Modern Vespa

Hey all-
The sage continues. let me preface this by saying that Big People and Sportique are both being excellent at helping to work together to resolve my SS180's issues. I dropped her off at Big People just over 3 weeks ago with a bent Kickstart lever and Quadrant Gear. Got the replacement part from Motorsport 2nd day shipped to BP. No worries. Jeff and Victor at Big People had issues starting her, so they took a look at the ignition system and say it was badly out of calibration. They racked their brains and got it fixed...on Saturday. When they cam back in on Tuesday they had a little bit of issue starting it, but got it back into running order, called me to come pic it up. I was SO excited, got off work 2 hours early (I NEVER leave work early!) and rode the bus to Big People. Settled up (Sportique paid for ALL of the electrical issues!!!) and walked out to start her up. stupid me flooded her with my poor kickstarting poise. Pulled the plug, flushed out the gas, dried off the plug, put it back in, and she started on teh first kick. I was ELATED! Sounded better htan ever (so healthy!) Rode all of 15 feet, pulled in teh clutch to coast in to a stop while feathering the gas. Dies. Victor from BP saw this happen and literally jumped in to help. He got it started after about 20 kicks...then it died again and didn't restart! Victor is making it a priority to get it fixed ASAP! I will keep you posted! Anyone wanna trade for a PX200 or PX150? LOL. (not entirely kidding!)
a.s.

Am I being completelyh stupid to think about selling her for a PX150 or PX200 (If I can find one?!?)

a.s.

Don't sell it. I know it can be frustrating. Once you have all the issues sorted, the SS is a great bike. I love mine. Think of it as an adventure.

Everyone keeps telling me that it will be on & off the road for the entirity of it's life. They tell me that the stator needs constant adjustment, etc. I just want something that will be reliable! Did I buy the wrong bike? Again, I am glad to have Sportique and Big People working so diligently to sort the issue out for me....I'm just frustrated! BP has a sweet 2006 PX150 which was "accidentally" painted the color of the Series Canada...wonder if Victor wants to trade!!!
a.s.

My SS180 is the most reliable vintage scoot that I have, hands down. All of them take a bit of adjusting cables, tweaking this and that, but it shouldn't be a constant thing.

Let me be the devil's advocate. It may well be a good idea for you to trade. If you plan on using a vintage style scooter as basic reliable transportation, and you aren't able to work on the scooter yourself (for whatever reason, experience, lack of space, etc,) a PX might be a better choice for you. Talk this over with Big People next time you are there, and get their input.

Of course you would be totally better off with a GTS, but you seem to have a penchant for old style machines.

Adam, why don't you go to a few of the VCOS meetings and get to know some other riders in town? I'm sure some locals would be able to help you out with ideas for learning your way around the scooter. Here's the website for more info http://vespaclubofseattle.info/wordpress/

Sorry you're having so much trouble with it...I'm sure you'll be back on the road soon. The guys at BPS know their stuff but I know it is at least helpful for me to learn how things work as well so I can fix it on my own in the future.

I think I may have seen you a few weeks back going over the Ballard bridge (I recognized your scooter and helmet )

Step back and think about your purchases dispassionately. You had a PX, spent what must have been a couple thousand dollars hopping it all up with mods, sold it, bought a Ducati and then turned it back in, now you've bought an SS180 sight unseen on ebay (albeit from a well known shop.) So far, each of your last three two-wheeled purchases have been more idealistic than practical, since you don't do the wrenching yourself.

If you had bought a GTS right out of the chute, you'd have been riding all summer on a scooter with style, speed, and low maintenance. I'd seriously consider going this route if you trade the SS180 in for something else. Vintage scoots need more regular maintenance than moderns, and if you don't wrench yourself, it usually means waiting for days or weeks without a scoot while yours gets repaired.

Everyone likes the styling of vintage scoots, but the reality is that they aren't practical for everyone.

Tough love with Len, but he's right. If you cannot wrench on a vintage scoot yourself, then you are going to have mental break downs and large chunks of money taken from your pockets. You do need to do your homework and learn how to work on them yourself if you plan on riding these things on a daily basis. Talk with local vintage owners and get to know them so they can try and help you.

I love my 68 Sprint, but it's some work to maintain but that's what I love about it. I'm learning how to work on this thing myself and would like to make this thing a little bit more "bullet proof" for daily riding.
As a lesson learned myself, I do need to buy either a newer PX or a Stella for reliablility, especially if I plan on riding on a daily basis of 20-40 miles per day.

I would die for a SS180. These things are going to be harder to find over a period of time. Once you get rid of it, you are going to wish you didn't. If I were you, I would keep it and buy another scoot on the side that is newer and more reliable to keep you on the road and happy. Good luck with whatever you do.

I'll trade you.......just ride it over here and you can have my PX! 8)

I'm after a scoot as old as me and I love the SS.

Matt

Hold on to the SS. You'll regret it later if ya don't You can always find a P range or a GTS.

I agree with Len on this. A vintage scooter probably isn't the right choice for you, and even a P-Series or Stella is still going to require you tooling around with it to keep it running. From the sounds of it, you will still have issues like this on any of the bikes you mentioned. Doesn't mean they won't be reliable, and that doesn't mean the SS won't ever be reliable, but you will have to give them plenty of attention. For the type of reliability you are looking for, you would be best served by purchasing a more modern scooter.

i'd be happy to trade you.

Hell, there is a nice 87 Honda Elite on the Seattle craigslist now for $800. There's an older reliable scooter for you!

Yeah, I dunno. I had my PX for nearly 1500miles with zero issues. So....I dunno. would be just as happy with a PX200...if I could find one.
a.s.

I dunno, dude. If you aren't happy with a beauty like that SS180, I can't see how a P-Series is going to make you happy.

Well, I'v ehad the SS for 6 weeks...right? 4 weeks and counting at Big People...my PX was in big People for no more than 1 full day. I paid for a bike that I could ride...not one which sat in eh shop and I had to ride the bus to see. Again, this is not Big People's fault.
a.s.

Let's put it this way:

Which would be more reliable:

1967 SS180, Stock...parts are impossible to find (or nearly)

2005 PX150 with Sito+ and Malossi 166? If something breaks...I buy a new part...right?


I daily drive this...and park it outside.

a.s.

The most reliable scoot for a daily driver, one you could take from one end of Seattle to the other, including the freeway would be a GT200 or a GTS. You'd have almost no maintenance required, as compared to the PX, and you wouldn't have to spend money immediately to kit it. The GT and the GTS are faster, quicker, more dependable, have more storage space, and can take more benign neglect than the PX, and are better suited to being a daily driver when your scooter is your only means of transportation.

Adam, I hope you will at least consider the most sensible option, and take a GTS out for a test ride. Then I'd encourage you to get a vintage bike when you have the luxury of garage space, so you can tinker with it and enjoy the process of learning how to wrench on your own bikes. You would probably really enjoy it.

Len, as much as I appreciate your opinion and insight (very much appreciated) I refuse to buy an automatic scooter. Period. I'm sorry. Thank you so much! I have a guy offering me $6k for my SS....so I could buy a brand new PX150 with a warranty and have $1500 in my pocket. We'll see!
a.s.

I have no doubt that you'll find a buyer for the SS. Good luck with your purchase.

Your PX was a 2005 right? That still a "new" machine. Of course it's going to give you fewer problems than a 40 year old scooter.

You have a gorgeous scooter there, no doubt. If it is going to be your daily driver, you need to learn how to fix it yourself or learn how to smile when swiping your credit card.

You should buy a Bajaj Chetak. Manual scoot with battle tank reliability.

Yeah, I am going to look at this Dark Grey PX150 at Vespa Seattle tomorrow. Maybe I'll buy it. We'll see if I can talk Victor into a deal...since it'll be my second PX in 1 year I've bought there! LOL. I need to chill! I never smile when I swipe my CC unless it's for mods...never service!
a.s.

sometimes it can take a while to find the perfect 'fit' between you and the scooter. a mate of mine has gone through six scooters in about 18 months before finally settling on a GTS 300. a test drive wasn't enough for him, he had to own the things to really figure out how he felt about them. a bit expensive, but it worked for him so part of me is very sympathetic to the scooter-switching process you've been going through.

another part of me is much less sympathetic however ... apologies if this seems overly blunt, but i think your concern with 'image' needs a bit (okay, maybe a lot) of rethinking if you're ever going to make a good choice. i'm guessing this concern is what's behind your refusal to ride an automatic scooter, and it's why you've spent the summer waiting for repairs instead of riding. i think it's time to ask yourself what is more important to you: riding the scooter, or standing next to it looking good.

sell the SS and buy a PX, you'll be much happier.

seriously, if you don't have the skillz, tools and knowledge to keep a vintage going then something a little more modern (PX) might be a better fit.

best,
-greasy

Genie: It has nothing to do with image, and everything to do with fun. I woul dnever buy an automatic car, OR and automatic scooter. To me, shifting is what makes driving fun. I have driven a few automatic Vespas and they are a blast, but still not as fun as a manual in my opinion.
a.s.

Have you thought about a Stella then?

No, and for one reason only, and I hope this does not offend anyone in any way, but I see them as knockoffs. I would never buy a knockoff piece of clothing, or any other "wannabe" item, so I would not buy a Stella. Just my principal.
a.s.

so, it is about the image then

My 2 cents :

If you really want the best, and must have the most iconic and recognizable example of a Vespa .... then really, you can't do any better than a GS or SS.

It's like ... that's it. You can't go any higher.

You can go more utilitarian, or reliable, or quicker ... but you end up going more common.....less unique.

If it's image you're looking for ... and cache.... then really you have the best that you can get. If i were you i would sort / suffer through the issues you're having now and ride the SS180.

I cant help myself....I must post as this is comic gold & I need to blow off steam during the election results.





Coming from someone who couldn't even handle the last 2 bikes you have owned without destroying them or least crying about them incessantly .....maybe a "wannabe" stella is your best bet....

You are a fucking poster boy for "image" related items & cant even admit it.....



I say swipe your parents or your Gold card,black card of whatever card you are in possession of & do the right thing........








Buy a car.........
Well there is a bright spot in this whole debacle...............
At least your overpriced helmet wont get scratched when you were to inevitably dump your bike.
Here is to ironic beards & wannabes.



Go xxxxxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank you for making my day!!!!!!!!!!

God bless the 480,000,000,000 moderators for only erasing my political comment in my rant...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

THAT also made my day........



As much as I despise the internet....sometimes it can be fun.....
Seriously....Thanks....

I was wondering if they would pull the whole post but better they just removed the one bad word in the post.

HIOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

i've got a buddy who has logged close to 20,000 miles on a bone stock sprint that he bought 4.5 years ago. that's what ridin's about...not what bike you have.

one more thing...more money than conviction is not a good place to be, regardless of what url you frequent.

Thom: Let me reitterate: My mom does not give me a PENNY! Well, pardon, she gives me $50/month to manage one of her houses. And my dad is dead...dies broke. So...my money is my money. I am not a spoiled rich kid....but do feel free to say what you will, as misinformed as it may be. Also how did I destroy my PX150?
a.s.

thom?

the fact that you keep having to take it in to a dealer is telling.

you either need to learn how to work on that bike, or get rid of it. otherwise, you're going to continue to be unhappy as long as you own it.

i'm not a genious bike wrencher (ask eric, i've pm-d him enough times with stupid questions), but even i know that if it's a vintage, you better learn how to wrench somewhat. if you're going to run to a dealer everytime something breaks on a vintage it'll be there 75% of the year.

a.s. -

did you change the oil, change the belts, take off the wheels, look at , or ever work on your previous bike?

I'm kinda shocked that you got a vintage scoot, and didn't prepare to work on it... and since owning it you haven't tried to address issues yourself.

the whole "knock off" thing is a lil' wacky, because i'd bet you have some geuine/PGO/ LML parts on your scoot somewhere....

if i were you, i'd sell that helmet, get a fullface, cover your hands in oil, take a 13 pic sequence of you touching your vintage scooter, and then re think the whole thing.