Modern Vespa

Hi all,

I am new to scooting and to this forum. Very excited because I need help!

I just got a battery tender and tended to my battery...and then reattached it backwards (+ to - and vice versa). Of course it won't start now.

I know I need to take it in, but wanted to get your guys' opinion on whether or not I've just shot my scooter to shit!

Thanks for the help!

If it was a good battery tender (and not just any old 'charger') then it should have known all about reverse connection and just - done nothing.

But if you took the battery out, and replaced it with reverse polarity - then look for at least one blown fuse - and maybe other fried stuff as well.

Please detail *exactly* what you did.

ok! I did remove the battery to charge it as I don't have outside power...and just re-attached it wrong, and then the scooter wouldn't start.

I checked again and saw that I'd messed up, and then attached the terminals correctly...still wouldn't work. According to the tender the battery is charged!

Like Jim said, look for blown fuses. If you don't know where to look, tell us what model scooter you have and someone can tell you.

OK.

Now click on 'profile' and enter what model of scooter you have, so that more focussed advice or clues can be received and given.

Some years ago my elder son did just that on a B125 - it turned out just one (very hidden) fuse had released its 'magic smoke' - I'm hoping your problem will be as simple to diagnose and cure.

Wow, this is so helpful, you guys rule. I have an LX 50...where do I look for fuses?

Should I try to kick-start it at all if it's got a blown fuse?

No.

Look at the circuit diagram clues that can be found here:
http://www.wotmeworry.org.uk/manuals/More%20Manuals/Vespa/
and check the fuses. Have a handful of 10A ones on hand.

Awesome!! I am so impressed with you guys. I'll let you know how it goes.

There are some fuses right by your battery. There are also a couple inside the horn cover on the front. This link will show you how to remove the horn cover if you don't know how:
LX-150 Audicator Installation - With Pictures

There will be a couple 7.5 amp fuses right above the horn.

So, do I need to get 10amp or 7.5 fuses??

Both might be wise - they aren't exactly expensive!

Ok--last question I swear: can I get these from an auto shop? My nearest scoot shop isn't nearby.

Yes, they are very standard vehicle fuses. Do you have separate 'manual' shops?

If the main fuse didn't blow, I fear for the voltage regulator.
Hell, even if the fuse did blow, I still fear for the regulator!

The regulator should be fine. These bikes have been designed with this mistake in mind.

Here's hoping it's an easy one...

I just changed my battery and noticed that a fuse blew somewhere along the way. After new install, I had no headlights, brake lights, signals, or horn. Has anyone heard of a battery install causing a fuse to blow? Is this a bad sign? Thanks!

It's possible if you attached the negative lead first, then the positive, and inadvertently shorted the positive somehow. That's why one is supposed to attached the negative lead last, and most all auto-repair procedures recommend disconnecting the negative lead.

I wish a friend's car had been designed this way. We were installing a new battery, and while I KNEW what I was doing, the clerk at the auto shop convinced her to put the terminals on backwards. My friend now calls this "welding".