Modern Vespa

Is it used for decorative purposes, or is it actually quite practical - assuming you carry the right tools for the job to change it? Front wheel looks easy enough to change, assuming I had one and my rear tire popped, would that be a doable-job by the side of the road to change the rear, or front one?

It's not a decoration, and the tool comes with the scooter. You can change the tire in 5 minutes or so at the side of the road, front or back. It's a little more difficult if you put on an aftermarket pipe that obscures the tire partially.

On my smallframe, to remove the rear tire I first had to loosen or remove the pipe, but it was still a job that took only a few minutes.

It's one small feature that makes a huge difference if you ever find yourself with a flat. I think about it every once in a while when I ride a modern scoot...if I get a flat, I'm waiting for someone to come and pick me up, so I can take it to the shop (especially if it's a rear tire.)

One thing they included with all lambrettas in the toolkit ... and they included with the Bajaj chetak ... is the rear wheel jack to aid in changing a rear wheel.

I wish i could find a place that either sold these or found someone who had one that could remake them for sale. I would buy one.



click here for bigger pic :

http://bp2.blogger.com/_wFlhNHDfnUA/SEL3j597SFI/AAAAAAAABeg/s7Xo4H_WQUk/s1600-h/VSC_BajajKickStand.JPG

Really? I find it easier to just lay the scooter down. It should really just rest on the kickstart and a small section of the front cowl trim - no damage, and it's not that hard at all to pick back up afterwards.

If it's a smallframe, i'll lay it down.

Nobody cares how those bikes look anyways.

CARRY YOUR SPARE

i had a blow out at 60mph on the weekend, luckily in the back (scary enough as it was, a front blow out would have been disasterous ).

got it in the middle of nowhere at about 6.30pm if i hadnt had the spare it would have been a right pain in the arse i can tell you. After sitting down while i stopped shaking and smoked a few fags to calm meself down, I got the whole lot changed in under 15 mins, would have been quicker but i got a right hand JL pipe so that has to come off to get the back wheel off. Tools used: spring puller, 12 + 14mm sockets and wrench thats it. it can be a bit tricky geting the back wheel off / spare on without an extra pair of hands to lift the back of the bike for 5 seconds. You can get an engine stand that fixes to the back of the casings (had one on the old bike, very handy things they are too). Failing that you can lay the bike on its side (make sure you turn the fuel tap off first) but i've just repainted the scoot and really dont want to get no scratches and shit.

changing the front wheel is a piece of piss.

BTW it was a nice and sunny evening... when it happens in the rain

eric, call pride of cleveland, they sell the bajaj jack for $12. take a pliers and bend it out a few millimeters, fits on a px perfect.

You can buy the rear wheel jack separately for the Bajaj, but I can't guarantee it's going to fit anything but a Chetak/Legend. I bought one a couple of months ago and it cost me $18. I'm pretty certain they won't fit a PX or any P-series for that matter.


Edit: Chad = the man with the answer.

Noted.

thanks.

That engine jack rocks.

Get it changed as soon as poss cos it's supposed to be stable!!

I bought a small scissors jack, that fits nicely under the right side case. I use one of my wife's paperback romance books for padding

This weekend my friend and I are going to pull his rear wheel and front wheel off (rotate the tires). I am going to try and make a little stand out of a piece of wood shaped to fit the rear shock mount.

I found a milk crate on it's side fitted lovely under the exhaust leaving plenty of room to change the wheel

i like carrying the spare under the cowl on my p, it seems to balance the weight a little bit better than without.

i got one of those bajaj jacks from a local bajaj dealer. he was able to still order one, but that was a year or so ago. i unfortunately left it in my stella when i sold it so now i just run the gas out, take the engine side panel off and lay it down in grass to change my tire especially when it's my sprint since there's a glove box in the left side cowl and it's a lot harder to get the rear tire on and off.

if i'm at home i use my harbor freight motorcycle lift to change out my tires.

the curb at the side of the road is the right height too!

jacqui