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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 16, 2013 21:12:09 GMT -5
Well as I was scootin happily along on Saturday the Vespa soft seized. I have been rather upset about it. I have decided to rid the bike of nearly all it's "upgrades" and return it to the ultra reliable stock condition. I ordered parts and if it all goes right I'll have her back on the road next week.
So yes Vespas can break but for the record it was the non Vespa bits that failed I managed to find a NOS original cylinder kit so after I'm done the only unstock part will be the mildly polished crank and the exhaust. The exhaust is next I'll be on the look out for a nice mild affordable pipe. So here's your chance to rib the Vespa guy at least for a week...
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Post by djscootz on Jul 16, 2013 21:15:13 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I think anyone looking down on the vespa people are just jealous they can't afford them (I certainly can't afford one)
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Jul 16, 2013 21:19:02 GMT -5
I cant even afford a Stella!
I asked a friend who teaches in Italy to see if he could find a Vespa to disassemble and mail to me in bits, since I cant afford to actually buy one.
He replied that even in Italy he is also n a cheap Chinese scooter.
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 16, 2013 21:30:07 GMT -5
I realized I forgot to mention what you all might be wondering total bill for the rebuild including 2 liters of sweet oil is $230. That includes some other bits not related to the issue at all. Cylinder and all that was around $170 including gaskets and such... Also just for the record you can grab a Vespa like mine for around $1500 if you know where to look...
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 16, 2013 21:31:59 GMT -5
Hey Scoootnwinn... I can't imagine anyone on the site raggin' on ya when yer scoot breaks... It happens to all of 'em sometimes!  We'll just be glad to have you back among the "mobile" again. You might want to make a post of the repairs, and, what broke, so other Vespa riders can learn what may, and may not be a good idea.  Ride safe! Leo in Texas |
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Post by gitsum on Jul 16, 2013 22:03:50 GMT -5
What a rip off! I only paid $900 for my awesome Chinese scooter and it is a way better deal than any name brand and the quality and is just as good. It only took me a month to get it almost running right. That's after I changed a lot of the components out on the original PDI first  Parts are really inexpensive! It has been really easy to replace the plastic panels that broke when I took it apart. Most of the fasteners that failed and bolts that stripped out were able to be picked up locally at the hardware store real cheap. I've got almost 1500 miles out of it now and am really pleased. I was able to go on a 100 mile ride without getting stranded (that's not counting the eight times I was late for work). It starts right up most of the time, and after putting 50+ hours of work into it, I only have to fix it a couple of times a week now. Maintenance is easy, I've already had to adjust the valves three times and I've got it down to less than 20 minutes. I'm laughing at you Honda and Kymco guys that paid too much  |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 16, 2013 22:09:11 GMT -5
When I finally get around to the rest of the disassembly I will post the findings so far it is clear it seized near the exhaust port nit sure why though. You are always walking the line with a built 2 stroke though I am looking to turn the line into a path...
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Post by gitsum on Jul 16, 2013 22:38:51 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the soft seize, let us know if you figure out exactly what happened.
What modifications did you have on it?
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Post by rockynv on Jul 16, 2013 22:43:44 GMT -5
Did you need to run a little heavier on the oil mix or possibly need to richen it up a bit?
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Post by rockynv on Jul 16, 2013 23:04:02 GMT -5
Gitsum - I presume you are joking. I could have gotten a new Aprilia 125 for about $200 more than a Chinese 150 costs locally and there would have been zero time required on my part to get it running right. Maintenance would have been oil changes every 6,250 miles and belt service every 12,500 miles. For about $200/$300 more than a Chinese 250 costs locally I got the 250cc Aprilia Sport City and in the past 18,000 miles it has been 2 oil changes (just about time for the third) along with the regular belt/roller service, 1 H7 bulb (after 2 years dily riding) and a set of tires. Never been broken down on the side of the road and no repairs have been required. Ultimate reliability at only a fraction of additional cost.
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Post by domindart on Jul 16, 2013 23:21:50 GMT -5
Well as I was scootin happily along on Saturday the Vespa soft seized. I have been rather upset about it. I have decided to rid the bike of nearly all it's "upgrades" and return it to the ultra reliable stock condition. I ordered parts and if it all goes right I'll have her back on the road next week. So yes Vespas can break but for the record it was the non Vespa bits that failed I managed to find a NOS original cylinder kit so after I'm done the only unstock part will be the mildly polished crank and the exhaust. The exhaust is next I'll be on the look out for a nice mild affordable pipe. So here's your chance to rib the Vespa guy at least for a week... hahhahah vespas suck!! Tomos are king lol just messin knock on wood I'll probably break down now due to Karma. Hope you get it back on the road soon, scootn'!! Will you be loosin out on a lot of speed and power converting back to stock?  |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 17, 2013 0:16:58 GMT -5
Nope I was doing everything right I'll get pics up tomorrow but apparently the piston pin clip was improperly installed or bad and it came out and destroyed the top end. It will be right from now on. Btw the p series is autolubed so the mix varies appropriately with engine speed and throttle position... This explains why it happened when it relatively cool still and at a quarter throttle.
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 17, 2013 0:26:56 GMT -5
Dom I will lose some power but with the pipe still on it should still get up and move ok. I know now it wasn't the upgrades that caused this issue but I still want it closer to stock
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Post by rockynv on Jul 17, 2013 4:21:06 GMT -5
Nope I was doing everything right I'll get pics up tomorrow but apparently the piston pin clip was improperly installed or bad and it came out and destroyed the top end. It will be right from now on. Btw the p series is autolubed so the mix varies appropriately with engine speed and throttle position... This explains why it happened when it relatively cool still and at a quarter throttle. So it wasn't a soft sieze but a retaining clip failure. Those things do happen. What about your original cylinder and piston did you toss/sell them when you did the upgrade? |
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Post by brandjur on Jul 17, 2013 11:29:33 GMT -5
I rode the other day with 2 P200s, 2 Stellas, 2 Buddy 125s, and a Blur. After talking to the Stella owners, they both had vintage Vespas and said the biggest thing they liked about their Stellas was not having to mix the gas and not worrying about getting vintage parts fixed. They also agreed that you choose style or you choose convenience, lol. So is the story of life.
The P200 is a nice scooter and makes a nice 2T sound. I hope you get her up and running soon. Anything, regardless of price or style can wear out and break...or in this case if improperly installed.
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