Modern Vespa

I am dropping the engine out of my PX200 for the first time and will probably have to do it on my own - has anyone got any useful tips for supporting the unit once i am ready to drift the long bolt out. I have slackened the bolt off already and it moves quite freely with a gentle tap so it doesn't seem as though its seized in...I have disconnected everything and am ready to roll but I need to get hold of the right bar to act as a drift before i go on.

Any advice for first timer gratefully received...

Another pair of hands. I found that to be the most helpful when I dropped mine. Of course my long bolt was seized in and such, but still. The engine isn't so heavy that someone with gloves on can't hold it while the bolt is driven out, to be gently set down on the ground afterwards

+1 for friends. it should only take a few minutes to do.

if my 104 pound wife can do it, anyone can.

as far as advice for working on your engine...you can never know enough. read, read, read, and then ask questions of anyone associated with these bikes that you can. i assume you already got the haynes manual and a torque wrench?

Helps if you elevate the rear of the scoot...that was it just drops down..did it myself..piece of cake. Getting the f*cker back in..that's a whole other story

Put a 2 x 4 under the center stand and tie down the front end, or have some one hold it down to raise up the rear end. That is unless you have a motorcycle lift or a couple of apple boxes.

Make sure you have a long screwdriver or foot long piece of rebar, a hammer and good vice grips to remove the pivot bolt. A small block of wood to protect the threads on the pivot bolt when you start hammering on it.

Oh and get Sausage's DVD on Motor rebuilds, many time and mind saving tips there.

http://www.scootertechniques.co.uk/vespa_dvds.html

This could be helpful to you as well:

http://vespamaintenance.com/engine/drop/index.html

I take the rear wheel off then let the engine rest on the floor, remove bolt and push the rear frame up, this will stay up as the wieght of the forks hold it there. To refit just do the same in reverse. I have taken loads of engines out and refitted them on my own using this method.

Ya'll would overthink a wet dream.

Put scoot on center stand. Remove necessary crap.

Remove rear shock bolt.

Use long screwdriver (though another motor mount bolt is best) to drive long bolt halfway through. Reach under and support swingarm with your hand, pull out the bolt you used to drive it with.

Come to side of scoot the bolt is halfway out of. Reach under scoot with one hand to raise up the swingarm, pull the bolt out with your other hand, use the hand on the swingarm to lower the motor down.

Slide it away from the scoot from the rear.

To get it back in you can do it single handed, too, just do it in reverse.