Modern Vespa

I cleaned and replaced my air filter about two weeks ago. Then sprayed it with the filter oil from Motorsport. But I was wondering if anyone has something better to use as a detergent than Simple Green. The SG worked but not as well as I had hoped and it the whole process seemed messier than I had expected. Anyone out there with a better product to recommend?

gas ( petrol )

Twin-Air air filter cleaner ... available at any motorcycle store.

Thanks, Alice. I have to admit I had not seen or heard of Twin-Air before. A liter of the Bio-cleaner is expensive but surely must last awhile. And I'm thinking that the Motorsport filter oil will be more difficult to remove than what came on the filter to begin with.

K & N have a filter kit that has a detergent and the filter oil for complete mantenence of the air filter. I have used this for the last 3 years and 5 of the service intervals. No problems so far.

* BTW...when attempting to remove the filter housing it may be helpful to remove the "No Pets" carrier and access the thumb turn screws from inside the engine housing...not sure if this is same on all Vespa models *

The Service Manual recommends shampoo...

However, knowing what I know about using surfactants (wound cleasning; grease)...I used warm / tepid water (this basically a 50% cold and 50% hot water; yes it is defined in the dictionary as a 50/50 blend) with inexpensive dishwashing soap (i.e. Dawn..smells nice). After good soak I drain and rinse several tmes...it's amazing how much dust accumulates in the filter. I place it between two absobent material paper towel or cloth towel and compress down on a flat surface....not suppose to wring dry. Don't use newspaper the print will actually transfer it self to the filter...not a big problem just looks funky...I made this mistake...

Then I take it out to the yard and lay on top of shrubs...why shrubs? Radiant heat from the sun will accomplish most drying effect and then the air flow from top and bottom will complete the job...shrubs keep the filter off the ground so you don't have the bottom occuluded from air flow.

Then I spray on the treatment...that Fab 1 premix is really sticky stuff hence make sure you cover for overspray.

The easiest and cleanest way to clean the air filter, is to put it in a large Zip Lock Freezer bag with some fuel. Massage the filter for a few mins then drain the bag and dry out the filter with paper towels or a shop rag. Then add a 50/50 mixture of fuel and air filter oil and massage it gently into the Filter. Open a corner of the bag and drain, then squeeze the filter to remove any excess mixture. Remove from the bag and your done

+1!

Use it in the shop all the time as a degreaser. Super cheap and cleans up easily.

A new filter costs so little (like $ 3), I think the most environmentally friendly option is to just replace it.

"Cleaning" with various fluids just creates more contaminants to have to dispose of responsibly, whereas the dirty filter will probably disintegrate into a wisp of smoke at the local garbage incinerator. Cheers.

The filter available from Scooterwest is $16.95 each + shipping...hence, it would cost $20.00. If it were $3.00 apiece I would consider switching out...@ $20.00 I would probably clean out a few times before I replace.

I just smack mine around a bit if it isn't too dirty and put it back. When it actually gets to looking pretty dirty, I clean it with gas. It doesn't take much gas to clean it if you clean it regularly. After doing this once or twice, I replace it.

Thanks All

The tips are great. I'll be doing it soon.

Paul

Advise reminded me a a Popular Mechanics clipping 60+ years old...

Price: $16.95 !!!!!

Part Number: 831997
Price: $16.95

Air filter fits GT, GTS, GT60 and GTV. Also fit MP3 250 NOT PRE-OILED.

I remember watching 'ol Dad changing the oil in the car then walking across the street to pour the used motor oil over a red ant hill. That was in Arizona back in the 50's. Seems to me that whether you use gas or some sort of detergent the leftover fluids have to go somewhere. I don't know which is worse, the detergent mixture or the dirty fuel. And buying the new filter at least $20 w/shipping gets old too.

I usually use the dirty fuel to pour over fire ant nests and then I toss a match! Not very environmentally friendly ... but then again, in our community, that IS being environmentally friendly. We don't have a lot of sophisticated environmental protection options open to us. They still pour used oil on the dirt roads!

Wow. For some reason you're getting reamed on this part stateside. Seriously, here in Europe they cost around US$ 3. Not pre-oiled, either.

I wonder why Piaggio charges such a huge premium for an inexpensive, light, easy to transport part?

Maybe I should start a side business?

Oh crap! These things have air filters?