Modern Vespa

Wooh boy it's been a long time since I've been on this forum.

Anyways, I'm moving out of the country for a year or two and will be putting my scooter (Vespa LX) in a storage unit for that time. What preparations do I need to do to keep things copacetic? Google results are giving me conflicting answers. Drain the gas tank? Fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer? Drain the oil? Replace the oil? Etc.

The storage unit is indoors in southern California so excess moisture, adverse weather, and wildly variable or freezing temperatures aren't an issue. I will also more than likely get it pretty thoroughly serviced when I get back anyways as it's been nearly 10k miles since I've done anything more than changed the oil and filters. If there's anything that can wait until then, that would save me some time.

1 - gas treatment/storage spray (fog) - to keep the fuel from gunking up your carb
2 - remove the battery and put it on a tender (or if it's going to be a year or two consider just dumping it and getting a new one when you return)

Emptying/Filling the gas tank is more applicable to metal tanks to avoid rust. Yours is plastic, so no need to worry.

Give it a good cleaning before it goes into storage. Year old grease and dirt is harder to clean off than recent crap. Give it a nice coat of wax while you're at it.

Changing the engine/hub oil is a good idea, just to avoid any corrosive contaminants.

for that length of time I would drain all fuel and remove the float bowl, spray the empty bowl with wd40 and replace. change oil and filter, change hub oil, wax all painted area and put grease or better yet s100 corrosion preventative spray on all exposed metal parts. put some armor all on plastic parts, remove battery and cover scooter. Put a real good lock on the door. Cheers

I would sell it. Your scooter is just going to sit there losing value and corroding while you are gone, and you are going to change a whole lot in the next two years. If you find yourself wanting an old LX when you return, it will probably be cheap and easy to find.

Maybe...but they aren't cheap and easy to find right now. At least not here in DC.

I think the decision for me would be is the cost of the storage unit greater because it needs to fit the Vespa? And how much greater? (all this assumes you are getting storage anyway).

Kevin

Nah, not going to sell it. I've got room in the storage unit for the scoot along with all my other belongings (or at least I will with a little bit of rearranging) so that cost is out of the way already, and I'm going to want it when I get back.

I don't care about depreciating value because I don't plan on selling it in the future and if I do decide to get something bigger like a GTS or a BV500, the LX is going to my wife. Plus there's the whole sentimental attachment thing - I love the bike. She's been good to me and I don't want to see her underneath some stranger.

If you have a friend with the garagespace.... or perhaps a friend with a lounge who is looking for a new piece of furniture?

I know I'd love to leave my Vespa in my living room/lounge area - but practically reasons don't allow!

On the battery issue - remove it and give it to a friend. Buy a new one on your return and make sure it is charged properly before first use.

More importantly, what happens to that Schlitz (?) when you're gone????