Modern Vespa

Ok, let me preface this with "I'm still a complete and utter noob when it comes to fixing these things". As I've said in other threads, I've never worked on any type of engine before I bought my P200 late last year. Everything I've learned, I've learned from reading.

I was on my way to work this morning, when my ride was running kinda sluggish and jerky.

So I was like "maybe I'm almost out of gas" (i hadn't ridden in a while and couldn't remember the level of gas i had). So, I pull into the nearest gas station, but i have a 3/4 full tank! WTF? So I'm like, fuck it, i might as well fill up. So i pump the gas and try to start it up... not happening.

Then I look down. There was gas, not leaking, but pouring from the bottom of the bike. Luckily, it stopped when I closed the petcock.

Now I've had a gas leaking problem before, so I wasn't freaking out just yet. The problem was that the fuel line screw was loose on the carb. Well... that wasn't the case this time. That's when i started freaking out.

To make a 3 hour story short. My girlfriend luckily wasn't working this morning, so she was able to help me out. She brought me the Haynes manual (which I will now carry with me everywhere), and was able to go to an auto parts store to get me a siphon pump... not to mention the tremendous help she was as my mechanics assistant. She's great.

After much fumbling, and trials and errors I figured out the fuel line was splitting and had disconnected from the tank. It took me 3 hours to diagnose, figure out how the hell to fix it, and to do it. It was in the upper 90's this morning and I had no shade in a horribly clear and sunny day... not to mention I hadn't eaten yet.. ok, now I'm just bitching...

So here's what I learned today:

1. In order to do one thing on these bikes you have to do 5 things before you can do the original thing.

2. Tools get hot in the sun.

3. When your bike starts running funny right when you leave your house, don't say "I'm sure its just fine, it just needs to warm up"... Turn around and take the car or fix it at the comfort of your own home.

4. Don't freak out that you don't know what to do.. Its usually a lot simpler than you believe it to be.

So, needless to say, I didn't make it to work this morning, but the good part is, now it runs a lot better than it has been for the past couple of weeks. Sweet.

awesome!!! you are my hero!
it's a good feeling huh!

And don't forget how after you have figured out the problem, fixed it, how good it feels when you kick it and it fires up!


I love that part!

oh yeah! It took a while to get it started after I put things back together, so there was a moment of panic, but I just needed to be patient to get the gas to a dry engine.

what did you actually find wrong meg, i don't see an answer.

good work. getting stranded and being at the mercy of your own skill is what it's all about.

indeed!

i love riding my vintage, and i HATE HATE HATE breaking down. but man, when it happens... i find that i always have a good time.

park it up for a few, find a nearby bar, have a few and cool down and then see if it can be fixed.

several years ago at kings classic i broke down leaving the park and about 1/2 way back to the hotel on sunday. i told my friends to go get the truck and i just pushed my shitbox up on the sidewalk and walked into the bar right there. great times. met some cool peeps and watched most of a race while swilling down some sweet beers.

breaking down in the ghetto= the suck
anywhere else and i'm game!

best,
-greasy

Meg

Makin' us prouder by the day. Way to go!

Al

Thanks everyone. I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for the confidence of y'all backin me up if i need it.

I was so close to calling jimh. His number is in my phone. The fuel line had started to tear, so it disconnected from the tank, thus the gas was just leaking out of the spout on the tank.




So, guys, tell me about replacing this line since its splitting? What specifically should I replace it with? Can I get this tubing at an auto parts store?

Just regular 1/4" fuel line, if I remember.

You need exactly 24" or 22", depending on whom you ask.
If it's too long, the extra can curl upwards or downwards, creating a sort of siphon lock, due to the fact that the tank is only about a cm above the float bowl, and so has very little pressure to push the fuel through.
I use 22", and it's as long as it needs to be.

You don't need anything fancier than what they had in Italy 40 years ago, which wasn't that much.

Good luck!

- Eric

Thanks.

Great job!!!!

My fuel line is 7mm X 24inchs...the former owner put a 5/16 inch one on and it was too big and fell off over time (which led his son to strip out the kickstart pedal when he inherited it upon his dad's death, etc...). I bought a 1/4 inch (6.4mm) one at a local autoparts store cause it looked to be the right size but decided to go with the one available from the online shops for my model because it is clear and I figured that way I could see if there is fuel in the line...

I kept the other one for a possible future need...

i'm proud of you meg this isn't an easy job if not experienced. you can get the original type line from SCOOTERWORKS.COM. good luck. nelson

Some of the most fun I've had with scooters involves being far from home at night broken down and figuring out some way to jury rig it to get home.
It's rewarding..
Good job meg

meg, i'm just catching up here on your post and figured i don't even need to read the post to tell you


GREAT JOB MEG, WHATEVER YOU DID

i just think your great anyway



(what did you do)

Thanks, that means a lot. lol, jimmy.

It was a very long post.. maybe I should work on getting to the point, right?

Basically, on my way to work my fuel line split and disconnected from the tank pouring gas everywhere, and I fixed it in a gas station parking lot when it was a very sunny 98 degrees outside.

I have the sunburn and gas soaked t-shirt to prove it. 8)

That kinda scares me.

I'm itching to get to a point where I can fix anything on the side of the road... I'm not nearly there yet.

The problem is that the thing was in such good shape when I bought it I either don't ever have to do anything major, or I'm too scared to experiment in fear of breaking it.

oooh lala

gas soaked t-shirt

the perfume of my dreams

Nicely done, Meg!!
That's the second fuel line story I have heard this week - thanks for sharing so I am better prepared for my side of the road adventures. I hear that fuel line shrinks a bit over time, too - causing it to pull back.

Guys: look away for a second.

(WTG go MEG! Girl power done with book and brains! Getting the job done and have your GF as tool assistant and tinkering company? Some days I wish I was you. w00t! Power to the chickies!!! I'm proud of you! -insert silly girl hug-)

:silly girl hug reciprocated!:

Too cute.

Perhaps there is wisdom where you ascribe fear!

Al

Nice job Megnez! Nothing like a little road side fix to boost the pride!