Modern Vespa

First off, I haven't posted/logged in here in over 15 years.

Secondly, in a very weird set of circumstances I bought a $500 GTS300 on Saturday. I hadn't looked at Craigslist in probably 2 years. I use Facebook Marketplace these days. But for whatever reason, Saturday afternoon, I went on Craigslist. About 20 minutes earlier a listing for a 2014 GTS300 went up. It was listed as a "fixer". Very dirty, and had what was described as "bad engine noise". The guy was only about a mile from my house. So I drove over and bought it. I figure for $500 how could I lose. I washed it Sunday morning and it is in surprisingly good shape. It was 30k miles and some scratches, but it cleaned up well.


There is a lack of power and a cut out/bog and a lot of noise around the clutch. So I took it apart to look at things. It's been years since I messed with a scooter with a CVT. With 30k miles I think some things might be worn out.

Here's a video of the noise I'm dealing with.

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Does the rattle get worse or better with rpms?

I'll have to reassemble and check. I think when I test rode it it changed with throttle, but I'm not 100% certain. I couldn't get the scooter over about 15-20 mph because it was bogging or cutting out.

Nice color and decent shape. Even if you have to drop a used motor in it, you're ahead $$.

My apartment is not as clean as your garage.

The garage is actually a complete mess right now. It's been a work in progress since we moved in to this house last year.

Did you find what was wrong? Fuel pressure is ok? Did you check the injector?

I would replace all the transmission components at this point...Variator/Rollers, belt, clutch, maybe even the tension pulley.

All fluids should be changed - brake, coolant, oil, rear gear oil. Air filter and oil filter as well

Check date codes on the tire sidewalls, they are likely more than 5 years old.

Replace the exhaust gasket; rehab the exhaust with a wire brush and high temp paint.

You can do all of this for about $700, including new tires. Get it done right and it's likely go for another 20K miles easily.

For $500, that's a killer deal.

Great price for that year

I paid 3200.00 for a 2025 310Gts with 42 miles from Copart salvage.

Donor bike

Wiring
Motor
Fork assembly

I will copy coolant hoses in one piece silicone in red color.

also to add to your list

valve check/adjustment
battery load test/replacement (age)
inspect wheel bearings
throttle body cleaning

I have not had much time lately to jump in and diagnose this more. But I did rule out the clutch. I put the variator/rollers back on and ran the engine without the belt for a moment and the noise was still there.

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I think that the rod bearing is damaged. Did you find any metal flakes in the oil? Check also the camshaft chain tensioner before digging inside the motor.