Modern Vespa

Looking at the mods done, I decided to diy on some. First was ajusting the rear shock level. People yelling about wearing gloves and all with the spanner wrench slipping; just put a six inch adjustable wrench onto the spanner. Gives you all the power you need to move the setting, and fingers "no damage zone". Second project was the signal beeper mode. I choose the single Radioshack beeper with two diode method. Getting old stinks, took me ten minutes to finally find the tiny side locking bar on the little directional light connectors. Sure a quick finger nail under it and pull, but only when you "acknowledge it". Third project was the stebel horn, wow, mounting it was the issue. Trying to stay clear of the front end movement, did as others did and mounted it on the right vertical frame bar. Used hose clamps, the bottom is good, but the top is barely holding and could slide off. Tried to find the 1 3/8 u bolt someone used, but not available at auto store. Sure I may have to go back and modify the mount. My poor lesson learned was the "Piaggio relay wiring". So a warniang to others, I do not believe the top four relays are really installed in any order. All the wiring harness branches are about the same length, so the relay positions probalby are not "concreate order". My fourth relay ended up being my horn relay, my second relay ended up as the light relay. For anyone doing the horn install, use a voltmeter first, and depend on the color code second. These rose, yellow and dull white are not as pronounced as "old eyes see". Ground the negative meter probe, and start sticking the positive probe up the bottom of the relay sockets where the wires enter. Then turn the bike on and off, and beep horn to check for the voltage for the operation you are checking for. I now have an extra spliced wire on a relay for no good reason. Happy projects, just thought this might help some people out.

Having just fitted a better sound warning device to the 250, it came with a bracket about 2 1/2" long. It mounted on one of the bolts that hold the front lower fairing on, the bit with the horizontal slats. This put it dead centre, low down right at the front and clear of both wheels. (If there is interest I will take a photo)

I jumped a second set of wires off the OEM, led them up along the cooling hoses and down to the device, back went the hose cover and it worked out quite neatly.

As I have both OEM and new device working off the same button, plan is to put a switch in to switch loud device in and out of circuit, along with the switch for the (very subtle Jimc - trust me!) downlighters.

fay

+1 on using a crescent wrench to assist with the shock adjustment spanner. I have been doing that since day one to get the needed leverage and since we ride two up weekends its always getting adjusted. I still think the tool provided and the method could stand improvement.

When I mounted my Stebel horn I add a smallish galvanized L bracket to it using the bolt that came with, then used a hose clamp to secure that to the right side vertical frame, adding a second hose clamp around the horn itself and to the frame. I used thin rubber around the frame under the horn to allow the 'crush' of the clamps to hold better. Might have a pic here somewhere...

I too, used a crescent wrench. I've heard a small pipe also works wonders.

Just an fyi, some may consider the term "rule of thumb" as offensive...

What? Why?

Isn't that how the inch came about?

It should only matter if the intent is to offend, otherwise, no one persons culture should over ride anothers culture. I still give the OK hand signal when things are OK. I wouldn't in somebody elses country when I know what it could mean there. BUT it doesn't mean anything regarding a womans sexual organ where I live, so there you go.
The burden of culture awareness lies with the "thin skinned offendies" just as much as it lies with the "less worldly insensitive offenders".

In old English law, it was legal for a man to beat his wife or "chastise" her as long as he used a stick no thicker than his thumb...hence the "rule of thumb."

Also mentioned in Boondock Saints...a great film if you haven't seen it.

"It is often claimed that the term originally referred to a law that limited the maximum thickness of a stick with which it was permissible for a man to beat his wife"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thumb

Or watch "Boondock Saints"...

I guess I am not familiar with the term as there is absolutely no possible way anyone would get near me with a switch or "discipline" me.

The term isn't used in that manner any more and there is no one alive today that was affected by those Sharia like laws in England...........except maybe those under Sharia law, but that is their problem.

I probably spelled Sharia wrong, but it would make a nice girls name.

I just met a girl named Sharia....

So.... if I name my scooter "Sharia", then I can use the terminology?

Oh, the good o'l days, the rule of thump, cheap child labor, burning and drowning of witches. Memories

Wayne B