OP
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what are the proper points to lubricate on a VNA (VBB) my front end has a rhythmic jangling squeak but I dont want to go blowing wd-40 (triflow, grease, what have you) all over the place since it has drum brakes.. should I grease the shock and or dampener? is it normal to grease the seat springs too?

I dont know how old the front axle bearings are, how do I know when they need to be replaced? How much of a pain is it to replace them?

Many thanks for any help

S
@rover_eric avatar
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1965 Vespa SS180, 1963 Lambretta LI150
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@rover_eric avatar
1965 Vespa SS180, 1963 Lambretta LI150
Joined: UTC
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Location: Detroit, Michigan
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First off ..

BEARING GREASE goes on bearings. Keep chemicals that can act as solvents ( wd40, for example ) away from proper grease.

second off, there should be a zerk fitting ( brass grease nipple ) on your front fork somewhere that should allow you to add grease to the front bearings. You do this with a proper grease gun, for which you can buy tubes of bearing grease. It works a lot like a caulk gun, but it's got a hose on the end to attach to the zerk fitting.

third off, there's a rubber seal ( looks like your oil seals ) that seperate off the greased bearing / axle portion from the rest of your front drum, so the grease shouldn't be able to leak out onto your break pads.
OP
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Aww and the knowledge falls from above on my soft little head, thank you. That all seems straight forward enough.
@rover_eric avatar
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1965 Vespa SS180, 1963 Lambretta LI150
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Location: Detroit, Michigan
 
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@rover_eric avatar
1965 Vespa SS180, 1963 Lambretta LI150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6980
Location: Detroit, Michigan
UTC quote
Let me also note : that seal in your front fork can indeed rupture if you get overzealous with the bearing grease.

How much is too much? I dunno...i've rebuilt forks a bunch..and it seems like an ounce or two would probably work ( if it was empty ). Don't go crazy, is what i'm saying.

If your fork axle area has never been rebuilt, then i'd wager some money on the fact that if you opened it up you'd likely find your existing grease in there ( unless someone has serviced it over the years ) could have turned to a yellowish chalk.

Never hurts to open her up and take a look, if for no other reason than gaining a better understanding of how your bike works.
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its definitely in the need for something because it squeals like a french whore. The automotive store here has little a grease gun but they only seem to sell general purpose lithium grease.. Is there a more specific bearing grease I should look for?
@jamesjohn avatar
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1970 Vespa Rally 180
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1970 Vespa Rally 180
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Location: Denton Tx.
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the red stuff. should be labeled bearing grease. any auto parts store should have it.

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