Modern Vespa

I have an LX150 and I've had it for 2 months. It has always squeaked and rattled and I have just assumed that was part of the Vespa experience. However, I'm starting to feel like maybe something's the matter.

How much are these things supposed to squeak and chatter around? I'm sure I'm not confusing the racket with engine noise and it usually occurs most at slower speeds (slower than 15 mph).

If it's excessive -- should a fix be covered under warranty?

My LX150 has no squeaks or rattles. Can you tell where it is coming from (front, back, etc.)?

Or maybe its just your Boston roads.

I was getting a "clattering" sound from my LX150. Sounded like pots and pans clattering together in the dishwasher. Turned out to be the heat shield on the side of the exhaust pipe going to the muffler --the screws were loose. I tightened them up (first removing them by squirting them with PB Blaster to loosen them, then putting in a washer and screwing them back in) and now there are no rattles anymore.

-Dan

I had the Swing-arm squeak/chirp sound for the first few weeks after buying mine, and finally got that taken care of last week. Now I have a buzzy/rattling noise that sounds like it's probably the speedometer cable. It seems to be getting louder by the day.

My noise is that chirp, and it seems to be located in the front. It's a high pitched chirp that comes in shuddering bursts at low speeds.

The bike has about... 165 miles on it.

I thought the noise on mine was coming from the front too, but it was really the back. The same chirp could be heard every time I used the center stand. Now when I use the center stand, it's really quiet (in addition to no chirps while driving either).

What color is your scooter?
Happens on yellows and a smaller number
of green.
If yellow it's the swingarm

It's a Red one.

Steve in Austin -- what did you do to fix the problem?

The dealership fixed it, since it's under warranty. The repair guy said something to the effect of "I greased the snot out of it", presumably referring to the pivot arm or swing arm. Perhaps a bushing that needed greasing? He said that a residue builds up on it, and lubricating it seems to take care of the problem.

The squeak/chirp is back after only 2 weeks (serviced on July 14th). Lubricating "the snot out of it" (as the service guy said he did) obviously is a short-term fix. I have an appointment to have the swing-arm replaced tomorrow. Will report back after some time to let y'all know if the squeaks and chirps stay away.

Swing arm issue: https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic14742

Is there excessive vibration as well (i.e. can not see out of mirrors because the vibrate)?

H

i'm taking our lxv150 in tomorrow for servicing. it seems to have a squeaky bit to it, and it does the same thing at low speeds, the shudder.

maybe a better description is: when releasing the throttle and slowly coasting up to a stop at 30 miles an hour, there is this sudden release as it approaches 18-15 miles ah hour.

mileage is almost 1500

Not on mine . . . just the annoying squeaks/chirps.

Just wanted to also comment on the noise in the lx150. I also thought that it was coming from the front but it is from the rear of the scoot. Use the previous link and go to pg. 2 Dongoose and read his fix. This is the correct fix. My scooter was just delivered to my local service rep after he talked with Bosco at San Jose Vespa (this guy is the hero who came up with the correct fix and not some temporary grease job). I just delivered my lx today and they say that they will need it for approx. 1 wk. I already miss it like a child. Anyway, hope this helps as the noise is extremely annoying.

squeaks - normal
the throttle problem - oil in filter was causing it. poor thing was gasping for air apparently.
still has a problem starting up some times, i have to press the ignition switch 3 or 4 times.

I'm having this squeak problem too and I read the previous thread on it linked above. The end of that thread makes it sound like dealers are no longer replacing the swingarm to fix the squeak? What's the latest on it?

I'll be interested to hear what happens to your vespa, steve in austin. I assume you take it to Vespa Austin. I would love to know what they have to say about it.

I've now owned my 2007 yellow LX150 for a whole week! (Would be a bit happier if she weren't so squeaky)

They replaced the swing-arm (last Wednesday, the 30th), under warranty. So far, it's quiet . . . but the new swing-arm has obviously only been on the scooter for less than a week. The previous attempt by them (lubricating the swing-arm) lasted about 2 weeks before the squeaks/chirps returned.

Thanks, Steve. At least I know that they're familiar with the issue since they've been through it with yours. Now, I've just gotta find some time to take her in.

Reporting back . . .

The swing-arm on my LX was replaced back on July 30th, and it's been quiet ever since (and I've put about 750 miles on it since then too).

I hope I didn't just jinx myself