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@stungover avatar
UTC

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I Talked a guy today who used to own a scooter store and also did the mechanics, into running a maintenance workshop. I want to do routine maintenance on my GT's and be able to fix basic emergencies on the road or while on vacation out of my Vespa trailer.

He told me to come up with a list of things I wanted to cover.

Besides doing your own oil change - which I have already done, what would you put on the list?

Flush brakes?
Check coolant?
Rollers?
@silver_streak avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
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@silver_streak avatar
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
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Location: Annapolis, MD, USA
UTC quote
Re: What would you teach in a maintenance workshop?
Stungover wrote:
I Talked a guy today who used to own a scooter store and also did the mechanics, into running a maintenance workshop. I want to do routine maintenance on my GT's and be able to fix basic emergencies on the road or while on vacation out of my Vespa trailer.

He told me to come up with a list of things I wanted to cover.

Besides doing your own oil change - which I have already done, what would you put on the list?

Flush brakes?
Check coolant?
Rollers?
These, plus belt change, exhaust removal/replacement, rear wheel removal/replacement.
OP
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UTC

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UTC quote
Re: What would you teach in a maintenance workshop?
Silver Streak wrote:
Stungover wrote:
I Talked a guy today who used to own a scooter store and also did the mechanics, into running a maintenance workshop. I want to do routine maintenance on my GT's and be able to fix basic emergencies on the road or while on vacation out of my Vespa trailer.

He told me to come up with a list of things I wanted to cover.

Besides doing your own oil change - which I have already done, what would you put on the list?

Flush brakes?
Check coolant?
Rollers?
These, plus belt change, exhaust removal/replacement, rear wheel removal/replacement.
Ah yes, the dreaded blown gasket would be good too. . .

I'm wondering what the general feeling about changing the rear tire is. . . how easy a thing to do is that out in the field?
@silver_streak avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
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Location: Annapolis, MD, USA
 
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@silver_streak avatar
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UTC quote
Re: What would you teach in a maintenance workshop?
Stungover wrote:
I'm wondering what the general feeling about changing the rear tire is. . . how easy a thing to do is that out in the field?
I'm not talking about changing the tire... just removing the wheel so you can take it someplace to have a new tire mounted.
@jimc avatar
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The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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UTC quote
Roadside - and how to do in the dark:
Plugging a tyre.
Exhaust 'gasket'.
Headlamp replacement (tupperware removal).

Homeside:
Use of coppa-slip or equivalent.
How and when to use different sorts of spanners/wrenches - why 12-sided sockets and combo spanners are Not Good on many parts. Use six-sided.
Oil/filter change.
Brake pads.
Air filter cleaning/oiling.
How to tell when a steering bearing has a notch. What to research when you find this...


Leave out electrics. If someone understands, they understand, if they don't they won't.
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UTC quote
Re: What would you teach in a maintenance workshop?
Silver Streak wrote:
Stungover wrote:
I'm wondering what the general feeling about changing the rear tire is. . . how easy a thing to do is that out in the field?
I'm not talking about changing the tire... just removing the wheel so you can take it someplace to have a new tire mounted.
I see you point!
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UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Roadside - and how to do in the dark:
Plugging a tyre.
Exhaust 'gasket'.
Headlamp replacement (tupperware removal).

Homeside:
Use of coppa-slip or equivalent.
How and when to use different sorts of spanners/wrenches - why 12-sided sockets and combo spanners are Not Good on many parts. Use six-sided.
Oil/filter change.
Brake pads.
Air filter cleaning/oiling.
How to tell when a steering bearing has a notch. What to research when you find this...


Leave out electrics. If someone understands, they understand, if they don't they won't.
Thanks Jimc! You are always the best! Excellent suggestions and I will put them all on my list.

A while back you came up with an easy suggestion to fix the annoying electric seat release as opposed to getting to it from the leg shield. Would you happen to have a simple fix for changing the battery out in the clock? I have a GT200. . . . I WANT MY CLOCK BACK! Crying or Very sad emoticon
@mike_bike_kite avatar
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GTS250 - GT200 - XJR1300
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UTC quote
All the above but mostly belt/roller replacement & plugging a tyre plus:
Checking the plug and what to do if it's the wrong colour
Accessing and cleaning the air filter
If it won't start then what to check
Topping up the battery (where necessary)
Treating scratches (to the bike) after a fall
Changing an exhaust
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UTC quote
mike_bike_kite wrote:
All the above but mostly belt/roller replacement & plugging a tyre plus:
Checking the plug and what to do if it's the wrong colour
Accessing and cleaning the air filter
If it won't start then what to check
Topping up the battery (where necessary)
Treating scratches (to the bike) after a fall
Changing an exhaust
I like your suggestion about what to do if it won't start. Shortly after getting the GT's, one fell over after someone near and dear to me parked it on soft grass - thank God it was grass and no damage was done except that it wouldn't start.

We were way out in the middle of nowhere, but thanks to the owner's manual we were able to remove the spark plug and bleed out the flood. It's happened one other time since. A handy thing to know.
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UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Headlamp replacement (tupperware removal).

Sorry Jimc, I did a search, but no luck. What is "tupperware removal?"
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UTC quote
"tupperware removal?"

Removing the plastic/body panels.

Wayne B
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UTC quote
Wayne B wrote:
"tupperware removal?"

Removing the plastic/body panels.

Wayne B
Ah. . . .
@mike_bike_kite avatar
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UTC quote
It amused me you put headlamp removal under your roadside heading - you're far more ambitious than me!

If anyone does their own belt/roller replacement and servicing in South London and wants to show a few others how to do it then I'd be happy to host an event. I can also provide a scoot (or two) to work on!

I know Doug does them but he's a bit busy in North London at the moment.
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UTC quote
mike_bike_kite wrote:
If anyone does their own belt/roller replacement and servicing in South London and wants to show a few others how to do it then I'd be happy to host an event. I can also provide a scoot (or two) to work on!

Bravo! I will have to pay someone $$$$$ to run the workshop.
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UTC quote
Well I thought I'd ask, you never know. There's loads of folks that would love to learn.
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UTC quote
All of the above (excellent suggestions) for roadside and home repair, plus:
- changing the brake fluid
- changing the antifreeze
- changing the transmission oil

Cheers and good luck,
Bob

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