Modern Vespa

Got the LXT 125 i.e. now for four month, 2800 km.

Tried something to let her get a bit more air, thinking an "i.e." offers more gasoline then - and better performance.

Two ways, I learnd to know:
- Remove the small oil bubble on the air box. or/ and:
- Push the "rubber thing" with your thumb through its hole inside the air box and bend it a bit rearside (its not necessary to open the airbox therefore); you get the air entrance hole free then (air comes in easier now). Now inflate noise is a bit louder, when accelerating, but you'r much faster on about 0-60 km /h. The top speed doesn't increase, it's still shown 102 km/h on speedometer. But the so much better acceleration seems to be worth to try. After all it remains gas usage about 3,0 l / 100 km - not bad for the environment, what do you think? Not so good: You need a new rear tire a bit earlier. And:

You can also "rebuild" in a few minutes... .

achtel

I believe those rubber bulbs are between the engine and the air filter. That means that the additional air is being sucked from near the pavement and is unfiltered. You are sucking crap into your engine and defeating the purpose of the filter. You may get a little extra performance, but you are shortening your engine's life.

(Somebody correct or confirm me here.)

Tor2ga's consideration aside (and I'm not sure whether it is true or not), the idea that more air = more power is at best an over-simplified concept.

Historically, most attempts to modify or replace the Vespa airbox (Mike Holland's experiment being the sole exception of which I'm aware) have been dismal failures. The intake air column to the carburetor or F.I. throttle body has standing pressure waves just like the exhaust does, producing peaks and nodes of pressure at differing rpms. The Piaggio engineers have done a pretty good job of tuning the length and volume of that air column to create a broad torque curve and low intake noise. Uninformed attempts at changing things often improve things a bit at certain rpms but make things drastically worse at others. Unless you are an expert on engine intake and exhaust acoustics, your chances of creating an overall improvement are slim.

Sorry, must explain: The "rubber thing" is a kind of noise killer before/ in foront of the air filter; the air filter works like before; you get no additional crap inside your engine. Only an advice ...

achtel

I was addressing the "small oil bubble" which is the clear silicone rubber bulb that catches the oil drip off the filter. I wouldn't run with those off.

I'm not sure what the other thing you are referring to is, but I tend to agree with Silverstreak. I don't think the designers left any power on the table. That IE system is far too complex to soup up just by pulling a plug on the air intake.