Modern Vespa

I've discovered that I have an exhaust leak, which from feeling around the pipe seems likely to be where the much maligned gasket No. 826388 is.

After several experiences with looong repair times at the two shops near me that will work on my GT200, I've been doing some repairs on my own. I'm hoping to do this on my own, too, but would appreciate some advice.

1. My whole exhaust system seems pretty rusted. I have just over 4,400 miles on my baby, and she's just 2½ years old, but I have no place to get her out of the elements, so she does tend to get wet often. Should I just buy and replace the whole exhaust system with either the OEM or an aftermarket kind? Any recommendations on a specific exhaust system?

2. I see on here that the some have had problems with the brass bushing used as a replacement for the original exhaust gasket. Should I stick with the Piaggio gasket?

And 3. I did drive for several days after the noise started, before I figured out where the leak was and read all these frightening stories about losing your brakes. My rear brake line has a little melty spot on it near where the leak is. My brakes are fine, but I want to replace the brake line as well. Super complicated?

Yes it's gone - pictures of the rest of the silencer? It may just need yet-another-wire-brushing and painting with VHT paint. You have been doing this of course as hopefully advised by the dealer and done by them (again hopefully) at services?

Don't despair - get the new graphite collar and follow the clues on here for keeping your exhaust in one piece.

Thanks. I'll take some more photos in the morning. My dealer didn't advise wire brushing and painting with VHT paint, so no, that hasn't been happening. Shockingly, Chicago has few Vespa dealers, so I bought this one at a dealership about 300 miles away, and have been having it serviced mostly at Scooterworks, which seems not to do much work on "modern" Vespas. Exhaust care didn't come up in our discussions.

Ah.

Especially at about this time of year with 'rusting' type exhausts, take the exhaust off (carefully! - remember that collar) gently wire-brush off all the rust that will give up and go without arguing, treat the rest to naval jelly or Ku-Rust, whatever is handy, and then give a very good coating with VHT (very high temperature) matt black paint.

This won't stop any rot from the inside - daily rides will do that, but it will stop the normal winter deterioration from the outside.

Good dealers here do it as part of every service, and it can make an exhaust last far longer - though any over five years old are probably on their last legs if used in UK-type climates, however they have been treated.

Any particular brand you might recommend here in Europe? I recently painted the edges and hats on some new brake rotors for my car with Duplicolor 'Thermo' paint, and the results have been excellent.

I'm tempted to do the same with my Vespa's exhaust but don't want to have to deal with any flaking paint which might be worse than the original finish. The surface temperature on the Vespa's exhaust is obviously many degrees hotter than heated up brake rotors! Thanks.

Hammerite do a VHT paint in both brush-on and aerosol cans. I prefer the aerosol for the exhaust.

Here are some more photos of the current state of my exhaust. The rust is mostly on the pipe, and it seems I could get a good amount of it off with a good brushing, then paint it. What do you think, Jim?

I have mixed feelings about replacing the entire exhaust system with an aftermarket one -- not super interested in the "growl" -- nor the expense -- and I saw one guy who had the insulation inside the Prima pipe disintegrate in the heat, making it rattle. I'm only tempted by the stainless steel getting rid of the rust issue.

That looks as if it will respond to a good brushing and painting. Buy a new graphite collar first though, in case the old one is past it. Always useful to have a spare anyway.

Looks as if you might have some problem with the front heat-shield screws - if and when you come to re-assembly be sure to use some high-temp anti-seize on those.