Modern Vespa

Got this in an email, figured someone would get some use out of it.

http://scoot.net/gallery/pic.html?pic=304122

http://scoot.net/gallery/pic.html?pic=304121

That tire in that photo is a 120.70.10. I now have a 130.70.10 stuffed back there (the limit you can run).

The kit comes with the following: New studs, washers, etc for the hub (you use two deep sided rims, rather than one shallow, one deep). You have to drill the rim to fit the larger studs. A spacer washer for the swingarm, and a large round spacer that goes between the hub and the rim. All these spacers do is counteract the cutting you did on the swingarm to offset the motor so the tire will fit inside the frame.

I modified my kit a bit to give it added stiffness. On this kit you cut 10mm of the swingarm off on the motor side of the scoot, then you cut back the rubber, then cut back the steel tube to 10mm (which leaves a few mm sticking out as normal). On the left (non-motor) side you place a special spacer washer which then pushes the motor over to the right. At the rear wheel you use two wide-dish sides of a rim, and another spacer goes all the way around the rim between the rim and the tire.

I then cut a few more mm off the left side swingarm (where the spacer washer goes) to reduce the total swingarm length and installed a Hot Rod Al stabilizer washer on the right side - result is that both sides now have a solid washer that goes between the frame and the swingarm. Super stiff and straight tracking.

In the rear there is a Paoli HAT rear adjust shock. I also installed a Clauss rear shock mount which has two bolt mounting points rather than just one.

The only problem with the kit is changing the rear tire. It sucks until you figure out that the best way to do it is to remove the exhaust (normal), and then remove the rear shock bolt and lower the motor. At the shop you can put jack stands under the floorboard and a jack under the motor and then lower it down that way to put on the new tire. In the field you'll have to lay it on its side and still remove the rear shock bolt and pull the motor down (or body up). There's just no way to fit a tire that huge between the hub and the body as it sits normally, esp because you have a spacer between the hub and rim. The motor has to be lowered. This isn't a bad thing though - I typically change tires that way because it's just easier. It's one extra bolt (shock). Big deal.

My rear tire is a 130/70/10. It's super fat. It's wider by 30 than the stock tire that came on my RD350 motorcycle.

The way I have it set up (can't guarantee that simply using the SIP will result in this as I also beefed up the shock, added the HRA stabilizer, and the Clauss mount) the thing tracks like it's on rails. I've got a Ducati and an RD350 and the scooter tracks and drops into corners easier than both (which also is a result of the smaller tires and wheelbase as well as weight). There is no rear end wiggle or looseness. None.

On this scooter I can flex a butt-cheek and it will change in that direction - when people talk about a bike being on rails this one is the epitome of it.

This also, however, means it's super stiff and you feel every bump in the road as well as every stroke of the piston. It vibrates like crazy and I have to check over the bolts and stuff every few rides because stuff rattles loose due to there being very little dampening. Remember between the swingarm and frame on both sides (of my set up) there is metal to metal. You will have no loosey-goosey crap if you do it the way I did it. Of course you will have slop in your front end unless you upgrade your suspension there (which has been done on this scooter with an adjustable Fournales air shock).

Pros? You can drop into a corner like nobodys business and while in that corner you will track it like you're on a train track (if you know how to ride and track correctly in a turn).

It also looks cool as shit.

Cons? It's super stiff, not all that comfortable, and vibrates like a 60's lawnmower. It is also unforgiving if you don't know how to ride - if you drop a bar into a turn with countersteer this bike will lay on its side as if it is on autopilot. If you can't ride then you have just layed it on its side and your protect-me gear is getting a workout.

It depends on what you want. I can't speak for certain exactly what JUST the wide-tire kit as it comes will do for you because I did modify it for my purposes. Everything has been upgraded, not just a SIP kit installed. I do know the larger tire changes gearing and does provide more rubber in the rear, but you have to factor that with the rubber on the ground up front.

A highly respected combat aviator once said:

A lot of "vintage" Vespa maintenance is purely voluntary tinkering, and a lot is the maintenance resulting from that voluntary tinkering.

Al

A highly respected TV personality once said:

If it aint broke, your not trying!

[Red Green]

I'd like to see a stocker next to it for comparison. I don't know enough about tires to know in my mind the difference between my 3.5 x 10 and a 120/70. I've got some 100/90's on order right now so maybe after I get them installed I'll be able to visualize it better. Still I'll bet it's cool.

Often wondered if this would work on a Sprint.

My buddy has the wide rear on his rally 200 running a p200 engine. The 130 tire is pretty close to the clutch cover. So close in fact that I'm worried that once the bike is on the road, the tire will expand slightly and start rubbing against the cover. Has anyone noticed this at all? We were thinking of switching the tire out to a 120, but I saw that SIP has a clutch cover for installing a rear disk brake on the motor side of the wheel. I believe it's a little thinner and may be what we need to give a little extra space. Any thoughts?

Anyone know the difference between the older tyre kit and the 2k wide tyre kit from SIP? Did they work out the bugs as far as better installation goes?

http://www.sip-scootershop.com/Products/J89015000/Details.aspx

i'v been informed that this does not improve handling, only changes appearence.










so with that said,can i get it on my et3

Master Splinter..I'm going to have to disagree with you on this. I put a 110/80-10 S1 tire on the back of my scoot using 1/2 half of a GS/SS rim with the other half of my stock rim and I noticed much better handling over stock. With a better suspension set up and riding skills you should notice a difference.

I was just wondering if the 2k tyre kit is a better set up than before?

If it ain't broke, you obviously don't have enough time on your hands.

You need to change your Avatar to the following by the way:

ok then

so better handling, and a must find for et3

youv done well young g hopper

Now we need to get the guys at MV to change your status to Master Splinter!

You are almost complete!

I'll second that, Eric, little help please?

Ive ridden a p2 with drops and a wide rear and it handles wierd round corners.
Imagine a tennis ball and a ping pong ball rolling from side to side under your hand. The tennis ball at the back under your palm and the ping under your fingers.
The back moves wider....... bloody hard to explain so try it and you might get it.
You get a light lifting feeling when cornering. Suppose you'll get used to it but it slows you down on the 1st run (quite scarey)
you could get a set of lammy forks for it and a matching widetyre.

having said that it was a cool looking scoot and I still want it

I think everyone's experiences are going to be different really. We all don't ride the same way I'm sure..not saying one rides better than the other it's just that everyone has a different feel for their scoots.

That said..is the 2k wide tyre kit is a easier install than the the ones from the past? The P racer that I want to build will have the 2k 130 wide tyre kit so that's why I'm asking. I already ordered the euro style blinkers that attached to the ends of the headset and I don't even have the P200 yet! Going to buy stuff here and there and will keep looking for a deal on a P200..I'm motivated!

Eric,

That scoot you linked in the beginning of the tread..IS that/was your scoot??!!

jason,i still have the 30 mil malossi carb if you want it.

Done. I will bring cash on Sunday.

Hmmm..never did that before. I'll ask Jess.

THANKS ERIC! I can send beer!!

I sent you a PM about it too...you can disregard it if ya like

i've never done one personaly,but since your seeing hiram he knows the install.

from what i'v been told its easy breezy,i just like to know what i'm selling,and in this case i don't.

i bought it for my 210 and never had a chance to install.

Stop teasing me already jezus!

Gonna do like a K&N air intake type of thing...

You still looking for a legit Piaggio spare tire bracket?

i am to proud of my 2.75$ hardware store bracket.



sure,why not go legit

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/mcy/1258626391.html

I've seen it...I've been talking to this guy that has a 86 P200E in the Bay Area really clean for about 1k...I'm close..very close! I could save up more $ and buy back your P! Do you still have the # of the guy who bought it?

In 1976 they were still making the rally 200, AFAIK.

Not saying it doesn't look legit ...nothing about it screams asian to me.

i'm over it

i'm gonna get that thing in hwood

You serious?

Eric, that bike is Josh Snow's US Customs Racer. Does Airborne still have it?

We (I) need more pictures of tha thing!

I just put one on a customer's bike (a 66 sprint allstate with welded cases, port match for Mal 166, race crank, Vortex carb) and it used to get pretty loose when hitting the brakes at high speed and now you can slam the rear brake. It felt so solid I'm going to put one on my Rally. Plus it looks cool.

I emailed that guy to see if he would sell his to me (obviously too late)...I'm in need of one

so its a 400-10 tyre.. yup rather big for me but some folks of mine said its give a better grip, never try it and i am still in love with my choice of tyre.. my vbb : 300-8 in front and 300- 10 in rear while my sprint v and my excel 300-10 in front and 350-10 in rear and believe it or not its give a good handling and a nice butt kick in corner especially my vbb even my crazy cousin can drift with 300-10 front and 350-10 in rear with his tanj vespa and yes jimmy u can have it if u really want it

So I'm on SIP's website here: http://www.sip-scootershop.com/Products/82010000/Details.aspx

I downloaded the instructions but I'm a bit confused about #2 - "Press the large black socket tight on the left side of the traverse" ?!