Modern Vespa

I've got a bunch of pieces parts laying around the farage, and am nearly to the place where I remove the engine for the 190 conversion. I remember Greasy had step by step instructions for removing the engine leaving the center stand attached, etc. Now searching, I can't find them...

I've got the cowl trim off, the airbox cover off and the airbox pulled out of the way. I've got the CVT cover off and the rear wheel. I've got the intake manifold off and bungied up out of the way.

I pulled the lower shock mount bolt, but didn't feel like I was in control of where things were moving, so I put it back in.

I thought I was supposed to remove the lower shock and with the engine standing on the center stand and pivoting from the main pivot, lift the frame and set it on a milk crate. Didn't seem like that was working right so I stopped.

So, anyone bookmark those instructions?

Thanks,
Steve

it sounds like you're just about there.
check to be sure that you've got the following disconnected:
>stator wiring. it's a single plug/pigtail just next to the carb
>carb fuel line and throttle cable, evap as well
>bellows to the airbox from the frame
>engine ground wire on trans cover
>rear brake cable-- from the engine loops & rear actuating arm
>coil from frame, or plug boot from motor (i prefer to pull the boot and stash it)
>vaccum hose from evap to intake manifold (a non issue if you've pulled thed intake)
>dampening springs from mount thru bolt
(i'm pretty sure that is it, but it's late and i've been drinking. so you might want to double check everyting)

i like to loosen the engine swing arm bolt/nut (the one that mounts to the engine itself not the forward engine to body mount plate) and then remove the rear shock entirely, let the bike pivot down onto the motor, and then using a big freekin' screwdriver knock the both thru to the other side. the screwdriver will index the hole and allow you to balance the bike while you remove the bolt. then you can remove the screwdriver and lift the body of the bike up and over the motor.

if you've taken off the rear fender and fairings, you can then set the bike down onto the motor mount plate. it won't walk away from you as long as the ground is reasonably flat.

i would suggest that you bribe your wife with a foot rub to assist you with the proccedure. it's a PITA if you're flying solo and haven't done it before. there's really no heavy lifting involved, just lots of awkward angles and the frame likes to move unexpectedly.

good luck with it!

best,
-greasy

hey steve, here's the OG thread with my response about midway down. i'm guessing this is the info that you were looking for...

mp3 and GT60 (finally) at SJ Vespa for the Bay Area!

lemme know if you need anything further.

best,
-greasy

THANK YOU!

That's what I was looking for. I searched "190" and you as the author. Then started looking through all of your posts.

I forgot about the spring on the mount! That would have been a surprise. I pulled the intake maniforld with the carburettor rather than all of the individual hoses and cables. I've still got the ground and a couple other wires to get, plus the plug. I also forgot that you recommended pulling the fender off. I should have about everything else.

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get to this today. It is our youngest daughter's 10th birthday, and we're doing family stuff. Maybe late in the day...

I was going to use my motorcycle jack. The SS180 is on it right now. I was going to stick the rear wheel on, but realized that sometime over the winter, the 40+ year old rear shock buffer got tired of holding the engine up, and split in half. It swung down against the jack frame rather than bashing down on the floor, so no apparent damage done. Ordered one from Chelsea along with some other parts last night.

I had no qualms about working in the engine, but yanking it baffled me. I had mental pictures of it flopped on its side.

Thanks again!
Steve