Modern Vespa

Hi all,

Second engine rebuild on my SS180 has just happened. Twice its been apart, once for seals and a second time for a change of gasket. More details to follow when I am convinced it is working.

But sorry for the stupid question, what's the best way of getting this exhaust back on?!? I have tried pulling it back, tapping it, etc etc. Can I loosen the whole exhaust under the body somewhere? If so where and how?

Thanks! More questions coming...

Next issue is odd. Bike running OK, connected red, yellow and blue wires. Have working lights, all good. Kill switch works, brake light works.

But...

When I connect the green wire the bike starts sputtering and dies, all lights fail.

I'm leaving the green wire (horn I believe) disconnected for now. Something in the horn circuit is earthing to the body when it shouldn't?

Any guidance welcome. Thanks!

Final question for now, is there a washer or other item to seal the 19mm drain bolt at the bottom of the SS180 engine? Think mine leaks.

If anybody is interested my SS180 engine spewed oil all over the back wheel and died when hot. So engine came apart and I replaced the seals. Put it all back together but it caused me a major headache because it would run for about 5 mins then I had to push it home cos it absolutely refused to start again.

Took the engine apart again and suspected a compression issue. One engine case had damage where the lip of the case was supposed to seal against the opposing case. Took the half case to a local engine specialist to investigate machining. They advised not to and suggested using a liquid gasket rather than standard paper gasket.

Yesterday I built the engine again but this time used a silicon gasket Threebond and today, finally after chasing electrical issues and various other things I have driven round the block. Wish me luck as I attempt to go further.

I reckon this bike has consumed about 100 hours of my recent life. Hoping it's nearly done. I'm certainly learning a lot!


Charlie

That is a tapered pipe plug and seals when tightened. Not too much, though. You could put a but of appropriate sealant on the threads but should not be necessary.

Thanks. Have tightened it and will keep an eye on it.

Slide the pipe up onto the manifold before attaching it at the bracket.

Definitely can't do that - obviously that is how it supposed to happen. Been pulling, lifting and shoving it. Can't get it lined up enough to get it on. How do I detach it under the bike? From the spare wheel side?

Remove the spare. There is a bolt going through a bracket and through the swing arm right in front of the rear tire. The tire interferes with the bolt going in and out. I have let the air out of the tire to be able to press it in so the bolt will clear. Or loosen the wheel so you can push it out of the way. It goes through the swing arm and into a nut that is captured in a cage on the front side. When replacing the bolt, the nut cocks andthe bolt will not thread into it. Be sure you don't cross thread it. Sometimes it threads right in and other times it's quite annoying. To say the least...

Nice one, thanks. Will do this tomorrow morning.

This bike is really causing me headaches. After starting over and over again without an issue today it is now dead again. Back to the drawing board...

Charlie

You mean it won't start? Is your plug wet or dry? While you have it out, check for healthy spark.

This ain't your first Vespa and we've all been there .

"When I connect the green wire the bike starts sputtering and dies, all lights fail. "

Green wire is engine kill

Search "green wire" in NSM.
https://modernvespa.com/forum/xsearch.php?search_results

On the non-battery model, the green powers the horn and red is kill. On the battery model there is no green at the junction box and the red is also killed at the switch.

Your pic of the JB looks non-battery to me. The ignition is powered by its own coil and shouldn't be affected by the horn circuit. But... I had a bike with two coils ( ignition / lights and horn ) that would die if the lights were turned on and I never figured it out.