Modern Vespa

So I'm looking to service my ET 4, but have found that the the stores in Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks are often booked at least a week in advance due to the awesome popularity of the scooters these days. Does anyone know of any third party shops in LA that can do a Vespa certified maintenance? I'm also about ready to change out my back tire. Would I be crazy to try this myself without a service manual? It's been a year so I'm past warantee anyway, so that's not a factor.

By all means, go buy the right size tire and take it to a motorcycle shop to get it mounted. The place in Riverside that I go to charges me $15 to mount it. Compare that to $75 at a boutique.
If this is your first service, I'd suggest biting the bullet and taking it to the dealer/boutique.

Motorsport Scooters in San Diego
(619) 280-1718
Worth the drive, I guarantee it!

No, I've been in for the first service. (450?) Now I'm almost up to 3500 way due for oil change. Thanks for the quick post. Closest repair shop to me is a honda dealer(dare I go there?)

socal?

motorsports definately.

scootersbellissimo.com will come out to your home or office.

I would be careful in recommending a non Vespa shop to do the work on your scooter. The rear tire replacement can be tricky on a GT200, you have to remove the exhaust system in order to remove the rear tire. The problem in removing it would be the packing that is used around the the exhaust box to the exhaust header. The wrong removeal and install can damage this packing causing an exhaust leak. A hot exhaust leak against your rear brake line will melt it. I have seen this happen because someone not knowing that there is packing in there will just smash the packing from all the wiggling to remove and install the exhaust box. Sorry for the inconvence, Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks have been busy these past 2 months with something like 75 to 90 scooter to service and PDI per shop we can only control the madness be setting up appointments. If you have 3500 on your scooter your next service will not be till 4000, so call in advance to set up an appointment.

PS you can PM me and talk to me about the midnight special service, thats right I'm here till then.

My mistake you have an ET4 not a GT


Happy Scootering
Sean Needham

i highly recommend sean at santa monica as well.
meticulous work, and very knowledgeable.

the only reason i didn't was the schedule backups.

so if you (Mijola) need service send me a PM and I can set up something sooner maybe after hours service at the shop. Also if you want to save on a rear tire go to http://www.americanmototire.com/ for the best prices on tires. Ok hope this help, Ciao!


Sean
Tech 23

Sean is the shit. And not the poopy pants kind either.

Thanks Jon. How is the scoot running these days?? Hope to see you the Cafe Bleu Vs Shout take care, and let me know if you need anything for your scoot. Ciao


Sean
Tech 23

if you can't get an appointment usually the best practice is to just drop if off. you know, swing by and just say that you're leaving it and if you could finish it by friday or whatever would be great. people call and cancel and others flake on their appointments all the time. also, sometimes you'll just be able to squeeze in, or a tech will stay late to wrap up your bike so that you can have it next day.

also, you'd be surprised what a six pack of a cool refreshing beverage and a coupla jacksons can do for ya....

and yes, you'd be crazy to try it with out a service manual.

best,
-greasy

i had a customer go to a kawasaki dealer... charged him 2.5hrs of labor for a 1.5hr job, and then marked up all the parts WAY WAY WAY above list. guy came away with a 625.00 bill and his bike still didn't run right.

it's like taking your ford to a chevy dealer. yeah they're mechanics and they can figure it out but do you really want somebody dicking around with your bike?

yeah i might not be the nicest guy on the planet, yeah i may charge more than others, yeah i'm not always easy to get ahold of. but you know what, when your bike leaves my shop it's gonna be right. i look at it like this: i won't let something leave that i wouldn't want my mom, girlfriend or brother to ride. except for spock, i'll send him out on anything. :^p

best,
-greasy