/

Oops I thought you said Robert haha. I've seen quite a few of their videos. I haven't found any that match up with the engine I'm working on.

I want to know if I really need to remove everything to get to the stator. I thought it would be a bit easy to get to.

Can you give an overview of what you did?

I meant Robot. Damn auto-correct. The stator is bolted to the back of the water pump housing. You don't need a puller. It really isn't that bad. I sat the scooter on double scrap 2x12s and unbolted the top shock mounts. Be careful of wiring harness, fuel lines and coil wire if you do this. The 3 hose clamps off the waterpump cover took some finagling.

I have found that the FSM for Aprilia Scarabeo scooters with the same displacement and the same years are better organized, have clearer photos and make more sense.

Why did you have to take off the shock mounts? Is it possible to get the job done with the scooter just on the center stand? I guess another question is how much did you have to remove (ie side paneling, foot rest, etc)?

For me, the exhaust pipe is in the way and I'm hesitant to take it off because I'm working on the scooter on a busy street with limited space, a garage would be ideal.

I unbolted the water pump housing but it won't budge and come off.

There are lots of bolts all around the right side cover, but on the BV250 there was one at the very lowest point that was blocked by the exhaust pipe. I tried the same thing as you did, to get the cover off without taking off the exhaust, and I failed.

The cover is harder to pull off than you might think, because of the strong magnets inside that work with the windings to create electric current. It isn't necessarily stuck but it feels that way. Just pull harder, once you're satisfied you got off all the bolts and hoses.