Modern Vespa

Hello everybody,

I've been reading many of the posts here, and decided I should join this forum. This past weekend, I FINALLY purchased a dream mobile of mine; a 1959 Vespa 150. I bought it from a guy for $500 in "running" condition. Of course, just like with my mopeds the word "running" in an ad must be taken with a grain of salt. Anyway, I picked it up, got new tires (dry rotted) and have been riding it a little bit. It has a little bit of piston slap, but that will be solved with the new cylinder and piston, but there is a noise of unknown origin. When it's idling, it will make some loud "Thunking" noises. I wonder if it's a wore out bearing?

Anyway, my questions are
A. Does anybody know what engine this is, and (even better) possibly have a link to someplace which sells cylinder kits for this bike(stock)?

Thanks in advance for your advice. I've been quite thrilled with my new toy.

Jordan

Thunking noise? These are 2 stroke engines and they are loud and make funny noises.

It would help to post some pictures, and post a video of your motor running. For all we know, you could have a P200 motor in that thing we will never know with out pictures or #'s off your motor.

Cheers.

Where might I find the numbers? The only plate I found was the one from Sears (it's an allstate). I'll take a look at it later today, and get some pictures. I know this noise isn't a normal noise from this engine. It makes me think it could need a piston kit. It sounds like a mix between blowby, and piston slap, but when I give it a little gas, and start it moving, the noises go away. I'll probably be tearing down the top end today. Hopefully I find something out.

probably a crank bearing.

Welcome, Wheelhorse! You'll find lots of good advice here, and the occasional grumpy old fart like myself...

My very first 2-wheeled powered conveyance was a '59 Allstate! LOTS of years ago, when I could still get parts at my local Sears for it! If memory serves, it was a 125, not a 150, but I could be wrong... Anyhow, welcome to the fray!

Thanks Joe,

As it turns out, you're right. I ran the numbers on the motor, and it is a 125. I just broke into it today and here's what I've found.

I either need an overbore piston, or a new cylinder kit. There is a little bit of blowby, and the piston is slightly loose. New rings might fix it, but why do that when I could just do it right. Does anybody know if the 150 cylinder will bolt right up, or am I going to have to play with a dremel?

I figured out where the clunking is coming from, but not exactly what part. The crank bearings SEEM to be fine. as well as the shims. The shaft doesn't move in any strange direction, and seems to turn smoothly.

I'm pretty sure the NOISE I am hearing is in the clutch. When I turn the flywheel back and fourth quickly you hear 'Clunk, clunk, clunk". The only thing on the shaft I havn't checked is the clutch, so do you think there might be a woodruff key in there somewhere? I have a hunch I may need to replace it.

Hello

If the clutch is loose on its woodruff key stop riding it now, pull the clutch and check the slot for wear if you damage the slot you may need a new shaft.

Grumpy

your clutch is also probably dried out, from sitting. You may look at cutting a third transfer port in your cases, and installing the 166 3 port kit from American Scooter Center.

www.americanscootercenter.com

I think the vespa equivalent of that allstate is a VNB. someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Well, she's fixed and I am impressed. These motors are surprisingly easy to work on. I pulled the clutch without ever even pulling the motor. Cleaned it all up,put in a new key and tada! She's running quite well, though I need to tune her up still (and get some rings). I should take a picture.