OP
@wibbo avatar
UTC

Hooked
PX200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 172
Location: Norway
 
Hooked
@wibbo avatar
PX200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 172
Location: Norway
UTC quote
Greetings scooteristas !
I am new to scootering, but have ridden street and dirt bikes for the last thirty years.
My current stable is two KTMs (640 adventure and a 300exc) and the charming,new to me, '90 PX200E
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

I have used the scoot almost daily for the last month or so and now winter is approaching.. here that means rain.. lots of rain

Brakeshoes are original piaggio that were covered in an oil-water slurry when i serviced them after the purchase, i cleaned them up with brake cleaner and roughed them up a little and they worked flawlessly until i left the scoot out in the rain one day.

To my surprise i had no front brakes whatsoever

After spending the night in the garage the brakes are yet again perfect.

Is this a common trait?
Are there other not so sensitive to moisture brakeshoes out there ?

Should there be water inside the brakedrum just from being parked outside in the rain at all?

PS Rear brake was not affected by the rain at all.. or i would have rear ended a volkswagen
UTC

Ossessionato
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2633
 
Ossessionato
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2633
UTC quote
My front brake is useless...Rear brake and learn how to down shift...I'm sure Rover Eric will give you more insight to this.
@rover_eric avatar
UTC

Moderator
1965 Vespa SS180, 1963 Lambretta LI150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6980
Location: Detroit, Michigan
 
Moderator
@rover_eric avatar
1965 Vespa SS180, 1963 Lambretta LI150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6980
Location: Detroit, Michigan
UTC quote
My friend complained about this on his rear tire the other day ...so we pulled the hub and found a really really tiny, slow leak of case oil onto the pads.

Now, in the front hub you don't have that... but there is grease in there to keep the bearings greased, and there's a seal to keep dirt and shoe dust from getting in the grease, and the grease from getting on the shoes.

So... i suppose if the seal on the front hub was bad, that COULD be happening, but i think it unlikely.

i'll keep brainstorming.
@poopshotgun avatar
UTC

Hooked
1958 LD 150 Mark III, 1985 CH150D
Joined: UTC
Posts: 161
Location: Eugene, OR
 
Hooked
@poopshotgun avatar
1958 LD 150 Mark III, 1985 CH150D
Joined: UTC
Posts: 161
Location: Eugene, OR
UTC quote
I've also had this problem with the front brake. It all went away when my rear hub went out of true and I started relying on the front brake. A good thing to do after a rain is to ride the bike slowly (or walk it forward) while applying the front brake slightly. When it starts catching, you're ready to go, although you'll want to test it a bit before entering traffic.

The front seal on hubs I've personally seen isn't exactly watertight, but I don't have enough experience with that part of the bike to definitively tell you. Thankfully, you can still rely on the rear brake, which is typically the strongest on vintage scooters (there being the most weight over it).
OP
@wibbo avatar
UTC

Hooked
PX200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 172
Location: Norway
 
Hooked
@wibbo avatar
PX200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 172
Location: Norway
UTC quote
Thank you for your input guys, i think the water-oil slurry i saw inside the front hub was from the previous owners pressure washing the bike before selling it.
i Just found it odd that rain water could reduce the stopping power from virtually "stoppie" to nil
Now that the brakes are dry they are back to near disc brake performance.

Guess i will just have to get used to it and rely more on the rear brake

BTW
I have surfed through quite a few scooter forums the last weeks and this place seems to be the best source for tech tips

Wibbo
@ritchj avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
One of each
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3421
Location: Ranura de Monedas, NorCal
 
Ossessionato
@ritchj avatar
One of each
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3421
Location: Ranura de Monedas, NorCal
UTC quote
What about a Grimeca disc kit for the front?

OP is in Europe, so other than the taxes, it should be cheap....
@poopshotgun avatar
UTC

Hooked
1958 LD 150 Mark III, 1985 CH150D
Joined: UTC
Posts: 161
Location: Eugene, OR
 
Hooked
@poopshotgun avatar
1958 LD 150 Mark III, 1985 CH150D
Joined: UTC
Posts: 161
Location: Eugene, OR
UTC quote
ritchj wrote:
What about a Grimeca disc kit for the front?

OP is in Europe, so other than the taxes, it should be cheap....
That's bolt-on for a P. right?
@ianp avatar
UTC

Destroyer of Worlds
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
 
Destroyer of Worlds
@ianp avatar
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
UTC quote
Yes and no.

The semi-hydraulic (cable-operated master cylinder on the fork) can be done bolt-on, but the fully-hydraulic (lever-operated master cylinder on headset) version requires a new (or modified) headset.
@wangta avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Ossessionato
@wangta avatar
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
thefuzzylogic wrote:
Yes and no.

The semi-hydraulic (cable-operated master cylinder on the fork) can be done bolt-on, but the fully-hydraulic (lever-operated master cylinder on headset) version requires a new (or modified) headset.
Can you provide some more detail on this? I started researching semi vs. fully-hydraulic disk kits. IF you go fully-hydraulic, you need a new fork and headset? I'm not exactly sure why?
@ianp avatar
UTC

Destroyer of Worlds
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
 
Destroyer of Worlds
@ianp avatar
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
UTC quote
Yeah, AFAIK the only full-hyd kit is only for the 20mm axle found on later P-range bikes. Your (and my) '79 have the old 16mm axle. I'm not sure, but I'd bet even the Grimeca 16mm semi-hyd kit can be set up fully-hydraulic by using a different master cylinder. I'm not sure, though, because I don't have one to try out.
@wangta avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Ossessionato
@wangta avatar
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
thefuzzylogic wrote:
Yeah, AFAIK the only full-hyd kit is only for the 20mm axle found on later P-range bikes. Your (and my) '79 have the old 16mm axle. I'm not sure, but I'd bet even the Grimeca 16mm semi-hyd kit can be set up fully-hydraulic by using a different master cylinder. I'm not sure, though, because I don't have one to try out.
Yeah, thats exactly what I was wondering! I'm guessing youc an buy different master cylinder units quite easily?
@ianp avatar
UTC

Destroyer of Worlds
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
 
Destroyer of Worlds
@ianp avatar
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
UTC quote
Yeah, go to any Genuine dealer and order a Stella headset from them. You might need to drill a hole for your ignition key since it's on the column on those bikes, but the rest should match.
⚠️ Last edited by ianp on UTC; edited 1 time
@wangta avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Ossessionato
@wangta avatar
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
thefuzzylogic wrote:
Yeah, go to any Genuine dealer and order a headset from them. You might need to drill a hole for your ignition key since it's on the column on those bikes, but the rest should match.
Wouldn't I need to also buy a hydraulic cable to go down to the brake? Curious, why most people don't do this?
@ianp avatar
UTC

Destroyer of Worlds
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
 
Destroyer of Worlds
@ianp avatar
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
UTC quote
Yeah, thst's a standard auto part. Get some braided brake cable in whatever inner diameter the kit is (you will have to measure it.)
@wangta avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Ossessionato
@wangta avatar
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
thefuzzylogic wrote:
Yeah, thst's a standard auto part. Get some braided brake cable in whatever inner diameter the kit is (you will have to measure it.)
Hmmm, will look into it. The brake disk and pad units would be the same between the two?
@ozmatt avatar
UTC

Member
'91 PX200e
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Sydney, Australia....12 month riding
 
Member
@ozmatt avatar
'91 PX200e
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Sydney, Australia....12 month riding
UTC quote
Can't see what all the fuss about a front disc is.

Matt
@wangta avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Ossessionato
@wangta avatar
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
OzMatt wrote:
Can't see what all the fuss about a front disc is.

Matt
My front brake isn't very good at stopping the hulking machine. Disk brake has much better stopping power.
@ianp avatar
UTC

Destroyer of Worlds
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
 
Destroyer of Worlds
@ianp avatar
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
UTC quote
Wangta wrote:
thefuzzylogic wrote:
Yeah, thst's a standard auto part. Get some braided brake cable in whatever inner diameter the kit is (you will have to measure it.)
Hmmm, will look into it. The brake disk and pad units would be the same between the two?
The kit would come with all the lower stuff. Disc, caliper, pads, etc... The only part you would replace theoretically would be the headset/mastercylinder and brake line.
@wangta avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Ossessionato
@wangta avatar
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
thefuzzylogic wrote:
The kit would come with all the lower stuff. Disc, caliper, pads, etc... The only part you would replace theoretically would be the headset/mastercylinder and brake line.
Theoretically..hehe, I've had that blow up in my face a couple times...would be interested to see if this has EVER been done before or are we on the frontier of grimeca brake installation on 16mm forks??
@ianp avatar
UTC

Destroyer of Worlds
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
 
Destroyer of Worlds
@ianp avatar
LML Star 125, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2011
Location: London, United Kingdom
UTC quote
Well, the Grimeca kit is designed for 16mm forks. There's a 16mm version specifically for our bikes. The untested part is abandoning the semi-hyd master cyl in favor of the fully-hyd headset off a Stella or '98+ PX150.
@ozmatt avatar
UTC

Member
'91 PX200e
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Sydney, Australia....12 month riding
 
Member
@ozmatt avatar
'91 PX200e
Joined: UTC
Posts: 23
Location: Sydney, Australia....12 month riding
UTC quote
Wangta wrote:
OzMatt wrote:
Can't see what all the fuss about a front disc is.

Matt
My front brake isn't very good at stopping the hulking machine. Disk brake has much better stopping power
Yeh I know that, I ride motorcycles as well where the bigger the disc the better.

What I'm trying to say is you've got to put it into perspective.

BHP= minimal

Top speed= low

Drum brakes= more than adequate if you ride accordingly and have them set up well.

And it looks cooler too. 8)

Matt
@steveinsac avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2007 GT200 1979 P200E 1980 P200E 2011 Triumph America
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1265
Location: Sacramento
 
Molto Verboso
@steveinsac avatar
2007 GT200 1979 P200E 1980 P200E 2011 Triumph America
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1265
Location: Sacramento
UTC quote
I have one 80 P200E that is original drum. The other 79 P200E was upgraded to the semi hydro disc. You have to be careful when you ride the disc brake as it will really grab compared to the drum. I havn't had to change the brake pads on either yet but I would say the disc will be easier. Also the one with the disc I tend to use it more than the rear brake at slow speeds which I think ends up saving the wear on the rear brake shoes.
DoubleGood Design banner

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2024 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.1010s ][ Queries: 25 (0.0701s) ][ Debug on ][ 313 ][ Thing One ]