Modern Vespa

My Vespa GTS 300 (2019 pre-HPE) has fewer than 4,000 km on it, and I am already noticing a few rock chips underneath the steel body.

Earlier, I used Scratch Happens primer, paint and clear coat around the drainage hole because the paint there looked extremely thin—almost nonexistent—and I wanted to address it before rust could start.

Now I have noticed a few additional paint chips underneath, despite having installed a SLUK mudguard specifically to reduce stone chips. At this point, I am wondering whether this is simply normal wear and I should let it go.

Does exposed metal in these areas inevitably lead to rust? The Vespa sleeps outside, it rains often where I live, and I do ride in the rain. However, I do not ride it during winter, so it is not exposed to road salt.

I applied ACF-50 to the paint chips shown here, hoping it will slow down corrosion on the steel body.

For those of you who have owned a GTS 300 for years: is this just part of Vespa ownership? I am ready to accept that if it is. I would rather enjoy the machine and stop obsessing over every imperfection—but right now I am wondering whether I would have been better off with something like a plastic-bodied Piaggio BV.

I would really appreciate advice from long-term GTS owners, especially on how you deal with small chips and how much concern is reasonable.

Thanks!

I think we all get stone chips in that area, it's inevitable due to the close proximity to the ground. SLUK guards help, but they won't stop all the chips. There's loads of topics on this and lots of advice on how to treat the paintwork.

I regularly check the underneath of my GTS and just touch-up with primer and paint. It's also worth keeping an eye on the internal side of this area by periodically removing the battery and tray and inspecting the battery bay area. Water can get trapped in there leading to advanced internal corrosion if left untreated. A regular good spray of ACF-50 should help. Using this product like you mention on the exterior is not very productive as it soon washes off.

If you keep on top of the chips I don't think you have anything to worry about.

You can also use clear truck bed liner. It's much tougher than paint and the clear is not as noticeable.

SLUK fender extender will also help. Pretty easy install as well.

I fitted this extension
https://www.temu.com/nz/1pc-motorcycle-mudguard-adjustable-pp-plastic-material-durable-front-mudguard-enhance-front-wheel-mudguard-effect-modification-accessories-send-installation-screws-make-your-riding-more-comfortable-g-601099874438626.html?_oak_mp_inf=EOKb9sOn1ogBGhZnb29kc19yZTg1a3FfcmVjb21tZW5kIPfmiYTxMw%3D%3D&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2F223a317b-bc82-4944-a637-9361f725ec02.jpg&spec_gallery_id=394154&refer_page_sn=10032&freesia_scene=11&_oak_freesia_scene=11&_oak_rec_ext_1=NjEw&_oak_gallery_order=664181025%2C247528507%2C215323731%2C425640512%2C1272190573&refer_page_el_sn=200444&ab_scene=1&enable_vqr=0&_x_sessn_id=79hr18whx0&refer_page_name=goods&refer_page_id=10032_1782688408837_cp3l7f8zgj