Modern Vespa

Hi there ... I just got a new LV pipe installed on my GTS Super. They had to get my Faco bars adjusted so that the pipe wouldn't hit the bars. I've only taken the bike out twice. At first I noticed a smell, like a pipe smell. <L> Didn't think much of it until I parked my bike for the night and noticed a little steam coming from the side. Tonight I got home, noticed a leak and all of the sudden TONS of smoke/steam.

I searched on this thread about the possibilities of the Faco bars hitting the hose:

Faco rear bar and coolant leak

I took pics and couldn't see the bars close to hitting the hose. What do you guys think? I totally freaked out with the amount of smoke/steam coming from the pipe. At one point is was coming out of the end of the pipe.

Scary!! Is it safe to ride to the dealership or should I get them to pick it up?

Here are the pics:

Probably the crash bars. If you can have someone sit on the bike while you look at the hose, you'll see that the engine will pivot up and forward and the hose will get much closer to the crash bars.

Yeuap, and I've heard this a lot about the Faco itself, actually, a little less so from the regular Piaggio branded bars, but I think that it's pretty typical.

Thanks guys ... Jess I guess that would make sense is to have someone sit on the bike.

I guess I shouldn't risk riding it and have them pick it up?

If you wrap that little cut with rubber from an inner tube and throw a pipe clamp on it like this (making sure the clamp is right over the cut and rotated so that the bars can't hit it),


and fill up the reservoir with coolant, you should be able to get there without problems.

That said, since you asked the question it shows you might be better off having them pick it up. You probably don't have that stuff kicking around.

cheers

Thanks for the advice! Aaaand you're right, I'll call first thing tomorrow.

I would attempt it myself but I'll call to see when they can get it (hopefully at no charge and soon).

Darn Cat, that sucks. The Piaggio bars I have don't come close to the hose by the way but will hit the LV pipe on bad bumps denting the pipe. Do you see a nick in the hose? I ask only because our GT 200 has developed leaks in the coolant hose twice now both times because the clamp has loosened allowing coolant to leak in the same region that you're having a leak.

Bummer ... I looked at the bike this morning and finally could see the nick in the hose. The clamp is dented at the fasten so I can finally confim that it is the crash bars touching the hose.

I'm going to get them to remove the bars and repair the hose for now. I REALLY love the FACO look but for now, they be removed.

Damn, I wanted to get those instead of my Vespa towel rails - but they appear to be the only set that don't damage another part of the scooter.

Update ... At the dealership and it looks like it is not the bars hitting the hose. I sat and bounced on the bike for them to confirm. It's a mystery I guess. Anyhoo, I'm removing the bars until next riding season. Gotta lose some poundage by next year, the bars should be good to go back on.

Wonder Machine ... You might be able to get those Faco bars after all!

Once they removed the crash bars, they had me sit on the bike and bounce hard on it. It looks like it was the L bracket behind the panel that sits under the cowl. I wish I took a pic of it but I didn't think fast. I believe they shaved it down a little so that it wouldn't interfere anymore with the pipe.

So that being said, you can get the Faco bars with the LV pipe. I got them to remove them just until next season. Shocks were pumped up but it still nicked the pipe. No dents but little marks were showing up. Better safe then sorry. And they also raised the bars as high as possible before installing the pipe. I think depending on your weight, it will make a difference.

That looks like the obvious culprit from the photos. That space behind the cowl is there for a reason. Someone designed that bracket without thinking how it would work on the road.

Motad did this with their exhaust systems for the X9 125s. They all, every single one, hit the plastic panels just by a tad on a full bounce of the rear suspension, and the silencer retaining strap would break. Mendable, and the systems were cheap, so not the end of the world, just bloody irritating.

That Faco bracket looks as though a slight bend or two would give enough clearance to the coolant hose.

I laid down my gt200 once with my Faco bars on, and they popped a hole in the hose. I bent the bracket out a bit, and glued an extra piece of hose rubber to the new hose where the bar hit the old hose. It has never hit again, so I guess its not an issue anymore. Either way, its a bit of added insurance.

Glad you're all fixed up now Cat.

Thanks Benny! I pray that I'll be saying that to you early next week.