Modern Vespa

It started last summer with a Scoot2net ad.

Just for a moment, my brain interpreted that part code as $7716.00.

Wow, I thought, this is an expensive hobby for some people!

Nice find! Interested to hear how well the Parmakit goes. Obviously better than the Pinasco!

Let's go!

Nice save!

So with one copper head gasket and one paper base gasket I cannot get full travel of the piston. So when adding a spacer do I need to have a paper gasket on both sides?

No you don't. In fact if it helped you could just use sealant and no gaskets at all.

What do you mean by not getting full travel? Does the piston hit the head?
Without a head fitted and no base gasket, how far does the piston project above the top of the cylinder?

Yep the piston hits the head which sits inside the cylinder. Still have to set the squish

Starting with no head and no base gasket, torque down the cylinder using spacers on the studs. Rotate crank to exactly TDC and measure where the top of piston sits relative to the top of the cylinder. Add the depth of the head drop down bit to the recommended squish to get your gasket/packer thickness.

You can go on from there to measure your port timings, placement of packers/gaskets top or bottom will affect this.

Thanks Ginch. That is super helpful.

Out of curiosity, what method do you use to measure timings, paper + pencil and then converted through a formula or with angle measurements on the crank?

I find the degree wheel easiest. Or are you asking how to do it?

Degree wheel is OK, I understand the principle, thnx.