OP
@cabbell avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 52
Location: Westport, CT
 
Enthusiast
@cabbell avatar
GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 52
Location: Westport, CT
UTC quote
After some excellent insight and coaching here on MV, I decided to undertake my first oil change. I'm posting this for posterity because I photographed the process, found it somewhere between incredibly and ridiculously easy, and managed to avoid some of the pitfalls mentioned in other riders' posts. If this is redundant with earlier posts, or the FAQs, apologies! I just thought some might find an illustrated GT200 oil change procedure useful.

The pics somehow ended up in reverse order...if anyone knows how to "re-reverse" them without reposting the whole darn thing, please let me know!

Here it goes (start on bottom and work your way up)...
and I was done!
and I was done!
...started the scoot, and checked the oil (the liter brought the level to "perfect")...
...started the scoot, and checked the oil (the liter brought the level to "perfect")...
Added a liter of oil, using a long-neck funnel...
Added a liter of oil, using a long-neck funnel...
Now I took off the brake-straps, rolled the bike onto its center stand, and unscrewed this—the oil filler/oil level cap.
Now I took off the brake-straps, rolled the bike onto its center stand, and unscrewed this—the oil filler/oil level cap.
New oil filter (smeared with fresh oil), the cleaned mesh filter, clean oil plug and clean, freshly-oiled o-ring (don't forget this—I just popped mine off the drain plug to clean it!) all ready to be installed. Tighten the drain plug (with o-ring on it)
New oil filter (smeared with fresh oil), the cleaned mesh filter, clean oil plug and clean, freshly-oiled o-ring (don't forget this—I just popped mine off the drain plug to clean it!) all ready to be installed. Tighten the drain plug (with o-ring on it)
Next, I unscrewed the oil filter. Mine was on "hand tight," and came of pretty easily with a  tight grip from a gloved hand. No special tool/wrench/vice grips required. YMMV!
Next, I unscrewed the oil filter. Mine was on "hand tight," and came of pretty easily with a tight grip from a gloved hand. No special tool/wrench/vice grips required. YMMV!
Mine had some little flecks and gunk on it (none appeared to be metallic), which I just cleaned off with a shop towel.
Mine had some little flecks and gunk on it (none appeared to be metallic), which I just cleaned off with a shop towel.
You then have to reach into the hole where you removed the oil drain plug, and pull out this little mesh filter.
You then have to reach into the hole where you removed the oil drain plug, and pull out this little mesh filter.
After loosening and removing the drain plug, with my drain carton in place, I just tipped the bike towards me for a bit to drain most of the oil.
After loosening and removing the drain plug, with my drain carton in place, I just tipped the bike towards me for a bit to drain most of the oil.
Sophisticated draining gear: a cut rice milk carton, an aluminum brownie pan, and a plastic serving plate left over from a deli-platter.
Sophisticated draining gear: a cut rice milk carton, an aluminum brownie pan, and a plastic serving plate left over from a deli-platter.
Here on the right side of the bike is the oil drain plug and the oil filter. I initially had a tough time finding the filter (doh!) until someone on MV pointed it out to me. I think dust and road grime (and a dark garage) made it "blend in."
Here on the right side of the bike is the oil drain plug and the oil filter. I initially had a tough time finding the filter (doh!) until someone on MV pointed it out to me. I think dust and road grime (and a dark garage) made it "blend in."
...and left.
...and left.
I cinched down both brakes with self-locking nylon web straps (usually used on a surfboard rack). Right side...
I cinched down both brakes with self-locking nylon web straps (usually used on a surfboard rack). Right side...
I simply leaned it against the center garage post, mostly upright, but with a slight lean towards the garage.
I simply leaned it against the center garage post, mostly upright, but with a slight lean towards the garage.
The subject: 2006 GT 200 with about 2,700 miles. Blanket is across her because I chose the "lean-a-bike" method. Look ma! No center stand!
The subject: 2006 GT 200 with about 2,700 miles. Blanket is across her because I chose the "lean-a-bike" method. Look ma! No center stand!
@gtdespatchcourier avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1687
Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia
 
Molto Verboso
@gtdespatchcourier avatar
GTS 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1687
Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia
UTC quote
u need to loosen off the oil filler plug to help the oil drain out. Great write up though - this is definetly the easiest way to do an oil change on a vespa - using a friend makes it super simple - no need to lock the brakes.
OP
@cabbell avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 52
Location: Westport, CT
 
Enthusiast
@cabbell avatar
GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 52
Location: Westport, CT
UTC quote
Great point, and I'll do that next time. Probably would have resulted in less time tipping the bike on an extreme angle and waiting for the drizzling oil to stop.

BTW, I tried to enlist a "friend" (aka my wife) but she'd have no part of it. So brake straps were my friend!
@quattrovalvole avatar
UTC

Addicted
09 GTS300 Super black, 04 GT 200 smoky, 05 GT 125 smoky (in pieces)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 750
Location: Barcelona
 
Addicted
@quattrovalvole avatar
09 GTS300 Super black, 04 GT 200 smoky, 05 GT 125 smoky (in pieces)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 750
Location: Barcelona
UTC quote
Thanks for the write up and pics. The photos definitely make a huge difference to anyone taking on this task for the first time.
@dr_zoidberg avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Ducati Scrambler 800 Nightshift
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3423
Location: Bromsgrove, UK
 
Ossessionato
@dr_zoidberg avatar
Ducati Scrambler 800 Nightshift
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3423
Location: Bromsgrove, UK
UTC quote
Very good write up there.

Other than the order of your pictures (which you can sort by editing the post and just cut and paste all the images) my only comment is that if you remove the filler cap at the same time as the sump plug you'll spend less time waiting for the oil to drain.
UTC

Hooked
2005 & 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 124
Location: Thousand Oaks, California
 
Hooked
2005 & 2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 124
Location: Thousand Oaks, California
UTC quote
Great write up and pics.
I'll try it that way next time.
With the screen out you can stick a finger wrapped with a paper towel into the sump and get the last little bit of old oil out.
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