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Hi

I've just come across this forum and thought I might seek some opinions on getting my 1996 Vespa PX200E back on the road after six years in storage.  I bought it new and did about 10,800 km on it between 1996 and 2002.  I haven't ridden it in the subsequent six years due to other things going on in my life, but now have the itch to get riding again.  I used it almost purely for weekend recreational riding - typically for journeys of several hours duration at an average of about 80 km/h - and would be wanting to do the same thing again.  I treated it like a baby, so it still looks and feels almost like new.  Today I rolled it out of the garage after all this time and it burst into life after just 4 kicks or so, idling nicely and revving freely just as I remembered.

It would need to be reregistered and I'm pretty sure it would get a pink slip straight away without any trouble.  I'm fairly familar with these machines (this is my second PX200E) and I've done a fair bit of routine servicing myself.  However I'm thinking that after six years in storage, it may be prudent to have a good scooter dealer give it a thorough servicing check.  There are also some servicing tasks that I'd probably prefer a dealer to do as time goes on.  I have some specific questions:

1. Taking into consideration the usage and history of this scooter, is there a view one way or another about the idea of a thorough service check by a reputable dealer being done?

2. It currently has Michelin S1 tyres with lots of life still left in them on visual inspection - I found these better than the original Savas it came with - but after six years (with front tyre off the ground, rear tyre bearing weight in one spot) I'm wondering about the integrity of the tyres.  Would age have affected them, or should they still be as good and safe as when the scooter was last used?

3. I'm considering replacing the stock exhaust with a Sito Plus to give the scooter a bit of extra torque and acceleration without going overboard.  I've had a look at the performance charts for the Sito Plus and it seems to have a good reputation with the characteristics I'd like.  I think I've lost a bit of weight over the years but am probably over 100Kg and could do with a bit more engine grunt.  Would the fitting of a Sito Plus affect reregistration or insurance premiums in any way?  It's a mild rather than wild performance enhancement so hopefully not, but I thought I better ask the question.

4. I live in the Blue Mountains in NSW and the closest proper scooter servicing dealers would seem to be based in Sydney.  Now I don't mind doing 80 km/h on secondary outer suburbia / country roads, but no way would I want to ride from the Blue Mountains to Sydney on a 110 km/h freeway on a PX200E.  If I did ask a dealer to do a thorough service check I'd need a pickup and delivery service.  Generally speaking, how accomodating are Sydney dealers these days in this respect?  If I found a good Sydney dealer with reasonable rates I'd consider getting regular services done this way.

I've probably asked enough questions for the moment - your thoughts welcome.

Thanks

klute

This I've got to see! Could you pretty please post a picture Klute?

ScootaChic:

This I've got to see! Could you pretty please post a picture Klute?

Hi ScootaChic

I guess I could take and post a picture - it's metallic green (Piaggio's name for the colour is simply "Verde") but a very different shade to the olive green / silvery green colours of other models.  I don't know how common this shade of green is these days.  It reminds me of British Racing Green and I added an aftermarket retro-style windscreen with black and white racing checks below the transparent part.  It looks my machine look somewhat Quadrophenia-like from the front, in a restrained kind of way.

Regards

klute 

Hey Klute - sounds like a beaut.  I'd give the guys at Scooter Central a call.  I believe that they may be able to help you out (including your pick-up and delivery).

how awesome! I wanna see pics too!

re-registering will be easy.

Sito Plus might give you a bit more oomph, it's a good and cheap factory-looking upgrade to the OEM exhaust. the carb may need re-jetting however? (only from what I've read and found around the place). I'd be keen on a Sito Plus as well..

AS for tyres, give them an inspection, make sure there's no cracks. You will probably find them to be fine.. 6 years isn't really that long in the scheme of things.

The dealer will probably check for things like condition of fuel tank (whats in it), gearbox oil, cables check (grease), brake shoes check, new spark plug, elec system check over, etc.

How fun!

 Seeing it's been sitting for six years, I'd recommend the following

1. Drain the fuel tank to get rid of the stale fuel, replace the fuel filter.

2. Cables:  replace the rear brake cable, the gearshift cable and if you see any "wobble" in the speedo needle, replace the speed drive cable as well.

3. Does the '96 model have a front disk brake ?   If so drain and replace the hydraulic fluid,  if it's got a drum brake, replace the cable.

4. Drain & replace the transmission oil.

Generally go over it greasing where needed etc.

Hi steve@ace

Thanks - I'd been looking at the Scooter Central site and will keep them in mind for the future.  On the long weekend I started doing a 10,000km service myself plus other service tasks recommended every two years, just to be thorough.  I love tinkering with these machines but if the time comes to drop the engine and crack the cases one day I might get a dealer to do that - then again, I might give that a go myself.

Incidentally, I read the "A Death in the Family" article on the Ace Scooters site - summarises everything I love about the classic Vespas - very sad to see them go.

Hi kiwiscoota

kiwiscoota:

Seeing it's been sitting for six years, I'd recommend the following

1. Drain the fuel tank to get rid of the stale fuel, replace the fuel filter.

Good suggestions, I'd been thinking it wise to do those things.

kiwiscoota:

2. Cables:  replace the rear brake cable, the gearshift cable and if you see any "wobble" in the speedo needle, replace the speed drive cable as well.

Am having a close look at all the control cables - I always lubed them myself and never had any snap on me but have always been wary - I bought spares years ago except for the speedo cable, which doesn't seem to last very well from what I've read.

kiwiscoota:

3. Does the '96 model have a front disk brake ?   If so drain and replace the hydraulic fluid,  if it's got a drum brake, replace the cable.

Traditional drum - I remember being astounded when Piaggio converted to front disks after 50 years of front drums on their classic models.  I even contemplated a conversion at the time but the drum's grown on me.  I'll also be checking brake pads front and rear but am pretty sure they'll be fine - I think I replaced the front pads for good measure some time last century.

kiwiscoota:

4. Drain & replace the transmission oil.

Gave it a nice refill of 10W30 Motul Transoil - I also have some 10W40 Motul Transoil Expert and was tossing up between the two - I understand the latter would be fine but probably overkill for a stock machine.

kiwiscoota:

 

Generally go over it greasing where needed etc.

Yes, have been degreasing and will go over everything carefully.

Hi JimmyLee77

JimmyLee77:

how awesome! I wanna see pics too!

re-registering will be easy.

Sito Plus might give you a bit more oomph, it's a good and cheap factory-looking upgrade to the OEM exhaust. the carb may need re-jetting however? (only from what I've read and found around the place). I'd be keen on a Sito Plus as well..

AS for tyres, give them an inspection, make sure there's no cracks. You will probably find them to be fine.. 6 years isn't really that long in the scheme of things.

The dealer will probably check for things like condition of fuel tank (whats in it), gearbox oil, cables check (grease), brake shoes check, new spark plug, elec system check over, etc.

How fun!

I've been flip-flopping over the Sito Plus versus stock exhaust.  Upsizing of the main jet is recommended everywhere on the Internet but there doesn't seem to be a precise consensus on how far to go.  I had a look at my main jet when fitting a new air filter and it's a 116, which was what I was expecting.  Based on what I've read, I think (if I got a Sito Plus) I should try a 118 in the first instance and have a 120 handy as well.  I'd be riding at altitudes of about 650 - 1100 metres above sea level and am wondering to what extent that may have an influence on main jet choice.  I suppose it would involve some trial and error.

The grade of spark plug might also come into play, but I've been slightly alarmed to read that an NGK B8ES is what several people recommend.  I'm wondering what the basis of that recommendation is, because a B6ES is the factory recommended plug.  I used to alternate between a B6ES and B7ES and based on my results I'd stick with the stock recommendation of B6ES I think.  I always seemed to run a bit rich (better than running a bit lean) which means a hotter plug like B6ES makes sense to me - I last rode with a B7ES and it was a bit black, being colder than a B6ES.  I need to decarbonise my cylinder head and piston, but even so I cannot for the life of me see how a B8ES could make any sense.  Maybe the carbs of Australian machines were set up differently to other markets.

Another aspect of the Sito Plus is that it has less ground clearance compared to stock, but that would probably be ok as I only grounded the left stand a couple of times when leaning if memory serves me right.  I've also read that the Sito Plus isn't reknowned for longevity, but I don't know how it compares to stock in that regard.  I'll have to keep chewing this over.

My tyres look pretty good on inspection - you're right about six years not being long in the scheme of things - in fact I can't believe I bought it 12 years ago now, seems almost like yesterday!  

klute:

've been flip-flopping over the Sito Plus versus stock exhaust.  Upsizing of the main jet is recommended everywhere on the Internet but there doesn't seem to be a precise consensus on how far to go.  I had a look at my main jet when fitting a new air filter and it's a 116, which was what I was expecting.  Based on what I've read, I think (if I got a Sito Plus) I should try a 118 in the first instance and have a 120 handy as well.  I'd be riding at altitudes of about 650 - 1100 metres above sea level and am wondering to what extent that may have an influence on main jet choice.  I suppose it would involve some trial and error.

Check out the Dyno test of PX fitted with a Sito Plus.

http://www.vespalabs.org/Labs/Lab_Research/Dyno_Results/Air_Filter_Hole_and_Sito_Plus

As to longevity, (Sito group also produce Leo Vince exhausts),  one of the problems we have in Australia,  is when reading overseas reports on the life of components like exhausts is assessing under what sort of conditions.  For example in the UK they use salt on the roads to break up snow,  salt & moisture together destroys steel in no time.