Modern Vespa

Hey there. So, I recently came into ownership of a 2003 Piaggio GT125. It's an amazing bike pretty low mileage. Chromed out, two person tan leather seat and helmet case with a chrome luggage rack on front. I love it. The problem is that it started stalling the other day and after taking it to the dealership the guy told me that it was probably the computer going bad. Apparently, this is a costly repair… I live in the states and my scooter was never sold in the American market it was imported. I also discovered that I don't have the master key. The owner of the shop told me that for the cost of the repairs I should just get a new scooter. So, what do you think would be a fair trade-in value? I can add any information that is needed.

Also, the model he wants to sell me is a 2003 Piaggio 150 I believe GT but in terms of aesthetics alone I have a superior model even given the difference in engine power. The used scooter is much smaller and obviously mass produced. I just feel like I'm gonna get played on the value of my scooter because of the missing master…admittedly that's a big deal… I'm also in love with my scooter and hate to trade down.

Did the bike come with any service records?

Are you in a location to get a second opinion from another Vespa mechanic?

That should have a carb on it? How many miles have you used it for since getting it? Could be something as simple as a clogged jet. What are the exact symptoms of the stall?
Was the stall sudden?
Stalls while riding?
Stalls while at idle?
Does it start right back up after stalling?
Any other weird things going on?
That's a good looking scooter and its worth getting a second opinion on.

Cool bike, looks like a GTS 250.

This doesn't sound like a computer (ECU) problem to me, though I admit I don't know much about this scooter. Electronic controls don't gradually go bad; they work or they don't. Stalling could be caused by a number of things other than the computer.

Yours looks like a Vespa GT model. It would have been imported as you say. Vespa 125's weren't sold in the US as far as I know.

Do you know if it's fuel injected or carbureted?

Tell us more about it and maybe someone can help you come up with a different diagnosis. Does it start but stall? Or not start at all? How many miles (or km) on it?

It's a good-looking scooter. Hope you can get it running.

Is this a Vespa or a different Piaggio model like Fly or BVxxx? Piaggio is the parent company that makes a line of "Vespas" as well as other models with Piaggio badges. Vespa is the "premium" line.

The lack of a master key isn't a big deal but get a copy of the key you have if you're going to keep the scooter.

Low mileage hardly used……..that sounds like bad fuel to me and as others have said possibly a blockage in the fuel system. Have you tried fresh fuel and given the battery a charge. As mentioned above try another bike shop as the bike looks very tidy externally

I'm friends with its first owner. He has all the records I believe.

So, I have had the bike since June-ish. And I've put over 700 miles on it… easy. But it has always started right up… if anything I had to give it the slightest bit of a turn on the throttle and it would kick on. I was literally driving past the dealership when it started to stall, mid-ride. Then it would kick back in and wouldn't go over 45mph and then as long as I kept it under 20 it seemed to do fine. The engine light wasn't coming on either. Which confused the shit out of me because my first thought was the oil.

This is a Vespa Piaggio GT125 2003. The model was never sold in the states and has a foreign VIN, so all attempts to research value have come up nil.

Thanks, I only use super grade gas, but admittedly I'm not picky about where that comes from. Also, the next Vespa dealer is over an hour away. The dealer told me that there are few mechanics who will work on it because it's foreign and will be costly.

Aren't all bikes basically foreign, or is he inferring because this model was never sold on this market the parts will be less available? Logically, it has the same parts as other Vespas that were sold in this market… the exception being the body.

I forgot to add, the dealer also told me that not having the master key would make the bike harder to work on. Not sure how that would figure, but I'm at a huge disadvantage because I'm ignorant of a lot of information pertaining both to scooters and specifically Vespas.

Anyway, I doubt that the dealer will give you much trade-in value for it, not nearly as much as it's worth to you.

I'll bet there are lots of GT125 owners from around the world on this forum, who could chime in with more help on your Vespa.

How many miles on it, total?

That's BS.

I wasn't there, but it sounds to me like the dealer can unload an older 150, score a hard to find 125, put minimal money into it, and either keep it, or resell it.

That's what I was thinking.

So the odometer is in Km. I think it's around 11200km.

That's about 7,000 miles. Could be due for a valve adjustment.

If you do keep the scooter, it's probably due for more maintenance items, too. Tires, belt, spark plug, brake service, etc. An investment, but worth it in my opinion, if you like it.

I totally understand that and literally was planning to bring it in before the stalling happened to get it serviced. I'm just not sure now if the problem is as severe as this guy is saying it is or as costly to fix as he's saying. I guess there isn't anyway to know that without a second opinion.

I don't know if I asked this already, but was he right when he said that most dealers won't work on it because it's foreign?

And also, I don't like this bike… I love it.

..while I know what you are saying, mine was produced for the US market and made in Italy..

Often parts need to come from Piaggio to suppliers or dealers. There are also websites like SIP that service the global scooter market. In some cases it might take more time and bit more cost to import a specific part, but not impossible.

My comment about bad gas , was fuel left in a scoot over a long ( years) period of inactivity. This leads to blocking of the fuel system and some corrosion. I would seek a second opinion.

Are there any independent motorcycle mechanics near you? MV members, any ideas?

Or, there's a lot you can do yourself with the help of this forum and some YouTube videos. I'd try a shot of Seafoam in the tank, a clean air filter, and a new plug for starters. Valve checks are more advanced, but doable. I've done it on a couple of my scooters and it's fixed stalling issues.

I agree with the side ventilation and the oversized top case it does.

As others have noted, this scooter basically has the body of a 200 GT with a 125cc carbed engine. While it was never sold in the US, many parts should be available here. Someone like SIP could likely fill in the ones that are not. As others have noted, it is probably in need of basic periodic servicing. In the case of the several carbed Vespas/Piaggios I have owned, a carb cleaning and adjustment is usually high on the list.

Don't forget to clone the last remaining key.

The master key is only required for programming new keys (not for other work). As you no longer have this, you should clone the last key.

Give us the first nine digits of the VIN, then we can link you to the appropriate workshop manual and spare parts catalog.

No-one has yet mentioned the first thing to do if a 20-year-old carb'd Vespa starts playing up - change out the fuel and vacuum lines. They almost certainly have minute cracks in them, one or more of which will have gone right through, compromising the vacuum-operated petcock. BTDTGTTS many times...

Search engines across the interwebs see a spike in searches for BTDTGTTS.

Most people have "been there" several times in their lives.

In Canada we use small engine tuneup fluid from the automotive stores to dissolve small amounts of varnish in carburetor jets as the engine runs. The stuff actually works. There must be a US equivalent.

Cheers and good luck
Bob

my go to for this is a product called star tron comes in a blue bottle at most automotive areas like auto zone, walmarts, etc

Sea Foam is a common product in the US.

You're right about not being there. Not so much about everything else. They're hard to find for the same reason you can't find a GTS 125 in the US. Nobody would buy them. If you stick that engine in your GTS, and it will bolt right in, you would have a Vespa GTS 125. Would you enjoy riding your GTS around Oceanside if it was a 125?

There is no 2003 Piaggio GT 150, and your scooter wasn't built by Keebler elves either. It's also mass produced.
To fix your CDI problem, if that is the problem, will cost about $230. You replace your CDI with this:

https://scooterpartsco.com/gt-200-electrical-c-3637_3641_3759/malossi-cdi-for-vespa-gt-200-other-piaggio-lc-leader-p-820.html

and use any Vespa or Piaggio key blank that fits the ignition. Guess again. The same model was sold in the US, but not as a 125. the body is identical to the Vespa GT200, GT200L or Granturismo sold in the US. The exceptions are the cylinder and piston, carburetor and the transmission. The cylinder is the same as the GT 200, but with a smaller diameter piston. The transmission is identical to the one used in the Vespa LX 150, which means they use the same belt, roller size, variator, clutch, etc. The rollers are lighter, to help that underpowered pig get out of it's own way. And the caburetor is a whole lot cheaper than the one used in the GT 200.
As far as value, your scooter is likely worth about $5-600 less than a GT 200 in similar condition, primarily because it's a 125. This limits it's useability in the US, where it's too small to take on the freeway in most States.

Keep the bike you have. There are plenty of people on this forum to help you talk you through fixing your bike. It may take nothing more than running some seafoam through your carburetor. If you can clean your carburetor and reset your valve clearances you should be 90% there if not better. I have a 40year old bike that would not start at all. I adjusted the valves and now it will start within the first or second kick start.

Maybe wave some puka shells over it. That works as well.
Instead of adding magic sauce to your fuel, or blaming ethanol in gas for the world's problems, buy a top tier premium fuel from a busy major brand gas station that sells a lot of gas. And ride.

A lot of wheel spinning going on.....So, a question: Are you willing to work on the scoot? If not, you options are take it to the first place you talked about, or try someone else. I think it may be worth it to try another shop since the first one embellished you about the key. If you do want jump in and wrench, Jimc is spot on, it could be as simple as the fuel and vacuum lines are wonky. Also, get the maintenance records - it will help you, as well as the next mechanic (which may be you), to help sort this out. Considering Seafoam - unless you are using it on an old 2 stroke marine engine - leave it on the shelf at the auto parts store next to all of the other "miracle cures." Lastly, if you trade it, expect to get about half what a comparable running scoot would go for.

Trade in value on scoots are pretty low. You will get more if you sell online or locally. I am sure you can sort out your mechanical issues. If you like the machine, your best bet is do the fix and ride on. Kraig Jones, who has already posted, is a wizard mechanically.

Bob Copeland