Modern Vespa

I will be picking up the new scoot tomorrow...I plan on getting it serviced, since it has sat a bit...fella said it was serviced, but not sure what was done...
I was thinking of getting the fluids changed and a once over...anything else?
its a 2004 GT200.....

now to the folks in the western Pa area.....I know of a cpl places that service vespas...who can recommend a good one? if ya'll want send me a pm...but would like to know if one is better than another? or who has had good service vs. o-kay service.......
once again, please send via pm, I don't want this to be a trash them thread, or my shop is better than theres ect...
the shops I am considering are(in no apparent order)...
1. MOsites
2. KIssel
3. European motocycles of pgh.
4. is there a vespa shop in oakland? on forbes?
5. what about in shadyside?

thanks for everyones info....
and please use pm....I would like info, good or bad..I will need to travel to ANY of them so ya'll info is much needed..

I (try) to do most of my own maintenance, but when the work is out of my league I take my scooter to European Motors of Pittsburgh. I take it there for inspections, too. They've been fine by me.

The Vespa place in Oakland was one of the original "Boutiques." I purchased my scooter there, in fact. They went out of business...the dealership was then purchased by European Motors.

The Vespa dealer in Shadyside is gone, too.

I don't know anything about Kissel. I think they are on the other side of the state.

I don't have any experience with Mosites. I would have had, as I was chasing down some parts a month or so ago, but their service department was never in when I called and they never bothered to return my phone messages, either.

When I call European Motors, they call back.

So, who you gonna call?

thanks menhir...yep kissel is up in state college........
problem with my location is that any of them are 40+ miles from my house....
mosites IS the closest by about 10-15 miles...but I don't want to go to the closest if a better shop is in the area.....I guess I will call european motosports or kissel and see who can get me in...I will need to drive there and wait...so we shall see......

anyone else?

I will post up pics of the new ride later on today

What town do you hail from?

Even though I haven't dealt with Mosites, they are a motorcycle/snowmobile/ATV/scooter dealer and seem pretty active in the PTW community. They've been around a while.

Give them a call.

What work are you looking to have done? Oil and gear changes are relatively simple do-it-yourself jobs that don't require special tools. The procedures are available in the Wiki section.

I live in Johnstown.....

as far as service....probably fluid changes and the like.....scoot has sat and wanted a shop to do a service and a once over as well...I'm sure ~most~ shops can handle this, just was pokin' brains for ideas on who was good/ok, ect...

you make it this way much?

I was going to try to plan a get together maybe next summer over the weekend of thunder in the valley here....if we could get a few folks I think it would be cool.. Maybe get some shirts made up that say mosquito's in the valley with a pic of a vespa....

here is the rally's website..
http://www.visitjohnstownpa.com/thunder-in-the-valley/general-information/

anyone on here been to this? downtown is literally filled with bikes..they have numerous rides, a led night-time parade...lots of things going on...
its just a thought at this stage, we'll see how it pans out...

No, not since my daughter, who is attending college near Philly got her own car and is able to do her own traveling back and forth.

I do plan on riding Route 6 across much of the state next month, but that's far north of you.

The scooter...let's see:
For a start, I expect you're looking at (assuming you can't get a maintenance record):

Motor Oil & Filter
Hub Oil

Brake Fluid: Look in the little window near the throttle and make sure you can see the fluid in there. If it's clear, you're probably good to to. If it's dark, you're due for a change.

Important: How many miles are on the scoot and how many miles since the last CVT belt and roller change?

I bought my LX150 last year from Mosites, and two days ago brought her in for the 12 month service.

Everyone is really nice, and they seem to know what they're doing. Nothing really.........scooter centric about the place though.

I really DO wish that there was something more vespa oriented around the area. I fondly remember that vespa site in oakland, as i was working at the starbucks down the street when it opened.

Im really not experienced enough to know if the prices at Mosites are normal, high, or low. My second service ended up costing me $228, which included a new rear tire+labor for putting the stupid thing on.

Oakland...I remember my first trip to the dealership in Oakland. I had to turn around and go home after spending an hour trying to find a parking place.

Luckily, I was persistent.

just got home!!!

I am going to go thru the booklet...I don't think it has had any service yet..I will @ the book later.....scoot has 2400 mi. on it...the fella I bought it from literally rode the bike 3 miles, got scared and it has sat the last 2yrs or so....

so I am not sure on the belt action....

I'll let ya know...

B-

Congrats on your new scoot

thanks Parrot!

Well I still am out on the service...when I went thru the maintenence booklet, it was empty....not a single thing was filled in. Not even the check list from the dealer to original seller.. .now I am the 3rd owner.hmmmm...I was looking @ the vids that MAx has out with the fliud changes and such...now I can change my oil in the car, swap out callipers/pad ect...so I do have basic ability with a wrench...and it does seem pretty straightforeward....
Whatcha think?
change oils myself?
what service would you do/get done?
motor oil/filter
hub
brake
As for the belt..???? mileage is 2400...
anything missing or should be added?
tia

I'd change the engine oil just to be sure. Probably the rear hub too.

Belt shouldn't need attention until 6,000 miles or so.

The videos will show you how it's all done.

Welcome to the community !

I purchased scooters from European Motorcycles and Shadyside Vespa (now closed). Shadyside Vespa was a couple of miles from my house, real convenient. I've had my scooters inspected at European Motorcycles, no complaints. Took them in on a Saturday morning, first come first served. Someone in Sq. Hill bought a scooter from Mosites, was happy with the deal he got. I haven't heard anything negative about them, haven't gone there because European is closer.

Oil change isn't hard to do, sometimes the oil drain nut is on real tight and hard to get off. Since you don't know what work was done on your scooter you should probably change the hub oil. I haven't changed the brake fluid yet on my scooters, but a lot of people say to change that every 2 years.

Good luck with your new scooter.

+1

The motor and hub oil changes are easy enough.

A couple of useful hints:

When you buy your oil filter, I would also recommend purchasing the little rubber O-Ring that goes 'round the drain plug. Sometimes it falls apart and if you don't have a spare you're stuck in the middle of the oil change. I always keep an extra one in the shed.

Get yourself a turkey baster in case you accidentally overfill anything.

Will do!
thanks for the info......
I guess I will ordering up some stuff......hmmm maybe a roadtrip...
that way I can work on it later this week!